Captain Bill's waterfront restaurant features award winning seafood in a rustic, casual and fun waterfront atmosphere. Recently voted “Best Seafood Restaurant” in the Best of Madison poll, Captain Bill's diners rave about the clam chowder, crab cakes and coconut shrimp. Escape to our waterfront deck, enjoy an ice cold beverage, a mound of shrimp and oysters, crab, lobster or our Friday night fish fry. Happy hour Monday thru Friday from five to six.
"The experience was okay. Don't be fooled, the restaurant is by a lake front, more like a house in between, then the lake front. The food portions was kind of disappointing. The service was nice. Didn't have much of a non alcoholic beverage selections. The only thing good was the clam chowder."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: notable wine list
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"The food was very good. I was surprised, though, that they charged extra for beverages (including orange juice) given that the price per person was $30.00. That is especially true since there was no indication that beverages were extra."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch
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"Seated promptly but had to wait quite a while for the drinks, then the food, which ended up being luke warm, which made the walleye I had tough. The restaurant was not full, so I don't know why we had such long delays with the waiter.
Food was overseasoned.
Our table was under a COLD air vent so we had to leave our coats on during the meal.
Unfortunatly this and previous experiences has supported my decesion that this restaurant is overpriced for the experience and not worthy of another return."
Dined on 5/10/2013
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"The staff cheerfully set up a fresh table outside for us , carefully cleaning the table and the chairs. Then, when our wine of choice was no longer available, an equally tasty one was provided. Timing was perfect. It was a most pleasant experience."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, special occasion
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"This was my first time there. My sister found it in Madison Magazine. I really liked the choice of fish, the view, and the decorations. Wait staff was friendly. The service was a tiny bit slow, but not so much as to not come back. My sister and brother-in-law of course got free refills on iced tea. I sort of wish it was the same way for lemonade. I really appreciated that we got vegetables with the meal and the asparagus was good. I was very happy with my haddock and garlic mashed potatoes. I would certainly recommend it to anybody who was looking for a new restaurant."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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"I have been to Captain Bills before and had amazing food. This time all was great except the steak. It was the petite filet and it was a thin piece of sectioned steak (a butterflied tenderloin end possibly). When I order a filet, even though it's a petit size, I expect a thick filet mignon. It also didn't have a great steak flavor, although the sauteed mushrooms on it were delicious. I will still go to Captain Bills for the ambiance but won't order any more steaks there."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"They make it easy to order gluten-free options (there is a little GF by the available items). It is rare to find gluten-free clam chowder, but they have it and it is delicious. Everyone else loved their non-gluten free meals. Our server (female) was cheerful and helpful."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, scenic view
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"We had the Blue Gill dinner and the Planked Salmon dinner. Both were very good. After dinner we went to the bar with friends to enjoy the fireplace. A nice respite!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2013
Special Features: scenic view
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"This was my first (and after this visit, first of many) visits to Captain Bills. The catch of the day was deliciously prepared, moist and flavorful. It accompained my juicy tender steak along with grilled veggies. The signature clam chowder was amazing along with my Pirate's Blood beverage."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"This was our first time there and it was wonderful. I look forward to coming back again. What a great place to celebrate my wife's birthday with friends. The food was exceptional, the chowder was to tie for! All of the staff we encountered were very nice and helpful as well. We will be back soon. Thanks to all.
R. Scchwoerer"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, scenic view
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"We had reservations for 6:45 and brought our 4 and 8 year olds with us. We didnt get to order our food until 7:15...that is a long wait for a table with kids, luckily we brought their ipads. Food didnt get to us until about 8:00. There were other tables seated around us that were at least brought bread in the mean time. We were not overly impressed with the food either. My sons mac and cheese tasted like cardboard. It is pretty hard to mess up mac and cheese. So I guess all in all it was decent and fairly priced, just wish we would have had better service."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, romantic, scenic view
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"We had Easter brunch my high hopes were quickly dashed. A usual favorite is salmon--a small bite was dreadfully distasteful. Crab cakes hollandaise lacked hollandaise sauce anywhere in site and had an odd flavor also. The shrimp was not their standard tasty shrimp it tasted frozen and cheap. I will return for dinner but never another brunch."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
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"I really enjoyed Captain Bill's for the seafood, brunch, and scenic view. The service was excellent! The Easter Brunch was a complete success. It started a little late due to an unforeseen incident down at the lake but everything went well afterwards. I would recommend it to others who want to celebrate holidays, evenings out, or whenever.
