Home ‣ Best Of ‣ Food

The First SURF Seafood Competition Made a Splash in Downtown Denver

The results are in after hundreds of eaters converged at McGregor Square and voted for their favorite fish dishes. 
Written By: author avatar Linnea Covington
author avatar Linnea Covington
Linnea Covington is the managing editor of DiningOut. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more.
See Full Bio
Published on August 1, 2025 • 11:00 AM MDT
Salt Water Social's shrimp corn dog with peach mustard and spicy ketchup. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Salt Water Social's shrimp corn dog with peach mustard and spicy ketchup. | Photo by Linnea Covington

DiningOut Events, the sister company of DiningOut Magazine, launched SURF Seafood Competition last night at McGregor Square. With 15 competing restaurants, plenty of wine and cocktails, and a gorgeous tuna and oyster display by sponsor Buckhead Pride, it was an event to remember, and, one we hope to do again.

Read on to find out the winners, and scroll to the bottom for some photos of the scrumptious dishes served. 

SURF Seafood Competition at McGregor Square, 2025. | Photo by Linnea Covington
SURF Seafood Competition at McGregor Square 2025 | Photo by Linnea Covington

Judges Choice Winners

3rd Place: Salt Water Social: Shrimp corn dog with peach mustard and spicy ketchup

2nd Place: Timberline Grill at Ameristar Black Hawk: Bluefin tuna kinilaw with coconut dressing and crispy black pepper lumpia sheets

1st Place: Penn Street Kitchen: Shrimp with fried, smoked-miso risotto and Palisade peach relish with Olathe sweet corn furikake

Peoples Choice Winners

3rd Place: Elway’s Downtown at The Ritz-Carlton: Scallop ceviche with yuzu, orange, radish, and a rice chip

2nd Place: Penn Street Kitchen: Shrimp with fried, smoked-miso risotto and Palisade peach relish with Olathe sweet corn furikake

1st Place: Salt Water Social: Shrimp corn dog with peach mustard and spicy ketchup

Elway’s at The Ritz-Carlton made a scallop ceviche with yuzu, orange, radish, and a rice chip. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Elways at The Ritz Carlton made a scallop ceviche with yuzu orange radish and a rice chip | Photo by Linnea Covington
Timberline Grill at Ameristar Black Hawk made bluefin tuna kinilaw with coconut dressing and crispy black pepper lumpia sheets. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Timberline Grill at Ameristar Black Hawk made bluefin tuna kinilaw with coconut dressing and crispy black pepper lumpia sheets | Photo by Linnea Covington
Penn Street Kitchen's shrimp with fried, smoked-miso risotto and Palisade peach relish with Olathe sweet corn furikake. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Penn Street Kitchens shrimp with fried smoked miso risotto and Palisade peach relish with Olathe sweet corn furikake | Photo by Linnea Covington
Mizuna's Hokkaido mousse at Surf 2025. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Mizuna made Hokkaido mousse at Surf 2025 | Photo by Linnea Covington
Stout Street Social made halibut with miso butter. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Stout Street Social made halibut with miso butter | Photo by Linnea Covington
Sea bass taco by Mojo, a Top Taco 2025 winner. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Sea bass taco by Mojo a Top Taco 2025 winner | Photo by Linnea Covington
Mizu Izakaya's truffle bluefin tuna. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Mizu Izakayas truffle bluefin tuna made extra fancy for judges | Photo by Linnea Covington
Ocean Prime made a blood orange scallop crudo. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Ocean Prime made a blood orange scallop crudo | Photo by Linnea Covington
The soon-to-be-open Noble treated us to smoked sea bass with black truffle shiitake cream. | Photo by Linnea Covington
The soon to be open Noble treated us to smoked sea bass with black truffle shiitake cream | Photo by Linnea Covington
A personal favorite of DiningOut Denver's editor, Garden and Grain at Gaylord of the Rockies made a shoyu-cured halibut cheek with fish sauce caramel. | Photo by Linnea Covington
A personal favorite of DiningOut Denvers editor Garden and Grain at Gaylord of the Rockies made a shoyu cured halibut cheek with fish sauce caramel | Photo by Linnea Covington
Chipotle-bourbon oyster chargrilled by Angelo's Taverna. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Chipotle bourbon oyster chargrilled by Angelos Taverna | Photo by Linnea Covington
Call Me Pearl made halibut yakitori with a teriyaki glaze. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Call Me Pearl made halibut yakitori with a teriyaki glaze | Photo by Linnea Covington
Tuna by Bonny and Read. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Tuna by Bonny and Read | Photo by Linnea Covington
Blue Island Oyster Bar made halibut aguachile "al pastor" and served it on a tostada. The oyster was extra for the judges, no one complained. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Blue Island Oyster Bar made halibut aguachile al pastor and served it on a tostada The oyster was extra for the judges no one complained | Photo by Linnea Covington
author avatar
Linnea Covington Managing Editor Denver
Linnea Covington is the managing editor of DiningOut. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more.
See Full Bio
Food Drinks Restaurants
social network icon
Sign Up For More News

Calendar

Upcoming Events

DEN

Chicken Fight Fest

Aug 21st, 2025

DEN

Rare Steak Fest

Sep 18th, 2025

DEN

Surf Seafood

TBA 2026
See All Events

Sponsored Content

The Winning Tacos and Cocktails of Top Taco Denver 2025

Buckhead

The Most Thoughtful Ways To Celebrate Mother’s Day

Buckhead

Diving For the Best Scallops Statewide

Buckhead

Related Articles

September 16, 2025

Denver Scores Big At the Annual Michelin Guide Awards

September 12, 2025

Games and Entertainment Collide With Great Food at These 18 Restaurants

September 9, 2025

Plate Full of Denver Restaurant News: Served Up September 9

September 5, 2025

Salivating Over the Best Bites of August 

15 Denver Sports Bars To Visit Right Now

20 Of the Top Oktoberfest Celebrations Across Colorado

Local Flavors and Quick Bites: Denver Airport Dining Concourse A

Chicken Fight! 2025 Was So Clucking Good

Sponsored Content

The Winning Tacos and Cocktails of Top Taco Denver 2025

Buckhead

The Most Thoughtful Ways To Celebrate Mother’s Day

Buckhead

Diving For the Best Scallops Statewide

Buckhead
Search
Facebook Instagram

COPYRIGHT © 2009–2025, DININGOUT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

DiningOut Presents Omakase at rare Steak Championship

Introducing OMAKASE, and immersive VIP Experience inside this years Rare Steak Championship! Eight of Denver’s best chefs. One exclusive culinary journey. Use code RARE15 for discounted pricing.
GET VIP TICKETS