So, here we are again. Temperatures have finally climbed higher than 40 degrees, the sun is out and tables and chairs are back outside State Street’s beloved restaurants. During this past particularly frigid winter, going to get food was less about the best eating experience and more about finding the closest possible place to grab food so frozen noses and hands could be avoided. But it’s time to venture back outside and check out the best warm-weather eating experiences Madison has to offer.
Located on Library Mall, the food carts are a Madison staple. Ranging from the all-natural Electric Earth to the dynamite Mediterranean food of Banzo, these carts have something for every type of eater. On a beautiful day, the area surrounding these carts becomes a social hub. With tons of seating and a central location, this is a great place to meet up with friends, especially the kind of friends who can never all agree on one type of food to get. Madison is known for its food carts, so make it a goal to try each and every one before graduation! A must-try is the harvest pita sandwich from Banzo. Make sure to pick up a side of their fresh homemade hummus to keep in the fridge!
Next stop is the outdoor haven behind Memorial Union—the terrace. Known for its colorful chairs and unmatchable view of Lake Mendota, this is the perfect place to kick back with a Twisted Tea and take in the sun. It is also a great place to study for second-semester finals, when the weather is so nice that the library just seems like a waste of a beautiful day. Before you get ready to sit outside, pop into Memorial Union, bring some of the classic pub food from Der Rathskeller to your seat by the water and get ready to relax.
If a beautiful day inspires you to take a walk, then this final place is perfect for you. Located all the way down the magnificent lakeshore path, Picnic Point is a secluded spot overlooking Lake Mendota. Before departing on your journey, grab your favorite food —I recommend trying my favorite, the veggie burger with Swiss cheese and guacamole from Sunroom Café!—plenty of water and a blanket. Enjoy a walk down the tree-lined path, and stop to eat and rest at the picturesque end of the route. Make sure to take pictures, because the view out there truly is breathtaking.
No matter how you do it, spring is the time to bring your eating experiences outside. Whether you like the hustle and bustle of the city or somewhere a bit more off-the-beaten-path, Madison has a place for you. Break out your shorts and flip-flops, put on your sunglasses and enjoy the sun, because when warmth finally arrives in Madison, it’s essential to soak up every minute of it.
Have some great outdoor eating spots you’d like to share with Sydney? Email her your favorite picks at smmann@wisc.edu and grab a bite to eat—once the sunshine peaks through.
