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    Pelican's Reef

    3.8 (320 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Pelican's Reef Photos

    Business Info

    PELICAN'S REEF ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    the exterior of a restaurant
    Sandra F.

    We were supposed to dine at Swampwater Grill for lunch but they changed their hours and don't open until 3:00 pm. So I googled oysters restaurants in Cincinnati and stumbled on this place. I am totally happy we decided to come here instead. The inside is Key West themed. Definitely has a beach feel. Our server was Mindy (sorry I misspelled your name if I did) and she was super friendly and down to earth. Their menu is simple. Starting from appetizers, kids menu, specialty seafood and wings, sandwiches and dessert. I came for the oysters! We ordered: Oysters on the half shell New England clam chowder (bowl) Prosecco Leinekugel Summer Shandy Island tacos (blackened mahi w/ cole slaw, shrimp w/ fries) Sautéed crab cakes French fries Side salad Fried shrimp w/ broccoli Okay... the oysters were phenomenal! Fresh and shucked just right. I loved the side of horseradish, gave it some kick. The oysters are Blue Point, from Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Oh wow! The crab cakes were homemade and sautéed perfectly! It tasted so good with the remoulade sauce. The best crab cakes I've every had. The fries were not greasy and seasoned with Cajun. So good. My Mr and my in-laws really enjoyed their meal. They cleaned their plates. I have to say that I found my new favorite seafood restaurant and we live so close. The best accidental find ever!

    Excellent broiled stuffed grouper, with a side of garlic bread. The cornbread stuffing was also great!
    Joel B.

    Very good fresh fish dishes, including a massive stuffed grouper with tasty cornbread. But they also have great bar style food! Giant chicken tenders, a big bacon burger and well seasoned fries. The side salad was a large side, what I've seen as entrees at other places. I haven't eaten in, but I thoroughly enjoyed my takeout meal, as did my two family members.

    Oysters!
    Josh W.

    My lady and I were craving oysters one day, and originally we were gonna go to Swampwater Grill, but they weren't open for lunch on that day, so Pelican's Reef became our back-up plan. And it turned out to be the perfect plan! It's a great little place with very delicious food, awesome service, plenty of tasty adult libations, and a very Key West style atmosphere. We stopped by for lunch when my parents were in town and were told to sit anywhere we like. We choose a high top table near the bar area. Our server got our drink order very quickly. We ordered a prosecco for my lady, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy for my dad and I, and just water for my mom (she can't partake in libations too much). We also ordered a dozen and a half oysters on the half shell. My mom wanted some New England clam chowder so she ordered a bowl. The drinks came first followed fairly shortly after by the oysters and chowder. And were they good? Absolutely! They were Blue Point oysters from the Chesepeake Bay area and they tasted super fresh and clean. They were shucked very well too. My mom definitely enjoyed the chowder. As for our main courses, my lady ordered sauteed crab cakes with fries, my dad ordered island tacos with shrimp, my mom ordered fried shrimp with broccoli, and I ordered island tacos with blackened mahi-mahi. Everything came out pretty quickly and it was ALL good. I don't think there was a single bite left on any of our plates. My lady and I may have to reconsider our go-to spot for oysters, here or Swampwater Grill, because both are close by where we live and both are really good. But Pelican's Reef has lots of goodness to offer. I could certainly see is coming back again fairly soon.

    Mahi mahi fish tacos
    John M.

    So a local recommended this place. Honestly I would have never found it but I'm glad I did. Nice local place. Not the kind that the juke box stops and everyone looks at you when you come in but rather a place where the same people keep coming back cause the food and service is good. The food was great. We had the gumbo and lobster bisque to start. The gumbo was like I had in nawlins . Usually cups are tiny so I get a bowl but both the cups and bowls of soup are big. I got the special cod fish tacos. Awesome and my wife got the mahi mahi fish tacos. They were blackened. Good flavor. Service was good, Jake our server made great recommendations and kept making sure we were good. I strongly recommend this place!!

    Salad with French!
    Marley W.

    Busy place. Stopped @ 7:45 on a Friday night! Only had 10 minutes to wait for table. Ordered crab cake dinner and oysters on half shell. hot food arrived hot and tender. Oysters looked yummy. My DH would not share ! Next time I will order! Service attentive and friendly. We will stop here again!

    Stuffed roughy with grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes..
    Jim J.

    I was surprised to find that Pelican had a fire in their downstairs location. You have to go around back "upstairs". It's well worth it. The hostess was smart and beautiful. The manager friendly. Our server Carrie did a fantastic job. The food was great. I'll be back!

    Dirty vodka martini
    Grace V.

    I was looking forward to coming in. The service was bad...I don't know if it's because I sat at the bar, but I had to ask to order my drink and order my food. It's like they were never at the front or paying attention to me really. Martini was solid. The guy making it even told me if I didn't like he would make me a new one. Clam chowder was basic. She gave me crackers that were opened already. So that's was an ehh thought. Calamari was bland but the marinara and sweet chili sauce covered it up. To be honest I just think they were slow, so they weren't on top of things. If they were busy I feel like they would be more attentive. I know that's a weird concept, but I worked in the restaurant industry and sometimes when it's slow service tends to be poor. Overall food was subpar and over priced even tho I know seafood is expensive right now. $34.50 for calamari, bowl of soup, and a martini.

    Halibut Oscar style with crab and asparagus from specials menu
    Holly H.

    Always a favorite! Love the specials but the regular menu is great too. Super friendly bartenders and servers. Last night we had the halibut and calamari. Yum! The calamari is always the best in town.

    Beth D.

    I've tried this restaurant enough to give now four stars. Credit due to their seafood dishes alone. I'm hoping that the side items will get an upgraded, still doesn't impress. For appetizer, the crab cakes are fabulous! I had them fried. My favorite menu item at Pelican's is the southwestern salad with scallops served with the best garlic bread! The scallops leave you salivating for more!! So delicious!

    Fried cod, fry's, coleslaw, and coconut shrimp

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    3 years ago

    My dining experience felt lacking. The food was just OK and seemed a bit overpriced. The staff was OK. It was kind of crowded and loud.

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    5 years ago

    Great atmosphere. A little bit of the beach. Food was very good as well. Definitely will be back.

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    Ryan V.

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    5 years ago

    Best seafood in the city. Try the Island Tacos with blackened Mahi. Amazing flavors! Worth every penny!

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    5 years ago

    If you want decent seafood in Cincinnati this is your place. Has a very Florida feel to it. I had the stuffed grouper and was very happy.

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Always excellent food and service. Literally feel like your beachside because the seafood is so fresh and delicious.

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    5 years ago

    Front desk lady was rood and combative. We have eaten there many times and will never go back after being treated so rudely

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    Page 3 of 8

    Ask the Community - Pelican's Reef

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    Picture looking towards front of restaurant from our bar seats
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    Grove Park Grille

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    Great chicken sandwich. We go to the horse track and pass…read morethis place a lot but stopped on Friday. Here it is Sunday and we are still talking about it.

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    Sitting area
    Sitting area
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    Pelican's Reef - seafood - Updated June 2026

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