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The Mariner's Inn, Madison, WI

The Mariner's Inn

4.5 (1867)
$30 and under
American
5339 Lighthouse Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53704

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 30 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
When Bill and Betty Von Rutenberg opened The Mariner’s Inn in 1966, they set out to provide a steak and seafood dining experience like none other. Mouth watering, delicious steaks aged to perfection and an assortment of seafood from lobster to the famous Friday Fish Fry.
Bill and Betty’s sons, Bill, Jack, and Robert, along with their crew, now carry on the tradition of outstanding hospitality of von Rutenberg Ventures. Waterfront dining on the patio and a sunset over the marina make dinner at Mariner’s an evening to remember. We offer five options for dining. Dine-in, expanded outdoor seating, carryout, curbside, and dockside. Try our monthly summer Lobster Boil. You can now enjoy the lobster boils by dine-in or takeout! Advance reservations required.

To make a reservation that is larger then 8 people please call us.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Happy Hour Tue–Fri 4:30 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    We now cater off-site events. For outstanding food and memorable hospitality, please contact us in person at any of our restaurants or call/email us regarding your next event.
  • Private party facilities
    We now can accommodate private groups. We have three private dining rooms as well as our beautiful outside waterfront lawn area available. Make your Mariner’s event even more unique by packaging it with a cruise on Betty Lou Cruises. Please ask the manager for details on how to make your next business, social or holiday gathering a memorable one.
  • Neighborhood
    Madison
  • Cross street
    Westport Road
  • Parking details
    None
  • Entertainment
    Live music outdoors every Saturday from June - August
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,867 people are saying

The Mariner's Inn reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Madison

    Great for brunch

  • Madison

    Good for groups

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Mariner's Inn is a beloved supper club known for its "outstanding food and service." Guests rave about the "amazing fresh, in-house created rolls" and "beautifully flavored clam chowder." The ambiance is praised as "warm and nostalgic," offering scenic views and a friendly staff. Despite mixed opinions on pricing, its charm and quality make it a "wonderful gem" in Madison.
1,867 Reviews
  1. Vern VIP

    Wisconsin57 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This Madison Supper Club never disappoints. Our meals were excellent as always, and our servers at the bar and at our table were very friendly and attentive. Thank you for another wonderful meal, Mariner's!

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  2. craig

    Wisconsin1 review

    1.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    I was dissapointed to say the least. Best part of the meal was the Brandy old fashioned. Who came up with the menu, should be let go. This place was once highly thought of. It is now a memory for most. Had I known , I would have never spent my hard earned money here. Two out of 5 meals were cold , they should of at least been warm. Do not waste your money on the overpriced au gratin potatoes. They were basically lumpy mashed potatoes covered in cheese. Upon walking in ,the place had a funky musty smell. Save your money and eat anywhere else. Never again, even for free.

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  3. Lynn VIP

    Wisconsin63 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Mariner’s Inn always provides outstanding food and service!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ken

    Tampa / Central Florida West5 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on May 27, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Old WI supper club style restaurant next to small boat marina. Drinks were great but food was pricey and not exceptional. Good service and nice staff. If the dinners were worth the price it would have 4 stars, but they were not.

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  5. Larry

    Wisconsin13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    excellent food, excellent service, as always, been going for over 40 years

    Is this helpful?

  6. Marla

    Wisconsin5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Server was so thoughtful and attentive; we enjoyed our admiral filets!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Jan

    Toronto / Ontario19 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 18, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Amazing fresh, in-house created rolls, beautifully flavored clam chowder. Meals were delicious but the rolls and chowder were outstanding. Friendly staff and scenic view added to our experience and the cranes just outside the window was a natural delight! The key lime pie and chocolate mousse deserts topped off a delicious meal!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Barb

    Wisconsin11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed a nice dinner with a view of the water and boats. The service was outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Wanda

    Wisconsin5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always enjoy the holiday brunch at The Mariner's Inn. We are going to miss it, when they close.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Patricia

    Wisconsin1 review

    4.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    My guest, limited to a walker, was gifted the meal by her daughter in Hawaii. My guest was not offered accommodations in the way of seating anywhere near the food service area, (and I, stupidly, was not experienced enough to ask.) So we were assigned to a 2 person table in the Foc'stle Room, far from the food, and seated at the far end along a very narrow walkway which served the back of the room. The floor was "bouncy" and overall provided an unpleasant experience, what with the many trips of waitpersons and customers entering and then passing back and forth to food service area. When customers were placed at the tables on the other side of our "aisle", some irritating contact with us was inevitable. One hostess was kind enough to check and bring us shrimp, which were not present on our first pass for food, and another did help my guest select and carry her food. The food was certainly passable, and with a good variety. However, the prime rib was tough, with no fat, which I would have thought indicated it should have been sliced thin, rather than in chunks, Also, since Mariner's Inn is not open on Sundays, and the buffet was all that was on offer, we assumed that the menu was not available, though we did notice some diners had ordered Lobster, which was not on offer for diners choice. I wouldn't eat there again, given the arrangements. but stupid me!

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FAQs

The Mariner's Inn offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (608) 246-3120.

The Mariner's Inn is rated 4.5 stars by 1867 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Wisconsin
  4. Madison
  5. Madison

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 30 times today
Google Map for The Mariner's Inn

5339 Lighthouse Bay Dr, Madison, WI 53704

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Westport Road
  • Neighborhood
    Madison
  • Hours of operation
    Happy Hour Tue–Fri 4:30 pm–6:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Entertainment
    Live music outdoors every Saturday from June - August
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    We now cater off-site events. For outstanding food and memorable hospitality, please contact us in person at any of our restaurants or call/email us regarding your next event.
  • Private party facilities
    We now can accommodate private groups. We have three private dining rooms as well as our beautiful outside waterfront lawn area available. Make your Mariner’s event even more unique by packaging it with a cruise on Betty Lou Cruises. Please ask the manager for details on how to make your next business, social or holiday gathering a memorable one.
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