Food was amazing! Took a party of 11 and they were very prompt as well! Just wish they had taken the OpenTable reservation for 11 instead of us having to call...but worked out great! Would highly recommend. The Duck. Oh my. The duck. Delicious!
(4)
Ed M.
Stopped by last Friday around 3:30 P.M. for a late lunch, but they were closed. We came back an hour or so later and the place was packed full with the early crowd. We sat at the bar and were greeted by friendly and attentive bar staff. We ordered a few beers on tap and the cod and salmon. Great food and great service. Highly recommend this gem of Palm Harbor.
(5)
Sahn S.
Great restaurant. Great meal. Wonderful service. It's not a big place, but seemed to have a lot of servers. Not a complaint, just an observation. The staff was amazing, personable, professional, top notch. Decor was nice, pretty stylish, lighting was subdued. Every dish that came out tasted great and had good presentation. Scallop bisque was good. Calamari was delicious. Our entrees, a bouillabaisse and a seafood paella were very good. My paella was risotto based and not rice based so I was a little bit disappointed. But it was still tasty. Portions r not large, but reasonably sized. Desserts all looked good, petite size for one. The house wines, we had the whites, were very good!
(5)
Frank A.
I have never had a anything but a terrific meal here. It gets very busy. Don't expect to call last minute, they are booked. Early bird is an exceptional value. Hogfish Panko Crusted Snapper- the gold standard for all fish. Hands down my favorite. Appetizers- we sometimes come for appies and drinks in the bar area. Desserts- very small size so we get several to try. The Espresso pots de Creme is amazing as is the white chocolate bread pudding. In short, this place won't disappoint.
(5)
Angela M.
Dined in on a Friday evening. We made reservations after viewing previous reviews but restaurant wasn't busy. It was loud with a lounge performer singing. Upon entering we were greeted by the friendly hostess. I noticed the floor had wrappers & trash on it. I ordered Alfredo with broccoli. The sauce was overly salted, otherwise bland. The noodles that were served with it were egg noodles. Found that to be very odd! The oil to dip the bread in was also bland. Overall, the quality of the food is not worth the price.
(3)
Milton S.
For years, Mystic Fish has always been a favorite seafood restaurant when visiting Florida. It is different from the casual seafood place, much more upscale and classy. The food has always been consistently good, awesome presentation, and excellent service We started with an appetizer of artichoke hearts stuffed with crab which was very nice. One of our group tried the featured drink of the night, a strawberry/basil mojito which was interesting. Grouper, short ribs and a surprisingly good prime burger rounded out our group's entrees for the evening. An early bird menu before 5:30 offers some interesting options as well. \ Everything was well prepared and served by a lovely waitress, Joelle, who was very professional and very good at what she did. Definitely a solid choice for a fine dining experience.
(5)
Leon H.
The bomb!! This was an AWESOME experience. Lobster roll was amazing, calamari too. Service from Zach was exquisite. Highly recommended.
(5)
Celeste R.
I went Jun 3, 2015 with my friends from work. The restaurant is in a small strip plaza. We started with small plates: Calamari Fries, Pork & Vegetable Pot Stickers (nicely dress-up) and the Herbed Goat Cheese Spring Rolls - all very tasty! I had their Maine Lobster Tail served with veggies and mash potatoes - Absolutely delish! For dessert, we tried the White Chocolate Bread Pudding and the Key Lime Panna Cotta - both were home made and delicious - however, the Key Lime Panna Cotta was really good - creamy and lite. The service was fantastic. If you are in this area - you will enjoy the dinning experience.
(5)
Lauren P.
I've been going to mystic fish for years. It's consistent and a good go to for fish. Their regular menu is fine, but the specials really shine. This latest trip I had a sugar/chile/cumin rubbed grouper served over a plum sauce. It was great. The mashed potatoes are amazing and mystic too. Prices are very fair for fresh seafood. Service is okay...some good some meh, but all in all a decent choice for a meal out.
(4)
Ryan T.
My husband and I recently went to mystic fish for dinner. We were very pleased with the food and service. They have a grilled octopus small plate that we thought was very good and definitely would recommend. I had the sea bass with the garlic mashed potatoes and it was delicious. Rachel was our server and she was very attentive and friendly.
(4)
Sofia D.
I don't want to totally bash Mystic Fish with a low rating because I did not order an entree, but I was not in the least impressed with this place at all. Starting off with the Crab Martini. Tasteless, not creative with presentation. Just a pile of lettuce which was filled to the rim with tiny portions of cold crab and mayonnaise for dipping sauce. One of the most underwhelming that we ordered from the 4. I mean, look at the pic.. Does it look appetizing to you? Next , the Asian short ribs. 2 tiny thin pieces of short ribs slathered in bbq sauce with ginger, and seaweed salad that u would get with sushi. I did not care for the pair at all. Meh. Next, octopus that was chargrilled to death. Lukewarm, and dry sitting on top of some dry arugula, with a dash of dry feta and some cherry tomato mixed in. Really disappointed. Lastly, the mussels that were probably the best thing we ordered, but still too salty from the chorizo they mix in there. Plus, they were the tiniest mussels I've ever eaten. They didn't even give u any bread to eat with them to soak up the sauce with. I thought it was a little strange that they only serve u one little dinner roll before dinner. No bread basket. It's like cmon ! Seriously? I asked for some bread for the mussels and server came back with one of those tiny rolls . Just one ! I was like forget it. I don't want to keep asking over and over again for a roll. It's dumb. 4 small plates came out to $46 . So not worth the price tag. Not because of size, but because of quality and flavor. One day I'll go back and try an entree.... Hold on, lets keep it real... Nah, probably not
(2)
Mark P.
Mystic Fish never disappoints. Excellent, professional service, all the flavors and preparation spot on. Vegetable preparation is always al dente, Key Lime panna cotta was a delicious tart ending to a wonderful meal. This is my favorite seafood option in the area, although their menu goes well beyond just seafood.
(5)
Tom P.
My wife and I tried this restaurant based off the high reviews however we both became sick within a few hours of leaving. The environment appears nice but it's just a strip mall restaurant.
(1)
Steven L.
Awesome food was excellent and the service was amazing. Why I was really impressed it was busy Friday and the service was fast,presentation of the food was great.
(5)
Bob D.
Really wonderful. We were visiting my mother in the area and found this little gem of a restaurant. Great service and delicious food. We'll be back.
(5)
Gina G.
This is one of our favorite places! We are never disappointed and always have great service! Nice for special occasions, romantic dinner or having a nice time with friends.
(5)
Andrea W.
This is a hidden gem in a strip mall. Reservations are important, it's a small place and usually busy. It's close to highway 19 and it's elegantly decorated with good service and really memorable seafood! You would think that being in Florida great seafood is easy to find, not so. Fresh caught fish tastes and has a completely different texture - once you have had it you become picky about seafood. This is a really nice restaurant with a solid menu, nice for a classy dinner out. They also have an early dinner hour and a happy hour so you can sample smaller portions of their favorites! This place doesn't disappoint!
(4)
Richard C.
Good service, atmosphere and food. Had paella and it was very good bothers had sea bass, pasta dish and said it was excellent. Reasonable price too. Would recommend and would go back.
(4)
Papi P.
The atmosphere was decent and the staff was very pleasant. Just wasn't feeling the value proposition. We had calamari strips which you could tell were previously frozen. Main entree opted for the new York strip which was better made at home. Great mashed potatoes ! We had a very obnoxiously drunk table behind us as well which was not the restaurants fault. Next time we'll just leave.
(3)
Jeff L.
Excellent meal. Nice selection and preparation of seafood. Good selection of wines. Bartenders could use some more education on classic cocktails. Will definitely be going back.
Fantastic in everything. HogFish amazing Muscles fantastic. Huge shrimp and pasta. Great Friendly service. Restaurateur's that know what they are doing in every facet of the business. A place I would go to over and over again.
(5)
Ed W.
What a tremendous find! I chose this restaurant from the existing Yelp reviews, but seriously, even those did not do justice to the food served. I have never seen such a diversified menu that engaged fish but pushed the boundaries of the taste buds. Having a party of 4, we tried a wide variety of the menu and shared most of it as we could not really decided on one meal; they were ALL great. We had the hogfish, seared yellow tail tuna, filet, salads, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and the special of bison! For desert we had coffee, cappuccino, carmel salt gelato and key lime. WOW....what a meal! Absolute must try if you have never been there.
(5)
Gigi S.
We stopped in for food reinforcements before a long night of bar hopping. While I thought I was in for a Red Lobster type experience, we could quickly see that this was not the case. I had a split of champagne for 6.00, and half dozen artisan oysters with a lemon/horseradish dipping sauce and red cocktail/curry sauce. The oysters were served on a bed of crunchy, fresh wakame. Really quite impressed for our first time in, and can't wait to get back and try a Summer Special meal of my own for 16.99. Server Mike was right about the whipped artichoke bread n' butter, yum! Taste and value, in a cute dining room where shells in the decor actually weren't cheesy looking at all. While I didn't see how this place could compare to an overcrowded tourist hole like the Lobster Pot and Guppy's, I really liked it!
(4)
Brian H.
Mystic Fish is usually a pretty solid 4 stars each time i visit. this time i went i had orders the Goat Cheese Spring Roll(s). it was damn delicious. It is in fact only one spring roll cut into 2 pieces. thye should alter their menu to reflect this. the inside was almost all goat cheese and the wrapping itself was super crispy. no skimping on the cheese at all here. For my entree i decided to try one of their daily specials. The wasabi seasami scallops. I was really expecting some large Bay Scallops her but these were on the smaller size. what it liked in size it made up for in cooking. These scallops were something even Gordan Ramsey would stop the whole kitchen to make everyone gather around and say " AY YOu, You Fucking See this, this is What THE FUCK SCALLOPS ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE!!!" . mashed potatoes sides were good as always and green beans were lacking seasoning. i thought we would get to choose which vegetable but they didnt even offer it. Oh well. Will go to again for their Chilian Seabass. One special i had there was a miso sea bass. it was damn awesome, another being pretzel encrusted grouper with a mustard sauce Holy Shit was that good. if you see these 2 on the daily special just order it! Dessert was the Flourless chocolate cake. crispy on the outside goey on the inside. pretty decent but i have had better. i will return to try some of their other specials.
(4)
Gasper T.
This had been a favorite the hours posted on their web site are 4:30 to 8, pm we got there at 7:30 and they told us they closed at 7 pm we will think twice about going there again if you post hours you should keep to them very disappointed the manner Chris did look a little concerned
(2)
Shannan T.
Food is excellent here. The fish is so delicious it makes you want to come back again and again. It is beautiful inside and is a great place for an intimate dinner with a loved ones or a couples outing. I would not recommend this restaurant for small children, it is too quiet so get a sitter before dining here. Staff is always attentive and helpful. Proud to have this as a local restaurant so close to home!
(5)
Myah M.
This place was Amazing! Had dinner with a girlfriend here the other night. I had the melt in your mouth sea bass. Excellent!
(4)
Julie L.
Eric was the best waiter, steering us into a delicious dinner plan. The ravioli was the best I have ever had, the shrimp and scallops in a light sauce, heaven! I tasted the paella, very very good, the prices were reasonable. The sea bass was phenomenal ! Salads were Delish and the atmosphere was nice! Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Lara S.
This was the worst restaurant I ate in during my visit to central Florida - the "salad" was refrigerated grass, the wine was grocery store colored water, the breast of duck was dressed up dog food and prices were high however the atmosphere was nice Never, never again - if you want a mean better than this try mcDonalds
(1)
Carri C.
Amazing. Everything. Amazing. We sat in the bar area during happy hour. You can't beat 2.75 for well and house wines. And my eating companion said it was even the best scotch and soda she's had! Filled to the brim! The service at this place is impeccable. Our waitress was so pleasant and attentive, but not hovering. Witnessed the same great service as I looked around. We had the mussels (which were on happy hour price). Full order. Cooked well and great sauce with chorizo, leeks and red peppers. Also had the lobster escargot. Interesting take on lobster. Very buttery and smooth. Lastly had the scallops (small plates). Cooked to perfection. Served in a strawberry sauce that complimented the scallops. You get three large sea scallops. I'm still dreaming about this place...too bad I don't live in Florida!
(5)
K S.
Awesome place. Ambiance, service, and food are lights out. Hogfish is great with a light panko breading, and they do a crab cake that is mah-vull-lus If you go early you can hit up their Eventide(early bird, before 5:30 PM) special, which is a wonderful deal if you want to eat great on a budget. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone looking for fine seafood dining and service.
(5)
Erica M.
Mystic Fish was a fantastic restaurant!! We weren't expecting such a nice establishment with cloth tablecloths and high end preparations. Our drinks, peach mojito, strawberry sangria, and cucumber gin gimlet were excellent...I think the gimlet was my favorite. For food we split 4 small plates - scallops, steak tartare, jumbo lump crab martini, and grilled octopus. Id say it was all very good but the scallops and tartare stole the show. The crab was excellent too, but the dipping sauce didn't have as much of a mustard flavor as I'd like. Our server, Peter A., was excellent - personable and attentive. We will definitely come back here...highly recommend!
(5)
Laurie B.
I second what all the other reviewers are saying. I wish I had found this place sooner! We tend to be a "west of 19" snob. If it isn't near the ocean then it's not really on our radar. Boy have we been missing out. This place, on the wrong side of 19 AND in a strip mall is an incredible find. I had the hog fish special, hubby had the paella, both shone. Our waiter was exceptional, helping us to navigate the menu due to my husband's special dietary requirements. He was solicitous without being ever present. I cannot wait to go back and try many of the other menu items The kitchen has got game!
(5)
Sopheara S.
The food and the service are excellence. Keith is our server ! Recommend appetizers here are lobster style escargot, Oyster with champagne sauce . The lobster soup is yummy creamy. Of course, I got Asian BBQ short ribs it was so tender well prepared. Hog fish and grouper are fresh and high quality the fact that we had fish all this week these fishes and how they prepare we satisfied :) We will come back again! Ps: Guppy's is brother restaurant of this place. They both are great places to check out if you are in Clearwater.
(4)
Matt M.
Mystic Fish had a lot of hype going into it. Sometimes that gets you a bit to excited for your meal. After reading reviews for the hogfish, I decided on that. I did start with the mystic soup. Great taste and hot. Big plus. The hogfish was good but not great. They definitely try to focus on quality and not quantity. I left still feeling hungry. Price is up there as well.
(3)
Lauren C.
Mystic Fish is a fabulous seafood restaurant which never disappoints! I have been here on a few different occasions and always enjoy the upscale environment, excellent service and delicious food. The decor here is very nice and well done, I especially like their signature fish tank which is the focal point of the restaurant. For starters, the lobster bisque soup is absolutely rich, delicious and it's a very large portion size. I can easily eat an entire bowl and then some because it's just THAT good. I've also tried the lobster special here before which was fabulous and fresh as well. The lobster was succulent and the side items served with it were very well paired. Another nice thing about this place is although some dishes are a tad bit on the pricey side (but still totally worth it), they do have a drink happy hour from 4:30 - 6:30 and an early dinner special from 4:30 - 5:30 for anyone interested in stopping by a bit earlier. They do have a wide selection of fine wines and specialty craft beers. Overall a great restaurant and I will definitely come back.
