Ill give em 5 stars for service, quality, freshness, and flavor....... but the restaurant itself needs a deep cleaning!! The windows/ sills have ketchup and grease all over them, and the s/p shakers are greasy! came in and we enjoyed a nice dinner!! Cold beers, and fresh, hot, flavorful food!! super fresh oysters!! fresh salads, hot and well cooked food! everyone ate, and nobody complained!! and the music was on point, a 90s throwback!! read more

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Ate here for the second time and the food was delicious as usual. I'd like more seasoning besides salt/pepper on the fish but other than that, I was pleased. The service was on point too read more

Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant - Popcorn shrimp Fried oysters and Fish - Seafood Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Very pleased to find a restaurant nearby that serves fried catfish, my favorite cheat meal, heehee! Theirs was seasoned perfectly, fried crispy and not one piece was mushy or hard. So good that there was no need to add condiments to change the taste or texture. I have also tried the char-broiled oysters which I found to be a bit bland. Next trip, I will try the baked crabby oysters instead. read more

Food was good. Course had to wait almost an hour which I found odd seeing how there was all of 6 or 7 people in the whole restaurant at the time we went in. Service, well apparently the waitress was there to just wonder around. Took quite a while before she came to get our order. Apparently ordering a salad and getting one is on her list of things to do. Asked for a box, sat there as she walked by them several times and eventually walked OUTSIDE in the parking lot before she came back by our table and said " oh I forgot". Ask the cashier if there was a price reduction from the $65 bill due to not getting our complete order. She was shocked and took off the two teas. I normally tip well for good service but I'm betting this waitress was wondering why she didn't get a tip at all. Not being racists , but I felt like I was the wrong skin color for her to put much of her effort into. Just saying. Seems like all the others that ordered AFTER we ordered got their food promptly. read more

Food was outstanding the shrimp was cooked. Perfectly baked. Potato was excellent even the coleslaw was special. Atmosphere is a little simple and the place is rather large. And they have huge slices of cake for dessert. Many interesting cakes. read more

This was the absolute worse food I've ever eaten. I don't even know how the parking lot is full. The crab dip made me sick. Bicarbonate of Soda alllll night. As a matter of fact, the crab dip didn't taste that great to me, but considering the price point, my expectations weren't high. However, I did not expect to go home sick. read more

My favorite seafood restaurant. They are not over priced and give you good portions of delicious food. Service is always excellent and employees are nice. I go every two weeks and get my favorite meal of grilled white Alaskan fish and grilled shrimp. read more

The food was DELICIOUS. The service was spectacular! Keisha was professional efficient and friendly! And the restaurant and the restrooms were spotless. I do not understand why they don't have five stars all across this is a delicious local restaurant. If I had any criticism, it was the parking lot could use a paving, but other than that, we will definitely be back anytime. We are in the area! read more

Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant - This was the Friday special, which was flounder and shrimp. And then we also ordered a side of okra, which was delicious. - Seafood Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

good food, excellent wait staff, good location. Recently updated dining area, Stop in and have a bite! read more

Teresa was AMAZING. We came from out of town for a military graduation and wanted some good catfish. Everyone was patient and polite. Great service. The ambiance was cute and neat. The food was a 10/10. We had leftovers for days. And the prices were reasonable for everything you got. read more

Great food and great service! We will be going back. Prices aren't too bad either. Portions are large. read more

This place is really good, just wish they had larger portions. Service is good and the waiters are very polite. There is large room for large parties. read more

It was okay....I did take out. The folks friendly and the food was good. Call-in order before you arrive to pickup is very convenient and helpful. read more

We were staying at a local hotel nearby and out of all the restaurants in the vicinity, this one had the best reviews so we gave it a try. The waitress was very sweet and attentive. But the food... dear heaven. I don't think I've had a worse meal in 40 years. Every single item was incredibly overcooked. Shrimp, fish, vegetables, steak. All practically inedible. The hush puppies? I'm not from the south so I'm no connoisseur, but they looked like turds and tasted like raw flour. Please save your hard earned money and eat elsewhere. read more

The Atlantic Salmon is amazing. 10/10. The people who work there are extremely nice. 100% recommend.

