The Ugly Grouper

210

363

2 years ago

Awesome outdoor dining on Holmes Beach/Anna Marie island. Despite ample seating (all outside - no indoor dining), expect a wait for dinner. No worry though, the friendly service at the bar does not disappoint, nor did the selection. Dinner was really tasty. Matt was our guide through the menu and recommended my selection, which was a blackened grouper platter. He pretty much said any grouper selection was a winner (tacos, nuggets, platter, etc). I had a shrimp cocktail to kick it off and was not disappointed. 5 truly jumbo shrimp, freshly presented with a tasty cocktail sauce. Pricey, but worth it. We also ordered pretzel nuggets which were good, though a bit overdone. Live music kept the energy up despite a chilly evening. Lots of fun and an enjoyable dining experience. read more

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Missie M.

113

3 months ago

Great food! Amazing service and large menu. Offer a veterans discount, which makes them even better. read more

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Susan H.

Elite 18

6 months ago

Stopped for a late lunch, served by Izzy, very sweet and helpful young server. The grouper tacos were huge and so good! We will return

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Brandon R.

4 months ago

Excellent food, atmosphere, and service! Eaten here twice now and it doesn't disappoint! read more

The Ugly Grouper - Goliath Pub Pretzel - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Martin C.

10 months ago

Great place! Great food and atmosphere. The food and the drinks are amazing. I had the Island Stir fry and my girl had the grouper tacos. Drinks... oh lord... I had coconut rum runner, and my girl had the AMI mule. Everything is amazing. Definitely coming back. When you go there, ask for Rob. His service is the best. read more

The Ugly Grouper - The place rocks. - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - AMI mule - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - Coconut Rum Runner - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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E W.

2 months ago

Bailey was an amazing and very helpful server! She had great recommendations. We got the quesadillas, per her recommendation, and it was the best dish we've ever eaten here. Perfect summer vibe! read more

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Mads M.

1 year ago

Food was perfectly fine, and drinks were okay. The ambiance is very fun and lively! There was live music, which was really good. Our serving staff was also so friendly, especially since we had quite a few dietary restrictions in our group. Would recommend. read more

The Ugly Grouper - Their little merch store, with fun little keepsakes. - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Christina A.

9 months ago

If you're looking for a more casual spot on the island, this is a fun one! Grouper tacos and crab stuffed shrimp were delicious! The jalapeño margarita was delicious, large and strong! read more

The Ugly Grouper - Grouper tacos - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - Crab stuffed shrimp - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Beachlove123 ..

3 months ago

The restaurant is a tourist spot. The food is not great. Service was mediocre and it's very warm even with fans. No inside seating.

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Gina T.

204

1 year ago

Great outdoor, low key - island vibes place.. live music was great by Raquel.. Rosie was a great server- watched the football games.. wings were good but over-sauced, burger -OK. I guess stick with the Grouper!! :) I'll be back! read more

The Ugly Grouper - Burger - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - Buffalo wings - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Jm M.

6 months ago

The grouper kabobs barely had any grouper for $32, the vegetable of the day was broccoli and they were overcooked soggy and gross, not worth the 1+ hour wait. Much better food around read more

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Mia M.

2 months ago

Food was way better than what I was expecting, could eat here every night! Nachos were my favorite by far.

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Nevin H.

111

349

415

2 years ago

What a great 'first time experience'! Very fun place with friendly personable staff, excellent food and comfortable outdoor seating! Ok, so let's address the negatives: -No Happy Hour...cause they don't need to! -Snowbird traffic getting there and leaving. Now my likes: -I've lived in the area for 8 years and "Discovered" the local amazing sandwich-'The Grouper Reuben". I've had a 2 places that were my favorites for this BUT NOW I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT THE UGLY GROUPER serves my favorite version. The bread was toasted perfectly, hands down, without a doubt-the thickest/biggest piece of grouper I've been served on this sandwich. My only complaint is that the sour kraut should have been drained better because the bottom of the sandwich placed on the plate was unfortunately soggy. The sandwich was also served with delicious, crispy seasoned French Fries. For the $26 charge, a lil Cole slaw would have been nice. Bottom line is that I would DEFINITELY go back and order it again. Our server & bartender was 'Cassidy'-WHAT A PLEASURE! She was so friendly, hospitable, professional and provided great service even though she had a full bar. I will definitely go back but probably not till post season! read more

The Ugly Grouper - Grouper Reuben & Fries - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Julie N.

