Had to give one star only because Yelp requires one, but can't rate the food because we could not try the restaurant. We showed up at 9:25pm on Wednesday night. "Sorry, the kitchen is closed." I hate this with a passion! WE CALLED THE RESTAURANT BEFORE WE DROVE OVER AND CONFIRMED THEY WERE OPEN! Note to owner: suggest you check on your slackers at the door near closing time.
(1)
Samantha D.
I discovered this place a few years a go via yelp when visiting family in the area and have been back every time I've visited since. This place is rather unassuming, but it sure serves up some good eats. Great sushi and awesome mahi tacos. Seafood has always been fresh!
(4)
Laura M.
This is a dive but it has great clams and sushi! Who would have guessed? The service is very friendly and worth coming back to this place.
(4)
Stacey S.
Very fresh seafood! Very nice sushi guy who I think is the owner. Clams and other seafood caught right out in terra ceia bay. We found our new sushi place! Loved it!!
(5)
Alexander P.
My wife and I had a wonderful date night at this establishment. The fish was fresh, well priced, and expertly prepared. I especially enjoyed the Thai style fried fish. The fish comes with two sides, I chose the hush puppies and the coleslaw. The hush puppies were definitely the stand out. My wife ordered sushi for us to share and it was very good. I has the key lime pie for dessert and it definitely tasted scratch made. The service was equally enjoyable. Florian was an excellent and knowledgable server.
(5)
Shaun B.
We moved to the area almost 3 months ago and are once a week regular visitors here. The food is always fresh and always great, Savannah (bartender) always greets everyone warmly as they enter the restaurant and she always has the Cigar City Maduros pouring for us as we are sitting down. Absolutely awesome, local, family owned/run place. I highly recommended it!
(5)
Carol U.
Second time and we love it! The fish tacos are really good and the sushi was a surprise too. The clam chowder was the best, and the way it should be!! None of that thick pasty white stuff other places call chowder. Friendly and good food we will be back. Hope it stays like it is and does not turn into a tourist trap.
(4)
Katie B.
We just moved to Palmetto and looked on yelp to guide us where to go. We decided on Clam house. We were very excited to have this restaurant so close to home. We love the fun laid back atmosphere of the clam house. The food is so fresh and full of flavor. The first night we went the owner was outside sorting and bagging his clams that he just harvested that day. The kids had so much fun watching and even took home a couple crabs for our saltwater tank. Its a great place!
(5)
Monika K.
Fried combo platter! Piece of fish was huge, hot fresh fried. Great service too.
(3)
Drew H.
First off, the Clam House is always consistent and very high quality. Can't go wrong with any of their fish options. Really cool atmosphere and an awesome beer list for a small place in Palmetto. Clam House would be cool anywhere, but in Manatee Co. they deserve 9 stars.
(5)
Zack G.
I have driven past the Clam House many times but finally decided to give them a try based on reviews from friends and family. We went on a Saturday and the restaurant appeared to be mostly full. I ordered a cocktail and noticed that the bartender was using canned soda instead of fountain soda, which left the drink a little flat. I found the menu to be a little scattered and lacking some seafood staples like calamari and oysters on the half shell. I ordered the blackened redfish and my date got the grouper. Our order took about 45 minutes and no bread or salad was provided. The food was worth the wait and exactly what I expected as far as quality and portion are concerned. The restaurant could use a little TLC as well. The lamp on our table was wobbly and there was an extension cord hanging from the ceiling. There was an infomercial on the TV behind the bar, which confirms a lack of attention to detail. Would I go back? Possibly, but Clam House wouldn't be my first pick in a market with plenty of choices for great seafood.
(3)
Lauren L.
Amazing food! When we first walked in the waitresses were a little rude and sort of just kept pushing us off to the next. Finally the bartender cleaned a table for us and waited on us. And let me just say he was amazing. He was very attentive and joked around with is as well. The seafood was extremely fresh and the portions were quite large. Next time I'm in Florida I definitely will come back!
(4)
LA A.
This guy knows fish, period. Decent atmosphere, very reasonable prices, and FRESH! Owns his own boat and catches much of what your about to eat. Where else does theses even happen nowadays? It DOESN'T - you eat sysco and us foods vietnam CRAP. We'll be back!!!
(4)
Emilee V.
Amazing food, staff, and atmosphere!! A most do when in the area.
(5)
Peter B.
Amazing sushi. Seriously. Nuff said just with that but they have some incredible local caught seafood specials in an unpretentious atmosphere. Best north river seafood hands down
(5)
Gerald M H.
Enjoy deliciously fresh seafood daily in a casual atmosphere at moderate prices. The fish spread and scored fried mullet are outstanding with fast, friendly service. Sushi is some of the best.
(5)
Tyler W.
Awesome sushi. Awesome service. Awesome beer. Owner was great and chatted us up recommending menu items. Matthew was a great sushi chef and very helpful. Overall great experience.
(5)
Mike F.
I expected a lot after reading the 4 and 5 star reviews. We ordered the fried haddock platter and we were very disappointed. Maybe the sushi and market seafood is better, but the fried haddock platter was sub-par. The fish wasn't fresh, the filets were thin, and the batter/breading did not taste good at all. My wife complained that her coleslaw tasted fishy. The hush puppies were overcooked, dry, and difficult to eat. The one outstanding item was the clam chowder. It was the best that I've ever eaten. I could have made an entire meal out of the chowder. To be fair, there were a lot of other people who seemed to be enjoying their meals, so maybe the problem is with this particular item (the fried haddock). But I wouldn't be likely to try it again because of our experience.
(2)
Dan O.
First time at this local restaurant. Food was delicious and well prepared. Staff was very friendly and professional. Our server, Savannah, was by far one of the best and timing was perfect. Will definitely be back. Well worth the prices!
(5)
Divina W.
We continue to visit the Clam House with great results. We found out they harvest their own clams - and supply to other restaurants too. No wonder the clams are so good. And the sushi bar is one of the freshest sushi places going - won't hesitate to order anything there. Love the cucumber salad and hush puppies. Love the fried clam strips. Love the Thai Fry. Just wish they were open on Sunday because that's when we like to eat out but hey, I know everyone needs a day off.
(5)
Amy S.
