Owl Cafe
15 Ave D, Apalachicola, FL, 32320
Owl Cafe Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Apalachicola for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Apalachicola for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Apalachicola for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
15 Ave D
Apalachicola, FL, 32320 - Phone (850) 653-9888
- Website https://www.owlcafeflorida.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Coat Check : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Courtney L.
The BEST seafood we had while on vacation in Cape San Blas, even if we had to drive about 45 mins to get to it. They had three fresh specials of the day, our party got all three and each was fantastic, we had to sample each other's food! Seriously some of the best service I've ever had anywhere.
(5)Anne H F.
So disappointed. I had the special - flounder with crabmeat and prosciutto and pesto cream sauce. What a gloppy concept. Flounder ok, crab meat unnecessary, sauce had little flavor - pesto? Really? - and no sign of prosciutto. On the other hand - nice earnest waiter and good salad.
(2)Dana S.
We're in Apalachicola for a quick few days of break before the summer activities start. Got into town fairly late, so we looked for a place that would still be open for awhile, so as not to be rude to the wait and kitchen staff. We were a little taken aback - this is an upscale place, and we were NOT dressed for it. But nothing was said (or indicated) so we dove in. Mateo was so friendly and accommodating - it was a pleasure to have him serve us. He was so excited to tell us about the specials and he made them sound so delicious I changed my mind and ordered the stuffed snapper. The garlic and parm dipping sauce for the bread was a nice change of pace from the usual oil and herbs. Mateo asked about some of the extras on the salads, like "Would you like bleu cheese crumbles?" and immediately followed by saying he'd put them on the side for us. My sons both had the green garlic dressing, and it was also delicious. My wife had the angel hair pasta with chicken and sauteed vegetables. One son had the fried oysters and the other had the lump crab cake. All of us were delighted with our selections (and with the others as well). The portion sizes were just right - we were filled, but not stuffed. The sauces with each entree were really well-prepared and well-paired. All in all - this was an excellent meal, and a little bit of a surprise for "tourist town."
(5)Medic L.
So very good! We had a rehearsal dinner for my cousin and their selections were all good with excellent service. The staff was friendly and willing to answer all of our questions. It was so good we got take out two nights later for a late night snack.
(5)Ron A.
Stopped in for lunch today at the Owl Cafe. Overall a really good lunch, would definitely eat here again. Atmosphere is a bit upscale and service was wonderful. I had the grouper sandwich, which was fantastic. My wife had the wrap, which was nearly as good. Note that the slaw was heavy on horseradish. I liked it, my wife not so much. Would have given The Owl 5 stars, but they were completely out of oysters. Really the reason we stopped in.
(4)Frieda B.
Amazing burger and raw oysters! The service and ambience were a five. Why the four star rating? The fried oysters. They were over breaded and waaaay over cooked! I got the fried oyster salad and had two oysters that weren't overdone-the rest were rubber. My friend got an appetizer plate of them and they looked almost black. Other than that-The Owl was one of our favorites and we will go back (not for the fried oysters!).
(4)Edward R.
My wife had the fried shrimp and I had the crab cakes. Both were excellent. The staff was very friendly, and checked several times to see if everything was good, or if we needed something. The timing of the courses was perfect; something where many restaurants fall short. Thoroughly enjoyed our meals.
(5)Liz B.
This was the best dinner we had while staying on St. George Island. Stephanie was a great waitress, and the food was very good. My son tried their beer that is brewed on site, and was very pleased. The oysters were dark, but they had a good texture, and the sauce that went with them was tasty. The seafood was well-cooked, the salads were crisp and fresh and I liked the horseradish dressing. The steak was delicious with mashed potatoes and zucchini. The bread was made in house, and had parm and olive oil to the side. We sat outside, and had a relaxed and pleasurable meal.
(5)Lou R.
Go down there once or twice a year and I make it a point to have at least one meal here. Never disappointed. Saw a comment on here that bread isn't that good. The bread here is as good as any I've had since I left New Jersey 20+ years ago. This time around I had the Angel Hair Pasta and Shrimp and it was incredible. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Linda S.
Sigh. I'm such a snob. I so wanted to love The Owl Cafe, and there were bright spots, but mostly it made me a little sad. Service was friendly but painstakingly slow. Raw oysters were not served with citrus and ginger mignonette as indicated -- more of a tomato-cilantro topping -- but they were huge and fresh and meaty. The highlight by far. Salads were fine; the homemade green garlic dressing refreshing and unique. My crab cakes at first appeared overly breaded and over-done, but actually weren't bad once I cut into the crust. They were served with the most bland, pedestrian vegetable medley -- mostly frozen, steamed yellow squash and broccoli -- and an equally boring scoop of mashed potatoes. Why, why couldn't they buy fresh seasonable vegetables from local farmers and simply roast or sauté them? My husband's grouper was fresh but unseasoned, with the same uninspired vegetable medley and plain white rice. We wanted dessert, but nothing stood out from the options -- nothing with fresh fruit, no citrus, nothing with a sense of place. We shared a well-executed but unmemorable chocolate mousse. Earlier in the week we stopped in The Tap Room, The Owl Cafe's more casual sibling next door and enjoyed the more extensive beer and cocktail lists and an array of fried things and yummy dips. Though they were out of duck for the famous fries, we were happy enough to substitute pork. Next time, I think we'll skip the unnecessarily pretentious Owl Cafe and stick with the Tap Room.
