Half Shell Oyster House Madison

Welp this is about my 5th or 6th time here at the Madison location and tho they are the same place as the Coast locations the food quality just doesn’t match up. I’m always a bit disappointed at this location. Ordered the crab and shrimp dip, waitresses let me knew that it comes cold however they would warm it up. Not even close to what I’ve always gotten and the bread that was served with it was stale and chewy and the waitress agreed as tho she knew yet she still brought it out to me. The oysters were meh at best and I got my usual chef’s special. It was slow but this location is just a bit off the standard I’ve been accustomed to at the other locations. Maybe it’s because there’s more competition on the coast but that’s just my opinion.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Julie was Awesome!! I appreciate her so much! Will be back

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best location! Food is Always great and the service is wonderful!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I arrived early to pick up my food, and my appetizers were cold. Oysters were so gritty and full of shells fragments that when I took a bite of my bread that was sitting on top even the bread was gritty and filled with shell fragments. Also, there was no lump crab in my seafood pasta. The sweet potato crème brûlée was immaculate; however, i’d be recreating it before I waste money here again. :( I ate the pasta but I had to throw the oysters away.

Food: 2

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sweet Potato Creme Brulee with Honey Butter

long time to receive our food. Food was good. Family next to us wouldn’t ask their yelling kid to stop. So bad atmosphere

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 2

Had lunch yesterday, the Mahi-mahi with salad, made me ill. It tasted okay. Questionable food quality control I suppose. Ruined my day, still recovering. Won’t be back, no second chances on this type of mishap.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 3

That seafood potpie is EVERYTHING!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I got soup, made one request that it be hot. It wasn’t. I informed the waitress. No attempt to give me a hot meal. Agreed to bring me a bowl to take it home to heat myself. So much for a night out with my wife who also got served lukewarm food to pack up and take home👎🏼

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The oyster sample plate was vary good. The dinners we had were nice with good spice,the bread pudding was not my favorite. All in all we will be back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Honestly one of the worst experiences I have had at a half shell. There was not hardly any parking. The service was not good at all. Many side items were forgotten. Some food was cold. Things that were asked for was not brought. The oysters were almost non existent, even had to send one batch back and still came out to where there was not hardly any meat in there. The watermelon splash was very watered down. I definitely will not be back and do not recommend it!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 1

Love the catfish

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I ordered chicken Alfredo. The chicken was tough and unseasoned. The sauce was very bland. Back choice on my part.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

I would not recommend getting takeout here.

Edit, here are the additional details:

I placed a takeout order online on 7/12. The order said it would be ready in 50 minutes. I called the restaurant to verify it would really take 50 minutes. I talked to the hostess and told her I was fine with that time frame, I just didn’t want it to be ready in 20 minutes and sitting for a long period of time. She said she thought that was accurate, but transferred me to the bar to verify. No one answered the phone at the bar. I showed up to pick up my order exactly 50 minutes later. Once I arrived, it took 5-10 minutes for someone to be available to checkout. I live 8 minutes from your restaurant. By the time I arrived home, nothing was warm. The cheese grits had a hardened layer on top. The fried foods were awful. The gumbo was mediocre. You gave us the wrong dessert. It was a terrible meal that wasn’t worth $30 let alone whatever we paid for it. 80% of the dinner got thrown in the trash. I called immediately after trying everything and asked to speak with a manager and did. I told him the same thing that I’ve put in this email. He apologized and offered to refund the order. I thanked him for that. I’m not sure if he actually did refund the order. I don’t see any pending refunds on my statement, only the charge from that night. It’s been over a week so it seems the refund just didn’t happen. You fully earned the 1 star review I gave.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

I like this one better than the one in Flowood. The servers here were nicer and more attentive. The food was cooked beautifully. I had the catfish and it was fried to perfection. The cheese grits..... WOW! They were cooked just how I like them and so good. Will definitely be back here again!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Half Shells is where surf meets swagger and the napkins are cloth because they ought to be.

It’s the kind of place where the oysters are cold, the steaks are hot, and the service makes you feel like your mama raised you right. Nestled in the heart of downtown Madison, this joint hums with soft jazz, clinking glasses, and the low murmur of people eating well and meaning it.

The menu reads like a love letter to indulgence—upscale American fare with a saltwater soul. Think shrimp and grits that’ll make you believe in second chances, pasta rich enough to run for office, and a triple steak cheeseburger that might just ruin you for anything less.

There’s a proper front desk of to greet you—no chaos, no cattle call—just a smile and a table waiting like it missed you.

Whether you’re toasting to love, sealing a deal, or bribing your in-laws with lobster, Half Shells doesn’t just show up—it shows off.

This isn’t dinner. This is a good reason to put on a button-down or a pair of high heels.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5