During my visit to Madison this past November, I stumbled across this very nice oyster bar. Upon entering the front door, the 20 foot boat is the cherry on the cake regarding the ambiance. The Happy Hour was the best I have ever experienced. I ordered the Blue Point oysters and they were so big and salty (my mouth is watering as I type this)! At $2 an oyster, I ordered a dozen and ate them all...in record time...lol. The only negative comment I have is, I explained to the bartender I was a pescatarian and only ate seafood (no meat). Nonetheless, I ordered a few scallops ($4 each), and after eating one, I realized it was cooked with BACON. I was instantly nauseous!!!!! I expressed to the bartender that we just discussed the fact that I didn't eat meat - only seafood, so why didn't she disclose to me the scallops were cooked with bacon??? Her response was, "I thought I told you". As a bartender/server, you must be very attentive to your customers restrictions, especially if they are communicated to you prior to ordering. IF I EXPRESS THAT I AM ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS AND YOU PROCEED TO ORDER ME A DISH COOKED WITH PEANUT OIL......... the ending will NOT be a good one Overall, I will frequent this establishment again and again :-) read more

The food was good but it took almost 45 mins to bring the food to us. The environment was nice and quiet.

Loved this place! Amazing oysters - which are rare in Madison! I had the marlin crusted in pesto, and it was delicious! Perfectly seasoned and not overcooked. Desserts were also great, I think they change these up often. My favorite thing about the place was the bar area! Its such a light, inviting atmosphere that I could have stayed for hours. A great change from the overly dark decor that was Magnus's signature. Will definitely go back! read more

I decided to take my mom, visiting from DC, to Tempest for happy hour. It was a great choice! We sat at the bar for drinks and apps. I had an Ale Asylum brew (always a good choice), while my mom had a well-made martini. We made a meal out of the small plates: oysters, shrimp and the sublime smokestack. All the seafood was fresh, the oysters were excellent, shrimp were huge and well-prepared, and that smokestack was to die for! The place was pretty quiet on a Monday evening. Talked to the manager, who was very friendly and interested in our input. I look forward to going back! May even drag my husband in, now that I know they have meat dishes, too. read more

We went here around 4, and sat at the bar, Kevin was the bartender. We ordered multiple variations of the oysters, the mussels and the scallops. The oysters were intriguing, since we'd never had oysters from those areas. The mussels were awesome, a nice lime/garlic sauce. The scallops were sweet and good. Kevin was very attentive throughout the meal, and while we only were having beers with our meal, the drinks Kevin was making looked fantastic. My only issue with the Tempest is that the website menu doesn't give the different oyster varieties online. read more

Full Disclosure: We're big fans of Henry Doan's other ventures. This one rates favorably with his other restaurants. I had the halibut cooked with capers and a savory sauce that was superb. My wife had the fish and chips. The fish was fabulous, but she's not a fan of shoestring potatoes (I like all potatoes and thought they were fine). We ate at the bar and were given excellent service. it's an attractive bar with a good beer and cocktail menu. We didn't try any wines, but I noticed a good selection of by-the-glass wines. read more

This place would have been four stars in the early 2000s. We went on a Saturday night for our anniversary The oysters were very fishy with 6 out of the dozen we tried. They also don't know how to shuck as there were pieces of shell in them. A very uninspired cocktail list but they are mainly focused on wine and my glass was lovely I almost did tree stars because the seaweed salad is one of the best salads I have ever eaten but the rest of the menu is pretty old school and no surprises This place is GREAT if you really want to treat someone with a conservative pallet or you are Madison person in their sixties ( they will spend lots of time lavishing attention on you as you are the demographic they are going for) Nothing inspirational on the dessert menu so we passed. Pricy and boring read more

We picked up the Friday night fish fry last night and I am still thinking about how amazing the perch and Walleye tasted. Highly recommend this unique Madison establishment...please keep supporting during these difficult times! I should also add the lobster Mac and cheese is OUT OF THIS WORLD! read more

I loved their restaurant week menu! I had the caesar (which was great and good caesars are hard to come by) the shrimp and scallops and grits, which were awesome and the key lime pie. I was pretty full by the time dessert came around but had a couple bites and it was good. Our server was super knowledgeable and guided us through our oyster order and they were awesome! Only reason for 4 stars and not 5 was that courses were very slow. Had I not had an excellent dinner companion I would have been antsy. I will definitely be back for happy hour soon. I also loved the new decor much more than when it was Magnus. Felt much brighter and lighter. read more

