Description : EAST. Much-loved by children, this whimsical eatery mesmerizes young and old alike with its displays of vintage toys, suspended collectibles, and animated figures. There's even a merry-go-round out front that has all the kids clamoring for a ride from spring to early fall. The menu leans heavily towards sandwiches, soups, and other kid-friendly fare, and the signature ice cream is fantastic ­ cold, creamy, and homemade. Ideal when you're in that soda shop frame of mind.

Hours : Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card

Description : DOWNTOWN. Located at street level in the estimable L'Etoile restaurant building, this cafe has been a godsend according to those local folks who appreciate European-style bakeries and incredible pastries. House-baked goods include croissants, gougeres, cakes, breads, and pain au chocolat. Sweet and savory options are both available, and you'll also find gourmet sandwiches and soups. Ingredients for the cafe foods come from the Farmers' Market, and when it's open on Saturday mornings, space can get tight. Still, don't let that deter you from indulging in some of the city's best light fare.

Hours : Mon-Fri 7:30am-1:30pm, Sat 6:30am-2pm
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card

Description : WEST. Folks in Madison just can't get enough of Michael's super-premium ice cream, which ups the butterfat content for maximum flavor and texture. No, it's not low-cal, but if you're going to indulge, why do it half-heartedly? The stuff is served fresh and is crafted in small batches of goodness. Plus, it's so thick that it holds a spoon up on its own. Vanilla and chocolate are always available, along with a few changing flavors, and if you want food to accompany your treat, Michael's also serves burgers and fries.

Hours : Sun-Thu 11:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10:30am-midnight
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card

Description : STATE STREET. Exhibiting the laid-back ambience and artistic penchant nurtured by the best coffeehouses, Michelangelo's greets patrons with a warm welcome and an invitation to sink back into a sofa and nurse a fragrant cuppa. The place is a fantastic State Street destination, and if you've got time to spare, it's ideal for just hanging out, reading, chatting, or the like. A menu of light fare heads off the munchies and promises an energy boost for the next stage of the day.

Hours : Daily 7am-11pm
Payment Methods : Cash Only

Description : DOWNTOWN. This hotel establishment boasts of having "steak, seafood, style," and you can rest assured that you'll find all three. In fact, evidenced by a seafood martini and Angus beef carpaccio, specialties are prominent from the get-go. After you've indulged in them, consider a tenderloin filet or a 24-ounce ribeye. You'll also find prime rib, lamb chops, veal, pork, and chicken. Marine options include grilled lobster, ahi tuna, or Hawaiian blue marlin with pineapple sage butter. Olive, the hotel's lounge, boasts a huge martini list, should you care to tackle a few before or after dinner.

Hours : Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm; Dinner Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card,American Express

Description : WEST. Comfortable without being ostentatious, Delaney's is one of those places where you know you'll enjoy good steaks and good ambience. A stone's throw from West Towne Mall, the restaurant offers up a variety of steaks and chops, including pork and lamb. You'll also find chicken, lobster, fresh fish, pastas, and prime rib. Unlike some places, Delaney's also provides bread, potato, and soup or salad. Their decadent desserts are not-to-be-missed either; besides, who could pass up a Snickers Blitz or French Chocolate Chambord cake?

Hours : Mon-Sat 5pm-close (bar opens 4pm)
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card,American Express

Description : DOWNTOWN. Cleanly elegant and rife with luxurious materials and details, this sophisticated steak house makes a perfect destination for special-occasion or expense-account dining. Aged steaks range from the signature ribeye to tenderloins and NY strips. Other options include Moroccan-spiced chicken, chipotle pork tenderloin, Maine lobster, salmon en papillote, and seared sea scallops with candied cashews. Fresh oysters and mussels make appetizing starters, and a full bar with an international wine list is available as well. Attentive and professional service adds to the 1940s style ambience.

Hours : Dining Daily 5pm-close; Bar Daily 4:30pm-close
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card,American Express

Description : EAST. At Prime Quarter, diners are provided the novelty of selecting, seasoning, and grilling their own steaks on an enormous hickory grill. Choice and Prime cuts include an 18-oz. Kansas City strip, 20-oz. top sirloin, and 40-oz. Beefeater (those who gobble down this monster gain entrance to the exclusive Beefeater's Club). Meals include grilled Texas toast, potato, and an all-you-can-eat salad bar. If red meat isn't your style, opt for the daily fresh fish or chicken, which you also may grill yourself.

