Owen's Fish Camp -Downtown SRQ — Restaurant in Sarasota

Owen’s Fish Camp is like a Bayou in the middle of Downtown Sarasota. Housed in a 1920s bungalow in the Burns Court Historic District, it’s full of Old Florida memorabilia and charm, and even greets you with a massive banyan tree gifted to Owen Burns by Thomas Edison back in the day. Beneath it sits a statue said to be Owen Burns himself, as if keeping watch over his place — a nostalgic touch you notice before you even enter. Once inside, the walls are lined with vintage photos, license plates, and signs — even the bathroom is papered with old fishing charts. Along with the huge backyard strung with lights and picnic tables, these touches make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The live music, AMAZING seafood, and incredible service can’t be beat. Owen’s Fish Camp is bursting with character and a lively energy that feels spirited and warm rather than noisy and overwhelming — a place where you can soak up the scene and still enjoy an easy conversation.

We have always found the service wonderful, but this time we had Brandie as our server. Not only was she on top of things, but somehow she got to her tables and had time to explain the specials, answer menu questions and dessert options, smiling all the while and connecting with everyone at the table. She is so much fun, makes fast friends, and makes you feel like you're the only table she's waiting on. When we ordered the succotash, I couldn't help but start singing "Groove Is In The Heart" by Deee-Lite, and Brandie joined in as well as the table next to us! Brandie was GREAT and made this visit our most fun yet!!

My old faithful favorite is the country boil, which we've ordered in the past. It's for two people, but don't forget you can also order it and take home the rest! It's soooo good! This last time, though, three of us got the Scamp special blackened (Brandie’s recommendation) with the lemon caper sauce, and one of us got the Gulf Grouper special. I have never had lemon caper sauce, which I LOVE, with blackened fish, but it was savory and scrumptious. I very rarely use those words, but I rarely have a meal like this. And it was not only me, it was unanimous — The blackened scamp was one of the best fish meals the three of us have ever had, and the grouper was absolutely delicious as well. In addition, we had Murph's Famous Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters, which were delicious and a bit spicy, with fresh horseradish in the tomato juice, lemon, and a mini celery stick — yum! We also ordered garlic smashed potatoes, succotash, fries, and various other sides. Their bourbon pecan pie is unique. It is warmed and served with a scoop of ice cream, featuring pecans, honey, a homemade crust, and homemade whipped cream. We split two of those, and I got a root beer float. What can I say? I'm still a child at heart ;)

You can't make reservations to my knowledge, but no worries. When you are greeted by the friendly staff at the entrance, put your name in, order some drinks and maybe an appetizer, then head out back to enjoy the scene. You can hang out on the porch or at the picnic tables, walk around, listen to the live music, swing on the tire swing, or play “bags.” It’s relaxed and fun, and before you know it, your table will be ready. This time we went on Friday night, mid-August, around 7pm, and only waited about 15 minutes. Easy breezy.

Travel back in time and enjoy the authentic Old Florida experience with friendly staff and great seafood. Owen’s Fish Camp is truly a hidden gem — the banyan tree at the entrance frames the historic bungalow and sets the stage for the huge back porch, backyard with music and lights, and the Old Florida atmosphere that makes it feel like you’ve stepped into...

