Rather large place on the Peace River that offers a little mix of everything with a seafood accent. Great cavernous indoor seating and nice outdoor seating. Good cocktails with a southwest Florida twist on the names, drafts and craft beers. Great service, pretty good food and decent prices. Recommend the spicy tuna rice bowl but pass on the shrimp shumai.
(4)
Patricia W.
Great view good sushi too. Charlotte Harbor breezes a d the best sunsets. Go early for a good seat outside.
(4)
Katalina Q.
Have been here twice the past week. What I like: - Great view of the marina if you are dining on the back patio. - The second time we were there we had a great attentive server. - After food is ordered it's delivered fairly quickly and it's fresh. - The food here is pretty good. We've had the Caesar salad, calamari, ahi salad, and the squid salad. Calamari was a tad rubbery. What I didn't like: We asked to be seated outside and were shown to a table against the restaurant wall vs. one overlooking the water. Since there were two available tables overlooking the water we asked if we could switch. We were told both tables were reserved and if they gave us one they'd be "screwing" (the hostesses word not mine) the folks who had taken the time to make a reservation out of a table. OK I get that and while one of the parties showed up within 15 minutes the other was a no show for the whole 90 minutes we were there.
(4)
Joe P.
Love the food, wife loves their salmon. Very responsive staff, great atmosphere view is spectacular. Respective pricing for A grade food!
(4)
Shelley K.
Great food! Love to eat on the patio and look for my future yacht!!
(4)
Dina C.
I had a very nice lunch here. It was midweek and rather slow as all the snowbirds are gone for the summer. I had a table overlooking the marina, which was pretty cool. They had a special of crab and shrimp stuffed Halibut topped with a lobster sherry sauce for just $13. It was excellent and very fresh. The piece of Halibut was huge, baked perfectly, and just lovely. I tried the clam chowder as a starter, which was good but not the best. I thought a small cup for $6 was very overpriced. $4 would be fair for a lunch cup of soup. Service was good. They should list out a price list with their cocktail menu. I will return.
(3)
Stephanie V.
My fave is the artichoke crab dip! My boys and I get it every time. Everything we have tried we have loved! Awesome views!!!
(5)
Sandra G.
Great food, beautiful view, great service! A couple of us had sushi and I had the crab avocado salad. They were all excellent. I ordered a vodka club soda with 3 limes....They squeezed in all they limes and brought extra on they side, I love that kind of service.
(5)
MaryAnn O.
I have been there several times. I always am pleased with the food and my overall experience.
(5)
Mandy W.
Great view from the outdoor seating on the deck. It has two huge bars. My husband and I were here for Lunch while we were on a house hunt. He had a buffalo chicken wrap, I had the Pacific Grouper Wrap with mojito. The sweet potatoes fries came with our meals were TO DIE FOR!!! My wrap wasn't wrap very well. Everything broke apart as soon as I grab it. The view was gorgeous even though it was raining. We will definitely to back from sushi.
(4)
Cathy K.
Definitely grab a table with a view! We enjoyed the bruschetta appetizer that was scrumptious!! Seafood was very fresh and perfectly prepared. Service was good too.
(4)
Mindy B.
Great view of the marina and surprisingly delicious sushi! Convenient location if you're staying at the four points. Bar outside was huge! Only complaint is that counter was a bit sticky.
(4)
Cicely S.
3 stars for food, 4 for service. I ordered the special diablo- it was too tomatoey and sweet- but the fish was really good and cooked perfectly. Service was great, they forgot to put calamari in the diablo so the server brought out a whole plate of it! That was nice.
(3)
Annalynn S.
Wonderful stall and very good sushi menu. You really can't beat the scenery. There is nothing like a good glass of wine, sushi and a sunset to lift your spirits.
(4)
Alexandra D.
By far, our FAVORITE restaurant in Punta Gorda. Great view, great service and wonderful food. Their sushi menu is very eclectic and their dinner menu varies with great specials such as their sea bass. My first date spot with my hubby and never let down.
(5)
Amar K.
Been to this spot a few times with family. While the location has a center wow factor, my food and service experiences have always been mixed. If you get a good server that will work with you on where you'd like to sit and how you want your food prepared you're off to a good start. Kinda overpriced for what you get on many levels, especially with so many fried foods. Recently did have a steamer pot thought which I mostly enjoyed. Crab and mussels were yummy, hushpuppies drowned in the pot, opps. Fried oysters were also a win in the past. Fish preparation hit or miss. Easy to fill up on free bread.
(3)
michelle l.
This is a place that depends on its location for most of its business. Being right on the river, this is a lovely place to see the sunset while having a cocktail. As for the food, it's okay, but nothing to drive out of my way for. Being on the gulf coast, I would expect a seafood restaurant in Punta Gorda to focus on local seafood. They did serve some grouper, but there was a lot of seafood that definitely had to be flown in. I started with the she crab soup, and that was pretty tasty. I also had a green salad, and I found the orange to overwhelm the ginger. I then had the oysters, which were not as briny as I'd expect. My husband had the New England clam chowder, and he thought my soup was much better. He also had the Caesar salad, which he liked. For his entree, he had the Alaskan king crab bucket. The crab did not taste very fresh. He had been upsold on the premium crab legs, which supposedly were extra rinsed, whatever that means. He thinks it made it much saltier, and I found the texture of the meat to be mushy. Definitely not worth $74. We did find one gem on their wine list, which helped us feel redeemed eating here. But if we hadn't had that, I'd probably be pretty irritated eating here for the mediocre food.
(3)
Patti H.
Great location but that is about it. The food, ehh, not fresh for the prices they charge, it should not be frozen food. Service is VERY slow!!! Just not to real happy with the place. Could be a GREAT place but, they just didn't hit the mark for anyone in our party.
(2)
TrixieRae R.
You have to come here at least once. Reminiscent of the new Pinchers Crab Shack on W First Street in downtown Fort Myers, the view may just be better in in PG! Prices are less expensive than Ft Myers Sat outside on a summer rainy afternoon with the old style fans, quick bar access and seats at the bar. DH had fried grouper sandwich and sweet potato fries (sound better than they are) but the fish hung way over bun. I had sushi, fried Boston roll and a green salad with ginger dressing. Sad salad. No color. Homemade dressing needs some rice wine vinegar. Pretty orange color. Who cares about these minor deets with the gorgeous view and a hideaway spot! What needs mentioning is the absolute stellar service Geoffrey provided at our table while being the bartender. Thank you for the awesome service!!
(4)
Maria B.
Lovely!! Great balcony view at sunset, great waitress and the scallops in the mango chutney were absolute perfection!
(5)
Kerensa E.
This is a nice waterfront dining location but not worth the price. The deck was a nice relaxing area to be but help was slow and the table they sat us at was filthy. After a clean up, lunch came reasonably prompt, however their signature Cobb salad with the crab, shrimp and scallop mix was bland and tasteless. Iceberg lettuce never impresses me, and the dressing was basically oil with dried flavorless cilantro. The fried mahi sandwich was also tasteless and definitely from frozen. The only redemption was good beers that were served cold. Won't visit again.
(2)
Michelle L.
I love this place! Best sushi in Punta Gorda. I order the sushi combination platter, religiously. It is more than enough for two people and is made to order, don't get in a hurry. The crab house is situated right on Charlotte Harbor and the outdoor seating is superb. They even have heaters outside for the rare Florida cold fronts. If you are not a sushi fan the crab or chicken quesadillas are awesome, as is the she crab soup, blue crab burger and all the salads. Overall great place, service is usually a bit slow, but the outside ambiance makes up for it!
(4)
Flo V.
Absolutely one of the best views in Pinta Gorda. They do sushi very well but i find some of there other dishes hit & miss. The Crab salad seems to be consistent..... I usually stick w/ the sushi. Love the view.
(4)
Joseph J.
LAISHLEY'S is a great place to meet friends for dinner or lunch. Great ambience, good service, and delicious food. What more could a person ask?!!! JoeJ Ft Myers FL
(5)
Jing J.
We were seated right away. The appetizer came with a little wait, tasty seaweed salad. For my main course I ordered cooked happy dragon which says nothing about having avocado in it but came with one. The server was happy to correct my order and offered a "yum yum roll" instead. But if you don't eat fish eggs, you're not going to like this dish, so evidently I was still hungry. I tried some of my husband's grouper fish and chips which tasted really bland. The ambiance was very appealing but the food needs improvement.
(4)
Andrea P.
Seriously...the best service and food we've had in this area in a LONG TIME! Hubby and I live in North Port and rarely venture into Punta Gorda for dinners because we're always disappointed. Well, never again! We recommend the Crab Stack for an appetizer! If you like spicy, get some sriracha sauce on the side and drizzle on top or eat with each bite. Delish! Hubby got California roll (for $5) and Fried Bagel roll (smoked salmon/cream cheese) and he was very very happy. :-) I got Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl which had a hearty helping of spicy tuna (more than you would get in a roll), avocado, baby sprouts, and seaweed salad all on top of sushi rice. Oh my gosh...all of my favorites in one bowl! :-)
(5)
David S.
I have never had a bad meal here but the last 3 or 4 times I have been here, the service has been atrocious. I could understand if they were packed but this was at 4:45 on a Thursday and we were the server's only table. with 7 people and a $200 bill, the least our server could do is refill our water. One other tip, if you don't make reservations plan on being sat at a table with no view of anything but the sushi bar.
(3)
Danielle D.
It was very good. They accommodated to my vegetarian needs, and even lowered the price for me. I would recommend it, especially for the view. The only thing I would say not to get is the green fried tomatoes it came with THREE tomatoes that were flavorless, and for the 4 of us the bill was a little over $100 but that was with 2 appetizers. For the expense I give it 4, for taste, service, and accommodation 5!
(5)
Terry G.
This was a very nice place with great service and the view was great. I know it is a seafood restaurant but after a solid week of seafood I was ready for a change. I ordered the Frita burger with fries and coleslaw. The beef laced with chorizo burger was very good, the fries were large and crispy. I especially liked the coleslaw which was creamy with a very sweet flavor the way I like it. I give this place a thumbs up and would have given it 5 stars but the burger was good but not in my top 5. I do love the Florida suncoast area and plan to return.
(4)
Iven S.
Paddle board in the harbor, have the kids play in the spray-park, lunch here, and end with ice cream at Harborwalk Scoops and Bites! While the food is nothing special, the venue, nearby attractions, and convenience makes this place a winner.
(4)
Matthew M.
Great food. friendly staff and great service. Grouper sandwich is great!
(5)
Roger M.
Great location, but the interior is totally lacking ambiance. Our group of ten met for lunch and due to a cold snap, sat inside. The dining room had all the charm of a high school cafeteria, and despite the name of the place, the menu was lacking in the seafood department. Having said all that, our waiter was superb, and the food we did get was good. Perhaps if it were a warmer, less blustery, day we could have sat outside and enjoyed the waterfront view.
(2)
Renee W.
I have eaten here several times, but this time I can say it was really good. Friendly staff, delicious food and gorgeous views. I will be back. It is a little pricey, but won't deter me from coming back, maybe just not as often as I would like.
(4)
Jessica Q.
Waited for 1 1/2 hours as they forgot about our reservation. Food was good when we finally got seated. Outdoor bar is very cool. Sunset was nice.
(3)
Jody C.
Not my favorite place to eat. It does sit on the river so you have a great view. Just disappointed in the food.
(3)
Francesco C.
Seafood smells great. Balcony view of Charlotte Harbor and Laishley Park. Laishley seems to be the popular spot in the Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda. While waiting to be seated we noticed a class reunion celebrating in a separate room, while all of the inside tables where taken. We sat outside to watch part of the sunset over looking the bay. What's neat about this restaurant is that it is on the second floor which allows you to have a spectacular view of the water front with boat docks. I ordered a Southern Style Blue Crab Cake sandwich. It was served on a croissant (which I didn't care for) but the crab meat was delicious and their tar tar sauce made it more tasty. Served with Sweet Potato fries. My friend had ordered the Pacific Grouper Wrap, the grouper was delicious and she couldn't finish the wraps) as they were pretty good in size. I tried just the grouper in her wrap and it was very tasty! Also served with Sweet Potato fries. There's an inside and an outside bar full people mingling. I recommend this place for ambiance and a first date kind of place with a great view. Keep in mind, this would be a great place during a clear day and just before a sunset. Your friends will be in awe just by the view.
