Okay, let me preface this review with: I spend a lot of time on the coast of North Carolina so I am spoiled when it comes to seafood. That being said, my husband ordered the fried seafood platter and according to him the breading was too heavy for his liking. My daughter (who does not like seafood) ordered chicken tenders. I believe they may use the same flour mixture to dredge both the chicken and the seafood, because her chicken tenders tasted very "fishy." I got the crab legs, which were delicious. However, they do not offer real butter so that was a bit disappointing. The things I did enjoy about this place: The decor was very nice. I love the murals on the walls. We did not have to wait for a table as there is plenty of seating. Everything felt very clean. Our waiter was wonderful. He was very kind, attentive, and accommodating. I think that considering this restaurant is in the mountains, it is a fine place to get seafood. If you are used to eating seafood on the coast, you may be disappointed. read more

We went to Harbor Inn restaurant about five years ago. We were in Roanoke today and decided to give it one more chance. I can honestly say I will never step my foot back in that place again. I don't have any reason to give them a bad review, I just give my review and tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Whoever wrote that wonderful review for them, must've been one of the owners because here is my experience I love scallops as a matter of fact, my friend owns a seafood restaurant in Yorktown, Virginia, and we are very close friends. He knows that I am a connoisseur of fine scallops so he gives me tips on how to tell if they're really scallops or just white fish. At Harbor Inn, fried scallops are about $19.99. They're very small and they are exactly what my friend warned me of when I buy scallops. The taste of them is not anywhere near a scollops. They are all shaped alike and the same size and the inside does not have the rubbery consistency of a scallop. In other words, they are white fish that has been cut out and sold at a high price. The fried ones are very greasy. I ordered a sweet potato to go with them and it did look good but I had to bring it home to eat it. The only butter they had was on the table and it said right on the front of the little tub " vegetable oil". I ask if they had butter and that was the only kind of butter they had, I told them that that was not butter, it was vegetable oil. It tasted nasty so I didn't put it on my food My husband got the fried fish and they were tiny pieces of fish that were fried and didn't even have a taste other than oil. He bought the fish home and put it in the refrigerator hoping that maybe he would be real hungry and snack on it About 20 minutes after being in our refrigerator I just about gagged. We had to take it out. Take it to the end of our field and throw it out for the animals. Not only did our refrigerator smell like strong fish, our whole kitchen did. The fries that he got were cold. The only good thing about this meal was the hush puppies. They were not bad. I usually don't eat fried foods, but I do love scallops and like I said the fried ones were about $20 but if you got them broiled, they were $25 The only reason I'm writing this is not to try and put a restaurant down. I know they need to make money, but I don't think that other people should have to experience what I did and that's why I'm just telling the truth. Also, when we were there before the bathrooms were really weird, they were corner toilets. They didn't look dirty, but the lid was down so after I lined the toilet, I sat down and the lid fell down on my back, it didn't hurt me, but it didn't feel good either. They were the exact same way this time and the lids are black and they were all chipped and not painted or anything. It was nasty looking. The bathroom did not look dirty. It just looked like it needed updated. read more

We stopped by the Harbor Inn Seafood in Roanoke, VA. We ordered clam chowder, oyster chowder, shrimp cocktail, and salad topped with chicken. All was very good. Waitress was excellent. Competitive pricing. The ambiance was fine. Large dining area with seafood pictures to enhance the atmosphere. The soups were the stars of a fine meal. Plenty of parking. Credit cards accepted. Staff were very friendly. Rated this a 4 star meal without even thinking about it. Enjoy. read more

Delicious hot seafood. Always fresh. Our waitress was amazing. Took my son out for his birthday. He and his girlfriend enjoyed it and so did I. read more

The food was ok. The service was great. The ambiance was a little like long John silver's. A little old school.