If you're going to eat here, stick w the fried food. Grilled was bland and overcooked. Everyone is very friendly, staff are lovely. But it's not cheap; so trying to eat healthier should taste better.
(3)
Jakkajan D.
We were really excited when the Clam House first opened. Finally, a restaurant on the north side of the river with a decent beer selection on tap! Their Thai fried mullet was the best thing on their menu. We went there regularly for the Thai Fried Mullet and a few beers. But, after a short while they were consistently ALWAYS out of mullet, but wanted to push some other fish for more money. Even during the fall and winter months I was repeatedly told by both the waiters and the owners that they could not get mullet. During the height of the mullet run season in one of the highest mullet producing counties in the state, and they can't get mullet? Seriously? If they don't want to serve mullet, they shouldn't make excuses that its not available. They should take it off the menu if they want to serve something more expensive. The mullet was the only fish with a body thick enough to Thai fry and still have lots of tender meat inside. We tried the snapper and repeatedly the frying process didn't leave much inside to eat. Too bad they stopped serving the Thai fried mullet, because that was one of the few items on their menu the Clam House had going for them. Their smoked fish spread was decent. I tried their sushi several times, hoping it would get better, and each time it was absolutely the worst interpretation of sushi I've ever experienced. If you want real sushi drive down to Vizen in Sarasota. These days the only reason to go to the Clam House would be for their draft beer selection (the only reason I gave them a two). If your looking for a noisy bar on the north side of the river with a good selection of draft beer, this is your place. If I get the urge for a good brew, I'll just drive the extra half mile over the river to the Lost Kangaroo for a far better selection on tap. Good seafood?.....not so much.
(2)
Peter V.
First time at the Clam House.... Impressed! We were greeted immediately with a warm, genuine welcome from the girl behind the bar. Our Server Florian was excellent. The clam Chowder Soup was very good, the sushi was excellent, and the grouper was unreal. They have a good selection of beers as well. We had the S'mores Pie (recommended) for dessert, also excellent. I definitely will be going back here. If you have not tried the Clam House, and you want some good seafood, you absolutely need to go here. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Joe D.
I love clam house great food great service and the best of all a great price for the quality of food served nice relaxing atmosphere.
(5)
Malcolm B.
My parents who live in the area brought me here when I was visiting them from New England. They had heard the place was very good from their friends. The place has a cool interior and vibe. My parents ordered fish combinations and I got catch of the day fish sandwich. My moms was fish was overlooked and the batter very hard. My dad said his fish didn't taste fresh and that the clam strips weren't fresh but frozen. My sandwich was ok, nothing great. I ordered an ice tea and it was very watered down. My parents beer was good. Sorry, not impressed at all and we won't go back. Best seafood I've had in area is at Captain Brian's in Sarasota. It's nothing fancy but fresh and delicious.
(2)
Antoine D.
I haven't raved about a place in a really long time but this place has just made my top 5 of places to go. Service is fast and courteous, our waiter Florian (hope I spelled that right) was great and always attentive. Sushi was fresh and delicious and prepared like that if a NYC restaurant. The garlic clams were actually a pleasant surprise. I never had clams before and I'm glad I had them first here. Atmosphere was awesome music was calm and good to the mood. Bathrooms even have a sea like feel which I thought was cool. On top of that all the staff was happy and you could tell they enjoy this place as much as I did. I don't know how this place isn't packed. Plus there's seating outside which in this great weather is always a plus.
(5)
Don H.
We continue to return to the Clam House because it is so darn convenient and it offers a nice variety of seafood. I only wish the preparation of the food was as reliable as the location. Service usually starts out quite pleasant. Quick response on drink orders... and one of the best Cosmos in Palmetto. As has been noted in other reviews the Thai Fry fish tends to be overcooked. We specifically told the waitress to remind the chef to not overcook the fish. Meat that should be moist and flaky typically comes out dry and sticking to the bones. Yet, the seasonings make up for the chef's indiscretions. An order of fried shrimp tacos appeared "icky" for lack of a better term. Tails on shrimp for make your own tacos? Really? The kitchen can't remove the tails for these? Perhaps what bothers me most is the manager/owner was sitting at the bar and our server, hopefully, told her of our concerns... and, if so, why didn't mgmt come to the table to discuss... or did mgmt instruct servers to not report complaints... or does mgmt feel that unhappy customers have no clue as to what they're talking about? Bottom line = when a customer has an issue management must be told and respond... even with a false smiling face.
(3)
Jackie S.
I've tried sushi a few times in my life and have never enjoyed the flavor, texture or the idea of eating raw fish until now. I've eaten at the Clam House twice and the best thing on the menu is the sushi...bar none. Maybe that's because all the fish on the menu is freshly caught and served the same day. I have tried the Thai fried fish too, but it pales in comparison to the sushi. Mine had been in the fryer a little too long and the seasoning was very bland. I was expecting flavorful Thai seasonings in the coating mix, but the "Thai"actually refers to the way the fish is prepared. It's a whole fish with cross-hatch cuts that's lightly battered and deep fried. The accompanying side dishes, cheesy grits and cole slaw, were nothing to write home about.
(4)
Krissi P.
The food here is fantastic if you hit the right night. It's a little inconsistent. Service is usually very good, friendly staff. I will go back.
(3)
John B.
The food was fantastic! The blackened fish, the vegetables, the side dishes and the sushi! Everything was perfect! Jonathon Brockhoff was our server and he was wonderful.
(5)
Brittany Nd Florian S.
Freshest local seafood by far! The clam house has a variety of fresh fish everyday! I would recommend the Thai fry you get to choose your size and species fish and then they cook it up for you! You honestly cannot go wrong it. It also comes with 2 amazing sides ! Sushi is also excellent! I have a hard time going anywhere else for any seafood related meal due to how fresh everything is and how well priced everything is. The coolest part is that if you enjoyed the clams, you can actually buy them buy the bag! Right in the restaurant!
(5)
Carol D.
We have just moved to palmetto and were given this restaurant as a recommendation. We have gone twice first time food very good we went tonight they were busy but service was pretty slow. Our clam pasta dish was to salty tonight. We will go again and give it another try love the casual atmosphere plus it's only 2 miles from home just please watch the salt.
(3)
Joy S.