Our server, Garrett was great and the food was excellent. The crab dip he recommended was delicious

Ordered salad with blue cheese salad dressing, Crab legs and steamed vegetables. The meal was very disappointing. Although the salad was very fresh the blue cheese dressing was all buttermilk with no detectable blue cheese flavor. The crab leg portion size was reasonable for the price but they were served overcooked to the point of no longer releasing from the shell of any of the legs and they wete served cold. The vegetables were propetly cooked, but also served cold - no warmth at all. The hush puppies were excellent, as was my iced tea. The other two meals ordered for my family were both fried and wete served hot and wete delicious. My advice is to stick with their fried offerings, which are also very reasonably priced. The crab legs were market price dependant and were 250% more expensive, which would have been acceptable IF propetly cooked and served seasoned and warm, but they were not. Improvement would be appreciated at the upper end of the menu. read more

THEY DO NOT MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THE CUSTOMER....The waitress told us that the kids meal came with a drink and then when we got the bill they had charged us for a full size sweet tea. When we approached management to correct it the manager said..." we don't give anything away for free". And did not make it right making us pay for it when it was for a child who was under 2. We also never got any refills for the drinks, we had to ask for one and never got anything else. Food was mediocre. in addition, the kids chicken tender came with 2 ONLY 2 chicken tenders which was 7$ plus the drink that was 3$. Oh and if you have more than 6 people they charge 18% on your bill. And kids meals don't come with a drink. What happened to making things right? Definitely would rethink going here. read more

The food was delicious, amazing and hot. And waiting on Sunday. Service was amazing.

I ordered take out. A Talapia dinner with fried baby shrimp and baked potatoes. It was delicious but they forgot my utensils. Or I forgot to check the box that I wanted utensils. Either way, the food and the customer service was nice. read more

The food was awesome! My husband and I had 2 dinners and it was enough food for a total of 4 people. Our server Jayden was amazing with helpful information about the menu and so courteous. read more

Food was fresh and hot! Service was excellent but they need to sanitize more in the restaurant! Everything else was good!

This isn't a gourmet seafood restaurant but if you fancy an excellent basic seafood establishment with superb service and affordable pricing, you simply must try Harbor Inn Seafood. I've never found it to be excessively noisy so normal conversation is possible. read more

The Whitting fried fish was fresh and seasoned just right! I ate for the first time hush puppies delicious, service is very good, polite, and there is no waiting in line nor not long for the food and the food is hot when you get it. read more

Food and service still bring me to great memories. Ambience was clever last time I dined. Always great an idea in a restaurant there most sales are driven at night to dim the lights slightly. Subliminal mind thing I guess. Anyway keep it up! read more

Best value fried seafood in town. One of my go to's. Friendly service, and priced right.

The food was plentiful but lacked flavor and the broiled shrimp were a little mushy. The hush puppies were pretty good. Our server was great. She was attentive and made sure we had what we needed. The place was well lit and clean. Plenty of booth seats. read more

Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant - I ordered th Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, with Hush Puppies and fries. - Seafood Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

First time visiting and would recommend. Large portions, affordable prices and great tasting food. Called in order and was told food would be ready in ten minutes. However, I arrived 40 minutes later and the order was not ready. read more

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For those of you who have not has the Southeast seafood experience, you need to move that up on your bucket lists and get with it. Large capacity seafood eateries are a standard for southerners. Families, friends, special occasions are celebrated when gathered together to gorging on fried or broiled seafood. Well...not necessarily gorging, as ladies and grandparents also partake, but the quantity of sea food available and served up is spectacular. The Harbor Inn is a cavernous, open space with row upon row or booths and tables. If on weekends or holidays, one might wait for an hour or more to get in. With Covid restrictions in place, this was the easiest restaurant to comply as it is so huge. Our local Captain Steve's is similar. Think of sea foods and their menu take it all in, with the exception of exotic varieties. Shell fish (oysters and clams), specific fishes and market specials are the menu. You decide how you want it prepared. Fried, as excellently done as is done in the south, is the norm, but broiled is another great option. Heaping platters of multiple items are standard and you will see many carried by on the shoulders of the very busy wait staff. Service is fast, accurate and friendly. Iced tea flows steadily. I ordered a white fish and shrimp combo. An Alaska white fish filet and five broiled, almost large size, shrimp came with a baked potato. A generous side salad with ranch and a glass of iced tea made my evening. Wish I had ordered more, but wife's critical eye put that thought to bed real quick. Wife does not eat anything that comes out of the water. Just her. That was ok as the Harbor Inn had a number of non-seafood offerings that made her happy. Keep that in mind for your friends that don't like seafood. When we have guests from out-of-town, especially if they are from another country, we take them to a seafood place like Harbor Inn or Captain Steve's. They are cultural icons and uniquely southern. We have not seen unhappy people eating at these places. They are too happy gorging, er...dining. read more

