Stopped by lake vista cafe for lunch on Sunday. I was surprised that there was almost nobody at the restaurant, it was really empty! With this view, the place would have at least a one hour wait in Southern California!! I got the wright grain bowl with chicken and my bf got the king x Nolen sandwich (grilled chicken sandwich). My chicken was really nice, juicy and flavorful. The salad was good. The fries were not the best, the flavor was ok but they could have been a bit crispier. It was a light lunch with a nice view and overall we enjoyed it. read more

Lake Vista Cafe - King x Nolan sandwich with fries - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The view is beautiful. We walked 30 minutes to get here, but cafe was closed. . Only one other couple was here sitting outside. I should have checked hours. read more

Lake Vista Cafe - The view. - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Loved the black bean burger! Awesome views! Management might want to consider a payment method that doesn't require printed paper and ink signatures... it really delays (drags out the line) timing on the counter service. read more

Food and staff were excellent but The view is the greatest appeal. Our weather was excellent which is critical for this outdoor rooftop venue. read more

Great location. Yummy selection of food. Awesome place to hand and watch live music.

Great place to have food and look out over the water. It was packed when a group of us went there for lunch on a Friday, so be sure to get there earlier. Because of the amount of people, it can take a little while to get your food. I would say you could easily expect to be there for 45 min to an hour. Most of us ordered the 2 fish tacos, which I think is the best value on the menu. The tacos are always super flavorful and if you want more its $1.50 to add a taco. There is also a slaw that comes on the side. I have to say this is one of my favorite fish tacos in town! Also a perk is that if you ask for a cup of water, they will add a lemon wedge if you want. read more

Lake Vista Cafe - Fish tacos - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This was a great place to grab lunch outside with a view of Lake Monona. The staff was friendly, and the food was excellent! One downside is that one person in my party asked if something contained nuts (allergy), but the staff didn't know so that sauce was put on the side. When it came out, it was touching the food. I wish there was better care for the allergy. Overall, I would recommend. read more

Lake Vista Cafe - Herb Burger - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

If you're looking for a casual meal with a view in Madison, Lake Vista Cafe is your spot. The rooftop of Monona Terrace has gorgeous, expansive views of both the lake and the Capitol, and sitting at a table in the cafe, you pretty much get a panorama of the lake, which I found incredibly calming and peaceful. On top of the spectacular views, the service was a step above so many other places. Every staff member I encountered was so courteous and polite, always offering to help and checking to see if I needed anything. I was only looking for a light meal while I was there, so I appreciated that the kids menu indicated that it was available for both young and "young-at-heart" guests. I got the meal with two burger sliders, a side of tots, and a small lemonade. It was just the right amount for what I was looking for, and such a wonderful experience sitting outside enjoying the view. This somewhat hidden cafe ended up being one of my favorite spots in Madison, just a really pleasant experience with tasty food and an amazing view. Great escape from the city. read more

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Lake Vista Café is one of Madison's best kept secrets. Despite an impressive panoramic view of Lake Monona and solid food offerings, there's rarely a wait for a table at this rooftop café atop the north end of Monona Terrace. Ordering is straight forward: go to the window, place and pay for your order. You'll get a number and your food will be promptly delivered to your table. The menu consists of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and a limited number of entrees. There also are coffee drinks and a limited menu of alcoholic beverages. I ordered a BLT with an avocado aioli served on Texas Toast. While the tomato was not up to snuff, I thoroughly enjoyed my meals, which was accompanied by kettle chips and a pickle spear. Despite the informal setting, one of the staff members circulated through the dining area, checking with the diners to see if they were enjoying their meal. The café is open from May to September and may be closed during inclement weather. read more

5 reason I'll be back. 1. Great view of Lake Monona 2. Outdoor seating (only) 3. Good choices for pescatarians 4. Good food. 5. Reasonably priced read more

Lake Vista Cafe - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is quickly becoming my favorite place to bring people who are visiting from out of town because the food is delicious and the views just can't be beat. It also seems like quite the hidden gem - I've gone a few times now and it's never packed. I took my parents here when they were in town and I had the farmers market tomato salad. It was incredibly refreshing, the tomatoes were probably some of the juiciest tomatoes I can remember eating, and the mozzarella was fresh and just enough. My mother had shepherds pie and my dad had salmon and they were both great as well. I've also had their falafel salad, which comes nicely plated and is light and delicious to boot, as well as their truffle fries.The service has always been friendly and efficient. They also have a bar and stock Spotted Cow. What's more Madison then drinking Spotted Cow while taking in beautiful views of Lake Monona? If you haven't been here yet, I highly recommend a visit. read more

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This is the rooftop restaurant at the top of Monona Terrace. Great food and atmosphere. A hidden Gem in the downtown area. You order at the window and get a number and the food is brought out to you. I had the brisket sandwich and my partner had the Cuban sandwich appetizer. Both were very good and large enough that we brought some home. They also pour a generous gin and tonic and the prices are very reasonable.The service is very good and the people friendly. The view of Lake Monona is great and the tables with umbrellas comfortable. You can get up there from the bike trail entrance or the main entrance. There are stairs so you don't have to go inside to get to the restaurant. Don't miss if in the downtown area. read more

If I'm downtown when the sun's out, this is the best place to while the day away. It's now become a tradition, whenever we are in need of respite from the bustle, we'll steer towards our favorite spot at Lake Vista Cafe. The drinks are well made, reasonably priced, and you can enjoy one of the best views by the capitol. I haven't tried much of the food here, but the portobello frites were fantastic - crispy and flavorful. The bloody mary is impressive for a patio - it comes with a sausage stick and beer chaser among other things - and if you like fruitier drinks I recommend the frozen raspberry piña colada. As long as there's no private event going on at the terrace, this is a tranquil watering hole where you can chat with friends under the sun and away from the crowds. read more

