If you love seafood and are looking for a great seafood restaurant in Orlando, add Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar to your list. They celebrated their 5th Anniversary in February 2022 so here are 5 reasons why they continue to be my favorite spot for seafood in Winter Park. Owner Fred Thimm and his wife Carey have shown an unwavering commitment to serving the freshest fish and seafood from Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf Coast. at a great value.
It’s no surprise they’ve been recognized with multiple awards including “Orlando’s Best Restaurant” by Orlando Magazine readers and Orlando’s “Best Seafood” and “Best Brunch” by Orlando Magazine and the Orlando Sentinel. Inspired by classic Florida fish camps, Reel Fish Coastal offers a wide variety of seafood, most from Florida and Louisiana, in a contemporary family-friendly atmosphere. Think rustic fish camp meets trendy Winter Park where you can enjoy the coastal vibes inland. Orlando isn’t far from the water after all!
FRESH FLORIDA SEAFOOD AND DAILY BLACKBOARD SPECIALS
Owner and operator Fred Thimm has had a lifelong love of being on or near the water. Reel Fish is committed to sustainability and accessibility of the highest quality local fish and seafood. The menu features a rotating selection of seasonally available fresh fish served in generous portions. Daily blackboard specials and core recipes feature creative takes on fresh-caught fish not typically found on many inland-Florida seafood restaurant menus, including tilefish, triggerfish, sheepshead, hogfish, and other local species.
Love a whole fried fish? You got it! Prefer roasted? No problem. The fresh ceviche of the day is fantastic too!
BOUTIQUE OYSTERS
Reel Fish is the place for oysters in Orlando. Raw bar specialties include a rotating selection of as many as 6-12 varieties of fresh Local Florida and cold water oysters daily. Sourced from various locations, including the Florida Gulf Coast, Apalachicola, Mid Atlantic, New England, and Canada areas. Each offers different flavor profiles for guests to enjoy prepared “Raw, Roasted or Rockefeller.” (Think the 3 R’s)
I love the boutique fresh Florida oysters from Sublime Oyster Supply in Wakulla County and Reel Fish was the first restaurant I tried them at. They are now popular all around town!
At Reel Fish, you can enjoy oysters Raw, Roasted or Rockefeller! And you can get Gulf oysters for $1 and Oyster shooters for $4 during Happy Hour.
- Oysters on the Half Shell, with housemade cocktail sauce, cucumber mignonette & housemade oyster crackers (which are highly addictive!) The Cucumber mignonette made in house with cucumber, shallots, fresh ginger, sugar, fresh cucumber and red wine vinegar, and House cocktail sauce, made with chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, horseradish, sugar and salt.
- Roasted Oysters with garlic butter, horseradish, and parmesan bread crumbs
- Oyster Rockefeller, baked with spinach, artichoke, cream and parmesan bread crumbs.
GET REEL HAPPY HOUR
If you love a hearty Happy Hour with lots of food options in addition to the usual drink specials Reel Fish’s REEL HAPPY HOUR is a must! Available Tuesday-Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm, featuring an extensive selection of Happy Hour food and drink specials:
- $4 Select Draft Beers, Premium Well Drinks, Oyster Shooter with Vodka or Tequila
- $5 Select Wines by the Glass, Sangria, & Select Specialty Cocktails
- $7 Half-Dozen Gulf Oysters, Raw or Baked, Two Baja-style Fish or Shrimp Tacos, Hand-Battered Fried Clam Strips Basket, Two Burger or Chicken Sliders
- $9 Firecracker Shrimp, Half-Pound Peel & Eat Mayport Shrimp
TACO TUESDAY
Who doesn’t love a good Taco Tuesday special? All day, EVERY Tuesday, you can enjoy $2 Tacos at Reel Fish. You have a choice of fried or grilled Fresh Atlantic Cod, All-Natural Chicken, or Wild Caught Florida Shrimp. Served dressed with pineapple salsa, Jalapeño lime mayo, and slaw. Make it a meal and add a quart of cilantro rice for only $6. Lift a glass with $5 Seaside Margaritas and Sangrias open to close.
ORLANDO’S BEST SEAFOOD BRUNCH
When you love seafood and you love brunch, experience Orlando Magazine’s “Best Brunch” Editor’s Pick 2021! Brunch at Reel Fish is offered Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 3 pm, featuring popular specialties such as Shrimp & Avocado Toast, Florida Shrimp & Grits, Crab Cakes Benedict, and Fried Chicken & Waffles. Pair with the BOGO special, Buy One Get One Free Mimosas in a rainbow of flavors, Bloody Marys, Tequila Sunrise, and Sangria for only $7. Lunch menu and Blackboard Specials are also available.
Newly introduced Shrimp Frittata Florentine loaded with local Mayport shrimp is a winner!!
New Chicken & Biscuit & Gravy topped with a fried egg is a huge “sandwich!”
Of course, every brunch must have an Avocado Toast. At Reel Fish, they top it with a generous amount of smashed avocado and Mayport Shrimp, plus 2 poached eggs. It’s a Must Eat!
NOT A SEAFOOD FAN? NO PROBLEM
The Reel Fish menu also features an impressive “From The Land” selection with Creekstone Farms steaks, burgers, and all-natural chicken. The chicken tacos and fried chicken sliders during Happy Hour are scrumptious. The Chicken & Waffles for brunch are equally impressive.
SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT
You don’t want to miss Carey’s Coconut Cake! It’s absolutely dreamy. Of course, no seafood restaurant in Florida can skip on featuring Key Lime Pie and Reel Fish does not disappoint. If you want something more decadent, try the bread pudding. All are large enough to share.
ABOUT REEL FISH COASTAL KITCHEN + BAR
Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar opened on February 9th, 2017. Located at 1234 N Orange Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. Open Tuesday – Sunday and offers lunch and dinner on weekdays, brunch and dinner on weekends. An extensive Happy Hour Menu is offered Tuesday – Friday, 4pm-7pm. (Closed Monday). For more information, visit ReelFishCoastal.com
Stop by for REEL Happy Hour and stay for dinner, get a delicious lunch or brunch on weekends. If you love seafood in Orlando, and if you’ve driven by on Orange Avenue and said “I need to go to Reel Fish someday”, Go #MakeSomedayHappen.
Cheers!
Go Epicurista
Disclosure: I have been hosted as a media guest on some previous visits for promotional purposes. I am under no obligation to share this post. As always, all opinions are my own. I only share with you products and experiences I love to inspire you to safely get together with family and friends, celebrate life, and go #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip, and trip at a time! You can read more about my guidelines in my disclosure policy. Cheers!
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