Eating on Monroe St: 4 Foodie-Approved Restaurants to Try

Monroe St. in Madison WI, originally called Monroe Road, was none other than a dirt road used by the Ho-Chunk people. In the early 1800’s, it became the first public road in Wisconsin Territory. Fast forward to today, in 2025, it is home to an exciting and diverse range of local eats and treats loved by Madison residents and visitors alike. Today, Madison Eats Food Tours is exploring 4 of our favorite restaurants Monroe Street has to offer!

1. Camp Cantina
   1503 Monroe St. 
   https://camp-cantina.com/

Nested into the busy corner of Monroe and Regent, Camp Cantina is a family-owned restaurant offering a menu inspired from Guanajuanto, Mexico. Whether you are a student looking to score an affordable yet tasty meal after class or a couple seeking out a new date night spot for people watching, they offer specials 7-days a week. 

A favorite from our team is their Roasted Chicken in Adobo – served with charro beans (bacon, chorizo, sausage, peppers and onion), rice, grilled onions, jalapenos and corn tortillas. Delicious, filling and wonderful paired with a Paloma! 

2. Turkish Kitchen
2616 Monroe St. 
https://turkishkitchenmadison.net/

If you’d describe your favorite meals as decadent, nourishing and fresh – Turkish Kitchen, a Central Asian restaurant that opened in 2018, should be next on your dinner list. They offer an expansive meat selection best enjoyed with light sides and sauces, including Haydari, Babaganoush and Hummus with pita bread. 

Turkish cuisine is difficult enough to find in Madison, especially on weekends. Their delicious Turkish Breakfast, offered Friday-Sunday mornings, is the absolute perfect way to start your morning. We’ve come back for this again and again. 

3. Lallande
1859 Monroe St. 
https://www.lallandemadison.com/

If you are looking for a beautiful, calming atmosphere to spend a weekend night enjoying amuses, hors d’oeuvres, les plats, and (of course) desserts with wine or a cocktail – this might be your new favorite spot. We really enjoy the escargots paired with a French Chardonnay!

One of our favorite parts about the delicious food and drinks dispersed throughout Madison is the heart and soul that goes into preparing each element of the dishes, before they reach our plates. Lallande is a bistro owned by Mark Pavlovish and Annemarie Maitri that offers customers a thoughtful, rotational, French-countryside inspired menu. 

4. Alimentari
2623 Monroe St. 
http://www.alimentarimadison.com/

COMING SOON!

Fya Syde Kitchen, operated by Nicollette Beckford (Grateful Shed) and Xavier Fuller, is expected to open at 1925 Monroe St (formerly Taberna Tacos & Taqueria) in April 2025. The restaurant will serve sandwiches and burgers inspired by Jamaican and Caribbean flavors, as well as classics like jerk chicken. They plan to have a full bar, cocktail menu and classics to cater towards everyone living in Madison – locals and students alike. 

This is just the tip of the Madison Eats iceberg – want to read and experience more of our favorite local food and drinks? Check out our socials for the latest updates and don’t forget to join us for a Food Tour!