(4)
Pretzel C.
Took us late on a Sunday on before closing without a reservation- we stopped here on a fluke. Outstanding food and outstanding service!
(5)
Michael J.
This place is "out of this world" good . I've been here about 5 or 6 times now and can honestly say I've never had an issue with the service or the food. There's definitely a reason this place is always packed and is worth making a reservation for. The food is just that good! My favorite is the Pan Seared Scallops but I could almost say that about the other 5 dishes that I've tried. The portions were the perfect size and the menu even offers a small dish section to accommodate any size appetite . When you think you've just had the perfect meal, then comes the heavenly dessert menu. Every dessert comes in a small portion size ( probably a good thing since I could eat the desserts all day) but is enough to leave you very satisfied. The service I've received here has always been wonderful. The place is always packed but I never once felt that my waiter or waitress was forgetting about me . If you haven't check this place out yet, do it! You'll get hooked like me!
(5)
Joni E.
Our group did a mixture of fish and steak. The 6oz tenderloin melted in my mouth. The hogfish was perfect and 2 others had the scallops. The flavors were distinct and yet not overbearing. Great service from our waitor and all for a reasonable price, considering the quality of the food.
(5)
Shannon R.
I am a picky fish eater and was nervous to try the Hogfish dinner - never even heard of Hogfish. The waiter assured me that it was a mild white fish and one of the favorite menu items - so I went for it. So glad I listened to him and gave it a try. It is a fabulous dish and I really enjoyed it. I was visiting Palm Harbor and would definitely go back next time I am in town!!!
(5)
Robert G.
One of the best restaurants in the area. Always excellent food and service. Hog fish is outstanding -- highly recommend -- or you can order a burger and fries, which is reasonably priced and delicious with just cheddar and grilled onions. And many other options!
(5)
My Girl M.
This restaurant was awesome! Probably one of the top five I have eaten at in the last year. This would fall into the fine dining category, and more upscale than a lot of places in Florida, where people in shorts, coverups, beach flip flops and ball caps aren't unusual. We arrived dressed in nice casual, and I wish I we would have been closer to dressy casual. I'm starting with the decor, which was total eye candy for the design oriented. I stared for the entire meal, and continued to find design elements that refered to the ocean, sea creatures and plant life. Really an amazing design that elevated the dining experience. This review is a bit after our visit, which was during the summer, so I can't remember every dish we had. I recall that my spouse had the bouillabaisse, which he said was fantastic. I had scallops, which I believe were a special, and they were wonderful. The two adventurous teens with us were able to find things on the menu they would eat. They even tried escargot and liked it - I consider that a huge success! Great list of wine selections. The desserts were wonderful, with something to appeal to everyone. We agreed that it was the best meal we had during our entire trip. Mystic Fish would definitely lure me back to Tampa Bay!!! Just had to fit that pun in, LOL. The service was very professional, and unobtrusive. Some people may find that style of service a bit off putting or snobbish. However, fine dining service is a dying skill on a different level than casual or chain restaurants offer. It is worth experiencing. Please be adventerous, and willing to ask for recommendations or guidance on menu selections. That can make the difference between a good meal and an amazing one. We made reservations that afternoon and the restaurant was easily able to accommodate us at the time of year. The pace of the meal was leisurely. We had a great time talking and relaxing, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
(5)
Rob W.
This place is awesome. I have enjoyed dining here since my first visit many years ago. I have never had anything but excellent food and service at this establishment.
(4)
Dee D.
Just like the other reviewers stated. Food is very good, small plates are terrific, tiny (or not so tiny) desert portions for very reasonably priced. Soup was also delicious and priced well. Come to think of it , so was the small salad (cesar was so-so, overdressed also). Overall, the kitchen did their job well. Service, on the other hand, was pushy and rude. We were one of 10 tables and you could tell this guy just wanted to go home. He was up our "you know what!" Brought the star rating all the way down to a three. It was hard to enjoy the food and conversation when some guy keeps bugging you . Too bad. Will I go again....sure...but not until I've tried many other 4 plus yelp star restaurants in our area. Once again restaurant owners....service is just as important as what comes out of the kitchen.
(3)
Vin C.
Wow ! I am pretty fussy about food and travel a lot but have to say my meal was exceptional - Had the hog fish and it was perfect. Very good staff and nice atmosphere , best restaurant have been to so far in the area Tampa/Oldsmar and because of travel I eat out practically every night.
(5)
Troy C.
Great food.. Great service I had these 2 appetizers: 1) Prince Edward Island Mussels white wine, garlic broth, roasted red peppers, leeks and chorizo. what a unique combination of flavor. 2) Crab Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms lump crab meat, parmesan and cream cheese, scallions and cherry peppers. very tasty, however, you can tell the artichoke bottoms were probably canned scince it had that canned vinegar taste. For dinner: Breast Chicken "Boca Grande" sauteed with crabmeat , shiitake mushrooms with a white wine - tarragon cream can't say i tasted the crab or even seen any and the mushrooms were sparse. Still very tasty. prices are awesome, but again i am back in florida so seems like all the prices are decent.
(4)
Ben M.
They really know how to do things right here. An excellent dining experience every time. The chef's menu items and choices are a pleasure to explore. Not many places do steak tartare, but it's here, and quite nice. The hostess and the servers are very professional and friendly. We never had any issue with a server. And the manager comes by to make sure you are happy. The table settings are high quality, with fresh clean cloth napkins and table linen. The lighting and ambiance is very cosmopolitain, perfect for a date night, with comfortable seating and inoffensive music playing low in the background, loud enough to cover room noise, but quiet enough for pleasant dinner conversation. This time I had the braised boneless ribs dinner, and my companion had the crab cakes. Both were excellent, no complaints. The mashed potatoes were fresh tasting, mixed with sour cream and herbs, and there was real herbed garlic butter ion the table with the fresh rolls, so you could add more seasoned butter to your mashed potatoes (which are presented with a nice fresh house-made potato chip). The water is well-iced, pure, and the server stays on top of re-filling it promptly. The desserts are nice and the selection of after-dinner drinks nice, too, with fine Scotch brands. Two things to keep in mind: The portions are not huge (they don't have to be) and the mixed vegetables are not seasoned much (but that's okay). Of course, dinner is going to cost a bit more than all the rotten feeding troughs in the area, but it is overall a fine value for a very consistently pleasant and enjoyable dining experience. I hope they never change.
(5)
Greg T.
The chef at Mystic and his staff are well trained and always creating wonderful dishes that please the palate. If your looking for an exceptional, dining experience with a wide assortment of THE freshest seafood, look no further.
(4)
Joan C.
Wow...A diamond in the rough. This restaurant was awesome. We stopped in for their happy hour. My husband and I each had a drink and ordered the mussels. This dish was incredible. We have had mussels in many places all over the country and these were outstanding. I can't wait to go back. Our happy hour check was $10
(5)
Nancy E.
It was Mother's Day and I figured the worse. But, to my surprise the service, food and atmosphere were great. You must try their flourless chocolate cake. All desserts are small so you can enjoy them without being overstuffed.
(5)
Jade S.
I've only been here twice however I personally thought the service was mediocre (the server seemed a little rough around the edges and stated she does not eat seafood so she cannot make any recommendations..... What? Really??) and the food tasted like ordinary seafood to me. Nothing outstanding in my opinion.
(3)
Autumn C.
My husband and I ordered 3 items off the tapas menu to share and they were all delicious. We ordered the petite filet, lobster squared, and seated ahi. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Don V.
One of my favorite stops when in the Tampa/Clearwater area. I am amazed and somewhat sad to see it has a 2-star review. As the author calls themselves "a frequent diner" I am further perplexed to see that they only review they felt worthy of posting was the worst experience they had at the joint.... But whatevs - people be dum. They have a "mildly seasonal" menu in that they do have some staples, but they also respond to what the market can support (case in point - at present, all grouper fishing is basically suspended). They have a stone crab season, and I've tried them both hot and cold, but fail to see why people go so nuts over them. It's not always on the menu, but when in season I HIGHLY recommend the grouper sammich - seems somewhat contradictory to come to a place known for their flare in preparation and presentation, but you can't overlook the awesomeness of "simple done right". Another favorite is the grilled pear / Gorgonzola salad. I can't recall what ever prompted me to try it, but it is EXCELLENT and a fine starter to any meal. flook.it/community/Johnn… Other menu highlights are the varied mashed potatoes they serve (my favorite being the banana pepper and asiago) and their ability to cook both scallops and calamari the way they should be cooked..... They have special events like wine tastings and at present - "Lobster Mondays"! I've posted a photo of one meal on my Flook account: flook.it/community/Johnn… This place is a tad dressy - you can come in shorts and a T-shirt, but you'll stand out a bit (not that I've ever cared, mind you) - but any closer to "beach attire" is pushing it - put on some shoes, people! The staff are attentive, but can be a tad stiff at first given the typical clientele (i.e. much more "dress up" than Don is). The place can get packed - but these people operate like a well-oiled machine. If you are bothered by "kitchen bustle" I suggest avoiding the 2 tables near the back of the restaurant - it can get a but annoying to see that much of the staff doing what they need to do. When I come to Tampa I eat at least one meal here - that's a testament given the number of AWESOME seafood dining options there are in this town..... If it's a weekend or peak dining hours I strongly suggest a phone call to get a seat - or you may end up not getting in. More pics of the noms: flook.it/community/Johnn…
(5)
Jennifer C.
First time I've been here. I ordered with my group the steak tar tar witch was very interesting and still good. It's not for people with texture issues. I also ordered the escargot as a second appetizer and it is absolutely tasty! It has this curry on it that makes it a little different and extra special. The bread basket they bring with the butter is very fresh and the butter has extra tasty stuff mixed in it. Just to mention not only is the food off the chain the service is fast, personal, and friendly. Most of their dinners range from $12.50 to $25. The appetizers are $8-$11 which is a DEAL because the food is very fresh and tasty. The dinners that were ordered was the rack or lamb that was very tender and delicious. The crab cake is one of the best crab cakes I've ever tasted, and the best dinner that was ordered was the seared scallops, it is only 3 but if u order an appetizer coupled with the bread and your salad you will be overly full so don't worry about it not being enough food. The scallops were cooked to perfection and so soft and sweet. The have some kind of sauce that is at the bottom and its to die for!!! I am truly impressed!!!!!
(5)
TootTootTootsie G.
Obviously the main attraction here is seafood, and they do it well. The Bermuda fish chowder, seasoned with dark rum and pepper sauce, is the perfect way to start your meal. I also recommend the grouper prepared with white wine, lemon, and capers and the sauteed shrimp and scallops, served on a bed of capellini and smothered with a cream sauce flavored with red bell and banana peppers. Entrees are served with a salad, vegetable, and mashed potatoes or rice. I've had better key lime pie elsewhere, but the banana caramel cheesecake was sinfully delicious. We ordered a bottle of Beringer white zinfandel; at $18, it cost about three times what you pay in the store, but it was the most reasonably priced selection on an extensive list of high end wines. One drawback is the proximity of the tables to one another. The couple seated next to us were enaged in a heated argument during most of their meal, and even though they weren't being overly loud we could hear every word because we were so close to them. Dinner for two, with tax and a generous tip acknowledging the very attentive service, was $100.
(4)
Mary M.
Excellent meal...lobster bisque was to die for. My husband said it's the best meal he's had a restaurant in 10 years in Florida!
(5)
Jamii Y.
My parents recommended this place for a post birthday celebration for my fiance and I and them. We had reservations for a Friday night and had, what I consider, to be the best seat in the house! First off, the interior decor of this place is amazing! It is filled with local artists' creations and sea inspired pieces that are gorgeous. I opted for the White Tsunami martini, which was light and delicious. For appetizers, we shared the Crab Martini and Goat Cheese Egg rolls with were both to die for! I literally could have eaten two more orders of the egg rolls for my dinner! We all enjoyed our choices for our entrees; which were the Bison Tenderloin, Sea Bass, Short Ribs and fish special (can't remember the name of it...). Dessert followed with a perfect small portion of Creme Brulee (omg) and Chocolate Cake. Everything from start to finish, from the food to the service, was excellent. A must-to if you are in the area!
(5)
Greg R.
Excellent service. Good food.
(4)
Judith A.
Waitress named Jen was so cute, funny and entertaining. We were in stitches all thru the dinner. She knew every small detail of the menu, and was very careful to make sure that my elderly mother had exactly the food that she would like and could easily handle. The Pasta Shrimp dish from the early bird special list had huge fresh shrimps and a wonderful red Parmesan sauce. The artichoke hearts stuffed with crab was unique and flavorful. The huge scallops came on top of a apricot curry sauce. I am not fond of cumin, so I didn't care for the sauce. The scallops were not overlooked! Hurrah! My mother loved her Manhattan, but the house Chardonnay was a little off. The early bird dinner and drink specials are a real bargain. We whooped it up, had lots of laughs, drinks and great food, but it was the waitress, Jen that made our evening.
(5)
Lucy M.
Food was excellent and reasonably priced. Scallops were delicious. Escargot was awesome. Wish the early bird special was just a little longer! Tough for working people to make it.
(4)
M S.
I have eaten here many times over the years, though this is my first review. In the past, I would have given the restaurant 4 stars, but this time it was disappointing, and for this meal I cannot give it more than 2 stars (although if there were half stars, I would bump it to 2 and a half). But I do want to reiterate, Mystic Fish has been excellent in the past, and perhaps this was an off night (which should never be an excuse for a top-drawer restaurant). As for this visit, the meal as a whole was flavorless. I have had the steak tartar several times, and it has always been very good, tasty, and of high quality. Not this time - flavorless. The capers must have been sitting out or rinsed off because they added no flavor whatsoever, and the meat lacked any noticeable seasoning. Had I gone to the grocery store, bought 3 ounces of meat, unwrapped it, and bitten into it, it would have tasted about the same: raw, unseasoned meat. The seabass tasted like it had been poorly frozen or poorly defrosted. I think they generally use fresh fish here, but this time it did not seem like it. The texture was grainy with none of the silkiness that good seabass should have, and bland all the way. The vegetables were similarly flavorless. And the mashed potatoes, which were supposed to be a yellow pepper mashed potato, was creamy but lacked any pizzazz. My friend had the lobster tail. It was undercooked and, yup, flavorless. When the waiter asked about the meal, my friend told him that the lobster tail was not very good, and the waiter said he would let the chef know. The manager (who I think is also an owner) came by and was told the same thing. He didn't seem upset or disappointed by the comment, just seemed to take it sort of blandly. That spoke volumes to me, because the in the past he has been very professional and engaged. Anyway, both my friend and I felt that somebody in the kitchen was clueless as to seasoning. I hate to write a bad review for Mystic Fish because it has been a longtime favorite. This time, it was woefully short of the mark and a huge disappointment.