(4)
Kevin S.
Excellent View and Great Service. I ordered a Grouper sandwich and had to cut the fillet in half to fit on the bun. Yum
(5)
Bill B.
Had conch fritters, orange margaritas, and scallops served with wonderful risotto. It was our first visit and definitely not our last!!!! The food was superb, the ambience was cool, and the server was da bomb!!! We have a new favorite restaurant!!!!! You really need to eat here!!!'
(5)
David R.
One of the best places to have sushi in the Charlotte County area. Having moved from the west coast(Portland). I had been craving sushi and as you know once you eat bad sushi it's hard to ever want to eat it again. When I came in to the crab house I walked straight out to the outdoor area which has a nice view of the river. It was already dark and the atmosphere was pretty electric. I ordered my Mexican Rolls and I ordered some Gyoza for appetizers. I was drinking on Stella and my bartender was great making sure I was always attended to. When I came out I was surprised at the portion size. Nice size portions. I was full toward the end. There was no reason to ask me if I was interested in dessert. I would recommend this place to anyone who has a craving for sushi or seafood.
(5)
Sarah P.
Great location and view,staff is hit or miss...food,is horrible! Been here twice,both times the seafood was fishy,crab legs tasted water logged which was extremely disappointing since they were NOT cheap. I gave it two trys...will not be back.
(2)
Alisa M.
We enjoyed our meal here. Our server was great, friendly and took good care of us. We ordered the seafood dip served in a bread bowl, and a seafood platter that includes shrimp, scallops, grouper, fries, corn & hush puppies. The fries were cold and seemed old. Otherwise our food was great. When our entrees were brought out it was only shrimp but our server immediately went to the back to straighten it out, and delivered the rest of our food. We will be back!
(4)
Jonathan P.
Food was good. Sat at the bar to eat and run. But I received slow service. Will go back if I'm ever in the town again.
(3)
Whit W.
The food is good ... But the smoke is awful. Unfortunately they allow smoking on the deck of the restaurant.... So if you're a non smoker, forget enjoying the deck ! And even if you sit inside, every time the doors open, you get hit with smoke. I'm giving the restaurant four stars because the food was great, but it's doubtful we will return. Wish the restaurant would become totally smoke free!!!!!
(4)
Bruce Z.
We had lunch with six others in a very nice view on the deck in what is really a quite a large restaurant. I was impressed with the quality, efficient service and overall experience. We had four separate checks with the second part of the parties being scattered on the table. We took bets to see if our waitress would get it right. Perfect score. Their she crab soup was delicious. Everyone was happy even with only one glass of wine for some of us. This is a great destination place for casual dining.
(4)
Susan K.
Went last week. I had the grilled grouper special. Very dry and tasteless even with sundries tomatoes, etc. My mom had fried soft shell crab. Tasteless with thick batter. Only dinner that was good was my husbands sashimi. You're paying for ambience being on the water. Won't return.
(2)
Emma C.
I ordered calamari and a glass of wine. The calamari was tender. The wine was chilled properly and the bartender was very good. The venue is in a very pretty location. This was my second time visiting this location and I would return.
(3)
Tina K.
As most have said, location is what makes this place. Our server was good too and had the cutest smile. If it weren't for him and the location I would probably give one star because the food was sorely lacking. I ordered the Seafood Platter but asked for the steamed broccoli instead of the fries and hushpuppies and was told it would cost $3 more. I asked if that were the case even if I didn't get the other items and was told yes, strike one. My food arrived and my $3 upcharged broccoli was $1 per small stem, strike two. My broiled "platter" consisted of 3 ea steamed, fairly tasteless scallops/shrimp and a fishy tasting grouper filet that was oddly overdone on the ends and close to under done in the middle - you're out!!
(2)
Judy M.
We were there with some friends about a month ago for Fish Fry on Friday. It was very good and the side salad I ordered made with Romaine lettuce was also great and generous for the price. We are definitely putting this on our list of places we love to eat. We ate out on the porch and being next to the water made it that much more enjoyable.
(4)
Jeff B.
Excellent view from the large patio and this place is HUGE on the inside too! Cool bar area inside with big windows facing the water throughout. Fresh seafood, a diverse menu and friendly staff, although I do have to agree with some of the other reviewers that the service can be painfully slow. My advice...when you have the chance to order, do so. Our waitress was excellent right up until we said "Can you give us just one more minute to decide on our entrees?" and then we didn't see her for 20 minutes or more. All in all a nice place that I would go to again if I'm in the area, with the understanding that I won't be in a hurry and that I'll decide what I want to eat shortly after sitting down.
(3)
Roarke S.
Food, atmosphere, and service, Laishley hit it out of the park. I went with a friend on a Thursday night and was seated immediately after requesting a window; our waitress was Emma, and from start to finish she provided amazing service and better conversation. The atmosphere is casual, heavy on wood and sparsely decorated with drift wood sculptures; which by and large are prettier than they sound. Because of the high polish, meticulous cleanliness, and great view, business casual would fit bright in, more and you feel a bit like a stuffed shirt. I have not explored the menu extensively, but everything my friends and I have eaten has been ridiculously fresh. Less than 48 hrs out of the water, with most caught that morning. That Thursday I stayed on the sushi menu, getting Combo Platter B. Florida roll, Yum Yum, Spicy Salmon, Tuna Avocado. All very good, little heavy on the cream cheese, and every roll is garnished the same on a platter, so I was a little sick of sesame seeds by the end, but great all the same. Top drawer ingredients really helped, the tuna and salmon were to die for, the tempura shrimp perfectly done, asparagus crisp and tender; the wasabi was excellent, very sharp, and even the ginger was quality, nice bite and not overly pickled. My friend had fried shrimp and fries. No idea how the spuds were, but I stole a shrimp and it was delicious. Lightly batter, fried dark golden brown, not greasy and served almost too hot to eat. Oh! And they serve Mt. Dew, a.k.a. ambrosia. Don't miss this place, and ask for Emma when you get there.
(5)
Jan W.
Ok someone must have gotten the message. Went there recently on a date and the food was MUCH better. I will be taking guests there. He had the salmon while I had the chicken quesadillas. The drinks were good and the food was such an improvement. Now for some bogos or coupons or maybe throw in some live entertainment. After all those of us living here full time deserve some thank you for helping support you during the summer months.
(4)
Lynda C.
Very disappointed in my first (and last) visit! 1st the good - the shrimp cocktail had large tasty shrimp! Went downhill from there! Took over 30 minutes to get my salad which was old iceberg lettuce, pink (almost white) tomatoes and what tasted to me like cheap bottles salad dressing. Sent the salad back. Grilled "fresh" grouper came and was really bad! Small, thin, mostly grey meat - sure didn't look or taste fresh. Not even sure it was really grouper! Even after sending 2/3 of my meal back, no one came to speak to me to offer me something else or apologize (except my server). VERY poor business! I guess the view and the crab legs (can't screw up either of those) are what keeps people coming here.
(1)
Erika S.
Food was okay. I had the philly cheese and I wasn't too fond of it. It was good, just not the best I've had. My boyfriend had some sushi rolls and calamari and he said they were okay. Other than the food, the view is beautiful! We sat outside at the bar & I couldn't keep my eyes off the river.
(3)
Art J.
Let me start by saying the service was unbelievable. We sat outside at the bar which already has an amazing view, but you can eat right at the bar. We had 2 bartenders tend to us and they both were great. We ordered the steamed oysters and mentioned they were small so the bartender gave us more. One of the seafood platters did not have the grouper on it when it was supposed to so she came with a brand new plate and took it off our bill. Restaurants always make mistakes and I view it is how you handle it. They handled it with experience and professionalism. I will definitely come here again.
(4)
Katie L.
Always receive great service! The sushi is great! And they have great wine and some yummy mixed drinks!
(5)
Wendy K.
We were heading home from Miami to Tampa and stopped for gas and went to yelp to find a restaurant. Found this place and Food was great. Service awesome. Atmosphere was perfect. Would go back.
(5)
Hayley H.
I love their outside seating. Gorgeous views of the bay. We had an amazing waitress. Just on top of it! A tall black lady. She was great. I had the sushi combo, or mega plate of sushi. Delish! We had fresh oysters, fritters to start. A few family members had pasta, which was a bit light on the scallops. Loved the patio!
(4)
Kevin M.
One of my favorite restaurants in southwest Florida. we have eaten here multiple times and never have been disappointed. The sushi is some of the best and most fresh sushi in the area. Everything is good. The thing that tops off it all is the location. Right on the water and you can't go wrong sitting outside during sunset. Awesome environment with delicious food. Favorite sushi item is the volcano, the tsunami, or red dragon. All the sushi items are amazing though.
(5)
Lorie P.
First visit. Hostess ignored up for about 10". Tried to convince us to eat outside for 5" ...in the rain. Our waiter was nice. New menu so there were no specials. Alaskan king legs 1.5 $72. Items were priced a little high. The Ahi Tuna was perfectly seared. A little heavy on the dill on the dressing. Sushi was a 5/10. Not that great. The food was good , not great but I don't think I would return.
(3)
Donna-Jean F.
Blah. Gorgeous views. Great waitstaff. Alcohol is plentiful. But food is not good. Had fish tacos. Cabbage and pico de gallo was wilted and hot not fresh and crisp. Husband cheese steak was tough and chewy. Kids meals were horrible. Left annoyed. Won't go back. Maybe for a drink. Maybe
(2)
Aaron B.
We had a nice gator appetizer and it was delish. Definitely not a date spot or a place for a great sit down meal, but good stop for snacks and drinks.
(4)
Lisa A.
A Florida waitress who found $1,000 left behind on a table last week did the right thing with the money: She chased after the patron who she believed had left it behind on his way out of the restaurant. But Samantha Knight, who waits tables at the Laishley Crab House in Punta Gorda, Fla., had handed the money over to the wrong customer. The next day, the man who actually had left the $1,000, Chuck Behm, called to claim it, according to ABC News station WLS. "I feel really bad," Knight told WLS. "I wish I had just held on to it and waited for someone to call. But I thought I was giving it to the right guy." Behm and Knight both assumed that the $1,000 was long gone. On Sunday morning, however, the man who accepted the money returned to the Laishley Crab House with the $1,000 in hand, and an extra $100 for Knight herself. He said he took the money by mistake, according to ABC affiliate WZVN. Knight reached out to Behm, who in a surprise move, told Knight to keep the money. Knight, who is pregnant, said the $1,100 will go a long way toward her Christmas. "Overwhelmed, I was crying earlier. I called my mom and was like I can't believe it," Knight said
(5)
Dan S.
Resturant atmosphere was nice for a waterfront place. Started with coconut shrimp and was very disappointed. Looked good when they arrived at table, but soon learned that the where half breading and the middle was not cooked completely. Next had clam chowder and tomatoes bisque and they were very good. Finally went with sushi based on other yelp reviews. The seafood in the sushi was good and seemed fresh, but the rolls were not wrapped tight and had a lot of rice. I'd say sushi was average at best. In general average place...but the coconut shrimp started things off bad.
(2)
Rizzo K.
AMAZING She Crab soup. Wow. Great server. Gets pretty busy so expect longer than normal service. Beautiful inside. They have an outdoor area as well. Try the salt scrub they make in the bathroom! It's awesome.
(4)
Dennis A.
Broiled grouper sandwich was excellent and sweet potato fries were perfect. Great service, and beautiful setting.
(5)
Cp S.
