The food was delicious the blackened fish burger was delicious and the pumpkin bread was good

Met some family members there for lunch. It was around 11:30 AM on a Wednesday not super busy. 4 of us were seated by friendly staff member. It seemed like our waitress was a little slow most of our time there. Our food took longer than seemed normal. People that had come in after us were getting their orders but ours didn't seem to be getting out. Finally we got our food order three shrimp baskets and a grouper basket. The fish sandwich was not warm, it was flat out cold. Our drinks took forever to get refilled and again they were not busy. We didn't send the sandwich back because it seemed like it was taking forever. Something just seemed off. The food was just okay. All of this to say; Service was just so-so. Food today seemed off about our food order. Very nice atmosphere I don't have to return anytime soon. We've heard good things about this place...we didn't have that experience. I might go back if I'm ever back in town. Everyone has an off day. read more

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Stopped by with my wife for dinner. I got Blackened Shrimp and Scallops.....tasted excellent, but only 2 scallops and 6 shrimp. Also we got the chowders, they were excellent tasting. Hush puppies are awesome. Bottom line is we liked it a lot but the portions were a little small. Servers were very good too. Maybe a little pricey. read more

Atmosphere - Good (but a little weird). The restaurant considers itself to be a seafood restaurant and and the menu offerings are 90% seafood items. However, the place packed with taxidermy that includes bears and other animals, which gives the restaurant a Bass Pro Shop feel. Service - Good. To be honest, our server did the bare minimum. Food - Good. I ordered a grilled grouper sandwich and hush puppies. The grouper tasted good, but it was chopped up into a bunch of small pieces, which made it messy to eat. The hush puppies were very good, but there were only two. Overall - The food is good, but overpriced. The portion size minimal and the service is unremarkable. read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Bloody Mary - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

First time customer and first, I am at a loss about the decor. They advertise as a seafood restaurant yet there are dozens of deer heads, lynx, a few bears, etc mounted all over the place. A bit bizarre for me. The check in booth is not right at the front, which was awkward as people were picking up to-go orders at the same place. Our seat was among the dead animals. I chose a beer off the menu which they were out, and they were out of 3 other beers. They did have one, which I don't remember the name which was good. They had a 12 or 20 oz pour. The menu is mostly seafood, and mostly blackened seafood. Our server was friendly and took my hamburger order because none of the seafood was my thing. Food came out hot and cooked perfectly. My burger was huge and I could only eat half. The fries were scant, which is weird because normally you get tons. I thought serving the food on a wooden board was not the most sanitary thing I have ever seen. Most likely wouldn't return when in the area. read more

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1st time here & we will return. Perhaps not on a Sunday , little crowded. Colin, our server was super friendly, attentive & checked on us just enough to not be a ghost or annoying. Wooden tables & fish/fishing gator themed walls made the place look exactly as it was. Welcoming , friendly & fun! I had as an app the corn crab chowder. It was Piping hot! Lusciously creamy & flavorful. , You had to reach for crab, but it was there. I had grilled shrimp as my entree. I got 18 shrimp, beautifully seasoned & grilled, hush puppies, tender slightly moist, fried perfectly. & Super yummy Cole slaw. I upgraded from fries to fried green tomatoes. The tomato crust was heavenly, the tomato inside was juicy. I've had that before in other places & it's been gummy. This was not. The Hubs had the Ockeechobee sampler. Wow!! There was to much going on there ! Not enough room to write about. He loved it. Just had trouble identifying the gator from the cooter?? We went with 6 other people. Everyone loved it. 2 people got burgers which looked awesome! My Bro in law loved his. Cooked exactly as he ordered it. My sister in law had clam chowder & although she said it was delicious, she got a piece of shell in it which turned her off. All in all we thought it was really very good. They also offer a buffet which looked amazing! We will definitely be returning! read more

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Historic spot in Okeechobee,FLA serving up great seafood and one of the best tasting ribeyes I've ever had!!! You walk in the door and you're slapped in the face with everything seafood, hundreds of taxidermy'd critters from land, lake & sea, and a case of dry aging ribeye's stacked on split wood. The ribeye was exquisite - massive flavor from the dry aging, and charred on the outside to perfection, while still medium to medium rare inside. I did the 22 oz, because who doesn't want a double deuce?? Sides were fantastic, hush puppies were good. Busy place, but worth the wait. read more

