Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in Madison

"When you need a break from the overpriced parking lots and general air of chaos surrounding the UW campus, head straight for the original East Washington Avenue location of Jeykell Badell's revelatory Venezuelan restaurant. Having earned quite a cult following in its first five years, it's the perfect intro to staples like pabellon (shredded beef with black beans, white cheese, deep-fried plantains, and a small arepa) and cachapa con queso y cochino frito (a sweet corn pancake stuffed with Venezuelan cheese and served alongside crucial house-made condiments and a pile of crispy pork)."

"La Taguara is an award-winning restaurant that specializes in traditional Venezuelan and Latin American cuisine. Located on East Washington, the cozy eatery boasts a casual, laid-back ambiance with maps, handmade clothing and art decorating the walls in celebration of Venezuelan culture. The extensive menu features a wealth of authentic Latin American fare, such as Cachapa con Queso y Cochino Frito (sweet corn pancakes filled with Venezuelan cheese and crispy pork served with nata and guasa caca) or classic tostones or empanadas, which can be ordered from the counter."

"If you’re done with the sights, the city walks, and the touristy activities in Madison, you might want to pause for a while and try its exquisite eats. First stop is La Taguara Restaurant in East Washington Avenue. It is a charming restaurant with casual interior design and friendly ambiance that offers mouthwatering Venezuelan and Latin American specialties."

"Serving breakfast all day, Short Stack Eatery prides itself on fresh food and community impact. Short Stack has sweet and savory options which pair great with coffee, tea or juice. A sweet tooth myself, I swear by the pancakes."

"For breakfast in Madison, there are few better places to go than Short Stack. Over the weekends they're open non-stop from 6am Saturday until 9pm Sunday for all your breakfasty needs."

"This business in Madison has cafes on University Avenue and King Street, and it offers organic fair-trade coffee and a delicious brunch menu. Try the Mint Cold Brew with mint syrup and a splash of cream or the Blackberry Sage Latte with blackberry syrup, espresso, milk, and sage syrup. The Pistachio Vanilla Zombie has white espresso, vanilla syrup, milk, and pistachio syrup."

"As one of Madison’s heavy-hitter roasters, dating back to 1994, Ancora Coffee Roasters boasts two cafes. The one on King Street is a block from the Capital Square, but if you’re looking for more of a restaurant-type environment, turn to the University Avenue location. The good news is that both locations offer amazing breakfast and lunch options."

"We take pride in serving you our freshly baked bagels & shmear, the best breakfast sandwich featuring fresh-cracked eggs, as well as fresh-brewed coffee and much more. We’ll have a fresh bagel and cup of coffee ready for you!. Address:652 State St, Madison, WI 53703"

"A post shared by Fuegos - Steak•Tapas•Vegan (@fuegosmadison) on Jun 7, 2019 at 3:47pm PDT. Fuegos is a Spanish word that loosely translates to “fire” or “flames.” The restaurant specializes in a blend of pan-Latin menus, and though it is a steakhouse, it has an enviable variety of vegan options as well. The restaurant has an extensive menu for vegans, featuring delicacies prepared with locally sourced ingredients to provide diners the most palatable experience possible."

"Restaurant Muramoto's offering of one of the largest sake selections in Wisconsin will warm both of your hearts and their concept of shared plate dining will inspire a mood of intimacy. Enjoy king crab tempura, a bumble bee roll, or steamed duck wonton alongside the gunsmoke roll or porkbelly buns at this tapas-like Japanese restaurant where east meets west. And how about the strawberry and red bean spring rolls with honey ginger ice cream pictured above?"

"Located right next to our Peruvian friends at Estacion Inka, Sushi express offers an extensive menu from yet another part of the globe. This Japanese eatery has an extensive menu of sushi, sashimi, teriyaki and lo mein as well as bento boxes for the hungry traveler. While the majority of the menu is averagely priced, find a friend who is also scraping the bottom of the barrel and take advantage of the 2 roll combo, any two rolls for just under $9."

"When you’ve ordered from a place so many times the delivery guy starts to recognize you…you know you have a problem. Let me just say, thank God the sushi was so affordable because the amount of times I ordered a Philadelphia roll and an eel & avocado roll delivered to my front door should have decimated my bank account. Don’t be fooled by the somewhat questionable name, Sushi Express serves delicious sushi rolls at an unbeatable price!"

"Go here for lots of food at a moderate price, get the steak, the chicken is good but everybody gets it. The steak is cooked right in front of you."

"Everyday Kitchen brings a twist to Wisconsin favorites with a homey, yet sophisticated, vibe. Classics like cheese curds are reinvented using white cheddar and served Buffalo-style. The fish fry is tempura-battered walleye enhanced with Spotted Cow."

"This retro diner with a simple menu of pancakes, bacon and eggs is the archetypal setting for brunch in America. Embracing these classic elements, Food Fight’s Bluephies kicks it up a few notches with a minimalist color scheme, cozy leather booths, soaring windows and a vibrant menu. Try the red velvet pancakes or avocado extravaganza scrambler for modern variations on timeless diner dishes, or go further into the menu and order the carrot cake French toast, crab Benedict, breakfast jambalaya or waffle dogs – sausages coated in waffle batter and fried."

"is a fun and contemporary restaurant that serves new Southwestern food, in addition to much-loved and well-known comfort foods. Catering to both carnivores and herbivores, classic burgers and sandwiches sit alongside house specials such as zucchini chips and onion dip of duck confit pop tarts. The ‘vodkatorium’, meanwhile, makes sure that the atmosphere remains relaxed with a gourmet choice of vodkas and vodka drinks, which rotate every week."

"Bluephies has a very eclectic menu, but more importantly, the food is excellent, so it's not just gimmicky. They take a variety of commonplace…"

"A post shared by Fuegos - Steak•Tapas•Vegan (@fuegosmadison) on Jun 7, 2019 at 3:47pm PDT. Fuegos is a Spanish word that loosely translates to “fire” or “flames.” The restaurant specializes in a blend of pan-Latin menus, and though it is a steakhouse, it has an enviable variety of vegan options as well. The restaurant has an extensive menu for vegans, featuring delicacies prepared with locally sourced ingredients to provide diners the most palatable experience possible."

"This is a casual batik-decorated restaurant specializing in a variety of traditional and fusion Indonesian cuisines. It is not an exclusively vegan restaurant, but it has a decent selection of options for diners who want nothing to do with meats. The dishes contain authentic Indonesian flavors inspired by family recipes that have been passed from one generation to another."

"The restaurant’s name speaks for itself as it serves only authentic and delicious Indonesian courses. The chefs won’t go easy on you, so you should expect only the best and spiciest dishes like pad Thai and bo poh tempeh. Eating here feels like you’re visiting the country itself because of the service, ambiance, and the food itself."