Rusty Pelican

Reviews

• Michael E.

  star star star star star 13 June 2026

  I was in Tampa for about 24 hrs for work. I wanted to have a nice dinner at a nice waterfront restaurant. I had some recommendations from Yelp friends and my plan was to eat at one of them.
  
  Wouldn't be fair to name the restaurant for we'll leave it at that.
  
  I was heading for my hotel before dinner but my GPS took me to a wrong location. You guessed it, that's right, I ended up in the parking lot of the Rusty Pelican.
  
  I familiar with the Rusty Pelican in Miami, or I should say Key Biscayne. Anytime we're anywhere near Miami we eat there. Love it.
  
  It was a Little early so I left and came back a little later hoping to see the sun set over Tampa bay while having dinner.
  
  Surprisingly it was not very busy when I got there so I got a good seat looking out over the bay. I ordered the stuffed Grouper for dinner. Stuffed with crab meat and they don't fool around when they say stuffed. More like bulging with crab meat.
  
  But then the main event arrived. A beautiful sunset over the bay. It was mesmerizing. I couldn't stop watching it while taking bites of my Grouper.
  
  The Grouper was excellent, nothing bad to say, but that sunset was superior, hands down.  I ended with a cappuccino which made the evening perfect.
  
  Only one problem. I was alone with no one to share it with.
  
  Next time I must bring Mrs. E along for a day at work with me, followed by dinner at the Rusty Pelican.  Join us please

• Judy N.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 11 June 2026

  Appetizers were great...
  
  HOWEVER, dinner was an epic fail.  Food was very inconsistent with the price and the atmosphere.  Salmon was overcooked, mashed potatoes had no flavor.  Lobster was overcooked, and cioppino was just plain gross.  They offered dessert on the house, and we received a chocolate cake that reminded me of pepperidge farm frozen cakes.....gross
  
  Too bad I was looking forward to a nice meal......

• Alejandra R.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 6 June 2026

  I honestly think this was the weirdest dinner of my life.
  
  Pro:
  Beautiful view
  Easy parking
  Great waitress
  Apologetic manager who came around twice
  
  Con:
  Horrible food. So so so so so bad
  
  I ordered the fresh catch of the day, salmon, flown in from NZ and splurged on a date night with my husband which is rare for us. I love salmon and eat sushi all the time and was stoked for Brussels sprouts because they're my fave.
  
  My first plate, the salmon was cold. It tasted like it came from the fridge. Not luke warm, cold. Didn't have a lick of seasoning on it, no salt, nothing. It was so strange. Like they forgot to cook it. The Brussels sprouts were awful! Tastes and looked like they'd been boiled and had bac'n bits sprinkled on them. Soggy and really bad. I really really wanted to have a good night and was so stoked to be there, I downplayed it and told the waitress who was nice about it and they brought me another one, made by a different cook. Also, the mango salsa side was the worst salsa I'd ever had. Tasted like someone cut some onions and just dumped tequila on them.
  
  So it was fine, chalked it up to honest mistake. They brought me another and it was seasoned and the outside tasted great. Then I cut into it and it was completely raw inside. My fork couldn't even cut into it. The inside was completely chilled still and not cooked. It had been seared on the sides and that was all. I've never had that happen at any restaurant before.
  
  The waitress saw it and agreed and was very nice. The manager came out and looked embarrassed and also said, I'm so sorry we served you raw fish. I saw it and it was completely uncooked. They gave us free dessert but what a weird experience. I think quite possibly the worst food I've ever had.
  
  I am so sad, I wanted to love this place because it's so beautiful looking and the employees all seemed so nice. It's ripe and ready for Gordon Ramsey to come work his magic on. Fingers crossed I don't get food poisoning.

• Shuné D.

  star star star star star 3 June 2026

  Located on Rocky Point off of the Southside of the Causeway bridge, I've been coming here often on throughout the years. I was here typically for professional events in the larger room and other venues. More recently, visited here with a small group in the main restaurant area. The interior decor has an old-school rustic look to it in the main restaurant area the whole eastern "wall" is actually a large glass window that overlooks the intercoastal bay water (Towards east).
  
  On our most recent visit, our waitress has been very helpful and honest when giving us advice on any selection that's on the menu. She was awesome, but I wish I could remember her name (regrets). The visit here was during the weekend at the time. The restaurant had a few people seated and everything was nicely set and clean.
  
  The lemon garlic shrimp risotto (had recently) was delicious, but definitely a one person serving so I would recommend at least one side dish. The cocktails are good quality here also. It's a nice stop for lunch, dinner, or personal life event celebration.

• Christina M.

  star star star star star_border 29 May 2026

  Beautiful view by the window. Rustic interior. The chicken flatbread was very good.  We had the filet wedge, good sized, lots of blue cheese and bacon. Yummy.
  I had the grouper. Nice large plate, took half home. Asked for my Brussel sprouts to be cooked (not crunchy) and the chef understood.  The creme brûlée was flambéd at the table and the flourless chocolate cake was chocolatey and dense. I asked to hold the raspberry sauce, but didn't ask for the whipped cream that it needed.  But it was still good.