The food was okay. The hostess terrible. We had an extremely long wait for our food. Will not return!
(2)
Laura R.
Eat outside! There's a great view of the water and fans keep the covered deck pretty cool. The food was good - I had a decent grouper reuben & the sweet potato fries were really excellent. The waitress was efficient and the food came quickly. I'd definitely go back!
(4)
Carrie C.
Visited on a recent evening while in the area with family. The good:The outdoor seating is nice and the overall ambiance of the place wasn't bad. Apparently the sushi was also decent but that was one order for one person in our party of 6. The bad: Overpriced!!! The Seafood platter contained 3 tiny bay scallops, 3 salad shrimp and one way overcooked piece of grouper for around $25, outrageous. $23 for two filler laden crab cakes with microwave green beans and reheated rice. Quality: Food was generally either lower in quality, poorly cooked or lacking in quantity to justify the inflated prices. Service: While friendly, it was spotty and disorganized. A second drink order took in excess of 20 minutes to arrive, The entrees for half the party came out with a 5-10 minute wait in between. Overall: Don't bother, you can find better for far less.
(1)
Antony C.
Came here to grab a quick bite with a friend. Tried the fried shrimp, which was as a generous portion but not that tasty. Service was average. Good for quick, casual dining a notch above fast food.
(3)
Terry D.
Lunch with high school classmates was OK. Service was good and friendly. I returned later for a drink to discuss business with my financial adviser. The drinks were so-so....kind of weak.
(3)
Teri H.
I promised I would not go back but I got manipulated into a visit with a friend. Outside bar beer was cold and that is expected. I only ordered appetizer as I am still gun shy from last visit where I swore I would not return. Conch fritters and soup. Lashleys didn't disappoint me. How can deep fried be stone cold and how can creamy she crab soup be watery and no sign of crab? They were just as bad this time too. Really I'm not coming back again. I hate I even gave them the business...I knew better. Fool me once shame on you.. Fool me twice shame on me!
(1)
Michael W.
First time here but so far it is great. Nice relaxing atmosphere and great staff. Had to wait a little while but there is a reason why. Dinner roles at the beginning are GREAT! Reasonably priced and great views on the water!
(4)
Carlyn R.
We won't be back. The view was beautiful - until the blinding sun started to sink; had to move tables because folks couldn't see into the bright sun. Shades would really help. The servers were helpful, when around - sometimes they seemed to go missing. The food was very bland. However, the place is huge - the tables go forever. If the kitchen is cooking for that many people, I guess you have to manage your expectations. On a Sunday night - the place filled up. We'll be going elsewhere when seeking tasty seafood.
(1)
Kerry H.
We stopped in to grab a quick bite on or way home from Florida. We told our server Lauren that we were in a hurry to catch a plane. She was so quick and friendly! And the food was fantastic! I had the fish tacos and my husband had the grouper sandwich. Awesome, tasty, well prepared dishes served by a great waitress! Seriously, we loved her! I want her to move to Chicago so she can work in my restaurant!
(5)
Amber D.
Excellent service! Pricey but that is expected for seafood. My mother in law had fish and chips, which she said was the best she's ever had. The Alaskan king crab legs were out of this world. The only disappointment were the hush puppies - they were just meh. Everything else was stellar! Get the crab stacker appetizer - they don't skimp on the crab at all! We'll definitely be going back the next time we're in Punta Gorda.
(4)
Meg H.
The location and atmosphere is great. The menu is ok, everything seems to be over fried however.
(2)
Sal G.
I have been wanting to try the Laishley Crab House for quite some time. The dining area is upstairs and two large square bars are dropped in locations that make it obvious that this restaurant is used more for its bar than for its food. The dining areas are placed in whatever leftover space happened to be present after the bars were placed and outfitted with the money that was left over after the bars were complete. On a plus note, we were seated on the balcony in one of the coveted tables with a view without having to wait. It did take some time for our server to arrive; but when she did she appeared strained, over-worked and ready to have a break down. We ordered a water, unsweet tea, and a bowl of She-crab soup while deciding on the rest of the meal. Our server promptly brought us out our two waters, and bread with faux-butter -- I took this to mean two things: 1. Make certain she writes the rest of our order down, 2. I really am supposed to have a beer with dinner. So, when the She-crab soup arrived I ordered the only stout beer (think dunkel or Guiness) and we put in the rest of our order: Shrimp Cocktail Oysters (Lightly Steamed) Fried Shrimp, baked potatoe and green beans Mahi Mahi (blackened), corn on the cob and Delmonico potatoes After about 5 minutes our server returned to let me know that the beer menu is not correct and that she had an entirely different list of items on draft. Why wouldn't the menu be accurate? And why would the waitress tell me that it hadn't been accurate for a while? I am now moving beyond this part of the dinner experience. I ordered a Stella Artois to go along with my water. I decided to have some of the She-crab soup while waiting on the rest of the meal. It tasted like a cream soup with a lot of white pepper. I don't mean a "cream of..." soup, but a soup that was just cream that had been reduced to the point of being very viscous. I let my friend finish the soup as it wasn't worth my time and the fact that the shrimp cocktail had just arrived. I went for the shrimp with a passion and was disappointed again. The shrimp tasted as though it had been frozen and then reconstituted in a bowl of cold water. The cocktail sauce made the shrimp palatable. I love when they have a good amount of horseradish in it. After walking by our table several times, the runner finally figured out that the oysters he was carrying belonged to our table. I was a bit trepidacious due to what I had already experienced. I asked the waitress for some butter, lemon, and horseradish and went to try one of the oysters while she was away. I had asked for them lightly steamed and they were cooked just right. The meal was looking up. I looked for the hot sauce and saw they had Louisiana rather than Tobasco; another plus! I put some of the sauce on the oyster in the shell and then went to pick it up. It wouldn't come out of the shell. The person that had prepared it didn't separate any of my oysters from their shells. I proceeded to remove all of the oysters from their shells as I waited for the rest of my condiments to arrive -- I was done before they did. Barring the lack of proper preparation of the oysters, they weren't too bad. As I finished the oysters our entrees arrived. It was at this point that our dinner became a buffet -- the line chefs had completely mixed up our orders and we were not willing to wait for them to fix it. The plates were placed on the table and they were piping hot -- and we all know that a hot plate means the food has been sitting under the heat lamps for some time. I decided to just move on and begin sampling all of the food. The corn on the cob was bad; it should not taste like someone opened a can of corn and then glued the kernels back on the cob. It should have been crisp and flavorful rather than soggy, limp and flavorless. The green beans were okay; a tad oversalted and overcooked, but I could eat them. Moving on to the potatoes, the baked potato was slightly over cooked and dry. The Delmonico potatoes were odd. Think of potatoes au gratin and scalloped potatoes and then mix together the two concepts in a haphazard manner and you have these potatoes. It was sloppy, flavorless, and I wish I hadn't ordered them. The meats were the last thing I tried. My friend went for the shrimp first and so I already knew they were soggy. When I tried, they were definitely soggy. This is sad since the flavor was good. I moved on to the Mahi-Mahi and I wish they had killed it less. Again, the flavor was good, but it was overcooked and dry. Consistency and reliability are two qualities that any really good restaurant must have for me to like it. I don't know that I want to return.
(2)
Christina E.
We shared a dozen steamed oysters, crab cake sliders & red velvet cake. Oysters were a bit dry, but ok. My husband liked the crab cake sliders, I thought they were just ok. Two thumbs up for the red velvet cake! I had a " Skinny" Margarita before eating which had a different taste to it (definitely not a real one). The draft beer was served cold. But no coaster or beverage napkin was given, so the sweat from the glass was all over the table. It's an okay place in a beautiful area, so I suppose I'll just have to keep my expectations to a minimum.
(3)
Spike P.
Went for Lunch,Food and Service were very good. We will return.
(4)
Jessica T.
Came here to Punta Gorda on Business and after being in the car I was ready to find a good place near by the hotel that I could possibly walk to, asked the hotel clerk and they recommended this place. I had the Grouper Ruben ... AWSOME!!! It is definitely something that I would recommend and would order again should I have the chance of going there again!
(4)
Joan P.
We went yesterday and enjoyed wonderful food and a great view on the outside terrace. Service with Jennifer was very good as well.
(5)
Goofy D.
I had the catfish. It was ok. - had chicken imperial. - had a hamburger topped with Shrimp. - had softshell sandwich.
(2)
Danny N.
Sushi was great. Service was fantastic and a wonderful atmosphere. Problem was the entree. Very bland and over cooked. Will be back for sushi and drinks not sure if they will get a second chance for main course.
(3)
John W.
I've been to the Crab House numerous times before and had some OK meals and some below average meals. I do love their location, the atmosphere and views so my wife and I decided to try it again for lunch. Beautiful table overlooking the marina so my hopes were high. I ordered a seafood Cobb salad and I was very disappointed. The salad was a bed of iceberg lettuce with a mixture of wet/mushy crab, shrimp and scallops plopped on top. The salad dressing was not good and made the salad taste even more bland. All this for $14 so needless to say I wasn't impressed. I may go back again but if I do I think it will only be for drinks. I raised it to 2 stars because of the views.
(2)
Kim S.
Beautiful restaurant, gorgeous views. We sat out on the patio that overlooks the marina. Our waitress was very attentive. The problem was with the kitchen mixing up orders. First they brought the wrong order out. Then they brought our orders but it had the wrong sides.on it'. My husband had the blackened grouper sandwich which was "ok". I had the Fish & Chips which was made with grouper fingers. A bit too greasy for me. It wasn't a tempura batter at all, very heavy and greasy. Would go back for a cocktail at sunset but probably.not.for.dinner.
(2)
Jan I.
After reading the other reviews on Yelp, we almost didn't go to dinner here. but it was convenient so we tried it. The parking lot was FULL of cars at 6 PM, always a good sign. It would have been an hour wait so the four of us took a nice high top table in the bar - with a good view of the sunset. The service was very pleasant and timely. I had mahi as did one other in our party, one had fried shrimp and one had southern crab cakes. Price was mid-range and food was good. My mahi was not dry and overcooked as stated by other reviewers. The only complaint our party had was that there could have been more of the delicious dipping sauce for the crab cakes. We'd go back, we were pleasantly surprised that for once Yelp was wrong ... of course it might have been our age.... :)
(4)
Rodney A.
The only thing this place has to offer are the views ... If you can actually get a seat outside. The fish was over cooked and the vegetables were soggy. I've eaten here about three times now, and it just never gets any better. For good sushi skip this place and go to Amimotos.
(1)
David H.
First of all, lemme start by saying the place smells, not figuratively, LITERALLY. its smells like fish that has seen better days, about 100 days ago, is smeared all over the walls, i kid u not, its the only thing i can smell.all i got was creme brulee, thats it. if u have creme brulee on your menu, u should know how to make it. first time it came out, runny, half burnt sugar half no sugar at all (huh?) so i send it back saying ill take another if it doesnt look like the first one, and I KID U NOT, the server had the audacity to bring the dessert out again, looking worse than the first one. i chucked 3$ for my drink and said F*** it. im out. "and BTW your restaurant smells like a dirty prostitutes underwear"
(1)
Stephen M.
Nice location and decor. That's about it. Average food at above average prices. Huge indoor and outdoor bars with NO HAPPY HOUR! What's up with that? Better value for lunch.
(2)
Dennis S.
Its a pretty solid three star the food was just average.Think of Red Lobster and your on target. The location really saves this place. There is a large outside deck area that has a good view of the harbor. The wood dining tables were sticky like they could have used a good cleaning.
(3)
Michael M.
Food was good service was ok. We had conch fritters, fish tacos and blackened grouper sandwich. The fritters actually had a good bit of conch in them and were tasty. Grouper and tacos were solid good food. Nothing special but just good food. The view is nice if you sit on the balcony.
(3)
Allie P.
