Good food and nice restaurant. Servers look like mermaids. It's not typical food, exotic.

Thirsty Mermaid was such a great find in Key West. The seafood was incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and everything we ordered had great flavor. We started with the raw bar and absolutely loved the oysters, clams, and ceviche. Everything tasted fresh and high quality. The shrimp dish was another standout -- perfectly cooked, flavorful, and presented beautifully. We finished with dessert, which was the perfect ending to the meal. BEST KEY LIME PIE ! we had so far in key west! worth trying. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun while still feeling like you're getting a quality dining experience. Service was friendly and attentive, and the menu has a great variety without feeling overwhelming. If you're in Key West and love fresh seafood, oysters, ceviche, and creative dishes, Thirsty Mermaid is definitely worth a stop. We would absolutely come back on our next trip! read more

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A nice place for afternoon happy hour featuring delicious appetizers everyday from 4-6 PM. We had oysters on the half-shell, fish ceviche and some chicken wings. The oysters were so meaty and flavorful. The local fish ceviche had so much flavor and nice bites of fish. The wings were good but more my wife's thing. read more

Thirsty Mermaid Raw Bar Restaurant - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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This place is a bit more upscale than some of the casual spots nearby. It is a must for foodies! It is intimate, the music was chill, and service was friendly and attentive. The food is next level, absolutely delicious! read more

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Great fresh cold seafood. Loved their oysters, ceviche, and stone crab. Had a nice light dinner here and then met friends at Alonzo's later that night. We would come back here. read more

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Such a nice happy hour! I got oysters (8) on the half shell and fresh ceviche; both for only $8 each! The place has a welcoming vibe and is clean and open. You're not squished in like some restaurants. read more

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Thirsty Mermaid is a raw bar and seafood restaurant that specializes in all things sea. We had some time to kill and popped in for lunch on a hot summer day. The restaurant is well laid out, nicely decorated, and very quaint. We had been to their sister restaurant and bar, Little Pearl, years before so we had high expectations. A lot of things hit the table. I remember clam chowder, mac and cheese croquettes, and the visual star of the show, "The Mermaid." +The Mermaid ($45) // 6 oysters, 6 clams, ceviche. Great oysters, solid clams, okay ceviche. Oysters were briny and delicious. Clams were small. Ceviche of the day was tilefish, and to be honest I didn't love the fish selection. Was hoping for something with a bit more flavor. It all worked together for a hot day, but it wasn't memorable for a nice seafood restaurant. I remember having a beer with my meal, a Cigar City Jai Alai for old times sake. All in all, it satisfied the seafood craving, but I wouldn't rush back and preferred Little Pearl more than Thirsty Mermaid. read more

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The name of this place might make you think you're going into a dive or some kind of beer joint. It's not that at all. It's a small but beautiful restaurant with delicious seafood. I had crab ravioli that was so good. I wish I hadn't been down Duval Street half the day before dinner because I was a little bit too "Colonel Sanders" to be eating such great food. read more

The food was delicious! The mussels were my favorite. Happy hour is a great deal for such amazing food. The service was excellent. They were super attentive. Ambiance was relaxing. read more

Thirsty Mermaid Raw Bar Restaurant - Ceviche and raw oysters. - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Everything was delicious. The crab sandwich was unique. It's not a crab cake. It's fried whole small crabs. We originally went there because they have raw oysters but they were $51 a dozen so decided against it but we we're glad we came anyway read more

Was not extremely thrilled with the items we ordered. The Lobster Empanadas ($24) had way too much corn vs any form of lobster meat inside. The Wagyu Potstickers ($20) were not up to the expectations either but my friend enjoyed them since she can't have much of the seafood items on the menu. The board outside had the Pear & Brie sandwich on display but once inside we were told it was no longer available - how? It's written in chalk on your board outside... but it has not been available for a few days. We were greeted & sat down promptly but the service felt a little standoffish - not rude just short. Overall they do have a decent HH menu which looks like the way to go when in town. Maybe on the next round we will come during that time vs mid-day on a Sunday. read more