(2)
Beverly W.
Great place. The service was excellent. The food was amazing. We went to this place on a Friday night. They seated us very quickly. Non-pretentious staff and service. Price was good. They even held the door as we left! Try it if you like seafood but the steak was one of the best too.
(5)
Michael L.
There were 15 of us who at at Mystic Fish last night. They seem to change their menu regularly... Our waiter did a good job in handling us coming in at different moments and separating checks for the group. I had the "Hogfish" which is supposed to be a snapper. It was awesome. Crusted in bread crumbs and a buerre blanc sauce, it was a hit with several of us who ordered it. I'm kinda on a diet so I asked for a double veg serving instead of potato and got some sort of a stringed squash which was quite good. They have a nice wine list and good desserts. A few of the group remarked that the Chilean Sea Bass was good too. I would go again.
(4)
Jennifer L.
This place has AMAZING food for a reasonable price! I'm a huge fan of Bonefish, but after coming to Mystic Fish the other night, I think Bonefish has been replaced!! This place has the upscale, white table cloth type ambiance....it's a little dressy but not over the top. I ate here around 7 PM on Friday night We made a reservation in advance, but. it was not too busy, and we were seated right away in a comfortable booth near the aquarium in the middle of the restaurant. They have a very extensive menu...I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but then the server recommended a few things to us and explained some things on the menu. The server was attentive and friendly, as well as the host who sat us. As an appetizer we started with the calamari... it was just the right amount of crispy and came with a spicy dipping sauce. They had a few soup choices, lobster bisque was recommended by the server, but we had some kind of creamy chicken..I forgot the name, but.it was rich and filling. As our entrees we had the Iowa beef tenderloin with Maine lobster tails and the Dijon Parmesan crusted rib eye (this one was off of the daily special menu). My rib eye was cooked just how I wanted it, medium well, and the dijon parmesan glaze on top was a good combination and added just the right amount of flavor. I was very impressed, I don't usually eat steak but this was the best piece of meat I've had . For their desserts, they serve small little portions, and they're all 2.50...we shared the banana Carmel cheesecake,.. it was just the right size to top off our meal and tasted HEAVENLY! By the time we were done eating around 8:30 PM, the restaurant had filled up almost completely and there were two couples waiting to be seated. So I'd recommend making a reservation (you can even do it online). Highly recommended....I will be back for sure! =]
(5)
Jorge U.
They have a decent wine list with a nice but not extensive range of good wines at very very reasonable prices. Cakebread chardonnay at $60 is about $30 less than at most restaurants. We decided to try an unfamiliar Albariño. It was sweeter than any Albariño I've ever had before, but I have to admit the waiter did warn us. It was still pretty good, not overwhelmingly sweet or anything like that. We started with two appetizers - a goat cheese spring roll & lobster "escargot style". Neither goat cheese nor lobster are favorites of mine, but both were pretty tasty. It is rather a lot of cheese, but at least it was a relatively mild goat cheese. The lobster appetizer is exactly what it sounds like right down to the dish it's served in. Most of the fish dishes on the menu involve sauces. I'm not generally a fan of most sauces on fish so, despite being in a seafood restaurant, I was drawn to the bison tenderloin. I was pretty hesitant though, because most experiences I've had with bison involved a lot of chewing. When the waiter promised it would be tender & delicious I went for it. Damn. It was absolutely fantastic. So tender I could cut it with a fork. And full of flavor despite being such a lean cut of meat. The cherry pepper & sour cream mashed potatoes that came with it were equally delicious -- the peppers added a nice kick. The service was good, the food was delicious and the prices were reasonable. Two appetizers, two entrees & a mid-range bottle of wine and we were out of there for just under $100 before the tip.
(5)
Steven S.
Read the reviews, sounded very good. Then I received a gift certificate to Mystic Fish so I had to go. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the restaurant, the staff and the food. The decor is upscale but not overdone. The staff is welcoming and professional. But the real draw is the food and the reasonable prices. I had a grilled Mahi dinner the was perfectly cooked and would have cost twice as much at Roy's. The Grilled Apple & Gorgonzola Salad should not be missed. Since I still have credit on my gift certificate I'm looking forward to going back. And as soon as my wife finds out she will make the reservation! BTW, there is a bonus find next door: The Surf & Turf Mkt.
(5)
David H.
We have been visiting my son since 2001 from Minnesota. We have dined at about 20 different dinner restaurants including Bern, Charley's and some other "noted" restaurants. My wife and I rate the meal and experience we had last night at Mystic Fish as our # 1 dining experience. Atmosphere, service(especially the genuine friendliness), price and most of all quality of food. I had 3 small plates with a side of the outsatnding side dish of infused rice.The Crab Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms was one of the most satisfying and unique seafodd dishes I have tasted. The Seared Sea Scallops were cooked exactly as scallops should be cooked. The Lobster Escargot Style was decadent. My wife had one of the specials, Hogfish, unappetizing in sound but wonderful on the palate and eye. her fresh green bean and blended mash spuds were outstanding. Paired with a glass each of a special Pinot noir, it was and outstanding meal that including tip was slightly south of $100. Best restaurant meal we have had in Tampa area. Sorry son, no more CityFish visits for me when this jewel is only 10-15 minutes farther down the road. We will jump into their 4:30-5:30 Early Bird special pricing next time for savings on liquor and meals. Tampa residents - you have to try this place if you have not done so. It is a jewel.
(5)
Ann F.
Great food and service. I had the panko crusted hogfish with a soy butter sauce which was outstanding and my husband had the ribeye which was better than Bern's anyday. Service with Melissa was attentive and precise. We plan on returning
(5)
Shirley F.
Fresh seafood, creative sauces, and beautiful presentation. We had four wonderful meals here at Mystic Seafood. The tables were a little close together but our server Megan navigated them well. The mustard mashed potatoes were creamy with barely a taste of mustard; they paired well with my mixed seafood grill. My friend had sea bass with a bright piccata sauce. We'd return again and again for just about anything on the menu.
(5)
Elinor P.
Excellent meal, as always.
(5)
Barry W.
One of my favorite dining experiences in FL. The food here is brilliant. I have had the Chicken Florentine soup, which quite possibly is the most amazing soup I have ever had in my life, lobster tails, lobster escargot appetizer, crispy fried calamari, Asian BBQ boneless short ribs, and the Iowa beef tenderloin in the few times I have been there and it's always amazing. I love the food, the decor, and the wait staff. If you twisted my arm and I had to say one negative about the place; they desperately need to clean their fish tanks. Other than that I recommend this place over and over again. It's a bit on the pricey side but well worth it. If you aren't careful your bar tab will easily take up more than half of your bill.
(5)
Deborah C.
Wonderful meal and service! Love the small plates as nice option for variety and keeping portions small. Best steak tartare I've ever had! Very light and flavorful. Busy place so make reservations!
(5)
David B.
If u go ask for Tessa. She is great. With her it is 5 stars. Others make it less. Went twice. First time it was phenomenal. Really creative and delicious menu. Second time waiter was not a good. Food came out missing certain things a few times. Waitress said new person in the kitchen. Those should have been caught before coming out. Tessa would catch that. If u go ask for her. Would return if in the area again.
(5)
Marshall R.
This is a really good restaurant. The place has a great ambience and decor. The menu is very good and the wait staff is well trained. I had grouper, my wife had lump crab, and our guest had shrimp. All the meals were served with an excellent presentation, and tasted great. The wine list was also very good. If I lived here I would make this this a regular place to eat.
Fantastic restaurant! Everything tastes fresh. The decor is nice, and the menu is not as pricy as other similar places. The appetizer menu is amazing. Two pages of really interesting dishes... almost wanted to get a bunch of them. Had the fried green tomatoes with grapdefruit remoulade topped with lobster. Absolutely amazing. The Chilean sea bass was a special, and it was an amazing piece! Came with mashed potatoes with prosciutto bits and parm cheese, veggies, and a salad for only $17.95! Grouper was great too... an really interesting way to cook it. Good dessert menu and drink selection. I'll be back!
(5)
Customer A.
Had not been here in about 9 years and thought we would give it another try. Don't get me wrong the seafood was really good.. I had seabass and hubby had shrimp and scallop ravioli special and both were very good. My husband upgraded his dinner salad to the grilled apple gorgonzola salad. He started eating his salad and said that the granny smith apples tasted like fish. I didn't believe him so I had to try it for myself and sure enough they were fishy apples....very, very disgusting. We told our waiter who did apologize and then stated that "they are supposed to use a different grill for the apples then the fish". Well, obviously they did not. Needless to say, when the bill came we were still charged the "upgraded charge" of $3.00 even though all the apples were still left on the plate when the waiter removed te salad plate. Another complaint is that the rolls...although good are the same exact type (frozen Pillsbury rolls) I can buy at Publix. It is not a big deal, but I always like to have different or special type of bread vs what I can buy and make myself. We will go back, but I hope the manager/owner sees this so they can address the fishy apple issue...it really ruined my appetite!!
(3)
Susan S.
A group of us went from work. The house malbec was delicious. I had the most wonderful short ribs with fresh veg and mashed potatoes. The salad and rolls were also great, I tried the butternut squash vinagarette dressing and it was so good. The desserts are little bites, I had salted caramel gelatto, the perfect little sweet after a great dinner. The place decorated well, clean and the staff, welcoming and friendly. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Cory A.
Superb! we did not expect this quality of food in Tampa - definitely try it - the food was so tasty and delicious - everything we had.
(5)
Marc P.
went for dinner, I had the grouper which was really great, my wife had the hogfish and was really nice mild fish (we never had it before), raw oysters were good, my mohito was so-so, over-all it was a wonderful place, will definitely go back for a great seafood dinner
(5)
Doug G.
Fantastic seafood restaurant, we have never been disappointed. The decor is fun and presentation is as good as the food. Prices are reasonable, especially if you arrive early. The Bouillabaisse is spectacular and they always have a local catch. In the winter months be sure to get reservations!
(5)
Gloria D.
Was not expecting white tablecloths but then they really do go with the quality of food and service provided here. If your looking for a finer place to dine this is the place. My Hog Fish was superbly done and my husbands Grouper, well you would never guess what he had on his plate when done. Mystic Fish, no bones about it, #1 in the area.
(5)
Richard N.
This was very close to 5 stars. Mystic Fish is a beautiful, trendy restaurant with outstanding food, excellent selection, and top notch service. It was PACKED on a Wednesday night, so reservations are highly recommended. They did have one small table for 2 so they could fit us in. Otherwise, we could have sat at the bar. The server greeted us quickly and explained the specials and took our drink orders. We just got in on the happy hour specials, so that was a bonus. My wife really enjoyed her lemon drop martini, and I had the Honker's Ale. We started with the goat cheese spring roll, which was really interesting. It was crispy fried and served with a sauce that I believe was some balsamic vinegar and possibly some tamarind. Whatever was in it was really good, though! I had the Panko Crusted Red Snapper for my entree, and it was lightly fried and was absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Very moist and light, with a mild taste. The green onion mashed potatoes were also outstanding. The vegetables on the side were pretty standard carrots, green beans, and squash. The only thing about this dish I didn't like was the soy beurre-blanc sauce that the fish was on top of. It was very salty for my taste, but I don't use a lot of salt and I know soy sauce is salty to start with. Other people may not find it too salty, but for me it was too much. For being so crowded, our service was spot-on. Our food came out in a reasonable time and we didn't feel like we rushed either. This is a really nice establishment tucked away in an innocuous shopping plaza. I highly recommend it!
(4)
Jeff D.
Excellent Food and atmosphere. Got really cold at closing though. Definitely would go again.
(4)
Tim H.
Absolutely fantastic meal @ Mystic. My brother & I had the Bouillabaisse....it was fantastic for the price. The broth & seafood were beyond compare. My daughter had the shrimp & scallops ravioli...very good. Definitely come back.
(5)
Rick J.
Main course was good I had tge NY strip my wife had shrimp. Only starch offered was mashed potatoes or rice. My wife's salad was full of brown spots and they will charge you a 1.50 for blue cheese dressing. It wasn't what I expected but wasn't bad
(3)
Scott M.
Our group of eight made reservations (try at least a day in advance) for this well reviewed, and unassumingly fronted venue, and were all blown away. Ironically, out of our group of eight, only one ordered fish as an entree, only because the menu is so well rounded that other options won out. If seafood isn't your thing (NOT the case with our group despite our selections), don't let the name of the restaurant dissuade you from going. Bison tenderloin was ridiculously tender; the PEI mussels' broth was delicate and intriguing; the lobster bisque was appropriately rich and velvety; and the strangest success was the sirloin hamburger, inappropriately appearing on the small plates menu for only $8, it was a stand alone meal. Veal chop, and rack of lamb were also order within our group, and the reviews were unanimously positive. For wine, try The Prisoner, and moderately priced proprietary blended California red (2011) while still in stock. Service (Steven) was professional and knowledgeable, taking the time to steer our group towards suitable entree selections. Decor was trendy and well designed, creating an underwater mosaic without being tacky. We vacation in the Tampa area every spring, and will make this a "must attend" dinner destination.
(5)
John R.
Tried this place for the first time today and it was delicious!! The portion sizes are a bit smaller than I thought if it's an actual meal you're trying to have (or used to Taylor's size sandwiches), but I AM preggers so maybe I just eat a whole lot more these days? I thought it was the perfect snack for a beautiful Saturday afternoon with their outdoor seating! We tried the lobster and crab rolls today and I really couldn't figure out which I liked better. Both were very fresh and had generous portions of the lobster/crab to bun ratio. And their fountain drinks were awesome!! First time I have ever tried blueberry soda and I am hooked now!!
(4)
Debora S.
Service, Amazing. Food, Outstanding! Do not miss this pearl in Palm Harbor!
(5)
Ted F.
We've past this restaurant a million times while living in the area and finally decided to give it a try. We are so glad we did!! We enjoyed every aspect of our dining experience from the decor, to our knowledgeable server to the DELICIOUS food!!! Our server talked me into the Hogfish and while alittle resistant at first it was delectably light, flaky and absolutely fresh. My husband had the ribeye which was cooked to perfection, seasoned perfectly. Desserts were scrumptious and just the right amount to end off a splendid evening. It was refreshing to see a restaurant continuously busy well after 9pm in our area being most restaurants are either closing for the night or only have a handful of customers. We are looking very forward to our return trip and will tell family & friends about it.
(5)
Doris T.
Delish! Great service, reasonably priced, and fast service. Loved how they served the women at the table first. Only minus was no changing table in the ladies room. Had the truffle and parmesan ravioli with shrimp and scallops.
(5)
Thomas E.
