Crow’s Nest Marina Restaurant
1968 Tarpon Center Dr, Venice, FL, 34285
Crow’s Nest Marina Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Venice for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Venice for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Venice for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1968 Tarpon Center Dr
Venice, FL, 34285 - Phone (941) 484-9551
- Website https://www.crowsnest-venice.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Eric E.
We came in for a double Birthday celebration, and were treated well. We started with beer, wine and a fuzzy navel. The guys at the bar had no idea what this was, and had to look it up. Friendly about it, but I had to ask why there was no color in it. :( Our meal started with a sampler of oysters. These were very good, and nicely presented. We tried two / three of each (to make a dozen), and liked the comparison opportunity. Our dinners came hot and fresh. Each of us tried something different, from beef to seafood dishes, and were happy with the portion sizes. The asparagus side was enough for all four of us, too. Our server, Zach, was all over it! He was there to fill our water, help with wine decisions. He even found a Chardonnay my mom would like, which was great service. The prices can be a little high, but for the service we received and nice view of the marina, it was worth it as a special occasion.
(4)Heather B.
You can't beat the location and view from upstairs is great. Food was ok. Fried shrimp was very good but raw oysters weren't fully shucked. The service is bizarre and the mgt is to blame. Never got water or the rolls. Tables were bussed but just put on a tray next to diners. So basically you dine next to dirty dishes (see pic). Sat outside with a drink to wait out a pop up shower. Moved a chair to be closer to my party and a server came out letting me know, "Management asked me to tell you to put the chair back" then promptly walked away. They put effort into service but the mark is off.
(3)Chris H.
Clam chowder is made in-house and is delicious. Great views. Good menu and wine list and they even have ginger beer for you Dark n Stormy addicts ! The only minus I see is it gets jammed in the season. Also has shrimp and cheddar grits. Grits were spot on but shrimp, while large and juice needed to be a bit fresher. Four stars for service, location and variety.
(4)Melissa S.
The swordfish was one of the best my husband has had. They were very friendly and flexable to add or removing things to dishes.
(4)Linda D.
This,is our third visit to the upstairs dinning room.. It so much more cumfy and relaxing, low stairs could use a redo for space issues itself. Once again I could not pass up the boulibaiise ... It is by far ever any Where... The best all heads down. My husband had the grouper special and loved every last bits. My father. Who is alway negative, surprised up with his lords of "this is real good" and ate all of his sea scallops entree. Also,, we were fortunate enough to have Ryan (twice in one week) as our waiter. So pleasant and patient.. A gold employee that you take care of for sure. Mongolia term employment. See you next trip
(5)Chris C.
We ate here for the first time, and would go back. The view from our table upstairs was great. Our waiter Steve S. was friendly and provided good service too. The grouper and slaw that I ordered was very tasty. Be sure to drive a short distance past the restaurant to the little park, for great views.
(4)Yum H.
Shrimp scampi cooked to perfection w parmesan & the side rice was flavorful. The tomato bacon soup was delicious (broth based w a touch of cream). We sat outside on the balcony with great views of the waterways. Great service, very prompt w everything but not rushed.
(4)Jennifer C.
Great food and great service! Everything was amazing. We didn't have a reservation and they still took us - we had 8 of us. The lobster bisque was insane! So rich. We also ordered the mussels- they were a little small but the flavor was great.
(5)Camila A.
It's a great place for either a romantic dinner or a night out with family and friends. The ocean view is incredible. The food not only is delicious but it looks amazing. The service is also excellent. There is an enourmous selection of wine and drinks. You've got to try the oysters rockfeller and the key lime pie.
(5)Mark G.
Came by boat. We stumbled upon it by accident. We had lunch and drinks. The setting was beautiful, the service was great, the drinks were awesome, and our lunch was delicious. A first class place that I will be sure to return to.
(5)Mare G.
We ate here after taking out the electric boats. The view is so pretty and we sat outside. We had oysters, shrimp, pizza and cheese plate. The shrimp weren't that great but everything else was yummy.
(4)Jenny H.
Growing up in Venice, the Crow's Nest is the restaurant I crave the most when I go back to visit! In all my years of living in Venice, and visiting in Venice, I have only eaten upstairs ONCE. I much prefer the ambiance and menu of the downstairs tavern. The tavern is dark and cozy. Can often be loud. I've taken my children several times. While children are welcome, I wouldn't exactly say it's aimed at that market. There is not a children's menu, no crayons, nothing to occupy the kids, EXCEPT THE AMAZING VIEW!! You can walk out to the South Jetty, watch the sunset, and see dolphins playing while waiting for your food. With a large collection of beers, and live music often playing at night, it can really be a great night out!
(4)Bill D.
Color people are not welcome here. We wanted to have dinner at this restaurant and the hostess Shannon said to us "we don't have any tables available" without looking at the computer or simply turning around. I walked around her and the place was empty. Maybe 5 people in the entire 1st level. When we told her we were leaving she was relived. We walked out and looked for another restaurant where we can enjoy a nice dinner after a day on the beach.
(1)Dyan C.
My family was celebrating my mother's 94th birthday at the Crow's Nest on July 3. She is in a wheelchair and we had my two grandchildren with us, ages 1and 3. We were given a private room in the back (at no extra charge) which was absolutely perfect for us. The staff there was superb! We had a wonderful, attentive (but not overly) server, Ronda. There were three gentlemen, Nathan, Rick, and Will who helped my mother get into the private room by lifting and maneuvering her chair in such a kind, helpful way. We were so appreciative of their help. The food was outstanding! All of us rated it highly. We cannot say enough of how enjoyable all of them made our special night. Thank you!
(5)Valerie B.
My family and I love eating at the Crows Nest - the food is really good and a few of the wait staff have been there for a pretty long time. We enjoy having lunch out on the balcony and also enjoy eating in the lounge downstairs when there is live entertainment. We especially enjoy when Jimmy Bones is playing in the lounge. Sometimes the service is a little slow but overall it's not too bad.
(4)Papi R.