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Best gator bites we have eaten since we lived in Florida , nearly 10 years ago! The ambience resembles old Florida! It is refreshing to experience a little bit of rural Florida! All food was very well prepared, tasted great! Service was also excellent! read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Pumpkin bread (local Seminole recipe) and gator bites - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

Hi everyone, I ordered the fried alligator dinner with hush puppies and fries. The food was fresh and delicious. I always enjoy eating at Lightsey's. Our server was friendly and attentive. She recommended tile fish to my mom and my mom enjoyed the blackened tile fish. Overall a great experience and I will definitely keep coming back. read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Fried Alligator with hush puppies and fries. - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

Great fresh seafood with awesome service. I especially enjoy that you have a seafood counter like an old school fishery you'd find at the docks. It really drives the authentic vibe you'd expect at a good seafood restaurant. I had a party of people and we tried just about everything. There was no complaining from anyone. I'd recommend either of the fish sandwiches. My only knock was the Oreo cookie crust on the key lime pie... not a fan but you may like it. I'd definitely recommend trying this spot for yourself. read more

Wow!!! I got the small lobster stuffed with crabcake and could only eat one of them! My boyfriend got the sweet potato crusted grouper was absolutely amazing!! the service was impeccable! And the ambience was absolutely great for the setting of the food! read more

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Horrible. They use to be good. But, it's awful now. We ordered cheeseburgers and the burgers were clearly frozen patties. Service was poor. It has gone down completely. read more

The didn't seat us when we got there at 8:30 saying they close at 8:30 when they rally close at 9.

Love lightsey's always a must when I'm in Florida. The blackened cobia is phenomenal every single time! Everything I've eaten there is always fresh and delicious. Always great service as we always sit at the bar. Very cool place to eat. Delicious food and drinks. Will be back! read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Cobia fish and coleslaw - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

Stopped in for lunch a few weeks ago and had such a great experience. the GM, Gabriella was amazing, bubbly and welcoming and she made us feel seen, heard and appreciated. She was super funny and easy to talk to which made lunch even more appealing. The food and atmosphere were 10/10. Everything was fresh, delicious and the restaurant had a great vibe. We will certainly come back for more!! read more

First time visiting, had a wonderful experience. Food and service was fantastic. Will definitely be back with our motorcycle group.

We were very disappointed in this place we got there 20 minutes before they close and they didn't want to serve us . The manager said not to wait because they weren't sure they could serve us and the restaurant wasn't even full as a matter of fact it was kind of empty . read more

The food was good, but the service was very slow A very unique and casual dining experience. read more

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good food, weak alcohol drinks, moderate prices, great fish, shrimp, crab cakes; plenty of parking. No reservations unless large group. read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Celebrating birthdays with family; lovely staff. - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

Did not disappoint!! Stopped in for late lunch on a Monday, our server was polite, our drinks and food came out quickly! Atmosphere was inviting and uniquely awesome!! The quality of freshness of the seafood here is unmatched! I can't recommend Lightsey's enough!! They serve local/seasonal craft beers and they have a full bar selection! Freshest fish around!! This place has been in business for 48 years. Try it out for yourself! read more

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Wonderful spot! The food was well made and comforting, the drinks were tasty and the service was pleasant. I'd love to come back whenever we visit Florida again. The ambiance is a lot of fun, lots of interesting knickknacks to check out. read more

Food has limited freshness and the fries were roughly half dozen. Did not particularly care for the wood plank as a plate. Maybe an off day

The lobster, crab cakes , and Cajun scallops were great. Glad we stopped in and will definitely stop in again. Server was pleasant and we liked the decor too. read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

Amazing food and drinks! Some of the best seafood I've ever eaten and I live in a seafood town! read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Crab sweet corn chowder and crab cake - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

Not my type of restauraunt but they are always busy. The inside is an odd set up and the odor is very odd. I could not be inside because of it. I sat outside where there are tables, and about 6 or so barstools. The staff is polite. The food just OK. Prices a bit high. I won't be able to go back due to the way it smells inside, made me feel sick really. Too bad read more

Food is decent, Service is good, ambiance of restaurant is calm, lightly played music makes for a good dining experience. Have also attended a wedding here and it turned out beautifully. read more

We went to Lightsey's while traveling in the area for an early dinner. We arrived about 4:30pm on a weeknight and they were busy but not crowded. I had the Sweet Potato Encrusted Grouper and ordered it with the pumpkin bread. I had never had Grouper prepared this was, and I am not used to seeing pumpkin bread as a menu selection, so I was curious. Both the grouper and the pumpkin bread were excellent. The quantity of the grouper was more than I wanted, but the leftovers reheated nicely the next night. read more

