We celebrated Father's Day at Rusty Pelican with my husband, our toddler, and our baby, and it was such a wonderful experience. The food portions were amazing, and the appetizers were plentiful and absolutely phenomenal. My husband ordered the grilled lobster, and I had the Ribeye Benedict--everything was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The dessert was truly out of this world. Honestly, it was probably one of the best desserts I've ever had. If Rusty Pelican ever wanted to do a dedicated dessert room like Bern's, I think it would be a huge success because their pastry team is that good. The only thing that felt a little strange was the parking situation. It seemed like the valet attendants had closed off a section of parking even though it wasn't designated as valet parking. Aside from that minor issue, everything else was incredible. Great food, beautiful atmosphere, and a memorable Father's Day with our family. We'll definitely be back! read more

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The views here are absolutely the star here. Sitting over the water. I stayed at the Current hotel right next door so I just checked the spot out for dinner. The seafood good. I had the octopus. #stlouispescatarianapproved The restaurant could really use a refresh, especially that carpet. I'm weird about eating at a restaurant with carpet. Updating the interior would totally elevate this waterfront view. A special shout out to our server, Havan, who was so friendly. Great service always elevates a meal. read more

This is a lovely restaurant tucked away in the Rocky Point area. They offer valet parking for a reasonable price. The dining room is warm and inviting, with floor to ceiling water views of the Tampa Bay (no outdoor seating that I noticed). We started off with the Freckles Mocktail (strawberry lemonade), and the mouth-watering Jalapeno cheddar corn bread We also ordered Key West conch fritters, Caesar salads, Pan seared grouper w/risotto, wine braised short rib, and roasted root vegetables. I think it's safe to say that everything we had was quite delicious and large portions. The only miss was the dessert we chose - we chose the molten lava cake, but instead of chocolate, it was more of a coffee cake caramel flavor. The caramel in the middle was still cold. It was served with cookies and cream ice cream, which was yummy, but an odd pairing with the caramel. Our server was so accommodating and removed this from our bill since it wasn't properly baked. Overall, the dessert did not ruin our lovely evening, and the great service and amazing views! read more

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We met up with friends while in Tampa for the weekend recently who recommended that we go to the Rusty Pelican for lunch. I will say that the views of the Bay are breathtaking as you enjoy brunch cocktails and dine on other fare that made us feel solid and strong, strong and solid. When you walk up the boardwalk to the outdoor coveted waiting area where there is a fireplace, you are greeted by a selfie wall before going inside to the colonial like reception area with atrium like ceilings and sofas for waiting to be seated. The white bar area is good for happy hour and pre dinner cocktails if you are included. For food, I ordered the Fruity Pebbles pancakes with this berry like butter and maple syrup that I felt was very good. The side of bacon made me jolt with life like I was on the back of a motorbike. The "Pear"fect Pour radiated with greatness as it was served on a tree with bourbon, belle pear cognac, cinnamon bark syrup, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, in a milk bath with cardamom. It made me feel like I was a lumberjack in a forest ready to chop petrified wood. All shiny and smooth, smooth and shiny. The Finest Hour was smoky genius with vanilla brown sugar, walnut bitters, and whiskey. I would come back again for more brunch brilliance so I could be placed in a world of spiritual culinary brunch purity. read more

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Great ambiance and service. The ocean views make for a great meal vibe. The conch fritters were disappointing. It comes with tajin lime and a piña colada sauce. I felt like the sauce was too sweet for the fritters itself. You couldn't really taste the conch it felt like it got hidden by the dough flavors rather than complimented by it. loved the French toast though!! Super fluffy I loved how everything paired well with one another the apples, blueberries, Nutella and marshmallow topping. The hangover hash was also quite enjoyable. The prime rib pulled apart easy and was super flavorful. Save yourself the money by not getting the florentine omelet. The others on the menu carry because this omelet was bland. read more

