Fish Lads

Channeling seaside fish deli energy into in the Midwest! I think they do a great job. A few hiccups with the order, but all was well in the end. My friends loved their food as well.

The best perch I've ever had! We stopped into Downtown Market, while taking a day trip into Grand Rapids. It was our first time here, and we immediately noticed the display cases of fresh fish and decided to check it out. The made to order menu wasn't extensive, but seemed focused on quality over quantity. Ordered the Yellow Perch fish and chips, along with the Clam Chowder. The bread is served from another stall over called Field and Fire, it was delicious. Everything was made to order, so out came out piping hot and fresh. The perch was incredible! Perfectly crunchy, seasoned and the portions were good size. The fries were a little salty, but not off putting. The clam chowder was hearty and the bacon added an extra kick of flavor In between Fish Lads and Carvers is an oyster bar where you can sit and enjoy ordered food. It was a great spot to people watch. They also have a small area for tinned goods and seasonings Highly recommend for supporting a local fishery!

Horrible! The lobster was over cooked with oil instead of real butter. So sad, My Mom wasted her money splurging and it was like chewing rubber. I wouldn’t give it a star at all but it won’t let me leave a review without it. So disappointed.

My husband enjoyed his fish and chips meal consisting of the walleye and fries. He also ordered smoked salmon for home he thoroughly enjoyed. He wished he would have ordered more but obviosouly prices everywhere have increased. Unfortunately some of the vendors at this market are taking advantage of such and gouging. This purchase was worth the money. Still have addiontional fish to try we brought home.

Extremely fresh seafood prepared well - excellent.

Disappointed after many good visits. I’ve been to Fish, Lads several times before and always enjoyed the food and service—especially the shrimp ceviche, which was typically served with a side of tortilla chips upon request. However, my most recent visit left me genuinely frustrated. I arrived about an hour before closing, and the person at the counter was extremely dismissive and unaccommodating. Many of the menu items were refused with no explanation other than “we’re not doing that now.” When I politely asked for a small portion of chips to eat with my caviar, I was told I could only have them if I purchased a fish taco. This felt unnecessarily rigid, especially since I’ve been given chips before without issue. I drove over 90 minutes to get here based on past experiences, only to be met with hostility and a clear lack of customer care. I understand policies may change, but the attitude and tone were disappointing. I hope this was just an off night and not a sign of where things are headed.

The spicy Poboy was amazing. Great quality fish, nicely fried and just the right amount of spice with the peppers and spicy slaw.

Portions of lobster Is Excellent, needs to add a little more flavor no flavor at all not even with the lemon garlic sauce they use,and last but not least the bread breaks apart everytime .I think for $41.00 it could taste a lot better

Well I may have to go to Grand Rapids more often just for Fish Lads! The quality of the seafood is spectacular. Every item was cooked with intention. I tested out a few of the oysters, freshly shucked. The staff gave me great advice on which to choose. I loved how the staff was willing to voice their opinion on menu items and guided me to selections that matched my tastes. They were so knowledgeable. I knew I couldn't go wrong with a special, and it was perfect. Even the peppers were not your standard pickled jalapeno. The fish was hot, flaky, and perfectly cooked. Even the French fries were perfection. Beautiful! I was lucky and the weather made the market very slow, so I sat at the bar. I recommend it if you are able to get a seat.

These guys were incredible, and what a selection. Having everything from crawfish to live oysters, it really felt like care and time was put into locating and sourcing all this beautiful meat. I tried the clam chowder and it was to die for, also I couldn't help. It trying some of their cured salmon and it was just a melt in your mouth flavor explosion. Between the amazing food and wonderful staff, I couldn't recommend more people giving this place a try because without a doubt I will be stopping back in the future.

Wanted a nice birthday dinner. Saw a ranking in Revue magazine, but upon arriving, it was not at all what I expected. Mostly a fish market, with only a limited seating area. Food was good, but a bit pricey for the environment and service. Not sorry to have gone, but not what we expected.

The whitefish fish& chips are excellent! We were hoping for broiled or grilled filet of whitefish, but this is not that type of fine dining restaurant. But no worries! The chunks of fried whitefish were meaty and succulent. Yum! (They have five different fish choices for fish & chips meals.) My husband got fish tacos - not sure what type of fish. The menu said "seasonal" but we forgot to ask. You can order at their counter then go over to Aperetivo and sit at their tables if you want wine or beer with your meal.