My wife and I dined here last night with a former supervisor of mine. The first time we dined here was about a decade ago (approximately), which, I recall was shortly after the restaurant had just opened and we'd read a local newspaper review about it that encouraged us to check it out for ourselves. At that time (~ a decade ago?), it seemed like it was a bit of a "gimmick" place since it is (and remains today) an authentic "Old Florida Cracker House" that had/has become encircled by urban apartment complexes, high rise condos, and over priced cracker box stucco bungalow homes built in the 1930s and 40s. We never went back here until last night because our first experience was just "mediocre". About 6 months ago, a neighbor of mine dined there and said it was one of the best places he'd ever eaten anywhere on the SW Florida Gulf Coast. After he told me that, I then did some research and discovered that Owen's Fish Camp had become somewhat of a legendary dining destination in the "concrete jungle" that downtown Sarasota (SRQ) has become over the last 20 years. Last night, we arrived 3:55 pm right as the restaurant was about to open. Our party of 3 got seated immediately due to our early arrival, and we were glad about that. The restaurant got very crowded and full within 30 minutes of our arrival, and then a waiting line formed outside. The food we had (all three of us) was nothing less than OUTSTANDING. The scallops, shrimp, trout, and even the Garlic Snails (seemingly a Cajun Escargot) were all fresh caught and cooked to perfection with lots of garlic, butter, taters, veggies, etc. that were added on as sides to create a superb epicurean experience that any "foodies" would be boldly proud to document in their dining out journals. My only complaint with this place (last night on 11/30/2023) concerned the overly loud music being blared on the speakers above the porches and outdoor gardens surrounding the main house (sounded like a SIRIUS pop music station). It definitely detracted from the otherwise perfectly authentic "Old Florida Fish Camp" charm that the restaurant's name accurately conveys. What I mean by that is that a Fish Camp is a place that you go for peace and quiet, not loud and noisy pop music. Parking is also potentially a challenge, particularly if you arrive a little after it opens (at 4 p.m.) because it's located on a back street, and there is only one small, privately owned pay-to-park lot on Burns Ave directly across the street from the restaurant that charges $5, and only has about 15 spaces. However, there is some free street parking along S. Pineapple Ave within 50 yards walk of the restaurant's entrance located one street over (if you get there early enough). If you show up after 5:00 pm during the snowbird season, then you'll probably have to park several blocks away at the State Street Public Parking Garage that's about 3 block up S. Pineapple Ave. Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend dining here. The food and the flavors of their preparation were absolutely SUPERB, and were it not for the loud music being played on the speakers (that ruin the restaurant's otherwise quiet "Old Florida" ambience), I would have given it 5 Stars (PLUS) in...

So, I had an experience here last night. I have mixed feelings about my night. I would love to speak to the owner. I am a Louisiana girl that wanted an oyster shack dinner.

I called ahead to make a reservation for 7 people and 3 dogs. The sweet host let me know that this restaurant is dog friendly on the back porch. Unfortunately, this restaurant is a very busy restaurant, and they prefer you just walk up with your full party. It was a .7 mile away from my hotel. So, we just walked to the restaurant. The night was blooming with possibilities! When I saw the restaurant, I was taken right back to the bayou where I was raised. The front décor had realistic statues on benches. The screened front seating plus the creole ambiance was thrilling.

We arrived and the nice two hosts let my party walk the dogs through the building to seat our party outside. Unfortunately, the shucker that is normally outside went home and the band was putting up their band equipment. Which was sad but understandable given the time we arrived.

One of the seven guests ordered 7 Moscow mules and three dozen raw oysters. The bar keep, Brook, made 7 very weak drinks and one dozen oysters. I was a bit surprised why we didn’t get three dozen oysters? I approached the bar to ask where the other 2 dozen oysters were. Brooke was very angry and rude. She said, “You have to pay before you eat at this restaurant”. That was a bit weird for me. The amazing shucker, Mr. Collin, delivered the first dozen oysters to my table while I was attempting to finish my order.

I am sure they were delicious, but I did not get one because of Ms. Brook. Well, I put my card on the bar and proceeded to order the rest of my order. I want to express that one of my guests has a food allergy. Brook lost her mind when I was trying to explain what he could eat. She rudely interrupted me continuously. My friend is unable to eat fish with scales. He can eat shrimp, oysters, clams, crab, or any seafood with a shell. We have eaten at many seafood restaurants and never had this much fuss. I asked what he was able to order that is friend? She said I can fry a hotdog or a hamburger. Ok, I was like that is all you can offer me. Currently, she was not in the weeds. I then bought my 2nd and 3rd oysters plus 7 more cocktails. I asked for a manager because I felt like maybe I needed to speak to someone else.

Brook made a comment right in front of her manager. She said, “I can’t deal with this sh**” and rolled her eyes as she walked off. I have never had a worker curse at me because she is having a hard night. I was polite to her and did not understand why.

The manager arrived quickly and was calm and collected. He handled the hostile situation flawlessly. His recommendation was sauteed crab cakes with French fries. Which had the perfect amount of crisp on the outside and moist chucky crab on the inside.

Then I wanted to finish my order through Collin. Which was shrimp platter, lobster roll, and two seafood platters. The meal was wonderful. I normally take many pictures, but my blood was boiling, and my hands were shaking. This meal was not cheap, and I still left a huge tip. We ate quickly and...