Excellent and imaginative seafood with a solid wine list at reasonable prices. Very attentive wait staff and a relaxed dining atmosphere. Hogfish was truly amazing and the flourless chocolate cake made the perfect, not too heavy dessert. We will definitely be back next time we are in Palm Harbor and recommend Mystic Fish to everyone who enjoys fresh, well prepared seafood.
(5)
Marie P.
I will come back to Mystic Fish even if I have to swim to get there! I started with Bermuda Fish Chowder. I had a splash of pepper sherry and Goslings dark rum. Unbelievably delicious! I make this chowder myself and I have to say Mystic does it well. For my entree, I had the mahi with artichoke hearts. Mmm mmm good!!! And for dessert, the key lime panna cotta. Next time I will try something else because I truly enjoy traditional panna cotta. This was a great treat for me and can't wait to try it again. Thanks, Mystic, for such a wonderful experience!
(5)
Ben K.
Behind an unassuming exterior within a strip mall that's further away from wherever you're coming from than you think lies a true gem of a seafood restaurant. We put ourselves in the hands of our friendly server who steered us towards the nightly specials. Both were locally caught fresh fish, and both were AMAZING. Mystic Fish seems to have an obsession with pairing white fish with an asian twist on a beurre blanc, and that is certainly OK with me. Both entrees were cooked to perfection, with a crispy seared exterior. I wish I had more to say other than to reiterate that these guys know how to cook fish really well in cleverly partially asian inspired contexts. Go here and you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Blueridge G.
Service was poor. Server assumed we were waiting on someone since there were three of us so delayed helping us. Wrong. Didn't know anything about the craft beers except "they are craft beers", duh. Fish was good not great. Garlic mashed potatoes were cool and had no garlic. The gravy was out of a can. The sprig of garnish was old and wilted. Dinners are $25 which is more than $$ in my book. I can't believe this place gets such good reviews. I'll not go back.
(1)
Sassy B.
Food was very good, everything fresh. Rolls to die for. Salad fresh and crisp. I had sea scallops that were divine. Server was attentive. The only thing we personally did not care for was the tables were very close together. Felt like we were having dinner with strangers. Normally wouldn't mind. It was our anniversary and looking for a little more privacy while eating. Would go back in a heart beat!
(4)
Ryan G.
Everything was excellent! Good food great atmosphere, good service. Most meals are over $20 and dress a bit more than casual.
(5)
John W.
All of our food here was very good and we ordered many things to try. The seafood here and there sister restaurant guppies is probably the best seafood in town. The reason for the four star review is we had a really weird waitress.
(4)
Kristen C.
This is a great, slightly upscale restaurant. They give you a fresh roll with the most flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth herbed butter. I love the Caesar salad- dressing is delicious with a couple anchovies that give it a nice salty flavor. I can't stop ordering the seabass, it's fresh, cooked perfectly, and served with just enough creamy sauce to have a little taste in each bite. And, the scallop appetizer is another dish I would highly recommend- 3 perfectly seared, fresh scallops served in a truffled honey sauce with some berries, arugula, and feta. Reservations recommended! Oh, and during happy hour- $2.50 glasses of wine!
(5)
Cat M.
Consistent fresh & delicious food. Love the flavored butter for the rolls. Been going here for over 10 years & this place always delivers excellent quality food!
(5)
Robin D.
Mystic Fish never disappoints.Tonight the tuna was like butter, the mussels were wonderful and our server, Michelle was helpful and attentive.
(5)
Mike M.
Excellant- Everything was top shelf- Food,Service,ambiance- Wine list was a lttle slim on slection but had decent variety- Fodd was great- Bermuda fish chowder great, pot stickers great- Fish-grouper and sea bass perfectly prepared- Also idea of small desrert for $2.50 wonderful idea- Pete the server was very good, always coming around to check and food came out in a timely manner. We had very nice booth but the tables in the center of the resaurant were really packed in- only negative i saw- Will definately be back
(5)
Shawna K.
Wow! This place blew my socks off! But walking out barefoot was a fair tradeoff To enjoy some of the finest food delights Where I actually chewed slowly to savor all the bites We decided on tapas to enjoy many dishes The filet, scallops, and potstickers fulfilled all my wishes When we mentioned that we were in a bit of a time crunch Our server ensured we could order quickly with plenty of time to munch And the (2) double dirty martinis that the bartender poured Enabled me to sit through my daughters concert without being too bored I look forward to going back to Mystic with more time to enjoy I want to explore their menu of sushi topped with wasabi and soy!
(5)
Linda N.
Found this place while visiting Innisbrook Resort 3 miles away. Sat at the bar and hung out with the locals. Bartender Lisa was great...the chef came out to check on us...the happy hour is long with $5 martinis and apps. Had the salmon for dinner..it was amazing...the desserts are small perfectly sized and priced to try 2...if you have room left over. Highly recommend for food, atmosphere and friendliness.
(5)
Karl L.
Driving up to the strip mall entrance I wasn't impressed, and was actually worried looking around as we sat down. In our early 40s, my wife and I were bested in age by everyone in the joint by at LEAST 20 years. "Who in here would have ever heard of Yelp?" I asked her. Quickly my apprehension faded. Tom was one of the best servers I have had in some time. Quick, polite, attentive but not overbearing. Whew! Stone crab claws for an appetizer were good, but not great. My wife really liked them, but I am not sure why. Yes the mustard sauce was tasty, but that isn't where you spend $30! The meat was not sweet like the best ones were. It was just....there. Unfortunately, that's the way it goes with claws. Now we got to one of the best caesar salads EVER! The dressing is house made and full of garlic and anchovies. Fan-tas-tic! Garlic butter on fresh rolls was the way it should be. Dinner was monk fish for me, grouper for her. Specifics don't matter much when they were both specials, but the fish was very fresh and, unlike the claws, had great flavor. Accompaniments were tasteful and complimentary. $2.50 personal sized desserts were perfect, allowing us the chance to have a sweet taste without being stuffed, and both were delicious. I had salted caramel gellato that was made for the restaurant, but the wife's blackberry bread pudding was homemade. All in all, a lucky stop. Good pick, wifey! We will look forward to making another trip here, even if we don't have business in the area.
(4)
Jeff C.
I just moved to the area and so far have not been impressed with the restaurants I've been to, but this place lives up to it's high rating! One of the specials was hogfish. I thought what the heck. While waiting I looked it up. Ugly thing with big teeth, but very nice delicate AND tasty meat. Think my server was Kathy D - she was great!!
(4)
Stephanie M.
Mystic Fish was as amazing as other reviews promised! My boyfriend and I went for a date night and were immediately drawn in by the decor. As soon as we were seated, our server greeted us. He was both knowledgeable and friendly! For appetizers, we ordered the Herbed Goat Cheese Spring Rolls and the Calamari Fries. Both were savory and delicious! The Spring Roll is an absolute must; believe me! For our main dishes, I ordered the Bronzed Chilean Sea Bass and my boyfriend had the Shrimp and Scallop Ravioli. We had way too much food between the two of us, but all was delicious. Next time I'll save room for dessert because that menu looked tasty as well. Five Stars! I'll definitely be returning there.
(5)
Suzanne S.
Great evening at Mystic Fish. Somehow the food keeps getting better! I branched our from the wonderful Hogfish and had the Chive Encrusted grouper with a seared shrimp and sweet corn sauce....it was awesome!!!! Favorite restaurant in a 20 mile radius!
(5)
Maureen W.
Mystic Fish was recommended by my co-worker in Oldsmar. It's an upscale fish/steak restaurant that seems a bit out of place in a strip mall. But this is north Tampa after all and it seems everything is in a strip mall. That being said, this is a place to go if you want great food and good service. The menu selections were varied and they had specials that were "of the day" so to speak (fresh catch!). You can't top the Florida seafood, I will say that! I started with the crab cocktail which was superb and then had the fresh catch which was delicious. My mashed potatoes came out cold but they replaced them immediately with piping hot ones. All of my fellow diners were enjoying their food. The paella was raved about as was the steak. Drinks were good but they had a very small and not great wine menu (although the food made up for it!). Wish the bar area was a bit bigger but this is a pretty small place. Decor needs a bit of updating too. Really, the food is the star here.
(4)
Nick A.
Mystic fish is extremely good. I went with my family tonight and we all loved it. The real problem is getting in. We had to come in at 4:30 as soon as it open to make sure we got a spot without a reservation, due to us not being able to make a reservation. If you go to the early bird, you will get a great deal. Personally, I got a filet mignon and steak fries for 17 bucks! What a bargain! Plus the steak was absolutely amazing and really tender. I didn't need the steak knife that's how juicy and tender it was. For dessert I had a small peanut butter chocolate fudge ice cream that tasted like Reese's peanut butter cups as an ice cream form. The atmosphere was extremely nice. It has a very nice ambiance. The servers are extremely friendly and gave us great service. There was a large variety with there menu and there specialties they nailed. My family got cod and hog fish and loved it. The food is great. The service is great. The atmosphere is great. I definitely will be returning!
(5)
Jack R.
Amazing food. Best Seabass I've ever had. Service not always spot on is only negative.
(4)
Jameson J.
I was very impressed by Mystic Fish. I had a shrimp appetizer, a wedge salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing, and the raw oysters. All were excellent and fresh. The bleu cheese dressing was some of the best that I had ever had. The service was friendly. The decor is modern and upscale. It is on the pricey side though, so be prepared.
(4)
Deborah S.
This is a fabulous restaurant. We dined tonight on an small plate of Lobster "escargots style", Chilean Sea Bass with garlic mashed potatoes, second plate was 8 oz rib eye with mashed, and ended meal with Creme Brulee and a flour less Chocolate cake. The service was impeccable
(5)
Gary C.
I am from New England and know good seafood. This is one of the best seafood meals I've had in a long time
(5)
Tim C.
Forgot how good snapper is. They cooked it to perfection . actually everything was excellent even service. I'll be a regular.
(4)
A. Lane S.
Let me tell you, I am so incredibly picky when it comes to seafood. I find that most of the time it is either overcooked and dry or has little flavor. My fiance is a huge seafood lover though and so I try my best to keep an open mind when it comes to trying out these types of restaurants. We went on a Thursday evening around 7:30 and there were several tables available. We were seated promptly and our server quickly attended to us. We started with cocktails (I had the house Merlot and it was delicious) and ordered the goat cheese spring rolls for our appetizer. The spring rolls were good but neither of us were wowed. There was nothing wrong with them. Our tastebuds just simply didn't agree with them. For our entrees we ordered the Hogfish and the Kona Salmon. Both were absolutely delicious. The salmon was tender, buttery, and flaky with a nice crust of pine nut pesto. It was so good I was "yumming" after every bite. The Hogfish was lightly breaded, crisp on the outside and tender inside. The sauce had a nice Asian flair. The sides were fine but nothing special. However, the fish was so incredibly good it didn't matter to me that the green beans and potatoes were so simple. Our server did a great job of timing the delivery of our food and keeping up with our drinks. We never had to wait for a refill or the check. We will definitely be back and will most likely try the small plates. So many of them sounded tasty. Overall great experience and I would definitely recommend it to seafood lovers and nonseafood lovers alike. I was pleasantly surprised.
(4)
Lisa C.
We were visiting crystal beach and was looking for a seafood restaurant. We were from California and the in laws were from Tennessee so we all had different tastes. We ordered the crab stuffed artichokes which was tasty and different. The lobster bisque was sweet and flavorful. My daughter loved it. I had the spinach and greens salad with candied walnuts, dried apricots and Gorgonzola which was perfect. My husband ordered oysters which had this extra sauce that had lemon and maybe vinegar in it but it added a delightful kick to the plump tasty oysters. Everyone had something different and they cooked my In laws scallops and shrimp fried instead of grilled as it was listed on the menu. They were quite happy with the results. I had the rib eye which was seasoned perfectly and my husband ordered the grilled scallops which he said was delicious. All in all everyone was amazed at the delicious meal. It is quite large inside and the restaurant was somewhat full with an older crowd. Well worth a trip to try their delicious meals. I would recommend to everyone and would return.
(5)
John G.
Good quality food and reasonably priced. Best restaurant in the area. Pay the extra $1 for the caesar salad. Scallops were terrific, like the pyramid of rice and desserts outstanding. Waiters are very patient with retired people that have very specific requests!
(5)
Alexandra A.
I am the concierge over at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort, about 10-15 minutes of Mystic Fish. I've eaten here several times and let me just say, this is the FIRST restaurant that I recommend to our guests, and they always come back to let me know how magnificent the food and the ambiance of the restaurant is. As a Florida native, I have grown up on seafood, and this is the perfect place for seafood lovers. My favorite dish from here the bouillabaisse, as well as the escargot appetizer.
(5)
Jennifer P.
The early bird specials here have fantastic prices and they don't change the portion sizes for the discounted prices. Between me and my friend, we had 4 glasses of house wine, 1 cocktail, 2 lobster bisques, 1 lobster tail entree, and 1 Mangrove Snapper entree - and the entire meal came out to only $50 (before tip and tax)! Along with the great prices, the food was great - the lobster bisque was creamy, but not too buttery, while the lobster tail was tender and fresh. The mangrove snapper was breaded which gave it a good texture and the fish was nice and light. On a different night I had the full lobster and the chilean sea bass, and both dishes were very fresh, and very tasty. The five stars are for the price of the early bird specials, consistency of the great dishes, and the freshness of the seafood they serve. I have no complaints about the service - they were prompt and attentive. Even though the two times I came, I had no reservations, we were able to be seated quickly (although in the bar area, rather than the main dining room) - still the dining room does fill up quickly so reservations are recommended over the weekend, just in case. I think this is a great and very reasonably priced seafood restaurant and I would come here again any time!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Leslie C.
Food was amazing! Took a party of 11 and they were very prompt as well! Just wish they had taken the OpenTable reservation for 11 instead of us having to call...but worked out great! Would highly recommend. The Duck. Oh my. The duck. Delicious!
(4)Ed M.
Stopped by last Friday around 3:30 P.M. for a late lunch, but they were closed. We came back an hour or so later and the place was packed full with the early crowd. We sat at the bar and were greeted by friendly and attentive bar staff. We ordered a few beers on tap and the cod and salmon. Great food and great service. Highly recommend this gem of Palm Harbor.
(5)Sahn S.
Great restaurant. Great meal. Wonderful service. It's not a big place, but seemed to have a lot of servers. Not a complaint, just an observation. The staff was amazing, personable, professional, top notch. Decor was nice, pretty stylish, lighting was subdued. Every dish that came out tasted great and had good presentation. Scallop bisque was good. Calamari was delicious. Our entrees, a bouillabaisse and a seafood paella were very good. My paella was risotto based and not rice based so I was a little bit disappointed. But it was still tasty. Portions r not large, but reasonably sized. Desserts all looked good, petite size for one. The house wines, we had the whites, were very good!
(5)Frank A.