I'll never go back nor will I recommend this place to anyone ever. I called in to order. I ordered a triple combination platter with double fish (2), and baby shrimp (1). I confirmed my order and had my order taker read it back to me. I asked for the price. He gave it to me and I left home. When I received my food I checked my order to ensure that everything was there before I left. When looked over my order I was highly dissatisfied. Please see attached photo for reference. Remember, I ordered & confirmed a triple combination platter. When I looked in my box, this place had given me two peices of fish and a whole bunch of shrimp. I told the cashier that they have given me the wrong order. I stated my order again to the cashier. He then tells me that "We couldn't do a triple combination platter. So I only charged you for a double." I told him, "I didn't order a double! I even confirmed it over the phone." I then asked to speak with the manager. The manager comes out. I could already tell by the way that she approached the window that I wasn't going to get my fish because she was probably back there eating it all. So I explain to her what the problem was. She then tells me, "It's all about "portion size"". I told her that "I don't care about portions. I ordered what I ordered! If you needed to up-charge me, I understand, but give me what I ordered! She then tells me, "We can give you some more fish, but you'll have to pay for it." I then said, "That's what I ordered in the first place!" I then told her, "It's ok, won't be coming back. I don't order from restaurants that gives you what they want you to have instead of just fulfilling my order. It's about my time being wasted at this point." I told her that I was going to write them a negative review. I then walked out. You would think that a business would be transparent about their services, but not this classy place. You would be better served by going to McDonalds. Just fyi, read the reviews on this place. I read them before I ordered. I wish I had never gone against my instincts and ordered anyway. I wouldn't have been disappointed and gotten my time wasted. Food was very mid AT BEST. You can probably get better seafood in a dumpster. read more

Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Food was good. Service was great and staff was super friendly. Bathrooms were clean and tidy.

I went here with my Sister and Brother in law while visiting. The staff and our waiter were very attentive. I had Whiting and Jumbo Shrimp, Sister had Crab Cakes, Wife had Oysters and calabash shrimp, and brother in law had Oyster Stew. All was well except Fried Oysters were over cooked but Overall was satisfied. Would go back . it is my sis and bros favorite place to eat. They had been there 3 times this week. As in most seafood it. is hard to make everything perfect. I think they have my vote read more

Great seafood. Who would of thought? Better than CRAPPY MIKES at Surfside beach. Nice waitresses every time. Nice seaside themed dining hall. We visit every time we're in Columbia. read more

Good food, friendly staff, large portions. I have a very rare food allergy, and the staff was very willing to do the research and make sure I would be ok. That's for a great meal. read more

I love this seafood place. The food is delicious and always hot. I would recommend Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant to anyone.

Business operation in Columbia, SC could do better at handling complaints. Food was luke warm as I had the fried combination (flounder/ popcorn shrimp/ deviled crab). The server was kind and attentive. However, the restaurant's practice of replacing my plate after finding hair in it is unacceptable. Being told by the manager that they are unaware of how hair got in the food is shady, and possibly unethical. When ordering the combination the plate may have been warm, but was plentiful with the popcorn shrimp and a nice size of the flounder. The replacement portion was smaller and no discount is allowed even though I asked. My husband even spoke to the owner, and all we received was a stare and a used plastic bag to carry our to go plates out. read more

Surprisingly delicious seafood. Not seasoned as great s California Dreaming's shrimp... but pretty close second. There is ALOT of food in one portion, so bring your second stomach. My family was pleasantly surprised with their takeout. The cakes on the other hand.... were dry and horrible. They look pretty in the case, but beware! read more

Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant - Oysters, clam strips, jumbo shrimp, fried whiting, and baby shrimp.... we had already started eating on the jumbo shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Just answering the phone was a pleasure the food was delicious. I love oysters and they were delicious both ways for certain things sometimes what I am looking for they didn't have. read more

Stopped in here after a long ride from Philly and ordered two Whiting fish platers. It came with fries and hush puppies. It was the worst fish I had ever eaten. Really rubbery and had no seasoning or flavor to it. After eating some of it in the car, I went back in to ask for some salt and ketchup I also ordered a large sweet tea and instead was given a small baby-size takeout cup. Man, they robbed me without a gun. read more

I have never been here before and thought I would pick up food and take to my wife. I went into the takeout room they have. OMG it was like a sauna in there. They at least need a fan in there. I got the food and took it to my wife. The food was great. We got shrimp and fries it came with hushpuppies. They gave you a fair amount too. My wife and I will try dinning in next time. Might not do take out again till its cooler. read more