Square Grouper Islamorada — Restaurant in Islamorada

FANTASTIC FOOD, SUPERB SERVICE, BEAUTIFUL VIEWS!

My wife and I dined here twice during our recent annual visit to Islamorada in mid-July 2025 and that was only because the food and service here was just absolutely outstanding (and we are foodies). Both times we ate on the third floor in the giant "cocktail lounge" where they also have some sit-down tables inside (with wait staff) and a long bar that seats about 20 people. Both times we ate at the bar (as we usually do in most casual restaurants) and the bartender and his assistant were super attentive, very friendly, and great to talk to. Both times we also had the exact same things to eat (all good-sized portioned appetizers): Six Blue Point Oysters on the half-shell (flown in from Virginia), a small bowl of Peruvian-style Ceviche made from locally caught fresh fish and shrimp (unbelievably delicious), and two Lomo Empanadas (marinated tri-tip meat inside). We could probably eat this same meal every night of the week for a year and not grow tired of it. Everything was freshly prepared in the kitchen and only took about 10 minutes to get it after ordering. The inside atmosphere is great and the window views outside the back of the restaurant are very nice, particularly from the high perch of the cocktail lounge on the third floor. There are also a few tables outside along the patio that overlook the marina behind the restaurant that we may try and sit at the next time we visit here in the future. Parking spaces here can get very scarce, particularly right around opening time and during the hour or two before sunset. Their parking lot only holds about 30-40 vehicles since the restaurant sits in the middle of a high-and-dry / dry stack marina facility. If you are driving a truck or SUV with a long chassis length, you have to park under one of the dry racks on the north or south of the marina in front of the restaurant because the car slots are small. Also, make sure you plug the restaurant into your car's GPS before driving here because the signage for the restaurant isn't very big and it's below the main Safe Harbor Marina sign along the very busy Overseas Highway. It's very easy to miss the turn into the marina and parking lots and trying to turn around on the Overseas Highway during peak traffic periods can be a nightmare, particularly during snowbird season. They don't take reservations here either, so come at least 15 minutes before opening time to ensure you get a parking space and dibs at one of the first-come-first-served tables on the first and second floors, or in the cocktail lounge on the third floor. If you have anyone under the age of 21 in your party, you will have to eat on the first or...

We usually eat at the Square Grouper in Cudjoe, but also have been to the one in Key West (they just won the Bubba's Award on Saturday). Always had a wonderful time with fantastic food/service and great atmosphere. This was different.

Islamorada SqGpr usually does have a wait due to popularity, so we waited upstairs in the gorgeous bar area for a quick drink and were impressed with the entire staff and atmosphere. Drinks were good with average pricing.

Once seated downstairs, we had "Mike" as our server and he was attentive, knowledgable and efficient. The food came out and our experience deteriorated quickly. We spit the "crispy yellowtail" which was not cooked inside, but was crispy on the outside, We did show "Mike" this and he told us that they had been having "issues" with kitchen staff with frequent changes in the chef who was normally preparing lunches-(not dinners). He never offered any resolution to our undercooked fish, just cleared the table and asked about dessert. We had the magic brownie-delicious.

We were surprised that the floor manager never came over and were more surprised with our final bill over $100 included the full price of the undercooked fish. I suppose that they do not need the repeat business in this location, because so many tourists are here, but in our experience the other two locations definitely care for us local residents who live here full time. Of course things can happen in the kitchen, but we have always had a quick resolution to any issue that has arisen in the past.

We will not be back to this location.

Sincerely, A fellow Bubba...

We have been coming to Islamorada for 6 years now. We have eaten here before. I came for lunch with my 3 kids. We gave our information at the hostess stand. Text was sent that our table was ready. Walked all the way through the restaurant and sat at a table. We were given waters. We started looking at the menu. A blonde headed girl approached me and asked if a manager had talked to me yet. I told her no. She continued to say she is surprised that I got to the table without speaking to her manager. I asked what it was about and she told me that her manager did not allow anyone in a bathing suit in. I have on a two-piece top and a sarong that comes right to my belly button and goes all the way to the ground. I was not provided an alternative, Nor did I ever read that this was the dress code. We left. I called to speak to the manager. He said that is their restaurants policy. I asked where this policy was written. He said he didn’t have to do that in Florida. The manager could not be more less accommodating. After reading the reviews of this restaurant this past year, I’m glad we left. it seems to me like they need to work on their customer service, which, according to the past year, they have been pretty horrible. I do hope they work it out, their food was good a few years ago. But it’s unacceptable to be treated like that by a staff member and a manager at A hospitality business. Shelby Quinley

*edited to Reply to Joe... Joe, I never saw you, just spoke with you on the phone. If you have a different interpretation, please let us Reviewers know. Not here to argue...just...