We got off the interstate because of traffic and found this place. We wished we could have stayed here longer. We've even talked about going back to St. Augustine so we can spend more time here. We ordered a few baskets and were absolutely shocked, in a good way, about the portion size for the price. Also, the wait time on the food was very short. The cocktail sauce is absolutely delicious, kinda spicy, which is perfect, and all the seafood was super fresh. The gumbo was amazing. It was kinda hard to get a good table outside, but worth the wait. People stand around your table waiting for you to get up, which is kinda annoying, but I get it. read more

I rarely leave negative reviews, and I want to begin by emphasizing that the staff were genuinely pleasant, attentive, and professional throughout our visit. They were courteous, accommodating, and handled every interaction with a positive attitude. This review is in no way directed at them. Unfortunately, the food itself was among the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in recent memory. Our table sampled a substantial portion of the menu. We began with the appetizers: ahi tuna, gator tail, bang bang shrimp, corn nuggets, and smoked fish dip. The ahi tuna was significantly overcooked and carried a pronounced freezer-burned flavor. The gator tail suffered from the same issue. The bang bang shrimp consisted of what tasted like frozen shrimp covered in sauce, with little else to distinguish it. The corn nuggets were actually quite enjoyable and were easily the highlight of the appetizer selection. The smoked fish dip was particularly underwhelming. Its texture was excessively mushy, and despite a heavy dusting of smoked paprika on top, it lacked any notable depth of flavor. It felt as though the seasoning was intended to compensate for an otherwise uninspired dish, but unfortunately it did not succeed. For our entrées, I ordered the "fresh catch" of the day, advertised as blackened triggerfish. Whatever fish was served, I am highly confident it was not triggerfish. The texture was rubbery, the flavor was dominated by what again tasted like freezer burn, and no amount of seasoning could disguise it. The accompanying fries were mediocre, and the mac and cheese was bland and tasted as though it had been prepared well in advance rather than made fresh. My brother ordered the blackened grouper, and his experience was no better. The fish was overcooked, dry, and carried the same freezer-burned quality. Blackening seasoning can enhance good seafood, but it cannot rescue fish that has already been compromised. My girlfriend ordered the crab cakes. Predictably, they suffered from the exact same issue. At this point, a pattern had clearly emerged. I am genuinely puzzled by the restaurant's repeated use of the word "fresh," because nearly every seafood item we received tasted as though it had spent far too long in a freezer. Hoping the cocktails would redeem the evening, we ordered a Key Lime Piña Colada. What arrived tasted like watered-down pineapple juice with an aggressive pour of rum. Assuming it was simply a mistake or an off batch, we politely asked to exchange it for the Spicy Guava Margarita, which the staff graciously accommodated. Unfortunately, the replacement was somehow worse. It was, without exaggeration, one of the worst margaritas I have ever been served. My girlfriend described it as tasting like someone scrubbed a grill, added hot sauce, and then emptied an entire bottle of bottom-shelf tequila into the glass. While colorful, it was a surprisingly accurate assessment. By the end of the meal, the overwhelming impression was that nearly every seafood item served had either been mishandled, improperly stored, overcooked, or some combination of the three. The experience was especially disappointing given the restaurant's coastal location and the expectation of quality seafood that naturally comes with it. Our bill totaled approximately $156. For that price, I expected fresh seafood, competent preparation, and cocktails that were at least drinkable. Instead, we left hungry enough to stop elsewhere for food on the drive home. Once again, the staff were excellent. They were kind, professional, and did everything they reasonably could. Unfortunately, good service alone cannot overcome food of this quality. In all honesty, this was the worst seafood dining experience I have personally had, regardless of price point. I cannot recommend The Grouper Shack based on our visit. Save your money, and if you're heading home afterward, you may find yourself doing exactly what we did: stopping elsewhere for dinner. read more