Crab soup was very bland, lobster Mac and cheese was poor. It was penne with what tastes like velveta cheese, lobster was rubbery, and topped with some shredded and melted cheese. Crab quesadillas were just ok, crab had very little flavor, best part was the corn type salsa inside. Other people had the fried grouper and they said it tasted very fishy. It was good a few years ago when we were on vacation here but apparently it's under new ownership.
(2)
Sum G.
Wonderful atmosphere which is to be expected at a crab shack and excellent location. Particularly if traveling with small children it's a perfect stop as there is a park near by and ice cream shop! The staff were very friendly and the food was ok. We ordered some appetizers (fried green tomatoes, coconut shrimp and conch fritters). All were very good we especially enjoyed the coconut sauce with the shrimp! Our entrees were not quite as good as the appetizers but not bad (turkey sandwich and shrimp poboy with sweet potato fries). The shrimp poboy did not come with the sauce that was listed for it and the turkey sandwich was just ok. We also ordered the key lime pie and that was amazing! For a crab shack however there was hardly anything crab on the menu other than a crab cake. We were told there was more crab items on the dinner menu but you could not order from there for lunch. We left satisfied and our one year old thoroughly enjoyed himself!
(4)
Patricia P.
We had our Shelby Co Luncheon here today. The food was excellent and everyone had a great time. Juan and Sam were fantastic along with the rest if the staff. We had 137 in our group and things went so smooth. We'll see you next year. Thanks again Laishley Crab House. ..
(5)
Andrew J.
Excellent seafood and fantastic harbor view. Strong service, definitely made me a repeat customer
(5)
Amanda G.
Really mediocre food and service. It seems like a restaurant with the words "Crab Shack" in it would have good crab dishes, but not so much. The menu said the California roll contained "crab" -- not imitation crab or crab sticks -- so I assumed it would be made with actual crab. Wrong! Imitation crab. The Cali roll at Publix tastes about the same. The soft shell crab was fishy. The crab cakes were mushy and gross. The chowder was not very good. The atmosphere and the french fries were good, I guess. My sister liked her fried seafood combo. That's about all I can say.
(2)
Renee P.
I was very disappointed. Bad service and food that was mediocre at best. We won't be back.
(2)
Lauren M.
We ate here on Friday night with our family. We ordered two rolls. One was the spicy conch roll the other was a California roll. Both were good but the conch roll could have been more chilled. We also had oysters on the half shell. They were good but not spectacular. They were very large though. I had the scallops which were perfectly cook and the sauce was very flavorful. The side dish of arborio rice was undercooked and very bland. The squash side dish was very good though. My husband's swordfish was a tad overdone and they plopped a big scoop of coleslaw on top. Overall the meal was good. The service was above average. I'd say the place was a bit pricier than it needed to be but I guess you're paying a premium to eat by water. I would go here again.
(4)
Michael D.
Wow this was a beautiful spot. The views are unmatched in the Puntal Gorda area. The help could not have been friendlier and more attentative. The restaurant was beautiful and spotless. The drinks were generous in size and reasonably priced. The food was beautifuly presented and excellent. I had the broiled seafood platter, and was given a generous piece of grouper, lots of shrimp, and scallops. A must stop place for any visitor to the area.
(5)
Arthur H.
The people greeting us were very friendly. The service was very good. Loved the steam pot.
(4)
Robert G.
Had lunch there on Sunday, Jan 14, 2014 and was disappointed. My wife and I both ordered the fish (tempura battered grouper) and chips (sweet potato steak fries) with coleslaw. The batter seemed too thick to be a true tempura and slightly overcooked. The fish had an off taste, definitely not fresh. The cole slaw was very bland. The only really good tasting part of the meal was the sweet potato fries. They were excellent as was the service.
(2)
Kevin S.
Went here with the inlaws. One of the best seafood restaurants in SW florida. Hands down best sushi around. The alaskan king crab legs were delicious and i dont like crab legs. Def a must try. The prices are a little high but absolutely worth it.
(4)
Jeremy W.
Exceptionally slow service really jaded our experience from the start. From there, the crab was oversteamed to a point that removed the red hue of the shell and resulted in a chewy tasteless meat. It was quite a disappointing experience.
(1)
Ellen S.
I've been 2 or 3 times so far. I think I'm gonna cross it off the list. It's just not that good - especially for the price. I think people like the atmosphere and the view. That's fine, if that's all you're looking for. But for good food - this isn't. It isn't terrible. It's just boring, bland, and not delicious.
(2)
Leslie H.
fabulous place. great view over the marina and terrific food. calamari is a must have!
(5)
Daniel K.
Beautiful views of the harbor, huge bar inside and out, fabulous patio overlooking marina, sushi bar, crab presentation table side, private meeting rooms, this place has it all. By the way the food is good too.
(5)
Jim F.
I read the other reviews but went anyway. Glad i did. I've vacationed in the area for 30 years annually and nothing can compare. This place is a fantastic., Juan was our server and he was terrific. I will go back and often. The sushi was divine and fresh Bill C from SGC
(5)
Theresa M.
The 3 stars are because for Punta Gorda the sushi is 5 stars first rate. I rarely have anything else..although I've tasted... similar in taste to Harpoons, etc. Go for the sushi and the view.. In fact I usually have sushi at the outdoor bar with some sake...and watch the sunset. Not many places you can do that!
(3)
Marc K.
We went to Laishley's to celebrate my wife's birthday with two other couples. We decided to sit inside because of the potential of sitting among smokers outside, based on the advice of the other couples who had that unfortunate experience a few weeks earlier. The decor is what you'd expect for a 'crab shack' restaurant in a Florida coastal town; semi-tacky, but large and open. Our waitress, Jaimie(?), was very friendly and fairly attentive despite having another large party nearby. We ordered the Ponce de Leon crab dip served in a bread bowl as an appetizer for the table. It was a bit soupy but most of us seemed to like it. Me, not so much. Everyone in our group enjoyed their main course meals and my wife's baked stuffed shrimp was quite good.
(4)
Jill M.
I have eaten there a few times. The sushi is excellent, and pretty much the only thing I order any more. I have tried other dishes including a pasta and steak dish, and both were just plain bad. The view is beautiful and the service has drastically improved since this place opened. To me, Crab House is a place for sushi and a great place to meet friends for drinks. Go somewhere else if you're looking for an exceptional dining experience.
(3)
Andrew B.
We went to Laishleys with six people. The room we sat in was newly built and pleasant until a kids birthday party was held behind a screened partition in the back of the room. The noise became intense and nearly intolerable. We had to shout to be heard. That being said, the food was good. We had the conch fritters and fried green tomato appetizers. These were tasty. The tomatoes were served with Mozzarella, somewhat unusual, but good. I had the crab cakes which were moist and all crab without much bread. Others had scallops which were also good. Nice place with ample parking. Without the noise it would have been a great dinner.
(3)
chuckd d.
As far as take out sushi goes, this place is pretty good. With the elaborate entrance and stairway, it's not exactly an ideal place to go for take out food, but it's a nice looking new place with friendly host/bar staff. I look forward to going back and sitting down for an actual meal.
(4)
Ron B.
Some real good high quality Sushi and the price is right California rolls 5 bucks. Friendly service and breathtaking views of the water. Cant say enough good things about the sushi all the other food we had was great also. our server Ashlyne was funny professional and attentive. We will be back. love this place
(5)
Elizabeth R.
This was our 2nd visit to Laishley,I was disappointed this time. we ordered an appetizer of fried green tomatoes $7.00 ,3 slices of very breaded tomato stacked with 2 slices of mozzarella on top of a lettuce mix. Over cooked and not worth the money. We also ordered a dozen oysters. $14.00. Obviously the prefrozen kind no briny sea taste,not very plump or tasty.. I ordered the Crab Parmesan Groupr $22.00 . Eh not much flavor and the zucchini squash veg mix lacked luster ,flavor and very over cooked. The risotto , actually l cooked large grain rice. The ice tea was good. My dining companion had the Scollops with the pancetta risotto, scallops were good ,again risotto was undercooked large grain rice and the pancetta was chunks of cooked ham. Again the veggies overlooked tasteless mess.. The restaurant does have a pleasant atmosphere usually ,but there seemed to be problems with the cook. The table next to us returned their meal as not very good. our server was young and seemed in a hurry for us to order our meal after placing our order for our appetizer. He needs a little mor experience and relax he will be fine. Maybe during season the food will be better prepared. Definitely not worth $87.00
(2)
Nat M.
I really like this place! A lot of the dishes are hit or miss, so it helps to read reviews to get an idea of what's good before you go. As for me, I absolutely loved the sushi. I ordered the "combo B" platter at the recommendation of our waiter. It comes with Florida, Yum Yum, Spicy Salmon, Tuna Avocado, and Sesame Seeds rolls. It seemed like a great bargain for only $20. Better yet, it tasted great. I'm still craving their sushi. I also ordered the She Crab soup and that was tasty too. In addition, the view on the water is fantastic. This won't be the best food you've ever had, but it's satisfying and yummy and an all-around good deal. The cherry on top of the whole experience was the service. Our waiter was engaging and helpful. He recommended places to visit in the area and also made menu suggestions based on our questions.
(4)
Gigi M.
What a great date spot!! my husband and I came here on a date night. food was AWESOME! Service was great. Got a little scared when we came in, they were really getting slammed. Food still came out fast, hot & beyond Delicious!!
(5)
Kennebago S.
Second visit with my wife last night. My wife had the chicken breast with wild rice. I had the cheeseburger with fries. Both meals were bland at best. My cheeseburger tasted like somebody had rubbed some hot spice on it and the fries were limp and not tasty. The chicken seemed to have just come out of a microwave oven and the wild rice was dry. This is our last visit.
(2)
Kevin S.
Nice harbor view. The meal was good and the drinks were stout. We were there at 5:30 PM on a Sunday evening and were seated just before the place completely filled up. Seemed very popular with an older crowed.
(3)
Shannon M.
On our last night in FL, my mother, grandmother and I all went to Laishley Crab House for dinner. Of course, first we had to navigate their maze of an entryway (which included my grandmother catching her walker twice on the two huge "Laishley's Crab House" indoor/outdoor carpets that are in the downstairs lobby and then again upstairs when you exit the elevator. People, this is Florida, and I have to imagine there are some older patrons. Can we keep the injury quotient to a minimum?) So from the get-go I was unimpressed, and the all-wood lodge look didn't seem to fit in with the crab house theme, but rather with a Bass Pro Shop. For an entree I got the Southern style crab cakes, which had a lot of crab but were gritty with what I assume was cornmeal and very mustardy tasting (and also very yellow). Also, the menu said it came with corn on the cob but it came instead with a rather tired-looking bowl of corn kernels which didn't appeal at all. My grandmother said I should send them back; she mentioned it to the waiter, and he said we were right, it was supposed to be on the cob per the menu. When we ordered dessert it ended up being no charge for the kitchen's error, so that was a nice correction. There are so many places in this area to eat that I wouldn't return here. The experience just made me crabby.
(2)
Ryan S.
Came here with family. Had a good menu and also had sushi. I ordered the ahi tuna salad with some sashimi salmon. I enjoyed both. Beautiful few of the boats and docks too. Wood finish had a Maine feel.
(4)
Curry M.
Our family went to dinner this evening at Laishley's. All of us were very pleased with our meals. Three of us had the Seafood Pasta dish and one had the Shrimp stuffed with crab meat. We loved it and would recommend Laishley's. This has not been our first time. Most previous dinings were for lunch and they were as enjoyable.
(4)
Suzanne B.
Have lived in Punta Gorda for 31 yrs, the Smugglers chain has always been mediocre at best! This was my second time at the Crab House. Only came back a second time because I was given a gift card. We started out with some sushi which was excellent, should have stuck with that! I had soft shell crabs that were over cooked on a bed of wild rice, no flavor, and Sysco veggies no seasoning. My husband got one of the specials, triple tail served with a discussing blob of broccoli cheese rice, and Sysco veggies. The Crab House it self is a nice restaurant, beautiful setting on the Peace River. So sad that the Smugglers chain can't serve good food!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Kevin B.