Elite 25

284

7 months ago

Gotta love the Grouper! The drinks were perfectly balanced, grouper tacos were delish, calamari was so perfectly lightly fried, and the staff were all so nice. Looking forward to going back. read more

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Merry C.

5 months ago

Love the live music, Grouper tacos and friendly service. Always packed! Wait can be over an hour and half, at times. Nice that they have games in the back to keep ya busy. Go hungry! read more

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Hobert K.

2 months ago

Maddie was the Best! Great Food! Great Service. Best food and service I have had in a long time!

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Steve L.

5 months ago

Love the grouper tacos and AMI sunset drink. First time this year was missing the place. read more

The Ugly Grouper - Dinner for Two at Ugly Grouper - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Marie L.

7 months ago

My husband and I ate dinner here while staying on Anna Maria Island. The food and service were good. There was live music and some people dancing. I had the grouper sandwich and my husband has the fish and chips. The food and service are good. We sat outside by the live music area. read more

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Claudia R.

1 year ago

Everything was great amazing food and great Service everyone liked what they ordered Definitely will be back read more

The Ugly Grouper - Outside view - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - The menu - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Pat M.

4 months ago

Went specifically for the island burger, it was delivered w/out a pineapple. When questioned, oh we're out. Shouldn't they have said that when ordered? Long wait, high priced. Will never go back. read more

Business owner information

Brittany J.

Hi Pat, we do not have an Island Burger on our menu that has pineapple

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Ashley C.

5 months ago

Stopped by because a friend said it was good. I was shocked how good the food was. We got the coconut shrimp and the grouper tacos but subbed out the grouper for shrimp. It was all so good! Our sever was Rob who was great as well! I highly recommend this place. read more

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Andrea T.

119

117

487

3 years ago

We came to The Ugly Grouper on our way out leaving AMI. We took a short weekend trip here and decided to have lunch before hitting the road. There is parking along the sides of the restaurant, we got lucky and parked right outside. We traveled with our dog so thankfully this is one of the few dog friendly places we found. We were seated quickly at a table across from the live music. From our table we were able to see families playing ring toss and a couple other games around the corner (Jenga and corn hole). Our server was nice but a little forgetful. Food and drinks were decent but not quite memorable in taste. Overall, we were glad to make the stop here! read more

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Kaylee K.

171

578

2 years ago

A MUST VISIT when on AMI!!! The fish tacos are just out of this world! The fried cheese on the shells just make the tacos that much better - and be sure to use the Dino sauce. I've been when it's warm and the cans help keep the area cool, but when cool they have heaters too! Nick our waiter was very attentive and sweet - helped us navigate the menu and pick the best meals. Can't wait to come back! On, and get the fries! Worth it! read more

The Ugly Grouper - The fired cheese!!! - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - Grouper tacos with fries - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - Grouped sandwich - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Brittnie C.

101

11 months ago

BAM was an amazing server and super informative. Great atmosphere and food. Cool spot with live music. read more

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Jake B.

5 months ago

What a fun restaurant!! The atmosphere was great and the food was even better. The burger was very tasty and the namesake grouper tasted great and seemed very fresh. Our waitress was very extremely friendly and helpful. The wait was a bit long but acceptable for how busy it was. This was my second time visiting The Ugly Grouper and I would definitely recommend if you are staying on the island. read more

The Ugly Grouper - The Ugly Grouper - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Kathleen U.

8 months ago

Such a fun community vibe! We always make a point to stop by on a visit to Anna Maria. Great music. Fun drinks and solid food. And they have a lot of activities to keep the kids busy. read more

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Katie O.

3 months ago

Great food and fast service!!! We did have to wait so I would suggest going early to get on the list!

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Turner Y.

6 months ago

Got there with a 5-6 minute wait, ended up waiting about a hour and a half wait before I personally got my food. Everyone had their food but me. I revived the fry's and the grouper nugs. Never got my second side and the food was meh. To loud for kids or family's to even talk. Waiter forgot stuff along with meh service. All of the other waitresses and the hostesses were rude and disrespectful. read more

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Nyla L.