Lots to say about this place so here we go....Arrived here at 6:45 last night (Sat) and it was a little busy, the bar was mostly empty but we wanted a table. Since people usually seat themselves, there were 2 tables that could seat 6 with 2 people at each of them which sucked. And since the tables are one piece you can't bust them apart for the parties that are waiting. So we ordered some drinks and waited for a table. I have to say one of the first things I noticed was how loud the music was and it was a mix between current pop music and house music...weird choice for a restaurant, we asked if they could lower it but it was never done. My parents arrived about 10 min after us and joined us at the bar. 10 more min later we were seated at a low rectangle 4 top (instead of a high top) in the bar area and put a 5th chair at the end. Not ideal but it worked. Another thing I noticed was, the bar-room is quite dark unless you are at the bar, at the sushi bar or right next to one of the little lamps that are on the high top tables. Not good for my elderly parents but again, we made it work. We were seated around 7:10 and a very sweet waitress named Brittany came over to take our drink order and because we were there for a while, we were starving and ready to place our order for our apps and entrees. My dad had their "chowder", hubby had the garlic clams and mom, our daughter and I split the fish spread. It took the kitchen 20 min to get the apps out!! And there is no excuse for that since one of the apps was a cold dish and the other is a soup. The fish spread was really good, the garlic clams were good (wicked garlicky so watch out) and the chowder is not a thick cream based soup, it's a veggie broth that almost had a split pea flavor to it. It was good but not something I'd be happy getting when I am expecting a "chowdah". So, the entrees went something like this- oh and by the way this place is really loud and as I mentioned the loud music doesn't help...Hubby and Mom split the Vermilion Snapper done Thai style with 2 sides, a side salad and coleslaw, they devoured fish and the slaw, the "house dressing" had so much oregano it was HORRIBLE. I had the fried platter- haddock, shrimp and clam strips with my 2 sides being the cheesy grits and cucumber salad. The grits got send back right away because they had NO flavor at all, no cheese or salt(and it was confirmed by the kitchen staff they forgot the salt) The cucumber salad was delish!! The clam strips were yummy ,crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside NOT FROZEN like another reviewer said, the shrimp were also good, rather small but good, my issue was the fish!! No way in hell was that haddock!! My hubby has been in the USCG for 23 years as a cook and has not only cooked haddock hundreds of times but he's also caught it. Either way it was a very thin fillet and when fried it became dry. Our daughter had the fried haddock and had the same issue. My dad had a seafood platter with broiled haddock, steamed clams and sauteed shrimp with a side of hush-puppies and cucumber salad. He enjoyed his entire meal. So all of this being said...we will be back. We will ask to sit in Brittany's section again because she was WONDERFUL and we will go back on a week night. So for now it's a 3 out of 5 stars!!
(3)
Nick R.
Consistently good food with friendly staff and a nice casual atmosphere. Service can sometimes be a little slow, but when the food arrives, it's always good
(4)
Inna Y.
My husband and I didn't have high expectations when we pulled up, BUT I'm so happy we went in because we had our best meal in Florida so far! Their Thai style fish fry was superb: light flaky fish, not oily, crisp exterior, and incredibly fresh! The sushi was another fortuitous surprise: better than in so many sushi bars in the area. This place gets their sushi rice right! The tuna hand roll, the arizona roll, and the quail egg/salmon toe nigiri was phenomenal. The service was just as good as the food. Our server, Florian, was pleasant, energetic, friendly, courteous, and prompt. I am taking my parents here when they come to visit. This place would also be good for a date night or an after work drink. Lots of craft beers on tap and $6 mixed drinks.
(5)
John J.
Really enjoyed it. Every single thing we had was very good, not a single item was disappointing. Our waitress, Megan, was friendly and helpful. The smoked amberjack spread was very tasty. The "clam broth chowder" was interesting and enjoyable. The word "broth" made me think it might be thin, but it was loaded with clams and very filling. Basically it's clam chowder with a broth base rather than cream or tomato. The fried clam strip platter had a very generous portion of clam strips, and the sides I got, cheesy grits and hush puppies, were both delicious.
(5)
Carlos V.
This is not a sushi place, so if you are craving for sushi look away, the rolls are not bad but not the quality that you expect from sushi restaurants, the sea food looks good but I did not order any. The service is very slow
(3)
David Z.
The thai fried fish is a dish that you can only get here and thailand. The fish is caught daily and the list is on a whiteboard once the fish is sold a line is written through it and it is taken from the cooler and prepared for you. It's a small unassuming casual spot that will surprise your tastebuds.
(5)
Riley R.
4 stars for the great fresh fish and delicious sushi! We love getting the spicy tuna wontons as an appetizer! The service was REALLY off last Thursday evening. Extremely slow. Really really slow. Hopefully, it was just an off night and not the norm. Otherwise, the food was still top notch!
(4)
Brent O.
Finally a quality sushi restaurant near Ellenton, FL! The taste of the sushi and clam chowder, as well as the steamed clams was exceptional. And I would offer 5 stars for that. I am giving 4 stars because the service is slow. They are pleasant. But they take their time. Either way, with the craft beers and good quality I will be a repeat customer here with my wife and our friends.
(4)
Vic O.
Too loud and noisy, loud music competing with several tvs with their volume way up, no acoustical tile, lots of drunks who are also loud. No one greets you, confusing entrance, no hostess stand. Service is friendly, but kitchen is terribly slow. Server said she was waiting for a couple of plates we'd ordered. She'd left what was ready to cool in the kitchen, because my husband and father's meals arrived cold (we ordered 2 grilled haddocks, steamed shrimp and steamed clams with a side dish of veggies). We watched as 2 other tables, who arrived after we did, were served dinner well before us. Lots of other people sitting around hungry staring into space, waiting to be served. We believe we waited 45 minutes for dinner. Food is ok, the options seemed to be bland or overly salt and peppered. Fish portions are surprisingly small, and overly peppered without warning. Fresh clams were wonderful, but the steamed clams were horrendously salty. I sent them back, they took them off the check. We won't go back, which is too bad, we had told friends about it before we went, but our experience was so unpleasant we wouldn't take anyone there. They had 2 women walking around asking for donations for breast cancer research. A very worthy cause, and we donated, but our being sitting ducks for them like that was not the most pleasant experience.
(2)
Tamara R.
