Five Star Fish Review

Best seafood period! Always fresh very authentic/old school fishing vibe, because it's a for real old fishing dock...stop reading, get there and try it...

Great place to eat! Food is outstanding! Staff is very friendly. Awesome atmosphere

My first time eating there, Kenny reiter and the rest of the kitchen staff awesomeness thnx

Life's good on the dock, with off-the-boat fresh seafood. Most outstanding scallops, shrimp and hush puppies. This is the stuff dreams are made of between summer vacations.
***CASH ONLY*** is the only minor, minor drawback, but of absolutely no importance once you've eaten here. Come hungry! This is the place to be.

Great food, good atmosphere, and great prices. Loved it, cash only place though

Rude staff. The cashier was rude to myself and my guest. No were on Starfish s website does it say cash only! Usually when I go to the beach I don t carry a lot of cash. I was directed to Cortez market. The cashier expected me to know where it was. I live about 55 minutes away. I found the market it just up the street. The employees at Cortez Market we friendly and helpful. Starfish s eating area is outdoors lots of flies, my companions had to move from where they were sitting.
This was my second time at this restaurant the first time I was brought by a friend. The shrimp was good. I came back with my wife and a friend. My wife and I had the shrimp is was ok our companion had salmon it was mediocre.
The staff was rude I won t be back!

Don't go if you're in a rush... or particularly hungry. We should have realized after reading all the kitschy signs that say "you're on Cortez time" and "what's your hurry" that we were in for it. The kitchen is *impossibly* slow. Honestly, I could have gone back there and made the meals faster. We thought the chalkboard sign giving a wait time of 60 minutes was a cute joke. When they updated it to 90 minutes we realized - it was not. Actually, both ended up being wrong, our food took 1 hour and 45 minutes. The kicker? My husband and I SPLIT a "hearty" meal (their larger entree size option). The cash only rule and lack of receipt leaves you with little recourse than cutting your losses and leaving hungry. When it finally arrived, our food was (drum roll)... fine. Okay, it was better than fine, it was good. The problem is that after almost 2 hours good just isn't quite good enough. For some reason I was expecting to be blown away. That said, I don't know what all of the hype is about for this place. Maybe they're hoping that by the time you get your food you're so hungry that just about anything would taste amazing. I kept thinking that we could have driven down to Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar, had a similar meal with a similar view, had the option of sitting in A/C and paying with a credit card and still had time to spare. I guess now I can say I've been there, but I won't be back.

Great dive! The cold smoked mullet was perfect after a hot day! Will definitely be back.

I ate here twice while in Longboat. First time was takeout: grilled grouper sandwiches, conch fritters, and calamari. The conch was okay, but the calamari and the grouper rocked.

Our second visit we came for lunch. Right on the water, shade and sunlight, bumping atmosphere with a good mix of old and young getting their drink on. This time we ordered: fish chowder, clam strips, grouper sandwich, and blackened mahi mahi. Let me tell you the chowder, clam strips, and mahi were out of this world. I will be going back to get another blackened mahi sandwich. It was incredible; best fish since we've been here.

Got the platter for a taste of everything. Very good.

This is the real deal. The seafood can't get any fresher. And the charm of Cortez village harkens back to yester-year.

Very good food and fresh fish, but has turned into a tourist trap over the years and you can hardly get in without a wait any longer. Sad.

Absolutely a spot worth stopping by, the food is fantastic and well prepared, the prices are convenient and it is always well kept here. Keep it up.

I visited in April 2018.
Nice location, although parking can be a little difficult at busy times. Watch out for the large lorries which also take a lot of space for the various fish factories next door.

Food (fish) is fairly fresh of course and mostly fried but as you can see from the many photos it is served in take out type containers. No washing up done here as the knives and forks are also cheap plastic ones. Given the price of the dishes on their menu and the general up keep of the place and everything else, I'm giving three stars I'm afraid.

For what they charge (which is pretty similar to many establishments in Florida) and the up keep, it's difficult to give much more than this. And try to avoid the rest rooms - they're pretty dire and in need of a complete over haul. Small, grubby and not really fit for purpose.

As a comparison, try the Riverside Cafe near to Bradenton, you at least get proper plates there for a similar price, along with better rest rooms!

Fancy? No. Authentic, fresh, delicious seafood served right on the warf. Not expensive. Depending on your timing you may have to wait awhile... there are lots of customers - locals and tourists because it's such a great, iconic spot! Boats and ocean smells -- for sure. Pelicans and egrets and he watching you eat -- probably. Maybe some dolphins just off the dock if you are lucky.

19/05/14 -- just ate there again last week. Blackened mahi-mahi sandwich was great. I'll have it again for sure!

Some of the best seafood ever! Perfect pricing and neat atmosphere on a dock and around fishing boats. Biggest clam strips I ve ever seen. But minimal seating

My favorite place to eat shrimp. You can taste the salt water in the shrimp.