1 year ago

Quick, friendly servers. Wide variety of foods to pick from. Portions are HUGE. Love, love, love this place. read more

The Ugly Grouper - Cheese logs - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Ariel B.

11 months ago

Amazing food, fun place, excellent service! One of the best places on the island. Will be back again soon! read more

The Ugly Grouper - Grouper Kabobs - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Lynnea K.

168

6 months ago

The wait time is unbelievably long and hosts will lie when asked your place in line. We waited beyond our 90 minute wait only to be told our place in line was unchanged while we watched many similar sized groups get sat. It is all Outdoor seating so they will stop seating if it's rainy. We were so excited to try this restaurant and tried to go twice, but with the same result each time. read more

Business owner information

Brittany J.

Hi Lynnea! We are sorry for the long wait times. We are first come,…

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Emily S.

11 months ago

Good food, fun experience, great live music and fabulous service. Our waiter Nik was absolutely amazing. read more

The Ugly Grouper - Nik, our waiter made this a special evening for my family. He was over-the-top friendly and helpful. Great personality! Thanks Nik! - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Hillary B.

319

3 months ago

We loved the ugly grouper! We went here twice on vacation because the food and service were so good! It's extremely family friendly and had games that kids can play while they wait for the food to be ready. They also brought the kids food out first which is always appreciated. read more

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Stacey J.

6 months ago

The Ugly Grouper was our "go to" casual bar on the island. Big shout to MB "Mary", Munch and Katelin for running an efficient and very fun bar. Great place to hang out and enjoy the local vibe. read more

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Brenna B.

6 months ago

This restaurant had amazing service and the vibes were on point. Drinks were amazing! The grouper tacos were to DIE FOR!!! Our waitress was Sinaéd and she did such an amazing job! The coconut shrimp were fresh and the pina colada sauce was so good! The grouper nuggets, fries, and pineapple coleslaw were also delicious. Such a cute and humble island restaurant! Would definitely recommend. We will be back soon read more

The Ugly Grouper - Waitress - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Cynthia R.

6 months ago

Food was amazing! Service was good too! The wait was insane... we waited 2 hours to be seated.

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Krista B.

140

1 year ago

I hadn't been to UG in years but so happy we went today! Delicious meal for lunch! Honestly blown away at how tasty the grouper tacos were. My favorite bite of the trip. Service was great as well! Our waitress was attentive and knowledgeable. The manager even came by and talked to us. Can't wait to be back! read more

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Bruce A.

6 months ago

3 of us ate there yesterday. Had a 1 hour wait. Drinks are on the pricey side. I ordered the grouper dinner $34.00, the fish was over cooked, dry and tough. The rice was cold and not very flavorful, the mashed potato and fish was a very small portion and lukewarm. The waiter never came by to see if we needed anything during our meal, and never asked how the meal was. A tourist trap, they seemed to care only about moving people in and out, not about the quality of their food. All 3 of us had a lousy meal. The bill was $96.72 with no drinks added in. Stay away. read more

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Ciera B.

307

1 year ago

amazing food! we ordered the famous grouper tacos, grouper sandwich, kids burger, and cheese logs. could've easily shared the grouper tacos w two and still had enough food. everything was so good but the fries were honestly otherworldly! don't even get me started on that ranch it was toooooo good. our server austin (the one that looks like mac miller) was v chill and super attentive. you NEED to go if you visit anna maria island read more

The Ugly Grouper - tables - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - sandwich - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

The Ugly Grouper - menu - Bars Near Me - Holmes Beach, Florida

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Page 3 of 52

See outside
5704 Marina Dr
Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Directions
(941) 896-8033
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.uglygrouper.com

Hours

What time does The Ugly Grouper open?

The Ugly Grouper opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does The Ugly Grouper close?

The Ugly Grouper closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does The Ugly Grouper take credit cards?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Ugly Grouper have catering options?

No, The Ugly Grouper does not have catering options.

Does The Ugly Grouper have a drive thru?

No, The Ugly Grouper does not have a drive thru.

Does The Ugly Grouper have a happy hour?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper has a happy hour.

Does The Ugly Grouper serve alcohol?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does The Ugly Grouper allow dogs?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper allows dogs.