Fish Lads is a popular spot to get seafood in the area. Located in the Downtown Market, they have limited counter seating but you can take your food to go and/or sit upstairs. Nate and I were able to grab a seat at the counter on our most recent visit. We were craving a lobster roll and I was excited to see eight different options for fish and chips, including my favorite - whitefish. The lobster roll is $34, but it was packed with lobster and super delicious. The buttery roll held up well to the lobster and it was fresh and tasty. It's not something I can eat or order that often, but it was a decadent treat. The whitefish was excellent - perfectly flaky whitefish with a beer batter that wasn't too thick. Whitefish is a pretty delicate fish, so it kind of fell apart a bit, but the texture and freshness was great. I love oysters and Fish Lads is a great spot for them - they're a bit pricey but you can also buy them unshucked, which is great for us as we recently learned how to shuck oysters. The menu is nicely varied and changes seasonally or based on what's available. They have clam chowder and cioppino, steamed seafood, sandwiches, and entree plates. Prices range from $16 for a sandwich to $29 and up for entrees. Steamed seafood is listed as market price, so be sure to ask before ordering to avoid some sticker shock!

So....ran reviews and chose Fish Lads for the positive reviews and photos of the fish and chips. Thought it was worth spending the extra dollars for what I was seeing and reading. Didn't quite work out how I had hoped for. The fish we received was quite delicious indeed, but the portions were pitiful. One of my pieces had less than one bite of cod...all batter. The fish may have fallen out, I don't know. Close to 40.00 for very little cod and a whole lot of french fries. Sorry, won't be doing that again.

Tried the clam chowder, just ok. Fried Cod and chips were good. We found a table to ear out in the winery establishment next to Fish Lads, and enjoyed a glass of wine.

Nice selection and would recommend the shrimp (and I'm not a big fan of shrimp). Prices are a little high but the quality is amazing.

The fish and chips... yum..crispy, golden batter encasing tender, flaky fish that was simply divine. The side of tartar sauce added a perfect tang.

Overall tasty meal. The fish wasn't dry, had really good flavor and the roll it was on wasn't dry & held together nicely. I do think it had too much of the mayo-sauce (almost to the point that it overpowered the flavor of the rub used on the fish). The fries were extra crispy (a little too long in the fryer), but they give you a TON of them. Also, be prepped to wait for your order. You're paying for the quality of the fish, (wasn't a big piece of fish but it was a nice thick piece) - this meal was $16 w/o tax.

I really enjoyed this fish counter. Its in a big market with vendors, so its a counter meets restaurant. Order at the register from the chalkboard menu, and they call you when its ready,so stay close by. The prices are great for what you get, the fish and seafood is fresh and deliciously prepared. I have eaten there twice, and twice I didnt particularly care for the french fries that came with the fish. The fish market portion is also higher price but higher quality than a common market. The ceviche always looks amazing and i always forgot to try it.

Great selection of fresh fish and seafood. However, the worker today grabbed my fish out of the cabinets with his bare hands. Unsure if he washed his hands before taking my credit card when I paid as well. Kind of raised a huge red flag for me.

Probably the best and reasonably priced fish market I have been to in the Midwest in recent memory. The salad is a must get, the Chilean seabass was sooooo flaky and fresh! One of the best fish salad I had! Make sure you don't also keep digging your fork into someone's fish and chip as well, and ended up eating like 2 lunches :p

The place is in a cute market area. The staff is friendly. My only problem was the price- 34 dollars for a lobster roll is a lot. They do give you a lot of lobster to be fair, but it just was lacking sauce/flavor- just not worth the amount I guess. The shrimp po boy is the way to go- decent price and better tasting.

Yes yes yes and YES! That lobster roll is EVERYTHING that people talk about. One thing I will say, is that this place is located in like a public market type of area. Thus, you will have to pay for parking after 30min. But the overall ambiance was super casual and almost hipster like. Totally for itThis was perfect as it took the less than 30min for my food to be ready. There was a COPIOUS amount of lobster and heaping amounts of fries. The bread was super soft but held up really well with the meat. I definitely got my money's worth. 100% check this out if youre in GR!

Great location for fresh seafood, sourced from locals and from around the country. I had the Cioppiino soup (shrimp, scallop,,fin fish and squid) which was good, but beware it does contain cilantro. My guest had the Clam Chowder (New England Style, cream based and apple wood smoked bacon), which was outstanding. If you like seafood this is your place.

Great food! Great service! I had never been to the downtown market. I took my son and was pleasantly surprised. Fish Lads is top notch when it comes to seafood. The lobster roll was delicious. The coconut shrimp was perfectly cooked. We def. will be back.

