Owen's Fish Camp

Owens fish camp is our go to place in Sarasota. The lovely outdoor space makes you want to have a long wait for dinner! We like to go to the back, grab some drinks, BBQ oysters and sit by a picnic table all while listening to live music. The food is always fresh and homey. I definitely recommend getting the grits and the boil.

The environment is wonderful! Staff are amazing & super nice! Alix was great and was constantly clearing and cleaning our table of empty dishes which was excellent service! Food was good we started with some appetizers outside and they were cooked right in front of us on the grill which was super neat and the surroundings were just so cozy, it was different from normal restaurants I loved it. The cook outside was absolutely outstanding and super nice!!! I wish I remembered his name! Inside we got fried green tomatoes, which were good. The fish tacos, clam chowder and the fish that was recommended it was good. The pulled pork sandwich was not, I don’t recommend it it was super dry, hard to chew and no flavor. Dessert: key lime pie was amazing! I wanted more!

What a treasure in downtown Tampa! Line forms outside right when it opens! We had the low country fish boil that was enough to feed 4 people! The Lobster shrimp and crab Cobb salad was loaded with goodness! The Scamp was pan seared with grits and garlicky green beans. Dessert was bourbon pecan pie and a fried cherry pie! Everything was delicious! Our waitress was so nice and even enjoyed the live music on the back patio! Fantastic! Highly recommend!

Loved the outdoor seating, the beautiful banyan tree out front, the lights and rustic feel. We got the big corner table on the back porch, which was a perfect spot. The live music was not too loud and very enjoyable. Some of the food was really good. Fish dip, blackened shrimp (outside menu), some was very salty and just too much seasoning (scallops and pork with succotash, and the green beans/ potatoes with the trout). It would be worthwhile just to come for appetizers and a drink and sit outside. Not sure I would have dinner there again. The small paid parking lot next door was pricey and in addition when we got back to the car, (there was an hour+ wait for the table) just a few minutes late and there was already a ticket on the car. No grace period here. Bummer.

No exaggeration, this place is brilliant. We had a 2 hour wait, which in most circumstances I would just walk away. I had heard good things, so we waited and I am so glad!. First glimpse of brilliance is the outside bar with appetizers. I had the grilled oysters which were absolute perfection. Take a look at the picture, don't get just 3, you will have to get in line again if you do. Anyway, the courtyard area serves drinks and delicious apps while you are waiting. See the pictures, it is a very social outing. Then, dinner. Also brilliant. A great menu with so many choices you will have to plan additional visits. The soft-shell crab was perfect, the fries seasoned with old bay are the perfect touch. The grits were creamy, rich and delicious. The catfish could not have been better. You need to eat here immediately!

Excellent ambience and service. Best deviled eggs and crab cake we've ever had. Cheesy grits were amazing, jambalaya was OK, there was a bit too much tomato 🍅 in it, almost overwhelming. Drinks were amazing 🤩 . Literally the best Rum Runners we've ever had! Will definitely return, overall amazing experience!

Owen's Fish Camp is an awesome place for fresh fish in Sarasota. Everything they make in house and from scratch. Even the green beans were delicious, which I wasn't expecting. I ordered the Scamp, pan seared with lemon caper butter (you can see the giant capers in the butter which was awesome). The fish and chips with fries are exceptional. Rarely, do we order dessert. However, they said they had apple pie. It was devine. It was like a personal apple pastry with a flaky crust and with actual fresh apples. Worth it! Great experience as always and the staff is exceptional.

I have been wanting to go to Owen’s Fish camp since our last trip to Sarasota and what a bonus to be able to try the Lakewood Ranch location. First off, I get that everyone hates long waits for a table but let me tell you, it is well worth the wait! Starting with the food, service, atmosphere and all that good stuff…only one word comes to mind and that is PHENOMENAL! Don’t wait any longer, RUN! It’s too incredible to sit on the fence! Highly recommended and we will definitely be back again!

Where do I start about this hidden little gem? My son has lived in Sarasota for a couple years,and never heard of the place... and his girlfriend has grown up here. Both have never heard of this excellent restaurant!! Matter fact they didn't even know the little district where Owen's is located was even here!!! I got the name and recommendation from a work friend and... boy oh boy... Owen's Fish Camp knocked it out of the PARK! From the welcoming atmosphere and top notch wait staff this place has excellence in spades. The waiting area is lively and inviting. All the guests waiting were all like minded and open to everyone around them. LOL the biggest topic of conversation seemed to revolve around how this person or that came to find the place!! The food.... I have been saving this part for last because I want this review to linger like an excellent dining experience should. My group had 4 people who all ordered something different. Every dish we got came as a recommendation from the server. The ladies went with catch of the day recommendations, my son had the Trout (Pecan encrusted maybe) and I went with a chicken dish. Fish isn't normally my top choice when dining out (hence the chicken dish 😄) but dang.... I was disappointed after trying the other dishes. Every one of their fish was prepared beyond my wildest expectations. No lingering after taste, flaky and full of flavor. I overheard the couple behind us gushing about the lobster they had and I was already making plans to come back next time I am in town!!! Make this a stop if you are in the area! You will not be disappointed!