Travel Like a Local: Outdoor Dining in Middleton

The umbrellas are open and tables are set! Come enjoy one of Middleton’s 38 restaurants and cafés that offer outdoor dining. Whether you enjoy sidewalk cafés, patios or picnic tables, here’s a list for you!

ANCHO & AGAVE

Enjoy one of their many house-made signature salsas and 12 kinds of margaritas indoors or on their lovely patio. This fairly new restaurant to Middleton is located in Greenway Station, with ample parking and all the classics on their menu. Reservations not necessary but can be made online.

1847 AT THE STAMM HOUSE

The Stamm House, built in 1847, has served the Middleton community as a service station, hotel and tavern, speakeasy during the prohibition, and as a supper club. Fully renovated to its former glory, this beautiful brick restaurant is a modern take on a Wisconsin Supper Club with an upstairs and downstairs bar and dining rooms, as well as a patio facing Century Avenue (with almost as much dining space as the interior!).

BARRIQUES-MIDDLETON

Enjoy breakfast or lunch at Barriques in downtown Middleton. Located on the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Cayuga Street, Barriques has a wrap-around sidewalk café to begin your day off right. Serving a wide variety of drinks, including a full coffee and tea menu as well as non-alcoholic, alcoholic and blended drinks, and wine by the bottle. Hours are Monday-Friday: 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturdays: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

BIAGGI’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO

An award-winning Italian restaurant offering affordable house-made and imported pastas, soups & salads, pizza, seafood, steaks and desserts, as well as an extensive wine list and full bar. Enjoy its patio during seasonal hours.

CAPITAL BREWERY & BIER GARTEN

Capital Brewery & Bier Garten downtown is called “Middleton’s back yard” for a reason. The spacious bier garten comes complete with picnic tables and a stage and outdoor bar and is open from spring until snow falls. Middleton residents flock to the large outdoor space during good weather and cozy up to the bar in the winter. There is usually live music Friday nights and folks are encouraged to sit down at one of the picnic tables, enjoy a fresh pint of Cap-Brew and you’re welcome to carry or order in! Summer hours include: Sunday: noon-5 p.m.; Monday: closed; Tuesday-Thursday: 4-9 p.m.; Friday: 3-10 p.m.; Saturday: noon-9 p.m. No dogs allowed on Friday nights, otherwise they are welcome on a leash.

C’S RESTAURANT & BAKERY

C’s Restaurant & Bakery serves a full breakfast and lunch, as well as having a great bakery. Enjoy a cup of coffee and cinnamon roll out on the patio, daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COMPADRES MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Compadre’s Mexican Restaurant resides downtown in Middleton with a lovely covered outdoor patio. The restaurant is just a short walk from Stone Horse Green, as well, if diners wish to take carry out to the open green space.

CRAFTSMAN TABLE & TAP

Craftsman Table and Tap is a friendly neighborhood restaurant located close to Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Its private patio is a comfortable place to enjoy a meal, or book an event. There is also a rooftop patio — check for availability.

CULVER’S

Culver’s is a Wisconsin chain offering famous Butter Burgers, fish fries, sandwiches, fries, frozen custard, and more!

DHABA INDIAN BISTRO

Dhaba Indian Bistro offers fine and classic Indian food in a more formal setting with reasonable prices. The lunch and dinner menus offer a wide selection, as well as a daily lunch buffet, that reflects the best features in Indian cuisine.

THE FREE HOUSE PUB

This cozy gastropub offers salads, sandwiches, burgers and bites, as well as a specials menu and fish fry. There are two bars to side up to to watch a game or enjoy a drink with friends. Choose form large beer, wine, cocktail, and whiskey menu, for indoor or outdoor dining. There are sidewalk bistro tables, as well as an enclosed patio. Open for lunch and dinner.

FUJI SUSHI & HIBACHI

High energy and entertaining hibachi dining experience, with unmatched seafood, steak and other Japanese cuisine options.

GINO’S ITALIAN DELI

Classic Italian deli offering salads, submarine sandwiches, pasta sauces, lasagna, meatballs and Italian sausage, all made in-house daily. Also, very close in proximity to one of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy entrances.

GRACE COFFEE CO.

Located on the corner of Parmenter Street and Hubbard Avenue, Grace Coffee Co. serves up specialty coffees and teas and craft cocktails, along with delicious bakery items and a breakfast and lunch menu. Enjoy your meal outdoors on their sidewalk café which wraps around the corner. Hours are Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

GRAPE WATER WINE BAR

Grape Water Wine Bar invites customers to enjoy a glass of wine in or outside their establishment. Enjoy their sidewalk café all summer and into the fall! Also now offering Salvatore’s pizzas or DIY charcuterie plates. Open Tuesday & Wednesdays: 4-10 p.m.; Thursday and Fridays: 4-11 p.m.; and Saturdays: 3-11 p.m. Closed Sundays.

