Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge

I visited this restaurant my first day in the Keys during the Christmas weekend. It is easy to access, as it is on the ocean side of Route 1 (left going South and right going North). Just follow the signs. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the ocean. There was construction underway next door, but for some reason, it didn't bother me at all. It seems the resort is expanding the deck for the swimming pool. It was a beautiful day when I visited so I sat outside on the patio. Sonja was my waitress. She was warm and helpful. I could tell she wanted me to have a good experience. The employees there work as a team. I liked that and Sonja didn't seem to mind the help. I ordered the fried pickles, which I must say were THE BEST fried pickles I have ever had. I also got the chicken, bacon and avocado sandwich and fries along with a margarita on the rocks. The fries tasted like they were originally frozen in a bag and the sandwich wasn't anything to write home about. The margarita tasted pre-made and not fresh. It was all about the service and the view for me, along with those tasty fried pickles! They were closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas, so unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to return, but if I find myself back in the Keys. I'll definitely be back!

Amazing dinner tonight with friends from Key West. Great service from Francine and delicious food. So glad they are open! This is our fourth time dining here and we will be back. I am so glad we have another restaurant just across the street that has beautiful views, great service and delicious food. I love the Painkiller too. Great job Shane!

We enjoyed delicious pina coladas, tacos of all sorts (chicken, shrimp and fish), and key lime pie with an Impeccable ocean view. Our waitress, Lili, was extremely attentive, kind, and helpful. We will be back again!

The review in Keys Weekly was spot on! Had an awesome late lunch there today. Great outdoor dining setting, great service, and great food! We tried the Seafood Roll and Shrimp Basket - yum! Took some Key Lime Pie for a treat later!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Oceanside Safari Restaurant and Lounge in Islamorada, Florida, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped foot inside, I was captivated by the restaurant's charming ambiance, friendly staff, and delectable cuisine. The restaurant's location, right by the ocean, provided breathtaking views that complemented the dining experience perfectly. The open-air seating allowed me to soak in the refreshing sea breeze as I indulged in the delicious food. The restaurant's interior was tastefully decorated with a safari theme, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. The menu at Oceanside Safari Restaurant and Lounge was diverse and catered to various palates. Whether you're a seafood lover, a meat enthusiast, or a vegetarian, there were plenty of options to choose from. I opted for the grilled catch of the day, and it was cooked to perfection. The flavors were fresh and beautifully complemented by the accompanying sides. What truly stood out during my visit was the exceptional service provided by the staff. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm smiles and prompt attention. The waitstaff was knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations. They were attentive throughout the meal, ensuring that my dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. To top it all off, the Oceanside Safari Restaurant and Lounge had an impressive selection of handcrafted cocktails and a well-curated wine list. I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing and creative cocktails, which added an extra layer of delight to my dining experience. Overall, my visit to Oceanside Safari Restaurant and Lounge was a memorable one. The combination of stunning ocean views, delectable cuisine, and impeccable service made it a standout dining destination in Islamorada, Florida. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an extraordinary gastronomic adventure.

Good new find for us at the south end of Islamorada on Lower Matecumbe. If your "old school in memory" of this place, we were confused on Google and looked up "Safari Lounge" where Google has a listing showing incorrect hours & current reviews - a bit confusing since there is also an old Facebook page showing as well (hopefully management will get those removed so no one else shows up like we did one night after the kitchen was closed). We did however, have a great meal there one night - and also rode our bikes by during the day. Once they have some local approvals, they will have an outside deck so should be a well rounded destination! Much better than the original old place - nice job on all the updates!!

Great place. Fish Taco's with Mexican Corn. Killer view. Google has the location wrong. It shows I was there today. But the directions had me going into Fiesta Key, which is miles down the road on the Gulf Side.

