Looking for a lunch spot? This is a good choice. I love the coconut shrimp, any of the salads, and cocktails are delish. My suggestion is to share dishes so you can try a little bit of everything. ;) Outside seating so be mindful of the weather. Juan has been my waiter multiple times. He is attentive and friendly. read more

Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar - Ahi tuna bowl - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Enjoyed lunch at the bar. They have 2 nice outdoor dining areas that look inviting & has fans. We shared 2 apps - corn dip which is served in a mini cast iron pan that kept it hot with homemade chips & coconut shrimp. The shrimp come with 5 & the bartender asked if we wanted to add one for $3 more which we did. They were excellent - large & you could tell they were freshly made with the coconut flakes having a great taste. What I liked was that each shrimp had its own sauce to dip into so that you didn't have to double dip if sharing plus the slaw was really nice. Service was excellent! We saw the people next to us get a cheeseburger & steak taco's & they looked amazing! We'll be back! read more

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We had a ladies birthday celebration dinner here in April when the weather was still nice. This is an outdoor only seating area with a covered roof and lots of plants to add to the privacy and ambience. The Tommy Bahamas store as of course, connected for shopping convenience. It's perfect for a small celebration or date night etc. They have live acoustical music to perfectly to set the mood. The service was impressive, and we thoroughly enjoyed the array of appetizers we savored during happy hour. Sorry no pics on this one. read more

We went there for an early dinner. Beautiful day outside to eat! The menu was small but diverse. The food was great, but I ordered chicken fajitas and they showed up with cheese all over them. Cheese on fajitas? I don't like cheese so I sent them back and waited 15 minutes for a fresh batch to come out. They tasted great but then the bill had "2" chicken fajitas on it. What? Food and ambiance are great! I just wish they put a little more detail on the menu about what you're getting. Hubby liked his Jamaican jerk chicken. read more

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Lunch at Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar is always a win. The waitstaff is awesome, friendly, attentive, and makes the whole experience easy and relaxed. The coconut shrimp are huge, perfectly cooked, and absolutely worth ordering. Great spot for a laid-back lunch with solid food, great service, and that classic island vibe. Five stars, no hesitation. read more

Spent the afternoon with my family at the Marlin Bar and had such a wonderful time! The happy hour was great, the music was lovely, the service was top notch and the food was incredible. We tried a few different holiday cocktails as well as a few different menu items but the standout items were definitely the coconut shrimp, the flatbread and the fajitas. I wish I lived closer by because this would be a very frequented spot! But if you're ever on the hunt of good food and good vibes, this is the place to be. read more

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This is fun and lively place to have a beverage and a bite. It's not a full menu, big dinner place. But, I ordered the steak flatbread (they confused my order but quickly rectified it), and it was very good. The service was very good, refilling waters without pestering us. It was late afternoon/early evening and the setting sun was rough on our eyes. Perhaps they should consider some sort of roll down shade while the sun is going down. I'll be back! read more

Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Sat at the marlin bar outside and enjoyed some light guitar from the performer. Sun shined bright at happy hour, but the ambiance was awesome. Bartender Jana was awesome Food was very good, hummus and a burger surprised me Wil be back! read more

Every time we come here, the service and food is absolutely amazing! Our server, Marissa, was just a genuinely nice person and made our experience even better. As a restaurant owner, I wish I could find employees like her. See you again soon! read more

Went tonight (Fri) and was very pleasantly impressed. Ya have to realize that it's a clothing store first with a small bar and restaurant too. The staff, from the initial greeter and everyone we interacted with were ALL friendly, professional and non-stop working. The entire place was clean, live music playing and a great atmosphere. We ordered their happy hour margaritas which were delicious and served full in a pint glass for $11. Food wise, we ordered the Crispy Chicken Wings which were served crispy and hot. The seasoning was good and I got the sauces on the side for dippin'. The dish also came with some sliced and seasoned cucumbers. The other appetizer was the Ahi Tuna Tacos. DELICIOUS!! They were served in wonton shells and filled with delicious ahi to the rim. Both were delicious and satisfying and the margaritas were a perfect combination. I look forward to going back and trying other items, both food and drink! read more

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great lunch spot with wonderful atmosphere and flavorful food! The staff is very attentive and the drinks are delicious

Good food and nice service. I enjoyed eating outdoors. The live music was nice but a little too loud - we could hardly have a conversation. read more