So glad we found this hidden gem! They have the freshest seafood and sushi around and at a reasonable price too! All of their fish they catch that same day. The clams and sushi are amazing. The tai fry is definitely a must try. Can't beat the food or the price anywhere near it. This is our new favorite spot in the whole Bradenton area.
(5)
Stephanie T.
Wow...what a pleasant surprise. This place is tucked away on a side street in Palmetto. We drove by it all the time and had no idea what was hiding inside. We were pleasantly surprised at how much room there was inside. The atmosphere was great. Bar area...patio area as well as low and high top tables inside. Fish market in the back. Now the food....I ordered the lack ended red fish...it was ok....the veggies and hush puppies were awesome. I also had sushi and convinced my husband to give it a try ( he swears he hates sushi) well he LOVED IT!...he also had the grouper blackened and it was very good. We will definetely go back.
(5)
Jim T.
Fantastic place to eat. Enjoyed the whole experience. We had the Thia-fry hog fish which was a first for us. The waiter was extremely helpful in every way. Will definitely go back next time I am in the area.
(5)
Randel W.
I had a craving for fried clams and my girlfriend had a craving for fish so we hit up Google and found this off the beaten path charming place. Everything was absolutely FANTASTIC! You may not want to go there though if you don't like good drinks, good service, great atmosphere or great food - we so look forward to getting back to the Clam House soon and often. This is a find for certain!!!
(5)
Rachel N Erik F.
Always a great selection of daily fresh fish. The best Sushi in Manatee county. Great beer selection and the best staff around.
(5)
Sally L.
Shhhhhhh - I am afraid to write a review for this place, because I would love to keep it a quiet little special place ... so don't tell anyone ... Off the main drag in Palmetto (yep -Palmetto) is a small, dark gem. The first time I heard of this place the 'mister' came home from work with a small takeout bowl of clam chowder that he said I had to try. So try I did. YUM! Warm, slightly white broth with a briny bite, tender bits of fresh clams, just the right amount of fresh and not overcooked potatoes (with the tender skin still on) and the usual and comforting chopped soup veggies all swimming in harmony in the bowl. Its the kind of fresh, light clam chowder you might make at home - if you time to make e it at home. We had to go there and go there we did. A 'pub' atmosphere with a big dark wood bar that wraps around the space and pub style tables - this is a comfy neighborhood place - and we are VERY happy it's near our neighborhood. The catch changes with the seasons and is always good. Besides the usual fried and broiled platters - there are fish tacos, fish spread, fried mullet and other tidbits... like SUSHI! Yep - fresh made sushi, rolls and handrolls - in Palmetto! And it's GOOD. I don't know who is hiding in the kitchen but they know what they are doing here. The sushi menu (and the general menu) isn't vast - but its all good - and I will take quality over quantity anytime. OK - so if good basic fish dishes and sushi is not enough for you - they do a "Thai Fry" - that is wonderous. The Thai Fry is a whole fish, that is 'scored' and seasoned and fried whole. It comes out head, tail and all - staring crunchingly up at you from the plate. it's amazing to see coming at you the first time you see it and it's even better to eat! One can simply pick the small crispy diamonds of scored fish off the bone and savor it morsel by tasty morsel. Definitely finger food at it's fishy finest. This place is fast becoming a 'regular' spot for this household - cold beer, good fish, comfy atmosphere... so shhhhhh - don't tell anyone - we like this place just like it is!
(4)
Gary W.
We've been there several times now and have tried various items from Sushi to Seafood a,d we LOVE this place!
(5)
JT H.
I picked up lunch here for a co-worker and i. At first glance on yelp i was convinced with all the stars but after ordering and my first official taste test not so sure... I ordered both of us clam chowder of course (clam house). It was very runny and i had a bay leaf in mine the hadn't been strained completely yuk. Then a order of clam strips and french fries. The badder that the clam strips were fried in was fantastic very different it was sweet surprisingly. The fries were fries cant really screw them up unless your burger king or something. I'm not so sure on second visit because it was kinda expensive for something that was meteoaker at best. They were fast i ordered and got in like 15 min if that just food quality suffered a little.
(4)
Britney K.
Such an awesome place for sushi and seafood! Staff and service are impeccable! Hate going anywhere else! If you haven't tried this spot you are missing out!
(5)
Steve B.
What a great surprise. While the real estate is not prime, the food is. This place raises its own clams, farming them out in Tampa Bay and using them in the restaurant, selling them in their fish market attached to the restaurant, and also selling them wholesale. A good place for clams. Four of us arrived on a Saturday afternoon and shared several dishes, all of which were great. We started with selections from a nice list of craft beers on tap, then went to appetizers -- clams, of course. My wife and I aren't big fans of fried clam strips. Usually they're too chewy and have too much breading. But these were without a doubt the best fried clams we've ever had. Tender, just enough breading, with a nice horseradish-y cocktail sauce. We would drive the 30 minutes from Sarasota just to have these again. But wait. There's more. With the fried clams, we got an order of the garlic steamed clams with garlic bread. Another homerun. Flavorful, just garlicky enough, and both plump and tender. And then we ordered a bowl of the clam chowder. Not cream-based or tomato-based chowder. No, this was what the server liked to call Florida style clam chowder which has clam juice as its base, with no cream or tomato to get in the way of the clam flavor. Amazing. And then we got the fish spread, that day made from a fresh amberjack. Nice balanced smokiness and a little spicy bite at the end. Superb. This is a definite do-over for us. Next time we'll add sushi to the list of things to try. Others have raved about that, so we'll venture out a little further from the clams next time.
(4)
Don S.
Don't be fooled be the neighborhood. This is a must stop when in Bradenton. Fresh fish done right. Fresh beer in sight. We felt welcome from the moment we stepped in the door. Our server, Jenny, is quite honestly the most friendly person we have encountered during our time on the Gulf Coast. Close your eyes and point to any item on the limited menu - can't miss.
(5)
Barbara A.
I hate to review the Clam House because it is so good and so uncrowded! The sushi is to die for and I just have to have the steamed clams every time. Love love this place!
(5)
Trisha A.
Decided to try again and received much better service from Whitney at the bar!
(5)
Lola And Mason G.
A real find! Local seafood raw, steamed, broiled, and fried. Thai Fried mullet addictively crispy and delicious as an appetizer or main course. Super fresh sushi beyond the usual offerings included smelt and crawfish. Generous portion sizes and reasonable prices in a laid-back friendly atmosphere.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Tim D.
