Just steps from the Capitol, this cheese shop is always bustling and jam-packed with some of the best cheese the state has to offer. We walked away with several award-winning samples, including the Pleasant Ridge Reserve and the Evalon, both made less than two hours from the shop.

This steakhouse is one of the reasons we love Wisconsin. With its classy atmosphere and award-winning food, Tornado is a must-try for anyone visiting this great state. Order a steak sandwich off the late-night menu — it’s one of the best we’ve ever had.

Paradise Lounge (or The Dice, as the locals call it) is an essential stop on any trip to Madison — the kitchen is open late, the beer is cheap and cold, and the foosball table is a great way to spend the night.

After a few drinks at Gib’s, we were in dire need of some pizza. Lucky for us, Grampa’s Pizza saved the day. Located right next to Gib’s, this pizzeria serves tasty thin crust pies with interesting toppings like pork confit and Calabrian chiles. We loved the Brassacre, a pizza served with bacon, Brussels sprouts, garlic, and plenty of cheese.

Owned by the folks behind the Underground Food Collective, a restaurant group that focuses its menus on local and seasonal ingredients, Forequarter never disappoints. The menu is constantly changing but always impressive — just make sure you save room for dessert.

We stopped by Graze for lunch and ordered the ramen, served in a heaping noodle bowl that made us crave a post-food nap. Fortunately, we were able to balance out our food coma with a round of Graze’s Magic Coffee, an incredibly decadent iced coffee that features espresso, cinnamon, brown sugar, and half and half.