Laurel Tavern

Friday fish fry at the Laurel Tavern remains a highlight of my visits to Madison and today was no exception. We arrived a bit after 4;30 to secure a table, which turned out to be a good strategy, as the place was packed by the time we finished. Erica, our server was so great, helping me out with a beer selection and letting us share a dinner with extra sides. The walleye portion is huge, with three generous fillets. Hash browns and a green salad made it good, but adding fried cheese curds as an additional side made it great. This is a place for happy diners, like me.

Warm & welcoming spot with lots of booths & a cozy fire. Very pleasant and attentive staff. Food was okay, I had the mushroom Swiss burger I would have liked a toasted bun and a char on the burger. I asked for it medium rare, it wasn't. It fell apart & was a real mess. The onion rings were from a bag not fresh.

This tavern screams nostalgia! Not sure if it's the red lights, long bar, pull tabs or cheap bar food! You can't go wrong with Laurel Tavern! In an area such as Monroe St. where things are only becoming gentrified... it's nice to have a low cost bar with a quality Friday night fish fry and simple menu to call home! Quick note... be prepared to wait on a Friday night if you want the Fish Fry! Tables go fast!!

We heard about this place from a friend otherwise it would never have been on our radar. We stopped in for a late dinner on a Thursday evening. The place was somewhat empty except for what I am guessing were some regulars given the stares we got when we entered.My main question is: what's with the weird pink lighting throughout the place especially in the dining room? It appears someone really likes pink because the ladies' room is all pink. In the dining room the lighting gives the food an unappetizing glow. Really odd.The waitress was friendly and kept things moving. The food prices were actually cheap - a surprise these days with everything going up. The fried cod sandwich was solid. The reuben while tasty but was mainly sauerkraut with a bit of corned beef. It definitely needed more meat.The old fashion was disappointing - guessing a mix and tiny for the price (this was not a bargain).We've now been here - no need to return. Plenty of other neighborhood bars to try out.

So I have been back to the Laurel for the fish fry not once but a few times now. I can honestly say that it is very consistent and delicious here. The price is a bargain for the plateful that you receive. This place does get packed on Friday, yet the waiters and staff are great about moving the line along. The Laurel Tavern fish fry is one that I would highly recommend.

I did not order food because I was not hungry but the atmosphere was amazing, the bartenders were great and the patrons have been coming for years and know the history of the area. I will go next Friday for their fish fry

Ask a local. Driving through Madison on a Friday night, stopped for a pickup on a friend's recommendation for an amazing neighborhood fish fry. Friday night fish fry included 3 pieces of fried walleye pike, potatoes (baked, French fries or hash browns with onions and peppers covered in Wisconsin cheese), a roll and soup (clam chowder), salad or coleslaw. The fish was delicious with tarter sauce. Get the hash browns. Ordered take out while driving and it was hot, fresh, and a perfect dinner. Buy local!

Laurel Tavern, what a gem. It's a local spot with great food, prices, and staff. When you walk in, it feels like it's just going to be an old towny bar, and ding ding ding, you're basically right. But this one has so much charm, one of the BEST fish fry's in Madison, and is always a hoppin spot. So here are my recommendations for a game plan when coming here on fish fry fridays. 1. Come early. And I'm talking senior special early. If you're here at 530 you might have to wait for a table or just sit at the bar, but even then the bar might be full with people just enjoying a Friday evening. The parking lot is usually full by 5, so do yourself a favor and just come enjoy the spot with the seniors2. Ask to be seated right away. The team will seat you at your table even if only one of you is present! Definitely try not to reserve a table for more than 6 people but I'd say the perfect group is 4 here as the dining room area is pretty small. I'd say like 50 people max can fit in the dining room and that's if all the tables are full. 3. You'll get a server to you right away so definitely have your drink order ready. Meaning - what type of old fashioned are you getting? 4. Order the fish fry. Specifically the fried cod! I know walleye is traditional and it's usually my go to at fish fry's in Wisconsin, but the cod here slaps. It's boss. It's flavorful, flakey, deliciousness and you won't be disappointed. Also the fact that you get a soup, salad, or coleslaw is bomb. Their clam chowder is great and actually is gone pretty early in the night. If you want both chowder and coleslaw then make sure to the slaw as a side cuz the soup is more expensive5. Enjoy your delicious meal 6. Rave about how delicious it is and thank your server. Tip well and come back soon Honorable mentions - potatoes O'Brien (cheese on top of hasbrowns), fried mushrooms, and fried cheese curds. HAPPPY FISH FRY FRIYAYS!

What an absolutely wonderful dive. This place doesn't try to be something it's not. Excellent food for a busy local bar. Lots of TVs for sporting events.

A friend recently took me to the Laurel Tavern to celebrate my birthday. We were seated in a middle section and since my friend is hard of hearing, it was extremely hard to carry on a conversation. We happen to see a table open up in a corner and switched to that table. The woman (I think the owner?) cleared off the table very briskly, and we could tell she was angry. She then proceeded to reset (almost throw the silverware) the table. I told her we moved because we could not carry on a conversation. My friend repeated it. She just glared at us and said "Yah". If she wanted us to move, she should have said so. This is the absolutely the worst and rudest I have ever been treated at a restaurant.On the upside, our server was excellent and the food was good and plentiful.