Tempest Oyster Bar - My friend loved her crab legs! - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Tempest is a one of a kind seafood spot in Madison. The ambience is fun. It's classy, but not pretentious. It's warm and comfortable but kind of tacky in a wonderful way. The food will not disappoint. The scallop appetizer is among the best scallops I've ever had. My husband LOVES their swordfish (which isn't always on the menu, but is a frequent addition to the list of specials.) Everything I've eaten there from steak, to salmon, to tuna has been amazing. I also really enjoy the oyster shots.. they have a number of different alcoholic shots that they put an oyster in and serve it for $6. I like the one that has a tomato base, and the dill one is also quite delicious. I highly recommend Tempest for a nice date night out or for any special occasion. read more

Amazing food and unbelievable service. Alex and Eric were incredible. Great knowledge and recommendations on the menu. Thank you read more

We had a great meal here. Started out trying out different kinds of oysters. I figured out what kind I like and don't like! We had three different fish dishes. The whole fried red snapper was impressive in size and flavor. The trout was breaded with a delicious pecan crust. Everything, including Nicole the waitress, was super! A place I will return to try other things!!! read more

The awniker is my favorite drink here if you prefer a nice and spicy drink. If you have the pleasure of being served by Erick your are in for a great night of service and good drinks. Ericks great. read more

Really wanted to like this place, but it was subpar. Oysters weren't cleaned well, had lots of broken shell and grit. To be honest, I don't really remember what else we got, we were there for happy hour, and the deals were ok... But quality want amazing. Likely won't go back. read more

Love the raw oysters, oyster Rockefeller, and the smoke stack. The place is nice; close to the capital building; service was great; the lightning is a bit too dim to my liking but I was comfortable & overall felt good during my meal; Will definitely come me back to try other dishes. read more

I would probably give it 3.5 stars, first off. The decor is amazing and cool. Love the bar. It's fantastic. The reason for the downgrade, is that I found the food to be just ok. My entree, the venison chop, was superb. However, the 5 other dishes at our table, all seafood, were just ok. I think the price paid for the entree justifies an exemplary meal, and it just wasn't there, in my opinion. And as someone else mentioned, it is LOUD. The dining room was 1/2 full on the thursday night we were there and it was like a jet engine in there. read more

Fish cakes are good. Lobster roll was good. Great fancy bloody mary. Oysters are not any better than other places in Madison which isn't saying much. What I mean by this is that both times I tried the oysters here they were small, deflated and had at least 1-2 per dozen that were frankly unpleasant to eat. I love oyster shots but the oyster in the one I got did not taste fresh. Menu has nice variety. The bar and dining room are loud. I wish they would have considered acoustics on the re-design. When the place is crowded conversation is nearly impossible. I would never choose to go to this place over Osteria Popavero next door which always has outstanding seafood. read more

We were passing through Madison on our way home in PA. We loved the atmosphere and the food was great. I wanted something but wasn't extremely hungry so got the Appetizer of Scallops and a side of Brussels Sprouts. And then had room for dessert and got the Key Lime pie, and shared it with my daughter. Very nice place it's a shame it is so far. If it was close to home a place I would return to. read more

Fantastic! Had a 6: reso, was greeted and seated right away at a high top next to the boat. Very cool! I would give this a 5 star review off of the bread and butter alone. Salting unsalted butter when serving bread is a must. The Italian in me thanks you very much for that. We had multiple fantastic cocktails. They were very different then your average old fashion, cosmo, that you see on every restaurant menu these days. Got the Fruits De Mer(?) app. Very good! I got the special white fish of the night, delish. My husband who cooks the best steaks I've at least have ever eaten got the filet and said it was cooked perfectly. His only critique was the bone marrow butter wasn't very "marrowy" it didn't really melt into the steak, otherwise lovely. We had to leave for the John Mulaney show, but I managed to inhale a piece of key lime pie before we had to run out of there and it was fantastic. Sweet, tart, and the whip cream on it was just beautiful. We will definitely be coming back! read more

The online carry out / delivery is set up MOST awful, my friend and I spent over 40 minutes trying to place an on line order. So irritating -- we finally gave up and agreed never to visit again. Here's an idea, plan glitches in carry out orders on line, that being said -- plan to assist your costumers. Ridiculous... read more

Great seafood incredible location nice design to Decore. Not so good with customer service or scheduling reservations timeliness..

