This place is legit. You want seafood in Sarasota? Look no further! My honest review: Crab Cheesy Dip + Ritz Crackers The Rum Runner Cocktail (on tap, BTW!) The fresh catch of the day, prepared blackened with the brown butter hollandaise sauce (we had the Triple Fin; one of us had the lemon butter + caper sauce and the other had the brown butter hollandaise and ONE of us made the best choice. Both were good, but one was leaps and bounds better. TBH, the bartender, Laura, told us how to get it and I chose to veer away from her recommendations because I can't NOT order something with capers on the menu, and I had slight food envy.) The garlic bread (such a simple side but it can mop up any of the extra sauce you have with the fish.) I don't like citrus flavored dessert of any kind, and I must admit the key lime pie was edible, so for those that like that type of thing, it was probably the GOAT. We took a rideshare there and it's located in a little alleyway type area. I highly recommend arriving at the downtown location and getting your name in the waitlist (don't be afraid to request an outdoor table if the weather is amenable - it's worth any extra wait.) There are picnic tables and seating outside where you can order a drink (inside) and take them outside where there is usually live music while you wait for your table. Tonight, we got our table outside shortly before 8:30 PM ET (on a Thursday) and it seems as though the music might end around 8:30 PM ET during the weekdays because the musician packed up shortly after we were seated. But what heard was great. Regardless of the outdoor live music, the soundtrack to the place was perfection (a little CCR, Tom Petty, heavy 80s pop rotation). Morgan, our outdoor server, was beyond attentive. They made excellent recommendations for dessert and provided the perfect amount of chit chat. (Also, their choice of eyewear was 11/10.) I don't usually eat at the same place more than once while on vacation, but this is one place I would without hesitation. For those of you who have been to Aruba, I would eat at Zeerovers more than once, and for those who have been to Miami, Chicago, or Vegas, I would also eat at Yardbird Southern Table more than once in the same trip. We have one more dinner option left while on this trip and we may very well go back and nearly repeat the same dinner (except this time BOTH of us are getting the brown butter hollandaise.) read more

Super busy place but fantastic seafood. The raw oysters. were amazing. And had the fried basket. All delicious

We always make a trip to Owens Fish camp when we visit! The food is great, service is always great and the live music and outdoor waiting area is so unique! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Crab Dip - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Food was delicious. Ambiance was amazing. Live music was awesome! The red snapper was to die for. Seafood platter was so good! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Mussel appetizer was so delicious! - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Some notes and highlights from our dinner at Owens: Parking is odd/ nonexistent, but we found a street spot a few blocks away. It was kind of a weird walk to and from though - no sidewalks and a decent about of side street traffic. It was packed on a Sunday at 5:30. We only had a 15 minute wait for 2 people, and they have a lovely patio to wait in with a drink stand, limited menu, and live music. The staff was so nice and super attentive for how busy they were. And of course, the food was great. We had the best of both worlds with a fried camp basket (oysters, shrimp, grouper, okra, fries - it was magical) and a grilled veggie plate to balance out all the fried items. It was the perfect amount of food for two people and we loved everything! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Fish Camp Basket and grilled vegetables - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Morgan was our server and she was fantastic. Explained the signature dishes, was fun and upbeat. The wait was long but we sat on the rustic outside patio, had some drinks, enjoyed their boiled peanuts and shared a lobster roll appetizer. We both had the seared grouper and two sides. Absolutely perfection. (I'm a grouper groupie--have it whenever I'm in FL). We were told the other location could seat us faster but we opted for the original. Plan to eat there when in Sarasota! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seared grouper with lemon caper sauce, cheesy grits and garlicky green beans. Hubby had same but with Old Bay fries. - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

This place... When we got here we had a whooping 2 hours waiting time, but believe me it's soooo worth it..service was great and ambiance is very casual and welcoming. Food was always 100% from the great garlic bread to the Devil Eggs and ending with the low country boil, taste, presentation all perfect. Drinks were great too. Don't let the waiting time scare you.. this is the place to come in Sarasota read more