Great food. Somewhat over priced. The greeter said how many, vs good day, welcome and left initial bad impression. Having a bad day stay home. read more

There Is A Lot Of Taxidermy On The Walls. So If That Freaks You Out, Don't Recommend. If You Don't Mind, Definitely Come Here! To Start, Their Shirley Temple Was Decent. The Sweet Potato Crusted Grouper Had Great Flavor And Texture For The Most Part. But The Fish Was Most Definitely Not Fresh. Last Of All, Dessert. I Ordered A Blueberry Cobbler And It Was Spectacular. It Was Near Perfection With Tart Blueberries, Crispy Crust, And Creamy Ice Cream. read more

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This is hands down the best restaurant we ate at in Okeechobee. We were in town for a week and ended up here three times! Don't let the cooter t-shirts and beat up menus fool you, this place is serving top-level food and has a craft beer menu that will make any drinker proud. Out of our visits here we tried the ribs, aged rib-eye, burger, fried catfish, scallops and crab cake. Every single dish was delicious and cooked perfectly. Ingredients were fresh and we found the portions to be huge and worth the money. We went home with leftovers every single time. The hush puppies here might be the best I've ever eaten. Paired with their famous basket of various dipping sauces, I ate way too many of these things while I was in town. So good. Service is friendly and attentive. Place always has a nice crowd, but you can usually find a seat or two at the bar if you don't want to wait. We tried every spot in town. This one is simply the best. read more

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Great food, great service! Very friendly wait staff. Easy to get to on Okeechobee. Enjoy indoor or outdoor dining!

Super tasty food and great atmosphere! Our server was Kelly and she was great and informative. We've previously had Malcom, and he is a blast to have as a server, makes you feel right at home. I got the sweet potato crusted grouper, and my husband got the fried shrimp. My daughter had a cheese burger and French fries. She loved the shrimp so I'll get her that next time. I also had a raspberry smash cocktail which was phenomenal read more

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Food is OK but way way way over priced! We have been there before but this last time was so outrageous in price we will not be back. The bill was $175 (without tip) which included a burger, grouper platter, pompano platter, NO alcohol, 1 ice tea and two waters and no dessert. This will be the last time we go there unfortunately. read more

Ate a delicious and filling meal here. Everything was cooked perfectly. The fries had a great crunch. The hush puppies were also crisp but with a moist inside. One of the highlights was getting to try all of the sauces on my shrimp. I was a little surprised at the prices because they were higher than I expected, but I was served a flawless meal. The portion size was good and I left quite full. If I'm ever back in the area I'd stop in again. read more

Lightsey's Restaurant - Blackened shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Okeechobee, Florida

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Looked for a place to eat via motorcycle. Great find. It's use to be a fish shop. Converted an old bank building into a market/restaurant. Very cool. Ribs were good. Great smoke. Not fall off the bone. But still good. Yummy fries. Fried catfish was very enjoyable. Really liked the gumbo. Could have been served hotter. Waitress was ok. She needed some attitude adjustment read more

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What a nice dinner we had , the staff was very friendly ... the food was spot on ... lots to look at with all the decorations for sure ... we took the kids there. I almost expected the place to be bigger but was not at all disappointed .... And would surely recommend them read more

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Service was a bit obnoxious (overly friendly). They claim they are also a seafood market (frog legs, crab legs, shrimp, catfish). Their prices are outrageous. $4.50 for an unsweetened tea. A hamburger for $19.95 and a fish sandwich for $22. We had a lunch with 2 sandwiches and two drinks for $53. Choose wisely. We will in the future. read more

So I've given this place multiple tries and nope!!! First time I got steak and it was terrible I was told it could only be cooked one way, needless to say it was still moving lol I sent it back and. Next time I got half a chicken and it was soooooo hard very very!!!!! Now, the drinks are very good. Restaurant is nicely decorated. This place is extremely overpriced though. read more

Amazing! Love this place! Steak is spectacular... great cocktails and beer selection. Highly recommend! Great value.

The best place for sharpies in Okeechobee! They have a good selection of draft beers and drink specials. The side collards and hush puppies were amazing. The table service is decent the bar is better. Get there early unless you like to wait. Interesting mix of locals and tourists. Always worth a stop. read more