My mom had done her research before our trip and insisted we find a good seafood spot since you really can't go to Florida and not get fresh seafood. Grouper Shack was at the top of her list because the prices weren't too bad. We went on a Thursday around 5 and had to sit outside since the inside was already packed, bar included. Worth noting if you're planning to go around dinner time. Also worth noting that it's an order at the counter situation, not a traditional sit-down restaurant like we were expecting. Not a complaint at all, just something to know going in. Now let's talk about the prices because $10 cocktails feel like a gift right now when we're so used to paying $14 and up everywhere else. Pretty much everything on the menu was reasonably priced, and you get a solid amount of food for what you pay. I got the grilled mahi mahi, my mom got the grilled grouper, and my brother went with the fried cod. The mahi mahi was nicely oiled and seasoned and cooked well. It was actually my first time trying it and I was not disappointed. Everyone else was happy with their food too. The coleslaw was creamy and tasty, though I could've easily eaten twice as much of it. And the waffle fries honestly might have been the highlight of the meal. Perfectly salted and just slightly undercooked. If there's one thing about me, I love a soft fry. After we finished eating we spotted fried gator tail on the menu and had to order it to go. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it came out as a bunch of little breaded balls of piping hot gator meat with the breading barely hanging on. They tasted good, but once you bit into the meat it had a pretty rubbery texture. Maybe that's just how gator is, so I won't hold it against them. For the price and the quality, you really can't complain much. A great spot to hit if you want fresh seafood without feeling like you broke the bank. read more

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Everything was amazing , 5 stars ! The lobster bisque was amazing I got the lobster and the crab legs everything was incredible from the food runners to the bartenders and the manager. The view was incredible too read more

Grouper Shack - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

Beautiful outdoor seating tucked away in a quiet marina -- such a cool hidden spot. The seafood is incredibly fresh, and both the triggerfish and calamari were outstanding. Great dockside drinks too; the Miami Vice and piña coladas hit the spot. A perfect laid‑back St. Augustine find. The Ponte Vedra location has a dedicated gluten free fryer while the St Augustine restaurant does not. read more

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First time going to the restaurant I've been by it several times to go charter fishing and was curious to try. The staff were very nice and helpful. On the other hand our food was overcooked. The clam strips we dark over fried and rubbery. The blackened grouper tasted good but was a bit overcooked and parts were dry. The gator tail was cooked alright. The burger was supposed to be med well and it was black and well cooked. As far as the portion sizes the clam strips about 1/4 cups worth of food. The grouper was 2x4x1 and fries with a sample cup of coleslaw. With a fair amount of waffle fries to fill in the basket. Gator tail was average size for an appetizer. The burger was a decent size. With fries and sample cup of coleslaw. The quality was seriously lacking for paying over $50 for lunch plus a small fountain drink. read more

We had oysters and conch fritters and both were 10/10. The vibe is chill with a nice view of the river and marshland. We will definitely come back! read more

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The was quite alright to me and my nephew we enjoyed the little break before he actually took me to work some things are always better if you don't have to cook it yourself great job staff keep pushing to greatness read more

Grouper Shack - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

This place is a GEM! The food the service and ambience is incredible! The pricing is amazing and one of the few places in St Augustine that's really reasonable for seafood. My husband is from Puerto Rico and is a super huge fan of whole fried red grouper and this restaurant really specializes in that! We both ordered this dish when we came for the fried red grouper. We ate on the back deck and loved our view. We cannot say enough about the perfection of how the fish was fried and that it was the perfect size so that to not be stuffed. There are so many gorgeous places to take amazing photos walking in, while at dinner and leaving. If you are with kids, you can walk them down to the boardwalk -amongst the salt marsh to find wild birds while waiting for dinner to be brought to your table. But you have to be quick! Dinner comes quickly. I love this set up of ordering at the counter and someone runs your food to you. The vibe is super casual and on the salt marsh like REAL FLORIDA!! Enjoy the sunset colors so time your dinner right. On the plus side there were no bugs!! Many people were there just to sit at the really cool gigantic bar area! read more

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Great seafood and right on the water in beautiful Saint Augustine. Casual and fun atmosphere. Started with the smoked fish dip and Peel & Eat shrimp. All were so good! Large and local shrimp. Oysters on the half shell and Grouper basket were all items I would definitely order again. Highly recommend! read more

Grouper Shack - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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Overpriced, only decent food and a poor service delivery model. They have a great location, but ruin it by having you place your food order at a carry out like counter. Then, you have to get your own plastic utensils from a dispenser in the wall. Want a drink from the bar, you have to their to order it- no table service whatsoever. To top it off, the staff has an attitude about explaining the hoops you have to jump through to order for and drinks to unsuspecting first time "customers". This place better wake up, and look around at their competitors' higher level of service and quality, or they'll soon be gone. Saint Augustine has a lot of nice restaurants with better quality food for the same money and much better service! Lunch for twins with two martinis was about $80- too much for what was received. We were disappointed in the Grouper Shack and won't be going back. read more