Rather large place on the Peace River that offers a little mix of everything with a seafood accent. Great cavernous indoor seating and nice outdoor seating. Good cocktails with a southwest Florida twist on the names, drafts and craft beers. Great service, pretty good food and decent prices. Recommend the spicy tuna rice bowl but pass on the shrimp shumai.
(4)Patricia W.
Great view good sushi too. Charlotte Harbor breezes a d the best sunsets. Go early for a good seat outside.
(4)Katalina Q.
Have been here twice the past week. What I like: - Great view of the marina if you are dining on the back patio. - The second time we were there we had a great attentive server. - After food is ordered it's delivered fairly quickly and it's fresh. - The food here is pretty good. We've had the Caesar salad, calamari, ahi salad, and the squid salad. Calamari was a tad rubbery. What I didn't like: We asked to be seated outside and were shown to a table against the restaurant wall vs. one overlooking the water. Since there were two available tables overlooking the water we asked if we could switch. We were told both tables were reserved and if they gave us one they'd be "screwing" (the hostesses word not mine) the folks who had taken the time to make a reservation out of a table. OK I get that and while one of the parties showed up within 15 minutes the other was a no show for the whole 90 minutes we were there.
(4)Joe P.
Love the food, wife loves their salmon. Very responsive staff, great atmosphere view is spectacular. Respective pricing for A grade food!
(4)Shelley K.
Great food! Love to eat on the patio and look for my future yacht!!
(4)Dina C.
I had a very nice lunch here. It was midweek and rather slow as all the snowbirds are gone for the summer. I had a table overlooking the marina, which was pretty cool. They had a special of crab and shrimp stuffed Halibut topped with a lobster sherry sauce for just $13. It was excellent and very fresh. The piece of Halibut was huge, baked perfectly, and just lovely. I tried the clam chowder as a starter, which was good but not the best. I thought a small cup for $6 was very overpriced. $4 would be fair for a lunch cup of soup. Service was good. They should list out a price list with their cocktail menu. I will return.
(3)Stephanie V.
My fave is the artichoke crab dip! My boys and I get it every time. Everything we have tried we have loved! Awesome views!!!
(5)Sandra G.
Great food, beautiful view, great service! A couple of us had sushi and I had the crab avocado salad. They were all excellent. I ordered a vodka club soda with 3 limes....They squeezed in all they limes and brought extra on they side, I love that kind of service.
(5)MaryAnn O.
I have been there several times. I always am pleased with the food and my overall experience.
(5)Mandy W.
Great view from the outdoor seating on the deck. It has two huge bars. My husband and I were here for Lunch while we were on a house hunt. He had a buffalo chicken wrap, I had the Pacific Grouper Wrap with mojito. The sweet potatoes fries came with our meals were TO DIE FOR!!! My wrap wasn't wrap very well. Everything broke apart as soon as I grab it. The view was gorgeous even though it was raining. We will definitely to back from sushi.
(4)Cathy K.
Definitely grab a table with a view! We enjoyed the bruschetta appetizer that was scrumptious!! Seafood was very fresh and perfectly prepared. Service was good too.
(4)Mindy B.
Great view of the marina and surprisingly delicious sushi! Convenient location if you're staying at the four points. Bar outside was huge! Only complaint is that counter was a bit sticky.
(4)Cicely S.
3 stars for food, 4 for service. I ordered the special diablo- it was too tomatoey and sweet- but the fish was really good and cooked perfectly. Service was great, they forgot to put calamari in the diablo so the server brought out a whole plate of it! That was nice.
(3)Annalynn S.
Wonderful stall and very good sushi menu. You really can't beat the scenery. There is nothing like a good glass of wine, sushi and a sunset to lift your spirits.
(4)Alexandra D.
By far, our FAVORITE restaurant in Punta Gorda. Great view, great service and wonderful food. Their sushi menu is very eclectic and their dinner menu varies with great specials such as their sea bass. My first date spot with my hubby and never let down.
(5)Amar K.
Been to this spot a few times with family. While the location has a center wow factor, my food and service experiences have always been mixed. If you get a good server that will work with you on where you'd like to sit and how you want your food prepared you're off to a good start. Kinda overpriced for what you get on many levels, especially with so many fried foods. Recently did have a steamer pot thought which I mostly enjoyed. Crab and mussels were yummy, hushpuppies drowned in the pot, opps. Fried oysters were also a win in the past. Fish preparation hit or miss. Easy to fill up on free bread.
(3)michelle l.
This is a place that depends on its location for most of its business. Being right on the river, this is a lovely place to see the sunset while having a cocktail. As for the food, it's okay, but nothing to drive out of my way for. Being on the gulf coast, I would expect a seafood restaurant in Punta Gorda to focus on local seafood. They did serve some grouper, but there was a lot of seafood that definitely had to be flown in. I started with the she crab soup, and that was pretty tasty. I also had a green salad, and I found the orange to overwhelm the ginger. I then had the oysters, which were not as briny as I'd expect. My husband had the New England clam chowder, and he thought my soup was much better. He also had the Caesar salad, which he liked. For his entree, he had the Alaskan king crab bucket. The crab did not taste very fresh. He had been upsold on the premium crab legs, which supposedly were extra rinsed, whatever that means. He thinks it made it much saltier, and I found the texture of the meat to be mushy. Definitely not worth $74. We did find one gem on their wine list, which helped us feel redeemed eating here. But if we hadn't had that, I'd probably be pretty irritated eating here for the mediocre food.
(3)Patti H.
Great location but that is about it. The food, ehh, not fresh for the prices they charge, it should not be frozen food. Service is VERY slow!!! Just not to real happy with the place. Could be a GREAT place but, they just didn't hit the mark for anyone in our party.
(2)TrixieRae R.
You have to come here at least once. Reminiscent of the new Pinchers Crab Shack on W First Street in downtown Fort Myers, the view may just be better in in PG! Prices are less expensive than Ft Myers Sat outside on a summer rainy afternoon with the old style fans, quick bar access and seats at the bar. DH had fried grouper sandwich and sweet potato fries (sound better than they are) but the fish hung way over bun. I had sushi, fried Boston roll and a green salad with ginger dressing. Sad salad. No color. Homemade dressing needs some rice wine vinegar. Pretty orange color. Who cares about these minor deets with the gorgeous view and a hideaway spot! What needs mentioning is the absolute stellar service Geoffrey provided at our table while being the bartender. Thank you for the awesome service!!
(4)Maria B.
Lovely!! Great balcony view at sunset, great waitress and the scallops in the mango chutney were absolute perfection!
(5)Kerensa E.
This is a nice waterfront dining location but not worth the price. The deck was a nice relaxing area to be but help was slow and the table they sat us at was filthy. After a clean up, lunch came reasonably prompt, however their signature Cobb salad with the crab, shrimp and scallop mix was bland and tasteless. Iceberg lettuce never impresses me, and the dressing was basically oil with dried flavorless cilantro. The fried mahi sandwich was also tasteless and definitely from frozen. The only redemption was good beers that were served cold. Won't visit again.
(2)Michelle L.
I love this place! Best sushi in Punta Gorda. I order the sushi combination platter, religiously. It is more than enough for two people and is made to order, don't get in a hurry. The crab house is situated right on Charlotte Harbor and the outdoor seating is superb. They even have heaters outside for the rare Florida cold fronts. If you are not a sushi fan the crab or chicken quesadillas are awesome, as is the she crab soup, blue crab burger and all the salads. Overall great place, service is usually a bit slow, but the outside ambiance makes up for it!
(4)Flo V.
Absolutely one of the best views in Pinta Gorda. They do sushi very well but i find some of there other dishes hit & miss. The Crab salad seems to be consistent..... I usually stick w/ the sushi. Love the view.
(4)Joseph J.
LAISHLEY'S is a great place to meet friends for dinner or lunch. Great ambience, good service, and delicious food. What more could a person ask?!!! JoeJ Ft Myers FL
(5)Jing J.
We were seated right away. The appetizer came with a little wait, tasty seaweed salad. For my main course I ordered cooked happy dragon which says nothing about having avocado in it but came with one. The server was happy to correct my order and offered a "yum yum roll" instead. But if you don't eat fish eggs, you're not going to like this dish, so evidently I was still hungry. I tried some of my husband's grouper fish and chips which tasted really bland. The ambiance was very appealing but the food needs improvement.
(4)Andrea P.
Seriously...the best service and food we've had in this area in a LONG TIME! Hubby and I live in North Port and rarely venture into Punta Gorda for dinners because we're always disappointed. Well, never again! We recommend the Crab Stack for an appetizer! If you like spicy, get some sriracha sauce on the side and drizzle on top or eat with each bite. Delish! Hubby got California roll (for $5) and Fried Bagel roll (smoked salmon/cream cheese) and he was very very happy. :-) I got Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl which had a hearty helping of spicy tuna (more than you would get in a roll), avocado, baby sprouts, and seaweed salad all on top of sushi rice. Oh my gosh...all of my favorites in one bowl! :-)
(5)David S.
I have never had a bad meal here but the last 3 or 4 times I have been here, the service has been atrocious. I could understand if they were packed but this was at 4:45 on a Thursday and we were the server's only table. with 7 people and a $200 bill, the least our server could do is refill our water. One other tip, if you don't make reservations plan on being sat at a table with no view of anything but the sushi bar.
(3)Danielle D.
It was very good. They accommodated to my vegetarian needs, and even lowered the price for me. I would recommend it, especially for the view. The only thing I would say not to get is the green fried tomatoes it came with THREE tomatoes that were flavorless, and for the 4 of us the bill was a little over $100 but that was with 2 appetizers. For the expense I give it 4, for taste, service, and accommodation 5!
(5)Terry G.
This was a very nice place with great service and the view was great. I know it is a seafood restaurant but after a solid week of seafood I was ready for a change. I ordered the Frita burger with fries and coleslaw. The beef laced with chorizo burger was very good, the fries were large and crispy. I especially liked the coleslaw which was creamy with a very sweet flavor the way I like it. I give this place a thumbs up and would have given it 5 stars but the burger was good but not in my top 5. I do love the Florida suncoast area and plan to return.
(4)Iven S.
Paddle board in the harbor, have the kids play in the spray-park, lunch here, and end with ice cream at Harborwalk Scoops and Bites! While the food is nothing special, the venue, nearby attractions, and convenience makes this place a winner.
(4)Matthew M.
Great food. friendly staff and great service. Grouper sandwich is great!
(5)Roger M.
Great location, but the interior is totally lacking ambiance. Our group of ten met for lunch and due to a cold snap, sat inside. The dining room had all the charm of a high school cafeteria, and despite the name of the place, the menu was lacking in the seafood department. Having said all that, our waiter was superb, and the food we did get was good. Perhaps if it were a warmer, less blustery, day we could have sat outside and enjoyed the waterfront view.
(2)Renee W.
I have eaten here several times, but this time I can say it was really good. Friendly staff, delicious food and gorgeous views. I will be back. It is a little pricey, but won't deter me from coming back, maybe just not as often as I would like.
(4)Jessica Q.
Waited for 1 1/2 hours as they forgot about our reservation. Food was good when we finally got seated. Outdoor bar is very cool. Sunset was nice.
(3)Jody C.
Not my favorite place to eat. It does sit on the river so you have a great view. Just disappointed in the food.
(3)Francesco C.
