You’ll find seasonal dishes + signature ciders on the menu at Orchard. | Photo by @beckinasec
Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Madison’s food scene?
Check out these buzz-worthy places to eat and drink in the Isthmus — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the culinary curve, and don’t forget to bookmark it.
September openings
Taj Indian Restaurant, 444 S. Park St. | Indian
The popular restaurant is moving to the former The Borough Beer Co. & Kitchen location with a menu that offers options for all dietary restrictions.
August openings
Moon Bar, 328 W. Gorham St. | Bar
No need to grab Katy Perry to travel to this intergalactic bar that is now slinging drinks on UW campus.
Coming soon
Stella’s Bakery, 1219 Regent St. | Bakery | ETA: October 2025
This is no longer exclusively a pop-up. The popular bake shop is planning to open a brick-and-mortar on Regent Street by mid-October.
The forthcoming Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will receive an additional $320,000 for its operatings, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced this week. The funds will allow the center to open with a full staff next fall without shifting resources from other libraries. (WMTV 15)
Development
We’re one step closer to trying those famous beaver nuggets: Texas travel center chain Buc-ee’s has purchased 28 acres of land in Oak Creek for $7.5 million. The gas station is slated to span more than 73,000-sqft, making it the largest in the state. (TMJ 4)
Announced
After half a century in business, Rutabaga Paddlesports will close permanently at the end of the year. Owner Darren Bush will continue to run the annual Canoecopia paddlesports expo. (WMTV 15)
Closed
The Madison Starbucks store at E. Washington Ave. and First St. is one of the more than 100 Starbucks locations shutting down across the US. Don’t fret — there are still plenty of places to get your coffee fix around town. (27 WKOW)
State
Officials approved construction for a 20-turbine, 118-megawatt wind farm an hour west of Madison, marking the first wind farm in Wisconsin in 14 years. The Badger Hollow Wind Energy Center will sit in Iowa and Grant counties and is slated to be online in 2027.
Finance
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Try This
Get ready to bookmark this: The Wisconsin Book Festival’s 24th annual Fall Celebration is packed with author talks and readings you won’t want to miss. Featuring 70+ authors sharing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, there’s something for every curious reader. Explore the full schedule and plan your visit.*
Travel
Yearning for some sun? Starting next month, Sun County Airlines will add weekly direct flights to warm-weather cities from Dane County Regional Airport. Hit the skies for Phoenix and Fort Myers, Florida after Thursday, Oct. 23 + head to Miami after Saturday, Nov. 8. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Finance
Owe $10,000 in debt? Freedom Debt Relief could help by offering a personalized debt settlement plan and negotiating with creditors to reduce the amount owed. Start tackling your debt. See disclaimers for important consumer information.*
Your must-have Halloween decor to celebrate the season, ranging from how cute to oh my:
👻 These three ceramic ghost lights are almost too cute to stand (and come with batteries).
🕯️ A No. 1 best-seller, this floating candle set will add flickering, cozy warmth to any Halloween display.
🧹 Floating witch hats show your Halloween spirit and are perfect for a party.
🕸️ The Addams family would approve of this black lace spiderweb cover decking out your mantle.
☠️ Make the neighbors do a double-take with a best-selling hands and skull set popping out of your yard.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Today’s newsletter was made possible by Mitch Hooper and the 608today team.
Beep, beep, beep. That’s the sound of our digital forklift delivering some changes for 608today. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be putting on a fresh coat of paint — and as with all projects, we anticipate a few bumps along the way. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience.