I love this place! This counter service restaurant is great. There is a beautiful outdoor patio that's located on the water's edge. An Inside eating area for those that want to enjoy view but not the outdoors. The food was wonderful. Yummy smoked fish dip, scrumptious lightly breaded fried shrimp, and creamy hot lobster bisque was on our table. I'm looking forward to trying the rest of the menu. read more

Grouper Shack - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

Everything!! Grouper, shrimp, crab cakes, royal reds, crab legs! You name it, it was delicious!! Highly recommend!! Fast and friendly service!! read more

Grouper Shack - Inside bar area. - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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We came here with my hubby's bff and fiancé. The place has a laid back vibe but the view is great. It's a first come first serve on seating, so keep that in mind with the time of day you come. We came in around 2 and there was no outdoor seating open but we got a table inside. I had the fish tacos and they were great, but I loved the fried fish tacos more than the blackened. The gator tail was great! It's hard to find good gator tail. My hubby's bff's fiancé had the lobster roll and that thing looked amazing! I definitely want to come back here and try that lobster roll. Price wise this place is better priced than I thought it would be especially with seafood. read more

Follow up to Good Food, Disappointing Service from Management and Ownership To be fair, Phoebe from Grouper Shack texted me shortly after I posted my review. She apologized for the inconvenience I experienced, explained why the owners had not responded to my certified letter, and offered me a complimentary meal. I appreciate the apology, the explanation, and the offer. However, I want to clarify that I did not write the certified letter or post my review in hopes of receiving a free meal. My purpose was to make ownership aware of how the situation was handled and to give them an opportunity to address it. My primary concern was never the inconvenience of having to return the next day for my credit card. My concern was that I was told to come back because someone would be there to assist me, yet when I arrived the restaurant was closed and the manager, Scott, had already left. When I spoke with him the following day, I did not feel that the unnecessary trip or inconvenience was acknowledged, and I left that conversation feeling that my concerns were dismissed. I appreciate Phoebe's apology and explanation, but I still feel that the main issue I raised--the way the situation was handled by the manager and the attitude displayed afterward--has not really been addressed. read more

No someplace I would recommend Order flounder. Had no flavor and was frozen. I looked forward to trying this place and was very disappointed read more

Even though there was a line waiting to order, it moved fast. It was busy at 5:30 on a Friday but we found a great outside table. Having a drink and sitting out with a water view is a perfect vibe. Fountain drinks are self serve but everything else is delivered to the table. Thoughts on the food- Fish dip was excellent Gumbo was tasty, would have liked more shrimp and less sausage. Sweet potato mash was excellent Creamsicle-missed the orange taste, it was more like a pina colada, good but not what I had hoped for. Poke Bowl-delicious combination of flavors Grouper BLT-not the star of the show that I thought it would be. Good but not fantastic. Overall we really liked the place and will go back to try other menu items. read more

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Great location on the water. Sat outside on a hot day and it wasn't too bad. Counter ordering like a fish shack ought to be. I had the flounder fresh catch sandwich with the waffle cut fries and slaw. Pretty good. Got it blackened. For the fried grouper, I didn't love the breading. Cornmeal based which is to my liking. Just didn't have the seasoning I was expecting. And it seemed to hide the flavor of the fish. Very nice bartenders serve you replenishment of whatever you are drinking. Attentive management checking in on everyone. Plenty of parking in the oversize lot. Will come again. read more

Grouper Shack - Fresh catch sandwich - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

My Wife and I have been going to the Grouper Shack for a long time! We ate there last night and ordered Fried Clams which were so over cooked! We asked and were told they are cooked medium, Not! The last few times it has not been the same! The Service, Food and Appearance has gone down Hill Sadly! The Rest Rooms Doors have a Great Deal of Black on the White Doors, and looks Horrific! We just Hope Groupers will go back to being Our Favorite! read more

This is a pay/order at the counter place. Will need to fight for a table if you want a seat. Lobster roll was loaded with unseasoned/boiled meat. The inside was extremely hot with flies everywhere with all doors/window open. Great views, but not an ideal place if you wanna go with more than 4 people. Probably a great spot when no one is in town during the week, but food was extremely under seasoned with no flavor. read more