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Mussels in leek broth were a wonderful start to a great dinner. We had naked fish platters, one grouper and the other snapper both blackened and delicious. Cole slaw, spicy collard greens and fries as sides. I wish I picked a side other than fries but the promised old bay got me. Don't let its curbside appearance deter you from trying. It might look a little disheveled but that's what I found lovely about it. It's a charming place with great food, good service and fun vibes. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Went on a Saturday night and it was packed. You can't make reservations so we ended up waiting for 45 minutes. They do have options though for you to kill time- there is a store next door where you can shop or grab dessert. Behind the restaurant they had an open area where you could buy drinks or food and listen to live music. It was also shaded, which was nice in the heat. One thing I wasn't prepared for was the heat when we were seated. It felt like the AC wasn't on or they didn't have it. It was pretty uncomfortable to sit in the heat while trying to eat dinner. Our food was good and our server was nice. I got the grouper- it wasn't the best grouper I've ever had but it was good. read more

This downtown hidden gem is a local favorite that we can't wait to go back to. We started with blue crab dip which was a warm dip served with Ritz. It was very well made and perfectly portioned to start. The fish tacos and old bay fries were addictive. My husband got the Scamp Grouper, Cheesy Grits and Collared Greens. He said that the fish was buttery and unique flavor. The cheesy grits were the best he's ever had and the greens had so much flavor. Our waitress was so nice and attentive even on a super busy day. So glad we finally tried this place. read more

Went yo Owens fish camp based on a friend's recommendation. You gave to go there!! If possible, sit outside in the open air dining especially if you're looking for something more casual. Server Isabella was top notch. Very helpful and attentive. I had the bloody mary oyster shooters which were really good and spicy. For entree I had the backend grouper. It was tender and meaty but still very moist. Dessert was key lime pie. It wasn't the best I've ever had but still good. Must visit place for those living in or traveling to Sarasota. read more

I heard tons of raves about the dining experience at Owen's Fish Camp, so I knew I had to check it on my Sarasota visit. As they say prominently on their website, they don't take reservations. I arrived on Monday at 7pm and the wait was an hour and 15 minutes for a party of one. I headed to the bar for a drink and was told I could sit there if a seat opened. It was full, but I had good luck as a party of two left after 10 minutes. I found the bar wait staff was super friendly and helpful. As I was trying to decide what to order, a couple next to me pointed out their favs. They made my choices much easier. I started with a huge bowl of Mussels, one of my favorites. Next up was the grilled Scamp Grouper that was fantastic. I've never been a big fan of grouper previously, but this was a difference maker. The Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream was a perfect way to end a perfect evening! If you have a larger party, they have an outdoor waiting area next to the restaurant with a fire-pit, its own bar and various games to play. read more

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Great meal at Owen's, there fish dinners never disappoint! Great atmosphere & great food!

Was sat and ordered alcohol and appetizers, chatting with friends who came to visit out of town while my husband was 10min out and our server Sophia complained to the hostess that we haven't ordered yet, the hostess came out saying we needed to order or get up from our table to get put back on the waiting list because our "full" party was not there yet and they needed to keep the steady pace in order to flip their tables which was wildly inappropriate. We were rushed to order & eat and not to mention the passive aggressiveness kind of ruined our first time there and bad first impression of how we were treated. Another table next to us also made a joke to not breathe unless your full party is there and ready to pay before even sitting down. read more

I'm don't know how to do a 4 1/2 star review but this is one of them. First of all make sure you use their Website and put yourself on the waiting list. We did it 20 mins before we got there and were seated immediately. Lots of people like this place and for good reason. It's a pretty cool place but some parts are dark so you might be whipping out your cellphone to use the lite and embarrass your kids. Otherwise lighting was good at our table. Our Server was very nice and an excellent at being right there. Food was very good. My partner got the chicken sandwich and she said that the way they did it was sooo good. Also Old Bay fries that weren't overly Old Bay'd - I'm from Annapolis so I know what that means. My grouper sandwich was very good. Drinks were good and I totally didn't get cheated on my Gin and Tonic. So now for the 1/2 Star - the music is too loud but what made it worse - Bon Jovi ? Really??? That's like water-boarding music at Gitmo! Otherwise a very nice place. Maybe bring headphones. I dunno. ;). Oh. Nice gift shop too with very friendly sales associate. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Chicken Sandwich. - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Excellent variety of dishes served in an interesting, eclectic location that feels like you're dining in an old friend's home. This historic old house uses all the rooms, porches, patios and backyard to create a unique dining experience for everyone. Service is exceptional and the quality of the seafood is exceptional. For starters we had the snails and chorizo in wine sauce over grits appetizer that is our favorite new dish for 2025. Our mains included the cornmeal crusted catfish dinner and the "naked" fish selection of scamp. Both were rockstars for us. Live music in the backyard starts at 5:30 PM which is about the time the restaurant begins to get busy. However wait times for a table are pleasant out back where you can order a few appetizers and drinks while listening to the band to pass the time. This is definitely a destination restaurant of you're in the Sarasota area. read more