(3)Lindsey G.
When visiting St. George Island in March, my mother and I decided to drive into Apalachicola, where we met a friend of mine for lunch. It took her a bit longer to make the drive than expected, so my mom and I got a table. I wish they had asked if we wanted to sit outside, because that would have been my preference. As far as service, I wasn't sure about our waitress at first. She seemed somewhat irritated that my friend hadn't arrived, despite the fact that someone else had seated us. I ordered shrimp and grits, and it was quite good. As it was a weekend, only the brunch menu was available, so I wasn't able to necessarily try exactly what I wanted. I don't remember what everyone else ordered, but everyone seemed to enjoy their meal, and our waitress did become more amenable. Be aware that you have to go through the shop downstairs to get to the restaurant!
(4)Morgan M.
We only went here for drinks and dessert, but it was quite good. I had a coffee and Bailey's while my husband had Woodford Reserve (obviously hard to mess up). My husband had a chocolate mousse with piles of delicious sauces (I stole some) and I had some kind of pecan pie or tart or something with some very tasty mocha sauce. The sauces stuck out more than the desserts! Really beautiful dining room, good waitstaff.
(4)Courtney C.
We ordered the Blue Crab dip and never did we get a hint of crab. It tasted just like a taco dip with cheese. It seems to me they were trying to use a small amount of crab meat, smother in taco seasoning (which in no way enhances the taste of crab) and call it a crab dip. A crab dip is usually simple, crab, mayo some lemon and spices, which is what we expected, but did not get. However, the atmosphere is amazing with a great view of the water. We will be back to try other menu items.
(2)John S.
Staying in St George Island for the week and asked a local for a restaurant recommendation. The Owl Cafe did not disappoint. Had the soft shell crab. Could be the best I have ever had.
(4)David P.
10/13/2014 lunch at the Owl. Nice place, fried oyster starter was quite good. The mussels were fantastic. Note to restaurant staff, when you serve mussels in broth at this level you must serve bread; it's part of the process. All that broth and we had to ask for bread, four pieces c,mon. Bottom line: food great, service okay. Be on island time when at the Owl.
(3)Bill H.
Another fantastic visit to the owl. Eaten here dozens of times and never had a bad meal and never not been surprised by the fresh food.
(5)Robert M.
i've been to Owl Tap Room on several occasions, but never to the main Owl Cafe. went with friend for lunch/brunch...lots of others did also, busy place. she had omelet of the day...mushroom/spinach...comes with fried pot. "cubes", fruit side. i had fried oyster Po' Bo' (let, tom, on) and the duck confit fries (you read right)...pieces of duck & cracklings with gryuere cheese. all very good...relatively inexpensive (omelet $10, sandwich $12). would go back...lots of other goodies to choose from. happy trails
(4)Rene H.
I was drawn to the Owl Cafe because I collect owls and therefore had to eat here! We were able to walk right in and get a table in this beautifully restore building in the town of Appalachicola. First a gentleman said he would take our drink order but in about 5 min a woman came and took our order. She started making our bar order and then had to change out one of the mixers. 15 mins later our drinks arrived. We order the blue crab dip and it was delicious. It didn't take long for our orders to arrive but once they did we never saw our waitress again till we left. I gave The Owl Cafe 4 stars for the amazing and delicious food! The downside! We were place in what we called the over flow room. The room where people didn't make reservation and got poor service. It was a beautiful restored room that could really have some character. It had a huge wooden bar, grand piano and exposed brick walls. It just needed the personalities to go along with its grander-no bartender and no piano player! On the other hand the front room had service bustling about, glasses clinking and laugher abounding. That's what we get for not making reservations! For a place this nice the bathroom was nasty! The floor was dirty, trash all around, and I did wipe the sink just because it grossed me out. And the final disappointment of the evening was the cute little gift shop at the front entrance was closed, really? You mean you can find a high school kid or college kid to keep your amazing gift shop open? I really wanted those owl spreaders!
(4)Ken B.
Had a really mixed opinion of Owl cafe. We get there a little before noon and head upstairs for lunch on the Memorial day weekend. After 5 minutes of studying the menu the waitress comes by and lets us know that they don't have any shrimp or oysters. Lame!!! Dishes with shrimp and oysters is what the wife and I are wanting when we go to the Gulf and the restaurant didn't seem like it was so busy they would have a shortage. Amazing that Lynn's quality oysters down the street had shrimp and oysters. Not sure why Owl couldn't just go down the road and buy some shrimp and oysters from a different supplier. Anyway, we were committed to eating there since several members of our party were hungry and had already selected what they wanted. I ordered a grouper sandwich which was really good quality. Also the fries tasted fresh made. The wife ordered the alligator sausage creole. It wasn't bad, but not great. It was a little salty for our tastes, but not terrible by any means. Would definitely give this place another chance if I am in the area. Hopefully the oyster\shrimp supply issue gets taken care of because it seems like the cooks know what they are doing.