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I've been to this restaurant a few times and they have never disappointed. My family took me here for my birthday dinner this year and once again I was s impressed. We had a table by the window which had great water views. The drinks and meal were all outstanding with a nice birthday dessert at the end. Our server did a really good job at keeping things at the right pace and taking care of our parties needs. read more

Rusty Pelican - Birthday wishes. - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I am just facing this review, strictly based on happy hour. They actually have amazing prices. You can get couple different wines for five dollars. They have what they're calling well drinks, but that includes new Amsterdam vodka Bacardi there's some gin and whiskey for five dollars. They've got calamari l, some crispy brussels sprouts, crab cake even some oysters on the food menu and all of them are actually very good. The best part is you get that amazing view read more

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Good dinner here last night. The calamari, oysters, conch fritters, and brussel sprouts were all very good. I went with the miso-marinated butterfish, which was ok, but maybe I was expecting a little more flavor from the fish. Others in my group enjoyed the lobster and shrimp risotto, the crispy snapper, short ribs, and the salmon. Everyone was happy with their choices. Service was strong, and the views were beautiful. read more

Rusty Pelican - Miso-marinated Butterfish - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Five stars for the fabulous Kyle, who more or less became the ninth member of our group of eight colleagues tonight. He was friendly, outgoing, attentive and genuinely hospitable in a way that elevated the entire meal. It's rare to feel that well taken care of in a busy, high‑end restaurant, but he managed it with ease. Rusty Pelican is both spendy and fancy, but you're paying for fresh seafood and a waterfront setting that feels special the moment you walk in. We started with appetizers for the table: calamari, coconut shrimp and brussels sprouts. All three were excellent, though I'm not exactly looking forward to sitting in a conference room with these people tomorrow after the sprouts. The calamari in particular were tender and flavorful. Two of my colleagues ordered the whole fish, which arrived beautifully presented. I had already dressed in solid colors to protect myself from any splashy pasta mishaps, so I chose the squid ink bucatini. It was delicious, generously filled with pieces of lobster and shrimp, and the pasta was perfectly al dente. My only complaint is that the spice level was a bit too aggressive. I enjoy heat, but this crossed into overwhelming. Drinks were excellent across the board. They offer two varieties of smoked Old Fashioneds, and I'm grateful I'm not the one signing off on the expense report. Overall, this is a great choice for a fancy meal, whether you're planning a date night or simply want to treat yourself to a memorable splurge. [Review 26 of 2026 - 2217 in Florida - 25217 overall] read more

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Was excited to revisit a favorite of mine ... pre-Covid this was one of my favorite brunch spots. As with most things, Covid missed this up! No more all-you-can eat buffet and they're a bit stingy with the bottonless mimosas - but to be fair they individually made each mismosa rather than make them by the pitcher. Having said that, the favored mismosas were good, especially the watermelon and lime ... a new favorite! The hangover hash could have been seasoned a bit more. The chicken and waffle was ok, nothing to write home about. The price point was a bit high which is why I will end with the following comment: All in all, perhaps a nice date place but not a foodie paradise. read more

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Awesomely Amazingastic!! The ambiance was beautiful, fireplaces and the ocean it fits on cool days. The service was impeccable and the food was delicious!! read more

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Went with my mom for a throwback visit. Last time there was 25 yrs ago! And while the whole restaurant was renovated due to Hurricane / storm damage, it was nice to see a couple of odes to the previous design. Now it's completely modern with a fantastic water view for a soothing bright ambiance. The food as service were definitely high end and enjoyable. Mother has the most delicious lobster and shrimp mango salad ever! Tasted so much better than I thought it would. Next time, I'm getting that myself lol! I had the Atlantic salmon BLT, and was also happy with my entree. So the magic question is... would I go back? Absolutely! Would love to bring some of the northern family here for a nice seafood with a view lunch. And please please keep that amazing salad just how it is on the menu, my mouths already watering read more

Rusty Pelican - Mom and lobster shrimp mango salad. Yum! - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Absolutely amazing dinner, great view, great service. This place is a real gem in the area. We had a great time and will be back often.