The location is beautiful, the service was friendly, the food came out quick and was delicious. We had lunch (bbb burger and fish/chips) and were pleased with everything. Definitely coming back for dinner in the future.
(5)Chris W.
It was one of my favorites for their blackened grouper but the last time I was there it was mostly bland. Service has never been top-notch either. It isn't bad, it just isn't great for the higher prices. While still a descent place if you want a relaxed atmosphere with a great view it isn't the only game in town and it might be worth checking out some of the competition in the area.
(4)Mark O.
Came on a family visit and no complaints. Had a great window table upstairs (reservations highly recommended) and had pretty much impeccable service. Food was decent - not 5 star worthy but we enjoyed. They have 4 or 5 $15 specials to choose from before 5:30 which come with soup or salad and bread and veggies or potato. I ordered one because I wanted the Atlantic salmon, not because it was regularly priced at $26. It was perfectly grilled fish and good flavor by itself that I did not add the bearnaise sauce (thankfully it was on the side). My bride had the gulf shrimp - said it was good but not the best she has had. Very nice wine list - bottles mostly reasonable but a tad pricey by the glass (more like CA restaurant prices).
(3)Jamie M.
Great food and the location is very pretty. They have a great outdoor gazebo area with views of the water. Their menu changes and offers new seasonal items as well as new spins on old dishes. You can get anything from pasta, seafood, to a burger here. They have it all. I'd recommend this place to anyone who wants a nicer dinner than just a sit down place. It's alittle pricey but I think you're getting some delicious food as well as paying for the views and location. Their hrs are a bit odd in the off season so just check before you go.
(4)Bill G.
The lunch was excellent. Kids meals great portions for the price. New England Clam Chowder was out of this world, coming from a Bostonian. It was better than some I have had up north. Also got the cheese and meat platter, great portion fresh and delicious. Service was excellent, she took care of the kids meals asap. Definitely worth the price, you get what you pay for. We will be back.
(5)Chris S.
Crow's Nest is definitely one of the nicest upscale restaurants in the Venice area. Located in Crow's Nest Marina the view alone warrants a visit and the food isn't bad either. Whereas nearby Captain Eddies brings value and local, fresh seafood, Crow's Nest is the alternative. Crow's offers a place people who want ambiance can flock too, and they do. There's little value here, but for those who want well dressed wait staff, to be in the vicinity of big boats and to pay a lump sum for food, this is your spot. This is the kind of place you go to try and impress a date, rather than a laid back spot to take the family to lunch. Personally, I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere at Capt Eddies and the seafood much better, but we had to try both while in town. On the other hand, if you want fine wine, fancy drinks, etc, Crow's is your spot. I don't think anything would disappoint here. All is done well and the service rivals the scenery. We started with the seafood tower, which if we are being honest is way overpriced. Other local places offered the same presentation for half the price, and even more so the shrimp and clams we ate here were babies compared to what we had a Captain Eddies. Meanwhile, the two grouper dinners, the blackened grouper and Key West grouper are excellent, pricy for sure, but very good. The Crow's Nest Bouillabaisee was a massive load of food, but only slightly above average. The broth could use a little work. Other than that these cooks - can cook!
(4)Bill W.
The food here is very good, but it's an expensive night out. Don't believe the $$, this is a $$$$ resturant unless you only order a salad.
(4)Fast Eddie F.
Lunch yesterday. I'm a fan, maybe my fifth time here. Good food and kinda confused service but it's A-OK. It's Florida and you have to come down a gear. So cool it, go with the flow and enjoy a relaxing view.
(3)Judy H.
After a wonderful afternoon of jet skiing on the Gulf. We yelped this little place. There were a few negative comments, but being in the service industry we know you can't please everyone. The service was excellent! The food was delicious! The view was amazing! The martinis off the drink menu were not crafted very well but drinkable. We would certainly visit again:) I'll just stick to beer.. Thank you for a great experience!!
(4)Mikka C.
Andrea was a terrible server. Just flat out rude. My hoyfriend asked for no mushrooms because hes alergic and there were more mushrooms than fish. Will not be coming back. Terrible food for the price qnd terrible service.
(1)Al H.
We came here last night for our annual celebration of my wife's parent's anniversary, and it will be our last dinner at the Crow's Nest. Staff was friendly, location is lovely, and the food and service was a mixed bag. The clam chowder was fair at best and the chef's special shrimp and scallops was strange - the food was okay, but it was topped with some dried up grassy substance that was inedible. The hog snapper was very dry and covered with salsa that looked like it came from a can. The fried shrimp and the salmon got good reviews, upgrading my food rating from 2 stars to 3. Service was pretty good except for when she never came back to refill water or check on wine, which may have been okay except she only had 3 tables. For a $200 check, we can do better, and we won't be back. Not at all surprising that they weren't busy during prime time on a Saturday night.
(3)Tom Y.
Our party of four ate here for lunch after a three hour bike ride around Venice. Needless to say, we were pretty hungry. Perhaps that fact might have skewed our review of 5 stars but the grilled chicken salad was the best I have ever had. The chicken on the salad was done in a pankro crust and literally melted in my mouth. The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive and pleasant. We will most definitely return.
(5)Dick R.
We met some friends for a drink and conversation in the downstairs casual bistro. The limited menu of bar food and fish and steak was reasonably priced compared to upstairs dining. The clam chowder was tasty and in a larger than normal cup. My Tavern steak was done perfectly, well trimmed and of good size. The others had tenderloin medallions, grouper and roast beef sandwich with au jus. We all enjoyed our choices. There are many wines by the glass on their extensive list. The house Cab Sauv was not good and too oaky. The Selbach Riesling was excellent. Good draft and bottled beer selection. We will try the upstairs dining when we're better dressed.
(4)Michael S.