We've been coming to Star Fish for years, but not on a consistent basis, it's been a bit hit and miss. After supper today I'm wondering why? This is, hands down, the best place to experience the freshest fish, deliciously crunchy hush puppies, your grandma's cheesy grits and super friendly bar staff. The location is just amazing too, you are right on the water, you will see dolphins and Capt Kathe leaves right from the dock! Are you kidding me! We may have been inconsistent over the years, but I'm taking us there month in month out starting now after what we just experienced.

Was here in 2011. Can't get fresher seafood then here! Watch the trawlers come in and unload. Expect long lines, but the wait is worth it! Probably best to try to eat here at an "off" time of day.

Best fresh seafood. Don't be in a hurry. Always a wait, you're on Cortez time. Cash only.

please don't come here on the days i plan to, which would be every day if i could. more clams for me!

Love love love the food and atmosphere. It's a must have food on any trip close by.

This is a laidback CASH ONLY restaurant right on the bay. The views are great the atmosphere is old Florida. Very casual. First time here and is definitely on our must go to places for an awesome fresh fish meal.

Loved the view from the dock and the hush puppies are amazing!!!

We love the Star Fish Company. The seafood is always fresh. Always a great meal!

Food and service is always top notch when we visit. Love the people and atmosphere!

Great mahi mahi and the best hush puppies i've ever eaten

Cozy, quaint and very welcoming.
The food is absolutely fantastic. The freshest you can get . Their price point is spot on and the serving size portions are very generous . I will always visit while in town.

Awesome view, good food. The Garden Salad was delicious. I had blackened chicken, but they also offer shrimp or grouper, grilled or blackened.

I almost always get the peel and eats but I ventured out today. The fried oysters with cheese grits, and coleslaw is my new favorite!

The food was outstanding at Star Fish Co. The seafood was the best we've had in a very long time. The weather was great while we ate outside at a picnic table. The staff we dealt with were friendly. The only problem we encountered was customers not being prepared to order when it was their turn. This restaurant is CASH ONLY.

We had oyster po boy, fried calamara and smoked mullet dinner, pefect in every way. Good selection of beer and situated amongst real mullet boats. This is the real thing. Long waits? Yes sometime but worth it. Outside with flies? Yes but authentic and they don't eat much.

Outdoor seating on the dock where fishing & shrimp boats are moored. Food is fresh, delicious and plentiful. Very low key with dining selections served in a box with plastic utensils. Hubby ordered crab cake with fried shrimp and he enjoyed every morsel. Served with hushpuppies, slaw and either fries or cheesy grits. I thoroughly enjoyed my sauteed grouper. What a portion! If you just want fresh seafood in a very casual atmosphere this just could be your choice.

I was very impressed! The food was amazing, the staff was excellent, and the experience as a whole was awesome!

Just Amazing place to spend time, excellent services, perfect environment. Great fresh and unique sea food. Must visit

Waiting 2 hours after ordering was not a selling point for me. Nor was the sign that let me know my new wait time after standing in line 45 minutes to order.

Let's start with some pros: the food overall tasted great. You get a seaside view. You get live Pelicans. You even occasionally get a wiff of them cutting fresh fish.



Whoever sold you on killing half your day here was wrong.

4 stars to you star fish for the fresh fish.

Somebody told us that they have the best Grouper around. And what can I say: They were right. Excellent taste in a special athmosphere. But expect a long waiting time, because many other people like the place too and you are on "Cortez Time" here.

Dockside dining was Fantastic. Very Cool Place. Best Grouper sandwich. Super Friendly staff.

Wanted carryout. Started calling at 410. Constant busy signal for 50 minutes. Ordered from The Feast. Excellent. Obviously Five Star not concerned about service but some day will hurt them.

Love this little throwback place! The fried grouper was amazing and the coconut shrimp was some of the best I've ever had! Whatever the sauce they use for the shrimp is it's incredible!

Just a super grudge place with only order-yourself, get in-line service. Staff are curt and food quite ordinary given so many better options in the vicinity. Never ever again. Even seating is not private!!

Food was amazing !! A old fishing restaurant very simple but amazing..

Great fresh seafood! Eat it out of a box but it was delicious! Old Florida cooking fit for a King! You can't miss this place if your on vacation or if you live here. Try it you will love it!

When typing address into Garmin GPS, must use Bradenton as the city. Depending on when you go here, you may have to wait a while for your food. People are friendly, food is very good, very colorful place with great scenery of the bay. Much of the artwork & painting is done by local artist Rhonda K. We are very happy we went.

Fried scallops are amazing, very casual layed back vibe.

Great atmosphere and awesome shrimp and hush puppies!!!

Best mahi-mahi sandwich ever! Bring cash, as they don't currently take credit.

