Best Fish Fry in Madison, WI
Friday night and fish fry go hand in hand in Wisconsin. It's tradition. What can I say? Might be cod, might be blue gill or walleye, might even be perch. But the best fish is beer battered with slaw and a cold brew on the side.
My guess is that just about any bar or pub you wander into in Madison on a Friday night will have it's version of The Fish Fry. But here are my top Friday fish fry picks in and around Madison:
Near East Side:
- Avenue Bar & Grill -1128 E Washington Ave. Madison 608-257-6877 Pretty consistently gets "Best of Madison" awards; my personal recommendation; and this is the one people always mention when I ask. Consider this Number
A Bit Farther East:
- Kavanaugh's Esquire Club -1020 N. Sherman Ave. Madison 608-249-0193 One of the longest family-owned restaurants in Madison, celebrating 60 years this year; and reputation as long-standing.
- Dexter's Pub - 301 North St., Madison 608-244-3535 A classic neighborhood bar; reasonably priced; ask for the waffle fries.
- Brothers Three Bar & Grill - 614 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Madison 608-244-6818 Fantastic fish, limited seating, get there early.
Downtown:
- The Old Fashioned - 23 N Pinckney St, Madison 608-310-4545 It's right on the Square and quickly gaining a reputation as a the place to go.
- Orpheum Theatre Lobby Restaurant - 216 State St., Madison 608-255-6005 Definitely not your "corner bar," but definitely unique; may be pricey,
Near West:
- Lucky's Bar & Grille - 1421 Regent St., Madison 608-250-8989 A college sports bar, so especially busy during football season; pub chips and service both excellent.
Far West:
- RP Adler's Pub & Grill - 8202 Watts Road, Madison 608-828-1250 One of my student's gave me a gift certificate for this one because it was her favorite fish fry; always packed.
- Stamm House - 6625 Century Ave, Middleton 608-831-5835 Dane County's oldest tavern. It's got it's own unique kind of history and old style ambiance.
- Fitzgerald's - 3112 Parmenter Street, Middleton 608-831-7107 Lots & lots of fish options, even a buffet, but ask for the Friday Fish Fry and get it steamy hot from the kitchen.
South:
- Quivey's Grove - 6261 Nesbitt Road, Madison, WI 608-273-4900 In the summer months it's outdoors under the tent; the rest of the year in the Stable.
- Great Dane-Fitchburg - 2980 Cahill Main Rd., Fitchburg 608-442-9000 Always crowded, always good food; less noisy than the downtown Great Dane?
South & East:
- Toby's Supper Club - 3717 S Dutch Mill Road, Madison 608-222-6913 Country tavern ambiance, great fish, may have to wait for a table; they have lake perch!
Farther Afield:
- Christy's Landing - 2952 Waubesa Avenue (On the western shore of Lake Waubesa) 608-222-5391 I love the fact that boaters motor right up to their pier, and the locals do as long as the lake is free of ice.
Happy Eating!
