Great meal at Owen's, there fish dinners never disappoint! Great atmosphere & great food!

Claudia C on porch excellent server. This entire experience deserves all the 5 star reviews and happy to add mine. So many antiques! We had fresh catch snapper and camp. Yes. But honestly the cheesy grits, green bears, black eyed Susans, and parley potato sides...so real and good. Cool cool cool Sarasota. Hope they find my white cardigan cotton button up. Called and left a message. But no matter. GO! read more

See all

I was happy to see Tate was still sitting out front, smile on his face, holding a beer with a laid back Florida vibe. We stopped in for an early dinner to celebrate Mother's Day. There was a short wait to be seated, enough time for us to go back to the courtyard and listen to some live music. I had already checked out the menu and knew what I wanted, which was helpful once we were seated in a somewhat dark dining room. They offer more than seafood, but I wanted seafood. They have a Naked Fish section where they offer a few types of fish with many preparation choices. In the end my wife and I both decided on their less expensive Camp Basket and splurged on both a Clam Chowder and a Camp Salad. The chowder was delicious. The serving size was really not large enough to share but we did, and left me wanting more. The salad was fine. The basket was larger than it first appeared with lots of thin cut fries at the bottom. The several pieces of fried oysters and shrimp were flavorful. The basket also had small bites of okra and a fillet of a lightly breaded white fish. Too much food for my wife, enough to fill me up. My plan to try a dessert faded away. Once we paid we headed back to the courtyard to listen to more music before heading out. A very good meal and a pleasant evening, who could ask for more. read more

We were excited to try Owens Fish Camp after seeing so many strong reviews, and we really wanted to love it. The atmosphere was great and the service was very good -- friendly and attentive throughout our visit. Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the hype. We ordered the fish basket ($24) and the fried tomato BLT sandwich. The fish itself was just okay, but the portions were surprisingly small. It came with fries and what looked like about 2 ounces of coleslaw. Honestly, this basket should have been served with a magnifying glass so I could actually find the fish. My wife's fried tomato BLT was over-sauced and lacked flavor overall. While we appreciated the atmosphere and service, the food quality and especially the portion size for the price left us disappointed. Sadly, we would not recommend this restaurant based on our experience. read more

BLUF: A long wait reveals itself to a quaint cabin serving fabulous seafood. I love Owen's Fish Camp - so much that I even bought a tshirt on my last visit. The wait is always long but the food is excellent. On my most recent trip I started with smoked fish dip before proceeding onto blackened grouper and then concluding with bourbon pecan pie. All of it was phenomenal so I don't even feel guilty about the calories! The bourbon pecan pie was the best pecan pie, maybe even the best pie, period, that I've ever had. Service was fabulous - it always is. read more

See all

My husband wanted fresh fish & I'm vegan. We were both impressed with this restaurant. He had the grouper (sorry no picture!). I had the grilled veggies with a side of succotash & fries - be sure to request dairy-free! We were both impressed with our entrees, truly delicious. The margarita was a great choice too. Hubby had the pecan pie & loved it. Very attentive service & the atmosphere makes you forget you're in the downtown area. Highly recommend! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Vegan grilled veggie platter with succotash - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

The food, service and atmosphere were all amazing!! I forgot to take pictures of the food but it was incredible. We had the Scamp (deep water grouper) with the old bay fries and collards. Yum!! The jambalaya was delish! The kosher all beef hot dogs were so tasty! The key lime pie melted in your mouth!! Absolutely recommend!! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Key lime pie - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Have not been here in years. Boy have I been missing this. The backyard experience is second to none. Drinks , apps and music while you wait for your table. Helps the hour go by pretty fast and it's a great place to chill. The dinner service was great and so was the food. Had the clam chowder and gumbo and both were perfectly flavored. I had the grilled Romain salad and we also had the fried green tomatoes salads also. The dressing and flavors were perfect. Will definitely not wait years this time before returning. read more

See all

Always a pleasant time at Owen's. Fresh fish, good home cooking, and excellent vibes. They do not take reservations, and it can be loud so be aware of that ! read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Had great service at Owens tonight and got a chance to try the reservation/call ahead service through their website that sped up waiting but still allowed a drink in the backyard and appetizers. We had our favorite blackened scamp with lemon caper butter with greens and parsley potatoes. Food came out quickly and we enjoyed the evening downtown after dinner. A nice relaxed area with nearby desserts and after dinner drinks down in Sarasota. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Blackened Scamp lemon caper butter and greens and parsley potatoes - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Tucked away parking is expensive but once you get in there its so campy and fun. Very busy even late afternoon. We had a draft brew and tasty bloody mary with fried green tomatoes and crab dip. The tomatoes were delicious but i say pass on crab dip it was too fishy tasting. We went with fish baskets and a combo basket with fish oysters and okra. Very good baskets will definitely recommend to everyone. Go enjoy read more