Disappointing Experience at Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar We dine out frequently in the Lakewood Ranch area, and unfortunately, this has been our worst experience so far. From the moment we walked in, the layout felt awkward and unwelcoming. The staff appeared disengaged and unprofessional, with little regard for customer service or the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. While the restaurant aims for a tropical, laid-back vibe, the reality falls short--especially when you're seated facing a busy parking lot rather than a serene beach view. The food was average at best and definitely not worth the premium prices. It was also uncomfortably hot, and their attempt to combat the heat with high-powered fans only made things worse--expect to leave sweating and with windblown hair in need of repair. With so many excellent restaurants nearby, I recommend skipping this one. Lakewood Ranch has far better dining options within walking distance that actually deliver on quality, service, and atmosphere read more

The experience here was... just okay. There's nothing particularly memorable or standout about the food or drinks, though everything was good. One thing that felt a little off was the setup as you're required to order and pay at a kiosk before sitting down, which takes away from the more relaxed, dining vibe some people might expect. That said, if you're already a fan of the traditional Tommy Bahama restaurant experience, chances are you'll enjoy this place too. It carries the same laid-back tropical feel and casual island-inspired menu. Just don't expect anything above and beyond. read more

Food was mediocre. Ordered fish tacos which would definitely not order again. Fish was dried out. Absolutely would not go back with so many other restaurants to choose from. read more

Love this all outdoor seating restaurant! Everything we've had has been delicious and well, we've probably had everything on the menu by now! Cocktails are always great and the service is always friendly. Live music regularly too. Clean and inviting atmosphere. read more

First off... The best bartender in there is Amy! Very attentive, very professional, and really knows her stuff! And she makes the best cucumber crush....(mine with Tito's)! Food wise, under the shareables, is the Tuna tacos by far! Always consistent, always delicious! read more

The food was terrible, service was poor and ambiance was terrible. The price was way more than what this place was worth. Never to return.

We tried the new Tommy Bahama in Lakewood ranch. Not very impressed. I'm old school. I want a menu, not scan a QR code. Everything is small plates. Service was questionable. I asked for water and the server pointed to the water station and said it was self serve. REALLY??? read more

Friends and I wetn to the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar on Sunday and our visit really exceded all expectations. Kailyn greeted us at the bar and we explained it was our first time - we asked if we understood correctly we needed to do all our ordering at the bar she said no- (which is a great difference than when they furst opened!) We will do a credit card to associate with your table number but I will come over to take your orders- we also asked her about a large variety of coctails - and what she suggested based on our preferences and she nailed it - my frosty mai tai and my friends special mule were delicious (and strong lol.) It was a beautiful day, but they had the heaters so with the cool breeze you could stay cozy if you wanted - or you could sit farther from the heaters - whatever you like. Our food came out - and we were so impressed how stunning and fresh everything was- and the taste matched - absolutly delicious! My friends got mahi tacos and tuna tacos and I got the taco salad with steak- It was so good I finished it and then proceeded to not eat anything else the rest of the day- it was really filling. For only $19 I would go back and get it again soon Kailyn was so patient to walk us thru setting up the App on the phone - so we could get the initial $10 discount. She was so friendly and welcoming -She really made the experience exceptional. Also, a note about the live music - although its not something I typically prefer- the gals voice was beautiful and they had it set up at a volume you could talk to the friends you were dining with (which for me is often the issue with live music!) Cant wait to go back! I look forward to seeing Kailyn and my steak salad again soon! read more

Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar - Steak taco salad, mahi tacos, Ahi Tuna tacos, Mai tai, special Mule - New American Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Great food and great vibe! They have live music almost every night it seems. Our musician was playing amazing vibes. Felt like I was back in Hawaii. Coconut shrimp with the special salsa was fire. Will be back! read more

Service was atrocious. Went there on a not so busy Sunday early afternoon. Sat at the bar and although the bartender seemed nice sh should have not been behind the bar. Took nearly ten minutes to get a cocktail. Servers were upset because they couldn't get drinks. Other customers at the bar were getting up to find menus. She literally cost the place money because I would have had 2-3 more drinks but instead only had my one since she just couldn't keep up with anything. I'll give a second star because the food we did have was great even though we had to ask for napkins and plates. read more

Went by on a Tuesday night for drinks and dinner, set up is a bit weird....you order your drink from a bar when you walk in, they give you a number to place on a table and let you pick where to sit (all seating was outdoors, but covered). When the drinks are brought then you can order food. A step up from basic bar food..has Nashville hot sliders, fish tacos and a steak flat bread pizza. Sliders and tacos were fresh and flavorful. Flat bread less so, looked like the just added chopped up streak to a basic pizza. Service was lacking, no one approached our table for drink refills or to check on our food. Unlikely to return. read more

