Tempest Oyster Bar

120 E Wilson St Suite 3, Madison
(608) 258-1443

Recent Reviews

Jay Dubz

While stuck in traffic today. I hear someone screaming. I look to see the head cook I assume (man in a white coat) just screaming at a child in the alleyway because the dog pee’d on the sidewalk is what I believe I heard I pulled over and ran back but I was to late. I would recommend anywhere that doesn’t employ people like that. It was unbelievable to be honest. The poor child.

JS S

The shellfish were amazing. Actually, all the food & drink was great. Celeste, Jon, & Kate were attentive & personable. Lovely experience. Learned that if you sit in the shell, you hear all bar chatter. Velvet curtains could block the sound but maybe Tempest staff will have a better idea. Please don't eat all the oysters because we are going back.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Tami Kuhn

Went for happy hour. Scallops and shrimp were great. Good craft cocktail special! Had the lobster roll...fabulous!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Roll, Shrimp Scallops

Nereida Villalpando

Amazing service and food!

Burbank Place

Awesome place with great vibes. Love their scallops as an

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Shrimp Scallops

Valerie Agosto

Busy! I love oysters, so not sure if I could ever give a bad review about oysters. My husband, on the other hand, did not feel that way. In his opinion, aside from price, the oysters were too small, along with not liking several of the options.

Food: 3

Service: 3

Beth Hammock

The perfect place for a celebratory dinner!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Scott Thornton

Madison gem.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fried Oysters not Available Friday Saturday, Shrimp Scallops & Grits

Ricky Snoots

I first came to Tempest last year on business and it absolutely blew me away. The food is out of this world, especially the scallops (which are some of the best I have ever had). The service is impeccable and you feel like you have been coming here for years on your first visit.I just came back to Madison for work and had to see if lightning strikes twice. Somehow they managed to get better since the last time I visited. The food, including the scallops, was even better than I remembered and I had dreams about them over the last year. The service was, yet again, amazing. Issac was my bartender/server and he was engaging and friendly despite the happy hour rush. Amazing service yet again. The staff here is fantastic and that, coupled with the food makes this a “must visit” when in Madison. I will look forward to my next visit with bated breath because this is truly a fantastic stop that I won’t miss anytime I am on in town. Come here, you will not be disappointed!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Jim Natzke

Great seafood. Scallops were divine. Flourless chocolate cake was worth it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: All Oysters on the Half Shell, Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp Scallops

Nathaniel Krause

Used to love the place, went about once a month for a few years but last night (2/17) I was served an oyster Rockefeller that died when Nixon was in office. Had to spit it out in my napkin and run to the bathroom and rinse out my mouth. The shell stunk like a New York City sewer. The waitress took it off our bill but didn’t really seem too phased by it. No manager came over and never really got an apology. I’m sure the waitress didn’t tell anyone about it in the kitchen so they were serving oysters out of a contaminated pan all night. Won’t be eating oysters anywhere for a while.

Amanda Mays

Everything was great went on Valentine’s Day and the food was amazing oysters was super

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: All Oysters on the Half Shell, Oysters Rockefeller

Midwest Reviews

Delicious seafood and oysters.Edit: went back to the restaurant again in November 2023, and it was still awesome. Would recommend. Such a great place to visit.

Matthew Christman

Could not have had a better meal! Everything was top notch from the bar service, food, and wait staff. Please stop in, you won’t be disappointed!

Andrew Cusimano

This place easily rivals sardine. Huge fan. Great cocktails, amazing food, and an exceptional staff. Def recommend.Cheers

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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