Seafood smells great. Balcony view of Charlotte Harbor and Laishley Park. Laishley seems to be the popular spot in the Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda. While waiting to be seated we noticed a class reunion celebrating in a separate room, while all of the inside tables where taken. We sat outside to watch part of the sunset over looking the bay. What's neat about this restaurant is that it is on the second floor which allows you to have a spectacular view of the water front with boat docks. I ordered a Southern Style Blue Crab Cake sandwich. It was served on a croissant (which I didn't care for) but the crab meat was delicious and their tar tar sauce made it more tasty. Served with Sweet Potato fries. My friend had ordered the Pacific Grouper Wrap, the grouper was delicious and she couldn't finish the wraps) as they were pretty good in size. I tried just the grouper in her wrap and it was very tasty! Also served with Sweet Potato fries. There's an inside and an outside bar full people mingling. I recommend this place for ambiance and a first date kind of place with a great view. Keep in mind, this would be a great place during a clear day and just before a sunset. Your friends will be in awe just by the view.
(4)Kevin S.
Excellent View and Great Service. I ordered a Grouper sandwich and had to cut the fillet in half to fit on the bun. Yum
(5)Bill B.
Had conch fritters, orange margaritas, and scallops served with wonderful risotto. It was our first visit and definitely not our last!!!! The food was superb, the ambience was cool, and the server was da bomb!!! We have a new favorite restaurant!!!!! You really need to eat here!!!'
(5)David R.
One of the best places to have sushi in the Charlotte County area. Having moved from the west coast(Portland). I had been craving sushi and as you know once you eat bad sushi it's hard to ever want to eat it again. When I came in to the crab house I walked straight out to the outdoor area which has a nice view of the river. It was already dark and the atmosphere was pretty electric. I ordered my Mexican Rolls and I ordered some Gyoza for appetizers. I was drinking on Stella and my bartender was great making sure I was always attended to. When I came out I was surprised at the portion size. Nice size portions. I was full toward the end. There was no reason to ask me if I was interested in dessert. I would recommend this place to anyone who has a craving for sushi or seafood.
(5)Sarah P.
Great location and view,staff is hit or miss...food,is horrible! Been here twice,both times the seafood was fishy,crab legs tasted water logged which was extremely disappointing since they were NOT cheap. I gave it two trys...will not be back.
(2)Alisa M.
We enjoyed our meal here. Our server was great, friendly and took good care of us. We ordered the seafood dip served in a bread bowl, and a seafood platter that includes shrimp, scallops, grouper, fries, corn & hush puppies. The fries were cold and seemed old. Otherwise our food was great. When our entrees were brought out it was only shrimp but our server immediately went to the back to straighten it out, and delivered the rest of our food. We will be back!
(4)Jonathan P.
Food was good. Sat at the bar to eat and run. But I received slow service. Will go back if I'm ever in the town again.
(3)Whit W.
The food is good ... But the smoke is awful. Unfortunately they allow smoking on the deck of the restaurant.... So if you're a non smoker, forget enjoying the deck ! And even if you sit inside, every time the doors open, you get hit with smoke. I'm giving the restaurant four stars because the food was great, but it's doubtful we will return. Wish the restaurant would become totally smoke free!!!!!
(4)Bruce Z.
We had lunch with six others in a very nice view on the deck in what is really a quite a large restaurant. I was impressed with the quality, efficient service and overall experience. We had four separate checks with the second part of the parties being scattered on the table. We took bets to see if our waitress would get it right. Perfect score. Their she crab soup was delicious. Everyone was happy even with only one glass of wine for some of us. This is a great destination place for casual dining.
(4)Susan K.
Went last week. I had the grilled grouper special. Very dry and tasteless even with sundries tomatoes, etc. My mom had fried soft shell crab. Tasteless with thick batter. Only dinner that was good was my husbands sashimi. You're paying for ambience being on the water. Won't return.
(2)Emma C.
I ordered calamari and a glass of wine. The calamari was tender. The wine was chilled properly and the bartender was very good. The venue is in a very pretty location. This was my second time visiting this location and I would return.
(3)Tina K.
As most have said, location is what makes this place. Our server was good too and had the cutest smile. If it weren't for him and the location I would probably give one star because the food was sorely lacking. I ordered the Seafood Platter but asked for the steamed broccoli instead of the fries and hushpuppies and was told it would cost $3 more. I asked if that were the case even if I didn't get the other items and was told yes, strike one. My food arrived and my $3 upcharged broccoli was $1 per small stem, strike two. My broiled "platter" consisted of 3 ea steamed, fairly tasteless scallops/shrimp and a fishy tasting grouper filet that was oddly overdone on the ends and close to under done in the middle - you're out!!
(2)Judy M.
We were there with some friends about a month ago for Fish Fry on Friday. It was very good and the side salad I ordered made with Romaine lettuce was also great and generous for the price. We are definitely putting this on our list of places we love to eat. We ate out on the porch and being next to the water made it that much more enjoyable.
(4)Jeff B.
Excellent view from the large patio and this place is HUGE on the inside too! Cool bar area inside with big windows facing the water throughout. Fresh seafood, a diverse menu and friendly staff, although I do have to agree with some of the other reviewers that the service can be painfully slow. My advice...when you have the chance to order, do so. Our waitress was excellent right up until we said "Can you give us just one more minute to decide on our entrees?" and then we didn't see her for 20 minutes or more. All in all a nice place that I would go to again if I'm in the area, with the understanding that I won't be in a hurry and that I'll decide what I want to eat shortly after sitting down.
(3)Roarke S.
Food, atmosphere, and service, Laishley hit it out of the park. I went with a friend on a Thursday night and was seated immediately after requesting a window; our waitress was Emma, and from start to finish she provided amazing service and better conversation. The atmosphere is casual, heavy on wood and sparsely decorated with drift wood sculptures; which by and large are prettier than they sound. Because of the high polish, meticulous cleanliness, and great view, business casual would fit bright in, more and you feel a bit like a stuffed shirt. I have not explored the menu extensively, but everything my friends and I have eaten has been ridiculously fresh. Less than 48 hrs out of the water, with most caught that morning. That Thursday I stayed on the sushi menu, getting Combo Platter B. Florida roll, Yum Yum, Spicy Salmon, Tuna Avocado. All very good, little heavy on the cream cheese, and every roll is garnished the same on a platter, so I was a little sick of sesame seeds by the end, but great all the same. Top drawer ingredients really helped, the tuna and salmon were to die for, the tempura shrimp perfectly done, asparagus crisp and tender; the wasabi was excellent, very sharp, and even the ginger was quality, nice bite and not overly pickled. My friend had fried shrimp and fries. No idea how the spuds were, but I stole a shrimp and it was delicious. Lightly batter, fried dark golden brown, not greasy and served almost too hot to eat. Oh! And they serve Mt. Dew, a.k.a. ambrosia. Don't miss this place, and ask for Emma when you get there.
(5)Jan W.
Ok someone must have gotten the message. Went there recently on a date and the food was MUCH better. I will be taking guests there. He had the salmon while I had the chicken quesadillas. The drinks were good and the food was such an improvement. Now for some bogos or coupons or maybe throw in some live entertainment. After all those of us living here full time deserve some thank you for helping support you during the summer months.
(4)Lynda C.
Very disappointed in my first (and last) visit! 1st the good - the shrimp cocktail had large tasty shrimp! Went downhill from there! Took over 30 minutes to get my salad which was old iceberg lettuce, pink (almost white) tomatoes and what tasted to me like cheap bottles salad dressing. Sent the salad back. Grilled "fresh" grouper came and was really bad! Small, thin, mostly grey meat - sure didn't look or taste fresh. Not even sure it was really grouper! Even after sending 2/3 of my meal back, no one came to speak to me to offer me something else or apologize (except my server). VERY poor business! I guess the view and the crab legs (can't screw up either of those) are what keeps people coming here.
(1)Erika S.
Food was okay. I had the philly cheese and I wasn't too fond of it. It was good, just not the best I've had. My boyfriend had some sushi rolls and calamari and he said they were okay. Other than the food, the view is beautiful! We sat outside at the bar & I couldn't keep my eyes off the river.
(3)Art J.
Let me start by saying the service was unbelievable. We sat outside at the bar which already has an amazing view, but you can eat right at the bar. We had 2 bartenders tend to us and they both were great. We ordered the steamed oysters and mentioned they were small so the bartender gave us more. One of the seafood platters did not have the grouper on it when it was supposed to so she came with a brand new plate and took it off our bill. Restaurants always make mistakes and I view it is how you handle it. They handled it with experience and professionalism. I will definitely come here again.
(4)Katie L.
Always receive great service! The sushi is great! And they have great wine and some yummy mixed drinks!
(5)Wendy K.
We were heading home from Miami to Tampa and stopped for gas and went to yelp to find a restaurant. Found this place and Food was great. Service awesome. Atmosphere was perfect. Would go back.
(5)Hayley H.
I love their outside seating. Gorgeous views of the bay. We had an amazing waitress. Just on top of it! A tall black lady. She was great. I had the sushi combo, or mega plate of sushi. Delish! We had fresh oysters, fritters to start. A few family members had pasta, which was a bit light on the scallops. Loved the patio!
(4)Kevin M.
One of my favorite restaurants in southwest Florida. we have eaten here multiple times and never have been disappointed. The sushi is some of the best and most fresh sushi in the area. Everything is good. The thing that tops off it all is the location. Right on the water and you can't go wrong sitting outside during sunset. Awesome environment with delicious food. Favorite sushi item is the volcano, the tsunami, or red dragon. All the sushi items are amazing though.
(5)Lorie P.
First visit. Hostess ignored up for about 10". Tried to convince us to eat outside for 5" ...in the rain. Our waiter was nice. New menu so there were no specials. Alaskan king legs 1.5 $72. Items were priced a little high. The Ahi Tuna was perfectly seared. A little heavy on the dill on the dressing. Sushi was a 5/10. Not that great. The food was good , not great but I don't think I would return.
(3)Donna-Jean F.
Blah. Gorgeous views. Great waitstaff. Alcohol is plentiful. But food is not good. Had fish tacos. Cabbage and pico de gallo was wilted and hot not fresh and crisp. Husband cheese steak was tough and chewy. Kids meals were horrible. Left annoyed. Won't go back. Maybe for a drink. Maybe
(2)Aaron B.
We had a nice gator appetizer and it was delish. Definitely not a date spot or a place for a great sit down meal, but good stop for snacks and drinks.
(4)Lisa A.
A Florida waitress who found $1,000 left behind on a table last week did the right thing with the money: She chased after the patron who she believed had left it behind on his way out of the restaurant. But Samantha Knight, who waits tables at the Laishley Crab House in Punta Gorda, Fla., had handed the money over to the wrong customer. The next day, the man who actually had left the $1,000, Chuck Behm, called to claim it, according to ABC News station WLS. "I feel really bad," Knight told WLS. "I wish I had just held on to it and waited for someone to call. But I thought I was giving it to the right guy." Behm and Knight both assumed that the $1,000 was long gone. On Sunday morning, however, the man who accepted the money returned to the Laishley Crab House with the $1,000 in hand, and an extra $100 for Knight herself. He said he took the money by mistake, according to ABC affiliate WZVN. Knight reached out to Behm, who in a surprise move, told Knight to keep the money. Knight, who is pregnant, said the $1,100 will go a long way toward her Christmas. "Overwhelmed, I was crying earlier. I called my mom and was like I can't believe it," Knight said
(5)Dan S.
Resturant atmosphere was nice for a waterfront place. Started with coconut shrimp and was very disappointed. Looked good when they arrived at table, but soon learned that the where half breading and the middle was not cooked completely. Next had clam chowder and tomatoes bisque and they were very good. Finally went with sushi based on other yelp reviews. The seafood in the sushi was good and seemed fresh, but the rolls were not wrapped tight and had a lot of rice. I'd say sushi was average at best. In general average place...but the coconut shrimp started things off bad.
(2)Rizzo K.
AMAZING She Crab soup. Wow. Great server. Gets pretty busy so expect longer than normal service. Beautiful inside. They have an outdoor area as well. Try the salt scrub they make in the bathroom! It's awesome.
(4)Dennis A.
Broiled grouper sandwich was excellent and sweet potato fries were perfect. Great service, and beautiful setting.
(5)Cp S.