While I have been here many times for dinner and loved it, this review is in reference to a party I held at Tempest. Chip, the manager was incredibly helpful and responsive. He helped me figure out the best food to serve for my guests, where to set up the tables, food and drink and every detail for the party - all via email, my preferred method of communication. He was prompt in responding and happy to help with suggestions. When the night of the party arrived, his staff had prepared a beautiful space with many bar tables and chairs, a convenient area to place the food and easy access to the bar. We also had a server dedicated just to our party who was very personable, kind and helpful. They, and the many bartenders who served us, made the night seamless and fun. The food was wonderful and refreshed without anyone having to ask. read more

The girlfriend and I went her for restaurant week and had a 3 course meal. The mussels and conchs were tasty with a decent portion for what we paid, but wasn't an amazing experience. Still delicious for the Midwest. The gf had an amazing swordfish that was firm and moist that was garnished with olives, capers, and a delicious sauce. This dish was amazing and the complex's flavors tap danced the pallet. I had the mauhi mauhi was very sweet with the pineapple sponge cake and was interesting and adventurous adventurous. For desert the misses has key lime pie (boring) and I had the chocolate walnut that was to die for! Overall great meal for under $100 with 2 drinks. read more

The food here is incredible! We have been getting takeout from here at least once a week since they had to stop serving in person. Everything is excellent but the tuna and swordfish are their 2 most extraordinarily delicious dishes, in my opinion. I also love their caesar salad, Brussel sprouts, creamed spinach and lamb. My husband adores the fried chicken and caesar salad with shrimp. Oh! And their carrot cake is lick-the-plate yummy. We can't wait to get to go back when they open. read more

We sat outside and enjoyed great service as well as good food. The shrimp poboy was delicious and the tower was outstanding. We kept adding people to our group-- my kids arrived in shifts, and our server was quick to accommodate them and bring them food. Eating here was a spur of the moment decision but we were delighted that we did! read more

I've been back to Tempest twice since my first review and I'm bumping them to a 5. Biggest reason: consistency. Every experience at Tempest has been thoroughly enjoyable with a warm and inviting ambiance, excellent staff, amazingly fresh and delicious seafood, and fun had by all! My first review is more comprehensive but Tempest has earned the fifth star in my book! read more

Hate to disagree with all the others, but I note these are mostly reviews of "happy hour" bar food rather than dinner. The fresh oysters are of course good and well presented. The Bucatini for dinner was at best mediocre. Mussels of inferior quality (try those at Sardine or Otto's) and overcooked, three or four small clams, scallop was good once the pile of cheese was scraped off. Underneath was maybe half of a lobster tail with very little meat on it, on top of a pile of huge spaghetti in a nondescript sauce. At $32 this is not what I expect. Service was also indifferent, and this on a night when the restaurant was practically empty. read more

This place was awesome. Amazing bartenders Eric and Phil, did a great job on getting us a wonderful variety of oysters as well as main course. Drinks were good, and price was fair for a great meal read more

I was at Tempest on a Wednesday night with family. We were offered a seat in the bar for happy hour (since the specials don't apply in the dinning area) but passed it up because we wanted to enjoy a laid back seafood dinner in a more spacious seating area. My first complaint applies to the service. Every staff member we encountered seemed bored with their job and our waitress especially seemed like her mind was always elsewhere. She forgot drinks and side dishes but did not take responsibility for the errors. She would claim that we actually forgot to order that side of fries (flipping through her notepad to check) until someone else had to speak up and vouch that they had heard the potato request. A smile was hard to come by to say the least about the staff. My food was great, I had the yellowfin tuna steak. I had never had tuna steak before, so I was very nervous. It was crusted and delicious, I even ate the whole thing! The side dishes were fine, but spendy for one portion. My mother in-law also enjoyed her fish--trout, I believe. The men, however, were disappointed in their dishes. The Blue Marlin was EXTREMELY tough and the steak had nothing special going on. The flavor and consistency were completely forgettable. The Brussels sprout side came out black and crusty. We tried to eat them but they tasted like they had fallen into a campfire pit, so my boyfriend tried to point it out to our robot of a waitress who responded, "oh really? They taste burnt? *(yeah... they are black and don't resemble a vegetable in the slightest)* I guess... I can have the cook start you a new dish...?" Sure. thanks. The new dish (of course) came out after we were all finished eating which she apparently didn't notice, or decided not to comment on. She just dropped of the new bowl and walked away without clearing any of our empty dishes. No offer to take the $6 side dish off the bill. In my years as a server... well nevermind, I think you know what I'm getting at. We won't be back. I was actually surprised to see all the ultra positive reviews on here. Sounds like happy hour is the way to go at this place. I do appreciate that I had a good first experience with tuna steak! But Tempest is not worth the time, money, or attitudes from the employees. Adios. read more

