Crystal River Restaurants

Crystal River restaurant reviews

View all Crystal River restaurant reviews

Pecks Old Port Cove
May 12, 2009 by Candi
Overall Rating: 3

• Nice drive out to restaurant.
• Horrible atmosphere, overpriced mediocre food.

“I took my family here on the basis of all the great reviews. While the area surrounding the restaurant was nice, the restaurant itself was dank and completely lacking in atmosphere. The waitresses were nice and accommodating for my infant daughter, but it couldn't make up for the drab atmosphere and the boring food.”

Grannies Restaurant
May 10, 2008 by jen
Overall Rating: 1
Food:[1] • Service:[4] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Nothing.
• The food.

“The grossest food I have ever eaten at a restaurant.”

Oysters Restaurant
Apr 21, 2008 by Sam from Crystal River, FL
Overall Rating: 7
Food:[9] • Service:[9] • Atmosphere:[4]

• Food and service.
• Atmosphere.

“After hearing okay comments about oysters, my husband and I decided to try it and we were pleased with both the food and the service. The Fettuccini Alfredo with shrimp and crab is the best. The salad bar items were fresh and the three times we have visited the soups were terrific. The atmosphere should be updated, old Florida is fine; however, it looks like old 50's, they need to paint, remove the paneling and install new flooring, I know it would make a huge difference for returnee's, since it is a great location.”

Pecks Old Port Cove
Nov 20, 2007 by Barry from Ocala, FL
Overall Rating: 9
Food:[8] • Service:[9] • Atmosphere:[10]

• Big glasses of wine on the dock.
• The grouper special was actually tilapia.

“A long time ago, in a land far, far away. No wait, thats something else. Last week Faye and I decided to explore the land to the west of the ranch. Recommended by a local attorney, pecks is about and hour and twenty from here by car. For those of us that have flown to crystal river the restaurant is about 10 miles west of the airport. Yes, I said west, as in, the swamps. Almost at the end of a sparsely populated windy narrow road is old Florida. Owned by a local fisherman, Pecks is a seafood aficionados atoll in the wilderness. Not real fancy and certainly not new, Pecks has that old world fishing village charm that we remembered as youngsters. Inside is decorated in that same seaside motif, but what we wanted was not a tour but the seafood. Renowned for its selection of blue claw crabs pecks had an all you can eat deal that was extremely reasonable. They have live crab tanks outside the restaurant. But we passed on the little crab critters in favor of something a little different. Faye had the fettuccini with shrimp and scallops while I had my eye on the fish of the day special which just happened to be grouper. Both meals were simply delightful. In particular, Fayes scallops were not the bland sea scallops, but rather the more delectable bay scallops, which are becoming harder to find each year due to over fishing. With plenty of scampi seasoning, garlic and cheese the feature was a relative bargain at $14.95. I had the opportunity to have my grouper either fried, broiled, blackened, and Cajun or almond encrusted. I wasnt too sure of the almonds so I went with the Cajun and was not disappointed. A little on the spicy side the grouper was perfectly prepared and presented, and was moist and flaky throughout with no bones. Nice, and at $12.95 even more so. Included with the special were sides of Cole slaw and fries. The wait staff was friendly and particularly attentive. Both of us had the new England clam chowder ($3.95) and I would challenge anyone this side of Nantucket to make a better one. Plenty thick and full of clam strips with diced potatoes this chowder should be on your must try list. Every good eatery has something a little quirky, in a good way that they do to stand out a little more from their peers. In this case their seafood is, frankly, unrivaled. Yet owner adds that little touch that makes the experience a little more memorable. They serve their drinks (including wine if you ask) in good sized chilled mason jars. Kind of cool if you ask me. After dinner we passed on the desert special of, naturally, key lime pie but did take a stroll out to their little dock with our mason jars full to the top with a nice merlot to watch the sunset over the palms and snappers feeding on minnows. It immediately became a special day and one in which we will remember forever. Dress casual, reservations required on weekends, recommended otherwise. 4 stars.”

Crystal River Wine & Cheese Co.
Aug 24, 2007 by John from Lecanto
Overall Rating: 10
Food:[10] • Service:[10] • Atmosphere:[10]

• Just about everything.
• Band sometimes too loud.

“If you like variety in wine selection and great food, this is the place. Steaks are comparable (if not better) than far more expensive steakhouses in neighboring big cities. The prices are far less than what you would pay at those big steakhouses. Also, they do not burn fish dry, then bury it in sauce! Lotsa wine to choose from. If you don't know what wine you want they give you samples! The owner ask folks if they are having a good time and goes out of his way to make folks happy. The staff is smiling.”