After restaurants started to reopen, Brian and I ventured out to places with good patio seating. This is a list of our favorites. Some of these places always have outdoor seating and some of the restaurants have made a new patio area in order to have higher capacity. It will be interesting to see what the patio season will look like next summer.

Everyday Kitchen

Brunch is bomb. They also have a ton of spaced out seating indoors.

Tempest Oyster Bar

Hit them up for happy hour. Best place in town to get oysters.

Lucille

They took over some extra space into the street. One of our favorite pizza places in Madison plus incredible cheese curds.

Vintage

I definitely recommend the nachos.

Cafe Hollander

Our neighborhood spot. The cheese curds are my favorite! Huge outdoor space as well as a large bar where you can socially distance. For the winter they have added a tent and some igloos outside.

Olbricht Biergarden

Right on the water but closed for the season now.

The Tiki Bar

Love this spot right on Lake Monona. Really boozy tiki drinks in bright bold colors.

Next Door Brewing Company

They had a fun event that was a beer and donut pairing.

The Brass Ring

My favorite burger during Burger Week.

Mint Mark

A really cool spot in the Atwood neighborhood. We also got the Wednesday fried chicken special for takeout which is delightful.

bartaco

They were shut down for all of the summer but reopened in October. The patio is open with lots of heaters for a cozy experience. Takeout is super easy here as well with family style taco options and margarita kits.

Cento

Our favorite Italian spot in town and one of the three places that has beef tartare. We just discovered their takeout family meal for four that includes salad, bread and two mains which could be full pizzas or large pasta options for $40. Will definitely be ordering that again this winter.

Fresco

A rooftop patio! My fave. Another one of the places in town that serves beef tartare.

Alas patio season is pretty much over except for the places getting very creative. Cheers to lots of takeout and delivery this winter to keep the restaurant industry alive through this crazy time.