If you’re visiting Madison, Indiana for a day trip or getaway you’ll find plenty of local restaurants that make great places to eat and drink.
I’m sharing more about the best places ranging from a quick stop, casual, to fine dining.
I also traveled with a gluten-free friend and discovered that many downtown restaurants offer great options.
FYI – the Visit Madison Digital Experience Guide has icons for gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly restaurants.
This article is written in partnership with Visit Madison. All opinions are my own and this article may contain affiliate links.
The Attic Coffee Mill Cafe
631 W Main St, Madison, IN
The Attic Coffee Mill Cafe was our first stop during our visit to Madison.
This is a great option for a drink on the go, breakfast, or lunch with an assortment of sandwiches, soups, and salads.
I tried the Black Bean Panini seasoned with black bean spread, jalapeño cream cheese, cheddar, and chopped green onion.
The gourmet paninis are made on freshly baked Focaccia bread and served with organic blue corn chips and Rothschild raspberry salsa.
I normally wouldn’t pick a vegetarian option but this one was recommended by our server as a popular panini and I really enjoyed it. They honestly had me at the mention of a jalapeno.
The regular wraps have an option to swap it out for a gluten-free tortilla.
My friend ordered the gluten-free Southwest Wrap made with grilled chicken, bacon, black beans, Roma tomato, cheddar, Southwest sauce, and chopped Romaine lettuce.
There’s an assortment of fresh bakery goods to choose from in addition to specialty coffee, teas, lotus drinks, and sodas.
In solidarity with my friend, we tried a few gluten-free pastries. We split the gluten-free blueberry muffin and chocolate chip cookie.
Both pastries were delicious to my non-gluten-free tastebuds. If their gluten-free pastries taste delicious you know you can’t go wrong with their regular pastries too.
River Oak Chophouse
605 W Main St, Madison, IN (Open for dinner only)
River Oak Chophouse is a wonderful fine dining experience in Madison for dinner.
Their chef-inspired menu features locally sourced beef and fresh seafood prepared on a wood-fired grill.
The “Moonshine Mussel” is a great way to start your meal as an appetizer.
The shareable plate is made with PEI Mussels, moonshine salsa verde broth, caramelized fennel, pickled shallot, and sweet corn.
One of the best parts of the dish is soaking up the fusion of flavors with their crusty bread.
This was my friend’s first introduction to mussels and she was an immediate fan. I had her try the broth with a spoon because she couldn’t eat the bread.
For my entree, I selected the Seafood Tagliatelle River which allowed me to enjoy more of their delicious mussels.
This dish has hand-rolled herb tagliatelle, PEI mussels, sea scallops, shrimp, harissa vodka broth, and preserved lemon.
My friend opted for the 8oz Filet. I tried a bite of the filet and it was cooked to perfection.
She chose the Cacio E Pepe Brussels and the whipped Yukon gold potatoes as her sides.
For dessert, I ordered the Banana Fosters Cheesecake (not gluten-free).
The cheesecake is made with banana, sour cream cheesecake with a vanilla cookie crust, tempura banana, and a brown sugar spiced rum sauce.
My friend opted for their creme brulee as her dessert. The creme bruelee at River Oak Chophouse is available in rotating flavors. That evening the option was pecan creme brulee.
Their creme brulee is topped with fresh whipped creme which was an unexpected surprise in the best way. I also got to sample a bite of her dessert in the name of “research.”
The building that houses River Oak Chophouse is significant to the owners. This is the building where they met for their first blind date, and the rest is history.
There is even a signature cocktail on the menu called the “Blind Date,” a fusion of their personal preferences of bourbon and tequila.
The Blind Date is made with Lalo Blanco tequila, aged in-house in a Woodford Bourbon barrel and served on the rocks, or neat.
Red on Main
122 E Main St, Madison, IN
The chef-inspired bistro is another great option for lunch or dinner.
Guests can sit at the bar in the back of the restaurant with additional seating or at the dining area toward the front of the building.
I opted for the 9oz. USDA Choice Filet Mignon served with Dauphinoise potatoes, grilled asparagus, and garlic butter that paired well with my red wine.
My friend ordered the cedar-planked salmon as her gluten-free option. The dish was made with sundried tomato pesto, Chevre cheese, aged balsamic, and grilled vegetables.
She said the flavor combinations in her entree were something she wouldn’t normally order but she loved every bite.
We were too full to order dessert but their espresso martini could easily double as dessert.
Their espresso martini is made with Tito’s vodka, Kahlua, Hard Truth Hills maple bourbon cream, cold brew concentrate, and cinnamon sugar.
The cocktail was so good that we immediately searched to see how far away Hard Truth Distillery was from our location.
Hinkle’s Sandwich Shop
204 W. Main Street, Madison, IN
Since 1933, locals and tourists have enjoyed classic burgers, fries, shakes, and more at Hinkle’s Sandwich Shop.
The burgers are slider size, made to order on the grill, and reminiscent of White Castle for many guests.
You can dine at the counter or at the dining area next door.
If there is space at the counter I recommend sitting at the counter because we really enjoyed interacting with our waitress and other locals sitting nearby.
I tried the regular cheeseburger with a bun and my friend ate hers like a taco to keep it gluten-free.
The burger flavors were so good that it didn’t need any condiments in my opinion.
There is an overwhelming amount of options regarding their shake flavors in a good way. The good news is that you can pick more than one flavor for your shake.
I was debating between a few options and let our waitress surprise me. She presented me with a shake made with peanut butter, coffee, and malt and it was delicious.
My friend was also pleased with her shake selection which combined peanut butter, chocolate, and banana.
Take note Hinkle’s is closed on Sundays so you don’t miss out and is no longer open 24/7 which might be good information to know depending on how long it’s been since your last visit.