(3)Molly W.
Delicious brunch - portions are large which is good because you won't want to stop eating . Nice atmosphere. We have also photographed several wedding receptions here and they're always great! I would absolutely consider them for my event .
(5)K P.
Good food. Friendly. Classy but casual. We had the oyster po' boy and fried shrimp. Delish. Would definitely return.
(4)Ou G.
The Owl Cafe opens at 11 am, and we decided on a Saturday to have a bit of a brunch. Well, what a find, in the historic town of Apalachicola. There's not a whole lot in Apalachicola, but this restaurant is first rate. The omelet of the day with ham and swiss was large and flavorful, as was the crab cake Benedict. The highlight of breakfast was the breadbasket filled with cinnamon bread and lemon poppy mini-muffins. My companions asked (and received) a second basket of just the cinnamon bread that was so good. Another highlight were the Bloody Marys. When I got the check, I was momentarily confused. It said 3 Bloody Marys were $16.50. What a bargain. Other patrons swore to its good food during the dinner hour. Great service and great food and great atmosphere in a historic building.
(5)Richard H.
A little disappointed in the hype. We wanted to sit outside of course and we were placed on a rooftop overlooking the town. The food was really good but the price was really high IMO. We each had a drink and the bill was well over $100 which is ridiculous for two people. No appetizer's either. I think it should be updated to $$$ (expensive:.
(3)Bob A.
Had lunch with a party of 6 on 2/14/14. It was crowded but no wait & waitress was very prompt. This place is somewhat "upscale" for the area so menu choices were fancy & prices a bit high. The food, however, was served hot and was quite good except for my wife's grilled salmon, one of the day's specials, which was deemed to be oily with no flavor. My pork & aligator sausage was excellent and favorable comments were made about the linguini with added chicken breast and the cheeseburger. The shrimp tacos, while good, were bland. OUTSTANDING home-made salad dressings! I bought a jar of the horseradish dressing to take with me. I have no qualms about recommending The Owl and plan to eat there again on our next visit to Apalach.
(4)Patrick D.
Great local place for lunch or dinner. Fresh ingredients and interesting menu selections. Not just fried shrimp and fish. Service was great for us. When locals more locals than tourists are present, you know you've made a solid choice. Had the pork and gator sausage on a bed of grits. Outstanding!
(4)Kip S.
We enjoyed our dinner here recently. Service is lacking; but food is pretty good. Our waitress did not know what liquor brands that were available for various drinks. Also the waitress rushed service. She tried to grab our plates before we were finished and actually offered us dessert while we were half way through our entrees. Really?? The seafood was above average and very fresh. I liked the blue crab dip a lot! Great culinary skills in the kitchen. Overall, an average restaurant.
(2)Layla P.
Absolutely WONDERFUL food! It took a long time to get our food that day (Sunday morning), but man was it worth the wait! We were there with 3 other couples and everyone LOVED what they ordered for breakfast/brunch! (Helpful hint: Make a reservation to make sure you can sit at a table on the coastal side of the restaurant!)
(4)tania C.
Black grouper melts in your mouth! I love the Owl and visit at least once every trip to St George. Fried oysters my fav.
(5)Bill A.
My Fiancee and I had dinner here this past weekend. The first reason for the 5 star review is the service: We did not have reservations, and the staff found us a table on a busy Saturday night. (Who knew a small place in the tiny town of Apalachicola took reservations?) Also, we were headed to the Dixie Theater after dinner, and the waitress kept this in mind, serving up promptly. The second reason for the 5 stars is the food. I can't recall a more flavorful plate of food after tasting the crab-stuffed snapper, a special dish that night. Molly had the crab cakes, excellent as well. Hard to go wrong ordering fish in Apalachicola, as most of it is locally caught or harvested. We would eat here again in a heartbeat!
(5)Paul S.
Visited on Father's Day and there was problems with the kitchen which the waitress kept apologizing for. I ordered a meatball and pasta dish and my wife had the jambliama . Both dishes left a lot to be desired especially considering the time it took to get served and the piece paid. I don't believe we will be returning here.
(2)Gwen F.
Everything ordered was thoughtfully prepared, truly done right, even enjoyed the nice glassware the wine was served in..extra touch
(5)Leilane V.
The Owl is rated the best restaurant in Apalachicola, and although the Oysters rated up there, the rest was actually not that good. The maitre d definitely needed a crash course in customer service. The shrimp was horrible, and although they took it off our bill, we were disappointed in the overall quality of the food. The tappas bar next door is great!
(2)Laurence H.