I have never had a anything but a terrific meal here. It gets very busy. Don't expect to call last minute, they are booked. Early bird is an exceptional value. Hogfish Panko Crusted Snapper- the gold standard for all fish. Hands down my favorite. Appetizers- we sometimes come for appies and drinks in the bar area. Desserts- very small size so we get several to try. The Espresso pots de Creme is amazing as is the white chocolate bread pudding. In short, this place won't disappoint.
(5)Angela M.
Dined in on a Friday evening. We made reservations after viewing previous reviews but restaurant wasn't busy. It was loud with a lounge performer singing. Upon entering we were greeted by the friendly hostess. I noticed the floor had wrappers & trash on it. I ordered Alfredo with broccoli. The sauce was overly salted, otherwise bland. The noodles that were served with it were egg noodles. Found that to be very odd! The oil to dip the bread in was also bland. Overall, the quality of the food is not worth the price.
(3)Milton S.
For years, Mystic Fish has always been a favorite seafood restaurant when visiting Florida. It is different from the casual seafood place, much more upscale and classy. The food has always been consistently good, awesome presentation, and excellent service We started with an appetizer of artichoke hearts stuffed with crab which was very nice. One of our group tried the featured drink of the night, a strawberry/basil mojito which was interesting. Grouper, short ribs and a surprisingly good prime burger rounded out our group's entrees for the evening. An early bird menu before 5:30 offers some interesting options as well. \ Everything was well prepared and served by a lovely waitress, Joelle, who was very professional and very good at what she did. Definitely a solid choice for a fine dining experience.
(5)Leon H.
The bomb!! This was an AWESOME experience. Lobster roll was amazing, calamari too. Service from Zach was exquisite. Highly recommended.
(5)Celeste R.
I went Jun 3, 2015 with my friends from work. The restaurant is in a small strip plaza. We started with small plates: Calamari Fries, Pork & Vegetable Pot Stickers (nicely dress-up) and the Herbed Goat Cheese Spring Rolls - all very tasty! I had their Maine Lobster Tail served with veggies and mash potatoes - Absolutely delish! For dessert, we tried the White Chocolate Bread Pudding and the Key Lime Panna Cotta - both were home made and delicious - however, the Key Lime Panna Cotta was really good - creamy and lite. The service was fantastic. If you are in this area - you will enjoy the dinning experience.
(5)Lauren P.
I've been going to mystic fish for years. It's consistent and a good go to for fish. Their regular menu is fine, but the specials really shine. This latest trip I had a sugar/chile/cumin rubbed grouper served over a plum sauce. It was great. The mashed potatoes are amazing and mystic too. Prices are very fair for fresh seafood. Service is okay...some good some meh, but all in all a decent choice for a meal out.
(4)Ryan T.
My husband and I recently went to mystic fish for dinner. We were very pleased with the food and service. They have a grilled octopus small plate that we thought was very good and definitely would recommend. I had the sea bass with the garlic mashed potatoes and it was delicious. Rachel was our server and she was very attentive and friendly.
(4)Sofia D.
I don't want to totally bash Mystic Fish with a low rating because I did not order an entree, but I was not in the least impressed with this place at all. Starting off with the Crab Martini. Tasteless, not creative with presentation. Just a pile of lettuce which was filled to the rim with tiny portions of cold crab and mayonnaise for dipping sauce. One of the most underwhelming that we ordered from the 4. I mean, look at the pic.. Does it look appetizing to you? Next , the Asian short ribs. 2 tiny thin pieces of short ribs slathered in bbq sauce with ginger, and seaweed salad that u would get with sushi. I did not care for the pair at all. Meh. Next, octopus that was chargrilled to death. Lukewarm, and dry sitting on top of some dry arugula, with a dash of dry feta and some cherry tomato mixed in. Really disappointed. Lastly, the mussels that were probably the best thing we ordered, but still too salty from the chorizo they mix in there. Plus, they were the tiniest mussels I've ever eaten. They didn't even give u any bread to eat with them to soak up the sauce with. I thought it was a little strange that they only serve u one little dinner roll before dinner. No bread basket. It's like cmon ! Seriously? I asked for some bread for the mussels and server came back with one of those tiny rolls . Just one ! I was like forget it. I don't want to keep asking over and over again for a roll. It's dumb. 4 small plates came out to $46 . So not worth the price tag. Not because of size, but because of quality and flavor. One day I'll go back and try an entree.... Hold on, lets keep it real... Nah, probably not
(2)Mark P.
Mystic Fish never disappoints. Excellent, professional service, all the flavors and preparation spot on. Vegetable preparation is always al dente, Key Lime panna cotta was a delicious tart ending to a wonderful meal. This is my favorite seafood option in the area, although their menu goes well beyond just seafood.
(5)Tom P.
My wife and I tried this restaurant based off the high reviews however we both became sick within a few hours of leaving. The environment appears nice but it's just a strip mall restaurant.
(1)Steven L.
Awesome food was excellent and the service was amazing. Why I was really impressed it was busy Friday and the service was fast,presentation of the food was great.
(5)Bob D.
Really wonderful. We were visiting my mother in the area and found this little gem of a restaurant. Great service and delicious food. We'll be back.
(5)Gina G.
This is one of our favorite places! We are never disappointed and always have great service! Nice for special occasions, romantic dinner or having a nice time with friends.
(5)Andrea W.
This is a hidden gem in a strip mall. Reservations are important, it's a small place and usually busy. It's close to highway 19 and it's elegantly decorated with good service and really memorable seafood! You would think that being in Florida great seafood is easy to find, not so. Fresh caught fish tastes and has a completely different texture - once you have had it you become picky about seafood. This is a really nice restaurant with a solid menu, nice for a classy dinner out. They also have an early dinner hour and a happy hour so you can sample smaller portions of their favorites! This place doesn't disappoint!
(4)Richard C.
Good service, atmosphere and food. Had paella and it was very good bothers had sea bass, pasta dish and said it was excellent. Reasonable price too. Would recommend and would go back.
(4)Papi P.
The atmosphere was decent and the staff was very pleasant. Just wasn't feeling the value proposition. We had calamari strips which you could tell were previously frozen. Main entree opted for the new York strip which was better made at home. Great mashed potatoes ! We had a very obnoxiously drunk table behind us as well which was not the restaurants fault. Next time we'll just leave.
(3)Jeff L.
Excellent meal. Nice selection and preparation of seafood. Good selection of wines. Bartenders could use some more education on classic cocktails. Will definitely be going back.
(4)Mark H.
wo0t wo0t! One of the easiest 5-star rating decisions in the history of my Yelp reviews. Every aspect about or trip to Mystic Fish was spot on. The décor was great, service was impeccable, prices were more than reasonable, portions were perfect and the food taste was face-melting. I ordered a summer special item, the Fish Mixed Grill, which was a 3 types of fish, all prepared differently for $16. It came with grouper, hogfish and salmon. Each was amazingly prepared in its own way. On the side, I ordered the white cheddar mashed potatoes and fresh mixed veggies, which are seasonal. I took a pic of the meal, but the Yelp ap's camera needs a serious re-design because if you're in a dead zone and the picture fails to upload, 9 times out of 10, you lose the picture. It just disappears into Yelp hell. So take my word for it, the meal was fantastic. Before the meal came out, I got a pretty average salad with an above average dressing--the lemon cilantro dressing. This is an absolute must. It was so refreshing because I'm tired of the same boring dressings at these restaurants out here. In talking with our server, Michael, he explained to us the owner used to own The Lobster Pot, and currently owns Guppie's. This was a surprise to us because we had a mind-numbingly horrific experience at Guppie's about 6 months ago. Spilled milk under the bridge now, so when we want seafood, we will definitely hit up Mystic Fish. Plus is not too far from where we live in Westchase. They do have a full bar, BTW. I ordered an Old Fashion, and it was great. Bravo guys, and thanks for a good time!
(5)Mike P.
Fantastic in everything. HogFish amazing Muscles fantastic. Huge shrimp and pasta. Great Friendly service. Restaurateur's that know what they are doing in every facet of the business. A place I would go to over and over again.
(5)Ed W.
What a tremendous find! I chose this restaurant from the existing Yelp reviews, but seriously, even those did not do justice to the food served. I have never seen such a diversified menu that engaged fish but pushed the boundaries of the taste buds. Having a party of 4, we tried a wide variety of the menu and shared most of it as we could not really decided on one meal; they were ALL great. We had the hogfish, seared yellow tail tuna, filet, salads, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and the special of bison! For desert we had coffee, cappuccino, carmel salt gelato and key lime. WOW....what a meal! Absolute must try if you have never been there.
(5)Gigi S.
We stopped in for food reinforcements before a long night of bar hopping. While I thought I was in for a Red Lobster type experience, we could quickly see that this was not the case. I had a split of champagne for 6.00, and half dozen artisan oysters with a lemon/horseradish dipping sauce and red cocktail/curry sauce. The oysters were served on a bed of crunchy, fresh wakame. Really quite impressed for our first time in, and can't wait to get back and try a Summer Special meal of my own for 16.99. Server Mike was right about the whipped artichoke bread n' butter, yum! Taste and value, in a cute dining room where shells in the decor actually weren't cheesy looking at all. While I didn't see how this place could compare to an overcrowded tourist hole like the Lobster Pot and Guppy's, I really liked it!
(4)Brian H.
Mystic Fish is usually a pretty solid 4 stars each time i visit. this time i went i had orders the Goat Cheese Spring Roll(s). it was damn delicious. It is in fact only one spring roll cut into 2 pieces. thye should alter their menu to reflect this. the inside was almost all goat cheese and the wrapping itself was super crispy. no skimping on the cheese at all here. For my entree i decided to try one of their daily specials. The wasabi seasami scallops. I was really expecting some large Bay Scallops her but these were on the smaller size. what it liked in size it made up for in cooking. These scallops were something even Gordan Ramsey would stop the whole kitchen to make everyone gather around and say " AY YOu, You Fucking See this, this is What THE FUCK SCALLOPS ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE!!!" . mashed potatoes sides were good as always and green beans were lacking seasoning. i thought we would get to choose which vegetable but they didnt even offer it. Oh well. Will go to again for their Chilian Seabass. One special i had there was a miso sea bass. it was damn awesome, another being pretzel encrusted grouper with a mustard sauce Holy Shit was that good. if you see these 2 on the daily special just order it! Dessert was the Flourless chocolate cake. crispy on the outside goey on the inside. pretty decent but i have had better. i will return to try some of their other specials.
(4)Gasper T.
This had been a favorite the hours posted on their web site are 4:30 to 8, pm we got there at 7:30 and they told us they closed at 7 pm we will think twice about going there again if you post hours you should keep to them very disappointed the manner Chris did look a little concerned
(2)Shannan T.
Food is excellent here. The fish is so delicious it makes you want to come back again and again. It is beautiful inside and is a great place for an intimate dinner with a loved ones or a couples outing. I would not recommend this restaurant for small children, it is too quiet so get a sitter before dining here. Staff is always attentive and helpful. Proud to have this as a local restaurant so close to home!
(5)Myah M.
This place was Amazing! Had dinner with a girlfriend here the other night. I had the melt in your mouth sea bass. Excellent!
(4)Julie L.
Eric was the best waiter, steering us into a delicious dinner plan. The ravioli was the best I have ever had, the shrimp and scallops in a light sauce, heaven! I tasted the paella, very very good, the prices were reasonable. The sea bass was phenomenal ! Salads were Delish and the atmosphere was nice! Can't wait to come back.
(4)Lara S.
This was the worst restaurant I ate in during my visit to central Florida - the "salad" was refrigerated grass, the wine was grocery store colored water, the breast of duck was dressed up dog food and prices were high however the atmosphere was nice Never, never again - if you want a mean better than this try mcDonalds
(1)Carri C.
Amazing. Everything. Amazing. We sat in the bar area during happy hour. You can't beat 2.75 for well and house wines. And my eating companion said it was even the best scotch and soda she's had! Filled to the brim! The service at this place is impeccable. Our waitress was so pleasant and attentive, but not hovering. Witnessed the same great service as I looked around. We had the mussels (which were on happy hour price). Full order. Cooked well and great sauce with chorizo, leeks and red peppers. Also had the lobster escargot. Interesting take on lobster. Very buttery and smooth. Lastly had the scallops (small plates). Cooked to perfection. Served in a strawberry sauce that complimented the scallops. You get three large sea scallops. I'm still dreaming about this place...too bad I don't live in Florida!
(5)K S.
Awesome place. Ambiance, service, and food are lights out. Hogfish is great with a light panko breading, and they do a crab cake that is mah-vull-lus If you go early you can hit up their Eventide(early bird, before 5:30 PM) special, which is a wonderful deal if you want to eat great on a budget. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone looking for fine seafood dining and service.
(5)Erica M.
Mystic Fish was a fantastic restaurant!! We weren't expecting such a nice establishment with cloth tablecloths and high end preparations. Our drinks, peach mojito, strawberry sangria, and cucumber gin gimlet were excellent...I think the gimlet was my favorite. For food we split 4 small plates - scallops, steak tartare, jumbo lump crab martini, and grilled octopus. Id say it was all very good but the scallops and tartare stole the show. The crab was excellent too, but the dipping sauce didn't have as much of a mustard flavor as I'd like. Our server, Peter A., was excellent - personable and attentive. We will definitely come back here...highly recommend!
(5)Laurie B.
I second what all the other reviewers are saying. I wish I had found this place sooner! We tend to be a "west of 19" snob. If it isn't near the ocean then it's not really on our radar. Boy have we been missing out. This place, on the wrong side of 19 AND in a strip mall is an incredible find. I had the hog fish special, hubby had the paella, both shone. Our waiter was exceptional, helping us to navigate the menu due to my husband's special dietary requirements. He was solicitous without being ever present. I cannot wait to go back and try many of the other menu items The kitchen has got game!
(5)Sopheara S.
The food and the service are excellence. Keith is our server ! Recommend appetizers here are lobster style escargot, Oyster with champagne sauce . The lobster soup is yummy creamy. Of course, I got Asian BBQ short ribs it was so tender well prepared. Hog fish and grouper are fresh and high quality the fact that we had fish all this week these fishes and how they prepare we satisfied :) We will come back again! Ps: Guppy's is brother restaurant of this place. They both are great places to check out if you are in Clearwater.
(4)Matt M.
Mystic Fish had a lot of hype going into it. Sometimes that gets you a bit to excited for your meal. After reading reviews for the hogfish, I decided on that. I did start with the mystic soup. Great taste and hot. Big plus. The hogfish was good but not great. They definitely try to focus on quality and not quantity. I left still feeling hungry. Price is up there as well.
(3)Lauren C.