The food here is not even worthy of one star! My hubby and I are here in beautiful Venice for the Winter and are looking forward to all the wonderful seafood and restaurants this area has to offer. Everyone in our complex and around town raved about The Crows Nest, so we were excited to check it out. After dining here, We are completely perplexed as to what brings people here for a meal. It was positively awful!! After a few questions for our waitress, I ordered the recommended soup, the seafood bisque as well as the escargot and tuna appetizers. My husband decided on the grouper dinner as we have really enjoyed the grouper we've had here in Florida so far. The soup...gag! Literally. It gagged me. DO NOT ORDER THE SEAFOOD BISQUE. It was the consistency of cold oatmeal and felt like paste on the palate. No flavor, no seafood except one tiny shrimp that tasted as if it had been cooking for 7 or 8 hours. The escargot.....do you like chewing on rubber bands? Order away!! Rubber bands swimming in garlic butter served with dry, unseasoned, stale baguette. So rubbery I could swallow them. Ick. Ick. Tuna appetizer......palatable at best. Still way under seasoned and bland. The grouper.... The only redeeming part of our meal, although it was far from a dinner portion. 3 or 4 ounces maybe, but seasoned and cooked nicely. Interestingly, the couple at the table next us ordered fish and they were brought a portion large enough to easily serve 2 or 3. Whoever is running the kitchen here needs to TASTE what they are serving. As to those that are looking for a decent meal, you will probably fare better at the public beach concession stand.
(1)Victoria G.
Not sure why the low star rating. Stopped in for lunch and I had the shrimp and grits and the shrimp were so fresh and yummy. The cheese grits were creamy and full of flavor as well. My kids were both happy as well with the pasta with Alfredo and chicken tenders.Yes the chicken tenders were generic but the fries that came with them were good. Drinks were great as well and you can't beat the view from upstairs..
(5)Brian H.
Sat on the porch for dinner looking out onto the ICW. The Grouper Key Large was fantastic. All the seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly. Our server Chad was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, friendly and down to earth. Will definitely visit again.
(4)Nelson S.
Mahi mahi with maple syrup balsamic vinegar glaze cooked to perfection was noted by half our party. Others loved the Grouper. Service pleasant and accommodating only downside is parking a royal PIA
(4)Bill B.
The good - food is OK to good. Not great. The bad - the wait can sometimes be obnoxious, I absolutely recommend reservations. The great - they have a top notch wine list and most of the bottles are listed at prices well below what many restaurants charge. As long as you are not overly critical of food preparation - you'll like this place.
(3)Patricia S.
We had the most wonderful experience. Our filet mignon melted in our mouths & the lobster tail was beautifully prepared!! It was once again proven to be one of my favorites for every visit!! Thank you making this so memorable!!
(5)Lori L.
Wonderful dinner! Super filet Mignon and grouper key largo. Amazing view from the upper porch looking over the gulf. The best part, our server, Chad. A true artist for his craft!
(4)Susan R.
Check your to go order !!! Not impressed....I have been coming here for 15 years when visiting my mom... Ordered to go from the tavern... Got home and burger was raw and missing bacon.. Had to cook it. Yuck!! Ordered $60 bucks worth and could have had better at Mc D's.
(1)Bonnie F.
Over the years we have celebrated many occasions here. This was our anniversary. When we made reservations we requested a good table with a view of the marina. We got the worst table there. We faced a back hall and the wait help put the tray stands behind my chair banging it each time the put the stand back. The food was fair to poor. The hard boiled egg had a dark green ring around the yolk..any chef knows how to make a perfect boiled egg. My lettuce had many brown edges..What is that about? My husbands crab was very "fishy" and my ahi was poor quality tuna not sashimi grade and tough and over cooked. Awful! Waitress was pleasant but forgetful. It was busy but that should be expected during the season but no excuse for terrible food at those prices. We will not return.
(1)Michael P.
My wife and i ate here while visiting my parents in Venice. We ate upstairs in the dining room and had a wonderful view of the water. Our server, Cathy was fantastic. She had a great knowledge of the menu and helped us to find some gems on the menu that we would both like. It may not be for everyone, but I loved her recommendation of the Bacon Manhattan cocktail! For those inclined, the drink menu had many other more traditional offerings. My wife had the 5 course tasting meal with wine pairings, which was offered on Wednesdays. You often get what you pay for and that applies here. It is not the cheapest place in Venice, but we walked away very satisfied and feeling like it was well worth what we spent. No doubt we will be back.
(5)Lidia J.
Lunch downstairs was less expensive than upstairs AND DELICIOUS grouper bites are 3 huge tacos with a red cabbage -yum Sliders -3 perfectly toasted rolls with angus beef medium rare-oh so good Service was good too.
(5)Sharon E.
Had a blast at the Crow's Nest! Bartender Tammie made our visit! Martini discovery accomplished! Erik stepped up as 2nd shift very nicely!
(5)The-Pizza-Nazi S.
The Crow's Nest is the real deal. This place started as (essentially) a hot dog and burger joint at the marina back in the late 70s. Look at it now. Dedication to a great atmosphere and environment, plus pretty darn good food.
(4)Joe J.
Had a 5 star experience here, from the food, to the atmosphere and the service. Started with drinks on the deck, then sat at the bar for dinner. Enjoy oysters, mussels in a garlic/alfredo type sauce, and the seafood bouillabaisse. Everything tasted fresh, and was presented nicely. Given the quality and location, I would also say that the prices are more than fair. Extra thumbs up for the nice beer selection. I was able to try a New Belgium Fat Tire which I really liked.
(5)Todd G.
I've been coming to the Crow's Nest since they first opened in the 70's and have never been disappointed as a kid or now as an adult. While the prices may seem high for some; you certainly get the service, quality, freshness and taste you would expect with Florida Fine Dining that is relaxed and family oriented for all ages. I have had everything from the freshest local seafood, steaks, chicken piccata and burgers. For me the Crow's Nest is always a reliably great experience.
(5)R A.
We used to go there quite a bit and tonight was really bad! Bummer as it was such a great meal and my family said Red Lobster was better UGH!!
(1)Mike T.