Man oh man. I was so hyped to revisit the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids, especially hearing about Fish Lads and the delicious sounding options they offered. Sadly, they couldn't even get fish and chips right. Shaking my damn head. Fish tacos? Fuhgetaboutit. Sucked. Fish tacos were inundated with slaw and beans, which took away from the limited flavor of the small amount of fish each taco held. The fried tortilla chips were probably the stalest chips I've ever had from an actual restaurant. So yea. $15 down the drain. And now the piece de resistance; the overpriced and deeeeply fried fish and chips. My word. We tried both cod and perch. Both fried into oblivion, far from the golden brown they were suppose to be. Fries were pretty good tho. I don't like dogging places but c'mon. Sadly it was Fathers Day weekend and my dad wanted fish and chips. I'm not mad, Fish Lads, I'm just disappointed.

I came here once before for the lobster roll and even though I loved it, I knew I'd have to come back and order it with an extra side of aioli since they give you so much lobster. That was the right choice. This time I picked out half of the lobster so I could fit the fill in my mouth. I did smear some extra aioli on and that made it a little less dry. The rest of the lobster I ate dipped I. The aioli and it was like a bonus meal. The fries were just okay. The clam chowder was a little disappointing because the celery and potatoes were very undercooked for what I'd expect in a creamy soup. Overall a good meal because, I mean, extra lobster. For those two items I paid just over $50, so I would skip the chowder next time.

Great fresh food! Would definitely recommend this place! It can be found inside a great market area with a few places to eat at. If you are craving seafood this is a great place to choose. I got the fish and chips and my partner got the crab legs. There is indoor and outdoor seating which I wish there was more seating all around because it can be difficult to find a place to sit when it is busy and it seems busy often! Staff was friendly too and happy to help, orders were coming out quick too!

Went for lunch yesterday. The clam chowder was really thick and mostly potatoes. Not even a faint taste of clams, it was just cream of potato soup. Also had the halibut fish and chips. Fries we good but the halibut had no flavor and no real breading. Looked like a light flour dusting before frying. Couldn't put enough salt or tartar sauce to make it takes like anything, very bland. Would not come back.

Food: The lobster roll was really nice and not fishy at all. But be careful when you are eating as you can find bones that aren't so visible. It comes with fries so one order is enough for one person's full meal or two people's small filler. Location: located at downtown market and the place itself doesn't provide nice dinning areas. Nice tip is to buy the food and either eat outside (when it's not so hot) or go to the restaurant next to it and order drinks to eat with the food then you will have a nice sitting, food, and drink!!

Lobster roll heaven!!!! I gave fish Lads a five star but I only ordered one thing ... the lobster roll! ... and it was so good that I had to write this review. I have had lobster rolls from Maine to Virginia and all points in between yet this one in Grand Rapids Michigan ranks in the top three I've ever had. it was a toasted bun Holding a shredded lobster tail. It was so much lobster that I could barely eat the fries. Next time I'm gonna take my wife on a date there and we're just gonna split the lobster roll and fries ...it was well worth the price and probably one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had!

Ok now listen. I've had my fair share of seafood, being from the Gulf and all. But this was absolutely one of the best lobster rolls I've had: fresh, tender - and on a buttery bun. Everyone else in our family thoroughly enjoyed their cod fish n chips - the "chips" were crispy and delicious. Fish Lads is a beloved spot in the downtown market here in GR. Always a hit!

Fish and seafood are as fresh as you can hope at an inland location. Service was quick, even though they were slammed. The downtown market will never get points for ambience, but it's always clean and bright. Lobster Rolls were perfect--just warmed lobster doused in drawn butter on a crusty bun. They never disappoint.

Located in the Marketplace. We love to come here because the variety meets all our needs. There is seating at a bar type area at the restaurant or you can go upstairs where there are tables if that fits your needs.

My family loves fish.  I grew up surrounded by fishermen and hunters so I never pass up to try new ways to prepare food.  My dad was able to come in and taste the salmon jerky.  He fell in love after one bite.  Unfortunately the price stalled him a bit- $38 a pound?!  I get it but a bit out of our price range to grt regularly.  Luckily my brother is the best brother in the world because he bought my dad a pound for fathers day.  I tried some and my dad was right.  Maybe I'll have to buy him more and see if they'll sell it by the half pound because my dad admitted it was a lot to try to eat and since he wasn't sure if/when it would go bad he didnt want any to go to waste. I am hoping to come in to the store soon to try a meal and maybe buy some jerky myself.  Fish Lads, while pricey, is an interesting place and worth at least checking it out even if the jerky is a bit out of your price range.  I will continue to support the interesting places of Michigan.