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Grilled Peruvian scallops in Kimchi butter is a must. Also recommend the Lobster Blt, mini crab cakes & Shrimp Dumplings. Natia G was very attentive. Cozy venue in Old Town. read more

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A Memorable First Night in Key West at Thirsty Mermaid! After arriving in Key West late in the afternoon, we wandered Duval Street searching for the perfect dinner spot. Thirsty Mermaid caught our eye--great reviews, cozy ambiance, and just a block off the main drag. Despite its popularity (only one empty table when we arrived!), we were seated right away. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, helping us pick a crisp white wine that paired beautifully with our meal. We started with the Octopus Bruschetta--a first for us, but an absolute standout with its bold flavors and perfect texture. The nightly specials were irresistible: we tried the whole fried red snapper (crispy and flavorful) and the lobster ravioli in vodka sauce (rich and decadent). But the star was the Pan-Seared Yellowtail Snapper--tender fish in a silky chive butter sauce, served over fettuccine. Every bite was a delight. An exceptional first dinner in Key West--creative dishes, warm service, and a charming hideaway vibe. Highly recommend! read more

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Came for the happy hour. Unfortunately there was only one bar stool open at the bar but they gladly sat us at a table to enjoy the happy hour. Ordered oysters and a beer from the happy hour menu and the crab ravioli from the special of the day menu. The ravioli had a bit of a strong fishy taste to it that made it unpleasant. Ambiance could have been a bit livelier for happy hour vibes. Was giving more of low tone library vibe. But staff was friendly and welcoming. Which seems to be a consistent theme across the restaurants by these owners. read more

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Everything was delicious! We were looking for a raw bar and another restaurant recommended this place! So great! They have Cava, raw oysters, the best clam chowder with bacon and corn, delicate oysters, flavorful conch, an melt in your mouth Key Lime Pie! Service was great, knowledgeable staff and great recommendation! Quiet ambiance that is quaint and not cramped! read more

Thirsty Mermaid Raw Bar Restaurant - Key lime pie - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

My wife and I had lunch. Food was good as well as the service. When the bill came 20% tip was already included. I would have given 20% anyhow but feel a tip should be at my discretion. read more

We were so excited to find a restaurant that had scallops. Like the ones we saw on the website. See pictures. We were very disappointed when we got what we got. Today I just realized that they do not even have large sea scallops on the menu. Website very misleading, was such a disappointment. read more

Thirsty Mermaid Raw Bar Restaurant - Peruvian scallops from the appetizer menu, there were no other scallop options. - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Extraordinary experience last night. Even when we got late, the staff welcomed us kindly. Amazing staff, great food and lovely ambiance. Loved the whole fried fish and the snapper filet on pasta. We will be back next time. read more

Back in Key West ! So back to one of my favorite spots. Once again the food service and ambiance is still spot on. The fish and steak were cooked perfectly. Very happy to say they have been consistent over the years. read more

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I know it's a tourist area, but the price is very very steep. The happy hour menu is good, but the portion is super tiny. You get a tiny ball of croquet for $8. All of the dishes were very good though. If you don't mind the price tag, definitely check this place out. The service is quick. The place is cute inside and the location can't be more prime. read more

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Enjoyed the apps drinks and main course. Special was a ravioli which was super. Great service, excellent happy hour pricing made it a pleasure to dine. read more

Thirsty Mermaid Raw Bar Restaurant - Beer - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

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Amazing !!! Light ,fresh , great! Out server Ionela so great and nice thanks again see you soon wow stone crab and lobster was fantastic read more

Thirsty Mermaid Raw Bar Restaurant - Lobster - Seafood Near Me - Key West, Florida

The oysters were perfect! The snapper dish was absolutely delicious! But the lobster was awful and tasted sour, which sucked because I love lobster! read more