Does The Ugly Grouper have TVs?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Ugly Grouper have bike parking?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper has bike parking.

Does The Ugly Grouper have outdoor seating?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper has outdoor seating options.

Does The Ugly Grouper have parking?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Ugly Grouper wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Ugly Grouper allow outdoor smoking?

No, The Ugly Grouper does not allow outdoor smoking.

Does The Ugly Grouper have free WiFi?

Yes, The Ugly Grouper has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

The place to be on Anna Maria Island, Fl. Home of the world famous grouper tacos! Live music every day 5-8pm. Kids play area & games!

History

Established in 2015.

The Ugly Grouper was formerly known as The Barefoot Tiki Bar, but long before that it was a gas station! Under new ownership, we are planning a full list of renovations and working hard to bring you the best possible dining experience around. The new Ugly Grouper will have a new menu with a larger selection of food, brand new bathrooms, a full service bar with a signature drink menu, and much more. With so many great changes coming, we hope you'll come back and see the changes first hand as we grow into a brand new Ugly Grouper!

More Info

Health Score

The Ugly Grouper Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Ugly Grouper

Has the restaurant added any vegetarian options? I looked at the menu and it doesn't seem like they have anything other than salad.

I guess it depends if you're vegan, pescatarian or what type of vegetarian you are. If you're vegan I would say no there are not going to be any good options other than a salad. If you can eat fish,eggs and cheese you're fine but if you're vegan…

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Hi there! We just got into town and only have a few days so I'm doing a stone crab claw search via Yelp. Are you offering any? If so, do you have the prep/prices available to…

We do not have stone crab. I'm sorry!

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Review Highlights - The Ugly Grouper

“It was outstanding, Irada was super attentive and very helpful with recommendations and all our special requests.”

Mentioned in 53 reviews

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Rum runner with a floater and a skinny margarita bucket

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Benham S.

4 years ago

We had a great lunch at the Ugly Grouper on Anna Maria Island. I grew up in the restaurant business, my Dad owned the Lums Restaurant in Sarasota next to Sarasota Memorial and another Lums in Gainesville. It was hard work. Being a lawyer is much easier! I started making 25 cents an hour bagging french fries in wax paper pockets and weighing them and washing dishes. I should have called child protective services! But the work was fun and I could eat steak or shrimp, hotdogs,or Ollie burgers Today Deb and I went to the UGLY GROUPER. I had read a number of good reviews. We stopped and I immediately noticed that the place was food and the servers were going place to place with a since of urgency. We sat down and were brought waters without asking. The servers were always attentive and friendly exchanging the pleasantries of the day. The manager was there conducting business like a orchestra conductor. Talking to us and exchanging pleasantries and stories all the while watching his staff and kindly suggesting table 16 needs more drinks and Thad sharing his life story of getting in to the restaurant business. I was amazed at the pacing the staff, every time you look they were moving with urgency, and spaced like a zone defense in basketball(From Kentucky-thus the basketball analogy :))Our alcohol came out quickly and prompted refilled before we had to ask. The food was impressive both in quality and quantity. The shrimp tacos were filled with plump fresh gulf shrimp, not shrimp from a frozen bag from some far off land 3 months ago. The sauce had some heat but not hot, and the taco shell was the best part of the dinner with a generous portion of fried sharp Chedder cheese engulfing the outside one third of the taco. The drinks and wine were generous and did not come out of a wine box or machine, a bartender had made them. We are here for another week. I can't imagine being on Longboat Key and not driving back to the Ugly Grouper again and trying another dish. Well done Thad and Ugly Grouper, WELL DONE! Benham Sims Louisville, KY https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0241pwgZaXdrenPteKtDWH8VZgPRdsM3Aewc77q5PRzoZ7fuG21mPkcFhbKDCE61xdl&id=110517303 read more

John W.

