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Sleek, stylish restaurant featuring oysters & other seafood fare plus live music on weekends.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 120 E Wilson St Suite 3, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 258-1443
Website: http://tempestoysterbar.com/
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Reservations at Tempest – TEMPEST OYSTER BAR
[email protected]. Location 120 E. Wilson St Madison, WI 53703. Tempest-2019-12-12-0767 (1).jpg. awnk.jpg. Tempest-2019-12-12-0099.jpg. Fresh Oysters …
TEMPEST OYSTER BAR
TEMPEST OYSTER BAR … Fresh Oysters Daily. Fine Seafood and Steaks. Eat · Drink · Visit.
Eat – TEMPEST OYSTER BAR
Oysters Rockefeller • 3. broiled • spinach • bacon • fennel • breadcrumb … Madison, WI 53703. Tempest-2019-12-12-0767 (1).jpg. awnk.jpg. Tempest-2019-12 …
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Reviews
Astrid Agurcia
This was our first visit, and we absolutely loved it. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional. The food was delicious especially the oysters , which were outstanding and offered in a great variety. We tried the “Tower #1,” featuring 10 select oysters, and it was perfectly curated.
The fries were flavorful and crisp, and the shrimp were impressively large and well worth it. The cocktails were expertly crafted and beautifully balanced.
Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, making us feel genuinely welcomed throughout the evening. The restaurant was quite busy, and we were glad we had made a reservation especially since they send a helpful confirmation text two hours prior.
We also appreciated the thoughtful amenities, including clean restrooms and a diaper-changing station inside, which is a wonderful touch for families.
Overall, a fantastic dining experience. Highly recommended.
… moreThe fries were flavorful and crisp, and the shrimp were impressively large and well worth it. The cocktails were expertly crafted and beautifully balanced.
Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, making us feel genuinely welcomed throughout the evening. The restaurant was quite busy, and we were glad we had made a reservation especially since they send a helpful confirmation text two hours prior.
We also appreciated the thoughtful amenities, including clean restrooms and a diaper-changing station inside, which is a wonderful touch for families.
Overall, a fantastic dining experience. Highly recommended.
Steps
It has been a bit since we have dined at Tempest. The food is consistently decent. Service seems to be struggling a bit. We had to ask our server every time for a new drink, never once did she ask if we want any more drinks. Had to ask for everything, including silverware. Overall, still a great place to go for a meal.
… moreJoy
Absolutely phenomenal restaurant. The best oysters you’re going to find in Madison. Very exotic drinks with a substantial wine list and a wonderful dinner menu. I love the happy hour. Two dollar oysters (minimum 6) and two dollars off cocktails. Highly recommend.
… moretreeswamp
Great seafood with a varied menu and lots of different oysters to select from. The wait staff was impressive and overall a fair price for what was offered.
… moreMichelle Pham
We had the Bucatini and it was very good. The Miso cod was decent. The oysters rockerfella was okay We read reviews for Carpetbagger and decided to try it and tbh, it didn’t deserve high ratings. Felt having the oysters inside steak is awkward and it tasted super sweet. I’d avoid carpetbagger overall. But restaurant is nice.
… moreTammy-Joy Blair
I’m in Madison Wisconsin. I met a man who works at a restaurant and tells me I should try it. The thing that makes it interesting is that it has Massachusetts oysters on the menu. To be specific Wellfleet. After chatting I looked up the menu. I have to admit that the menu got me a little excited. Here I am, a Bay Stator, or Masshole, in a Midwestern state. Not an ocean in sight wondering how good could it possibly be if it’s not near the Atlantic Ocean. We New englanders are a little arrogant about our seafood, claiming it to be the best anywhere. And, we will tell you we don’t eat oysters unless there’s an r in the month.
Well Monday night I GPS myself to the Tempest Oyster Bar. Driving to the oyster bar you see the Capitol building in Madison, it is unbelievably breathtaking You can almost forget what you’re doing or where you’re going. So back to the bar, I arrived and went to the host station and was greeted by one of the loveliest young women. Not just the fact that she was pretty to look at she was very welcoming and not in that sugary sweet way, just plain nice. I actually felt welcome. I explained to her why I was there and that I had been invited and she showed me to a table where I would not feel conspicuous. I never care about sitting by myself in a restaurant. I’ve been doing it for years and I don’t really ever feel uncomfortable. But then there’s not many places I would feel uncomfortable.
Upon sitting down at a high top table next to a speed boat, I was greeted by a young lady who brought me bread. Now I haven’t had bread since June and here it is nearly the end of August and I just wanted to put as much bread in my mouth as I could. There were three slices of the slightest tangy sourdough that made me want to eat through 20 loaves of it. There is the smallest mattering of salt on the top crust that just made one slice after another jump into my mouth. Probably because I hadn’t had bread in so long it was extra delicious, I’m not sure I just think it was really good bread. Don’t think I’m making too much of the bread, but I couldn’t help think if having it toasted on a cold winter morning with butter and a drizzle of honey and a cup of tea would not have just made everything in life worthwhile.
My server came over and she was delightful. Lovely young woman very upbeat but not in that roll your eyes way. I had already made up my mind when I looked at the menu online. A glass of Riesling and it began. I ordered oysters, three from Duxbury and three from Wellfleet Mass. Both have this very distinctive flavor and characteristics. But for my money Wellfleet has the best briny toothsome oysters and I was not disappointed. For a few moments I was transported home and having dinner with a friend of mine where we always got oysters on Fridays.