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Best food I've put in my mouth in a long time... definitely in Sarasota. Atmosphere is awesome. Reminded me of Key West which was a feat being smack dab in the city of Sarasota. Surrounded by tons of lush plants. Beautiful and neighborhoody. Started with their hot cheesy king crab dip, which was bomb. Then we had the star of the show which were the garlic snails with chorizo, sweet wine, and grits.... don't get me started they were beyond delicious. Get over the fact that it's snails... trust me! You will thank me, I promise. For our entrée we had the jambalaya with the standard andouille, chicken, shrimp and crawfish.... so good; absolutely loaded with protein and came out piping hot. You could see the very light residue of the reddish yellow grease from the sausage in the bottom of the bowl as you sop it up with a giant bite of dirty rice (and they basically give you a serving spoon as your utensil lol.) Server was sweet and knowledgeable. The manager is Hungarian; I flagged him down and told him I should kill him... he asked why would I say that and I told him the food I just had was so good I should kill him lol (*A reference from the movie Big Night. If you're a foodie and haven't seen it, do so.) A must go in Sarasota if you're looking for a delicious meal. Can't recommend it enough. read more

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Delicious food. Good service. Very fresh Fish, delicious cole slaw . Parking was not an issue.

First the good, service, ambience and draft beer. I ordered one of my favorite dishes, shrimp and grits, which I have never had it served in a red based tomato sauce. The shrimp were plentiful and good but not the dish I was expecting and had sausage too. My husband ordered the "spicy" jambalaya. It had a very similar sauce and same sausage as the shrimp and grits but slightly different flavor and ZERO bit of spiciness and the chicken was dry. Both dishes were edible but disappointing. The blackened grouper was pretty good which just goes to say if you go to a fish restaurant you should order the fish. Learned our lesson. There is live music outside in the back after 5:30 which was really nice and would have been fun to eat back there. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Blackened grouper with succotash and slightly seasoned old bay fries - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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This place was highly recommended across multiple blogs when I was researching where to eat in Sarasota. My husband and I came shortly after they opened and we were able to be seated right away. There is free street parking about a block away. They do have a few parking spots but very limited. I wanted to try the Kentucky Sweet Peach Tea and our waitress recommended the Dixie Mule, she did not steer us wrong. I went with the naked fish and it was delicious. The fish wasn't fishy and it was flavorful. Loved the smashed parsley potatoes. Lastly, loved the vibe of the backyard. It looked like they have a stage for live music, a food stand to grab small bites, and a store. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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We had been told for so long to try this place. Why didn't we go sooner!!? Know that when you arrive there will be a significant wait. But it's worth it. It was recommended to us to go at 4 right when they open but since our schedule didn't allow for that this time we arrived later and waited about 90 minutes. However...This isn't your ordinary wait time sitting on a bench people watching. Thank goodness. The backyard with live music, food and drinks is a great experience in and of itself. We enjoyed our beer and wine and order of grilled shrimp which was cooked perfectly. Once at our table our server was really helpful with the menu and describing some of the types of fish to choose from that we hadn't heard of. I ended up trying the Scamp and I'm so glad I did because it was delicious and full of flavor - a very special option because I've never seen it on a menu before. Lots of sides to choose from so I went with the green beans and red potatoes which seemed to have both been prepared with as much importance as the Scamp. We can't wait to come back since we don't live too far away. It would be a great spot to bring out of town visitors too for a truly unique Florida experience! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Scamp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Great place for dinner. Fish is excellent. Greta collard greens. Look for the "triple tail". So buttery and sweet. Brandi was a great server. Actually Server of the Year. Genuinely happy to be here working. I highly recommend this place. Locals eat here. Tourists that find it will be happy. read more

30 minute wait was totally acceptable. Food very good and boiled peanuts kicked butt and left you wanting for more!

