Dry Dock Waterfront Grill — Restaurant in Longboat Key

My recent dining experience at Dry Dock on Longboat Key was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment my wife and I stepped onto the premises, we were greeted with a sense of relaxation and anticipation for what turned out to be a truly delightful lunch.

The outdoor seating area at Dry Dock immediately caught our attention. Nestled amidst a picturesque setting, the outdoor space was not only spacious and inviting but also thoughtfully designed with ample shading and a refreshing breeze. The gentle rustling of palm trees combined with the soothing sounds of the water nearby created an idyllic atmosphere that instantly transported us to a state of tranquility.

As we settled into our seats, we couldn't help but appreciate the attention to detail that went into creating such a comfortable and enjoyable dining environment. The strategically placed fans ensured that the air remained pleasantly cool, allowing us to fully relish our meal without any discomfort.

Speaking of the meal, it was nothing short of a culinary delight. The drinks were refreshing and expertly crafted, setting the tone for a memorable dining experience. The standout of the meal was undoubtedly the grouper bites. Bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection, these delectable morsels were among the best I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. The quality of the ingredients and the skillful execution by the culinary team at Dry Dock truly shone through in every bite.

What further adds to the appeal of Dry Dock is its accessibility by boat. The presence of numerous slips makes it a convenient and sought-after destination for boaters, allowing them to enjoy a superb dining experience right on the water. For those passing by, the availability of marine fuel adds an extra layer of convenience, ensuring that boaters can refuel and recharge before continuing their maritime journey.

The staff at Dry Dock deserve commendation for their exceptional service. Their attentiveness and warm demeanor added to the overall enjoyment of our visit. It's evident that they take great pride in ensuring that every guest has a memorable and satisfying experience.

In conclusion, Dry Dock on Longboat Key is a true gem that offers a memorable dining experience in a breathtaking waterfront setting. The inviting outdoor seating, complete with shading, fans, and a gentle breeze, provides the perfect backdrop for savoring a delicious meal. The outstanding drinks, particularly the grouper bites, are a testament to the culinary expertise of the establishment. The accessibility by boat and the availability of marine fuel further contribute to Dry Dock's appeal as a sought-after destination for boaters. Whether you're seeking a relaxing lunch with a view or a convenient stop along your boating journey, Dry Dock is a must-visit destination that is sure to leave a lasting impression. So, if you're looking for a place that combines exceptional cuisine, serene surroundings, and attentive service, look no further than Dry Dock on Longboat Key. Your taste buds and your senses will thank you for...

THE FOOD IS NOT WORTH IT - PLEASE READ BELOW As other reviews echo, the wait times seem a bit extraordinary. But because they are always so booked out we were even more excited to try this restaurant, especially coupled with the reviews - thinking that must be indicative of how great it is here, right? So we set aside an evening to just wait for a table, and after about 45 mins were seated. Our waiter was nice but honestly did the bare minimum. We didn't see him often, not even at other tables, he was just in hiding a lot. But the food. We were so disappointed, for a place of its (apparent) caliber. Every single thing we ordered was completely unseasoned, and it became apparent that they don't season anything on the menu, period. Now we are from Maryland visiting family, so we thought maybe we are just accustomed to a certain style in regards to seafood - we certainly didn't expect old bay or anything like that. But the family we are visiting said no, this is not normal for Florida, just completely no seasonings. Even the steak was completely unseasoned, just so bizarre. Which was really sad actually because the steak was cooked to perfection, our meals were beautifully presented and the food was quality, which made it just such a waste. I even asked for melted butter for my lobster tail, which they could not accommodate. First I was told that's what I have in a small cup they brought, it was absolutely not butter, it was warmed olive oil? And then they brought "regular butter" which I asked for melted - I included the pic of the butter they brought below... For a lobster tail lol. This place just doesn't believe in spices or herbs.. Or butter, I guess? Upon ordering I even asked what they season their scallops with, they told me "salt and pepper" lol which was why I went with another choice instead. Little did I know. Honestly, for the prices and the hype - I don't get it. If you like bland food though with no seasoning and you have a sensitive pallet, then maybe this is the place for you? Otherwise, I recommend not feeding into all the hype surrounding this place. Very sad experience for the money and the wait. I gave 2 stars for the quality of the food and ambience. That's about it.

Also the bathroom downstairs only has one stall, but there's no indication of that until you walk in, to a pile of women cramming into an 8 ft space waiting...

This was the most disappointing restaurant experience we’ve ever had. We had a 9:00 reservation, which is much later than we normally eat but decided it was worth it based on the great reviews. We arrived at 7:20 hoping we could get in early if we put out our name on the wait list. A gentleman rudely told me that we would not be seated before our 9:00 reservation and there was nowhere to wait in the restaurant. I told him we would wait even if it meant getting in at 8:45. He said we wouldn’t be seated before 9:00 and we should leave. Ok. So we decided to explore St Armand’s circle and passed numerous amazing restaurants where we debated eating instead. We decided to stick with dry Dock. We arrived again at 8:30 and watched the last walk-ins of large parties get seated before us, as well as people with reservations after ours. When I questioned the hostess, she rudely said “your reservation is at 9:00 and it’s 8:58.” Because I was standing so close to her, I had the unfortunate experience of hearing her complain about the waiters and discuss how she wouldn’t seat certain reservations even though tables were open because it was too soon before their reservation time, yet she seated people with no reservations. She was rude and unprofessional. We were sat in a cold area and our server (who was kind but seemed ready to leave) rushed us through ordering. My son was served soggy chicken tenders. The rest of the food was completely average. Mashed potatoes and asparagus were bland, salmon is something I could easily cook at home. The salads were like something out of a bag. My husband said the tacos were ok. The best part of the meal was the bread. By the time we were seated the restaurant was almost empty. If you are only eating here late because you think it will be amazing, try one of the other amazing restaurants in Sarasota instead. From the rude and unprofessional hosts, to the server who rushed us, to the mediocre food, this place was not at all special and made us wish we’d spent one of our precious vacation nights elsewhere. This is the first ever negative review I’ve written and hope it helps someone else avoid wasting their precious vacation time and money at...