Had to give one star only because Yelp requires one, but can't rate the food because we could not try the restaurant. We showed up at 9:25pm on Wednesday night. "Sorry, the kitchen is closed." I hate this with a passion! WE CALLED THE RESTAURANT BEFORE WE DROVE OVER AND CONFIRMED THEY WERE OPEN! Note to owner: suggest you check on your slackers at the door near closing time.
(1)Samantha D.
I discovered this place a few years a go via yelp when visiting family in the area and have been back every time I've visited since. This place is rather unassuming, but it sure serves up some good eats. Great sushi and awesome mahi tacos. Seafood has always been fresh!
(4)Laura M.
This is a dive but it has great clams and sushi! Who would have guessed? The service is very friendly and worth coming back to this place.
(4)Stacey S.
Very fresh seafood! Very nice sushi guy who I think is the owner. Clams and other seafood caught right out in terra ceia bay. We found our new sushi place! Loved it!!
(5)Alexander P.
My wife and I had a wonderful date night at this establishment. The fish was fresh, well priced, and expertly prepared. I especially enjoyed the Thai style fried fish. The fish comes with two sides, I chose the hush puppies and the coleslaw. The hush puppies were definitely the stand out. My wife ordered sushi for us to share and it was very good. I has the key lime pie for dessert and it definitely tasted scratch made. The service was equally enjoyable. Florian was an excellent and knowledgable server.
(5)Shaun B.
We moved to the area almost 3 months ago and are once a week regular visitors here. The food is always fresh and always great, Savannah (bartender) always greets everyone warmly as they enter the restaurant and she always has the Cigar City Maduros pouring for us as we are sitting down. Absolutely awesome, local, family owned/run place. I highly recommended it!
(5)Carol U.
Second time and we love it! The fish tacos are really good and the sushi was a surprise too. The clam chowder was the best, and the way it should be!! None of that thick pasty white stuff other places call chowder. Friendly and good food we will be back. Hope it stays like it is and does not turn into a tourist trap.
(4)Katie B.
We just moved to Palmetto and looked on yelp to guide us where to go. We decided on Clam house. We were very excited to have this restaurant so close to home. We love the fun laid back atmosphere of the clam house. The food is so fresh and full of flavor. The first night we went the owner was outside sorting and bagging his clams that he just harvested that day. The kids had so much fun watching and even took home a couple crabs for our saltwater tank. Its a great place!
(5)Monika K.
Fried combo platter! Piece of fish was huge, hot fresh fried. Great service too.
(3)Drew H.
First off, the Clam House is always consistent and very high quality. Can't go wrong with any of their fish options. Really cool atmosphere and an awesome beer list for a small place in Palmetto. Clam House would be cool anywhere, but in Manatee Co. they deserve 9 stars.
(5)Zack G.
I have driven past the Clam House many times but finally decided to give them a try based on reviews from friends and family. We went on a Saturday and the restaurant appeared to be mostly full. I ordered a cocktail and noticed that the bartender was using canned soda instead of fountain soda, which left the drink a little flat. I found the menu to be a little scattered and lacking some seafood staples like calamari and oysters on the half shell. I ordered the blackened redfish and my date got the grouper. Our order took about 45 minutes and no bread or salad was provided. The food was worth the wait and exactly what I expected as far as quality and portion are concerned. The restaurant could use a little TLC as well. The lamp on our table was wobbly and there was an extension cord hanging from the ceiling. There was an infomercial on the TV behind the bar, which confirms a lack of attention to detail. Would I go back? Possibly, but Clam House wouldn't be my first pick in a market with plenty of choices for great seafood.
(3)Lauren L.
Amazing food! When we first walked in the waitresses were a little rude and sort of just kept pushing us off to the next. Finally the bartender cleaned a table for us and waited on us. And let me just say he was amazing. He was very attentive and joked around with is as well. The seafood was extremely fresh and the portions were quite large. Next time I'm in Florida I definitely will come back!
(4)LA A.
This guy knows fish, period. Decent atmosphere, very reasonable prices, and FRESH! Owns his own boat and catches much of what your about to eat. Where else does theses even happen nowadays? It DOESN'T - you eat sysco and us foods vietnam CRAP. We'll be back!!!
(4)Emilee V.
Amazing food, staff, and atmosphere!! A most do when in the area.
(5)Peter B.
Amazing sushi. Seriously. Nuff said just with that but they have some incredible local caught seafood specials in an unpretentious atmosphere. Best north river seafood hands down
(5)Gerald M H.
Enjoy deliciously fresh seafood daily in a casual atmosphere at moderate prices. The fish spread and scored fried mullet are outstanding with fast, friendly service. Sushi is some of the best.
(5)Tyler W.
Awesome sushi. Awesome service. Awesome beer. Owner was great and chatted us up recommending menu items. Matthew was a great sushi chef and very helpful. Overall great experience.
(5)Mike F.
I expected a lot after reading the 4 and 5 star reviews. We ordered the fried haddock platter and we were very disappointed. Maybe the sushi and market seafood is better, but the fried haddock platter was sub-par. The fish wasn't fresh, the filets were thin, and the batter/breading did not taste good at all. My wife complained that her coleslaw tasted fishy. The hush puppies were overcooked, dry, and difficult to eat. The one outstanding item was the clam chowder. It was the best that I've ever eaten. I could have made an entire meal out of the chowder. To be fair, there were a lot of other people who seemed to be enjoying their meals, so maybe the problem is with this particular item (the fried haddock). But I wouldn't be likely to try it again because of our experience.
(2)Dan O.
First time at this local restaurant. Food was delicious and well prepared. Staff was very friendly and professional. Our server, Savannah, was by far one of the best and timing was perfect. Will definitely be back. Well worth the prices!
(5)Divina W.
We continue to visit the Clam House with great results. We found out they harvest their own clams - and supply to other restaurants too. No wonder the clams are so good. And the sushi bar is one of the freshest sushi places going - won't hesitate to order anything there. Love the cucumber salad and hush puppies. Love the fried clam strips. Love the Thai Fry. Just wish they were open on Sunday because that's when we like to eat out but hey, I know everyone needs a day off.
(5)Amy S.
