Settle Down Tavern - Madison, Wisconsin

Settle Down Tavern: A Coveted Downtown Madison Gathering Spot

Nestled at 117 S Pinckney St, Madison, WI 53703, United States, Settle Down Tavern is a beloved American restaurant and bar that has been serving the downtown area since 2012. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, this tavern has become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, offering a wide range of delicious dishes, an extensive drink menu, and exceptional service.

Cuisine and Specialties

Settle Down Tavern specializes in American comfort food, with a focus on hamburgers, cheese curds, and other classic favorites. Their menu also includes organic dishes, vegan options, and vegetarian choices, ensuring that everyone can find something they'll love. The tavern is particularly known for its cheese curds, which are often praised as some of the best in the downtown area.

Drinks and Happy Hour

In addition to its food menu, Settle Down Tavern boasts an impressive selection of beers, cocktails, and wines. They are particularly proud of their great beer selection and their innovative cocktails, many of which are created in-house. The tavern also offers a happy hour menu, with discounted drinks and appetizers available during specific hours.

Ambiance and Accessibility

The tavern's ambiance is casual, cosy, and trendy, with a family-friendly and LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere. It features both indoor and outdoor seating, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and toilet. The tavern also offers Wi-Fi, table service, and gender-neutral toilets.

Services and Accommodations

Settle Down Tavern offers a variety of services and accommodations to ensure a pleasant dining experience for all. These include kerbside pickup, takeaway, dine-in, late-night food, and a kids' menu. They also accept reservations, credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, and have paid multi-storey car parking and paid street parking nearby. Dogs are allowed outside, and the tavern is a transgender safe space.

What People Are Saying

With 524 reviews on Google My Business, Settle Down Tavern maintains an impressive average rating of 4.5/5. Customers praise the tavern for its great food, drinks, and service. One reviewer commented, "Great spot The cheese curds are some of the better ones in the downtown area - at least in the top 3 Came here for happy hour and were very pleased with everything."

Settle Down Tavern is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night dining, making it an excellent choice for any time of day. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a leisurely dinner, or a late-night bite, this tavern is sure to please. Be sure to check out their website at settledownmadison.com and give them a call at 6084426335 to make a reservation or learn more about their offerings.

👍 Reviews of Settle Down Tavern

Midwest R.

5/5

Great spot! The cheese curds are some of the better ones in the downtown area - at least in the top 3! Came here for happy hour and were very pleased with everything.

stacy L.

4/5

The staff was extremely friendly and we were seated without a wait. Food was good, but a little pricey. My 12 year old and I went and had a good time. I probably won't be back though as $60-70 for lunch is a bit much for me when we can get similar food at Culver's for much less. But if you're looking for something fun to do or a new restaurant to try, definitely check it out! Clean, kid friendly, nice outdoor seating, hamburgers and fried foods.

David R.

5/5

The Settle Down Tavern is a great little spot just off the square on Pinckney Street.
They offer food along with a big selection of drinks.
I went there for lunch on a Saturday and the first thing that caught my eye was the atrium. It's under a collection of skylights so you get a lot of natural light which is quite pleasant.
The service was great. We had to wait about 5 minutes for a table to open up, but it was easy enough to sit on the bench.
I had the "Good Idea" which is a smash burger with pickles, grilled onions, cheese, and Settle Down's own sauce. It was perfectly done. I got that nice crunch you look for in a smash burger.
The service was attentive without being overbearing.
The prices are quite reasonable.
If you're looking for a great smash burger, this place is a great choice.

Jon B.

5/5

Cool downtown dinning!! We had a blast outside. Food was good too! Devils birds n pickle puppies are great lil flavor bombs between bites of ur Chopped cheese or yummy fried chicken sand. The chili on the uf da fries is fer real!!!

Lindsey M.

5/5

This is a must try, the food and drinks were delicious. The atmosphere was quant and comfortable. The service was awesome. This is a must try stop on your travels through Madison Wisconsin.

Amy J.

5/5

I came here twice in a week moving my son to a downtown apartment. Had the grain bowl the first time and a smash burger with fries the second. Amazing food - grain bowl was enough for two meals, and it was the best burger and fries I think I've ever had. Fries are the right amount of crispy. Get the cookie too. Service was prompt and friendly, and there's three different atmospheres to choose from - outside, bar, or atrium. Highly recommend!!

Dennis H.

5/5

Very good burgers with interesting tasty sides. Some nice craft beers and cocktail specials. Cheese curds, deviled eggs and crispy fries are all recommended. A lively atmosphere, but not loud, so conversations can be had.

Joel B.

3/5

I wanted to like this place more than I actually did. The restaurant has a very neat atmosphere; it feels like 'old hotel meets hipster'. The staff were attentive and helpful. The menu here is surprisingly small; I think there are more drink options than food options. My small group tried several things, and our general consensus was that the food was fine, but nothing special, and felt maybe a bit overpriced (i.e. the burger cost a roughly normal amount until you realize it didn't come with any sort of side). The general agreement with my friends was that we are happy to have tried this place, but likely won't go back with any regularity.

K B.

3/5

Food is amazing! And only good prices on food. I would have given this place 5 stars, BUT it took forever to get drinks and their drink prices are double the price compared to anywhere else in Dane County.Sorry this is Wisconsin and I have never paid more than $8 for a Double Tall Captain & Coke. They charge $14 for this and someone in our ground got a None alcoholic drink in a tumbler & it was $9. Sorry, but that's crazy to price drinks that high. This isn't New York or California. I recommend only going there to eat food and only getting water or soda.

Jon B.

5/5

Cool downtown dinning!! We had a blast outside. Food was good too! Devils birds n pickle puppies are great lil flavor bombs between bites of ur Chopped cheese or yummy fried chicken sand. The chili on the uf da fries is fer real!!!

Midwest R.

5/5

Great spot! The cheese curds are some of the better ones in the downtown area - at least in the top 3! Came here for happy hour and were very pleased with everything.

stacy L.

4/5

The staff was extremely friendly and we were seated without a wait. Food was good, but a little pricey. My 12 year old and I went and had a good time. I probably won't be back though as $60-70 for lunch is a bit much for me when we can get similar food at Culver's for much less. But if you're looking for something fun to do or a new restaurant to try, definitely check it out! Clean, kid friendly, nice outdoor seating, hamburgers and fried foods.

David R.

5/5

The Settle Down Tavern is a great little spot just off the square on Pinckney Street.
They offer food along with a big selection of drinks.
I went there for lunch on a Saturday and the first thing that caught my eye was the atrium. It's under a collection of skylights so you get a lot of natural light which is quite pleasant.
The service was great. We had to wait about 5 minutes for a table to open up, but it was easy enough to sit on the bench.
I had the "Good Idea" which is a smash burger with pickles, grilled onions, cheese, and Settle Down's own sauce. It was perfectly done. I got that nice crunch you look for in a smash burger.
The service was attentive without being overbearing.
The prices are quite reasonable.
If you're looking for a great smash burger, this place is a great choice.