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I rarely leave negative reviews, but this was, without question, one of the most disappointing restaurant experiences I've had in a very long time. We came as a group of eight, ordered a wide variety of dishes, and somehow every single plate managed to be a letdown. The bikini shrimp ($36) came with only four shrimp, and they were so badly charred that they tasted bitter. The fried oysters ($18) and chicken wings ($17) were both overpriced and underwhelming, with portions and flavor that did not come close to justifying the cost. The snapper entrée ($39) and black grouper entrée ($48) were especially frustrating given their prices. The basmati rice was cooked into a mushy slop, the Brussels sprouts were burnt and completely flavorless, and both the fish themselves was forgettable at best. The fettuccini was bland and underseasoned. The so-called wagyu truffle shuffle burger ($28) was clearly not real wagyu, and while it was at least a decent size since it came with fries, the patty arrived dry and well-done even though I specifically asked for medium. The wagyu potstickers (4 for $20) were honestly worse than frozen Trader Joe's potstickers. And to top it all off, when I asked for the Wi-Fi, I was told it was not available for guests. After tax and tip, the meal came out to around $60 per person, which is absurd for food of this quality. Those are Nobu level prices, but this meal was nowhere near high-end. I'm genuinely confused how this restaurant is so highly rated on Yelp We left so disappointed that instead of enjoying the rest of our evening, we just got back in the car and drove to Miami at 10 p.m., skipping the key lime pie we had all been looking forward to. What was supposed to be a fun day trip to Key West ended with this restaurant completely ruining it. Come at your own risk!! read more

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Fabulous night at the Thirsty Mermaid! I had the Bikini Shrimp dish and my husband had Togarashi Spiced Yellowfin Tuna and we had the Key Lime for dessert! Excellent dining experience with our wonderful server Eva! You won't be disappointed! read more

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First time in Key West and first time here. It was amazingly good. Love this place and it's cute but nothing fancy. Service was great and we loved the food. I'd go back here again. read more

Great food and service with a nice happy hour. The oysters were perfect! Would definitely recommend.

If I could give zero stars, I absolutely would. Our experience at Thirsty Mermaid was one of the worst dining experiences we've had in years. The service was not just disappointing, it was completely unprofessional and left us wondering how this restaurant is even operating at this level. First, we ordered a clam chowder the moment we sat down. This is a basic appetizer, something any restaurant should be able to bring out. Shockingly, it didn't arrive until after we finished all of our entrées. I had to ask twice about it, and the explanation we received was, "We don't prepare the ingredients ahead of time, so it takes longer." I was honestly speechless. Clam chowder is a standard menu item, how does a kitchen not have basic prep done? By the time it finally arrived, it was no longer an appetizer but an afterthought. Second, before all of our dishes were even served, the staff came and removed every piece of tableware from our table.(included a little spoon we got for my kid, I have to ask them twice to get it back from their kitchen) We were literally left without utensils while still waiting for food, especially the clam chowder that was delayed. When we asked for utensils again, it took multiple reminders before someone finally brought us a few spoons. The lack of coordination and basic common sense was shocking. Third, we were a group of five adults and one child under 1.5 years old. At checkout, we were automatically charged a 20% gratuity fee, yet the restaurant provided zero service for the child. We asked for warm water to heat a baby bottle and were told, "We only have cold water here." That response alone was unbelievable. We even brought our own child seat. Worse, the server repeatedly carried plates over our child's head, and even after several reminders, continued doing so until the very last dish was served. The lack of awareness and safety consideration was truly concerning. To be specific, our server was a female staff member with an accent, and throughout the entire meal, it felt like she had zero intention of providing proper service. There was no attentiveness, no willingness to help, and absolutely no sense of responsibility that would justify a mandatory 20% service fee. Overall, this was an extremely disappointing and frustrating experience. Thirsty Mermaid displayed poor communication, lack of professionalism, and a complete disregard for basic hospitality standards. We will never return, and I strongly advise other families especially those with young children, to avoid this restaurant entirely. read more

Any time I'm in Key West we have a meal here. The food is excellent, and the staff is wonderful.