A couple of weeks ago, we dined in the Crow's Nest Tavern, which is downstairs and has more of a pub menu than upstairs. The food and atmosphere met or exceeded or expectations. My fried oysters hit the spot, and the beer selection was very good. I think we were there on a Friday night, and there was a band whose music we enjoyed very much. It was a fun experience! I left my credit card there, and when I noticed it was missing, I called the last place I had used it. That was the Crow's Nest. I called and they found it in their safe and were happy to mail it to me in Salt Lake City. That was very nice of them, and I appreciate it. Thanks, Crow's Nest.
(5)Carly M.
Overrated. The location and view is great, but the prices are high and the food is not very good or memorable. We come to town once a year and look forward to returning to our favorite shops and restaurants. But when it comes to this place, once was (more than) enough.
(2)Linda K.
Excellent, excellent food, service, view and atmosphere. We enjoyed the whole experience!
(5)Francine R.
Looking for a late lunch we found this fantastic place in Venice. The upstairs dining room was about to close for lunch service but the downstairs was open. Our party of four decided to order an assortment of appetizers along with a dozen oysters and clam chowders. The calamari was the best I have EVER had; tender, sweet, delicately fried. The mussels were PLENTIFUL, served in a cast iron pot swimming in a garlic cream sauce along with crusty rolls for dipping. The gulf oysters were exquisite! We were fortunate to be served by Chad (very attentive, personable, made great recommendations). Like hockey? He's the guy to talk to. Be sure to ask for him. Perfect start for our vacation!
(5)Bob H.
Very very happy to return and find this place still putting top notch grub on the table. Again, we stopped by the tavern for a shrimp luncheon. Absolutely wonderful. Best $12-13/head you're going to spend in Venice proper. Excellent value and giant shrimp, well prepared and lightly breaded.
(5)Nhoj K.
A nice restaurant, mostly local seafood. A bit upscale so an older crowd. If you are under 40, you might not like this place (at least, for lunch) A very balanced wine menu from many regions (although none from my beloved Washington wine region). Sadly, the outside deck is disappointing. There is potential should they want to expand it. With the large dining rooms downstairs and up, there is room. Just down the street from here is Venice's north jetty. Great rock jumping and people watching.
(3)Griff O.
Very nice location with view of an inland waterway from the upstairs dining room. The food had been disappointing the last two times we have visited. My scallops were lukewarm and rubbery in texture, plus they were tasteless. My wife had fried shrimp that was also tasteless. She told me that her caesar salad was the worst she as ever had. Our server was friendly but overly busy so unable to refill our drinks in a timely fashion. We will not return again.
(2)Paul C.
This restaurant was at the marina in Venice and was recommended by our hotel. The restaurant has two menus for their two environments. Upstairs which had nice views of the marina and down stairs was more relaxed pub type of setting. We Ate downstairs because we were interested in spending a lot for dinner that night. We ordered their onion rings a salad and bowl of clam chowder. The onion rings were good but a little on the greasy side but very good quantity. The clam chowder was only ok to me but my wife liked it. I am definitely a lot pickier than she is! Her salad was terrific, not sure which one she ordered sorry! I cant comment on the upstairs, but the downstair was good and i would go again. The service was good and i could tell this place was the place to go by the locals, lots of regulars which says something.
(4)Jen A.
Terrible service. Our server's rudeness was unacceptable. Nobody seemed to care that we were treated poorly, either. Will not return. It's too bad, the location is neat and we are always looking for fun places to boat to lunch.
(1)Jonathan T.
I was lucky enough to come here during stone crab season. I enjoy the hot stone crabs with melted butter. Delicious! The service was so/so. I still don't understand why they needed 2 hostess sections.
(4)Ryan L.
One of my family's favorite spots in Venice! We have vacationed there for 3+ decades and Crow's Nest has been a staple for dining while there. Excellent menu featuring lots of variety. Reuben sandwich is second to none anywhere! The smoked salmon platter is an excellent lighter option. Also, the seafood bisque is incredible! I order it every visit to prelude my entree. The food is always fresh and well prepared. A bit pricey, but we have always gotten what we paid for. The staff is always very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I highly recommend making reservations for dinner around sunset. Most of the dining area up stairs has a view of the sunset, but seating along the waterfront window makes for a very romantic dinner. However, while the key lime pie is good here, I strongly recommend going down the beach to Sharky's for the best key lime pie I've ever eaten!
(5)Tom M.
Nice place. Been to the crow's nest maybe 4 or 5 times. I have a friend that lives walking distance, and also been to the gas dock/ shop by boat quite a few times. Restaurant 3.5 stars: Prices are a little on the up side for what you get but overall the food quality is decent and if you sit upstairs, you have a nice view. If you sit downstairs it feels more like a pub with little outside light and they play music sometimes, which is a plus in my book. Never had a bad experience or bad meal and the service has always been good when i'm there. Overall a good place and I'll certainly be back. Gas dock / shop 1 star: As a boater, this is a convenient location given it's right at the pass. Has several bad experiences here, but where are you gonna go for gas? The main dockmaster ( I believe he's the main guy, as he's the oldest I've seen) is a complete prick. About as unhappy a guy I've met in quite a while. He's actually known to the locals as an asshat. Not sure why he keeps his job with the rep he's got. This is a high traffic place and the people getting gas own boats, and would presumably go to the restaurant. A few younger guys work there and they are ALL good, helpful with fueling and everything. Very happy go lucky. A few days ago the dockmaster got visable furious when I asked him if they sold cigarettes there, to the extent that everyone started laughing at the absurdity of his anger. No one could figure out why a question like that would set him off. For the record, they don't. This is one of many examples of this nut. Update: The owner did contact me and said he is looking into the issue. He stated customer service is of the highest priority. I respect that and believe it's true given his quick response.
(3)Lori S.
Love the food, the location and the service. Even more fun to come by boat. Beautiful views
(5)Nancy N.
Beautiful view overlooking the water, but a bad day for diners and probably the chef. I haven't experienced food this inferior in years. The seafood bisque, so full of flour globules and barren of fish that the chef ? took it off the menu. It was only exceeded in miserable taste by the highly iodinated shrimp! ugh My scallops were over broiled to a state of brittle dryness and tasted old. Perhaps the regular chef was ill. Service, however, was quite good. But I doubt if I'll ever return.