There's not many (ok none) fine dining options in Apalachicola, but this was as close at it gets.
(3)Deb L.
It was a dark, cold and rainy night. But in the distance, a light was shining, folks were chatting, music was playing and diners were dining. We stepped in and found ourselves a charming table, enjoyed the art decor and enjoyed one of the best shrimp dinners ever! A big thumbs up from us!
(4)Makenzie H.
We had a very bad experience here. My dad ordered a Jack and Coke, and inside the drink there was a gnat. Gross. The food was bland and very boring. Also, not much selection for the menu! Definitely did not like The Owl Cafe and was very disappointed because all we had heard was positive reviews.
(1)Catherine H.
Went for brunch on St. Patrick's Day. Service was good and attentive. The cajun tilapia sandwich was good, nothing super special but still good. My aunt had the crab cake benedict - YUM. Later that night we stopped by the Tap Room for a post-show beer and order the Blue Crab Dip on recommendation from a friend. Definitely a must-have. A little spicy, but good with a cold beer.
(4)Craig B.
I hate eating here. But my dining companion insists on it. It's overpriced and not at all the kind of food I want to eat. It's heavy in a hot location. And its recipes are either difficult to execute or bad. I can't decide which. Every time I go I find it very difficult to order because everything is either unappealing or overpriced -- or both. Service is average, which is why it doesn't get a 1. Do yourself a favor and skip this supposed upscale dining place in Apalach.
(2)Aimee C.
"The Owl," as it's locally known, features daily lunch and dinner specials as well as a full bar. Bread, made on site, is brought to your table while you await your appetizer or entree. I believe their salad dressings are homemade as well. You can dine downstairs, upstairs, or outside overlooking the Apalachicola River.
(5)W L.
Dining at the Owl Cafe was the best meal of the 6 meals we had while on our vacation to St. George Island. It is well worth the 20 minute drive in to Apalachicola. It is so pleasant to have a waiter, Christopher, whose demeanor is a little dry, be so knowledgeable about the menu, able to make recommendations, make great wine suggestions, and be attentive without hovering. All of this for a dining party of six and one infant. From the raw oysters and salad to the entrée everything was delicious. I had the Cobia special, my wife had the Soft-shell Crab, and others had the Snapper Special, fried Oysters and fried Shrimp. To a serving all were outstanding. This is a must if you are looking for a great meal in the Apalachicola area. What an unexpected find I only wish I could find more restaurants in my metro area that make the extra effort to make your meal so enjoyable. A do over!
(5)Justin C.
This place is a little expensive and usually busy, but totally worth it! When we were there the soft shell crab was on special and it was simply amazing. I also tried some of the jambalaya and that was great as well. Highly recommended in you are around the area, my experience this is the best in town!
(5)Matthew H.
This place had a great ambiance, great location, good service. 2 minor details; 1st salads and bread not that good, and second there were no fried oysters in stock. Kinda taken aback considering we were in oyster country during oyster season. But the server was super nice and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
(4)Jon G.
Had a bad experience there last Memorial Day weekend, but I have been going to this place since it opened. I took some friends there for New Years Eve diner this week. The Owl has returned to its earlier form. I had grilled tripletail with lump crab, it was wonderful. Good service, nice wines a food as good as anything to be had in Atlanta.
(4)W D.
When you are tired of the usual fried everything, this is the place to go. A bit pricey, but worth the cost. Quality ingredients, well-stocked bar, excellent wine list. No complaints whatsoever.
(5)MichaelDonna H.
Nice place with great service and food!! And what a great server, thanks Tyler!
(4)Rebecca M.
Best place in town if you want something more refined then fried food or beer and oysters. Make reservations. Fantastic wine list. We had the pasta special - penne with shrimp, clams, artichoke hearts, bell pepper and kalamata olives in a white wine sauce. It was superb.
(5)John G.
By far the best pan handle clam chowder that I have EVER had! I am a long time seafood lover so i know quality when I taste it. So many places put too many potatoes or too much spice but not the Owl cafe, they make sure you can taste the clams. I ordered a specialty drink from the bar called a Vesper Martini (you may know it from Casino Royal) and the bartender went out of his way to get me some Kino Lillet which is essential for the drink to taste good. The staff is friendly most of the time and when its busy they make sure to keep up when it gets really busy. One problem I have is that they offer the clam chowder so sparingly. Although I understand that it is tuff to get the quality ingredients necessary on a daily basis.
(4)Matt M.
Excellent casual fine dining on the Forgotten Coast, specializing in seafood. I had a red snapper and sea scallops in a sun-dried tomato and caper cream sauce, expertly cooked and presented. The blue crab dip appetizer is excellent as well. If you don't like seafood, there's typically a beef filet and chicken option on the menu. Great setting, we ate upstairs near the bar and wine cellar- cool room with exposed brick. Service has always been good. If you're a wine lover, they have an extensive wine program with just about anything you might want by the bottle, coupled with good choices by the glass. Full bar as well. My only complaint is their choice of stemware. The wine glasses leave no room to swirl- they get too full. With the depth and investment in their wine program it would be smart to invest in some Riedel (or similar quality glasses).