Ever since a good friend of mine mentioned Harbor Inn Seafood as a great place for Seafood I had wanted to visit and try it out. So today I set some time aside to do just that. Located on Williamson Road headed North, almost reaching Hollins, this family-owned business has been open since 2010, serving customers delicious, quality seafood, in generous portions, cooked just right, whether fried or broiled, at reasonable prices, by friendly staff providing very efficient service. The restaurant itself is housed in a large blue and white building with small round windows to resemble those in a ship. It conveniently has a huge parking lot to accommodate plenty of customers without having to worry if they would find parking. It has two simple yet very effective restaurant signs that light up at night: one in the parking lot to reach people driving by and show them the way, just like lighthouses did with ships down in the ocean; and the other, on the roof, high above the entrance to the restaurant. From the moment one sets foot inside the restaurant, a maritime decor transforms the ambiance of the place into a clean and relaxed atmosphere, very appropriate to enjoy some unique seafood while having an extraordinary dining experience like non other before. The furniture style, the ceiling fans, the murals with seaside motifs, and the different decoration items, starting with the small boat shaped host and cashier station counter to other decorations like the Ship Captain statue on top of the counter, and anchors hanging from the walls, set the appropriate mood for enjoying a wonderful seafood dinner. The poster size laminated menu is very well designed and organized on both sides. With special items like the Alaskan Crab Legs appetizer, the Hushpuppies side item, the Homemade Clam Chowder, the Seafood Platter, the Mahi Mahi entrée, and the Key Lime and Peanut Butter Pie, to name a top few. They also have a choice of wine or beer adult beverages, along with the usual non-alcoholic beverages. All the staff was knowledgeable and well trained to provide an excellent customer service. From the host who gave us a warm welcome and brought us to our booth after giving us an option of a table or booth, to our friendly server who greeted us with a smile, took our order, and checked on us at the appropriate times to see if we needed anything and bring us refills of our sodas. To the other staff who brought us our food, working as a Team to make sure our food arrived fresh and hot in a timely manner. To the very efficient cashier at the end of the meal where one takes their bill to pay, and receives a warm "goodbye, and please come again." Now for the food, I enjoyed the variety of items on the menu. To drink I had a Dr. Pepper. As appetizer I had the Scallops wrapped in Bacon. And as the main entrée I had the Broiled Mahi Mahi. This is one of my favorites fishes to eat and yet only few restaurants carry it on their menu. When I was growing up in Puerto Rico at the age of 16, I caught a 97lb Bullhead Mahi Mahi during a fishing tournament and won an award. They are also called "Dorado," and are good fighters. Their meat is white and very tender and has no bones. I also had a side salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. And French Fries with also some Hushpuppies. All the food was amazing, especially the Mahi Mahi. It was a good size portion, very fresh, and cooked to perfection. The Hushpuppies were also very delicious, crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. The Scallops were a bit small but very fresh and tasty. The only other item I wish they had on the menu or as a Special Entry once in a while was Lobsters. In conclusion I highly recommend this exquisite Seafood Restaurant to all those reading my review and looking at my photographs accompanying it. I can assure you'll have a very memorable dining experience, and would want to come back for more with family or friends. read more

See all

The food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. HOWEVER, if you visit, bring a warm jacket (perhaps a coat) as I'm a regular customer and it is ALWAYS cold. It is 56 currently outside and the fans are going wide open inside and it's COLD inside with a heavy sweater on. I've complained to management and apparently it falls on deaf ears!! read more

The staff were ok, friendly but not really going beyond what they are expected. The atmosphere was nice, seemed like a cross of an old community center and a low budget dinner. (The painting on the back wall was pretty cool) The Seafood was great, I had Jumbo Shrimp with hush puppies and fries. The Shrimp was fantastic, so were the hush puppies. Fries were under cooked and just seemed cheap. Overall, it's a ok restaurant. But don't expect a 4-5 star experience. read more

Our first time in Harbor Inn! Terrific fresh seafood plus the menu lists plenty of chicken and beef choices. We recommend the broiled swordfish steak and the broiled scallops and shrimp platter. Both meals came with hush puppies. Great selection of drinks. Our server, Wendy, was friendly and quick to serve us. Harbor Inn Seafood is open Tuesday through Saturday. Check their website before you go. You can also order online. Thank you Harbor Inn Seafood and Wendy! read more

We enjoy eating here, but only if you like fried seafood and crab legs. The broiled fish is a little bland for my taste; however, their blackened fish is much better. Their crab legs have always been good when I ordered them. We always get great service here. read more

Great place, great service, great food always! Have been patronizing this restaurant for years. The food is always consistently great. No better fried seafood anywhere. read more

Worst seafood meal ever. My fried shrimp were wet and soggy like a frozen box with too much ice had been cooked. The baked potatoes were chewy like old leftovers. My husband's scallops were rubber! We will never be back. read more

Restaurant was clean. Fried clams and popcorn seemed be fried in old oil hush puppies were bland. Very disappointing. After we were seated it took more than ten min to be waited on.i asked for a refill on diet pepsi and received diet Dr. Pepper. read more

Was one of the first in food was really slow coming out. I was alone and noticed people in groups were getting their food before me and I order before they sat down. Took about 30 minutes to get my food and I told the waitress that I thought they forgot me. Sadly food was cold so I got my check paid and left read more

The ambience is nice definitely a lot of older adults. They opened at 4:30 so it was very busy.. The blackened fish had a lot of bones so I would not recommend that. The cod was OK , didn't care for the breading. If you have an older adult with you, the coleslaw would be perfect for them not much to chew. It's been very blended. The hush puppies were decent. The staff was very pleasant. read more