Lake Vista Cafe - Bloody Mary - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Farmers market tomato salad and homemade fries. Can't beat the view and the atmosphere. Great, quick, courteous service. read more

Lake Vista Cafe - Lake Vista Cafe's perfect Bloody Mary's always accompanied with a sidecar of Spotted Cow #newglarus - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Surprised by this place. Good view, reasonable prices, free wifi and although there is no service they me offered to walk along with the drinks. On the down side: no service (order at a window), everything is served in plastic and there was a (not sure if describe this correct in English) strong odeur of grease. Like the should change their frying oil. Overwhelming. read more

Food is pretty good - got a sampler plate of three different kinds of tofu. Wasn't sure what to expect, but it was pretty flavorful and tasty! Service was excellent! So friendly and helpful. And of course, the view can't be beat. Right on the top floor of Monona Terrace and surrounded by pretty flowers. Definitely give this place a shot! read more

Wow, we were needing to eat lunch anyways before our tour of Monona Terrace. So, we got this as a recommendation from the front desk. My girlfriend and I had the fish tacos and soup of the day which was red pepper parmasean. We finished it together and enjoyed every bite. We were served quickly and felt like it was a definite step up of other museums. It was soo good that we came back for dinner to see the water skiing competitions. I had the BLT salad with fried egg and my girlfriend had the falafel salad. She felt a bit too much with the taziki salad dressing but I thought it was fine but a bit too much cucumber. Mine was perfect and the egg was nice over a crisp bread piece. Price is very reasonable and don't have to wait for a table. Lunch was about $10 and dinner was closer to $20. Enjoy a nice view while having lunch or dinner. read more

It is a popular lake restaurant and it's good what else can I say. Well there food was great I had a fish taco, and also had a iced coffee so it was great for my prefrenace read more

Stumbled upon this outdoor cafe after watching the Mad-City ski team out on Lake Monona. If you're looking for a quick bite accompanied with a lovely view, I highly recommend eating here. Standard menu consisting of burgers, sandwiches and of course, beer. I ordered the chicken sandwich, which comes with homemade chips, and it came out in a jiffy. read more

Great Lake view. On top of a hotel. You'll walk by it if you're walking along the water. read more

I was pleasantly surprised by the food here! Orders are placed at a window and expediently delivered. Everything we ordered was very good - their grilled cheese with tator tots especially hit the spot. The menu was surprisingly diverse and creative. The view is of the expansive lake, and while the seating is simple tables with umbrellas, it's a great place to hang out when the weather is nice. read more

Nice outdoor cafe with a view of Lake Monona. Good food and presentation is appealing like in fancy restaurants. Excellent service. read more

Lake Vista Cafe - Crab Cake Benedict on a bed of asparagus topped with poached egg, lemon hollandaise and micro greens - American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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We stopped here on our way through town. A little tricky to find but a beautiful view. The food was delicious. Lots of flavor in the fish tacos, which I enjoyed. The chicken sandwich was great- especially loved the creamy sauce. Just the right amount of food for lunch. Due to COVID, finding a restroom was tricky, but the staff was helpful and accommodating. Delicious food and beautiful views. read more

This is one of my favorite places to go. The vodka lemonades are really good and the food is yummy. The scenery is great and it is very relaxing sitting up there read more

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We stayed at the Hilton Monona Terrace and tried this place for dinner. As other reviews said, the Chicken sandwich was quite good. Messy but good. Decent beer selection, and the lake views can't be beat. read more

Views of the capital on one side and view of Lake Monona on the other side, this cafe is located on the 6th floor of the hotel. Overall the food was tasty and the libations were welcome refreshment on a sunny and warm day read more

Beautiful on a sunny day. Excellent outdoor patio. Food is amazingly good for a walk up window. We all had the chicken sandwich. Very tasty!

Second time eating there. Great food. Only thing that sucks is if it is windy out... Fun place, unique selections, great view.

The food was excellent. The Ruben had huge chunks of local corn beef!! The hamburger was excellent as well. Highly recommend this place. Oh and the view of the lake is cool. read more

I eat here a couple times a week at least during the season it is open and have always loved it and always recommend it to everyone but today was very disappointing. I waited half an hour for a cold appetizer while people that ordered after me were getting hot food including cheeseburgers and french fries and everything else at different tables and I finally had to ask about my order and it finally came but not with the sauces and things that normally come with it. It looked like it was just thrown together at the last minute as an after thought, like they had totally forgotten about my order. Like I said, I usually love this place but first of all they should serve people in the order they came especially if those ordering after you have hot food and you just have a simple cold appetizer. And second, not crazy about being treated like I was the problem and as if they really didn't want my business perhaps. It might be a while before I go here again or recommend it. Easily could have been avoided or handled differently. read more

Awesome restaurant! Casual setting with great views of the lake from more than 8 floors up. Great views of the lake. I had a Rueben and my mom got the falafel salad which was the food choice to get. The french fries were alright albeit a little crispy and a little more couldn't have hurt. All in all it's a great place with fantastic attentive service read more

this outdoor cafe on the Monona Terrace is fantastic - good food, excellent salads, reasonable prices, and right over the lake. did I mention it is outside? when the weather is good, which does happen around here, it is a really lovely spot. read more

Rooftop cafe, terrific lake view with yummy foods, not expensive. We happen to meet while walking along the Monona lakeside Will come again.