(1)Mary G.
Server with attitude, Shrimp & Grits and topping on Halibut that the chef or owner needs to sample once in a while. So disappointing. Location with view, but it stop there for us.
(2)Nancy C.
We came here for our Wedding Anniversary and loved the ambience and view of the Marina/water. We had to wait 20 minutes for a table, even though we had a reservation and wanted to wait for a window seat, nonetheless, we were hungry and decided to forgo a windo seat. We still had a nice table that was private and our server, Andrea, was very attentive and helpful. The service here is top notch and thats something I really value. We shared the Calamari appetizer, it was good, the breading wasn't your typical fried breading, but a bit lighter - the marina dipping sauce was good, a little too thick for me, but quite tasty. We both had the Caesar salad which was good, not the best I've had, but not the worst - not much you can do with a Ceasar. Husband had filet and shrimp and all were cooked to perfection - I had the grouper special which was very very good. I would definitely come back here again and try some of the other items on the menu as it all looked very good.
(4)Sabine S.
I learned from past experience and had dinner upstairs twice so far and it was incredibly delicious!!!!! They excel in seafood dishes, oysters on the half shell are super fresh, my favorite is the grouper key largo. Drinks from the bar are wonderful, servers are attentive and friendly. I ate at the bar once since the wait for a table was too long and just watching the bartenders was very entertaining. This is one of the busy places in Venice, no matter what time you go there at night, do make reservations.
(5)Debbie L.
Great stafe ,good food,and it is fancy the food is fresh and you can pick the way you want it be made came with my grandparents for farewell lunch. Back To the cold. Zachary 9 1/2
(5)Mrs. T.
The food was great, the atmosphere was an older crowd. The waiter rushed us through our meal. Everyone was nice, but it just had a basic vibe. For the price we paid, I didn't really think it was worth it. It was nothing to write home about. I wouldn't go back.
(3)Kim S.
The food is okay but not good enough to justify the expense. Service is slow but friendly. The true reason I dropped my rating from 3 to 2 stars was due to the reaction of management after the waitress spilled hot coffee on my 88 year old father. The waitress was deeply apologetic. Then the manager came over and twice insisted "everything is okay, right?" No offer to have his stained clothing cleaned...and when the bill came, nothing was comped...not even the cup of spilled coffee. We didn't complain or make a scene. But I did feel that their management's lack of empathy and service warranted a review on Yelp.
(2)Jean B.
The food, service and view at lunch today made this whole day very special. I impressed my bosses who own a 4 star resort on Cape Cod. Mission accomplished!! Thank you for helping me host a special couple. See you again soon.
(5)Kyle B.
Had the best meal I've had in a long time! We waited for over an hour for 9 of us and it was well worth the wait. Prices were on the high side, but is expected at a place like this. I had the Bouillabaisse and it was out of this world. So many great flavors! This dish was muscles, clams, shrimp, and lobster served over linguini with an amazing sauce. By far the best dish I have had on this trip. The service was also outstanding. We will be returning here for sure!
(5)Heather M.
Service and food were excellent tonight! Our server Zach and host Chris offered great customer service and made our evening very special. This is one of our favorite places to get stone crabs - we frequently make the drive to Venice from Siesta Key when we are in the area. Highly recommend calling in advance to make a reservation and to check on whether they have stone crabs available. Crow's Nest offers a great sunset view and a variety of menu options.
(4)Bob B.
A Venice landmark. Casual downstairs, more refined (and upscale) upstairs. Quite busy in season. Well managed, usually excellent service. Try the brussels sprouts with your oysters! Good wine list, including some French selections. Impressive top shelf liquor selection. Nice sunsets upstairs...
(3)Jim S.
We forgot how good some of the food is in the Tavern. The other night we had the Grouper Sandwich (lightly blackened) and the Grouper Bites. Both were excellent, cooked perfectly and very fresh. We plan to go back soon! Also, Bob behind the bar, is a hoot.. Stopped again at Happy Hour (8/14) and our food was very good. Stella for $5.50 (@HH) was crazy, but everything else was nice...
(5)Peter S.
long ago lacal resturant that has become dated....food ok, rum drink was more drink than rum, atmosphere felt like dinner at the "home" that we will all end up at. Great view and one of two water front resturants in Venice. Try it and make up your own mind.
(3)Travis F.
Very good food and outstanding service. We really enjoyed the fish sandwich!
(4)Betty G.
There were four in our party and we arrived at 1:15 pm and got seated at 1:45 pm which was great as there were a lot of people waiting. We ate upstairs and the food was very good. However our seating was terrible. We sat behind an open cupboard that held wine glasses and could not see outside at all. We went there also for the view! A very poor place to have a table. I did ask if there was a better table but there was none available.
(3)Sarah M.
The Crow's Nest came highly recommended by a family member/Venice local. My fiance and I went here on the Saturday night of Labor Day weekend. We had an 8:15 reservation and were seated at exactly 8:15. The place was hoppin'! We got a table right at the window overlooking the water. Even though the restaurant was slammed, we were greeted by our server promptly and offered ice water & bread. We shared a salad and an appetizer, and then ordered our main courses. The food came out quickly and in the proper order. Although the food came out pretty fast, it did not look "slapped together". In fact, it was probably the best meal I've ever had in the Venice area. I mean, YUM!!! So, between the two of us, we ordered a bottle of Vinho Verde (available for $6 at Trader Joe's, $22 at Crow's Nest, fiance tells me this is an acceptable mark-up), a salad (grilled watermelon & feta), the Seared Ahi app, and two entrees (Grouper Largo and the Shrimp & Lobster Scampi), and a slice of Key Lime pie for dessert... and the bill only came to $100 after tax!! You would be extremely hard-pressed to find a meal this great in NY or CA for this price. Yes, the wait staff wears name tags (I don't get that), and the decor is (appropriately) cheesy, but other than that, this place rules! We will definitely be back!
(5)Angela K.