I decided to forgo a formal meal and try a couple of different things. The first thing was the conch fritters with a spicy aioli. The last time I had Conch fritters was in the Cayman Islands more than 10 years ago, so this was a
a treat. Crispy on the outside pillowy on the inside and juicy little bits of conch. Now if you’ve never had a conch fritter, the frying process can make the pieces of conch hard and less enjoyable. These were perfect. The conch was tender and the fritter itself was fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. I also enjoyed the mussels. I love muscles and these came with a delightful broth and a grilled hunk of the bread for dipping in the juices. Mussels were tender, The broth was flavorful and oh that bread. It was the perfect threesome that brought me back to New England once again.
Finally, for my gluttonous greedy self I enjoyed the fruits de mer. By this time I was getting full but I had to attempt a platter full of delight; fried scallops shrimp oysters calamari and cod. I tried one of each with the dipping sauces. I was done. Another glass of Riesling and I was carrying home the last vestiges of a meal that I will remember for a very long time. It has to be up in my top five.
… moreWell Monday night I GPS myself to the Tempest Oyster Bar. Driving to the oyster bar you see the Capitol building in Madison, it is unbelievably breathtaking You can almost forget what you’re doing or where you’re going. So back to the bar, I arrived and went to the host station and was greeted by one of the loveliest young women. Not just the fact that she was pretty to look at she was very welcoming and not in that sugary sweet way, just plain nice. I actually felt welcome. I explained to her why I was there and that I had been invited and she showed me to a table where I would not feel conspicuous. I never care about sitting by myself in a restaurant. I’ve been doing it for years and I don’t really ever feel uncomfortable. But then there’s not many places I would feel uncomfortable.
Upon sitting down at a high top table next to a speed boat, I was greeted by a young lady who brought me bread. Now I haven’t had bread since June and here it is nearly the end of August and I just wanted to put as much bread in my mouth as I could. There were three slices of the slightest tangy sourdough that made me want to eat through 20 loaves of it. There is the smallest mattering of salt on the top crust that just made one slice after another jump into my mouth. Probably because I hadn’t had bread in so long it was extra delicious, I’m not sure I just think it was really good bread. Don’t think I’m making too much of the bread, but I couldn’t help think if having it toasted on a cold winter morning with butter and a drizzle of honey and a cup of tea would not have just made everything in life worthwhile.
My server came over and she was delightful. Lovely young woman very upbeat but not in that roll your eyes way. I had already made up my mind when I looked at the menu online. A glass of Riesling and it began. I ordered oysters, three from Duxbury and three from Wellfleet Mass. Both have this very distinctive flavor and characteristics. But for my money Wellfleet has the best briny toothsome oysters and I was not disappointed. For a few moments I was transported home and having dinner with a friend of mine where we always got oysters on Fridays.
I decided to forgo a formal meal and try a couple of different things. The first thing was the conch fritters with a spicy aioli. The last time I had Conch fritters was in the Cayman Islands more than 10 years ago, so this was a
a treat. Crispy on the outside pillowy on the inside and juicy little bits of conch. Now if you’ve never had a conch fritter, the frying process can make the pieces of conch hard and less enjoyable. These were perfect. The conch was tender and the fritter itself was fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. I also enjoyed the mussels. I love muscles and these came with a delightful broth and a grilled hunk of the bread for dipping in the juices. Mussels were tender, The broth was flavorful and oh that bread. It was the perfect threesome that brought me back to New England once again.
Finally, for my gluttonous greedy self I enjoyed the fruits de mer. By this time I was getting full but I had to attempt a platter full of delight; fried scallops shrimp oysters calamari and cod. I tried one of each with the dipping sauces. I was done. Another glass of Riesling and I was carrying home the last vestiges of a meal that I will remember for a very long time. It has to be up in my top five.
Jeb Anderson
I work in the field in Downtown Madison so I’ve passed by your restaurant a few times, Fam came in town for dinner and I’m really glad we chose this place. Oyster and shrimp cocktail were spot on, great variety of wine and thoughtfully crafted house cocktails for a reasonable price… the dinners and sides were really exceptional as was the carrot cake… we were throughly impressed with our first visit here and for sure will be back.
… moreJuly B
Tempest Oyster Bar offers a truly exceptional dining experience in the heart of Madison. From the moment we walked in, the service was attentive, friendly, and professional. The atmosphere is welcoming, with just the right balance of elegance and comfort.
The food was outstanding. I ordered the 8 oz tenderloin steak, and it was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and exactly as requested. The side dish of asparagus was equally impressive—neither dry nor overcooked, but vibrant and flavorful.
… moreThe food was outstanding. I ordered the 8 oz tenderloin steak, and it was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and exactly as requested. The side dish of asparagus was equally impressive—neither dry nor overcooked, but vibrant and flavorful.
A Zhang
Went here for anniversary and had a beautiful time. Delicious oysters with a great happy hour menu. We tried every item and the hosts were lovely and welcoming. Dessert was on the house which was such a kind gesture. Definitely coming back
… moreMonyka L
Food was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Service was spectacular too. The happy hour price on oysters was such a steal ($2 per oyster).
Pictured below is their daily special for Monday, April 14th 2025 which are the black cod (dish with the red fish roe on top and broth on bottom), corvina (dish with the yellow purée and the orange colored fish), and rainbow trout (has sage brown butter sauce and vegetables on the side).
… morePictured below is their daily special for Monday, April 14th 2025 which are the black cod (dish with the red fish roe on top and broth on bottom), corvina (dish with the yellow purée and the orange colored fish), and rainbow trout (has sage brown butter sauce and vegetables on the side).