Mad Love Eat + Drink
709 W Main St, Madison, IN
We enjoyed lunch at Mad Love Eat + Drink.
Check their days of operation/ hours before you go. They don’t take reservations and seating is first come first served.
Mad Love Eat + Drink has a casual vibe and a music-centric decor.
Check out the guitars on the ceiling that create a unique compass.
I ordered a margarita, extra spicy on the rocks and my friend ordered the frozen lime and strawberry margarita.
My friend ordered the Mad Love Salad minus the crouton. The salad has mixed greens, cranberries, “Madmade” candied pecans, and goat cheese.
I was torn between ordering the Smashed Love burger or the Blackened Mahi tacos.
A waitress cast the final vote and I wasn’t disappointed. Their blackened Mahi tacos were delicious and a perfect option for lunch.
Off Broadway Taproom
218 E Main St, Madison, IN
The Off Broadway Taproom is a cozy gastropub serving up scratch-made food, in a building almost 200 years old that’s also an an intimate venue for live music.
I tried the “Gadget” sour beer from Cincinnati brewery, Urban Artifact.
Our server recommended the Rock & Roll Burger, and I tried it with an open mind. They have creative combinations when it comes to burgers as well as the classics.
The Rock & Roll Burger is topped with jalapenos, American cheese, greens, tomatoes, and peanut butter. I think this might have been my first burger with peanut butter.
It’s definitely a unique fusion of flavors if you’re feeling adventurous.
If you order their loaded nachos as an entree be prepared to share or box it up because the portions are very generous.
My friend enjoyed it but her plate barely looked like she made a dent!
Thomas Family Winery
208 E 2nd St #3420, Madison, IN
There are two wineries in downtown Madison.
Thomas Family Winery serves hand-crafted, traditional wines and old-world ciders made on-site inside a building formerly an 1850s stable and carriage house.
Their tasting room has complimentary wine tastings.
Guests in the tasting room can order craftsman cheeses, hearth-baked breads, Old World salamis, and charcuterie to enjoy with a draft cider, Meade, or glass of wine.
On most Saturday nights they have live traditional music (Celtic, Bluegrass, and Americana.)
There is also a nice outdoor area with benches and seating for guests to enjoy.
Lanthier Winery & Distillery
123 Mill St, Madison, IN
Lathier Winery & Distillery is Madison, Indiana’s oldest winery, in 1994.
The winery is housed inside an 18th-century building previously used as a trading post and depot exchange.
The grounds around the winery are beautiful with plenty of places to relax and enjoy the view, making great photo ops.
Wine tastings in the Cellar Tasting Room are complimentary. Their craft wines range from dry, semi-sweet, and sweet.
Make sure that you check out their special events throughout the year.
On a hot day, their wine slushies hit the spot! The flavor during our visit we tried the Dreamsicle which tasted like an orange creamsicle.
Madison’s first distillery has flavored vodkas in addition to their regular vodka. You can sample them for a small fee.
The Red Pepperoni
842 W Main St, Madison, IN
The Red Pepperoni is a great option if you’re in the mood for pizza.
They make their own dough topped with fresh ingredients. In addition to pizza, they have salads, pasta, calzones, and grinders.
There are 50+ craft beers to choose from with selections that change weekly.
After dining around the city for a few days we weren’t hungry when it came to dinner time BUT I wanted to share a pizza option with you which prompted more “research.”
We ordered the Thai Chicken pizza to-go and I shared it with my family when I got home later that evening. I wanted to try this specialty pizza because it was one of the more unique menu options.
Their Thai Chicken pizza is made with Thai peanut sauce, chicken, carrots, red peppers, and onions. We really enjoyed it and I would definitely order it again.
There are plenty of more traditional pizza options on the menu as well.
All pizzas are also available crustless or with a gluten-free crust.
The Red Roaster Coffee & Eatery
100 W Main St, Madison, IN
The Red Roaster Coffee & Eatery serves specialty coffees, teas, and blended beverages.
They also have pastries and sandwiches and ample seating for guests.
I ordered an iced hazelnut latte perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Analog Coffee
329 W Main Street. Madison, IN
This is another local coffee shop option serving specialty coffees, teas, and Lotus. They have pastries and breakfast and lunch menu options.
Our timing was off with their hours during our visit but I want to check out Analog Coffee during my next visit.
Cocoa Safari Chocolates
118 W Main St, Madison, IN
Cocoa Safari Chocolates specializes in handcrafted artisan chocolate.
Your hardest challenge will be narrowing down all the options.
Popular selections include salted caramels, cherry cordials, and handcrafted creams.
Chillbilly Treats
115 E Vaughn Dr, Madison, IN
Chillbilly Treats is a great stop for soft-serve ice cream located within steps of the Ohio River. The food stand also has milkshakes, specialty ice cream treats, burgers, fries, and more.
They also have Dole Whip in pineapple and strawberry which is really refreshing.
Scoops
115 W Main St, Madison, IN
Scoops is a local option for hand-dipped ice cream flavors. They have 32 flavors of ice cream, sherbet, and sorbet.
Toppers on Main
301 W Main St, Madison, IN
Toppers on Main features frozen yogurt, ice cream, and rolled ice cream.
The Iron Gate Bed and Breakfast
708 E Main St, Madison, IN
One of the perks of staying at a bed and breakfast IS the homemade breakfast.
If you’re an overnight guest staying at Iron Gate Bed & Breakfast they offer a delicious breakfast that includes gluten-free alternatives for guests upon advanced request.
It was nice for my friend to enjoy a similar breakfast each morning during our 2-night stay.
In addition to a great breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other travelers enjoying the area.
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I’ve got plenty of ideas for things to do during your visit to Madison, Indiana to help you burn off calories after your delicious meals below.