(4)Brian F.
Came for dinner on a weeknight around 6pm. It was pretty dead, but it started to fill in a bit around 6.30. Had some good to great homemade salad dressing. Got sword fish, which was prepared well. Got some chocolate-y desserts which were pretty good as well. Overall, nothing blew my mind, but was solid.
(4)Eve A.
Excellent choice for dining out with friends. I had the Black Grouper with artichokes, garlic and capers. It was delightful, and the entire supper meal was well prepared, fresh, and served by attentive and friendly staff. I'd definitely go back. They also have an extensive wine list.
(4)Kimberly M.
If you are looking for a restuarant that it is more upscale, the Owl Cafe is the spot for you. The staff is very friendly, the atmosphere is very nice, and make sure you can sit upstairs in the dining as the view over looks the water. I go to Apalachicola every time I come to the area and I come for the oysters. I had the best oysters I have ever had! Really delicious! They have a tap room downstairs, I haven't been but I have heard they have a fantastic beer selection that is constantly changing. But you can't get any of the tap room beer in the dining room. They do have some nice bottled beer for the dining room. The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is that they didn't have the beer that I wanted but really it was because they couldn't find it. The staff was helpful in reccomending something else for me, but seriously........you couldn't find the beer? Anyway, really lovely spot and I can't wait to try the brunch with my husband!
(4)Tim B.
the food was very good/ good. the service was unimpressive, indifferent, and made the entire experience unsatisfying.
(3)Nick D.
Our family has been vacationing in the St. George Island area for over thirteen years. We have never experienced such rude service, even when dining at much nicer restaurants. Upon waiting five minutes in the vacant looking restaurant, the host said he had tried to introduce himself multiple times but we were talking. He then informed us he would be back and walked off. Our party of nine left. I'd give this place zero stars if it were possible.
(1)J B.
This place was amazing! The crab dip was excellent, as was the grouper cheek sandwich and the oyster po boy. Highly recommended! Also has a great outside balcony/deck.
(5)Tom B.
Wow what a find! Really an upscale place in this little town. My wife doesn't really care for seafood and they had a wonderful filet mignon for her. They also had chicken. I started with a dozen oysters which were the biggest I have ever had. When I told the waitress I had never had fried oysters before they split my dozen between raw and fried. Raw came with cocktail sauce with extra horseradish and the fried came with a cream Dijon sauce which was delicious. This would have been enough for dinner but the special of redfish with a spicy cream sauce and covered with more fried oysters I couldn't resist. I'm glad I didn't. Martinis were great. Paid about $110 for my wife and myself including tip. Worth every penny. You won't be disappointed
(5)Erin D.
I'm currently vacationing off the "Forgotten Coast" (aka the boonies) of Florida, and hunger pains struck me hard and fast yesterday after a morning of tanning and floating around. Having yet to go to the ol' Piggly Wiggly half an hour away to load up on groceries, my mom and I decided to drive in to town. There aren't many Yelp reviews for much in Apalachicola, but Owl Cafe looked good, and it was the first place we saw. I know and love omelets. They're always my brunch choice at a restaurant, and I'm constantly looking for a new twist on the ingredients. The Omelet of the Day at Owl Cafe yesterday consisted of an exotic mushroom blend, scallions, and a flavorful, cream-cheese like cheese that I couldn't put my finger on. The flavors came together perfectly, and I really enjoyed it. Props to the chef for agreeing to my demands for egg-whites only and heavy mushrooms, light cheese. My mom opted for crab cakes benedict: two plump crab cakes on egg muffins, each topped with egg and hollandaise. Very rich, filling, and tasty. The bread brought out before the meal was very good and fresh, as well. The portions of everything we saw were very generous, and we enjoyed our brunch here. The breakfast-y items on the brunch menu are rather limited (maybe 5-6 options), but there is a good deal to choose from when it comes to salads, sandwiches, and apps. Owl Cafe is a two-story restaurant with a classy southern feel, and most of the patrons are well-dressed older locals. I did feel a bit too casual with my frizzy ponytail, damp bathing suit under my t-shirt, and awkward sunglasses-outline facial tan. This ain't your super casual, beachy joint, and the prices accurately match the ambiance: the omelet was around $13, and the crab cakes were $15. Reasonable, but not your cheapie brunch. I have yet to try lunch or dinner, and I think their brunch may only be available on Sundays. Owl Cafe is a nice change from the usual beach hut with happy hour specials, a raw oyster bar, and plastic table cloths, and it's worth giving a shot if you're in the area.
(4)Jane Q.
Read good reviews about Owl Cafe but was disappointed. We went for lunch and ordered two vegetable salads. The lettuce was not chopped at all, and almost inedible because it was so big! It didn't taste that great and wasn't worth the high price tag - like $25 for lunch for two salads, and water. Service was fair. I guess when there's no where else to eat, mediocre seems good.