Best fish dip in St. Augustine. Everything else was pretty decent for the money. The grouper and fries were pretty nice tasting. The views here are solid. They told us we could have full service at the bar. But I really enjoyed ordering up front. They still brought out the food. Honestly, the quick service here is better than the full service at most restaurants nowadays. I'd definitely return. read more

I ordered the grouper basket fully expecting a full fried fish, but ended up with fried filets. Had I known I would have just went with the appetizer. For less of the price I would have received the same thing. Other than the gal at the counter where you order your food there really isn't any customer service. Order your food sit down and wait. Food is good it's a great place to pull up your boat and have a quick bite. There's not much seating in side and outside has only 16 tables. It is nice and quiet I'm here on lunch so there's no kids running around. I see a lot of new comers so I'm only guessing most people don't come back for a second or third time. Of course I'm willing to give anything a second chance, but it's not bad at all. Atmosphere is relaxing. Drinks are really good. read more

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Great spot. Hidden away Indoor seating and best outdoor seating. On the water. When you walk in be prepared to read menu on walk. You place your order with cashier and you ger your own cutlery napkins and drink. You gtab a yable and they find you and bring order to you. Fresh well prepared seafood. Great service. read more

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Grouper Shack is an amazing hidden gem in St Augustine. Right on the intercoastal, with great food and good vibes. I highly recommend this restaurant. My husband to be and I sat at the bar. Enjoyed the beverage, off the ocean breeze and an amazing blackened grouper, BLT sandwich served with waffle fries and cole slaw. We were welcomed by Scot, the restaurant manager who was friendly and helpful! Visit this place and I promise you will not regret it!! read more

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Shoutout to our local community heroes like Scott, Crystal, and staff! This venue is a St Augustine treasure chest full of amazing food, refreshing drinks, happy patrons, personable staff, and true tropical Florida vibes! I love the laidback atmosphere and seaside shack chillin' flow. A well rounded menu from amazing raw oysters to fried grouper sandwiches. The comfort is well represented from conch fritters to greens to macaroni and cheese. The quality is superb and is the consistent! The bartenders are so lively, professional, and welcoming. The bartenders is the spot to sit if you want table service, if not just order at the front ordering counter and they bring the food out to the table. It is a beautiful venue to sit on the deck and absorb the atmosphere. There's also seating inside dining area. The staff is attentive, friendly, and they work like oiled machine. The entire meal was a fun treat and a great way to spend time making memories together. We loved it so much that we went two weeks in a row!! Picturesque views and photo ops are always free.... Taste the Love!! read more

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I have been to Grouper Shack 5-6 times and food and service has been good. I normally order clam strips which are good. My last visit was terrible. There was no crabmeat , deep fried batter. Others in party ordered combos or fish which was good. Someone needs visit kitchen and make changes. read more

Excellent food, outstanding service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Everything was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

Absolutely, the view, the breeze, the fishing boats coming in and out with their catch. I had Gulf oysters in May. Ha! But I did see other dishes all looked very well presented. Good music, young, able crowd management. I will return. read more

New little place located in a marina. We figured we would give it a try since the menu looked good. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the order at the counter vibe but it's actually remarkably well organized and the people at the counter taking your order are super nice and happy to answer any questions. The food comes right to your table so ordering at the counter is really not a big deal at all. Tip: You can also order your alcoholic beverages at the food counter or you can go straight to the full bar. I had the fresh wahoo sandwich blackened. It was the best sandwich I've had in a long time. Mostly because the fish was perfect and the overall sandwich was simple so the fish was the hero. We also had the crawfish which were a nice treat. They were a special catch of the day so we definitely got an order of those. Others at the table also got crab legs and fried clams. Thumbs up from all around. The deck is gorgeous and the view is amazing. We saw some gorgeous birds and just enjoyed the peaceful setting. We will definitely be back. read more

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We showed up with a party of 12. We had never been here before. The staff were very friendly & courteous. The view was great. The drinks and food were outstanding. Highly recommend enjoying an afternoon at The Grouper Shack in St. Augustine Florida. Big groups or a party of two they can accommodate you. Sit down enjoy your favorite beverage order a delicious meal and watch the marine life. 10 out of 10 recommend. read more