Owen's is a vibe! Love the backyard waiting area. They always have live music & you can get drinks and different appetizers out back while you're waiting for your table. Chargrilled oysters, fish dip, & Mexican coke all slapped. Have patience with the wait - it is worth it! We've been many times, with a group of 4 & under we were always seated pretty quickly. 5+ you're going to be waiting awhile so enjoy the backyard & don't plan on rushing. The food is amazing, we love the daily fish specials. Scamp & snapper were both great. Fried shrimp basket, fried green tomato salad, & the key lime pie are all great. read more

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Review - Owens Fish Camp (University Location) First, I have to say the location, atmosphere, and service were absolutely perfect. The outdoor area with the remote boats, the cantina for light bites and drinks, and the live music created such a fun and welcoming vibe. I would return just to sit out back, listen to music, enjoy a drink, and have a lobster roll -- that alone would make a perfect night out. Now on to the food. I realized going into Owens that they also own Veronica's -- a place where I loved the atmosphere and service but was not a fan of the food. Unfortunately, a few of the same issues showed up here. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller, which were a miss for us. They used collard greens instead of spinach -- which could be great if cooked properly. Sadly, these tasted earthy and dry, almost like they came straight from a can, rather than the moist, smoky, slightly sweet flavor well-prepared collard greens should have. There was also very little cheese. They were edible, but spinach would have been much more enjoyable. My husband ordered the catfish, which arrived overcooked, with the ends looking nearly burnt. The saving grace of his dish was the grits -- those were fantastic. Big win for the grits! I had the lobster Cobb salad, and visually, it was stunning. The portion was generous with lobster, crab, shrimp, egg, bacon, tomatoes, and cucumbers -- definitely worth the price. I could only finish half and brought the rest home. However... this is where I was reminded of what I didn't like at Veronica's: the crab meat. Whatever crab product they're using is not true crab meat. It tastes like the bottom-of-the-barrel scraps left after the good lumps are packed -- almost like a minced filler. Owens, please: splurge on real lump crab meat. Guests will appreciate it, and they will gladly pay for the quality upgrade. This minced stuff does your dishes zero justice. Bottom line: I will go back -- but mostly for the cantina, the atmosphere, the music, and those lobster rolls. Owens Fish Camp is a fantastic place to hang out, but the kitchen could elevate the experience so much more with a few thoughtful ingredient upgrades. read more

The food was amazing and the atmosphere was even better. Enjoyed the music in the back waiting for our table.

Go for the food, not the service. Six of us waited thru two rounds of drinks while our table was being turned around. TWO hours later and after three enquiries, we were told to be patient the wait was worth it. NOPE. Food WAS good. The wait and being ignored by hostesseas not fun. Hostesses need more train'g. Actually, there were two hostess and still.... read more

Came here based off of reviews and I was told by an acquaintance to check this place out. I definitely had to go here. Based on reviews and what I was told, it seems like there would be a long wait. However, maybe since it was a Monday and I went around 6 pm, it wasn't that bad. However, I was warned that there would be a wait as you can't make reservations. The first time I had tried, I called in advance, and they said it would be a 1.5-hour wait. I'm glad it didn't take this long when I went. When you walk in, it doesn't look like much, but don't be deceived as the food is great. For the table, we ordered a dozen oysters. It wasn't grimy at all. Got a naked fish that comes with two sides and a choice of sauce. I got the Golden Tilefish with lemon caper butter. For the sides, I ordered the spicy collard greens and the dirty rice. Both of the sides were really flavorful. I would definitely come back if I get the chance to again. read more

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We went to Owen's on a Thursday to celebrate our 8 year old son's birthday as well as a friend of ours and the place is adorable!!! Be prepared to wait for a table - we checked in at 7:00 and were seated at 8:30 - but it's absolutely worth the wait!! The rustic, old Florida ambiance coupled with some amazing food is enough to put Owen's in our regular restaurant rotation. I can't wait to go back again soon!!! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Drink, snack and listen to live music while you wait!! - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

The food was absolutely fantastic. Service was top-notch very friendly and the atmosphere in that restaurant is definitely down home Florida. Five stars highly highly recommend. read more

Yummy!!! Nothing fishy going on here Diana Flahery Sarasota,Fl xo It's nice to have dinner&then see a great flick@Burns Court Save room for the popcorn/candy read more

Food, service, and atmosphere were all amazing! There can sometimes be a wait, but it's definitely worth it.