Mystic Fish is a fabulous seafood restaurant which never disappoints! I have been here on a few different occasions and always enjoy the upscale environment, excellent service and delicious food. The decor here is very nice and well done, I especially like their signature fish tank which is the focal point of the restaurant. For starters, the lobster bisque soup is absolutely rich, delicious and it's a very large portion size. I can easily eat an entire bowl and then some because it's just THAT good. I've also tried the lobster special here before which was fabulous and fresh as well. The lobster was succulent and the side items served with it were very well paired. Another nice thing about this place is although some dishes are a tad bit on the pricey side (but still totally worth it), they do have a drink happy hour from 4:30 - 6:30 and an early dinner special from 4:30 - 5:30 for anyone interested in stopping by a bit earlier. They do have a wide selection of fine wines and specialty craft beers. Overall a great restaurant and I will definitely come back.
(4)Pretzel C.
Took us late on a Sunday on before closing without a reservation- we stopped here on a fluke. Outstanding food and outstanding service!
(5)Michael J.
This place is "out of this world" good . I've been here about 5 or 6 times now and can honestly say I've never had an issue with the service or the food. There's definitely a reason this place is always packed and is worth making a reservation for. The food is just that good! My favorite is the Pan Seared Scallops but I could almost say that about the other 5 dishes that I've tried. The portions were the perfect size and the menu even offers a small dish section to accommodate any size appetite . When you think you've just had the perfect meal, then comes the heavenly dessert menu. Every dessert comes in a small portion size ( probably a good thing since I could eat the desserts all day) but is enough to leave you very satisfied. The service I've received here has always been wonderful. The place is always packed but I never once felt that my waiter or waitress was forgetting about me . If you haven't check this place out yet, do it! You'll get hooked like me!
(5)Joni E.
Our group did a mixture of fish and steak. The 6oz tenderloin melted in my mouth. The hogfish was perfect and 2 others had the scallops. The flavors were distinct and yet not overbearing. Great service from our waitor and all for a reasonable price, considering the quality of the food.
(5)Shannon R.
I am a picky fish eater and was nervous to try the Hogfish dinner - never even heard of Hogfish. The waiter assured me that it was a mild white fish and one of the favorite menu items - so I went for it. So glad I listened to him and gave it a try. It is a fabulous dish and I really enjoyed it. I was visiting Palm Harbor and would definitely go back next time I am in town!!!
(5)Robert G.
One of the best restaurants in the area. Always excellent food and service. Hog fish is outstanding -- highly recommend -- or you can order a burger and fries, which is reasonably priced and delicious with just cheddar and grilled onions. And many other options!
(5)My Girl M.
This restaurant was awesome! Probably one of the top five I have eaten at in the last year. This would fall into the fine dining category, and more upscale than a lot of places in Florida, where people in shorts, coverups, beach flip flops and ball caps aren't unusual. We arrived dressed in nice casual, and I wish I we would have been closer to dressy casual. I'm starting with the decor, which was total eye candy for the design oriented. I stared for the entire meal, and continued to find design elements that refered to the ocean, sea creatures and plant life. Really an amazing design that elevated the dining experience. This review is a bit after our visit, which was during the summer, so I can't remember every dish we had. I recall that my spouse had the bouillabaisse, which he said was fantastic. I had scallops, which I believe were a special, and they were wonderful. The two adventurous teens with us were able to find things on the menu they would eat. They even tried escargot and liked it - I consider that a huge success! Great list of wine selections. The desserts were wonderful, with something to appeal to everyone. We agreed that it was the best meal we had during our entire trip. Mystic Fish would definitely lure me back to Tampa Bay!!! Just had to fit that pun in, LOL. The service was very professional, and unobtrusive. Some people may find that style of service a bit off putting or snobbish. However, fine dining service is a dying skill on a different level than casual or chain restaurants offer. It is worth experiencing. Please be adventerous, and willing to ask for recommendations or guidance on menu selections. That can make the difference between a good meal and an amazing one. We made reservations that afternoon and the restaurant was easily able to accommodate us at the time of year. The pace of the meal was leisurely. We had a great time talking and relaxing, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
(5)Rob W.
This place is awesome. I have enjoyed dining here since my first visit many years ago. I have never had anything but excellent food and service at this establishment.
(4)Dee D.
Just like the other reviewers stated. Food is very good, small plates are terrific, tiny (or not so tiny) desert portions for very reasonably priced. Soup was also delicious and priced well. Come to think of it , so was the small salad (cesar was so-so, overdressed also). Overall, the kitchen did their job well. Service, on the other hand, was pushy and rude. We were one of 10 tables and you could tell this guy just wanted to go home. He was up our "you know what!" Brought the star rating all the way down to a three. It was hard to enjoy the food and conversation when some guy keeps bugging you . Too bad. Will I go again....sure...but not until I've tried many other 4 plus yelp star restaurants in our area. Once again restaurant owners....service is just as important as what comes out of the kitchen.
(3)Vin C.
Wow ! I am pretty fussy about food and travel a lot but have to say my meal was exceptional - Had the hog fish and it was perfect. Very good staff and nice atmosphere , best restaurant have been to so far in the area Tampa/Oldsmar and because of travel I eat out practically every night.
(5)Troy C.
Great food.. Great service I had these 2 appetizers: 1) Prince Edward Island Mussels white wine, garlic broth, roasted red peppers, leeks and chorizo. what a unique combination of flavor. 2) Crab Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms lump crab meat, parmesan and cream cheese, scallions and cherry peppers. very tasty, however, you can tell the artichoke bottoms were probably canned scince it had that canned vinegar taste. For dinner: Breast Chicken "Boca Grande" sauteed with crabmeat , shiitake mushrooms with a white wine - tarragon cream can't say i tasted the crab or even seen any and the mushrooms were sparse. Still very tasty. prices are awesome, but again i am back in florida so seems like all the prices are decent.
(4)Ben M.
They really know how to do things right here. An excellent dining experience every time. The chef's menu items and choices are a pleasure to explore. Not many places do steak tartare, but it's here, and quite nice. The hostess and the servers are very professional and friendly. We never had any issue with a server. And the manager comes by to make sure you are happy. The table settings are high quality, with fresh clean cloth napkins and table linen. The lighting and ambiance is very cosmopolitain, perfect for a date night, with comfortable seating and inoffensive music playing low in the background, loud enough to cover room noise, but quiet enough for pleasant dinner conversation. This time I had the braised boneless ribs dinner, and my companion had the crab cakes. Both were excellent, no complaints. The mashed potatoes were fresh tasting, mixed with sour cream and herbs, and there was real herbed garlic butter ion the table with the fresh rolls, so you could add more seasoned butter to your mashed potatoes (which are presented with a nice fresh house-made potato chip). The water is well-iced, pure, and the server stays on top of re-filling it promptly. The desserts are nice and the selection of after-dinner drinks nice, too, with fine Scotch brands. Two things to keep in mind: The portions are not huge (they don't have to be) and the mixed vegetables are not seasoned much (but that's okay). Of course, dinner is going to cost a bit more than all the rotten feeding troughs in the area, but it is overall a fine value for a very consistently pleasant and enjoyable dining experience. I hope they never change.
(5)Greg T.
The chef at Mystic and his staff are well trained and always creating wonderful dishes that please the palate. If your looking for an exceptional, dining experience with a wide assortment of THE freshest seafood, look no further.
(4)Joan C.
Wow...A diamond in the rough. This restaurant was awesome. We stopped in for their happy hour. My husband and I each had a drink and ordered the mussels. This dish was incredible. We have had mussels in many places all over the country and these were outstanding. I can't wait to go back. Our happy hour check was $10
(5)Nancy E.
It was Mother's Day and I figured the worse. But, to my surprise the service, food and atmosphere were great. You must try their flourless chocolate cake. All desserts are small so you can enjoy them without being overstuffed.
(5)Jade S.
I've only been here twice however I personally thought the service was mediocre (the server seemed a little rough around the edges and stated she does not eat seafood so she cannot make any recommendations..... What? Really??) and the food tasted like ordinary seafood to me. Nothing outstanding in my opinion.
(3)Autumn C.
My husband and I ordered 3 items off the tapas menu to share and they were all delicious. We ordered the petite filet, lobster squared, and seated ahi. Would definitely go back.
(4)Don V.
One of my favorite stops when in the Tampa/Clearwater area. I am amazed and somewhat sad to see it has a 2-star review. As the author calls themselves "a frequent diner" I am further perplexed to see that they only review they felt worthy of posting was the worst experience they had at the joint.... But whatevs - people be dum. They have a "mildly seasonal" menu in that they do have some staples, but they also respond to what the market can support (case in point - at present, all grouper fishing is basically suspended). They have a stone crab season, and I've tried them both hot and cold, but fail to see why people go so nuts over them. It's not always on the menu, but when in season I HIGHLY recommend the grouper sammich - seems somewhat contradictory to come to a place known for their flare in preparation and presentation, but you can't overlook the awesomeness of "simple done right". Another favorite is the grilled pear / Gorgonzola salad. I can't recall what ever prompted me to try it, but it is EXCELLENT and a fine starter to any meal. flook.it/community/Johnn… Other menu highlights are the varied mashed potatoes they serve (my favorite being the banana pepper and asiago) and their ability to cook both scallops and calamari the way they should be cooked..... They have special events like wine tastings and at present - "Lobster Mondays"! I've posted a photo of one meal on my Flook account: flook.it/community/Johnn… This place is a tad dressy - you can come in shorts and a T-shirt, but you'll stand out a bit (not that I've ever cared, mind you) - but any closer to "beach attire" is pushing it - put on some shoes, people! The staff are attentive, but can be a tad stiff at first given the typical clientele (i.e. much more "dress up" than Don is). The place can get packed - but these people operate like a well-oiled machine. If you are bothered by "kitchen bustle" I suggest avoiding the 2 tables near the back of the restaurant - it can get a but annoying to see that much of the staff doing what they need to do. When I come to Tampa I eat at least one meal here - that's a testament given the number of AWESOME seafood dining options there are in this town..... If it's a weekend or peak dining hours I strongly suggest a phone call to get a seat - or you may end up not getting in. More pics of the noms: flook.it/community/Johnn…
(5)Jennifer C.
First time I've been here. I ordered with my group the steak tar tar witch was very interesting and still good. It's not for people with texture issues. I also ordered the escargot as a second appetizer and it is absolutely tasty! It has this curry on it that makes it a little different and extra special. The bread basket they bring with the butter is very fresh and the butter has extra tasty stuff mixed in it. Just to mention not only is the food off the chain the service is fast, personal, and friendly. Most of their dinners range from $12.50 to $25. The appetizers are $8-$11 which is a DEAL because the food is very fresh and tasty. The dinners that were ordered was the rack or lamb that was very tender and delicious. The crab cake is one of the best crab cakes I've ever tasted, and the best dinner that was ordered was the seared scallops, it is only 3 but if u order an appetizer coupled with the bread and your salad you will be overly full so don't worry about it not being enough food. The scallops were cooked to perfection and so soft and sweet. The have some kind of sauce that is at the bottom and its to die for!!! I am truly impressed!!!!!
(5)TootTootTootsie G.
Obviously the main attraction here is seafood, and they do it well. The Bermuda fish chowder, seasoned with dark rum and pepper sauce, is the perfect way to start your meal. I also recommend the grouper prepared with white wine, lemon, and capers and the sauteed shrimp and scallops, served on a bed of capellini and smothered with a cream sauce flavored with red bell and banana peppers. Entrees are served with a salad, vegetable, and mashed potatoes or rice. I've had better key lime pie elsewhere, but the banana caramel cheesecake was sinfully delicious. We ordered a bottle of Beringer white zinfandel; at $18, it cost about three times what you pay in the store, but it was the most reasonably priced selection on an extensive list of high end wines. One drawback is the proximity of the tables to one another. The couple seated next to us were enaged in a heated argument during most of their meal, and even though they weren't being overly loud we could hear every word because we were so close to them. Dinner for two, with tax and a generous tip acknowledging the very attentive service, was $100.
(4)Mary M.
Excellent meal...lobster bisque was to die for. My husband said it's the best meal he's had a restaurant in 10 years in Florida!
(5)Jamii Y.
My parents recommended this place for a post birthday celebration for my fiance and I and them. We had reservations for a Friday night and had, what I consider, to be the best seat in the house! First off, the interior decor of this place is amazing! It is filled with local artists' creations and sea inspired pieces that are gorgeous. I opted for the White Tsunami martini, which was light and delicious. For appetizers, we shared the Crab Martini and Goat Cheese Egg rolls with were both to die for! I literally could have eaten two more orders of the egg rolls for my dinner! We all enjoyed our choices for our entrees; which were the Bison Tenderloin, Sea Bass, Short Ribs and fish special (can't remember the name of it...). Dessert followed with a perfect small portion of Creme Brulee (omg) and Chocolate Cake. Everything from start to finish, from the food to the service, was excellent. A must-to if you are in the area!
(5)Greg R.
Excellent service. Good food.
(4)Judith A.
Waitress named Jen was so cute, funny and entertaining. We were in stitches all thru the dinner. She knew every small detail of the menu, and was very careful to make sure that my elderly mother had exactly the food that she would like and could easily handle. The Pasta Shrimp dish from the early bird special list had huge fresh shrimps and a wonderful red Parmesan sauce. The artichoke hearts stuffed with crab was unique and flavorful. The huge scallops came on top of a apricot curry sauce. I am not fond of cumin, so I didn't care for the sauce. The scallops were not overlooked! Hurrah! My mother loved her Manhattan, but the house Chardonnay was a little off. The early bird dinner and drink specials are a real bargain. We whooped it up, had lots of laughs, drinks and great food, but it was the waitress, Jen that made our evening.
(5)Lucy M.
Food was excellent and reasonably priced. Scallops were delicious. Escargot was awesome. Wish the early bird special was just a little longer! Tough for working people to make it.
(4)M S.
I have eaten here many times over the years, though this is my first review. In the past, I would have given the restaurant 4 stars, but this time it was disappointing, and for this meal I cannot give it more than 2 stars (although if there were half stars, I would bump it to 2 and a half). But I do want to reiterate, Mystic Fish has been excellent in the past, and perhaps this was an off night (which should never be an excuse for a top-drawer restaurant). As for this visit, the meal as a whole was flavorless. I have had the steak tartar several times, and it has always been very good, tasty, and of high quality. Not this time - flavorless. The capers must have been sitting out or rinsed off because they added no flavor whatsoever, and the meat lacked any noticeable seasoning. Had I gone to the grocery store, bought 3 ounces of meat, unwrapped it, and bitten into it, it would have tasted about the same: raw, unseasoned meat. The seabass tasted like it had been poorly frozen or poorly defrosted. I think they generally use fresh fish here, but this time it did not seem like it. The texture was grainy with none of the silkiness that good seabass should have, and bland all the way. The vegetables were similarly flavorless. And the mashed potatoes, which were supposed to be a yellow pepper mashed potato, was creamy but lacked any pizzazz. My friend had the lobster tail. It was undercooked and, yup, flavorless. When the waiter asked about the meal, my friend told him that the lobster tail was not very good, and the waiter said he would let the chef know. The manager (who I think is also an owner) came by and was told the same thing. He didn't seem upset or disappointed by the comment, just seemed to take it sort of blandly. That spoke volumes to me, because the in the past he has been very professional and engaged. Anyway, both my friend and I felt that somebody in the kitchen was clueless as to seasoning. I hate to write a bad review for Mystic Fish because it has been a longtime favorite. This time, it was woefully short of the mark and a huge disappointment.