Lobstah rolls are , you can't go wrong with any of the fresh fish selection. Yes the prices are a little high, but seafood is one area you definitely get what you pay for. If cheap seafood is what you want, go to Red Lobster. If fresh, delicious seafood is on your list, stop at Fish Lads.

If you like seafood and are in Downtown Market, you MUST check this place out. All of the fish in the display case is so fresh and beautiful, and they sell a bunch of sauces and spices to compliment it if you want to cook at home. If you want to eat on site, they make exceptional fish-based meals that are prepped as they are ordered. I got the soft-shell crab po' boy and it was incredible. The bread is made at the bakery next door, and it shows. The sauces and other ingredients are all super fresh as well. If fish sounds good, I highly recommend these guys!

I've seen Fishlads several times while walking through the Downtown Market and have never stopped in. They have lots of beautiful fresh seafood to take home (some prepared like fish or crab cakes, and some not prepared, like cuts of salmon), and a solid sized menu of seafood sandwiches and fried fish if you want to eat there. I ordered the perch and chips, but the guy behind the counter talked me into upgrading to the halibut for $2... which was probably a good call. Definitely solid quality, and the seasoned fries served with it were delicious. The boyfriend ordered a BBQ pulled salmon burger that was on special and he devoured it in between MMMMMmmm's. We were both really happy with our meals. I love the atmosphere of the DM, so I liked grabbing one of the few metal tables and people-watching as we ate. They also have a few stools at their counter, but they were taken when we showed up. I'd like to take home some of the items in their fish market next time!

Just in town for a few days and was looking for a fish market, along with something for lunch. This place was amazing! I order a pound of their sushi grade salmon and a the lobster roll. Being someone who grew up with east coast seafood, this place was perfect. I would highly recommend if you are looking for good quality fish! Everything was incredible!

Honestly one of the most delicious lobster rolls. The portion is huge and they give you more than enough to make the price worth it! It's juicy and so buttery and cooked perfect. The clam chowder was awesome. A lot of flavor and typically I'm not big on chowders but this one had me wishing I had more when I was finished. The bread they serve with it compliments it well. I'm counting down the days till I get a take out from them again.

Great selection of fish and seafood. Take home or order from the menu for eat in. There are some great options on the menu to sample the freshness of the items offered. High quality.

i've eaten here twice and it hasn't disappointed me! i eat in so that my food is fresh. both meals i got were so tasty, can't wait to try more things :)

What a gem! Such a huge selection of fresh seafood done right! Boyfriend really enjoyed his gumbo. I enjoyed the steamed shrimp served with both butter and cocktail sauce for dipping. I will say that I would have enjoyed a wedge or two of lemon served along with it to brighten it up a bit, but still very delicious. The spicy shrimp ceviche was yummy too but not spicy at all. Would have loved to see some jalapeño, or better yet, some serranos in there to give it a kick. The chips, that you have to buy separately but for a very cheap price (I think $2 something), were some of the best I have ever had. All in all, a great meal! If we are ever back in the area, this will be a must have stop!

Two years later and Fish Lads is still slinging some of the best seafood in Michigan. Maybe the Midwest? It's a bold but likely accurate statement. I mean, just look at those incredible fish filets I posted photos of. Doesn't that make you want to buy em up and fry em up at home? If you're like me and live a few hours away and can't quite bring home all all the delicious fish you would like, they still have an amazing dine in menu to enjoy. On my most recent visit I splurged in the lobster roll. It was loaded, I mean absolutely LOADED with huge, fresh chunks of lobster. Probably the most stacked lobster roll I've ever had the pleasure of having. The lobster is the star here, but much fussy dressing or heavy mayo weighing it down. Of course there's a light spread of it on the toasted, buttery Field & Fire roll, so you get a bit of that creaminess, but I doesn't overwhelm the sandwich. It's truly the most perfect lobster roll I've ever had. Oh, and the fries are hella delicious, too!

Great oysters -if there isn't seating at the bar, they'll deliver to the wine bar (I recommend pairing with the sparkling Italian). My only complaint would be the gal taking our order was a bit surly, but she did seem to warm up by our second order.

This is our go to lunch place in Grand Rapids. Since we have yet to find good fried oysters near home, we stop in at Fish Lads for oyster po boys and then get deconstructed lobster rolls to go. The quantity and quality of the lobster has varies from time to time, but the lobster rolls are usually worth the price.

Po Boy was magical! High key recommend! Plus such a fun spot to eat and walk around m!