If you're going to eat here, stick w the fried food. Grilled was bland and overcooked. Everyone is very friendly, staff are lovely. But it's not cheap; so trying to eat healthier should taste better.
(3)Jakkajan D.
We were really excited when the Clam House first opened. Finally, a restaurant on the north side of the river with a decent beer selection on tap! Their Thai fried mullet was the best thing on their menu. We went there regularly for the Thai Fried Mullet and a few beers. But, after a short while they were consistently ALWAYS out of mullet, but wanted to push some other fish for more money. Even during the fall and winter months I was repeatedly told by both the waiters and the owners that they could not get mullet. During the height of the mullet run season in one of the highest mullet producing counties in the state, and they can't get mullet? Seriously? If they don't want to serve mullet, they shouldn't make excuses that its not available. They should take it off the menu if they want to serve something more expensive. The mullet was the only fish with a body thick enough to Thai fry and still have lots of tender meat inside. We tried the snapper and repeatedly the frying process didn't leave much inside to eat. Too bad they stopped serving the Thai fried mullet, because that was one of the few items on their menu the Clam House had going for them. Their smoked fish spread was decent. I tried their sushi several times, hoping it would get better, and each time it was absolutely the worst interpretation of sushi I've ever experienced. If you want real sushi drive down to Vizen in Sarasota. These days the only reason to go to the Clam House would be for their draft beer selection (the only reason I gave them a two). If your looking for a noisy bar on the north side of the river with a good selection of draft beer, this is your place. If I get the urge for a good brew, I'll just drive the extra half mile over the river to the Lost Kangaroo for a far better selection on tap. Good seafood?.....not so much.
(2)Peter V.
First time at the Clam House.... Impressed! We were greeted immediately with a warm, genuine welcome from the girl behind the bar. Our Server Florian was excellent. The clam Chowder Soup was very good, the sushi was excellent, and the grouper was unreal. They have a good selection of beers as well. We had the S'mores Pie (recommended) for dessert, also excellent. I definitely will be going back here. If you have not tried the Clam House, and you want some good seafood, you absolutely need to go here. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Joe D.
I love clam house great food great service and the best of all a great price for the quality of food served nice relaxing atmosphere.
(5)Malcolm B.
My parents who live in the area brought me here when I was visiting them from New England. They had heard the place was very good from their friends. The place has a cool interior and vibe. My parents ordered fish combinations and I got catch of the day fish sandwich. My moms was fish was overlooked and the batter very hard. My dad said his fish didn't taste fresh and that the clam strips weren't fresh but frozen. My sandwich was ok, nothing great. I ordered an ice tea and it was very watered down. My parents beer was good. Sorry, not impressed at all and we won't go back. Best seafood I've had in area is at Captain Brian's in Sarasota. It's nothing fancy but fresh and delicious.
(2)Antoine D.
I haven't raved about a place in a really long time but this place has just made my top 5 of places to go. Service is fast and courteous, our waiter Florian (hope I spelled that right) was great and always attentive. Sushi was fresh and delicious and prepared like that if a NYC restaurant. The garlic clams were actually a pleasant surprise. I never had clams before and I'm glad I had them first here. Atmosphere was awesome music was calm and good to the mood. Bathrooms even have a sea like feel which I thought was cool. On top of that all the staff was happy and you could tell they enjoy this place as much as I did. I don't know how this place isn't packed. Plus there's seating outside which in this great weather is always a plus.
(5)Don H.
We continue to return to the Clam House because it is so darn convenient and it offers a nice variety of seafood. I only wish the preparation of the food was as reliable as the location. Service usually starts out quite pleasant. Quick response on drink orders... and one of the best Cosmos in Palmetto. As has been noted in other reviews the Thai Fry fish tends to be overcooked. We specifically told the waitress to remind the chef to not overcook the fish. Meat that should be moist and flaky typically comes out dry and sticking to the bones. Yet, the seasonings make up for the chef's indiscretions. An order of fried shrimp tacos appeared "icky" for lack of a better term. Tails on shrimp for make your own tacos? Really? The kitchen can't remove the tails for these? Perhaps what bothers me most is the manager/owner was sitting at the bar and our server, hopefully, told her of our concerns... and, if so, why didn't mgmt come to the table to discuss... or did mgmt instruct servers to not report complaints... or does mgmt feel that unhappy customers have no clue as to what they're talking about? Bottom line = when a customer has an issue management must be told and respond... even with a false smiling face.
(3)Jackie S.
I've tried sushi a few times in my life and have never enjoyed the flavor, texture or the idea of eating raw fish until now. I've eaten at the Clam House twice and the best thing on the menu is the sushi...bar none. Maybe that's because all the fish on the menu is freshly caught and served the same day. I have tried the Thai fried fish too, but it pales in comparison to the sushi. Mine had been in the fryer a little too long and the seasoning was very bland. I was expecting flavorful Thai seasonings in the coating mix, but the "Thai"actually refers to the way the fish is prepared. It's a whole fish with cross-hatch cuts that's lightly battered and deep fried. The accompanying side dishes, cheesy grits and cole slaw, were nothing to write home about.
(4)Krissi P.
The food here is fantastic if you hit the right night. It's a little inconsistent. Service is usually very good, friendly staff. I will go back.
(3)John B.
The food was fantastic! The blackened fish, the vegetables, the side dishes and the sushi! Everything was perfect! Jonathon Brockhoff was our server and he was wonderful.
(5)Brittany Nd Florian S.
Freshest local seafood by far! The clam house has a variety of fresh fish everyday! I would recommend the Thai fry you get to choose your size and species fish and then they cook it up for you! You honestly cannot go wrong it. It also comes with 2 amazing sides ! Sushi is also excellent! I have a hard time going anywhere else for any seafood related meal due to how fresh everything is and how well priced everything is. The coolest part is that if you enjoyed the clams, you can actually buy them buy the bag! Right in the restaurant!
(5)Carol D.
We have just moved to palmetto and were given this restaurant as a recommendation. We have gone twice first time food very good we went tonight they were busy but service was pretty slow. Our clam pasta dish was to salty tonight. We will go again and give it another try love the casual atmosphere plus it's only 2 miles from home just please watch the salt.
(3)Joy S.
