7 Best Seafood Restaurants in Madison

“Terrific dinner tonight with work colleagues. Delicious dishes and great service.“

“We just finished eating at the Madison location, and our host/server Shawn was amazing! Probably the best host/server ever! He was friendly, efficient, and had the best personality with impeccable comedic timing. The food was also top notch, but Shawn really made it a fun experience.“

“I ordered 10 pizzas for an after-work get-together, and a local buddy here recommended Sal’s tomato pies. Now, to be clear, I'm from Boston, and we have the North End, with some of the best pizza in the world. I was skeptical, but I did it anyway. Was I glad I did! The pizza was amazing and fresh, and the toppings were great. We got a variety of their named pizzas and made a couple of custom ones. The pizza was a big hit! Try it—you can't go wrong, I promise.“

“Amazingly fresh seafood and beautifully done steaks with equally great side dishes, large enough to share! Go early and take advantage of their fabulous happy hour drinks and apps. Always a good time and a local favorite. Top notch service as well. Recommend for a night out, date night or special occasion.“

“Their sides are so tasty, even the most devoted carnivores might be caught sneaking a forkful.“

“Great experience…everything from the ambiance to the waitstaff to the drinks, appetizers, entree, desserts and coffee were amazing!“

“No ocean in sight, yet the ocean’s on ice,
with fillets cut clean and shellfish looking nice.
From rivers and seas, they bring in the best
for fish-loving folks in the heart of the Midwest.

Come sea what they’ve got, come look at the catch,
the friendly fishmongers will find you a match.
Need something for grilling, for smoking, or stew?
Just ask at the counter, they’ll walk you right through.

There’s salmon and whitefish, trout with a shine,
lobster and crab legs lined up mighty fine.
Scallops and shrimp, calamari too,
with fresh-changing choices awaiting your view.

Then squid salad, splendid salad,
not your ordinary timid salad.
Cool and bright with a briny bite,
tangy, tasty, seasoned right.

Tender little rings from beneath the waves,
dressed in the zesty marinade they crave.
A splash of this and a dash of that,
chilled and ready, so tip your hat!

No leafy heap, no boring bowl,
this squid salad comes with a seafaring soul.
Take one small bite, then two, then three,
and suddenly Madison sits by the sea.

But if hunger is hollering and supper can’t wait,
order fish and chips hot for your plate.
Golden-fried cod with a crunch in its coat,
or perch so delicious your taste buds may float.

Fries on the side and some slaw for the ride,
with tartar awaiting a lemony tide.
From catfish to shrimp, from clams to the catch,
the kitchen keeps frying up batch after batch.

Smoked salmon, lake trout, whitefish, and lox,
crab cakes and spreads packed neat in their box.
Bring home an appetizer, a platter, or tray,
and turn any gathering into a holiday.

For more than four decades they’ve weathered the tide,
locally owned with Wisconsin-made pride.
They know every fin, every flavor and scale,
and help land your supper without telling a tale.

So sail down to Whitney, no boat is required,
just bring an appetite properly inspired.
For seafood that’s fresh and advice that rings true,
Madison’s Seafood Center has the right catch for you.

Come sea it, then eat it,
take home today
some splendid squid salad
and an ocean away!

Peace. Piece. Peas.“