Went for my birthday in 2013. This place did a good job on the food, but the service is poor and I will tell you why. We had a table of seven and were charged 18% gratuity automatically. They had nothing on the menu for a toddler and when we asked for noodles, we had to switch to eggs. I'd never return with a group, but might with just my wife to the bar for oysters. The server was aloof and disconnected to a customer dropping 300 on a meal. And the idea noone brings a 3 yo to dinner came from? Three stars is a gift earned by the line cook. read more

We love going to Tempest in the summer and sitting outside during their happy hour. This has to be one of the best happy hours in Madison, yet I'm always surprised how few people are there. The oysters are pretty good, although sometimes not shucked properly. We once tried the burger and it was surprisingly excellent for a seafood restaurant. The servers are always fabulous. Will return! read more

Tempest truly never disappoints. From the service, to the food, to the drinks, to the atmosphere - all spectacular. Bartender Scott is always a blast. Do yourself a favor and end your meal with an espresso martini. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy your dinner! read more

Oysters Rockefeller outstanding! Arugula chèvre so delicious with roasted hazelnuts Fried oysters are the best anywhere! Terrific ambiance and wait staff read more

This place is fantastic , had the best meal I've had in a long time. All aspects were great , ordered Smokestack appetizer , nightly special of venison and lobster tail and key lime pie for dessert and all were spectacular. Tried other entrees the rest of table ordered and they were equally great. Great atmosphere as well. Check this place out you won't be disappointed. read more

We have enjoyed Tempest ever since it opened. Great atmosphere, decor, great food and excellent cocktails. Not fussy or pretentious--just solidly good in every respect. This past week we were fortunate to host a private party here and the experience exceeded every one of our expectations. The food and drink were outstanding (one of our well-traveled guests said it was the best meal he'd ever had at a "catered" event). The staff was efficient, professional, and friendly. They added to the atmosphere by seeming to enjoy themselves even as they worked very hard to make our party come together.We wanted an event that was fun, festive and elegant and Tempest delivered all of those things--and more. There are a lot of great restaurants in Madison, but Tempest will now always be at the top of our list. read more

Nice environment, with good service and good food. It's a great place for a nice date (think Valentine's Day). My one complaint would be with their cocktail selection, which left me wanting... But the fish and Brussels sprouts were excellent! read more

I had heard mixed reviews about Tempest, but I am happy to report that my dining experience did not disappoint. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and was wonderfully attentive. He really did not miss a beat. As far as the food, one of my dining companions had a sampler of the oysters and rated them at some of the best he has ever had. The one complaint I have is that they do not have a scallop or shrimp entree on the menu, which is rather disappointing. I ended up doubling the scallop appetizer for my meal, but found it was a little too sweet for my liking (prepared with apples, brandy, brown sugar, and bacon.) The three others I was with all ordered steaks (two bone-ins and one tenderloin) and all enjoyed their entrees. We had been on Lake Monona all day, so the nautical-themed atmosphere was fitting. I did not think Tempest was especially loud. It was perhaps louder than L'Toile or Muramoto, but certainly quieter than Great Dane or Old Fashioned. Perhaps that is a big noise level range, but I was surprised to read that other reviewers rated Tempest at 'Very Loud.' Overall, I thought Tempest was great. They succeeded in having a nautical-themed seafood restaurant NOT feel like a Red Lobster and the food and service was outstanding. I will definitely be back. read more

Fantastic place for a lively group dinner. I was pleasantly surprised at how well our experience went at Tempest. I organized a large group dinner for 12 of my friends and booked online through Open Table. As soon as some of us arrived, the table was ready and they allowed us to trickle in from the bar to a room that was set up adjacent to the main dining room. Originally they had set up two tables for us but when we asked to move them together, the staff happily obliged. The food was fantastic, the specialty cocktails were flowing and the service was great. Everyone agreed it was a great choice which is no easy feat in a group of 13 women. We were able to enjoy each other's company and great food for as long as we wanted. Definitely will be going back again. read more

Went for valentine's day, so it was obviously busy. Despite this, everything was cooked to perfection. Scallops were an excellent appetizer. Steak and whitefish (special for the day) were absolutely delicious. read more

Tempest Oyster Bar - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Wow. Every single part of our meal was incredible. The drinks were great, and the king crab was the best I've ever had. Amazing all around.