This review is for specific categories based on our experience last night Saturday October 25, 2025. The ambiance was decent. The place was clean and orderly. The service was excellent. Our server, Jimmy was efficient, courteous and attentive. 5 star for him. My party's orders were fried fish fillets and they were OK as expected. My opinion is that a seafood restaurant has the responsibility to have real seafood on their seafood menu items. The specific food item (crab cakes) I ordered however, was awful and unpallateable! It came with sides of hush puppies and coleslaw. These 2 items were fine. No complaints there. The problem were the crab cakes!!! The 1st indication was that the patties looked like thick round bread patties. Did not look like crab cakes at all. I cut a piece to taste and my 1st bite was a glob of slightly seasoned soggy breading too hard to swallow that I had to spit out. I recognize that Harbor Inn is not an upscale seafood restaurant but one would think that if you ordered crab cakes from the menu you'd expect to be served a modicum of seafood within the cakes. It was truly a disappointing experience. If that recipe doesn't get a considerable upgrade They need to take it off the menu. There were definitely much better choices. Hope this review helps and gives a patron an unbiased opinion. I challenge anyone who disagrees with this review try tasting their crab cakes and tell me what they think. Thanks! read more

Harbor Inn Seafood - Crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - Roanoke, Virginia

We have always had excellent service and food until this evening. First I ordered the broiled shrimp and scallops but was brought the broiled seafood platter. I had tried one of the shrimp and the scallops but they were almost raw (like still translucent). I pointed out it wasn't what I ordered and it was mostly raw and asked for steamed shrimp instead. I was brought steamed shrimp with literally NO seasoning on them. I get not over seasoning them but you have to cook them in a little seasoning or they are tasteless, which these were. I ended up paying $16.50 for a side salad and a baked potato. The service was still wonderful just the food was very lacking. read more

Fried food was very heavily breaded. The "white Alaskan fish" was likely Tilapia. The salad was fresh and really good. The waiter we had was a nice and efficient young man. Not going back. read more

The food was ok I was disappointed because they ran out of cheese and didn't tell me until after they brought out my potato and didn't want to substitute with something or just give me a cookie. read more

We ordered two ribeye dinners to pick up and both were awful! They were bland, no flavor/taste at all. I had no idea you could ruin a ribeye. The bake potato was cold, and the corn on the cob I took one bite, it had no flavor at all. What a total waste of $54.56. read more

We are locals and have been coming here for years. The food and service have always been outstanding. We have never been disappointed. The restaurant is tastefully decorated with a nautical theme and the seasonal decorations are always appropriate. ​ read more

The food was amazing and the staff. The price is really reasonable. We had the pick three. I had the shrimp scallops and Cod. read more

We sat down at 640pm. At 818 pm we still did NOT have our food. The server said it was bc we order 5 orders of crablegs. Which based on the website wast the special. The building saw very very cold. The front desk girl yelled at me across the room while I was speaking to someone else. About our food being late, cold and fishy. 0 stars or a minus 10 read more

Harbor Inn Seafood - The Horrible Inn - Seafood Near Me - Roanoke, Virginia

I cannot recommend this restaurant. The food quality was not consistent. The fried fish and shrimp were OK but the clam strips were terrible. They were the pre-breaded frozen clams you'd find in a cheap brand from a grocery store. The apple pie was also terrible; soggy crust and the filling was mostly gel. The ambiance was poor and they had cleaning tools hanging on the wall, in the dining room. One of the waitresses was actually cleaning the floor around us as we dined. read more

Very good food at a good price that is great. A lot of times have to take home part of it

Food was good, hot, quick and abundantly proportioned. Between the salad, hush puppies, fries, side and main course you leave there stuffed. Order the lighter portion - you've been warned read more

The servings are satisfying and large. This is a fine place to enjoy a good fish meal.

Hard pass on this spot in Roanoke Lawddddddd where do I start : 0 s Cole slaw came out 1st like an appetizer Catfish ( salt peppered) = salty cold also COLD Alaskan Crab legs I commented sharing they were cold ...... when asked HOWS EVERYTHING???? Response: just the outside the inside is hot ( me thinking did you taste it) Third trip around oh ur almost done so they're-good HOT?? No I'm just tired hungry As I'm preparing to leave minister & his wife behind me: This trout is COLD SALTY Same server: THATS HOW ITS SERVED Hit the gas & speed past this one if ur in Roanoke..... -- at Harbor Inn Seafood. -- at Harbor Inn Seafood. NEVER AGAIN read more

See all

Not a very cleanly restaurant-bathroom needed some cleaning and updates. I ordered vegetables but the person with me ordered two different meats. The fish looked as though it has been reheated and dried out and he said his shrimp tasted slightly soured. We do not like sending food back as the food will often be tossed and we do not like to waste food. Our waitress was kind and efficient. read more

