Top Picks for Irish Pubs in Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin is home to a diverse variety of restaurants, themes, and cultures. From ethnic to American, European influences and cross-cultural fusion cuisine, restaurants are in no short supply! Irish influences in particular are a popular dining destination for casual restaurant goers, and even sports enthusiasts. Madison’s Irish Pubs offer contemporary and polished settings that mirror traditional Irish pubs of Ireland and England. Irish pubs offer a casual and fun atmosphere, with some delicious authentic menus and of course, Guinness beer! The Guinness wars dominate the Irish pubs in Madison, with each location serving up the its version of the ‘best’ Guinness pour and draft. Try each of these top picks for Irish Pubs in Madison, Wisconsin and enjoy a taste of Ireland for lunch, dinner, or just relaxing with your favorite beer in hand!

1. Brocach Irish Pub
7 W. Main Street, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 255-2015
www.brocach.com

The word ‘brocach’ is Irish for badger den. In true Badger spirit, Madison’s downtown hotpspot for Irish food and large selection of beers cmes together in a beautiful setting. Authentic inspiration shows in the woodwork, design, and internal structure of the building, and the location is directly across the Capitol Square. Live irish music plays on both weeknights and weekends, and crowds can enjoy extensive bar seating as well as oversized booths. Alternatively, seek out a quiet spot on the restaurant’s second floor for a view of Madison’s Capitol building across the street. The menu offers tasty appetizers, lunch, and dinner items including a traditional Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips platter, lounge fries, Guinness Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, and an assortment of burgers, salads, soups, and sandwiches.

2. Irish Waters
702 N. Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53705 (608) 233-3398

Irish Waters is the perfect Irish pub for large parties and meetings, and is proudly one of Madison’s older restaurants near the west side. Irish Waters is famous for its vibrant and diverse atmosphere, offering pitchers and pints of all your favorite local and international beers. The casual setting offers private rooms and banquet-style seating, in addition to booths and tables near the bar. Top food picks include a Pot O’Gold Combo plate, Dublin Fried Chicken Fingers, Kilkenny Strip Steak, and various sandwiches and burgers. Seasonal specials include the famous Wednesday Black Angus Corned Beef dinner, and of course a Wisconsin Friday Night Fish Fry!

3. Claddagh Irish Pub
1611 Aspen Commons, Middleton, WI 53562 (608) 833-5070
www.claddaghirishpubs.com

Conveniently located in Middleton’s Greenway Station, the Claddagh Irish Pub appeals to a variety of tastes. Describing itself as a ‘public house’ environment, this laid back and casual atmosphere serves up a large menu of food and drinks in the Irish spirit. The ambiance and dÃ?©cor feature wall hangings, a showcase bar, and a floorplan with a high attention to detail. Menu offerings include Corned Beef and Cabbage Rolls, the Claddagh Catch pub sandwich, Shamrock Chicken Sandwich, Bangers and Mashed, and a classic Irish Beef and Guinness Stew. Dinner classics include a Gaelic Filet Mignon, Balsamic Chicken, and Stuffed Pork Chops. Don’t forget the Bailey’s Cheesecake for dessert!

4. Kelly’s Grille
2685 Research Park Drive, Fitchburg, WI 53711 (608) 442-8828
www.kellys-grille.com

Located on the edge of Madison in Fitchburg, Kelly’s Grille offers fun and food for the entire family. The dining room and bar are separate, allowing for both family meals and drinking fun when needed! An outdoor patio is a great place to enjoy the summertime in the Irish tradition, and live music completes the atmosphere year round. 16 large screen televisions let you enjoy a game or two, and free wi-fi access is also available. The extensive menu boasts Irish classics such as Fish & Chips, the Kelly Stack-meatloaf stacked with mashed potatoes, and Kelly Chips-baked potato chips with a creamy bleu cheese sauce. Although limited in Irish fare, the menu does offer a large variety of sandwiches, soups, appetizers, and desserts suitable for a variety of tastes and palettes!