(2)David G.
They just opened their bar downstairs about three weeks ago but they got it right. Really friendly crew running the show. Food at the restaurant upstairs is good, especially the crab cakes ... Solid wine list as well, especially considering the location.
(4)Greg M.
Outstanding find on the forgotten coast! The Owl Cafe would be a hit anywhere, but the fact it's located in a historic building in quaint downtown Apalachicola, makes it that much more special. The lower level of the building is an upscale kitchen shop, with the restaurant, wine room and balconies upstairs. Everything from the food to the service to the ambiance is sure to impress. The menu changes with the seasonal availability of fresh seafood, so be sure to check the daily special board or your server before making your selection. After hearing about the pan fried flounder filet topped with lump crab and bay shrimp over cheese grits, I knew what I was having! We started with a bottle of wine and bruschetta, both of which were very good. The dinner included a house salad, with a great selection of house-made dressings and fresh bread with olive oil for dipping. Bottom-line, if you're looking for a casual, but upscale fine dining experience along the forgotten coast, you can't do better than the Owl Cafe!
(5)Lady D.
It was a nice anniversary lunch with hubby but not excellent. Tuesday afternoon 1:15 we were seated right away - table for two against a wall without a view. The waitress was busy gathering checks from a large party. We ordered water for me and tea with extra lemons for hubs. Good job! Looking over the menu, I decided what I wanted until she mentioned the specials of the day. One was mahi-mahi with tomatoes, jalapeño butter sauce with something like potatoes. The description of the sauce was intriguing. For a start, I had a bowl of beef and barley soup and hubby had the small crab dip with tortilla chips. I warned him what other Yelper's had said about that dish but he gave it a go. My beef and barley soup was full of barley, carrots, celery and a nice broth, but I had to add a lot of salt, pepper and waited patiently for our waitress to return so that I could order Tabasco sauce. That made it better. Crab dip chips were wonderful! They tasted like when I take flour tortillas and fry them. The dip was just OK. It had a little heat but not much flavor. It was crabby though. If they had added some garlic and a tad of powdered mustard, it would have pulled it up a notch. Our salads were good even if we had to cut the lettuce. Spring greens with romaine-a grape tomato and cucumber. Salad dressings were awesome. (Please don't make me cut my salad.) the bread was good and the butter was not cold- that's good! Hubby ordered a shrimp and crab handheld sandwich. He thought he was getting a wrap but it came on a bun. It was full of capers and celery but good amount of shrimp and crab. (Reduce the whole capers amount or chop them. Capers should be an undertone, not the full choir with something as delicate as shrimp and crab. He waited for the waitress to rerun so he could order mayo for his bread. Good bread roll, just dry. The sand which had a nice slice of tomato and a large romaine leaf. I encouraged hubby to go look for Someone about the mayo because I was chowing down on my perfectly cooked fish with my side of grit cake. He found the hostess who did not relay what he wanted - but just sent the waitress to our table. Just bring the mayo- it doesn't matter who does it! Back to my fish- I was not sure what the sauce would be like, but I thought a little spicier, I tasted no jalapeño at all. But I had a perfect ratio of fish slices to grit cake. I cleaned my plate! There are so many nice places to eat in this fair town and the Owl has always been one of my favorites. But, grading on this trip alone, I brought the 5 stars down to 3 for the "after" service and the flavors in the what could have been a spectacular soup . (How's your food-do you need anything else?)
(3)Rick F.
We live in New Orleans; eat out often. Wherever you are "from", this is a First-Class restaurant; GUARANTEED! We have dined here some 4 or 5 times; all very good ! If U are here, don't miss the "Owl" ! One small problem: The Chefs here, and in many other places along our Gulf Coast, have gone from using corn meal/corn flour/garlic powder/spice mix (AKA "Louisiana Fish Fry") for frying shrimp & crabs; to "panko". This is not good; really not good ! Panko is nasty !
(5)Melissa T.
Upon sitting I really didn't think I even wanted to stay. The menu wasn't all that appealing and the ambiance not so special. We ordered a dozen raw oysters and bruschetta. Let me tell you, the oysters were as good as any anywhere and the bruschetta was unique, fresh and delicious! Service was ok, until checkout time and our server was mia...but all in all a nice experience. I will definitely come back.
(4)Charla C.
The hostess here was fabulous, she got us seated right away and she was very personable. She also got us our drinks and told us our waiter would be out soon. That's when things went south. Our waiter took forever on everything. From taking our order to getting us the bill, he was in slow motion. Pretty interesting as we were the only two people outside. It took over 30 minutes to get our check from the time we finished eating. Now, I will say, the food was very good. My filet was cooked perfectly and wife's fish was delicious. The view from the patio is also rather nice. You can watch the fishing boats coming back into port as you eat. Would have given this 4 stars if the waiter had actually waited on us......
(3)Sheila G.