This is one great find. I had Blackened Swordfish and it was great. The calamari was fresh and the Smoked Salmon is out of this world. I will go back anytime I can.

They have the best fresh fish! And their coleslaw is delicious!

Made a special trip to Cortez just for the Star Fish Company. My expectations were exceeded! By far the best seafood!

Loveeit the shrimp was fresh and fried perfect....

Absolutely the best fresh seafood on a daily basis! Fun place to eat and have a beer. Love visiting while on vacation.

I LOVE this place! Great seafood, laidback atmosphere with a unique waterfront view

Shrimp and softshell crab were rotten. Conch fritters were raw. I write this sitting on the toilet.

Lowkey dockside place with outside seating and great fresh food. Service was friendly. Food was A+.

Quaint local and tourist spot, a bit hidden within Cortez section of our Paradise. Once you find it you've gotten a step closer to Heaven. Everything on the menu is FRESH made to order. The view is Cortez Bay at it's best, plenty of only outdoor dock side seating, pet friendly and ICE COLD beer! What are you waiting for?!

Really great place! Food is fresh and well prepared. Staff is very friendly. It's off the beaten path but well worth the trip.

What an amazing place to have dinner. This is how i remember Florida in the 60's and 70's. Fresh seafood, no frills. You will not be disappointed! I had the shrimp and it was fantastic. The hush puppies and cole slaw were also very good. Do not change a thing. I wanted to do a Corona commercial here.

Loved the fresh grilled grouper! Highly recommend it. The staff was friendly and service was good. Love the simplicity of old Cortez Florida! A side note ....We came by boat, there is limited docking and bring CASH no cards accepted.

The fried grouper was AMAZINGLY FRESH! Hands down, some of the best I have had. Tasted just off the boat. I also was amazed at their coleslaw. Delicious!!! I loved it and wish I would have gotten the dinner portions instead. Will definitely be back.

Hands-down the best calamari we've ever had. This restaurant is entirely outside, and there is often a long line, but it is worth the wait and the heat! We go every time we are in Florida and wouldn't dream of missing it.

No better place for local seafood and the best Stonecrab claws, east of the Mississippi. If you are ever in Sarasota or Cortez, there's no reason why you shouldn't be stopping here for lunch or dinner. Fair warning: it is a slower dining experience, so please plan accordingly. It is truly worth the wait.

Almost hate posting a review because I want to keep this our hidden gem one of our absolute favorite places for seafood. Don't come in a hurry it is island time and relaxation. Bring cash...no plastic allowed.
The scallops and mullet are simply the best dishes, so fresh!

Great hidden spot my Dad took me down to. Amazing seafood, nice relaxing atmosphere and you can watch the fishing boats come right in!

The food was excellent AS Always and love eating right on the dock. Recommend highly!

Awesome fresh fish. Great local spot with a lovely view. Hours are limited. Bring cash (though they have an ATM if you forget).

Absolutely love this place. Have never been disappointed. I take all my visitors there to enjoy the afternoon. Be prepared to be there for a while, it s well worth it.

Chose this restaurant for lunch with friends because I always enjoy local off the beaten path eateries with tons of character. The location, food, and staff were awesome.

Fresh blackened grouper was excellent, enjoyed the casual atmosphere on the dock.

Great hole in the wall right on the water!! Most of the picnic tables are shaded. Cold beer and grouper was delicious.

I'm a local..If you want Real..Fresh.. Delicious Florida seafood this is the place.Sometimes you have a wait but the view is nice and people are friendly.Tip your order person they work hard.Grouper is perfect.

What could have been a very enjoyable visit was spoiled by too many dogs. While looking at the menu, enjoying a drink, at the outdoor bar, enjoying a beautiful day on the bay, we first witnessed a dog urinate on the floor under a table in the dining area. The owner was aware but watched as it just soaked in the deck. Next a Rottweiler attacked a poodle within 6 from the bar. This must be normal because everyone just ignored what had happened. I will not go back, because there are a lot of other restaurants and bars in the area that do not allow such behavior at their business.

I had the grilled mahi mahi. Best I've ever had. Everything was great including staff. Wish I could say the same for the customers.

Very cool rustic right on the dock dining beside a real fishery. Super friendly employees and delicious food. Definitely off the beaten path but worth it.

This place is a rare gem. Freshest seafood we had during our entire trip and the prices are very reasonable. Nice selection of beers (local and regular) and other drinks. Outdoor seating right on the water, but there's a limited number of tables so you'll want to come early. You should be aware that payment is cash only, but they have an ATM inside with a small fee. We'll absolutely be returning here.

Blackened Grouper on the pier in the fresh air and sunshine. Great fresh fish, it doesn't get any better than this.

Best fresh seafood in my opinion. A must if your in the area!

Freshest sea food I've ever had. Took home some peel n eat shrimp for snack.