This spot has quickly become my after-work happy place--and honestly, it's hard to imagine a better one. The view alone is enough to make you stay, but the happy hour? Absolutely worth it for both the quality and the experience. Every single visit, the bartenders and valet team have been beyond amazing--welcoming, attentive, and just genuinely great at what they do. It makes such a difference. I've been working my way through the starters menu, and not a single appetizer has missed. Everything has been delicious so far. If you stop by between now and the end of the year, tell them Olivia sent you and that I've been bragging about them--because they've truly earned it read more

One of the best spots for happy hour in Tampa. The bar team is so friendly and hospitable, they made us feel welcome from the start. Happy hour is 4-6:30 and we tried literally everything and were impressed with it all. The coconut shrimp and crab cake especially. The orange marmalade for the shrimp was just delicious and perfectly complemented. Cocktails were delicious and you just can't beat the view, it feels like you're truly on a tropical getaway at sea. We can't wait to be back soon! read more

Rusty Pelican - View from bar - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Beware. 2 of the 3 of us got food poisoning 2 nights ago. I'm currently at my second visit to ER. $500 dinner and drinks not worth this horror. More antibiotics and IVs on the way. Yay me read more

Sunday brunch at rusty pelican is always a good choice! Perfect waterside views + bottomless mimosas. We wish they'd bring the bottle to the table so we could make our own mimosas but TRP has their own rules lol. Fresh oysters; French toast (big enough for our party of 8) and the most amazing server - Sheila! read more

Rusty Pelican - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I came with my family and friends to enjoy a nice brunch, but the experience took an unexpected turn. We hadn't been to the Rusty Pelican since they reopened, so we were really looking forward to it but this was not the experience we were hoping for. When we arrived, Jackie the host took a while to seat us and eventually led us to a back room, even though the main dining area was only half full. It seemed like an odd choice. Once we were seated, we noticed that nearly everyone in the back room was Black. I don't like to assume the worst, but the situation felt intentional. We were there celebrating my dad's birthday, and he being someone who serves on the NAACP board for the Tampa chapter agreed that it seemed deliberate. To make matters worse, we waited about 10 minutes without anyone coming to take our order. Ultimately, we decided to leave. read more

I immediately felt welcomed at Rusty pelican. The valet staff was nice and friendly as well as the wait staff. I love the lounge area where you can wait until your table is ready and the huge bar area. There are also great views in the restaurant. I will be back to try a plated dinner experience. read more

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This has been everything that I've dreamed of. I've always wanted to go to this restaurant. I wanted to check out the one in Miami, but I just haven't been in Miami for a while, so I was decided to check this one out and found out they're all under the same umbrella. The view was absolutely astonishing, but you get to see the bridge and some parts of downtown Tampa. I would be going on and on and on and on about how good the food here is. However, the most knockout part of the meal was definitely the tartar. That was full of flavor and so good that once they brought crackers to the table, we demolished that as well. Very flavorful. I don't think anyone complained about their meal, even though I don't remember the name of everyone's meal. However, I will be back for sure because this is a top-tier restaurant with some top-tier service along with top-tier food. read more

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I've been wanting to try this spot for a while and just landed at the airport and decided since it was so close we'd give it a try! So glad we did! Just a few miles from the airport, makes the location easy! The view and atmosphere were awesome! It was dark so the view was the lit up bridges and skyline! The atmosphere was upscale and elegant, as you would imagine! The service was fast and super friendly! The cocktails were well shaken and on point! The rusty fries - so good with parm, parsley and rosemary! Yummmm! We enjoyed the steak progression - I enjoyed the different cuts and compliments - salt, garlic and a red wine tapenade type thing! LOL We also got the corn bread service which was amazing! Warm, sweet and spicy! We will definitely be back - it was on the higher end price wise - but worth it! read more