7 years ago

I went to lunch at the Ugly Grouper 4 times in 5 days in mid-November 2019, ordering the fried grouper sandwich all 4 times. The second sandwich was the best of all for some reason (and also the best fish sandwich of ANY kind I've EVER had, hands down--and I've had hundreds of them), but all 4 were ridiculously delicious and remarkably consistent. And the staff is excellent, borderline super. I met several servers, all friendly and fast with the beer refills, but the one who stood out as particularly special was Adam L. I sure hope he's still around next time I visit. Lu (Lou?) was also terrific--made me feel welcome on my first day and helped me find a place to charge my phone. I also met several friendly patrons at the bar who were willing to make recommendations for me. But best of all the eating places I visited, pricey or cheap, was the Ugly Grouper. I LOVE this place. One last thing: I would go in the afternoon for best vibes. I was never there in the evening, but the sunshine in my face was a great combo for the beer drinking. I live in Illinois and can't wait to get back to the Ugly Grouper. Thanks again, Adam! You are a memorable dude--good luck with the writing. I'll see ya'll again. --jw read more

Kyle C.

4 years ago

First off our waitress Jordan was very attentive and got us everything we need! Came here on a Thursday night with the wife after visiting family at an AirBnB down the road. I knew it would be busy from reading the reviews but our 40 minute wait wasn't bad at all. They have a section off in the corner near the grouper statue for waiting guest/kids. You're able to grab a drink while you wait! A lot better than sitting on a bench or in the car. I saw the reviews and had to get the Grouper tacos, the wife got the Pesto Shrimp fettuccine. The prices are a little high but it's to be expected with the location and time of year. But this restaurant was where the price was worth it! The tacos were amazing, the wife kept stealing my French fries and she actually cleaned her plate! (She never does) Great Floridian atmosphere, enough fans and canopy's to keep you cool. The only downside was the metal chairs, way to laid back and very uncomfortable, thankfully there were a different set of chairs at our table. If I'm ever back down this way, I will be definitely stopping by for another order of those tacos. read more

D. P. V.

4 years ago

We had a wonderful time at the Ugly Grouper. It's never certain that a group of 11 will be seated quickly, provided goodWe had a wonderful time at the Ugly Grouper. It's never certain that a group of 11 will be seated quickly, provided good service, and brought fresh drinks often, but May (our server) certainly kept us happy and fed! There's plenty of outdoor seating, some games around the corner to keep kids happy, and a full bar for the adults. The grouper is (obviously) a big hit, but nachos and shrimp were also a family favorite. If we had any more time on the island, we'd definitely be coming back! service, and brought fresh drinks often, but May (our server) certainly kept us happy and fed! There's plenty of outdoor seating, some games around the corner to keep kids happy, and a full bar for the adults. The grouper is (obviously) a big hit, but nachos and shrimp were also a family favorite. If we had any more time on the island, we'd definitely be coming back! read more

Nicole L.

4 years ago

Amanda was fantastic! We walked right in. They had tons of fans going. It was a very hot day, but totally worth it. Live music was so nice!!! It was our first time. We were celebrating my Birthday (they don't do anything special for Birthdays ): just fyi). But Amanda was great and wished me a Happy Birthday :). Food came very quickly. I had the lemonade lavender alcohol drink. It was really good. We also had the nachos. Amazing!! I even asked for some more chips because the others were so buried but it hit my crazing perfectly. And Amanda had no problem getting us extra chips for. We also did the grouper tacos with clam chowder. Everything was fantastic. Amanda was super nice and very informative. She recommended great options. She also had great people skills which we see so short of these days. She had great conversation and was fun to be around. At the end of our meal she even offered to take our photo in front of the grouper. We will be back soon for sure! read more

Heather C.

9 years ago

Came here with our group and didn't have a great experience. It was busy which we thought was a good thing (however with this small island, every place will be busy as we found out in the beginning of the week) and that was the start of our problems. The service was horrendous. Our server seemed so scattered and we felt didn't even know what they were doing. Drinks took forever to get to our table. The food also took forever to get to our table. The food itself was underwhelming, especially with the prices. We had much better experience with food elsewhere on the island. The kids enjoyed the activities they have there, but that just isn't enough to counter all the negatives to this place. When you drive by it looks like a great place, but honestly skip this place. You'll have much better experiences at other places on the island. read more

Juice K.