Stopped for lunch during what is consideredoff-season. Service was terrific. I have never had oysters before and our server was generous to check to see if the cook could do a half order of fried oysters so I could try them (instead of paying for a full order). I was able to that. (Found out I really don't like oysters, but thankful I could try them as I love seafood! I think it was a texture thing.) I ordered crab and shrimp roll, asking first to be sure the crab and shrimp were local which it is! My husband, who will not eat anything from water, ordered the deli special sandwich. My sandwich came with salad or fries or slaw, I posted the house salad with garlic ranch dressing. The salad was a mixture of greens that were crisp and fresh! I cannot stand wilty lettuce! Dressing was light and not salty. Two kinds of bread acame with our meals, which came warm,very good. My crab and shrimp roll was amazing! Light on dressing loaded with flavor, I can tell is very fresh! Had capers with it which was offered good flavor. Would come back again just for that! My husband sandwich was loaded! He aid it was good! The bread he said was good too. Little things like ice water in a goblet with lemon makes a pleasant experience. My husband also ordered a beer (Apalach IPA) which he said was very good (I'll take his word for it as he enjoys IPA'S and I really don't care for them). The beer came from across the street brewery -oyster City Brewing Company.
(5)Jennifer O.
Great experience. Server was only a week old at the job but we didn't seem to mind. Id recommend the crab dip to start... YUM. My family also loved the oysters. The highlight was the crab and shrimp lettuce roll...nothing too heavy and it was delicious...YUM. Outdoor seating on a beautiful day is a must. Would recommend and go back during my next visit
(5)Kate M.
Priced great, delicious food and great location. We went on a weekend morning and it was quiet, ordered a shrimp po boy and the special of the day, filet and mushrooms over noodles. Both were fantastic. French fries were really crispy and tasty. Good beer selection and friendly service!
(5)Bill C.
CHEESE Grits are AWESOME! this place has a lot of charm and good food! one of our staples when we visit the Apalachicola area
(4)Lisa C.
Great oyster salad. Service had a lot to be desired. It started with a rude hostess and went from there.
(2)David L.
A Gem in Apalach! Sunday brunch to die for Fried oysters VG; Crab cakes benedict and fried softshell crab sandwich sublime. Warm crusty bread and Happy Hour prices on drinks. Add in superlative service from Daniel, despite the crowd, and you get 5 stars. Might want to make a reservation...
(5)Monica H.
My husband's parents, who are regulars at Owl Cafe, brought us here to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. We were seated immediately and our waitress Margaret was great. She greeted us with such warmth and thoroughly explained what today's specials were in a way that didn't seem like she was just pushing these suggestions. You can tell she herself thinks highly of Owl Cafe and enjoys their dishes as much as her loyal customers. She was also able to explain what goes into making certain dishes. I had the Fried Jumbo Gulf Shrimp and my husband had the Salmon Special of the Day. The shrimp and salmon in each dish were very fresh and succulent, minimally seasoned to perfection, and flavorful. We also had the 13 Mile Apalachicola Deep Fried Oysters and they were great! They were all beautifully presented and delicious. Will most definitely stop by again!
(5)Emily V.
Owl Cafe is pretty good! It has great service and is one of the fancier options in Apalachicola with white table clothes. The starter bread was fresh and delicious. We went for lunch and I got the Gator and Pork Sausage Creole. It was really delicious and huge and filling (for an awesome price - only $11!). The sausage was really flavorful and the sauce was really good with it. I loved the crisp grit cake too. A very nice dining option!
(5)Shani A.
Had lunch here with my daughter. I had flounder tacos. She had a special that had alligator sausage over a grit cake. Our food and the service was top notch. Can't wait to go for date night with my husband soon.
(5)Leon P.
Guys, our 2nd time here. Why bother with any other restaurant! The desserts are ridiculous! WOW!
(5)Carl N.
We had several recommendations for the Owl even though one warned about the crab dip. We decided to give it a try and the dip too. Sorry to say I was disappointed in the crab dip. It has an underlying flavor of cumin which is a too far away from the norm of gulf crab dip. I naturally had to get oysters in the heart of oyster country. I tried the fried oysters and was disappointed in this also. The breading was a little too heavy and the oysters were overcooked (dark brown around the edges). The wife had angel hair pasta with veggies. The pasta had a good flavor but was a little heavy with salt. On the plus side, we had a top notch waitress who was both fast and efficient. We liked the clean cut un-cluttered atmosphere. There was a nice view of the waterfront from back tables. However, don't think we'll be back. [Visited May 2014]
(3)Monte W.
Happened upon the owl due to most places in sgi and east point being closed. Definitely a pleasant surprise. The mahi mahi with cilantro, garlic, salsa, and olive oil was excellent. The crab dip with tortilla chips was awesome. The service great. The portion of fish was a little small. I highly recommend this place.
(4)Greg S.