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Absolutely gorgeous place!! Beautiful rooms and views! Food was simple but good. Staff was great! read more

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Service was great and I really enjoyed the experience. Doing 4 stars because I feel the price didn't meet the food. We started with the jalapeño cornbread which was very good. We followed with 6 easy and 6 west coast oysters, east coast were wonderful the west were very small and not much flavor. We decided to do the board for two as the main. It was impressive. The fried fish was cooked perfectly, but the coconut rice was much too sweet for me. lobster was very sweet and cooked well- thought a bit over but not bad. The risotto was not risotto at all and was closer to jambalaya. Steak was good but the potatoes were lack luster so get the truffle butter and mix it in! Salad was a nice palette lifter but was overly dressed. read more

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Pretty good place. Had a party of 8 and they put us in a back room, which was not as nice as their main dining room. Service was OK, though a bit slow. Tried a variety of things - crab cake was OK; Conch was good, dipping sauce was weird. Fried snapper was pretty good, though the rice they served it with was sweet. Valet parking only, the attendant felt the need to remind me that they work for tips.... OK. Overall, just an OK experience. read more

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Service and view are excellent. Food is good and they have these interesting craft cocktails that you just order - we were drinking but saw one delivered to the table next to us - yeh presentation was very cool! Close to airport so it's a great location to meet friends from Tampa when flying in or out of TPA read more

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We came for the first time since it reopened (our past experiences here were always amazing) and we're so so disappointed. The calamari was so overcooked and seemed like it had been reheated. The steak frites were full of fat and low quality steak. The double burger was hardly a double burger but more of two patties made from one patty squashed together. No taste, bland, raw onion. The view is what's holding this place together. read more

Ambiance is nice however the food is overcooked and too salty to even eat. Drinks are mixed poorly and the prices are way too steep.

Came here for brunch with some friends and had a great time. Beautiful views of the ocean from the table. It's definitely a nice place to take some pictures and have a good meal. I only tried the spinach artichoke dip and the hangover hash, both were great but the star of the show was the hangover hash. Everything was cooked to perfection and it was a deliciously hearty meal. Our servers were kind and attentive, the whole experience was great. read more

Rusty Pelican - Hangover Hash - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Fresh Seafood Good Service Good Location Shrimp Cobb Salad Fried Cod and Grouper Also good Cocktails read more

We recently visited for Sunday brunch with a group of six, and unfortunately, the experience was quite frustrating due to repeated service issues. After ordering our first round of drinks, everyone at the table received theirs except for my husband. We waited approximately 15 minutes before bringing it to our server, Jacob's attention. He acknowledged that he had forgotten the order, yet it still took another 10 minutes for the drink to arrive. When we ordered a second round, the exact same issue happened again. Once again, everyone received their drinks except my husband. After waiting another 15 minutes, we had to involve a manager, at which point the drink finally came out. While the manager did comp the drink, the situation should not have needed escalation--especially after the same mistake had already occurred once. Unfortunately, the issues continued with the food. Everyone else at the table ordered hot dishes, while I ordered the lobster salad. All of the hot meals were delivered together, but my dish was completely overlooked. After waiting about 10 minutes, I had to ask about it, and it took an additional 5-10 minutes to arrive. Although the staff was polite, the repeated oversights and long delays throughout the meal made for a very disappointing and frustrating dining experience. read more

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The food was amazing. The service was outstanding. The drinks were eclectic and excellent. Wonderful place for special occasions. read more

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Stopping here for lunch ordered the groupers sandwich and fries. The grouper was heavily battered and not evenly cut and the fries were soggy and no seasoning. The staff is very friendly and restaurant is located in a very nice place and the designer set up is very nice as well. read more