8 years ago

I'll go two for the following reasons. We called ahead for a party of 15, which they should be used to being this a island for families vacationing. We arrive at the time we reserved and they said they couldn't take us afterall because an unexpected party of 10 showed up to us prior. Disappointed, we left to try to find another restaurant that would take us. 10 minutes later they call, say they can get us in. We come back to discover they called us "on accident." The lovely manager explained, but said he'd make it right and seated us anyway around 7 pm. The server was doing all he could, but was definitely overwhelmed. They were out of *a lot* of items including grouper. Food came out wrong, cold or not at all. Not his fault. Good place for families with kids as there is lots of entertainment and games read more

Love My F.

3 years ago

Jacki was fantastic. She gave us great recommendations and boy they both drink and food was on point. Loved loved loved the live music in the afternoon. We will be back as we are residents of Florida and I am on Island every weekend. A bit pricey so make sure you bring plenty especially if you order drinks to however in my taste buds it all well worth it. I had the gruper boat it was amazing every flavor of that dish hit my pallets just perfect. Highly recommend thank you Jacki for the greatest service and keep smiling girl and keep those conversations going with your customers you made our day complete to our yet another day on my favorite Island AMI . Also would like to shout out to the chefs for their hard work on preparing these meals it truly shows in the flavors of the food. Thank you read more

Jerri P.

3 years ago

The FOOD was amazing! We had the Crab Green Tomatoes, Calamari, Goliath Pub Pretzel..it truly was goliath! Then for entrees we indulged in Grouper Tacos like no other, 2 huge tacos- the shells were cheese tortillas, you have to see them to believe them. The Grouper Rueben was DELISH! A massive piece of Grouper, I got mine fried, served on this amazing toasted marble rye topped of course with 1000 island, Swiss and sauerkraut one of the best I have had. Service was excellent from the hostess to the food runner. Our server Cole was excellent and attentive but not a helicopter server...lol. We can't wait to go back!! Enjoy the music and the keeper coconut drink and be sure to stop by the gift shop, we got an Ugly Grouper stuffie and t-shirts read more

Kevin D.

4 years ago

The ugly grouper is one of the gems of Holmes Beach if not all of Florida. The service: incredible. The ambiance: unmatched. The food: delectable. My party and I flew in from the Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton Airport (ABE) in south eastern Pennsylvania. Upon arrival we rented a car and b-lined straight to the UG (ugly grouper). The views on the way were amazing (some phenomenal land and suspension bridges) and in no time we arrived and were greeted by the nicest staff. Adam L is the best and steered us right as far as food and cocktails (would 100% recommend the grouper tacos!) Some other notable perks: Parking Fans for the heat TVs for the sports games Ring toss An adorable metallic grouper perfect for pictures (see below) read more

Charles H.

5 years ago

We stumbled upon The Ugly Grouper on Easter Sunday. This was the first time we've been to a restaurant in 15 months. We mentioned we wanted a table away from the crowd; the hostess found us a table and then moved it a further 10 feet from back. The waitress/server was Jessie, who was quite knowledgeable and understood our apprehension about venturing out. The staff wore their masks. We had a little trouble accessing the online menu, but Jessie promptly fixed that. The service impeccable. The food was just plain excellent. Our friends and my wife loved the grouper tacos, the pineapple boat, and the nachos. My burger was really good. Dewey (our pooch) just wanted some of it all. It was really excellent experience. read more

Aleksander S.

6 years ago

Let me just start off by saying...... HOLY FRICKEN MOLY. This place was ORGASMIC, The food was so amazing I literally had to post my meal on foodhub because it was so good. Oh and let me not forget to mention our Server Amy. The service Amy provided was basically to a whole other level. She was sweet, caring, humorous, and was great at conversing with us while also maintaining all of her other tables with the same kind of love and gratitude. I mean basically all I can say is if you come to this place make sure you ask for Amy because she won't let you down in the slightest. Amy again thank you so much for such a michelin star quality and world class experience you provided to us. read more

JB S.

7 years ago

The ugly grouper is named appropriately. Our experience was ugly! Was told 15-30 minute wait. Waited an hour for a table. As we were being seated (party of 2) another party of 2 checked in and was told 45 minute wait. They were seated right after us at a table for 2 that had been empty the entire time we had waited. Another party of 2 was also seated beside us after we were seated. Both of these parties were waited on before us, got their meal before us, and were done dining before us. It took us almost an hour to get our entrees. My daughter's food was cold. We spent $72 on very average food and horrible service. Will never go back!! read more

Nancy H.

