Best Burgers in Madison

Settle Down Tavern· Downtown (Capitol Square), Madison

This took my number one burger spot in Madison. Downtown on Pinckney Street. I got the Jalapeno Hot Rod: two thin smashed patties with jalapenos and onions smashed right into the meat, potato bun, special sauce. True smash burger, great seasoning, hint of spice in every bite without going over the top. Add the ghost seasoning on the fries. About $18 for burger and fries. Pet friendly, great patio, great vibes. Incredible burgers, incredible fries.

Badger Tavern· Seminole Highway, Madison

Every time I post a burger review somebody says Badger Tavern. Not that it is the best burger on earth, but that it is one of the most consistent burgers in Madison. Classic Wisconsin dive off Seminole Highway: pull tabs, beer, food coming from behind the bar. I got a bacon cheeseburger for $13 with pepper jack and pickled jalapenos, cooked medium. Soft bun, salty crispy-ended bacon, seasoned patty. Lands in my top 5. Also one of the best bars in town.

Licari's Bar & Grill· South Madison (Emil St), Madison

The only place to win Madison Burger Week two years in a row. I got the Pull Tab Burger that won in 2024: Jenifer Street Market patty, homemade chipotle aioli, American and pepper jack, a mountain of bacon, and two jalapeno poppers stuffed inside. Big, messy, borderline unmanageable, and somehow it all works. That bun is one of my favorites. Cajun fries with the homemade garlic aioli are unreal. About $18 and it could feed two. Go here when you want something different than a standard cheeseburger.

Players Sports Bar· 2013 Winnebago St, Madison

Classic sports bar setup on Winnebago Street. Games on, drinks flowing, nothing complicated, but the food is better than you would expect. I got the Going Bananas burger: banana peppers, pepper jack, patty cooked almost perfectly. A little kick, a lot of flavor, and you just enjoy it. Strong option for watching a game and actually eating well. Known locally for being consistent, which matters more than hype.

Village Green· 7508 Hubbard Ave, Middleton

Best bang for your buck burger right now. Regulars spot in Middleton. Double cheeseburger for around $12, big portion, cheese melted exactly how you want it. Could use a little more seasoning on the patty, same note as Oakcrest, but you are getting a lot of burger for the price and it delivers. More of a sit down and eat spot than a quick in and out. Easy place to bring someone who does not want anything fancy.

Village Bar· 3801 Mineral Point Rd, Madison

West side neighborhood bar on Mineral Point Road, famous for the Brick Burger. Thick slice of Wisconsin brick cheese over a classic bar patty, the kind of no-pretension burger that has been in Madison best burger conversations for years. Old school room, regulars, simple plate. When you want a classic Madison bar cheeseburger with brick cheese, this is the one people point you to.

Oakcrest Tavern· 5371 Old Middleton Rd, Madison

Lowkey chaos in the best way. Small, always busy, zero effort put into impressing you. Just a bar that happens to serve one of the best burgers in the area. If we are talking straight up cheeseburger, this is your winner: perfect size, a ridiculous bun, everything fits together. Only knock is the patty could use a little more seasoning and the price feels a dollar high for the size. Expect a wait at peak times. Also one of the best fish frys in Madison.