Oceanside Safari delivers in every aspect. It’s a beachfront restaurant with a naturally beautiful ambiance regardless of whether you sit inside or out, and the entire staff is accommodating from the moment you walk through the door! Service was quick, prices are fair, and it’s hard to go wrong with anything on the happy hour menu — we came for seafood but my wife raved about the wings! The rye-tai was my favorite drink but the highlight of my visit was their fried whole snapper (which was recommended to me since it’s not on the menu for some reason). So flavorful I literally asked to speak to the chef after my first bite! Overall, couldn’t have been more satisfied.

We went to Oceanside Safari with our fresh catch last night. Lots of places will cook your fresh fish, and we wanted to see how Safari cooked our catch. We ordered the mangrove snapper two ways. Blackened and fried. Since the 4 of us were sharing the fish dish, we ordered an extra $4 side. The side salads were awesome and so was the rice and the bean dishes. They cut the lettuce into small chunks then top the salad with chunks of tomatoes. The fish was really good. I love blackened fish and the pieces just melted in my mouth. Great seasoning and so tender. The fried fish had a light batter and was seasoned to perfection. Definitely bringing our fish catch back here. Yum!

We came here around 8pm for a late dinner Friday night. There were 9 of us, most of us visiting from out of state, and here for the first time. We sat down outside and had a beautiful view of the ocean and a little bit of sunset. Our server came over and was full of energy and spunk, and took our drink orders. We placed an order for a couple of appetizers, tuna tartare and fish dip, which were both amazing. Most of us ordered the Apperal spritz for drinks, I ordered their cucumber gin cocktail. Surprisingly, mine came out the sweetest, which I wasn't expecting from the name of the drink. The server offered to correct this, and brought me an extra shot of gin to mix into my drink, which did cut down on the sweetness and make it taste much better. When on vacation, I will not refuse :) Three of us got the black and made dinner. My fish was a little dry on the edges unfortunately but the center was good. I could tell it was a good piece of fish just a little too blackened or too over cooked. A couple people got the fish tacos which I heard were a huge hit for dessert. We ordered the Keylime pie and chocolate cake with ice cream to share. The Keylime pie was amazing, but next time will probably skip the chocolate cake and ice cream. All in all great place for dinner but the water. Our server was attentive and full of energy the entire night. Would definitely go back!

This place was a random find after a beach day I didn't want to travel far and I didn't want to have to cross the highway heading back home so it was right near where we were at. It had an option for inside or outside eating and it was a very nice quiet spot. The staff was attentive and the waiter was great she gave us recommendations to things and was very informative and supportive of our choices which makes me feel good on what I'm ordering. The staff throughout the time there was always asking if we need anything and as time went by the place filled up. The food was well seasoned. They had many options on how to have your shrimp and steak done which is nice. I do wish I would have gone earlier to catch happy hour. The food also didn't take long. It's a little pricey but it's also the Keys and everything is slightly more. Everything was fresh which was a huge positive.

Amazing Franny is just an absolute Keys delight. If you go there make sure you request her as your server. She's not only entertaining, but funny the views are spectacular. I prefer afternoon on the Oceanside of the building since it's nice and shady. We've never been let down with any of the food that we've ever had here and the wraparound baris perfect for socializing. The food is amazing and priced right.

This restaurant is beautiful! It's on the water and is beautifully decorated. The service was very friendly. The seafood salad was outstanding! The fried mahi mahi sandwich was fresh and one of the best we had on our trip! They have delicious sweet tea.