4 years ago

If you are looking for outstanding service, a fabulous meal, and the best festive beverages on the beach, look no further than The Ugly Grouper! Kyle, our waiter made the best recommendations based on our likes. Husband ate the fish tacos, I ate the Grouper Polynesian Boat and we both fell in love with our (Kyle's recommendation) meals. If you love a mojito, look no further...they BLEND them and they are tasty and fantastic. The restaurant has a great vibe and we came back 3 times during our stay. OUTSTANDING! If you are within 4 hours of AMI, come to the Ugly Grouper, ask for Kyle, and have the best meal ever. Guaranteed. read more

Joanne P.

3 years ago

My husband and I have eaten here a few times, the staff has always been friendly and the food EXCELLENT. Our favorites are the grouper tacos and the pineapple coleslaw. I was recently hosting dinner at our home and wanted the pineapple coleslaw, Thad was so nice to provide it, even though they normally don't sell it to go. It was just as good, and I remember. Thanks Thad for making a dinner in EXCELLENT. We'll definitely be back soon! Oh and be sure to try a rum runner or one of their other signature libations, you can't go wrong there either..... It's definitely a relaxed atmosphere, just make sure you go on a sunny/warm day. read more

Rich M.

4 years ago

This was our second time at The Ugly Grouper. We went about an hour out of our way to go there, so you can tell we like the place. Two main comments from this visit. First, the food was incredible. I had the shrimp tacos and my wife had the grouper tacos. Both were outstanding and unique with respect to tacos you might get elsewhere. Second, we had outstanding service from our server, Cortni. She went above and beyond to resolve a minor issue we had with our table and was the right amount of friendly, attentive and professional. We'll definitely go back when in the area, and hopefully we'll get Cortni as our server once again. read more

Gracie W.

4 years ago

We've been coming to AMI five years in a row and just hadn't made a stop at Ugly Grouper until this year - we've been missing out! Festive atmosphere, games (for home, ring toss, logs, etc) for adults & kids alike, cocktail tables to lounge at with drinks while waiting for a table, and chill music. Our server, Miss May, was attentive, funny, and kind. The grouper sandwich was great, their is a robust kids menu, and a delightful caprese for those wanting a lighter fare. Parking can be a little tricky, so come early for dinner if you don't want to drive around looking for a spot. Be sure to stop by if you're on the island read more

Laura A.

2 years ago

Wir waren dort zum spontanen Abendessen, mit 4 Erwachsenen und einem Kleinkind (2J.). Haben sofort einen Platz bekommen, es spielte Live-Musik und für die Bedienung war es auch kein Problem, ein drittes Mal an unseren Tisch zu kommen, da wir uns nicht all zu schnell entscheiden konnten. Das Essen kam schnell und war super lecker. Auch auf einen Nachtisch mussten wir keine 5 Minuten warten. Meine Tochter hat auch einen kleinen extra Teller bekommen, damit wir ihr von unseren Pommes abgeben konnten und sie keine eigene Portion bestellen musste, weil das ohnehin zu viel für sie gewesen wäre. Wir können's nur empfehlen read more

Kathleen L.

4 years ago

We just had dinner at the Ugly Grouper. We had Grouper Tacos and Grouper Reuben--very good! Pineapple slaw was a great side! Excellent service from Aaron and we're very delighted with all the other servers that helped. Asked for the manager and was pointed to a fine looking gentleman by the name of Montana thinking it was an alias. I called him Dakota a few times :). I am very happy with his selection of the service crew--our compliments. We stop every year and will continue to recommend and be there often. Good luck, Scott, congratulations on your selection in the baseball Hall of Fame. read more

Grant S.

5 years ago

The food and service here were both absolutely awesome! We loved it so much, we had to go back again before we went home. The shrimp tacos are the best I have ever had. In addition to their sauce specific for them, I also got a side of their mango habanero sauce and their Thai chili sauce. Both of those were phenomenal too. Adam L was our server. He was totally on his game, our table of 12 and the other tables he was covering was no problem for him. He even offered to take photos of us even though he was clearly extremely busy. I'd give the UG more stars if I could. read more

The Ugly Grouper - bars - Updated September 2026

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