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Snook Haven

3.9 (444 reviews)
ModerateBarbeque, Seafood
Closed 11:30 am - 8:00 pm

Snook Haven Photos

Business Info

SNOOK HAVEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Snook Haven

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Reviews With Photos

Elena K.

Unique vibes and amazing food! Where else can you take a swamp tour and see a bunch of cool gators and then have some delicious barbecue? We opted to sit outside in the serviced area to take in the swamp vibes. Derrick warmly welcomed us and kindly helped me decide between the different sides, which all sounded amazing. I opted to get corn on the cob and baked beans with my ribs, which were delicious. The corn bread though really stood out as well. We also had the sweet potato fries as an app. These were delicious but I'd recommend pairing them with a barbecue sauce instead of the herby sauce they came with since they're seasoned sweetly.

Fried Green Tomatoes
Michael M.

Service--spectacular. Our waitress was great and took wonderful care of us. Ambiance--right on the river. This was a lovely spot. Live music. Outdoor seating, if you want it. We could have fed the gators! Food--it was good. It was not spectacular. It was tasty and thrown together quickly. I've had better and I've had worse. We enjoyed it, but it could have been better overall. We were satisfied with it. Nothing spectacular to write home about.

I went to Snook Haven for the very first time today. They will be closed forever starting tomorrow. I wish I had not taken so long to come here. I have lived in Sarasota County, FL for 10 years now. I rolled up at 6pm. Most everything was sold out. Beer included. It is an absolutely beautiful place, and actually very easy to get to. The Folk who work there, are beyond nice & friendly. The customers are mostly older Folk in their 60s-90s. I am 55. If you are a "Southerner" you will be happily surprised that most customers are from Massachusetts and New York, and so you can have interesting conversations with people you may not regularly meet. Like if you went to Montauk, NY and everyone there was visiting from Charleston, SC. I was there with my golden retriever and red jeep. The pulled pork was better than anything in Sarasota County, 10/10. Slaw 9/10, Mac/Cheese 8/10. I will absolutely go back, if it ever re-opens. It is seriously the prettiest area of the river. Kid friendly, Family friendly, I was the only one there with a dog. It is best not to bring your dog, however. It is not a wild/crazy vibe like most dog places are. Much more low-key. First time there in 10 years, and I love it.

Kristin H.

Snook Haven has a special place in our heart. When visiting family, going here became a tradition. Service is friendly, food was tasty and of course the ambience is exactly what you want in an outdoor barbecue restaurant where you eat picnic style while enjoying live music. We had a great time, and made new memories. Can't wait to come back.

This is area where the gentleman was singing
Deborah M.

Very good food. We had Taco's and a few drinks. Workers were friendly and service was fast. They had a single gentleman singing and playing music with great sound. Heard closing its a shame because could could tell a fun place for locals and snow birds.

Shanny P.

Not being big meat eaters, we visit Snook Haven for the ambiance, not the food. The food is okay-- but eating on the river and listening to live music is a fun time! Service was good with a smile-- and the live music entertaining! Ordered the pulled chicken sandwich and the kale salad. The pulled chicken had nothing on it-- no lettuce or tomato or sauce. They do have a few sauce options outside though-- so that helped! The kale salad was flavorful with pickled onions and a raspberry dressing. We always try to visit once on our vacations to FL--will miss this place, as we heard they are closing up in 180 days!

Snook Haven Tuesday night entertainment
Candace C.

What a gem! We are staying on the west side of Venice - saw the flags for Snook Haven on our drive in - decided we had to check it out. Driving west on Venice Ave - when you get to State Highway 777 - aka River Road - yes - you keep going west. There's some construction going on - so the intersection may be built up soon - but in April of 2024 - Venice Avenue becomes a two lane gravel road west of 777. Keep going! We pulled in to the first parking lot we saw - which was near an unused "picnic house". Walked another 1/8 of a mile to the restaurant - no big deal - but there is a closer parking lot. I believe that Snook's is a former fishing camp - thus the out buildings - and the bathrooms being in their own separate building. The place definitely qualifies as "quaint". You can eat inside for table service - or order from the counter and sit at one of the many picnic tables outside. We opted for outside so we could enjoy the music from the quartet of guys playing their own arrangements of a number of popular songs from the 60s to the early 2000's. enjoyable. But enough about ambience - what about the food? I enjoyed the Camp Salad with pulled chicken and their blue cheese dressing. The salad had a variety of greens - not just iceberg - white onions, carrots, red cabbage, tomato slices, croutons and shredded cheddar cheese. Well done - and the blue cheese paired well with the pulled chicken. Rick opted for the pulled chicken platter - with delicious garlic bread, baked beans and the healthiest portion of Cole slaw I have seen in quite a while. They have quite a selection of draft beers from local as well as national brewers. We each enjoyed two cold beers while we dined and listened to the music. All in all a great evening at Snook Haven.

Outside seating
Manuel B.

Funky spot, great barbecue and great service. I was visiting my daughter so decided to come based on previous reviews from fellow yelpers. They had live music, plenty of parking which was very organized. Plenty of seating both outdoor and indoor. They have some seafood offerings but mainly barbecue. Beer and soft drinks available with free refills on the soft drinks. They do have a children's menu as well. We sat outside overlooking the river. I had the brisket with homemade chips and baked beans, my wife had the brisket sandwich and my daughter the brisket tacos. The brisket was tender and smoky, they have different kinds of barbecue sauce at the table. Overall it was a great meal and experience.

Sammie H.

Food, service, and atmosphere all amazing! We will be back! Right on the water. Beautiful views

Big bootie brownie

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4 years ago

I love the location but food was meh and ditto the service. My advice is to sit outside and have a beer. It will make everything better.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Super awesome cool and lit but do not go near the River cuz there is a sea monster in there and it scary

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Old Florida at its finest! Take this Sunday adventure. You won't regret it! Live music--

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3 years ago

The food for the most part is heavy and fried, but the music and great outdoor space is definitely worth a visit.

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9 years ago

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5 years ago

Love the atmosphere and location, Thursday with the Bandjo band is fun! By the way the food is also very good

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9 years ago

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3 years ago

Love it again after Ian it's rebuilt and great as ever -if a bit more expensive- but with everything going on what would you expect

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

Love it all! Awesome catfish and collard greens, live music, all fun! Boat tour is great too! Servers always super friendly!

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3 years ago

There are to many flys all over our table, the table service was paper plates and plastic forks and knives

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

Such a hidden gem! Between the events and the food, you can't go wrong with a quick visit to snook haven.

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Page 4 of 12

Ask the Community - Snook Haven

Is there an inside bar?

Yes. There is also inside seating. From what I understand, this place is now owned and operated by the county.

Is snook haven dog friendly?

Unfortunately we are located in a county park that does not allow dogs. So we are not permitted for dog dining.

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Snook Haven - bbq - Updated May 2026

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