(2)Beverly W.
Great place. The service was excellent. The food was amazing. We went to this place on a Friday night. They seated us very quickly. Non-pretentious staff and service. Price was good. They even held the door as we left! Try it if you like seafood but the steak was one of the best too.
(5)Michael L.
There were 15 of us who at at Mystic Fish last night. They seem to change their menu regularly... Our waiter did a good job in handling us coming in at different moments and separating checks for the group. I had the "Hogfish" which is supposed to be a snapper. It was awesome. Crusted in bread crumbs and a buerre blanc sauce, it was a hit with several of us who ordered it. I'm kinda on a diet so I asked for a double veg serving instead of potato and got some sort of a stringed squash which was quite good. They have a nice wine list and good desserts. A few of the group remarked that the Chilean Sea Bass was good too. I would go again.
(4)Jennifer L.
This place has AMAZING food for a reasonable price! I'm a huge fan of Bonefish, but after coming to Mystic Fish the other night, I think Bonefish has been replaced!! This place has the upscale, white table cloth type ambiance....it's a little dressy but not over the top. I ate here around 7 PM on Friday night We made a reservation in advance, but. it was not too busy, and we were seated right away in a comfortable booth near the aquarium in the middle of the restaurant. They have a very extensive menu...I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but then the server recommended a few things to us and explained some things on the menu. The server was attentive and friendly, as well as the host who sat us. As an appetizer we started with the calamari... it was just the right amount of crispy and came with a spicy dipping sauce. They had a few soup choices, lobster bisque was recommended by the server, but we had some kind of creamy chicken..I forgot the name, but.it was rich and filling. As our entrees we had the Iowa beef tenderloin with Maine lobster tails and the Dijon Parmesan crusted rib eye (this one was off of the daily special menu). My rib eye was cooked just how I wanted it, medium well, and the dijon parmesan glaze on top was a good combination and added just the right amount of flavor. I was very impressed, I don't usually eat steak but this was the best piece of meat I've had . For their desserts, they serve small little portions, and they're all 2.50...we shared the banana Carmel cheesecake,.. it was just the right size to top off our meal and tasted HEAVENLY! By the time we were done eating around 8:30 PM, the restaurant had filled up almost completely and there were two couples waiting to be seated. So I'd recommend making a reservation (you can even do it online). Highly recommended....I will be back for sure! =]
(5)Jorge U.
They have a decent wine list with a nice but not extensive range of good wines at very very reasonable prices. Cakebread chardonnay at $60 is about $30 less than at most restaurants. We decided to try an unfamiliar Albariño. It was sweeter than any Albariño I've ever had before, but I have to admit the waiter did warn us. It was still pretty good, not overwhelmingly sweet or anything like that. We started with two appetizers - a goat cheese spring roll & lobster "escargot style". Neither goat cheese nor lobster are favorites of mine, but both were pretty tasty. It is rather a lot of cheese, but at least it was a relatively mild goat cheese. The lobster appetizer is exactly what it sounds like right down to the dish it's served in. Most of the fish dishes on the menu involve sauces. I'm not generally a fan of most sauces on fish so, despite being in a seafood restaurant, I was drawn to the bison tenderloin. I was pretty hesitant though, because most experiences I've had with bison involved a lot of chewing. When the waiter promised it would be tender & delicious I went for it. Damn. It was absolutely fantastic. So tender I could cut it with a fork. And full of flavor despite being such a lean cut of meat. The cherry pepper & sour cream mashed potatoes that came with it were equally delicious -- the peppers added a nice kick. The service was good, the food was delicious and the prices were reasonable. Two appetizers, two entrees & a mid-range bottle of wine and we were out of there for just under $100 before the tip.
(5)Steven S.
Read the reviews, sounded very good. Then I received a gift certificate to Mystic Fish so I had to go. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the restaurant, the staff and the food. The decor is upscale but not overdone. The staff is welcoming and professional. But the real draw is the food and the reasonable prices. I had a grilled Mahi dinner the was perfectly cooked and would have cost twice as much at Roy's. The Grilled Apple & Gorgonzola Salad should not be missed. Since I still have credit on my gift certificate I'm looking forward to going back. And as soon as my wife finds out she will make the reservation! BTW, there is a bonus find next door: The Surf & Turf Mkt.
(5)David H.
We have been visiting my son since 2001 from Minnesota. We have dined at about 20 different dinner restaurants including Bern, Charley's and some other "noted" restaurants. My wife and I rate the meal and experience we had last night at Mystic Fish as our # 1 dining experience. Atmosphere, service(especially the genuine friendliness), price and most of all quality of food. I had 3 small plates with a side of the outsatnding side dish of infused rice.The Crab Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms was one of the most satisfying and unique seafodd dishes I have tasted. The Seared Sea Scallops were cooked exactly as scallops should be cooked. The Lobster Escargot Style was decadent. My wife had one of the specials, Hogfish, unappetizing in sound but wonderful on the palate and eye. her fresh green bean and blended mash spuds were outstanding. Paired with a glass each of a special Pinot noir, it was and outstanding meal that including tip was slightly south of $100. Best restaurant meal we have had in Tampa area. Sorry son, no more CityFish visits for me when this jewel is only 10-15 minutes farther down the road. We will jump into their 4:30-5:30 Early Bird special pricing next time for savings on liquor and meals. Tampa residents - you have to try this place if you have not done so. It is a jewel.
(5)Ann F.
Great food and service. I had the panko crusted hogfish with a soy butter sauce which was outstanding and my husband had the ribeye which was better than Bern's anyday. Service with Melissa was attentive and precise. We plan on returning
(5)Shirley F.
Fresh seafood, creative sauces, and beautiful presentation. We had four wonderful meals here at Mystic Seafood. The tables were a little close together but our server Megan navigated them well. The mustard mashed potatoes were creamy with barely a taste of mustard; they paired well with my mixed seafood grill. My friend had sea bass with a bright piccata sauce. We'd return again and again for just about anything on the menu.
(5)Elinor P.
Excellent meal, as always.
(5)Barry W.
One of my favorite dining experiences in FL. The food here is brilliant. I have had the Chicken Florentine soup, which quite possibly is the most amazing soup I have ever had in my life, lobster tails, lobster escargot appetizer, crispy fried calamari, Asian BBQ boneless short ribs, and the Iowa beef tenderloin in the few times I have been there and it's always amazing. I love the food, the decor, and the wait staff. If you twisted my arm and I had to say one negative about the place; they desperately need to clean their fish tanks. Other than that I recommend this place over and over again. It's a bit on the pricey side but well worth it. If you aren't careful your bar tab will easily take up more than half of your bill.
(5)Deborah C.
Wonderful meal and service! Love the small plates as nice option for variety and keeping portions small. Best steak tartare I've ever had! Very light and flavorful. Busy place so make reservations!
(5)David B.
If u go ask for Tessa. She is great. With her it is 5 stars. Others make it less. Went twice. First time it was phenomenal. Really creative and delicious menu. Second time waiter was not a good. Food came out missing certain things a few times. Waitress said new person in the kitchen. Those should have been caught before coming out. Tessa would catch that. If u go ask for her. Would return if in the area again.
(5)Marshall R.
This is a really good restaurant. The place has a great ambience and decor. The menu is very good and the wait staff is well trained. I had grouper, my wife had lump crab, and our guest had shrimp. All the meals were served with an excellent presentation, and tasted great. The wine list was also very good. If I lived here I would make this this a regular place to eat.
(4)Heather N.
My boyfriend took me here for a birthday dinner. It was around 8:30pm and it was packed! We ordered a bottle of wine and a cheese plate to start. We tried the calamari next. I've definitely had better but it wasn't the worst I ever had. It was nice that they had small plates so we could try a couple things without being overly stuffed. We both got a caesar salad and 4oz filet mignon with crab meat. Since they were a smaller steak, they were only slightly over cooked. But still had great taste! I usually like my steak medium rare, but if I ever get the same dish again I will ask for it rare!:) The desserts weren't very creative but are tasty if you just need to curb your sweet tooth. They all come in small ramekins and we got the white chocolate bread pudding and the creme brûlée. All in all it was a great dining experience. The only slight issue I had was that I felt a little rushed by the server. Like I said, it was packed when we got there but after an hour the place really cleared out. We don't go out very often, especially for a nicer dinner and I like to take my time and not rush. It was a Saturday night so I figured they would be open at least til 11-12 that night, but when we walked out at 10:30pm our server was racing out the door right after us to leave. She was extremely nice and attentive while we were dining though. I guess I'll just have to go earlier next time! And we will definitely be back sometime:)
(4)Andy F.
Fantastic restaurant! Everything tastes fresh. The decor is nice, and the menu is not as pricy as other similar places. The appetizer menu is amazing. Two pages of really interesting dishes... almost wanted to get a bunch of them. Had the fried green tomatoes with grapdefruit remoulade topped with lobster. Absolutely amazing. The Chilean sea bass was a special, and it was an amazing piece! Came with mashed potatoes with prosciutto bits and parm cheese, veggies, and a salad for only $17.95! Grouper was great too... an really interesting way to cook it. Good dessert menu and drink selection. I'll be back!
(5)Customer A.
Had not been here in about 9 years and thought we would give it another try. Don't get me wrong the seafood was really good.. I had seabass and hubby had shrimp and scallop ravioli special and both were very good. My husband upgraded his dinner salad to the grilled apple gorgonzola salad. He started eating his salad and said that the granny smith apples tasted like fish. I didn't believe him so I had to try it for myself and sure enough they were fishy apples....very, very disgusting. We told our waiter who did apologize and then stated that "they are supposed to use a different grill for the apples then the fish". Well, obviously they did not. Needless to say, when the bill came we were still charged the "upgraded charge" of $3.00 even though all the apples were still left on the plate when the waiter removed te salad plate. Another complaint is that the rolls...although good are the same exact type (frozen Pillsbury rolls) I can buy at Publix. It is not a big deal, but I always like to have different or special type of bread vs what I can buy and make myself. We will go back, but I hope the manager/owner sees this so they can address the fishy apple issue...it really ruined my appetite!!
(3)Susan S.
A group of us went from work. The house malbec was delicious. I had the most wonderful short ribs with fresh veg and mashed potatoes. The salad and rolls were also great, I tried the butternut squash vinagarette dressing and it was so good. The desserts are little bites, I had salted caramel gelatto, the perfect little sweet after a great dinner. The place decorated well, clean and the staff, welcoming and friendly. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Cory A.
Superb! we did not expect this quality of food in Tampa - definitely try it - the food was so tasty and delicious - everything we had.
(5)Marc P.
went for dinner, I had the grouper which was really great, my wife had the hogfish and was really nice mild fish (we never had it before), raw oysters were good, my mohito was so-so, over-all it was a wonderful place, will definitely go back for a great seafood dinner
(5)Doug G.
Fantastic seafood restaurant, we have never been disappointed. The decor is fun and presentation is as good as the food. Prices are reasonable, especially if you arrive early. The Bouillabaisse is spectacular and they always have a local catch. In the winter months be sure to get reservations!
(5)Gloria D.
Was not expecting white tablecloths but then they really do go with the quality of food and service provided here. If your looking for a finer place to dine this is the place. My Hog Fish was superbly done and my husbands Grouper, well you would never guess what he had on his plate when done. Mystic Fish, no bones about it, #1 in the area.
(5)Richard N.
This was very close to 5 stars. Mystic Fish is a beautiful, trendy restaurant with outstanding food, excellent selection, and top notch service. It was PACKED on a Wednesday night, so reservations are highly recommended. They did have one small table for 2 so they could fit us in. Otherwise, we could have sat at the bar. The server greeted us quickly and explained the specials and took our drink orders. We just got in on the happy hour specials, so that was a bonus. My wife really enjoyed her lemon drop martini, and I had the Honker's Ale. We started with the goat cheese spring roll, which was really interesting. It was crispy fried and served with a sauce that I believe was some balsamic vinegar and possibly some tamarind. Whatever was in it was really good, though! I had the Panko Crusted Red Snapper for my entree, and it was lightly fried and was absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Very moist and light, with a mild taste. The green onion mashed potatoes were also outstanding. The vegetables on the side were pretty standard carrots, green beans, and squash. The only thing about this dish I didn't like was the soy beurre-blanc sauce that the fish was on top of. It was very salty for my taste, but I don't use a lot of salt and I know soy sauce is salty to start with. Other people may not find it too salty, but for me it was too much. For being so crowded, our service was spot-on. Our food came out in a reasonable time and we didn't feel like we rushed either. This is a really nice establishment tucked away in an innocuous shopping plaza. I highly recommend it!
(4)Jeff D.
Excellent Food and atmosphere. Got really cold at closing though. Definitely would go again.
(4)Tim H.
Absolutely fantastic meal @ Mystic. My brother & I had the Bouillabaisse....it was fantastic for the price. The broth & seafood were beyond compare. My daughter had the shrimp & scallops ravioli...very good. Definitely come back.
(5)Rick J.
Main course was good I had tge NY strip my wife had shrimp. Only starch offered was mashed potatoes or rice. My wife's salad was full of brown spots and they will charge you a 1.50 for blue cheese dressing. It wasn't what I expected but wasn't bad
(3)Scott M.
Our group of eight made reservations (try at least a day in advance) for this well reviewed, and unassumingly fronted venue, and were all blown away. Ironically, out of our group of eight, only one ordered fish as an entree, only because the menu is so well rounded that other options won out. If seafood isn't your thing (NOT the case with our group despite our selections), don't let the name of the restaurant dissuade you from going. Bison tenderloin was ridiculously tender; the PEI mussels' broth was delicate and intriguing; the lobster bisque was appropriately rich and velvety; and the strangest success was the sirloin hamburger, inappropriately appearing on the small plates menu for only $8, it was a stand alone meal. Veal chop, and rack of lamb were also order within our group, and the reviews were unanimously positive. For wine, try The Prisoner, and moderately priced proprietary blended California red (2011) while still in stock. Service (Steven) was professional and knowledgeable, taking the time to steer our group towards suitable entree selections. Decor was trendy and well designed, creating an underwater mosaic without being tacky. We vacation in the Tampa area every spring, and will make this a "must attend" dinner destination.
(5)John R.