The food was okay. The hostess terrible. We had an extremely long wait for our food. Will not return!
(2)Laura R.
Eat outside! There's a great view of the water and fans keep the covered deck pretty cool. The food was good - I had a decent grouper reuben & the sweet potato fries were really excellent. The waitress was efficient and the food came quickly. I'd definitely go back!
(4)Carrie C.
Visited on a recent evening while in the area with family. The good:The outdoor seating is nice and the overall ambiance of the place wasn't bad. Apparently the sushi was also decent but that was one order for one person in our party of 6. The bad: Overpriced!!! The Seafood platter contained 3 tiny bay scallops, 3 salad shrimp and one way overcooked piece of grouper for around $25, outrageous. $23 for two filler laden crab cakes with microwave green beans and reheated rice. Quality: Food was generally either lower in quality, poorly cooked or lacking in quantity to justify the inflated prices. Service: While friendly, it was spotty and disorganized. A second drink order took in excess of 20 minutes to arrive, The entrees for half the party came out with a 5-10 minute wait in between. Overall: Don't bother, you can find better for far less.
(1)Antony C.
Came here to grab a quick bite with a friend. Tried the fried shrimp, which was as a generous portion but not that tasty. Service was average. Good for quick, casual dining a notch above fast food.
(3)Terry D.
Lunch with high school classmates was OK. Service was good and friendly. I returned later for a drink to discuss business with my financial adviser. The drinks were so-so....kind of weak.
(3)Teri H.
I promised I would not go back but I got manipulated into a visit with a friend. Outside bar beer was cold and that is expected. I only ordered appetizer as I am still gun shy from last visit where I swore I would not return. Conch fritters and soup. Lashleys didn't disappoint me. How can deep fried be stone cold and how can creamy she crab soup be watery and no sign of crab? They were just as bad this time too. Really I'm not coming back again. I hate I even gave them the business...I knew better. Fool me once shame on you.. Fool me twice shame on me!
(1)Michael W.
First time here but so far it is great. Nice relaxing atmosphere and great staff. Had to wait a little while but there is a reason why. Dinner roles at the beginning are GREAT! Reasonably priced and great views on the water!
(4)Carlyn R.
We won't be back. The view was beautiful - until the blinding sun started to sink; had to move tables because folks couldn't see into the bright sun. Shades would really help. The servers were helpful, when around - sometimes they seemed to go missing. The food was very bland. However, the place is huge - the tables go forever. If the kitchen is cooking for that many people, I guess you have to manage your expectations. On a Sunday night - the place filled up. We'll be going elsewhere when seeking tasty seafood.
(1)Kerry H.
We stopped in to grab a quick bite on or way home from Florida. We told our server Lauren that we were in a hurry to catch a plane. She was so quick and friendly! And the food was fantastic! I had the fish tacos and my husband had the grouper sandwich. Awesome, tasty, well prepared dishes served by a great waitress! Seriously, we loved her! I want her to move to Chicago so she can work in my restaurant!
(5)Amber D.
Excellent service! Pricey but that is expected for seafood. My mother in law had fish and chips, which she said was the best she's ever had. The Alaskan king crab legs were out of this world. The only disappointment were the hush puppies - they were just meh. Everything else was stellar! Get the crab stacker appetizer - they don't skimp on the crab at all! We'll definitely be going back the next time we're in Punta Gorda.
(4)Meg H.
The location and atmosphere is great. The menu is ok, everything seems to be over fried however.
(2)Sal G.
I have been wanting to try the Laishley Crab House for quite some time. The dining area is upstairs and two large square bars are dropped in locations that make it obvious that this restaurant is used more for its bar than for its food. The dining areas are placed in whatever leftover space happened to be present after the bars were placed and outfitted with the money that was left over after the bars were complete. On a plus note, we were seated on the balcony in one of the coveted tables with a view without having to wait. It did take some time for our server to arrive; but when she did she appeared strained, over-worked and ready to have a break down. We ordered a water, unsweet tea, and a bowl of She-crab soup while deciding on the rest of the meal. Our server promptly brought us out our two waters, and bread with faux-butter -- I took this to mean two things: 1. Make certain she writes the rest of our order down, 2. I really am supposed to have a beer with dinner. So, when the She-crab soup arrived I ordered the only stout beer (think dunkel or Guiness) and we put in the rest of our order: Shrimp Cocktail Oysters (Lightly Steamed) Fried Shrimp, baked potatoe and green beans Mahi Mahi (blackened), corn on the cob and Delmonico potatoes After about 5 minutes our server returned to let me know that the beer menu is not correct and that she had an entirely different list of items on draft. Why wouldn't the menu be accurate? And why would the waitress tell me that it hadn't been accurate for a while? I am now moving beyond this part of the dinner experience. I ordered a Stella Artois to go along with my water. I decided to have some of the She-crab soup while waiting on the rest of the meal. It tasted like a cream soup with a lot of white pepper. I don't mean a "cream of..." soup, but a soup that was just cream that had been reduced to the point of being very viscous. I let my friend finish the soup as it wasn't worth my time and the fact that the shrimp cocktail had just arrived. I went for the shrimp with a passion and was disappointed again. The shrimp tasted as though it had been frozen and then reconstituted in a bowl of cold water. The cocktail sauce made the shrimp palatable. I love when they have a good amount of horseradish in it. After walking by our table several times, the runner finally figured out that the oysters he was carrying belonged to our table. I was a bit trepidacious due to what I had already experienced. I asked the waitress for some butter, lemon, and horseradish and went to try one of the oysters while she was away. I had asked for them lightly steamed and they were cooked just right. The meal was looking up. I looked for the hot sauce and saw they had Louisiana rather than Tobasco; another plus! I put some of the sauce on the oyster in the shell and then went to pick it up. It wouldn't come out of the shell. The person that had prepared it didn't separate any of my oysters from their shells. I proceeded to remove all of the oysters from their shells as I waited for the rest of my condiments to arrive -- I was done before they did. Barring the lack of proper preparation of the oysters, they weren't too bad. As I finished the oysters our entrees arrived. It was at this point that our dinner became a buffet -- the line chefs had completely mixed up our orders and we were not willing to wait for them to fix it. The plates were placed on the table and they were piping hot -- and we all know that a hot plate means the food has been sitting under the heat lamps for some time. I decided to just move on and begin sampling all of the food. The corn on the cob was bad; it should not taste like someone opened a can of corn and then glued the kernels back on the cob. It should have been crisp and flavorful rather than soggy, limp and flavorless. The green beans were okay; a tad oversalted and overcooked, but I could eat them. Moving on to the potatoes, the baked potato was slightly over cooked and dry. The Delmonico potatoes were odd. Think of potatoes au gratin and scalloped potatoes and then mix together the two concepts in a haphazard manner and you have these potatoes. It was sloppy, flavorless, and I wish I hadn't ordered them. The meats were the last thing I tried. My friend went for the shrimp first and so I already knew they were soggy. When I tried, they were definitely soggy. This is sad since the flavor was good. I moved on to the Mahi-Mahi and I wish they had killed it less. Again, the flavor was good, but it was overcooked and dry. Consistency and reliability are two qualities that any really good restaurant must have for me to like it. I don't know that I want to return.
(2)Christina E.
We shared a dozen steamed oysters, crab cake sliders & red velvet cake. Oysters were a bit dry, but ok. My husband liked the crab cake sliders, I thought they were just ok. Two thumbs up for the red velvet cake! I had a " Skinny" Margarita before eating which had a different taste to it (definitely not a real one). The draft beer was served cold. But no coaster or beverage napkin was given, so the sweat from the glass was all over the table. It's an okay place in a beautiful area, so I suppose I'll just have to keep my expectations to a minimum.
(3)Spike P.
Went for Lunch,Food and Service were very good. We will return.
(4)Jessica T.
Came here to Punta Gorda on Business and after being in the car I was ready to find a good place near by the hotel that I could possibly walk to, asked the hotel clerk and they recommended this place. I had the Grouper Ruben ... AWSOME!!! It is definitely something that I would recommend and would order again should I have the chance of going there again!
(4)Joan P.
We went yesterday and enjoyed wonderful food and a great view on the outside terrace. Service with Jennifer was very good as well.
(5)Goofy D.
I had the catfish. It was ok. - had chicken imperial. - had a hamburger topped with Shrimp. - had softshell sandwich.
(2)Danny N.
Sushi was great. Service was fantastic and a wonderful atmosphere. Problem was the entree. Very bland and over cooked. Will be back for sushi and drinks not sure if they will get a second chance for main course.
(3)John W.
I've been to the Crab House numerous times before and had some OK meals and some below average meals. I do love their location, the atmosphere and views so my wife and I decided to try it again for lunch. Beautiful table overlooking the marina so my hopes were high. I ordered a seafood Cobb salad and I was very disappointed. The salad was a bed of iceberg lettuce with a mixture of wet/mushy crab, shrimp and scallops plopped on top. The salad dressing was not good and made the salad taste even more bland. All this for $14 so needless to say I wasn't impressed. I may go back again but if I do I think it will only be for drinks. I raised it to 2 stars because of the views.
(2)Kim S.
Beautiful restaurant, gorgeous views. We sat out on the patio that overlooks the marina. Our waitress was very attentive. The problem was with the kitchen mixing up orders. First they brought the wrong order out. Then they brought our orders but it had the wrong sides.on it'. My husband had the blackened grouper sandwich which was "ok". I had the Fish & Chips which was made with grouper fingers. A bit too greasy for me. It wasn't a tempura batter at all, very heavy and greasy. Would go back for a cocktail at sunset but probably.not.for.dinner.
(2)Jan I.
After reading the other reviews on Yelp, we almost didn't go to dinner here. but it was convenient so we tried it. The parking lot was FULL of cars at 6 PM, always a good sign. It would have been an hour wait so the four of us took a nice high top table in the bar - with a good view of the sunset. The service was very pleasant and timely. I had mahi as did one other in our party, one had fried shrimp and one had southern crab cakes. Price was mid-range and food was good. My mahi was not dry and overcooked as stated by other reviewers. The only complaint our party had was that there could have been more of the delicious dipping sauce for the crab cakes. We'd go back, we were pleasantly surprised that for once Yelp was wrong ... of course it might have been our age.... :)
(4)Rodney A.
The only thing this place has to offer are the views ... If you can actually get a seat outside. The fish was over cooked and the vegetables were soggy. I've eaten here about three times now, and it just never gets any better. For good sushi skip this place and go to Amimotos.
(1)David H.
First of all, lemme start by saying the place smells, not figuratively, LITERALLY. its smells like fish that has seen better days, about 100 days ago, is smeared all over the walls, i kid u not, its the only thing i can smell.all i got was creme brulee, thats it. if u have creme brulee on your menu, u should know how to make it. first time it came out, runny, half burnt sugar half no sugar at all (huh?) so i send it back saying ill take another if it doesnt look like the first one, and I KID U NOT, the server had the audacity to bring the dessert out again, looking worse than the first one. i chucked 3$ for my drink and said F*** it. im out. "and BTW your restaurant smells like a dirty prostitutes underwear"
(1)Stephen M.
Nice location and decor. That's about it. Average food at above average prices. Huge indoor and outdoor bars with NO HAPPY HOUR! What's up with that? Better value for lunch.
(2)Dennis S.
Its a pretty solid three star the food was just average.Think of Red Lobster and your on target. The location really saves this place. There is a large outside deck area that has a good view of the harbor. The wood dining tables were sticky like they could have used a good cleaning.
(3)Michael M.
Food was good service was ok. We had conch fritters, fish tacos and blackened grouper sandwich. The fritters actually had a good bit of conch in them and were tasty. Grouper and tacos were solid good food. Nothing special but just good food. The view is nice if you sit on the balcony.
(3)Allie P.