See all

Wow what a fun surprise. We stopped in at 4:30 on a Monday and lucky to get a bar table. Places was packed. Great service, cocktails and food. DO NOT pass on the garlic snails ! A top 5 food I have ever had in my life. Blackened grouper was cooked to perfection. Love this place. read more

See all

Nah, still five stars. I've been here over a year ago and the place is just getting better. Great ambience, awesome waitresses, top notch food. Grouper was the best, of course. Oyster shooter was delicious. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Murph's Famous Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

It's a great funky historic place in Sarasota. The service and ambiance was great, The food was okay, nothing stellar I'd give it a 7.2 !

Fun! What a fun vibe, so intimate and full of energy, feels like a family get-together. Would drive four hours again to come back here. Food was excellent, mini lobster roll starter was outstanding, best part of the meal tbh. Trout was good too, and the vegetables that came with it were particularly well-cooked too. Great service, good recommendations, fantastic outdoor space in the back. read more

See all

I had been wanting to stop in at Owen's for the longest time and finally was able to on a Friday night. They don't take reservations, but thankfully we didn't have a long wait and it was just 2 of us. To kill time we popped into the shop next door which was so charming, and they even served iced cream too. Instead of my typical go-to of fish and chips, I got the grouper sandwich which was super tasty. However I still plan to try the fish and chips in the future :D The place isn't very big which adds to the charm, the staff is all very nice and accommodating, and our food came out in practically record time. It's just a great vibe all around, you almost forget you're in the heart of downtown Sarasota, and I love that Owen's is kind of hidden away off the beaten track. Can't wait to come here again in the future. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Owen's Fish Camp had such a fun, cool, friendly vibe! We loved it here! The staff were very friendly & attentive. The foods were all very delicious as well. Superb! We ordered to share: 1) oyster's rockefeller, 2) fried green tomato salad, 3) camp basket, 4) spicy jambalaya, 5) low country boil for 2, 6) Mississippi mud pie. Oyster's Rockefeller w/ crab, spinach & hollandaise - very delicious! We enjoyed it very much. Fried Green Tomato Salad w/ Country Ham Crisps, Goat Cheese, Buttermilk dressing - WOW! This is a must order! The green tomatoes were fried to perfection & when eaten w/ the salad, ham crisps, goat cheese & dressing, it was divine! Highly highly recommend this! Camp basket - The fried oysters, shrimp, grouper, fries & slaw was also very delicious! Loved the fried oysters very much. Spicy Jambalaya - Another WOW! This jambalaya was one of the best I have had so far. It was so so so delicious! The shrimp, chicken, andouille, crawfish & dirty rice all complemented each other! Highly Highly recommend this! Low Country Boil for 2 (snow crab legs, shrimp, mussels, clams, andouille sausage, potatoes, corn) - This boil was delicious but a bit lacking in taste. The seafood were super fresh & excellent quality. We thought there was a lot of food, could even feed 3 people. Mississippi mud pie - It was good, and I loved the crust the most. They had live music outside & a cute store next door. read more

See all

This was a highly recommended place so we came while on vacation. Great location, very unique establishment in its decor, just cool and very comfortable. Menu has plenty of options as well as few specials. Drinks were good and our meals were delicious. I would definitely return! read more

See all

Can't believe I've been coming here for so many years and haven't tried this place yet. It will now be a regular visit! The clam chowder was delicious, my toddler even loved it. The fried green tomatoes were missing the goat cheese listed on the menu but I didn't even notice until I was done eating it, it was that good. Could make that my meal next time and not share it. My kid loved the shrimp basket, toddler loved the kids fish dinner (too much batter for me), oldest loved her chicken tender basket (so much flavor). Hubs and I loved our seafood baskets, nice touch with the sprinkle of fried okra. Fries are amazing. The root beer floats for dessert were epic. Already looking forward to the next visit. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Fried green tomato salad - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Sooo Owen's Fish Camp was on my list to try when visiting Sarasota and I'm glad we made it! My mom loves seafood, so whenever she visits me, we make it a point to check out a seafood spot. Walking up, you definitely get those fish camp, local vibes. We arrived "early" and it was already packed, but luckily found some seating. Our waitress was patient and helped guide us through the menu. The decor matched the theme perfectly, and outside they had a big backyard area with live music and another bar. There's also a store connected to the restaurant with different items to browse. We truly enjoyed our food, left stuffed and sleepy! My only feedback is that the dishes were a little heavy on the sodium. The seasoning was good, but at times the salt was noticeable. It didn't ruin anything, just something that stood out. If you're in the area, this is definitely a spot not to miss! What was ordered: Oysters Rockefeller w/ Crab, Spinach & Hollandaise = delicious Hot Crab Dip = very good & loved the Ritz crackers pairing Naked Fish w/ Beans & Collards = flavorful, but a bit too salty Cornmeal Crusted Catfish w/ Spicy Collards, Grits & Brown Butter = fish fried perfectly, collards salty, but grits were spot on read more