The positive: The food, as is always the case at TB restaurants, was delish! The Not-So-Good: 1. Set up is not condusive to a relaxing experience - you stand in line to start the process and order your drink and/or food at a register ... then you go look for a table. No hostess, so you wander around trying to find that table. When we're in full season, this will be a nightmare. (If you like to fight over a table this is the place for you). 2. When we found our table, there was no set-up I.e. no napkins, silverware, nothing. When the drinks we ordered at the register were brought to our table, and we ordered some food, we then had to get up and get our own water at a water station. We still had no set-up and I finally had to go find someone to bring it. 3. Service issue again - I finally got up again to get our iced teas refilled. Hello? In a nutshell - if you like self-service for full price, this is for you. For me and my 4 friends, we're not impressed. This model is terrible. read more

Horrible service. Non-existent. We were seated and waited twenty minutes. No one came to take our order not even for drinks. Meanwhile all the tables around us were catered to. We ended up getting up and walking out, over to Owen's Fish Camp. We will not be back. read more

After visiting here 3 times I found the food to be perfectly fine. Nothing special, just fine. In terms of service it was a bit aloof although the staff endeavors to be friendly. My biggest issue with this place is the lack of indoor seating. That said, unless the weather in Sarasota is comfortable this place can be brutally hot and humid. If it's raining, there is a roof over your head but you can feel the moisture if seated on the perimeter. 2 out of 3 meals had here I was uncomfortable. I was also dismayed they do not take reservations, it's first come, first serve which has not been an issue for me but I have passed by where it has been crowded and would assume it's difficult to get a table. I don't really understand the model but maybe it works for them. I wanted to like it but in the end I was not a big fan. read more

A nice spot for lunch or drinks -- it's much more casual than the regular Tommy Bahama restaurant and also has a much smaller menu but does carry some favorites like the coconut shrimp--the concept is a little different in that they ask you to order at the bar and then bring the food to you//outdoor seating is nice but their couches are terribly uncomfortable-/ pick a table with chairs! read more

his review is specifically about Juan, the bartender, and Sophie, the manager. Honestly, the experience at the bar was incredibly disappointing, especially considering this was during a quiet Friday lunch hour. From the moment we sat down, Juan seemed annoyed, like he didn't want us there. We had to ask to order food, and once it came, we never got silverware or any check-ins to see if we needed anything--no condiments, no offer of another drink, nothing. It felt like we were bothering him by just being there. To make matters worse, another guest at the bar was also complaining about Juan's service when we arrived, so it wasn't just us. As for Sophie, we asked to speak to a manager, and she walked by us several times, making eye contact but never stopping. She finally came over after we had already signed the bill and were leaving. Even then, she didn't apologize or address the poor service. It's disappointing to feel so unwelcome, especially on vacation and during what should have been a calm, enjoyable lunch. read more

Ambiance. Service. Good food. Great music. It was all really nice. Love having the store there to walk around while I waited for food and my family watched the game on the TV at the bar read more

Went there last evening. I still don't get service model here. You give your credit card at the bar and they give you a numbered flag. They tell you to find a seat. Then you hope a server comes over to take a drink and/or appetizer order. We waited about 5 minutes or so and a waitstaff member came over to take our order. Drinks first- We ordered a bottle of wine and some water. She pointed to a water stand and said it's self serve. Before she left we asked for a couple of apps. We waited and waited some more, finally our wine came from a different server. All good. We then waited 30 minutes for our apps to come out. Strangely the waitstaff peeks out from the bar area to see the patio area instead of walking around. Anyways, we finally flag down the person we gave our order to and she said she would check on it. I asked for a manager to come over. It turns out the order was never placed. She said people make mistakes! ok, I agree. She offered to take the 2 apps off our bill, which we appreciated. However, again, the peek a boo from the bar area, we watched other people get seated and take forever to get served. After a while it turned into a patio bar area of unhappy patrons munbling why the poor service. If you are going to charge indoor sit down Ruth's Chris prices, then you need to hire/train/retain better servers with a better attitude and change the service model. Not going back. Notice how the managers only acknowledge the good reviews but don't say a word about the others? read more

Food is fantastic! Service was good! Only downside is no indoor seating. Not all weather in FL is good for eating & conversing! I've gone on nice days only. read more

We love the cocktails here the outdoor bar makes you feel like you are on vacation. Its pricey but worth it.