The Mediocre Mermaid needs a Bar Rescue, and a Chef. The service was excellent, so my three-star rating is grading on a curve because this place needs a chef urgently. The Rockefeller was not good. Piles of flavorless breadcrumbs. Ridiculous. The Caesar salad was a disappointment. The Caesar salad had shrimp and scallops, which is an awesome idea. Seafood was fresh! However, the Caesar dressing was bland/watered downlightly dressed, so the punishment for ordering it was minimal. The hamburger we ordered medium, but it was raw in the center. The lobster BLT was a robbery. Maybe a claw's worth of meat chopped up to splash across a piece of bread. Total scam. Skip the bread service. It was two small slices of bread for $6. We sent the burger back but paid for the rest of it. This is our third time to KW. We have eaten our way around. This place has potential, however it's 2 stars all day, but giving it 3 stars for the excellent service... they earned every bit of 2 stars. Bummer. Cute place. it's hard to find a bad meal in KW. read more

VERY disappointed at the service and food tonight. Would not recommend and will not go back. My husbands mussels were good but my wedge salad was hard ?? Hard to cut into. Had to ask for a steak knife. I also asked for additional blue cheese as there was hardly any on the wedge after quite a long time I asked the bus person (who seemed to be the only one actually working) and he brought them right away. Our server quickly came and apologized saying she was 'held up in the kitchen'. It would have been fine except she completely disappeared again and we had to flag someone down to pay for the bill. When she finally came out she said 'oh, the owners are here'. Okay, so???? I guess they were the group that was incredibly loud and obnoxious. Wow. read more

We came here for a late lunch and loved that it was off the beaten path a little bit. There was a lite crowd inside the small space and we got a table in the middle of the restaurant. Our server was with us immediately and we were presented with the lunch menu and main menu. There were a lot of sandwiches on the menu and luckily my wife saw the specials on the chalkboard behind me because we were never told about them. We got the tuna carpaccio appetizer off that menu and it was not a lot of food, but so good. The citrus made the dish. For my entree, I got the local snapper sandwich. I also had some of the soft shell crab sandwich, which was messy to eat and fell apart instantly. Both of the sandwiches were good, but not great, and had too much mayo. I also had a bite of the grilled cheese and that was amazing! Lots of cheese and so gooey! read more

Great spot for happy hour. We love the coastal decor and yummy small bites. A great spot to kick off your night. Last time we were there our server was great and so was the food. Felt like we got one of everything and I definitely recommend doing the same! Their oysters are delicious and my boyfriend likes their mermaid lager. The wings have a great sauce and you can't go wrong with the Mac and cheese bites. We really could have sat and enjoyed the a/c all night- but had to see the sunset. A must stop when visiting key west! read more

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Stopped in for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised with the options. Their happy hour is a nice way to try a variety of things at a discounted rate. Food was fresh and service was attentive. I recommend getting there as soon as they open. Dining room is intimate and fills up quickly. read more

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Honestly, I'm really just hoping we were there on an off night. The service was good and we loved the atmosphere, but the food was pretty mediocre across the board. The Mermaid Caesar was a huge pile of romaine with two plum tomato halves and a bare scattering of seafood. The "seared" scallops looked like they touched a hot pan for about ten seconds --they were definitely not seared and were certainly under seasoned. The "spicy" short rib gnocchi only qualified as spicy if you think ketchup is spicy. None of the food was downright awful, but when I'm dropping almost $300 for four people for mains and a couple of glasses of wine, I would at least expect the food served to bear a reasonable resemblance to the menu description. Given the other positive reviews, I sincerely hope that this was just an off night for the kitchen, but I also have to confess that given the plethora of other choices in the area, I'd be hard-pressed to consider giving them another chance. read more

Excellent location and ambience. The food was TDF - had the lobster ravioli and added grilled scallops. Service was 110% on pointe. Be sure to support this local gem! read more

Amazing service and super fresh seafood!!! The place was busy but they managed to get us in quickly and gave us top notch service from beginning to end! read more

Food is fine, but they charge tips 20% by default, which is not cool. I also went to some other good restaurants in key west, they don't charge tips by default. read more

Excellent oysters and ceviche! Happy hour is bomb! Small place that has excellent service with fresh food.

Nice, quiet small ambiance compared the raging party on Duval street but still fun. Bartenders & wait staff very attentive & fun & laughed. Food was off the charts good. Had clam chowder, oyster fritters, & the lobster hamburger-- all amazing. Would have gotten more but we were full. Bar only sits 8, but would def be back!! read more

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