See all

I also had the Maryland Spiced Shrimp, Peel N Eats, 1/2 pound. Lots of Old Bay seasoning, tasted great. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Grilled Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I had Sunday Brunch with my family on 3. From the Hostess to our Server-- the service was flawless! The decor of theis Cabin-style restaurant from unique lighting, to fabulous front porch which we used to enjoy a glass of wine to the porch around the restaurant-- all well thought and provided an incredible ambiance. The comfort of the restaurant in accomodating a guest in a walker was so greatly appreciated. Now the cuisine... the menu was creative, vast and the food arrived hot and decoratively displayed by the Chef. The portions were so large we had to take a lot home! Not only will I go back on my next trip, I will visit the other location in Sarasota as we enjoyed it so much! My local family has made Owens Fish Camp their new favorite! Thank you so much OFC Team! read more

I can not say enough about Owen's. First and foremost the team they have there is amazing. We ordered some apps while we waited for our table outside in the court yard. Our table was ready quicker than they quoted and our apps were not ready yet si they brought them into our table for us even though it wasn't their norm. Our server at the table even brought me a sample of the side dish I wanted just to make sure i liked it before ordering! The food was just as a amazing, the grilled sea Food apps from outside were perfection and the fresh fish was packed with flavor! I could eat there everyday! read more

See all

Owen's Fish Camp quickly became my all-time favorite spot during a recent work trip to Sarasota. Food: Every dish is a love letter to Florida's coast. The shrimp and grits were creamy and flavorful, and the Cornmeal Crusted Catfish with those spicy collards? Just perfection. The fried black cherry pie for dessert was the sweetest way to end the meal. Service: The staff are genuinely friendly and attentive, making you feel welcome even during the busiest nights. They handled the packed dining room with a smile and kept everything running smoothly. Ambiance: Rustic, cozy, and effortlessly charming, the place has that "Old Florida" vibe with vintage decor and an inviting outdoor patio shaded by a sprawling banyan tree. It does get very busy, so be prepared for a wait -- but trust me, it's worth it. If you find yourself in Sarasota, make time for Owen's Fish Camp. It's a true gem that captures the spirit of the Gulf Coast in every bite and every moment. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I got the market scamp blackened with lemon butter sauce, side of green beans and cheesey grits 10/10!!! Can't wait to come back. The waitress was super knowledgeable. A really cute place and great atmosphere read more

Owens Fish Camp - Outside area - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Done snap crackle pop! That chowder done did me in, lemme tell ya! Crusted fish dip with Ritz crackers? Well now we ain't at the Ritz Carlton. A creamy battered fried fish sandwich, and next thing you know, imma have some trouble walking home. Thank the lord we got there within four minutes of our text notification because if I would have missed this, I wouldn't the same. read more

We ate here on a beautiful Saturday night. Not taking reservations can make for a long wait, but we spent our time in the backyard getting lobster rolls and spiked ice teas. We were also able to walk around and check out the store. Once we were seated, we enjoyed the fish special and a chicken sandwich, along with Mississippi mud pie. Everything was delicious. The ambiance was lively and fun- definitely recommend checking out owens for an old Florida feel! read more

Definitely feels like seafood restaurant in the rustic barn type set-up! There was a bit of a wait, but they squeezed us in! The oysters were delicious, as always! The grouper cooked really well, no overdone, it was the lemon caper sauce that made the fish's flavor pop! Seafood Cobb Salad- yumm! Very good! Fish tacos were delicious- recommend putting some tartar sauce as the blackened seasoning can provide a bit too much flavor, "herbaceous" and bit spicy (if you don't like spicy) overpowering the fish flavor. read more

See all

This was my second time at Owen's. I was told 45 minutes and was not seated until 60 minutes later. I didn't mind waiting as there was live music in the back. I sat without a drink the whole time as my husband could not get waited on as the bar is so small. I do not drink beer or wine so the other bar didn't work for me. It was LOUD! Why play music inside the restaurant when you can't even hear it? My head hurt when I left. The food and service is fine. But unfortunately as I could not have a conversation in the place I won't be back. read more

Very cute outside stage setting with "campground" like energy. Outside is not full service so it's mostly suitable for good vibes and small bites. The best value on the outside shack menu is probably the fish dip because it comes with a whole sleeve of crackers. Parking is kinda a stressful hassle, especially if it's night/dark and you aren't familiar with the area. Everything is really tight and just not intuitive. read more