Crow's Nest is one of my favorite restaurants to eat at when I'm visiting Venice. They don't take reservations, but you can call ahead for "priority seating," which is a good idea especially in season. Sit downstairs in the tavern for a darker, more casual atmosphere with a tv and, sometimes, live music. The menu is a more limited version of what you can get upstairs, with a few bar-friendly additions. The one way salad is really good, and the loaded potato skins are nothing short of addictive. They have some really reasonable and tasty drinks, like the spicy bloody mary I had last time for six bucks. Upstairs you'll find a more formal atmosphere, a more extensive menu, and the fabulous panoramic view of the water. The bread basket at dinner comes with butter, olive oil, and hummus, which I really enjoy. The clam chowder is thick and hearty. My favorite entree is the Scallops Venice (bay scallops baked in butter, garlic, and breadcrumbs), cooked well done, with the house rice. I also usually start with a house salad with house dressing, a honey dijon ranch. So good! I've also had great salmon there, and any excuse I get to use their tartar sauce I take. They also have great key lime pie if you have room for dessert. The service and management is usually very friendly and competent. You may pay a tad more for the location, but given the overall experience I'd say it's worth it.
(4)Tim J.
We tried the dinner special upstairs here and was happy with it I ordered the surf and turf and the steak was perfect but the lobster was like rubber. The manager was amazingly attentive to this issue and took care of everything, the only reason they get three stars is that a beer was spilled on me by the bartender downstairs and he still made us pay for it :(
(3)Linda R.
Food was good, good service and nice ambience, sat upstairs by the window!! Had the Panko chicken salad and my husband had the grouper sandwich. Not from the area, we were driving back from Port Charlotte to Sebring, found it on Yelp, glad we stopped!!
(3)Olga G.
Been here many times, and would come back again. We are locals and we love it, and family both from out of state and out of country cant get enough of it either. Tried both tavern for lunch and formal dinning for dinner. Tavern: great menu selections,very good taste, tried butterfly shrimp and loved it,grouper sandwich was great too, less expensive then upstairs,casual and laid back, good service. Formal dinning upstairs:dressy, more upscale,reservation is recommended, but we do love the atmosphere, beautiful water view, great service. Food is really wonderful too, one of the best restaurants in the area.This is what we tried so far during all our visits and were really impressed with and satisfied with:seafood bisque, delish!!; ahi tuna was great, chef's chopped salad, apple,walnut and Gorgonzola salad; shrimp scampi,grouper'key largo",walnut crusted salmon,shrimp and scallops alfredo,chicken picata was haven, mussels were yummy, fillet was gorgeous, and some specials for the day. Truly enjoy coming here, a definite must when visiting the area.
(5)Steve M.
As expected we had a great evening at the Crow's Nest. Our waiter, Regis was professional AND friendly. We were right on with our reservations, no waiting! I like that! All four meals were good. We had guests from Ft Meyers and they left vowing to drive back to the Crow's Nest for another dining experience. It operates the way a really good, well run restaurant should
(5)Gail L.
Following the advice of a fellow Yelper, we stopped by for a light lunch. We ate upstairs and had the best table in the house overlooking the point and all the boats. Luis was our attentive waiter who took excellent care of us. We both had a Caesar salad which was fresh and crisp with wonderful dressing. I had the seafood bisque and my husband had the steamed muscles. Generous serving with wonderful sauce. Bisque served with side of sherry, excellent. Overall we felt the wine, cocktails and menu was very reasonably priced. Service, ambiance and food all superb.
(5)P O.
The Escargot was so so and the New England Chowder was average. The Grouper on their signature dish was dry and the Lobster was tough. The Shrimp and Scallops were very good. The Fish Platter and Fried Shrimp were also very good. Excellent service and a great bartender. Thought it was a little pricey for what one got and the salads and/or veggies were Alacarte
(3)Barbara W.
This is a hit or miss place, we think. It seems like whenever we go, one of a party of four gets a bad meal and the others love theirs. The good: outstanding house wine ( both Pinot Grigio and Cabernet), monkfish special, grouper most of the time.. ( although once it was overlooked and dry.). The misses: good seared ahi but tiny pieces and amount for the price, New England clam chowder is thin compared to what you find in New England, and none of our party like the key lime pie..not much lime flavor .
(3)Ellen B.
After having lunch here in March (and I wrote a review at that time) we returned as a group of 6 for dinner on a Thursday night with a reservation. We were seated immediately, and our table had a great view of the harbor. Robert was our server, and at our request, recommended a bottle of white wine that we all thought was delicious. Our entrees included Bouillabaisse, scallops, grouper, and salmon. We all cleaned our plates. Several of us had salads and this time, the balsamic vinaigrette was of the right consistency. Hot rolls and flatbreads were a nice treat. We were too full to try dessert. We all enjoyed our meal. Service was a bit slow at times, but we were not in a hurry.
(4)Barb B.
Visiting Venice for the first time Nov 10th and received recommendation to have dinner at Crow's Nest. They also said for more casual dining eat downstairs in the Tavern. We decided to go for appetizers. Started with the Crab Cake. The important thing is "cake" not "cakes". For $12.50 you get one crab cakes. While the crab cake was good and filled with lots of crab, it was not great and not even worth $12.50. The clam casino was 6 clams the size of a quarter with very little topping. The calamari was good but again a very small serving. Bottom line we walked away saying the food was OK, but way over priced.
(2)Lisa D.
One of the only good seafood places in the area. Scallops, clam chowder, crab cakes, and raw oysters were all fresh and prepared perfectly. Only complaint which to some will be a bonus, is that the drinks were too strong to enjoy! I was surprised by this given the area. Cheesecake and key lime pie are both made from scratch and taste phenomenal! Great view of the sunset every evening from the front of the restaurant.
(4)June V.
The waitress can make or break a place and we did not get a good waitress at this restaurant. We ordered a bottle of wine, off the paper wine list. She then appeared with the digital winelist and seemed offended that we did not want to deal with that, we just wanted the bottle we had requested. Shrimp scampi did have a lot of real garlic which I like, but I was surprised at how small the shrimp were. My friend had blackened grouper and was happy with that. The key lime pie tasted like plain custard pie with a spoonful of keylime jam on top.