Hours : Dining Mon-Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat-SUn 4pm-10pm; Bar Mon-Fri 4pm-close, Sat-Sun 3:30pm-close
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card,Discover,American Express,Diner's Club

Description : WEST. Considered one of the Midwest's top steakhouses, Smoky's has been pleasing patrons since 1952. The family-run operation diligently chooses its steaks and sears them on a sizzling grill. The result is tender, juicy, perfectly cooked beef. A brief menu places emphasis on NY strips and filet mignons, but anything is good, and broiled lobster tail is a succulent treat. Make sure to order the hashbrowns as a side dish, and browse the restaurant's abundance of decorative kitsch while you wait.

Hours : Restaurant Mon and Wed-Sat 5pm-10pm; Bar Mon and Wed-Sat 4pm-midnight
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card,American Express

Description : EAST. Awash in color, thanks to suspended kites and vibrant artwork, this delightful cafe maintains a faithful following that it cultivated early on. Serving three meals a day, Mariah is affordable enough to frequent regularly, and since you order at the counter, it has a pleasant sense of casualness. Breakfast delivers bacon and eggs, tasty burritos, and stuffed omelets, along with great French toast and a customer favorite, sweet potato pancakes adorned with sour cream and maple syrup. Baked items are great to-go items, and lunch brings on gourmet sandwiches, soups, and salads. At dinner, pastas and seafoods are popular.

Hours : Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am-9pm
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card

Description : EAST. Quirky, fun, and individualistic, this one-of-a-kind cafe is the creative offspring of local culinary figure, Janie Capito. Eminently comfortable and perfect for a relaxing meal, Lazy Jane's offers both dining and lounge areas, set with sculpture and artistic touches. At breakfast, patrons can choose from coffee and baked goods (cakes, cookies, scones) or more substantial dishes that marry tradition with innovation (eggs, bacon, hash). Lunchtime offerings include fabulous sandwiches, soups, and salads.

Hours : Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-2pm
Payment Methods : Cash Only

Description : DOWNTOWN. Homemade foods crafted with wonderful ingredients earn kudos at this terrific eatery, and the crowds that gather to sample Marigold's tasty fare are tangible confirmation of its quality. Sunny environs please folks who dig into blueberry pancakes, omelets, crab-and-asparagus frittatas, poached eggs with prosciutto, French toast, and gourmet egg sandwiches. Baked goods such as muffins, scones, cakes, and their much-touted chocolate-covered coconut macaroons are also decadent treats. Lunch is fantastic, too.

Hours : Breakfast Mon-Fri 7am-10:30pm; Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-3pm; Brunch Sat 7am-2pm
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card

Description : WEST. An institution with sports fans and locals since 1946, this neighborhood diner is a throw-back to past days. Short-order cooking produces fantastic burgers, and malts are a house specialty. Breakfast, especially, draws in folks, including UW athletes. They come for enormous pancakes or scramblers, which are eggs stirred up with meat, served over fried potatoes and topped with melted cheese and brown gravy. (Make sure you've got an active day planned!) Food's affordable, and seating is at the counter or in booths.

Hours : Tue-Fri 6am-2:30pm, Sat 6am-3pm, Sun 7am-2 pm
Payment Methods : Cash Only

Description : EAST. A former gas station, revamped in stainless steel, neon, and glass block, serves as this trendy diner's home. Thankfully, good cooking keeps up with the hip retro decor. Meatloaf, roast pork, and chicken pot pie call forth childhood memories come evening, but the morning meal is a savory affair as well. French toast, omelets, fried eggs, and pancakes please old-school diners, while adventurous folks look to potato-zucchini pancakes, a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs and chorizo, or Mediterranean eggs benedict with artichokes, mushrooms, and capers. Fruit, cereal, and baked goods available too.

Hours : Mon-Thu 7am-9pm, Fri 7am-10pm, Sat 7:30am-10pm, Sun 7:30am-9pm
Payment Methods : Cash,Visa,Master Card