Lots to say about this place so here we go....Arrived here at 6:45 last night (Sat) and it was a little busy, the bar was mostly empty but we wanted a table. Since people usually seat themselves, there were 2 tables that could seat 6 with 2 people at each of them which sucked. And since the tables are one piece you can't bust them apart for the parties that are waiting. So we ordered some drinks and waited for a table. I have to say one of the first things I noticed was how loud the music was and it was a mix between current pop music and house music...weird choice for a restaurant, we asked if they could lower it but it was never done. My parents arrived about 10 min after us and joined us at the bar. 10 more min later we were seated at a low rectangle 4 top (instead of a high top) in the bar area and put a 5th chair at the end. Not ideal but it worked. Another thing I noticed was, the bar-room is quite dark unless you are at the bar, at the sushi bar or right next to one of the little lamps that are on the high top tables. Not good for my elderly parents but again, we made it work. We were seated around 7:10 and a very sweet waitress named Brittany came over to take our drink order and because we were there for a while, we were starving and ready to place our order for our apps and entrees. My dad had their "chowder", hubby had the garlic clams and mom, our daughter and I split the fish spread. It took the kitchen 20 min to get the apps out!! And there is no excuse for that since one of the apps was a cold dish and the other is a soup. The fish spread was really good, the garlic clams were good (wicked garlicky so watch out) and the chowder is not a thick cream based soup, it's a veggie broth that almost had a split pea flavor to it. It was good but not something I'd be happy getting when I am expecting a "chowdah". So, the entrees went something like this- oh and by the way this place is really loud and as I mentioned the loud music doesn't help...Hubby and Mom split the Vermilion Snapper done Thai style with 2 sides, a side salad and coleslaw, they devoured fish and the slaw, the "house dressing" had so much oregano it was HORRIBLE. I had the fried platter- haddock, shrimp and clam strips with my 2 sides being the cheesy grits and cucumber salad. The grits got send back right away because they had NO flavor at all, no cheese or salt(and it was confirmed by the kitchen staff they forgot the salt) The cucumber salad was delish!! The clam strips were yummy ,crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside NOT FROZEN like another reviewer said, the shrimp were also good, rather small but good, my issue was the fish!! No way in hell was that haddock!! My hubby has been in the USCG for 23 years as a cook and has not only cooked haddock hundreds of times but he's also caught it. Either way it was a very thin fillet and when fried it became dry. Our daughter had the fried haddock and had the same issue. My dad had a seafood platter with broiled haddock, steamed clams and sauteed shrimp with a side of hush-puppies and cucumber salad. He enjoyed his entire meal. So all of this being said...we will be back. We will ask to sit in Brittany's section again because she was WONDERFUL and we will go back on a week night. So for now it's a 3 out of 5 stars!!
(3)Nick R.
Consistently good food with friendly staff and a nice casual atmosphere. Service can sometimes be a little slow, but when the food arrives, it's always good
(4)Inna Y.
My husband and I didn't have high expectations when we pulled up, BUT I'm so happy we went in because we had our best meal in Florida so far! Their Thai style fish fry was superb: light flaky fish, not oily, crisp exterior, and incredibly fresh! The sushi was another fortuitous surprise: better than in so many sushi bars in the area. This place gets their sushi rice right! The tuna hand roll, the arizona roll, and the quail egg/salmon toe nigiri was phenomenal. The service was just as good as the food. Our server, Florian, was pleasant, energetic, friendly, courteous, and prompt. I am taking my parents here when they come to visit. This place would also be good for a date night or an after work drink. Lots of craft beers on tap and $6 mixed drinks.
(5)John J.
Really enjoyed it. Every single thing we had was very good, not a single item was disappointing. Our waitress, Megan, was friendly and helpful. The smoked amberjack spread was very tasty. The "clam broth chowder" was interesting and enjoyable. The word "broth" made me think it might be thin, but it was loaded with clams and very filling. Basically it's clam chowder with a broth base rather than cream or tomato. The fried clam strip platter had a very generous portion of clam strips, and the sides I got, cheesy grits and hush puppies, were both delicious.
(5)Carlos V.
This is not a sushi place, so if you are craving for sushi look away, the rolls are not bad but not the quality that you expect from sushi restaurants, the sea food looks good but I did not order any. The service is very slow
(3)David Z.
The thai fried fish is a dish that you can only get here and thailand. The fish is caught daily and the list is on a whiteboard once the fish is sold a line is written through it and it is taken from the cooler and prepared for you. It's a small unassuming casual spot that will surprise your tastebuds.
(5)Riley R.
4 stars for the great fresh fish and delicious sushi! We love getting the spicy tuna wontons as an appetizer! The service was REALLY off last Thursday evening. Extremely slow. Really really slow. Hopefully, it was just an off night and not the norm. Otherwise, the food was still top notch!
(4)Brent O.
Finally a quality sushi restaurant near Ellenton, FL! The taste of the sushi and clam chowder, as well as the steamed clams was exceptional. And I would offer 5 stars for that. I am giving 4 stars because the service is slow. They are pleasant. But they take their time. Either way, with the craft beers and good quality I will be a repeat customer here with my wife and our friends.
(4)Vic O.
Too loud and noisy, loud music competing with several tvs with their volume way up, no acoustical tile, lots of drunks who are also loud. No one greets you, confusing entrance, no hostess stand. Service is friendly, but kitchen is terribly slow. Server said she was waiting for a couple of plates we'd ordered. She'd left what was ready to cool in the kitchen, because my husband and father's meals arrived cold (we ordered 2 grilled haddocks, steamed shrimp and steamed clams with a side dish of veggies). We watched as 2 other tables, who arrived after we did, were served dinner well before us. Lots of other people sitting around hungry staring into space, waiting to be served. We believe we waited 45 minutes for dinner. Food is ok, the options seemed to be bland or overly salt and peppered. Fish portions are surprisingly small, and overly peppered without warning. Fresh clams were wonderful, but the steamed clams were horrendously salty. I sent them back, they took them off the check. We won't go back, which is too bad, we had told friends about it before we went, but our experience was so unpleasant we wouldn't take anyone there. They had 2 women walking around asking for donations for breast cancer research. A very worthy cause, and we donated, but our being sitting ducks for them like that was not the most pleasant experience.
(2)Tamara R.
So glad we found this hidden gem! They have the freshest seafood and sushi around and at a reasonable price too! All of their fish they catch that same day. The clams and sushi are amazing. The tai fry is definitely a must try. Can't beat the food or the price anywhere near it. This is our new favorite spot in the whole Bradenton area.