Good food. Two hour wait. Nothing fancy. Prices a little high for what you get. We sat under tiki roof. There was a lot of outside seating. A storm came through and soaked everybody. I think for $130 for two, you can do better. read more

First night here, in Sarasota, Florida, the ambience of this cute place really caught my attention especially with the outdoor dining. Additionally, the historic significance of Owen Burns, a prominent formative historical figure of Sarasota, a renowned architect whom built the Ca' D' Zan, ( one of the reasons I wanted to visit Sarasota in the first place) further spiked my interest in this restaurant, though to my knowledge, there's no direct connection there. I ordered a a double spicy Bloody Mary and Bloody Mary oyster shooters the jambalaya and the fried tomato salad. The staff were fantastic. I will say however, the food was mediocre at best. The double spicy bloody Mary I ordered was not spicy and certainly was not a double. One teensy weenie stick of celery, and a few olives... not to the standard of us west coaster's. We take a spicy bloody Mary very seriously and definitely salt the rim of the glass. Pickled green beans and a solid stick of celery with lots of spice is to be expected, as it is imperative to have the best spicy double bloody Mary, when enjoying oyster shooters. In the Pacific Northwest, we also don't mess around with our oyster shooters, guaranteed there would be no canned tomato sauce. The jambalaya was also not up to par again it felt overdone with canned tomatoes. The fried tomato salad was good, the tomatoes, nice and crispy, yummy cheese was great but disproportionately loaded with too many red onions. Definitely could've gone without the ham. All that being said, it's a great location and the ambience is awesome. Just make sure they fix your drink properly. read more

My favorite restaurant in Sarasota. Always great food and service Can't wait to go again. Music outside is great while you wait for a table. read more

Atmosphere is very cool but this time of year the exceedingly long waits are just not worth it. Food is average, some of the specials are good but expensive. There are better options in the area for food read more

Yum yum yummmm! Such a great find and the perfect fit for families with kids, date night or even a girlfriends night out. There is so much going on behind these doors and we had an absolute blast celebrating the hubby's birthday. We immediately put our name on the waitlist and made our way to the bar before heading out back to their patio that was jumping with live music, a fire pit, and a ton of table seating. Back here you'll find small bites available for purchase and I'll admit I'd come back here for the smoked fish dip alone. Holy fresh! Once we made our way inside it was a little quieter than the patio. We started with a couple rounds of oysters and a little bit of everything on the menu but the chicken and cheesy grits has my vote. Great staff. I absolutely love the concept of the back patio. Such an inviting and fun place to spend a night out. read more

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Top fresh seafood offerings in the area! FRESH off the boat great! Cute place and very popular-but worth any wait. We had catch of the day with old bay fries and best succotash ever! Different but excellent. Mixed cocktails are huge and not short on the alcohol. Truly great variety and look forward to going back and trying their baskets and oysters. Im just a visitor but id be a regular if I lived here! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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We are moving to a Sarasota this month and just ate here again as we love Owens , the food and the vibe are consistently amazing !! Why not 5 stars ? Like everywhere portions got smaller by quite a bit but prices went up Over last few years check got 20 % bigger and portions got 25 percent smaller Perhaps that's a 4 star nowadays ? I guess one less serving error set the starts down one more point My wife's silverware was not together . Was spread , she had a small amount of old left and literally as we got to that point someone was one us asking "all done?" Ok maybe not everyone knows you aren't done until your silverware is together but when somone is still chewing ... give them a few minutes Yes we could have said no we aren't done ... but truth is prices are now such that people should know not to swoop in when people are still eating ! Anyway ... we will be back again when we get down here very soon read more

Food service and atmosphere were all enjoyable. The wait staff is helpful with ordering.