I had a great experience at Fish Lads. I sat at the counter and was immediately welcomed by one of the employees. I knew what I wanted pretty quickly, so I ordered right away. I had the cod fish and chips which, at only $14, is a fantastic deal. This is gourmet restaurant quality in a fun, busy market. My fish and chips was ready in less than 10 minutes. The fish is beer battered and comes with delicious French fries. Coming from the east coast, I figured I might be taking a gamble with the freshness and quality of the fish, but my fears were quickly assuaged. I will definitely stop here on my next trip to Grand Rapids!

Really enjoyed the peppered smoked salmon, the smoked salmon dip as well as their fish and chips-fantastic value 18$ for the walleye (similarly priced as Culvers!). Fantastic quality seafood.

Fish Lads, well known for their amazing fresh seafood establishment in Grand Rapids has expanded it's amazing fresh fish to the beautiful City of Saugatuck, Michigan. Fish Lads newly opened right next door to Retro Boats.. Amazing food, always the freshest. These two establishments share a stunning waterfront patio, the staff and owners of both are amazing and very inviting. Definitely come check them out, You will not be disappointed. 730 Water Street, Saugatuck MI

Woohoo, fresh seafood! I stopped by Fish Lads when I was roaming around the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids. The server was very knowledgable about what they had in the kitchen and what they had run out of. He also had some great recommendations! I ordered the fish tacos and they were delicious! They came with crisp chips and salsa on the side which gave the meal a nice crunch. The tacos were very filling - three is the perfect size for lunch! Others in my group ordered fish and chips - one halibut order and one cod order. The fries were so good. Nice and crispy! I will say I prefer the cod fish and chips compared to the halibut, but I think that's a matter of preference. I did want to get some crab legs, but they were out of Dungeness crab and only had the regular crab left. The price was pretty steep for a pound of crab ($49.99/lb), but I may have pick up half a pound had they had it in! I'm looking forward to swinging by again to catch them when the Dungeness is in the kitchen.

Fish Lads is in the Downtown Market. You order at the fish counter and they bring it to your table. There aren't any specifically designated tables... you just find one in the common area. Lobster Rolls are pretty good. It's just fish and seafood.

I've had the Lobster Roll here approximately 10 times .. maybe more... I always share with my husband as "usually" the size is great and in combination with the amount of fries is hearty. I've waited on this review for awhile as this was my favorite sandwich in all of Grand Rapids and I wanted it to be just mine. However, today was an epic fail. It was National Lobster Day and my favorite sandwich was half off! I was so excited I texted my husband right away when I saw the FB post and we both made plans to leave work early and I even called to make sure they weren't out of the sandwich around 4:30! I've posted several photos of what I've had in the past and have paid as much as $25 for this sandwich. Today was "half off" and it was not even worth the half off price. It wasn't even close to the sandwich that I once loved. It also looks nothing like what we had earlier this year and the bread was smaller and just was a major disappointment.

Stopped by Fish Lads and we tried the lobster roll and WOW! It's LARGE! The flavor is amazing, with the deli style toasted roll and seasoned french fries all is a perfect match. Will go back again when in town!!

Unfortunately, we stopped in and grabbed some fish to take home and cook and it was not good. The menu looked fantastic and they have some quality options to order to eat in. We opted for the "fresh white fish" and took it home, which apparently was a mistake. Our whole house smelled horrible the second we opened the fish and started cooking. It was so bad that we didn't even dare try it. We ended up tossing it out and finding something else for dinner. This was disappointing and we hope to try it again and have a better experience. All the pictures look great even though it seems a little overpriced for fresh seafood in the Midwest.

Best perch I've had in a very long time. Fresh, I mean FRESH. The flavors were present. Perfectly fried, not greasy. I can't wait to order more, but there is so much more on their board that I have to try. Great place!

Fish Lads is delicious and important to me. I try to purchase seafood that is properly sourced and I've read that the Fish Lads owner doesn't the same and it's what inspired him to open Fish Lads. The selection of fresh seafood does not disappoint!!! They have options of fish I'd never heard of and it's fun to pick out new things to put on my smoker, and they always give information on sourcing. The real kicker is the salmon jerky-- origin "heaven" and it is the real deal. I have to hide my baggie when I pack it for work lunch or I have eyes on me the entire time wondering if I have any to share. The Lads also offer food prepped for you. My bestie and I shared a lobster roll, I've had the halibut fish and chips, and clam chowder. Food probably takes around ten minutes to make. My final note is the staff-- they're killing it and always make my experience a good one. Everyone is friendly and helpful and don't mind when I order 3+ pounds of heavenly salmon jerky. I made the mistake of shopping on Thanksgiving Eve and the line wrapped around to the entrance doors of the market hall but the staff didn't miss a beat, keeping track of orders with a smile on their face. Fish Lads is a 100% must visit, time and time again.