Just had one of the weirdest attempts at having dinner I've ever experienced. We read the reviews, looked at the pictures, and thought it looked interesting, so we made a reservation through Open Table. So far so good. Arrived to find good atmosphere in a half occupied restaurant. That's where the good stopped. Checked in and mentioned the reservation. Was told "That doesn't matter. We can't access Open Table because the last manager took all the Open Table information." The bar wasn't very full so we said we would just eat there. The bartender then told us it would be a while before she could get to us because she was the only person serving in the restaurant. She came back about 10 minutes later. Before we could order drinks she told us they were short on some food. We asked whether they had Mahi. She said she would check. Another 10 minutes passed. I don't blame her because she was busting her butt to cover the whole restaurant - and she looked totally worn out. She eventually came back (still no drinks) and said "We really have no food left. No burgers, no shrimp, almost nothing. We can't serve you anything and are locking the doors." Very disappointing that they couldn't stay stocked given the fact that their menu is not extensive. We were essentially kicked out - but when we got to the door, we couldn't get out! Someone from the kitchen had locked us in. I'm pretty sure that was illegal given their setup. They had no way for people to get out in case of fire, etc. No bumper bars that you can hit to get out, etc. We finally got the bartender to let us out - and we were very grateful for that! I don't blame the bartender for this mess. She was hustling and trying. I blame whoever manages or owns this place. Why were they taking reservations when they had no food? Why were they open if they had no food? Why can they lock you in, with no ability to get out? I hate to write bad reviews of new places but these people need a wake-up call.

Beautiful new spot in Islamorada next to a boating dock. Awesome views on the patio or from inside through all of the windows. Menu prices were very reasonable, especially, for being in the keys. Food was absolutely delicious! We ordered the coconut shrimp, and we're accidentally brought the conch fritters. The waitress immediately acknowledged the mistake, and told us to enjoy the fritters and brought us coconut shrimp. We were only charged for the shrimp. I ordered the salmon and asked to swap the potatoes with the coconut rice and it was a great decision. My husband ordered the American burger and french fries and said it was also very good. I got a guava margarita, which was delicious and went down very easily. Would def recommend! Would definitely recommend if you were in the area!

Amazing view right on the Atlantic side over looks the beautiful ocean. It's clean and everyone is extremely nice. We went for happy hour and got their 3 dollar tacos. The chicken tacos were delicious they cook the chicken in lemon and garlic. We then had to try the safari burger because it looked so good. I am a burger lover and this was unique and made me want more. It's more on the sweeter side for the burger but beyond good. I had the frozen mojito to drink and it was to die for! The only complaint I have it we never received any silver or napkins so eating the burger was very messy. Other than that I highly recommend and we will be coming back.

Full FOOD menu available! There are appetizers, raw bar, soups and salads, tacos, sandwiches and burgers, entrees and three desserts. For those of you that know what this used to be before hurricane Irma, what an upgrade!! Definitely a place to check out. Service was good. Bartender was attentive and responded quickly to the wave of my hand. Cozy but a bit bright. Low light adults will have to contend with families. We did not order food so I can't speak to that.

We were told about this place that it had great ocean views and it does however the food is a disappointment. We ordered coconut shrimp and chicken wings....the wings were decent....typical bar level food but the coconut shrimp were the kind you buy breaded and frozen that are butterflied flat in a box and just heated up. They didn't taste of coconut at all and almost no shrimp inside the breading....we each ate one and threw the rest away. The are not gulf shrimp but farm raised from who knows where.... The waiters/waitress were hustling but only two of them and a bartender for the whole restaurant. If you like low end bar food then this may do it for you but in the Keys there are too many outstanding restaurants with fresh well prepared seafood that we won't waste our time on this one again.

This was our first food stop in Islamorada and did not disappoint! We had driven straight from the Miami airport in Friday night traffic, and were delighted to be seated right away. Especially since we had seen some reports online that this place was closed for business. Apparently at one point it was closed, but it is definitely OPEN for business! We started with oysters on the half shell, stone crab, and tuna tartare. All were served proomptly and were delicious. My favorite was the oysters, but my companions were impressed with the stone crab. Apparently, not all stone crab is created equally, and Oceanside Safari does a good job. We had a party of three, so we ordered steak, fish and shrimp tacos and shared. They were all very good, and good sized. The restaurant had a great ambiance- not too crowded. Restrooms were extremely clean. The location is great, with great views, even in the evening. Ample parking. The service was great, the staff was very friendly and attentive, but not overly so. Spicy margarita was delicious as well. Would definitely return, would definitely recommend.