Owens Fish Camp - live music - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Excellent service & delicious fresh foods. Came here w/ my family & ordered a lot of food to share. Tried their oyster's rockefeller & it was delicious. That fried green tomato was heavenly! I would reorder that in a heartbeat. The camp basket was delicious. That spicy jambalaya was another great hit - also would reorder it. The low country boil was delicious and abundant. Mississippi mud pie was good. Love that they have live music outside & a cute store next door. read more

See all

A really great experience while visiting Sarasota. Love the converted house feel to the place and since I was dining solo, decided to eat at the bar. Opted for the perl and eat shrimp and their catch of the day (black grouper-blackened). Both were excellent and super fresh. Both were straight forward options that let the quality of the product shine through. The bartender was great with recommendations and quick to refill my beer. Just a stellar place to grab a bite. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Black grouper and grits - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

It looks like this is one of the only restaurants in the area and maybe that's why it's so popular. New England clam chowed on the watery side for what I am used to coming from the Northeast (New England). Good flavor. Portion small. Lukewarm temperature. Shrimp basket - 12 smaller quarter sized succulent shrimp, served over seasoned french fries. Served with a tiny amount of cole slaw. A few pieces of fried okra were also present. Served hot. Good but average flavors. IMHO, food was average. Service was good but ambiance is A+. I expected to run into Forrest Gump while here based on the theme here. Prices a little on the high side in my opinion, but a lot of places are like that nowadays. I might return to have a couple of drinks and appetizers. It also looks like they have live music sometimes. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Long wait for a table (1 hour+), but if you're OK with the bar or shared table it's first come first served, Very loud, 'festive' ambience with crowd noises and piped-in music. Could improve interior lighting. It's a tiny converted bungalow on a big lot with plenty of backyard dining space. Sit outside if you're claustrophobic. They serve the 'best local seafood' and I tend to agree (even though it's literally my first meal in Sarasota; I'm here for the opera.) The fried oysters were small but really really fresh! The angel hair pasta with mussels and clams has the most delicious tangy tomato pasta sauce, absolutely delightful, and generous servings of clams and mussels (It doesn't look like it in the photo but they're all in the bottom.) Friendly homey service. read more

See all

Owen's is a great local spot for fresh seafood. Lively atmosphere (loud)!! They do not take reservations, but they have a cool spot in the back to hang out and enjoy appetizers, sit at picnic tables while you wait. Our waitress was fun and took great care of our party of five. read more

Owens Fish Camp - Blackened Scamp with brown butter hollandaise; succotash; dirty rice - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

See all

Another visit to Owen's Fish Camp. This has always been my favorite place to eat whenever we are in the area. This time was slightly disappointing, but still an overall ok experience. We all had the blackened grouper with lemon butter caper sauce. Two of the three pieces of fish were excellent, but one had a super fishy taste to it. The black eyed peas are typically my favorite part of the meal, but the peas were a little tough as if they were undercooked and would have been better if soaked longer. Typically the waiters and waitresses are excellent, but the one tonight was just fair at best. This is a cute location with great outdoor waiting areas and a super cute interior. While this trip wasn't the best, we will definitely be back as the food is typically just that good. read more

See all

We planned a 10-person birthday celebration on Saturday, April 25th at Owen's Fish Camp. Four guests drove 90 minutes from Tampa. We arrived right at opening and requested a six-top and an available four-top to keep our group together (both were available). The hostesses refused because the four hadn't arrived yet -- then immediately gave the table to a party of three. Less than a minute later, the rest of our group walked in. Despite explaining the situation, the hour-and-a-half drive, and that it was a birthday, we were met with "I don't care" and "it doesn't matter." We ended up waiting over an hour and were seated in separate sections of the restaurant. I understand their 8 person policy, I understand their "everyone has to be there" policy but to be treated with such condescending disrespect was uncalled for, especially as the other four in our party were walking up visible to the hostess. The hostesses were rude, condescending, and even laughed while telling us about the long wait. Food was average, server was good, but the nasty attitude at the door completely ruined our night. read more

Love ittt. I love the fish . Oyster selection need works. I wish they would use higher quality side dishws read more

See all

Excellent mix of sausage , fresh tomatoes and shrimp! Fun meal - great server location is really a treat read more

Owens Fish Camp - Shrimp and Grits with spicy sausage - Seafood Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

We had such a nice time here. It was about a 45 minute wait for a table, but it flies by because you get to wait in a nice outdoor courtyard full of picnic tables with a bar, appetizers, and live music! The staff could not have been more friendly and we especially appreciated our server Rose. Our food was great - fish tacos and fish and chips (although I might agree with a few other reviewers that the chef is too heavy handed with the salt!) Mud pie is delicious. There are several rooms for dining but it doesn't matter where you sit, everywhere has a really fun vibe. read more