(3)Mark S.
Ate downstairs at the Tavern, and had a good time. The Tavern is much different than the restaurant upstairs and should probably have separate reviews. The Tavern is intimate and casual. They often have a live singer, and they did when I went. That really adds to the fun. The location is on the water in the marina area. Many of the clientele are vacationers or boat owners. As such the prices are a little high, but not terrible. The Tavern serves a lot of sandwiches and appetizers. I got a fish sandwich with fries for $10. It was good. The wife got a single crab cake for $13. She said it was good. They have a good selection of beers on draft. I got a pint of Guinness, and the wife got a Sam Adams - each were a reasonable $5. Service was a little slow. And, they have a TV but the picture kept going out - then back on. There was a football game on, but it was hell to watch it. I will definitely go back. It is a fun place, and good place to take friends. You pay a little more for the location, but worth it.
(4)Don H.
Asked for seating upstairs since I had read in other reviews that the view was nice. Arrived upstairs for seating was looked at for a sec by two guys, they left and the manager/ owner arrived. Only to to be told I can't be seated with a tank top on, luckily I had a parka with me. As my wife and I were seated i looked around and noticed many women wearing pretty much the same type of top as mine or less. Pretty decrimiatory if you ask me. Overall we were not pleased and after waiting 30 minutes left , they did comp our food to go.
(1)Dennis S.
Food and service were excellent. Recommend to anyone looking for great a great relaxing meal.
(4)Stan P.
A recommendation from a friend took us to this place for my 50th birthday dinner. I have to admit; I was disappointed. The location is wonderful, but the management was rude and the food was average at best.
(2)Jim s.
Love this place...a little pricy....but love the tavern.....ordered the mussles and they were GREAT!! Didn't eat upstairs....but was very happy. Service great!
(4)Ken N.
Meh is a good description. My girlfriend and I ate here because her parents recommended it (and they know good eats!). Service was adequate but the food was underwhelming. I probably will not be back.
(2)Sue C.
Cold food, overcooked and questionable freshness. Not a relaxing enjoyable visit, negative vibe.... the dock master sprayed a fisherman because he didn't want the boater nearby. Would not go back.
(1)Dan M.
This place was overpriced and the food was awful. My husband's seafood was rubbery, and my portobello mushroom plate was, to put it frankly, wierd, as well as unpalateable. (I dont know who would mix cheesy grits sautted portobello mushroom, sauteed red onions and garlic together). The keylime lie as another reviewer has noted, had no keylime flavor.
(1)Michele A.
I found that I like this place much more when I have a good table. When the day is clear and you can sit upstairs next to the window and watch the boats go by, then it makes this restaurant feel like it should - a destination. The food is good but not great. And the service is also good but not great. I think for fresh seafood the prices are very reasonable. It is relaxed and casual.
(4)Carrie B.
Well, I thought I had already Yelp'd Crow's Nest, but it's pretty clear that I have not, so here goes. This is probably my favorite place in Venice, especially for watching the sunset over the water. It's not "on the beach" casual, but you can pretty much dress as up or down as you want here. There's a pub-like restaurant downstairs, but venture upstairs for the best sunset views. There are about 4 tables outside, if that's what you want as well. Off-peak (Memorial Day-Labor Day) you don't need a rez, any other time, make sure to give them a call. The service is excellent as is the wine steward John. Everyone is super friendly and helpful in deciding amongst all the choices. The specials are usually great, had the Red Grouper and the Bouillabaisse is one of my favorites. They also make a mean Pomegranate Mojito. Oh, almost forgot, the Key Lime Pie is awesome, but watch out for Lisa, who is quick to advise that the whole pie costs only a little more than a couple of slices and then there's some leftover :).
(4)Oj C.
Now this place is amazing !!! The surf and turf is glorious and the wine..the wine is divine. Service is warm, the only down would be the price selection and the kids menu. Great place for an anniversary or a romantic date.
(4)Rick H.
Took the Yelp advise and tried it We met our daughter's in-laws for dinner on Sunday. They were visiting from Boston. We were not disappointed. Great view from the 2nd floor. Clam Chowder was excellent, as advertised, and the Wild Florida Fried Shrimp was indeed wildly delicious. They both had seafood (Fried shrimp & Almond Crusted Salmon) and raved about it. It was great find and we will go again whenever we are in that area.
(4)Steve S.
Place was crowded for a Monday. Service and view was good but the food was mediocre at best. I had the Chilean sea bass which was thin, and overcooked. It also smelled a little fishy. Another person had shrimp scampi which were like you would get at a bad wedding. Pretty sure they were Chinese freshwater shrimp. Average entre is Close to $30 - everthing else is extra. total damage for 4 was $175 which inclded 1 bottle of the cheapest wine. Halfway through the meal the raised the lights which were bright enough to keep the food warm. Waitress said someone complained it was too dark and she would Fix it but never did.
(1)Mandy D.
Just had dinner in the Tavern portion with my family... We shared mussels and grouper bites for appetizers. I had the tavern steak and thought it was very good. Ordered medium, and it was perfect. 3 of my family members ordered the BBB burger and raved about how good it was. The other 2 ordered the Ahi and a grouper sandwich, both said they were very good. The fries are amazing. Pretty interesting beer selection :) our server was very nice as well. very good, we will be back!
(4)Mopsie B.
Awesome! The last time we were here was 2006 and we came right off the beach and had fabulous grouper cakes and frozen cocktails (I only drink frozen cocktails when at the beach!). Unfortunately, the grouper cakes seem to have disappeared from the menu now (just crab cakes), but the Crow's Nest gets extra kudos for serving the full tavern menu right up until midnight. Plus, I tried a really good Tampa beer, the name of which escapes me-- Florida something. The second time we went on this trip a few weeks ago, we had grouper sandwiches that, while expensive, were very good. Oddly, you can't get a salad with your meal but the baked potato was great. For dessert, we were excited to try the key lime pie but it was honestly awful. Tasted like some kind of nut or alcohol or maybe both. The taste of lime was completely obscured. Stick to seafood and booze and you won't go wrong at the Crow's Nest!