Stopped by today for a happy hour drink or two. Nice atmosphere, tasty cocktails. However.....I have never had such inattentive service. Paulo seemed to be completely ensconced with the table next to us, we had to go up and order our second round, and then had to walk up and pay our bill. Not that that's the end of the world, but DO YOUR JOB! read more

Food was great. All of it. Service was really really bad. Sign out front says you need to order before you can pick a table. Ok. Odd. When we went to order at the bar they said the sign lied and we just needed to order drinks. Again. Ok. So we sat and didn't get out drinks for another 20 minutes. This is at like 6pm and the place was empty. Order was screwed up, but it was still really good. We were there about an hour and 20 minutes, nobody ever asked if we needed a refill on our beverages. They never brought us any silverware. They never brought us any small plates for the appetizers. At the end of the meal at about 7 o'clock at night they raised the blinds that prevent the sun from blinding you. And we got blinded. Ask the manager to put it down and they argued with us that it was their policy to put the blinds up when the sun went down. Obviously the sun wasn't down yet. Not the end of the world but the manager got super snippy when we asked them to put the sun shade back down. I never see managers get snippy with customers. I've managed food and beverage. Never a reason to get snippy. Especially when you blinded two tables and someone asked three times for anyone to "please lower the shade". Ultimately, it was not great. Which is disappointing because the food is really good and the setting is really nice. Oddly, our food came out wrong and they brought out some of it and didn't come back. When the server walked by we asked her about the rest of our food and her immediate response was "I don't know how the kitchen works". Request for the house... find a less frumpy/grumpy manager and train your servers. read more

High prices but very good quality food. Haven't been there in quite a while I do recommend this restaurant! As far as I can remember the service was good also. read more

Sat at the bar. Not enough help. A managers knows when someone books a party that you need more help . Not last night . They never once wiped the counter for the next customer. DISGUSTING. read more

Food was very good and would rate that much higher. The lower rating is do to the seating, it's largely out door and was an especially windy day. Unfortunately they choose to open the side of the restaurant with the direct wind gusts. Multiple patrons requested seating on the side protected from the wind they advise that section was closed. read more

The concept of the place is ridiculous when you walk up you have to order and give your credit card for them to open a tab and drinks are very expensive food is good but won't go back read more

Hope this helps those new to THIS Tommy Bahama as it is very different experience from the Sarasota restaurant. Before you read my hard review .. the food was very good , it is the set up that does not work... the Steak tacos ! Steak flat bread.. the apps were all great. Here is what you need to know before you go .. to manage your expectations: As you enter you need to order something before you go to a seat. It is a sort of self serve, the best place to sit is at the bar. As you will get the best service. when we arrived We ordered drinks before we picked our own seat. once seated ourselves we ordered apps, It took awhile for the drinks to come , the drinks came after we started eating. The flow of the place is that many servers will serve you. the bar will bring out your drinks, the kitchen brings out your food. It is an interesting concept. Not sure it will work as it is not coordinated. It is Taking alot more effort and staff time then is needed. You need to get your own water at a station set up on the side. This is an odd ask of clients when you are looking for tips. It doesn't take that long to pour water. The food was very good, but the service kills this place. Our server was good but all of 5 people we interacted with said said they were short staffed, but we saw five people working which with only one side of the restaurant open and the bar the 5 should have been plenty. They are working hard but not smart!! while waiting for our food The bar tender dropped a glass of soda all over the table next to us , and didn't blink an eye. All of the staff are running around ... this is a management issue, you need to manage flow. you need to set the stage when you have people arrive. tell them what to expect. People were walking around clueless .. and standing outside not understanding what the process is. The check in person should start with explaining the process... Let people know as they will be upset if you dont. Which we saw several people were. . As for flow you have people that are not coordinated. why should the kitchen come out to bring you food and the bar tender to serve you a drink when the waiter is right there ??? And were served the wrong drinks . Overall We interacted with 5 different people, and because of this the bill was wrong when we got it we were over charged, granted it was corrected but only because we noticed. When you have so many people serving you the servers have no clue what you have received. The atmosphere is outside seating which is nice for this time of year..the vibe is great and almost everyone we spoke with were patrons of Sarasota with a 50 dollar off coupon expiring 12/31. That is what drove them there. Your job was to have those customers come back. ... This was a great opportunity to use the special to have customers come to LWR . I hope you sold them as we need more good restaurants in LWR. read more

A better menu with more options, bar tenders were not friendly & the bar area is too small, long wait for service, open air bar, when it rains they have a problem! read more