Nice place. Nice people working there. Heard a lot about the fried oysters app and it was solid. It's fried so that's what you mainly taste. Sauce was really good. I was there for lunch so I cannot comment on dinner menu. Went with the crab shrimp salad sandwich. Rather bland. Wife went with a salad that she really enjoyed. Big salad. I should have listened to the waitress when she suggested the chicken salad sandwich. I saw it later it looked really good.
(3)Rach G.
My husband and I were married yesterday and slept in till late today. We woke up with quite the hunger! Found this place and had brunch and boy was it delicious! We shared duck confit fries-a MUST. Creamy and rich and just delicious My husband had the hash-made with corned beef and filet mignon-amazing and filling! I had the shrimp and crab salad roll. Delicious bread and just a perfect light taste. Salad had capers in it making it so yummy. Service was EXCEPTIONAL! We are going back to the tap room for dinner!
(5)Emily M.
I have been enjoying the owl cafe for too many years to count. My grandfather was the first person to tell me, "it's the best restaurant in apalach", and he was right. It has stayed consistent in its quality while still updating the menu with fresh yumminess through the years. Try the fried oysters to start, some of their fresh brewed beer they make right across the street at OCBC, and then move on to whatever fresh seafood specials they have - it won't disappoint. Throw in a filet with Gorgonzola cream for some added protein amazingness and you are set. Well, then you have to finish it off with a caramel custard...or you are just doing it wrong. Love this place!
(5)Ginny T.
The food was incredible, wine served in generous pours and the service was great. I had the swordfish special a couple days ago and am still thinking about the chipotle, cilantro marinade and house made salsa which prompted me to write this review. The only thing that felt out of place was the decor. This may sound petty but the carpet looked at least 15 years old. It just stood out since everything else was top notch. If you're ever randomly in charming Apalachicola, FL, it's a must visit!
(4)Lindsay B.
Fantastic. Food was amazing. Service was excellent. It's even kid friendly. Try the French toast, it will change your life.
(5)Anna W.
Delicious and great service. I asked a friend who frequents the area where we should eat while vacationing in Apalachicola. She said "hands down, the Owl Cafe." We got the same recommendation from two other family members so made it a point to visit. We were not disappointed. Wonderful sea scallop and grouper. Mashed potatoes, vegetables, and salad were very good as well. We will definitely return.
(5)Sabrina V.
We have been to Apalachicola a handful of times, but never tried the Owl Cafe. Upon urgent recommendation of some friends vacationing with us, we decided to have our last dinner there. We were met by a very cordial host, which was able to seat our party of six adults and two toddlers immediately (without a reservation). We were seated in the upstairs indoor dining area and lucked out to have Matteo as our waiter. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio, which was a perfect selection with our entrees. I asked Matteo what was his favorite appetizer and he recommended the crab dip and crab cakes. We ordered the crab cakes since the night before we had ordered the crab dip in a different restaurant. Let me just say, we were not disappointed! The crab cakes were perfectly rationed with meaty crab chunks and lightly battered to perfection. Upon the suggestion of our excellent waiter, Matteo, I ordered the catch of the day, which was Swordfish. The entree came with a garden salad (order the creamy horseradish dressing - you won't be disappointed). For sides, you could choose basmati rice or mashed potatoes, I recommend the rice for your fish, it was a perfect accompaniment. It also came with steamed zucchini and squash, which was so flavorful! My husband ordered the fried oyster entree, which was fried deliciousness! He ordered the same sides as I did and he loved it. This dinner was the perfect ending to a perfect vacation in St. George. I highly recommend visiting this charming restaurant if you ever come to Apalachicola, FL.
(5)Christian C.
I had a really good experience. Everything was wonderful. No complaints. It was clean and the service was wonderful. We sat outside on a deck over looking the street which was kinda cool. The food was tasty to.
(5)Teck M.
Fantastic dining experience! We enjoyed lunch at Owl Cafe and will absolutely be going back! The salad was very fresh and can boosted of dark, leafy greens plus veggies. Had the sautéed grouper with artichokes and capers. Perfect!! Wait staff was wonderful! Loved the music... The entire atmosphere.
(4)Adam B.
Very cool place to eat, love the ambiance! We had the American Blue Crab Dip for an appitizer, It is a large portion and man its good! Just like everything about this place, a true Apalachicola experience!
(5)Chris H.
Overall, a good dining experience. Everyone in our larger party was well satisfied with our food, the restaurant was nicely appointed and has a pretty view. A few sour notes, service was slow and the music was positively wacky; I would still recommend the place for a charming night out.
(4)Dr D.
Stopped in here to get out of the rain, have lunch and a beverage. They have a nice selection of beers. The prices were mostly in the $10-$15 range. Beers started at $3.50 and worked their way up. I had a 12 oz. bottle of Highland Oatmeal Porter for $4. The amberjack fish special was $14. My beautiful bride had a fried oysters po' boy and a pint of the local Oyster City Brewing Company porter. We were served complimentary homemade bread and mine came with a house salad. Their dressings are homemade. The atmosphere is quiet and service is good. The food was delicious. Very enjoyable lunch. Highly recommended.
(5)