Not my favorite. Afraid either the reviews were hype, or we "caught" them on a down day

Nice ambiance with beautiful ocean views, friendly staff. Just stopped by for a drink and fish dip. Mahi fish dip was excellent, unfortunately no draft beer.

Amazing cocktails Best service with Franny...... Ambiance is great friendly staff! Food is amazing.

Food was just okay. I came with a group of 6 people and our service was slow, not the fault of the poor girl working, she was new to working behind the bar and nobody was helping her. It wasn't bad food and the staff was nice, but it wasn't our favorite meal of our trip.

I love this place food is delicious, and the 1 million view deserves 10 stars, was a really good experience, and the cocktails were exquisite, if you are close to isla morada I highly recommend this place!

Absolutely an awesome place from the staff to the drinks and the food! The ambience here is out of control the bar manager Shane is super super good and Nice. His drinks are great!

Best seared tuna salad I ever had! Great service. Beautiful view! Hidden gem for sure.

loved this spot! came to check it out since i saw it on a tik tok & was not disappointed! it looks like a brand new restaurant on the water, the views were beautiful!! i ordered the lobster roll & fries - so so good definitely a 10/10 meal! our server was also such a sweet heart!

We decided to try Oceanside Safari while staying at Fiesta Key RV resort. We arrived about 4:30 and opted to sit on the deck overlooking the water. It wasn't too busy at that time there was just one other table seated outside and maybe 2 or 3 inside. It does have a nice view of the water. After waiting for about 15 minutes our server finally approached our table and took our drink order, we waited another 15 min before the drinks were delivered by a different server. Our original server appeared again and was surprised someone had delivered our drinks in his absence. He took our food order and came back in about 20 minutes surprised we hadn't received our food which was delivered by another server as he was headed back inside. Both my husband and myself had tacos, I had fish he had chicken. The fish tacos were pretty good and my hubby said the chicken were ok. Our daughter opted for the shrimp and chips, the shrimp had a beer batter that was pretty thick so she took it off and just ate the shrimp which she said were much better without the breading. The food was good, not outstanding but good. The service was puzzling we received adequate service but our server just didn't seem to know if he was coming or going. He was super friendly but had no idea what was going on most of the time. I don't know if it was lack of communication among the staff or if he was just having a day but he seemed lost. I'm not sure if it's worth a return trip as the menu is pretty limited but it wasn't something we would complain about.

Stopped at this place - off the beaten path but so worth it! The view is beautiful and the food was delicious We had fish tacos which were so fresh and came with a warm corn salsa which was the best we've ever had. My husband had chicken tacos and he said they were so delicious. A must stop on Islandmorada! The waitress so very friendly and professional. Service was great and the restaurant was very clean and spacious.

Went there for lunch. The food was OK, but barely OK. The place was not inviting at all. The furniture is modern and clean but cold and sterile. The big bar in the middle means that your table feels like it is hemmed in between the bar and the window. It was weird, to say the least. The service was excellent, though, very attentive and friendly. Alas, the service did not make up for the mediocrity of the food. We are definitely not returning there. There are so many other places to discover.

Saw an article in the paper about their re-opening and decided to go. Disappointment!!! Basic decor. Basic menu. Basic food. Nice location. Not coming back!

Beautiful views of water Servers were very friendly. Food was very good and nice portions. I had fish tacos they were very good. Prices were also very reasonable for resort area. Would recommend

We absolutely love this new spot that just opened two months ago. It has incredible views, unbelievably flavorful, food, and overall incredible experience with the staff. We look forward to coming back here every visit down to the Islamorada key!