Grouper Shack - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

Best little spot for no nonsense, fresh food!! The grouper, scallops and triggerfish are my absolute faves! Always cooked perfectly & always fast! The service is efficient & friendly and the drinks are always cold! They have a big deck that's great to sit on and watch the wildlife and the boats come in & out. Just an overall great little place! read more

So far a good experience. There is extra parking (on your left) before you get to the marina and the restaurant. Limited parking at the restaurant. You order first and pay. They give you a tracker that you place on your table. Some indoor seating more on their deck. Today it's a bit windy. A large bar area. There are five in our group we brought a fifth chair over to our table. Staff is friendly. Now the food. Compared to other places I feel the amount of fish you get is a bit on the small serving size. Fish was good. People in our group had grilled and blackened fish. Coleslaw excellent. Fries have been sitting for a bit - crunchy but hard. I mentioned the fries to the manager- they are challenging their fries - they are freshly prepared but come out hard - glad they are working on improving things. Outstanding views. Friendly staff. Will try again. It's a 4/5. read more

Grouper Shack - Blackened red snapper - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

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Yummy fresh seafood. Cheerful, attentive staff. Reasonable prices. Great views from f the intracoastal. Order at the counter and your food will be dropped at your table hot and fresh. Self serve soft drinks. Beer, wine and cocktails available. There's a large bar , tables indoors and patio seating. read more

Grouper Shack - The view from the restaurant - Seafood Near Me - St. Augustine, Florida

Went here on a suggestion from a Facebook page. What a great suggestion!! Went at lunchtime. Had the blackened grouper basket. Fish was so fresh, the waffle fries were perfect and the Cole slaw was great. Had a margarita and a Paloma and both were made well. Highly recommend taking the time to check it out. read more

We were greeted at the counter by a friendly employee who was knowledgeable about the menu and answered all our questions. I'd been wanting fresh fish so I got the Red Fish fresh catch. The fish was delicious! Exactly what I was looking for. My mom was so happy with her fries that she got a second order. Note that if you upgrade your sides ($2 each) it's a bigger portion than the fries and coleslaw the baskets come with. All the employees were friendly, including the food runners and manager. It was too cold to eat outside and the indoor seating was a bit limited, so I would get there early. I will definitely be back to try more fresh fish. **Though you order at the counter and not the table, the employees are all paid tip wage so keep that in mind when tipping. read more

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Wasn't expecting to pay upfront for the food and tip. Not sure of the expectation ordering Crab Legs but I would expect them to be steamed when they arrive so they're hot when they're eaten. Not with this restaurant. 1st of the 2 pounds didn't crack. Had to tear to open. 2nd I was able to crack. Oddly the butter was slightly warm. Some of the legs had almost no meat inside the leg. Very disappointing. Best time is before or after12-2pm. Difficulty getting seated. You don't have a server like typical restaurant. The downside was being next to the kitchen door. Loud and distracting. There was a lady that did help with getting us a table. Much appreciated. Not sure if I would return or recommend. read more

Just discovered this hidden gem today! Excellent food, casual atmosphere staffed well, and an idyllic waterfront location The trifecta! I'll be back there, and ti to he adjacent sister facility, the Boat House read more

First time to Grouper shack. Sat at the bar. 2 bartenders. Girl in pink ( Patricia?) shirt with black hair not to friendly. Honestly, both bartenders need to maybe find new jobs. They seemed like everyone was bothering them. Atmosphere was beautiful. Food, crab legs and royal red shrimp were amazing but the seafood chowder was like someone dumped the salt shaker in it. I sent it back and got the chowder , which was really good. First impression when you walk in you have to order your food and then try to find a table outside or inside. I mean it's nice but it's different but we sat at the bar and there was no welcome in feeling. That was my first impression. read more

We got our order to go at a busy time, so we were happy to wait. The place was packed, people were getting feisty over seating. We did wait about 30 mins but it was fantastic. Ordered a grouper basket and a shrimp basket, both grilled, and a garden salad. The cocktail sauce is perfect, the shrimp was amazing, and the grouper was delicious. The salad was fresh and light, and not just lettuce. Hands down a top tier good eats location for people who want good food over bougie plates. read more

I did not realize that my cocktail would be 40 minutes. Had someone told me I would have gone to bar. Order food then go get your own drink. Do not order with food. Also felt they could sell a lot more drinks if someone would only walk around and ask. I also feel tipping before you get any service is not fair. I tipped 20% and service sucked. read more