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The food was beyond amazing! I started with an oopsie daisy drink, the calamari and then the steak frites. OMG! The steak was so juicy and tender and well seasoned. It came with a chimichurri sauce that complemented it very well . Our server was great and friendly . The hostess was delightful. I came for my birthday and it was perfect . read more

Rusty Pelican - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Nice water view. Got a table by the windows without even having to ask. Food was excellent. Very pricey but was worth it. The server was also excellent. My only complaints- forced to pay for valet service, no open handicapped spots, and the background music was too loud and inappropriate pop rock music. Should've been something more upscale like crooners or jazz or classical or nothing at all. Would happily go again if I had the money. read more

The Rusty Pelican Has Lost Its Soul My entire family has been coming to the Rusty Pelican for decades -- weddings, birthdays, and countless anniversaries -- but after our visit last night for an anniversary dinner, I can sadly say that era is over. The restaurant we once adored has been completely ruined by its so-called "renovation" and baffling management choices. What was once an elegant, welcoming space with gorgeous views and an atmosphere worthy of special occasions is now overcrowded, noisy, and stripped of any warmth or charm. They've packed tables so tightly together that we could not even hear each other over the noise. Even the servers struggle to navigate between cramped tables and frustrated guests. The chaos might have been forgivable if the service had been attentive or the food remarkable -- but neither was. Two female managers drifted around aimlessly, doing little more than surveying the crowd. When one finally stopped by our table, she mumbled something I couldn't hear; when I asked her to repeat herself, she actually started to walk away. Only when another guest at our table stopped her did she casually inform us that this location would be closing and "moving." That dismissive attitude perfectly summed up the night. The food arrived lukewarm, the prices were still sky-high, and the ambiance resembled a noisy low-end cafeteria -- not the refined waterfront dining experience Tampa locals have come to love for generations. It breaks my heart to say it, but The Rusty Pelican we knew is gone. Unless you enjoy paying premium prices for a subpar experience in an overcrowded room, do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. Our family's decades-long tradition has come to a very sad end. The only highlight of the evening is when we popped into the room where we have had many receptions and management sent Micheline to escort us out. Micheline was a charming woman who obviously cares about the guest experience. Unfortunately, she only manages the banquets so you likely wouldn't see here if you are in the dining room. Whatever they are paying her....she deserves a raise! read more

Perfect service, amazing sunset view and incredible food!!! Took the family here for Valentine's Day dinner. I can only describe our experience as perfection. The prix fixed menu was amazing and we got the wine pairing. We had our 6yr old son with us who wanted to participate and forgo the typical chicken tenders children's option, where as a parent you can imagine my hesitation given the $$ and thinking he would take 1-2 bites and tell me he wanted chicken tenders instead.. regardless we opted him in for the adult menu (minus the wine pairing) and I have never seen him inhale everything on the dinner table (minus the salad which was delicious btw) before. We will definitely be back soon. read more

I love breast of pelican was one of the first fine dining restaurants. I went to in Florida like 30 years ago we my fiancé and is still open that just shows a lot of character and how this place is and how the good food is. I always get to see Diane and by the water service is always good. I still love this place to have. They used to have an excellent brunch, but I don't know if they still have that anymore and it's a must try if you're in the Tampa Bay area and the ambience is wonderful the fireplace when you first walk in the view of the water, they even have the U-shaped crushed velvet couches as the table area as well to Eden. read more

They just reopened after last hurricane. Nicely restored. Food like always amazing. Great atmosphere, beautiful ocean view. read more

Rusty Pelican - Beef Carpaccio - Seafood Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Nice restaurant wigth excellent location and tasty menu options. A bit pricey but still worth visiting.

I really wanted to like this place but I'm always disappointed when restaurants hesitate to seat a single diner when there are plenty of seats available. Taking that into consideration I should have just left, but I didn't. The salad was fine but the Calamari was way overcooked. The Conch Fritters were also sub standard. Sadly this was a one time try out and while this restaurant certainly won't miss a single diner, I won't miss them. read more