"During my visits to the Oceanside Safari Bar in Islamorada over the past two weeks, I was consistently treated to a truly spectacular experience. The captivating oceanfront view and relaxed ambiance of the bar made it the perfect spot to unwind. Angela, the talented mixologist, crafted exquisite cocktails that perfectly complemented the mouthwatering food - ribs, Texas toast, and truffle fries - which never disappointed. Frank Scotoline's gracious leadership ensured a smooth and welcoming atmosphere. The fusion of safari-themed decor with the beachside location offered a unique and delightful escape. Every visit left me appreciating the thought put into this gem by the sea. Whether you're local or visiting, the Oceanside Safari Bar is a must-visit. For more info, check out their website: https://oceansidesafari.com/

The worst cheeseburger I ever had. They burned the buns and the burger was like a hockey puck. They need to go to bartending school and learn how to make drinks. Prices were extremely high and they charged us $2.50 for the slice of cheese on the burger.

We have been twice since they reopened and we love it there! Its a new fave spot to hit every time we come to town. We sat at the bar and Angela was friendly and makes an amazing margarita. The food was fantastic and they have a great happy hour. Incredible views! The tacos were our favorite and we can't wait to go there a few more times before we leave next week!

Great view! Great Service from Angela! Great Food! The ribs had the perfect pull and were to die for.

Delicious. I discovered this restaurant thanks to a feature on an Instagram account I follow. I spent a weekend in Key West and on the way back home we stopped to eat dinner at Oceanside.... It was the best food we had all weekend. Fresh and flavorful. Our waitress, Franny, was awesome. She was upbeat and gave a fun spin on her recommendations for the night. I would definitely revisit if I'm in the area again. 10/10... sorry I don't have pictures of my meal, I was hungry

Service was amazing, desi was very on point and always made sure I had a drink that was not empty. One thing I hate is going somewhere to get drinks and not getting good service, but desi made me feel very welcomed and her drinks were amazing!! Try the margaritas, spicy is better. If you want to be taken cared of ask for desi you won't regret it.

Great Food, the service was outstanding. We loved the entire dishes, Chef does a great job!

We had dinner last night at Oceanside Safari. I highly recommend the Authentic Keys Pain Killer for your cocktail. I had the coconut shrimp which was amazing! My friends had fish and chips and blackened shrimp entree - both excellent. The view for dinner right on the water is breathtaking. The BEST part about our experience was our server Andrea. She was OUTSTANDING! She not only gave us recommendations on the food and drinks she also helped us out with great things to do during our trip. Servers like her are one in a million and she is a true gem! Personality plus!!

Angela at the bar us a delight! Food and atmosphere were amazing. Got to make a point to get here. It's a gem!!

Great view. Fish tacos and burgers were really good! Staff was kind. Hope the place does well!

I was excited about this place. When I saw the pictures, I couldn't wait to get there. But when we got there after we found it because it's behind another restaurant., There was not one person there for happy hour at three. So we ordered a beer and I ordered a drink. The drink was horrible so I sent it back and ordered a Bud Light the Bud Light was not cold. Neither was the corona, and he brought me a plastic glass. Then we went and ordered the happy hour tacos, the oysters, the conch fritters, and the wings the oysters look like they had just been sitting in the bar for months they were horrible. so are the comforters and the tacos. I wouldn't even pay a penny for none of those the wings were the only thing that was. edible. Just a few was beautiful but I will never eat there in that restaurant again I spent $80 on nothing and then they have the audacity to post pictures of some beautiful food like really? I've been at a lot of restaurants with good food so not a stranger to good food or high price restaurant, but this is horrible.i

The service was really great but the food was not good at all. The Magi comes with black beans which had no flavor, not even salt. The rice maybe could have been good if they put the beans on the side but they put it all over the rice which ruins it. We also ordered a mojito which was like a lemonade. A lot of lime and you couldn't taste the rum. I honestly wouldn't come back even though the place is cute.

This place does not disappoint! We came during happy hour and sampled: honey garlic wings, peel and eat shrimp, oysters, and tacos. Everything was amazing? But the wings?! 10/10 recommend. The guava margarita + the rye thai hit the spot. Service was spot on-- Shane was super attentive and never missed a beat. With toddlers in tow, we headed to the beach area after our meal which made for the perfect afternoon. We will definitely be back

You know a place is a joke when the manager is the one writing good reviews - shame on you Shane R! The place is a disaster, staff changes more than they change the toilet paper - floors are filthy, managers busy trying to hit on my girl and the other staff. Food was ok, location is great. But the shame of posting on your own site is pathetic and weak

We tried the Latin chicken salad. It was delicious. Chicken was marinated perfectly. Fresh avocado and cilantro dressing was homemade and so good! Homemade sangria was excellent!