Been eating here for years. Great service- good food. You know what you'll get- not different every time. I love seafood- and this is a good haunt- not a "fine" restaurant- more a family type- the fried dishes are their specialty- but the crab legs are good, too! read more

Great food, great portions, great service !!!!! Love the Broiled Seafood platter and Oysters in Half Shell ,,, read more

Big, fried, and fabulous (price)... that is the Harbor Inn. I usually have a craving for a Long John Silver type meal when I'm back in the area and when that happens, Harbor Inn's fried seafood platter does the trick. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/SALm9DcVECEfD03o5B-vbA?select=eyxfvpkwvGBHIaCaYi44nQ The seafood isn't the freshest for it to be prepared any other way but fried (their produce is frozen I believe) but the sheer size of the plate is something to behold, especially for the price. Add my gluttony plus cravings, every crispy bit of the plate is simply fried deliciousness. This coupled with good southern hospitality and a kick-ass sweet tea make Harbor Inn a popular local spot for fried seafood. read more

Harbor Inn Seafood - Fried seafood platter ... there's a plate under there somewhere. - Seafood Near Me - Roanoke, Virginia

Employees complained about not getting to leave early 8pm, but the restaurant doesn't close until 10pm. Crab cakes had no crab in them. Crispy baby shrimp had poop on them. Scallops were tough from being overcooked. Potato was cold but it was tough like it had been microwaved. Corn on the cob was cold and mushy. Neither one could melt butter. Those are just a few things from my meal, not including the other 8 people at the table. The tip was added into every ticket so it's not like they had to worry about not getting paid extra. I'm sure just going from my tip that was added in they had to have gotten over an extra $50 for their trouble. Wish I could do nothing and get paid. They practically slammed the door on us on our way out. I will not return and I suggest anyone thinking of eating at this establishment, you better think twice. Can't say I didn't warn you. read more

No no and HELL no! Worse meal ever. Overcooked and tasteless slop. Only gave it 1 star because I couldn't give it a -37 star rating.

The food is always great! I have been going here since I was a kid. Although I moved out the area every time I come down to visit my parents I stop by here! You always get an overflow of food! I love their salads with their homemade ranch dressing , their popcorn baby shrimp.M, and hush puppies! Def support the local gem! read more

Amount of crab legs given was very generous! Waiter was excellent! I have just had better food.

We have gone to this restaurant many times over the last several years and I have to say that it is a shame that you have to ask to NOT be seated in certain waitresses sections because of the horrible service. The food is wonderful but the service/attitudes of some certain waitresses is a shame. Today, we added another waitress to this list. When you sit at a table and wait almost 8 min for someone to recognize you are sitting there and to then pass you by twice saying I'll be with you in a minute. Then 18 minutes pass you by with not even as a "Hi, what can I get you to drink while you wait?" That is PATHETIC! I honestly don't think there is an excuse for this! Never again will I visit this establishment. I get it no one wants wit work these days and we should have patience but someone has to claim the responsibility and accountability! Pitiful! read more

Horrible fried oysters! I asked the waitress prior to ordering if their seafood was fresh made as soon as I placed my order. She assured me that "all" of their seafood is fresh fried. When the food arrived, it was horrible. The oysters were cold and extremely dry. There is NO chance that they were prepared during the hour prior to them being served. Fried oysters cannot be served as leftovers. Oysters become leftovers about 30 minutes after they are cooked. If you like oysters, you will understand my review. I will never return to this restaurant. I would have been ashamed to serve the food that they presented to me as "fresh." This is a bad restaurant, horribly bad. read more

I am only given one star because our waiter was good! This was the WORST meal I think I have ever had! Clam chowder... COLD. And certainly straight from a can! Crab legs COLD. Crab cake unlike anything I've ever seen or tasted... including the STRONG cinnamon taste And smell?!?! "Jumbo" Shrimp stuff with crab!?!? WOW I had to ask what was even in the plate.: I have included a picture of the "crab" stuff part for your giggles! Kids meal hamburger steak burnt to a crisp. Manager seems very unconcerned at the terrible food! Took a look around and most other people left most of their meal behind. Plz plz plz DO NOT EAT HERE!!! read more

Harbor Inn Seafood - Horrible!!!!!!! Horrible food!!!!!!! This is crab smh - Seafood Near Me - Roanoke, Virginia

My husband and I were traveling North and happened to discover this great place. The food was delicious, great portions and well priced. Our server Sedona was absolutely professional and wonderful. Our experience at this restaurant was great and we highly recommend it to everyone. I read a few awful reviews from disgruntled people prior to going but we heard good things and didn't go by the reviews. All I can say is that not every place is perfect but the food and service here were good. read more