Half Shell Raw Bar — Restaurant in Key West

I’m not a review leaver but felt like this needed a review. This restaurant is dockside in the heart of the action so it is a cool, open air place, boats 20 feet outside, water under the dock beside our table. But for me, that was about the best part. Not greeted very nicely. I love raw oysters, I am excited, I walked up to the counter where the oysters were on ice, I asked the guy about the different oysters. The guy behind the counter looked at me like I was bothering him. He rudely say, what? Do you need something? I said, I just wanted to see what oysters you have. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away. We didn’t order difficult things. Conch ceviche. 2 barbecue chicken sandwich’s, please don’t put a pickle on the plate. Waitress said, no problem. Could I have a few lemons with my raw oysters? Water to drink and iced tea. 6 raw oysters. The food came, pickles right on top of the buns. The chicken was dry and hard. It was not barbecue chicken but rather a tough grilled chicken breast with sauce dumped in it. No lemons were brought, had to ask again. The ceviche was like strips of beige, thin conch out of a can, tough and chewy. And covered up with spicy jalepeno peppers. I asked the waitress, is it resh conch. Yes. Could I have a few lemons please. Had to ask again. Then they brought me limes? Never refilled our drinks. Inattentive service. Disinterest, discourteous. Food was just average. And the odd thing is that as I had to ask again for lemons and as I had to ask for our drinks to be refilled, I almost was made to feel like I was the bother. If they didn’t have this great location dockside, they wouldn’t make it on the food experience that we had nor would they make it on service. I’m not a high maintenance diner. Just expecting friendliness, refill the drinks, decent food. Not sure I understand the 4.4 rating other...

We had the pleasure of dining at the Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West, Florida, and it was an experience worth sharing. The restaurant boasts a warm and laid-back atmosphere that immediately puts you in vacation mode.

After a successful day of fishing, with Cora Beth Fishing, we were delighted to bring our catch to the Half Shell, where they expertly prepared it for us.

We opted for the blackened and fried options, and the grunter and yellowtail snapper were cooked to perfection, showcasing the culinary skills of the kitchen.

One of the highlights of the meal was the variety of sides, which were included with our order. We savored the Cuban garlic bread, French fries, potato salad, and creamy coleslaw, and not one of these disappointed. The flavours were top-notch, and they complemented our fresh catch beautifully.

The interior of the restaurant is an eclectic mix of decor, where you can have fun searching for your home state or province license plate. It's like a treasure hunt, and after some time, I was proud to discover two Ontario plates, adding a personal touch to the experience.

With ample seating and a great vantage point, Half Shell Raw Bar provides the ideal spot to watch a breathtaking Key West sunset. It's the perfect setting to unwind and soak in the beauty of this tropical paradise.

The service at Half Shell was exceptional. The staff was not only friendly but also endearing, offering an opportunity to share stories and connections with the locals. The warm hospitality truly enhanced the overall experience.

The Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West, Florida, offers a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, delicious seafood prepared to perfection, a quirky interior that adds to the charm, and friendly service that makes you feel right at home. It's the perfect spot to unwind and savour the...

We had a nice time here. We came early, wished there was live bands playing but we did enjoy our experience. Would love to come back during happy hour and get an oyster shooter! Our seafood was very expensive and was cooked well but lacked flavor. I think being from the northeast we are spoiled in the shellfish department and we went here with high expectations. We enjoyed the oysters (which were from Jersey our home state), the pink shrimp. Didn’t care for the spiny lobsters, they were overcooked and bland. We spent over $140 for the boat and left saying damn we have better seafood in cape may. The bar itself was awesome and we would go back but not spend as much effort or money on food. If you’re from a place that is landlocked and all your seafood experiences have been frozen def come and eat up! We just are from a place where can get awesome crabs, shellfish etc any time we want! A band playing outside would add to the vibe, but this place is right on the water/docks, and you have a gorgeous view and breeze while you’re eating. We ended up walking the pier and landed at schooners wharf. We will be back this March as we have a tiki cruise booked, we are looking forward to their oyster shooters and will def come after the boat trip! Our cruise is BYOB so best of luck to the staff to wrangle us. We tip well...