(4)Bill G.
The best high end food in Venice. Good Wine selection. View of docks and intercoastal. Reservations a good idea even out of season. Noisy. But great.
(4)Charles S.
We had a great waiter. The food was excellent, deserts great, wine selection superb.
(5)Nonnie J.
We smartly made a reservation before driving 90 minutes to meet old friends for lunch at The Crows Nest. No wait to be seated at our window table in the upstairs dining room. Good thing we did not opt for The Tavern because there was a 40 minute wait. Our server appeared immediately and took our tea orders while we exchanged photos of grandchildren. No rush for us to order. Our yummy bisques and chowder were served in a reasonable time. Shrimp Caesar Salads, turkey rueben sandwich, and steamed mussels arrived just a tad too early because we were guilty of talking too much. No problem. Room was made on our table for the few minutes we needed to finish our appetizers. Everyone was delighted with his/ her lunch. We were never rushed. Our server was lovely and efficient. Best of all the food was outstanding. WHAT MORE COULD ONE WANT? Thank you Crows Nest. We won't hesitate to drive 90 minutes for lunch in the future.
(5)Heather M.
Depends on what your "thing" is... If you are over 90, you will be pleased with the bland food and Early Bird Specials (5 entrees priced at $15 if ordered before 5:30). The service was impeccable... Denise was knowledgable and attentive. The cocktails were good and the seared ahi tuna was great. The salmon was also very good. The grouper with hollandaise was very bland and crazy expensive at $29. The view is incredible with stacked levels to give all a view out the window wall. Get there at 4:30 to claim an actual window seat. There wasn't a table without a blue-hair. Like I said, depends on what your "thing" is.
(3)Ken D.
Dreadful. None of the food was especially good. My entree was served lukewarm on a cold plate. It looked like it had been sitting on the plate for quite some time as the sauce had set into the food and started to harden. I had to send it back to be heated up. Tableside dressing of the baked potatoes just takes time while everyone's food is getting even colder. They should abandon that stupid practice. Within an hour of leaving Crow's Nest, I had a nasty case of diarrhea...so they have some serious issues with sanitation. I have a very solid stomach and very rarely have any issues with food. I didn't eat any raw foods. Nearly 12 hours later, I still have symptoms of food poisoning. Service was friendly enough but if you can't serve hot food, you're not serving me. The atmosphere was nice enough. Menu is very expensive.
(1)Scott C.
Great food and amazing desserts. Has a bar downstairs and more formal dining upstairs. The views are great. Really good fish, some nice specials. Banana pie is one of the greatest desserts I ever had. My favorite place to eat in the area. Only negative is REALLY slow service.
(4)Tim G.
Cool place to eat. Good food and drink. We never miss it when we're in town.
(4)John W.
We got there early without reservations and we were immediately seated in a nice table right next to the windows. This was my wife's and my 4th or 5th visit but the first for our guests. Our friendly waiter Kevin did a great job with service, everything was timely, the service was attentive and food was excellent. We all thoroughly enjoyed our food, drinks and the atmosphere. A bit pricey but for the quality of food, atmosphere and service it was fair. We'll be back.
(5)Lisa H.
I don't get it. I've been three times in the past 7 years, and each time the service has been slllloooowwww and it's been too noisy for a conversation. But -- even in the summer, it's crowded. Go figure. Food's fine, but for a good dining experience, go elsewhere.
(1)G G.
I thought this place was very good. Had nice window seat upstairs with good view of marina. Service very friendly. Good wine list. Good raw bar, well-prepared seafood. Would definitely go back.
(4)Ellen M.
You can dress as comfortably as you like, but the food is that of a dressy place. I felt so loved. Wonderful shrimp, which is all the more delicious as a deprived midwesterner. Perfectly prepared filets. The best damn key lime pie. While the atmosphere is not too deliberate, the restaurant is comfortable and is right on the water, and boaters dock at the marina. Friendly service.
(4)Carrie S.
We love Venice and while on vacation here always come to the Crow's Nest at least once. My daughter loves the tenderloin tornedos, my husband got the fish of the day, and I got the salmon with terriaki vegetables and they were all declicious! The view is beautiful and it is so fun to sit and look outside at the water while eating tasty food. This is a nice restaurant so it is a bit pricey, but really worth the price for the excellent view. We love the Crow's Nest, and always have nice and fast service!
(5)Jean S.
Upstairs is really nice but pricey. But you can get almost the same thing downstairs for less. I was raised in the restaurant business and am a real critic. I can hardly go out to eat without complaining about something. But not here, I have never had a complaint yet.
(4)Keith C.
Great for the tourist or... if you have a hot date you want to impress... otherwise, don't waste your time. It was so much better when it was an open air resturant with deck where you could get burgers and pitchers.
(2)Tim S.
The grouper dish on the vegetable tostada was excellent. Mom reported that the Veal Oscar was outstanding. Her partner also raved about the Walnut Crusted Salmon. Service was good. Caesar salad was pathetic. Cheesecake excellent.
(4)Gail O.
I always check yelp before I go to a restaurant as it has always been on target with reviews. Why didn't I do it this time??? Crows Nest has all the elements for success, perfect site, right on the water, tastefully decorated, friendly staff... But the food....horrible. First we order gin and tonics. They are served but don't taste right. Turns out they are made with diet tonic??? Food, which is quite pricey, was tasteless. I had grouper that tasted like cardboard. My husband had shrimp that was like rubber. We are not fussy eaters but this was the worst meal we have had in a long time.
(2)Joe Z.
Mediocre at best in spite of nice service. Had hoped for focus on food quality after snowbirds left
(2)Lori S.
Food is good and consistent upstairs- albeit a bit pricey. Downstairs is a more casual with enterntainment on some nights of the week. In addition, the price point is more reasonable downstairs considering the casual fare.
(3)