Their seafood was prepared well and they have a great view of the lake."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"Food was great! We enjoyed our experience and will definitely be coming back!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"First time visitors, trying it out since we had a coupon, and we are happy we did! Nice bar, and neat atmosphere, which only gets better as the weather warms, we imagine!"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"It was our first time here, we were sat near the kitchen which wasn't the best. We had their dinner special for Valentine's Day and the lobster was great and the steaks were cooked perfectly but not a very good cut of meat. I did not care for the mashed potatoes or veggie side. Our waitress was great. I am not sure if I would go back because of the expensive prices for just an OK meal."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: scenic view
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"I was disappointed to see the menu had changed again. Limited entrees. I missed the supper club type feel the menu used to convey. I used to love the combination seafood selections. The seasoning on the crab cakes was strong and took over the taste of the crab. Food was so-so. Mixed drinks were very good."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, late-night find, romantic, scenic view
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"My wife and I enjoyed the cozy feel to the restaurant. We visited on Valentines Day so they had a special menu. Considering how busy they were we were taken care of quickly and in a friendly manner. we would love to return during the summer months to check out the outdoor seating by the lake."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Overall a good experience. Really liked the seating by the fire in the bar area. Our table was in a bit of a crowded spot with a pillar from the wall at my back, which was a little uncomfortable. Also, the bar ran out of bitters and we had to wait a LONG time for a drink while someone "ran out to get some". The drink next served seemed to be served without the bitters anyway. A bit of a disappointment, but won't keep us from returning."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, scenic view, great for lunch
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"Had a great time and the food was really good. We will definitely be back. Great place to eat outside and enjoy the amazing view when the weather is nice. Great clam chowder and the oysters were really fresh. I'd recommend this place to anyone."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view
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"It was a very good meal and a nice evening. While it was a winter night and dark, we know that in the summer months the view is great and it would be great to be outside."
Dined on 01/29/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view
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"There were five of us eating at Captain Bill's last Thursday. All but one of us had the surf and turf. My steak and lobster was perfect. One of our diners said her steak was tough (she had ordered it medium). The first course and dessert were great. The service was a bit slow, but we fully understood because it was quite busy with it being Restaurant Week. I would definitely come back."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, special occasion, scenic view
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"The food and service at Captain Bill's were amazing. We enjoyed the laid-back, non-pretentious atmosphere that you don't often find at restaurants that serve such good food. We'll definitely be back."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"It was the end of restaurant week and I wanted to go with some friends. One was able to come and we had a great time and great food. Already planning on going back. Saw the deck they had need to check out this place in the summer."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"This was our first visit to Captain Bill's and I must say, we were impressed. The waiter was very knowledgeable and open to our questions regarding the menu. The food was delicious, hot and well presented. We will certainly return and bring our friends with us."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Service and wait staff were very friendly and helpfull. Everthing went great, until the food arrived. Had to return the lobster twice for being under cooked. The kitchen seemed to have a hard time dealing with the supper rush. Too bad, for everything else was very enjoyable."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2013
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"I ordered a steak at a seafood restaurant, so maybe that was the problem, but the meat was barely warm and very rare (I had ordered it medium rare). It also had a lot of gristle in it. The rest of the meal--spinach salad and apple crisp was very good."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2011
Special Features: kid-friendly, scenic view
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"I've been to this restaurant several times in the past year and the food is always consistently very good. When I've taken newcomers to eat there, especially during "Restaurant Week" they rave about the surf and turf. They are famous for their new england clam chowder (food channel) and their coconut shrimp as well. It's a warm inviting place in the winter and a cool outdoor venue in the summer! Check out their retro handmade ice cream drinks!"
Dined on 01/20/2013
2006
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, romantic, scenic view
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