Maritime — Restaurant in Winter Haven

I am new to Winter Haven and was craving a good fish sandwich. Coincidentally, I happened to meet the owners of Maritime, Miguel and Conn, at the Central Tavern. We chatted for a bit and they seemed like great guys, so I decided to check their place out. It has a simple, modern, casual design of a marine motif - of course. As someone who worked in the industry for many years, I always securitize the cleanliness of ever restaurants that I enter and Maritime is noticeably clean.

I ordered the Haddock sandwich with fries. The portions were generous and the fish was fresh and well-prepared. I also tried the Crab Rangoon and the dip was amazing! This plate is large enough to serve as an appetizer for four. Everything was so good that I made a bit of a glutton of myself.

The last thing that really stood out to me was that Maritime was FULLY staffed. I find this to be a big deal because it seems that the vast majority of restaurants never returned to pre-COVID staffing level and service has suffered dramatically. In all honestly, at the time that I was there, Maritime actually seemed OVER staffed as members of serving staff were frequently standing in the service area. To my amazement they were actually surveying the dining room instead of scrolling through their phone, which seemed to be the norm these days.

One only potential negative aspect is that the simple décor means that it can get a bit noisy inside when it’s busy. However, even with a full house, it wasn’t loud enough to have a negative impact on my experience, but someone who is very sensitive to noise, will probably want to use the patio seating during peak hours.

Overall, every aspect of the dinner exceeded my expectations and I cannot even remember the last time that I...

Maritime is a great new addition to the Winter Haven/Polk County food scene! We were fortunate to go twice during the soft opening--once for brunch and I ne for dinner. Both experiences were great, and we will definitely be back!

A hands-down favorite from both trips was the Crab Rangoon dip. Wow! It was full of real crab meat, blended with just the right amount of cheeses and finished with some sweet and sour sauce. The dip was served with perfectly fried wonton triangles that were crisp and light.

Another favorite was the raw oysters. They came out with everything you could want, including a little personal bottle of house-made hot sauce and a grilled lemon half. They are very affordable and available in smaller qualities than most places where you have to order in multiples of 6. This was great for when I needed a little extra snack at the end of the night!

Drink-wise, they have a very creative cocktail menu, some with cute Polk County-related names.

Maritime is located in the new Bowen Yard, which should fully open later in July 2024. Maritime is a full sit-down restaurant, but they plan on offering grab & go ordering via their serving window once the whole facility opens, so people can take food to eat at the picnic tables while others in the party get food...

A Delightful Dining Experience

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Maritime, and it was an experience worth sharing. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere, enhanced by pleasant music that set the perfect tone for the afternoon.

The owner, a veteran, took the time to personally speak with each customer, making everyone feel truly welcome. His genuine friendliness and dedication to ensuring all needs were met added a personal touch that is often missing in many dining establishments. The staff was attentive throughout the entire dinning experience (in particular, Yàni).

One standout highlight of the menu is the Crab Rangoon Dip. This appetizer is a must-have, delighting my taste buds with its rich, savory flavor and perfect texture. It set the stage for a meal that was delicious and satisfying.

Overall, the combination of a welcoming environment, attentive service, and exceptional food makes Maritime a must-visit. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this is one dining experience you won't...