The food is wonderful and the staff is great. Shane the manager is extremely kind and from what I have seen... ALL of the waitstaff works very hard. Susie has been a wonderful, very happy bartender and Francine works very hard and has a wonderful personality as well. You can't beat the view and the outdoor is finally open!!

We're locals; live across A1A from restaurant. We've visited the restaurant on several occasions and have experienced nothing but outstanding food and service. Most recently our server, Daphney, was prompt, courteous and helpful. Shane, the Manager, was also the same. He came by twice to check on us. Yes, this place isn't the former Dead Animal Bar, but the food, service and atmosphere is much better. We simply don't understand the negative comment. Honestly, they appear mostly the result of a neighborhood and former employee vendettas against this establishment. Just a shame. Make sure you stop when visiting the Keys.

So good! We stopped here after visiting Anne's beach and got the steak tacos. Great flavor, cooked well and it was nice inside! You can tell everything is new, including the food options! Great service too.

On the way to the keys stopped here for lunc. Great food and service. The view is the best right on the water. Order the mahi tacos are the best.

We came here the other night around 8ish. Soon as I came in I noticed they were packed and running with a slim crew. However, the guy who seated us was very honest and upfront and told us there would be a 20 minute wait. It was a lot of us, 15, so we just chilled outside and got drinks at the Bar while we waited. Bar tender was good and drinks were on point as well. Once we were seated we had the pleasure to be served by Franny. Let me tell you, Franny made our night just that much more pleasurable. She took all our orders, drinks, apps, entrées, no problem, not a single beat. And I tell you, these guys were packed and short staffed, yet she just came in, good attitude, smiles and laughs, we all loved her. Now the food, we all unanimously agreed that everything was terrific. For apps we ordered fish chips, calamari, guac and chips, and conch fritters, every thing excellent. For entrées we had Mahi sandwich, tacos (fish and steak), and seafood rolls. Again, everything was spot on. Sadly we didn't take any pics as we all devoured our food. We all had such a good time and again the food was amazing. Compliments to the Chef, Franny, and the guy who sat us. Thank you oceanside safari for such an awesome night!

Only good thing about this place was our server Isidro he was very nice. Otherwise don't bother - there was just nothing special about this place. It bored me. The only reason I kept eating my order was because I couldn't be bothered to send it back. All very lackluster. The food was too expensive for the quality and quantity you're definitely better off going somewhere else! Especially considering this place used to be a local treasure before it was Oceanside Safari. View was nice and our server was lovely - that's about it! Don't waste your time or money going here.

came to oceanside for dinner with my friend and we had such an amazing evening! the food was ssooo good and the drinks were even better! shoutout to our bartender desi for her A1 service! she really is a gem and will be coming back with my girls! beautiful setting with delicious food and great service!

Everything from the food to the drinks was delicious. The service was great. The noise was just perfect. I don't like a acquire restaurant. Love this place. So close to home. Happy

We had a party of 11. We were celebrating the engagement of our son and his new fiancé with family members. The manager was very nice. The food was mediocre. Our waitress, Franny, started out friendly but became rude and unfriendly during the course of our stay. I have never been to a restaurant where the waitress made herself the center of attention. We tipped her 16% on a very large bill because we felt she deserved no more. As we were leaving, she came after several family members asking for more tip money. We would not recommend dining at this restaurant until they can prepare a blackened mahi-mahi the way it should taste in the Florida Keys. My meal was not fresh and tasted like it had been reheated from earlier in the day. Needless to say, our meals were mediocre and our server was intolerable. There are many restaurant options in the Keys to choose from and we sincerely hope this restaurant can do better in the future.