HIDDEN CAVE CIDERY

Hidden Cave Cidery opened in Middleton in summer 2021 by a Middleton native who creates his hard cider entirely from Wisconsin-grown apples and as many Wisconsin ingredients as he can source. The outdoor patio is open to enjoy a glass of hard cider and one of their signature cheese boards. Click here for the updated menu. Guests are also allowed to bring their own food in (to the patio) to enjoy. Open Fridays: 5-9 p.m.; Saturdays: 1-9 p.m.; and Thursdays for special events.

HUBBARD AVENUE DINER

The ultimate classic diner, serving favorites like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, as well as innovative sandwiches, salads and daily specials. Famous for their delicious pies and sugar cookies, as well as decorative cakes. Order with a scoop of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream (local brand), and now serving beer and cocktails.

JOHNNY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE

Italian Steakhouse, specializing in quality steaks, chops, seafood, and many other Italian specialties.

LONGTABLE BEER CAFE

Longtable Beer Cafe strives to serve locally sourced ingredients with seasonal flare. Known for its wall cooler of more than 300 kinds of beer (choose one or carry home a case!). Enjoy a craft burger, fish fry, house-made frites or charcuterie board at one of their custom long tables or outdoors on the patio. You can reserve firepits, as well, in the winter.

LUPE’S TAQUERIA

Casual counter service taqueria, offering burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and more, all made with fresh ingredients and fast and friendly service.

MID TOWN PUB

Middleton’s lakeside neighborhood bar and grill. American grub with vegetarian options and weekly lunch and dinner specials, including an award-winning fish fry.

MIDDLETON SPORT BOWL

Sports bar and bowling alley with 10 bowling lanes and bumper bowling for kids. A multi-level sports bar, with many HDTVs and four big screens, so you can enjoy the big game.

MIGGY’S BAKES

Enjoy a coffee, ice cream and baked treat on Miggy’s Bakes patio. This sweet shop is open year-round; hours are: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sundays and Mondays. (Open special dates and hours for events.)

MONK’S BAR & GRILL

A neighborhood bar and grill offering a full menu with daily food and drink specials, all within a family-friendly environment. Check for specials and its seasonal fish fry menu.

NITTY GRITTY

A family and group-friendly restaurant and bar, known as the “Official Birthday Place and Home of the Famous Gritty Burger.”

NOODLES & COMPANY

A fast, casual restaurant, specializing in noodle dishes, soups, and salads inspired from around the world.

PASQUAL’S CANTINA

A Madison original (first opening in 1985 as Salsaria & Southwestern Deli in Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhoods), Pasqual’s Cantina offers authentic flavors and a fun atmosphere. Come for margarita night, or just their famous Southwest-seasoned tortilla chips.

PAUL’S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR & RESTAURANT

Local, neighborhood bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as daily food and drink specials. Happy Hour offered Monday-Thursday: open 7 a.m. to midnight; Friday-Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

PRAIRIE CAFE & BAKERY

A local café and bakery, offering breakfast, lunch, and daily bakery specials. Everything, from the soups to the salads to the fresh bakery items, are made in-house daily. Check out the full menu here. Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

SCOOTER’S

Scooter’s Coffee is a dine-in and drive-thru coffee shop on University Avenue. Stop by and take advantage of one of its outdoor tables.

STARBUCKS

Middleton has two Starbucks locations — Greenway Boulevard and Allen Boulevard — and they each offer at least a small outdoor patio.

SOFRA FAMILY BISTRO

A family-friendly restaurant, serving authentic Albanian-American cuisine. Here, you will find award-winning homemade Albanian sausages served with eggs for breakfast, in a burger form for lunch and alongside Albanian entrées for dinner. Enjoy their sidewalk cafe with beautiful potted plants and flowers. Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; closed Mondays.

TAKARA 88

Takara 88 offers delicious Japanese dining and takeout. Takara 88 has been recognized for its outstanding Sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine, while providing excellent service and friendly staff. Enjoy a covered outdoor porch-style dining and patio.

TANNER’S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR & GRILL

Sports bar serving lunch and dinner, featuring specialty burgers, chicken lips, charred chicken wings, Booga Mania, amazing specials and a great view of any TV.

VILLA DOLCE

An artisan pizzeria and gelateria, offering Italian food in a relaxed environment, all located in downtown Middleton. Villa Dolce’s sidewalk café extends around the building and is just next door to Stone Horse Green, where diners can take carryout and enjoy live music on summer weekends. Open 5-8:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday; closed Sundays.

THE VILLAGE GREEN

A family-friendly and locally owned, old-fashioned tavern in Middleton. The Village Green has been proudly serving customers throughout Dane County since June of 1976. Its sidewalk patio reaches Stone Horse Green, where diners can sit and enjoy take out from any restaurant.

WILLY STREET CO-OP WEST

Featuring high-quality natural, organic and locally-produced foods that you can enjoy in-store or grab and go!