Oar & Iron Ft. Myers — Restaurant in Fort Myers

We were so excited to come here. We took seats at the bar so as to be near the outside but not quite inside or out. Call it odd, but I was perfect. Our bartender/server was absolutely amazing 👏🏽 she not only mixed the perfect drinks but was quite attentive. She made suggestions and came to check in just the right amount of times. Kudos to her sadly, her name escapes me. Now for the reason 3 Stars.and not 4/5, We ordered an appetizer of Calamari pictured below. Those and the sauce that accompanied it were delish. We chatter for a while as we enjoyed our cocktails and nibbled. We proceeded to order our dinner, which consisted of shrimp Bolotini and steak tips with whipped potatoes; this is where the evening went downhill in a sadly. Where do I begin? The strips were to be medium well and were slightly undercooked, which would not have been aweful had it not been ice cold. Initially, I thought we'll thats odd 🤔 and I dug into the potatoes, which were, if you can believe it even colder. I let our server know who took action immediately and had those "reheated" still cold, so she asked for a fresh serving. There wasn't much difference in temperature. However, she said, "The people sitting next to you had the same meal and had the same complain." Not her fault at all I said as she kept apologizing for it. I pushed my food to the side as I could not eat it. I did however notice that they had what appeared to be a kitchen manager amongst the cooks, being a restaurant manager myself I would have thought if you've had three of the same meals go back for the same reason she would have taken action or at least looked into why this was happening. I also thought maybe a person in charge would have come out to check in with us. We did enjoy sharing the Bolotini! After spending $ 160 before tips, I feel completely let down and disappointed. My dogs enjoyed the steak. :) 😀

I will mention that the presentation and...

1 star wish I could leave a 0 start

I came to this restaurant because they advertised themselves as allergy-friendly and a safe space for people with food sensitivities. Unfortunately, that couldn't have been further from the truth.

From the moment we ordered, it was clear that the staff was not trained or prepared to handle allergy concerns. Our server had to run back and forth to the kitchen over ten times just to answer basic questions--and still couldn't give us clear information about ingredients or cross-contamination.

Many menu items were unavailable, adding to the stress and frustration. What was supposed to be a safe and enjoyable meal turned into an overwhelming and emotional experience. I left in tears, feeling completely let down and unsafe.

If you or your family members have food allergies, I strongly urge you to be cautious. This was one of the worst dining experiences we've ever had.

We ended up ordering meals we didn't even want, just to make something work. We paid nearly $75 for three dishes--while our kids had to split one meal between them. If it weren't for our children being hungry and already seated, we honestly would have walked out.

To make matters worse, I slipped in the bathroom on a puddle of mystery water leaking from the wall. I have video proof of the hazard. This added a whole other level of frustration and...

We had a lovely dinner at Oar & Iron while visiting Fort Myers, and it’s safe to say this spot is a good addition to the area. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between upscale and approachable, with a well-designed interior and a spacious bar that opens up to the patio—a great setup for catching the Florida breeze without being fully outside.

The food was fresh and thoughtfully prepared. I ordered the fish, and it was cooked perfectly—flaky, flavorful, and served with sides that complemented rather than competed. My husband went for the steak frites, and while a touch more seasoning could’ve elevated it, the quality of the cut and crispness of the fries made up for it.

Our server, Kenna, deserves a special mention. She was warm without being overbearing, attentive without hovering, and had a calm, confident way of navigating a busy dinner service. She answered our questions about the menu without hesitation and even gave us a great dessert suggestion (highly recommend the lava cake—rich but not too heavy, especially when paired with the espresso martini yum).

It’s definitely not a budget meal, but for a special night out or when you want a step up from the usual chain options, Oar & Iron delivers. Looking forward to returning—hopefully with Kenna on the...