Crab soup was very bland, lobster Mac and cheese was poor. It was penne with what tastes like velveta cheese, lobster was rubbery, and topped with some shredded and melted cheese. Crab quesadillas were just ok, crab had very little flavor, best part was the corn type salsa inside. Other people had the fried grouper and they said it tasted very fishy. It was good a few years ago when we were on vacation here but apparently it's under new ownership.
(2)Sum G.
Wonderful atmosphere which is to be expected at a crab shack and excellent location. Particularly if traveling with small children it's a perfect stop as there is a park near by and ice cream shop! The staff were very friendly and the food was ok. We ordered some appetizers (fried green tomatoes, coconut shrimp and conch fritters). All were very good we especially enjoyed the coconut sauce with the shrimp! Our entrees were not quite as good as the appetizers but not bad (turkey sandwich and shrimp poboy with sweet potato fries). The shrimp poboy did not come with the sauce that was listed for it and the turkey sandwich was just ok. We also ordered the key lime pie and that was amazing! For a crab shack however there was hardly anything crab on the menu other than a crab cake. We were told there was more crab items on the dinner menu but you could not order from there for lunch. We left satisfied and our one year old thoroughly enjoyed himself!
(4)Patricia P.
We had our Shelby Co Luncheon here today. The food was excellent and everyone had a great time. Juan and Sam were fantastic along with the rest if the staff. We had 137 in our group and things went so smooth. We'll see you next year. Thanks again Laishley Crab House. ..
(5)Andrew J.
Excellent seafood and fantastic harbor view. Strong service, definitely made me a repeat customer
(5)Amanda G.
Really mediocre food and service. It seems like a restaurant with the words "Crab Shack" in it would have good crab dishes, but not so much. The menu said the California roll contained "crab" -- not imitation crab or crab sticks -- so I assumed it would be made with actual crab. Wrong! Imitation crab. The Cali roll at Publix tastes about the same. The soft shell crab was fishy. The crab cakes were mushy and gross. The chowder was not very good. The atmosphere and the french fries were good, I guess. My sister liked her fried seafood combo. That's about all I can say.
(2)Renee P.
I was very disappointed. Bad service and food that was mediocre at best. We won't be back.
(2)Lauren M.
We ate here on Friday night with our family. We ordered two rolls. One was the spicy conch roll the other was a California roll. Both were good but the conch roll could have been more chilled. We also had oysters on the half shell. They were good but not spectacular. They were very large though. I had the scallops which were perfectly cook and the sauce was very flavorful. The side dish of arborio rice was undercooked and very bland. The squash side dish was very good though. My husband's swordfish was a tad overdone and they plopped a big scoop of coleslaw on top. Overall the meal was good. The service was above average. I'd say the place was a bit pricier than it needed to be but I guess you're paying a premium to eat by water. I would go here again.
(4)Michael D.
Wow this was a beautiful spot. The views are unmatched in the Puntal Gorda area. The help could not have been friendlier and more attentative. The restaurant was beautiful and spotless. The drinks were generous in size and reasonably priced. The food was beautifuly presented and excellent. I had the broiled seafood platter, and was given a generous piece of grouper, lots of shrimp, and scallops. A must stop place for any visitor to the area.
(5)Arthur H.
The people greeting us were very friendly. The service was very good. Loved the steam pot.
(4)Robert G.
Had lunch there on Sunday, Jan 14, 2014 and was disappointed. My wife and I both ordered the fish (tempura battered grouper) and chips (sweet potato steak fries) with coleslaw. The batter seemed too thick to be a true tempura and slightly overcooked. The fish had an off taste, definitely not fresh. The cole slaw was very bland. The only really good tasting part of the meal was the sweet potato fries. They were excellent as was the service.
(2)Kevin S.
Went here with the inlaws. One of the best seafood restaurants in SW florida. Hands down best sushi around. The alaskan king crab legs were delicious and i dont like crab legs. Def a must try. The prices are a little high but absolutely worth it.
(4)Jeremy W.
Exceptionally slow service really jaded our experience from the start. From there, the crab was oversteamed to a point that removed the red hue of the shell and resulted in a chewy tasteless meat. It was quite a disappointing experience.
(1)Ellen S.
I've been 2 or 3 times so far. I think I'm gonna cross it off the list. It's just not that good - especially for the price. I think people like the atmosphere and the view. That's fine, if that's all you're looking for. But for good food - this isn't. It isn't terrible. It's just boring, bland, and not delicious.
(2)Leslie H.
fabulous place. great view over the marina and terrific food. calamari is a must have!
(5)Daniel K.
Beautiful views of the harbor, huge bar inside and out, fabulous patio overlooking marina, sushi bar, crab presentation table side, private meeting rooms, this place has it all. By the way the food is good too.
(5)Jim F.
I read the other reviews but went anyway. Glad i did. I've vacationed in the area for 30 years annually and nothing can compare. This place is a fantastic., Juan was our server and he was terrific. I will go back and often. The sushi was divine and fresh Bill C from SGC
(5)Theresa M.
The 3 stars are because for Punta Gorda the sushi is 5 stars first rate. I rarely have anything else..although I've tasted... similar in taste to Harpoons, etc. Go for the sushi and the view.. In fact I usually have sushi at the outdoor bar with some sake...and watch the sunset. Not many places you can do that!
(3)Marc K.
We went to Laishley's to celebrate my wife's birthday with two other couples. We decided to sit inside because of the potential of sitting among smokers outside, based on the advice of the other couples who had that unfortunate experience a few weeks earlier. The decor is what you'd expect for a 'crab shack' restaurant in a Florida coastal town; semi-tacky, but large and open. Our waitress, Jaimie(?), was very friendly and fairly attentive despite having another large party nearby. We ordered the Ponce de Leon crab dip served in a bread bowl as an appetizer for the table. It was a bit soupy but most of us seemed to like it. Me, not so much. Everyone in our group enjoyed their main course meals and my wife's baked stuffed shrimp was quite good.
(4)Jill M.
I have eaten there a few times. The sushi is excellent, and pretty much the only thing I order any more. I have tried other dishes including a pasta and steak dish, and both were just plain bad. The view is beautiful and the service has drastically improved since this place opened. To me, Crab House is a place for sushi and a great place to meet friends for drinks. Go somewhere else if you're looking for an exceptional dining experience.
(3)Andrew B.
We went to Laishleys with six people. The room we sat in was newly built and pleasant until a kids birthday party was held behind a screened partition in the back of the room. The noise became intense and nearly intolerable. We had to shout to be heard. That being said, the food was good. We had the conch fritters and fried green tomato appetizers. These were tasty. The tomatoes were served with Mozzarella, somewhat unusual, but good. I had the crab cakes which were moist and all crab without much bread. Others had scallops which were also good. Nice place with ample parking. Without the noise it would have been a great dinner.
(3)chuckd d.
As far as take out sushi goes, this place is pretty good. With the elaborate entrance and stairway, it's not exactly an ideal place to go for take out food, but it's a nice looking new place with friendly host/bar staff. I look forward to going back and sitting down for an actual meal.
(4)Ron B.
Some real good high quality Sushi and the price is right California rolls 5 bucks. Friendly service and breathtaking views of the water. Cant say enough good things about the sushi all the other food we had was great also. our server Ashlyne was funny professional and attentive. We will be back. love this place
(5)Elizabeth R.
This was our 2nd visit to Laishley,I was disappointed this time. we ordered an appetizer of fried green tomatoes $7.00 ,3 slices of very breaded tomato stacked with 2 slices of mozzarella on top of a lettuce mix. Over cooked and not worth the money. We also ordered a dozen oysters. $14.00. Obviously the prefrozen kind no briny sea taste,not very plump or tasty.. I ordered the Crab Parmesan Groupr $22.00 . Eh not much flavor and the zucchini squash veg mix lacked luster ,flavor and very over cooked. The risotto , actually l cooked large grain rice. The ice tea was good. My dining companion had the Scollops with the pancetta risotto, scallops were good ,again risotto was undercooked large grain rice and the pancetta was chunks of cooked ham. Again the veggies overlooked tasteless mess.. The restaurant does have a pleasant atmosphere usually ,but there seemed to be problems with the cook. The table next to us returned their meal as not very good. our server was young and seemed in a hurry for us to order our meal after placing our order for our appetizer. He needs a little mor experience and relax he will be fine. Maybe during season the food will be better prepared. Definitely not worth $87.00
(2)Nat M.
I really like this place! A lot of the dishes are hit or miss, so it helps to read reviews to get an idea of what's good before you go. As for me, I absolutely loved the sushi. I ordered the "combo B" platter at the recommendation of our waiter. It comes with Florida, Yum Yum, Spicy Salmon, Tuna Avocado, and Sesame Seeds rolls. It seemed like a great bargain for only $20. Better yet, it tasted great. I'm still craving their sushi. I also ordered the She Crab soup and that was tasty too. In addition, the view on the water is fantastic. This won't be the best food you've ever had, but it's satisfying and yummy and an all-around good deal. The cherry on top of the whole experience was the service. Our waiter was engaging and helpful. He recommended places to visit in the area and also made menu suggestions based on our questions.
(4)Gigi M.
What a great date spot!! my husband and I came here on a date night. food was AWESOME! Service was great. Got a little scared when we came in, they were really getting slammed. Food still came out fast, hot & beyond Delicious!!
(5)Kennebago S.
Second visit with my wife last night. My wife had the chicken breast with wild rice. I had the cheeseburger with fries. Both meals were bland at best. My cheeseburger tasted like somebody had rubbed some hot spice on it and the fries were limp and not tasty. The chicken seemed to have just come out of a microwave oven and the wild rice was dry. This is our last visit.
(2)Kevin S.
Nice harbor view. The meal was good and the drinks were stout. We were there at 5:30 PM on a Sunday evening and were seated just before the place completely filled up. Seemed very popular with an older crowed.
(3)Shannon M.
On our last night in FL, my mother, grandmother and I all went to Laishley Crab House for dinner. Of course, first we had to navigate their maze of an entryway (which included my grandmother catching her walker twice on the two huge "Laishley's Crab House" indoor/outdoor carpets that are in the downstairs lobby and then again upstairs when you exit the elevator. People, this is Florida, and I have to imagine there are some older patrons. Can we keep the injury quotient to a minimum?) So from the get-go I was unimpressed, and the all-wood lodge look didn't seem to fit in with the crab house theme, but rather with a Bass Pro Shop. For an entree I got the Southern style crab cakes, which had a lot of crab but were gritty with what I assume was cornmeal and very mustardy tasting (and also very yellow). Also, the menu said it came with corn on the cob but it came instead with a rather tired-looking bowl of corn kernels which didn't appeal at all. My grandmother said I should send them back; she mentioned it to the waiter, and he said we were right, it was supposed to be on the cob per the menu. When we ordered dessert it ended up being no charge for the kitchen's error, so that was a nice correction. There are so many places in this area to eat that I wouldn't return here. The experience just made me crabby.
(2)Ryan S.
Came here with family. Had a good menu and also had sushi. I ordered the ahi tuna salad with some sashimi salmon. I enjoyed both. Beautiful few of the boats and docks too. Wood finish had a Maine feel.
(4)Curry M.
Our family went to dinner this evening at Laishley's. All of us were very pleased with our meals. Three of us had the Seafood Pasta dish and one had the Shrimp stuffed with crab meat. We loved it and would recommend Laishley's. This has not been our first time. Most previous dinings were for lunch and they were as enjoyable.
(4)Suzanne B.
Have lived in Punta Gorda for 31 yrs, the Smugglers chain has always been mediocre at best! This was my second time at the Crab House. Only came back a second time because I was given a gift card. We started out with some sushi which was excellent, should have stuck with that! I had soft shell crabs that were over cooked on a bed of wild rice, no flavor, and Sysco veggies no seasoning. My husband got one of the specials, triple tail served with a discussing blob of broccoli cheese rice, and Sysco veggies. The Crab House it self is a nice restaurant, beautiful setting on the Peace River. So sad that the Smugglers chain can't serve good food!
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