Tried this place for the first time today and it was delicious!! The portion sizes are a bit smaller than I thought if it's an actual meal you're trying to have (or used to Taylor's size sandwiches), but I AM preggers so maybe I just eat a whole lot more these days? I thought it was the perfect snack for a beautiful Saturday afternoon with their outdoor seating! We tried the lobster and crab rolls today and I really couldn't figure out which I liked better. Both were very fresh and had generous portions of the lobster/crab to bun ratio. And their fountain drinks were awesome!! First time I have ever tried blueberry soda and I am hooked now!!
(4)Debora S.
Service, Amazing. Food, Outstanding! Do not miss this pearl in Palm Harbor!
(5)Ted F.
We've past this restaurant a million times while living in the area and finally decided to give it a try. We are so glad we did!! We enjoyed every aspect of our dining experience from the decor, to our knowledgeable server to the DELICIOUS food!!! Our server talked me into the Hogfish and while alittle resistant at first it was delectably light, flaky and absolutely fresh. My husband had the ribeye which was cooked to perfection, seasoned perfectly. Desserts were scrumptious and just the right amount to end off a splendid evening. It was refreshing to see a restaurant continuously busy well after 9pm in our area being most restaurants are either closing for the night or only have a handful of customers. We are looking very forward to our return trip and will tell family & friends about it.
(5)Doris T.
Delish! Great service, reasonably priced, and fast service. Loved how they served the women at the table first. Only minus was no changing table in the ladies room. Had the truffle and parmesan ravioli with shrimp and scallops.
(5)Thomas E.
Excellent and imaginative seafood with a solid wine list at reasonable prices. Very attentive wait staff and a relaxed dining atmosphere. Hogfish was truly amazing and the flourless chocolate cake made the perfect, not too heavy dessert. We will definitely be back next time we are in Palm Harbor and recommend Mystic Fish to everyone who enjoys fresh, well prepared seafood.
(5)Marie P.
I will come back to Mystic Fish even if I have to swim to get there! I started with Bermuda Fish Chowder. I had a splash of pepper sherry and Goslings dark rum. Unbelievably delicious! I make this chowder myself and I have to say Mystic does it well. For my entree, I had the mahi with artichoke hearts. Mmm mmm good!!! And for dessert, the key lime panna cotta. Next time I will try something else because I truly enjoy traditional panna cotta. This was a great treat for me and can't wait to try it again. Thanks, Mystic, for such a wonderful experience!
(5)Ben K.
Behind an unassuming exterior within a strip mall that's further away from wherever you're coming from than you think lies a true gem of a seafood restaurant. We put ourselves in the hands of our friendly server who steered us towards the nightly specials. Both were locally caught fresh fish, and both were AMAZING. Mystic Fish seems to have an obsession with pairing white fish with an asian twist on a beurre blanc, and that is certainly OK with me. Both entrees were cooked to perfection, with a crispy seared exterior. I wish I had more to say other than to reiterate that these guys know how to cook fish really well in cleverly partially asian inspired contexts. Go here and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Blueridge G.
Service was poor. Server assumed we were waiting on someone since there were three of us so delayed helping us. Wrong. Didn't know anything about the craft beers except "they are craft beers", duh. Fish was good not great. Garlic mashed potatoes were cool and had no garlic. The gravy was out of a can. The sprig of garnish was old and wilted. Dinners are $25 which is more than $$ in my book. I can't believe this place gets such good reviews. I'll not go back.
(1)Sassy B.
Food was very good, everything fresh. Rolls to die for. Salad fresh and crisp. I had sea scallops that were divine. Server was attentive. The only thing we personally did not care for was the tables were very close together. Felt like we were having dinner with strangers. Normally wouldn't mind. It was our anniversary and looking for a little more privacy while eating. Would go back in a heart beat!
(4)Ryan G.
Everything was excellent! Good food great atmosphere, good service. Most meals are over $20 and dress a bit more than casual.
(5)John W.
All of our food here was very good and we ordered many things to try. The seafood here and there sister restaurant guppies is probably the best seafood in town. The reason for the four star review is we had a really weird waitress.
(4)Kristen C.
This is a great, slightly upscale restaurant. They give you a fresh roll with the most flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth herbed butter. I love the Caesar salad- dressing is delicious with a couple anchovies that give it a nice salty flavor. I can't stop ordering the seabass, it's fresh, cooked perfectly, and served with just enough creamy sauce to have a little taste in each bite. And, the scallop appetizer is another dish I would highly recommend- 3 perfectly seared, fresh scallops served in a truffled honey sauce with some berries, arugula, and feta. Reservations recommended! Oh, and during happy hour- $2.50 glasses of wine!
(5)Cat M.
Consistent fresh & delicious food. Love the flavored butter for the rolls. Been going here for over 10 years & this place always delivers excellent quality food!
(5)Robin D.
Mystic Fish never disappoints.Tonight the tuna was like butter, the mussels were wonderful and our server, Michelle was helpful and attentive.
(5)Mike M.
Excellant- Everything was top shelf- Food,Service,ambiance- Wine list was a lttle slim on slection but had decent variety- Fodd was great- Bermuda fish chowder great, pot stickers great- Fish-grouper and sea bass perfectly prepared- Also idea of small desrert for $2.50 wonderful idea- Pete the server was very good, always coming around to check and food came out in a timely manner. We had very nice booth but the tables in the center of the resaurant were really packed in- only negative i saw- Will definately be back
(5)Shawna K.
Wow! This place blew my socks off! But walking out barefoot was a fair tradeoff To enjoy some of the finest food delights Where I actually chewed slowly to savor all the bites We decided on tapas to enjoy many dishes The filet, scallops, and potstickers fulfilled all my wishes When we mentioned that we were in a bit of a time crunch Our server ensured we could order quickly with plenty of time to munch And the (2) double dirty martinis that the bartender poured Enabled me to sit through my daughters concert without being too bored I look forward to going back to Mystic with more time to enjoy I want to explore their menu of sushi topped with wasabi and soy!
(5)Linda N.
Found this place while visiting Innisbrook Resort 3 miles away. Sat at the bar and hung out with the locals. Bartender Lisa was great...the chef came out to check on us...the happy hour is long with $5 martinis and apps. Had the salmon for dinner..it was amazing...the desserts are small perfectly sized and priced to try 2...if you have room left over. Highly recommend for food, atmosphere and friendliness.
(5)Karl L.
Driving up to the strip mall entrance I wasn't impressed, and was actually worried looking around as we sat down. In our early 40s, my wife and I were bested in age by everyone in the joint by at LEAST 20 years. "Who in here would have ever heard of Yelp?" I asked her. Quickly my apprehension faded. Tom was one of the best servers I have had in some time. Quick, polite, attentive but not overbearing. Whew! Stone crab claws for an appetizer were good, but not great. My wife really liked them, but I am not sure why. Yes the mustard sauce was tasty, but that isn't where you spend $30! The meat was not sweet like the best ones were. It was just....there. Unfortunately, that's the way it goes with claws. Now we got to one of the best caesar salads EVER! The dressing is house made and full of garlic and anchovies. Fan-tas-tic! Garlic butter on fresh rolls was the way it should be. Dinner was monk fish for me, grouper for her. Specifics don't matter much when they were both specials, but the fish was very fresh and, unlike the claws, had great flavor. Accompaniments were tasteful and complimentary. $2.50 personal sized desserts were perfect, allowing us the chance to have a sweet taste without being stuffed, and both were delicious. I had salted caramel gellato that was made for the restaurant, but the wife's blackberry bread pudding was homemade. All in all, a lucky stop. Good pick, wifey! We will look forward to making another trip here, even if we don't have business in the area.
(4)Jeff C.
I just moved to the area and so far have not been impressed with the restaurants I've been to, but this place lives up to it's high rating! One of the specials was hogfish. I thought what the heck. While waiting I looked it up. Ugly thing with big teeth, but very nice delicate AND tasty meat. Think my server was Kathy D - she was great!!
(4)Stephanie M.
Mystic Fish was as amazing as other reviews promised! My boyfriend and I went for a date night and were immediately drawn in by the decor. As soon as we were seated, our server greeted us. He was both knowledgeable and friendly! For appetizers, we ordered the Herbed Goat Cheese Spring Rolls and the Calamari Fries. Both were savory and delicious! The Spring Roll is an absolute must; believe me! For our main dishes, I ordered the Bronzed Chilean Sea Bass and my boyfriend had the Shrimp and Scallop Ravioli. We had way too much food between the two of us, but all was delicious. Next time I'll save room for dessert because that menu looked tasty as well. Five Stars! I'll definitely be returning there.
(5)Suzanne S.
Great evening at Mystic Fish. Somehow the food keeps getting better! I branched our from the wonderful Hogfish and had the Chive Encrusted grouper with a seared shrimp and sweet corn sauce....it was awesome!!!! Favorite restaurant in a 20 mile radius!
(5)Maureen W.
Mystic Fish was recommended by my co-worker in Oldsmar. It's an upscale fish/steak restaurant that seems a bit out of place in a strip mall. But this is north Tampa after all and it seems everything is in a strip mall. That being said, this is a place to go if you want great food and good service. The menu selections were varied and they had specials that were "of the day" so to speak (fresh catch!). You can't top the Florida seafood, I will say that! I started with the crab cocktail which was superb and then had the fresh catch which was delicious. My mashed potatoes came out cold but they replaced them immediately with piping hot ones. All of my fellow diners were enjoying their food. The paella was raved about as was the steak. Drinks were good but they had a very small and not great wine menu (although the food made up for it!). Wish the bar area was a bit bigger but this is a pretty small place. Decor needs a bit of updating too. Really, the food is the star here.
(4)Nick A.
Mystic fish is extremely good. I went with my family tonight and we all loved it. The real problem is getting in. We had to come in at 4:30 as soon as it open to make sure we got a spot without a reservation, due to us not being able to make a reservation. If you go to the early bird, you will get a great deal. Personally, I got a filet mignon and steak fries for 17 bucks! What a bargain! Plus the steak was absolutely amazing and really tender. I didn't need the steak knife that's how juicy and tender it was. For dessert I had a small peanut butter chocolate fudge ice cream that tasted like Reese's peanut butter cups as an ice cream form. The atmosphere was extremely nice. It has a very nice ambiance. The servers are extremely friendly and gave us great service. There was a large variety with there menu and there specialties they nailed. My family got cod and hog fish and loved it. The food is great. The service is great. The atmosphere is great. I definitely will be returning!
(5)Jack R.
Amazing food. Best Seabass I've ever had. Service not always spot on is only negative.
(4)Jameson J.
I was very impressed by Mystic Fish. I had a shrimp appetizer, a wedge salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing, and the raw oysters. All were excellent and fresh. The bleu cheese dressing was some of the best that I had ever had. The service was friendly. The decor is modern and upscale. It is on the pricey side though, so be prepared.
(4)Deborah S.
This is a fabulous restaurant. We dined tonight on an small plate of Lobster "escargots style", Chilean Sea Bass with garlic mashed potatoes, second plate was 8 oz rib eye with mashed, and ended meal with Creme Brulee and a flour less Chocolate cake. The service was impeccable
(5)Gary C.
I am from New England and know good seafood. This is one of the best seafood meals I've had in a long time
(5)Tim C.
Forgot how good snapper is. They cooked it to perfection . actually everything was excellent even service. I'll be a regular.
(4)A. Lane S.
Let me tell you, I am so incredibly picky when it comes to seafood. I find that most of the time it is either overcooked and dry or has little flavor. My fiance is a huge seafood lover though and so I try my best to keep an open mind when it comes to trying out these types of restaurants. We went on a Thursday evening around 7:30 and there were several tables available. We were seated promptly and our server quickly attended to us. We started with cocktails (I had the house Merlot and it was delicious) and ordered the goat cheese spring rolls for our appetizer. The spring rolls were good but neither of us were wowed. There was nothing wrong with them. Our tastebuds just simply didn't agree with them. For our entrees we ordered the Hogfish and the Kona Salmon. Both were absolutely delicious. The salmon was tender, buttery, and flaky with a nice crust of pine nut pesto. It was so good I was "yumming" after every bite. The Hogfish was lightly breaded, crisp on the outside and tender inside. The sauce had a nice Asian flair. The sides were fine but nothing special. However, the fish was so incredibly good it didn't matter to me that the green beans and potatoes were so simple. Our server did a great job of timing the delivery of our food and keeping up with our drinks. We never had to wait for a refill or the check. We will definitely be back and will most likely try the small plates. So many of them sounded tasty. Overall great experience and I would definitely recommend it to seafood lovers and nonseafood lovers alike. I was pleasantly surprised.
(4)Lisa C.
We were visiting crystal beach and was looking for a seafood restaurant. We were from California and the in laws were from Tennessee so we all had different tastes. We ordered the crab stuffed artichokes which was tasty and different. The lobster bisque was sweet and flavorful. My daughter loved it. I had the spinach and greens salad with candied walnuts, dried apricots and Gorgonzola which was perfect. My husband ordered oysters which had this extra sauce that had lemon and maybe vinegar in it but it added a delightful kick to the plump tasty oysters. Everyone had something different and they cooked my In laws scallops and shrimp fried instead of grilled as it was listed on the menu. They were quite happy with the results. I had the rib eye which was seasoned perfectly and my husband ordered the grilled scallops which he said was delicious. All in all everyone was amazed at the delicious meal. It is quite large inside and the restaurant was somewhat full with an older crowd. Well worth a trip to try their delicious meals. I would recommend to everyone and would return.
(5)John G.
Good quality food and reasonably priced. Best restaurant in the area. Pay the extra $1 for the caesar salad. Scallops were terrific, like the pyramid of rice and desserts outstanding. Waiters are very patient with retired people that have very specific requests!
(5)Alexandra A.
I am the concierge over at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort, about 10-15 minutes of Mystic Fish. I've eaten here several times and let me just say, this is the FIRST restaurant that I recommend to our guests, and they always come back to let me know how magnificent the food and the ambiance of the restaurant is. As a Florida native, I have grown up on seafood, and this is the perfect place for seafood lovers. My favorite dish from here the bouillabaisse, as well as the escargot appetizer.
(5)Jennifer P.
The early bird specials here have fantastic prices and they don't change the portion sizes for the discounted prices. Between me and my friend, we had 4 glasses of house wine, 1 cocktail, 2 lobster bisques, 1 lobster tail entree, and 1 Mangrove Snapper entree - and the entire meal came out to only $50 (before tip and tax)! Along with the great prices, the food was great - the lobster bisque was creamy, but not too buttery, while the lobster tail was tender and fresh. The mangrove snapper was breaded which gave it a good texture and the fish was nice and light. On a different night I had the full lobster and the chilean sea bass, and both dishes were very fresh, and very tasty. The five stars are for the price of the early bird specials, consistency of the great dishes, and the freshness of the seafood they serve. I have no complaints about the service - they were prompt and attentive. Even though the two times I came, I had no reservations, we were able to be seated quickly (although in the bar area, rather than the main dining room) - still the dining room does fill up quickly so reservations are recommended over the weekend, just in case. I think this is a great and very reasonably priced seafood restaurant and I would come here again any time!
(5)