(5)Stephanie T.
Wow...what a pleasant surprise. This place is tucked away on a side street in Palmetto. We drove by it all the time and had no idea what was hiding inside. We were pleasantly surprised at how much room there was inside. The atmosphere was great. Bar area...patio area as well as low and high top tables inside. Fish market in the back. Now the food....I ordered the lack ended red fish...it was ok....the veggies and hush puppies were awesome. I also had sushi and convinced my husband to give it a try ( he swears he hates sushi) well he LOVED IT!...he also had the grouper blackened and it was very good. We will definetely go back.
(5)Jim T.
Fantastic place to eat. Enjoyed the whole experience. We had the Thia-fry hog fish which was a first for us. The waiter was extremely helpful in every way. Will definitely go back next time I am in the area.
(5)Randel W.
I had a craving for fried clams and my girlfriend had a craving for fish so we hit up Google and found this off the beaten path charming place. Everything was absolutely FANTASTIC! You may not want to go there though if you don't like good drinks, good service, great atmosphere or great food - we so look forward to getting back to the Clam House soon and often. This is a find for certain!!!
(5)Rachel N Erik F.
Always a great selection of daily fresh fish. The best Sushi in Manatee county. Great beer selection and the best staff around.
(5)Sally L.
Shhhhhhh - I am afraid to write a review for this place, because I would love to keep it a quiet little special place ... so don't tell anyone ... Off the main drag in Palmetto (yep -Palmetto) is a small, dark gem. The first time I heard of this place the 'mister' came home from work with a small takeout bowl of clam chowder that he said I had to try. So try I did. YUM! Warm, slightly white broth with a briny bite, tender bits of fresh clams, just the right amount of fresh and not overcooked potatoes (with the tender skin still on) and the usual and comforting chopped soup veggies all swimming in harmony in the bowl. Its the kind of fresh, light clam chowder you might make at home - if you time to make e it at home. We had to go there and go there we did. A 'pub' atmosphere with a big dark wood bar that wraps around the space and pub style tables - this is a comfy neighborhood place - and we are VERY happy it's near our neighborhood. The catch changes with the seasons and is always good. Besides the usual fried and broiled platters - there are fish tacos, fish spread, fried mullet and other tidbits... like SUSHI! Yep - fresh made sushi, rolls and handrolls - in Palmetto! And it's GOOD. I don't know who is hiding in the kitchen but they know what they are doing here. The sushi menu (and the general menu) isn't vast - but its all good - and I will take quality over quantity anytime. OK - so if good basic fish dishes and sushi is not enough for you - they do a "Thai Fry" - that is wonderous. The Thai Fry is a whole fish, that is 'scored' and seasoned and fried whole. It comes out head, tail and all - staring crunchingly up at you from the plate. it's amazing to see coming at you the first time you see it and it's even better to eat! One can simply pick the small crispy diamonds of scored fish off the bone and savor it morsel by tasty morsel. Definitely finger food at it's fishy finest. This place is fast becoming a 'regular' spot for this household - cold beer, good fish, comfy atmosphere... so shhhhhh - don't tell anyone - we like this place just like it is!
(4)Gary W.
We've been there several times now and have tried various items from Sushi to Seafood a,d we LOVE this place!
(5)JT H.
I picked up lunch here for a co-worker and i. At first glance on yelp i was convinced with all the stars but after ordering and my first official taste test not so sure... I ordered both of us clam chowder of course (clam house). It was very runny and i had a bay leaf in mine the hadn't been strained completely yuk. Then a order of clam strips and french fries. The badder that the clam strips were fried in was fantastic very different it was sweet surprisingly. The fries were fries cant really screw them up unless your burger king or something. I'm not so sure on second visit because it was kinda expensive for something that was meteoaker at best. They were fast i ordered and got in like 15 min if that just food quality suffered a little.
(4)Britney K.
Such an awesome place for sushi and seafood! Staff and service are impeccable! Hate going anywhere else! If you haven't tried this spot you are missing out!
(5)Steve B.
What a great surprise. While the real estate is not prime, the food is. This place raises its own clams, farming them out in Tampa Bay and using them in the restaurant, selling them in their fish market attached to the restaurant, and also selling them wholesale. A good place for clams. Four of us arrived on a Saturday afternoon and shared several dishes, all of which were great. We started with selections from a nice list of craft beers on tap, then went to appetizers -- clams, of course. My wife and I aren't big fans of fried clam strips. Usually they're too chewy and have too much breading. But these were without a doubt the best fried clams we've ever had. Tender, just enough breading, with a nice horseradish-y cocktail sauce. We would drive the 30 minutes from Sarasota just to have these again. But wait. There's more. With the fried clams, we got an order of the garlic steamed clams with garlic bread. Another homerun. Flavorful, just garlicky enough, and both plump and tender. And then we ordered a bowl of the clam chowder. Not cream-based or tomato-based chowder. No, this was what the server liked to call Florida style clam chowder which has clam juice as its base, with no cream or tomato to get in the way of the clam flavor. Amazing. And then we got the fish spread, that day made from a fresh amberjack. Nice balanced smokiness and a little spicy bite at the end. Superb. This is a definite do-over for us. Next time we'll add sushi to the list of things to try. Others have raved about that, so we'll venture out a little further from the clams next time.
(4)Don S.
Don't be fooled be the neighborhood. This is a must stop when in Bradenton. Fresh fish done right. Fresh beer in sight. We felt welcome from the moment we stepped in the door. Our server, Jenny, is quite honestly the most friendly person we have encountered during our time on the Gulf Coast. Close your eyes and point to any item on the limited menu - can't miss.
(5)Barbara A.
I hate to review the Clam House because it is so good and so uncrowded! The sushi is to die for and I just have to have the steamed clams every time. Love love this place!
(5)Trisha A.
Decided to try again and received much better service from Whitney at the bar!
(5)Lola And Mason G.
A real find! Local seafood raw, steamed, broiled, and fried. Thai Fried mullet addictively crispy and delicious as an appetizer or main course. Super fresh sushi beyond the usual offerings included smelt and crawfish. Generous portion sizes and reasonable prices in a laid-back friendly atmosphere.
(5)