Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant

This is one of Jacksonville's hidden gems. The food is amazing! I recommend the lobster roll or the Haddock sandwich, blackened. The fried okra is not one to miss either. It has an amazing atmosphere as well as a wonderful view. The overall prices are good, but things like the lobster roll are a little pricey. The staff are friendly and attentive. They also offer a discount for activitie duty military as well as Veterans.

I highly recommend you give this place a visit! The food is wonderful and very fresh! You can order a wide selection of seafood, cooked the way you like it. You order and pay when you walk in the restaurant. They give you a number and you go sit wherever you want. You can sit inside or outside, but obviously I recommend you sit outside. The service was fast and friendly. They bring your order out to you, but you get your own drink refills and clean up your table when you leave. The best part is that you are sitting right on the water with boats driving by and birds flying around. The portions are good and you won't walk away hungry!

We had grilled grouper, steamed Mayport shrimp, steamed Royal red shrimp, fried oyster, Conch fritter. Mayport shrimp is best among the best. Everything is fresh. Nice spot to have a great sunset view

My husband had suggested we make the trek down to Safe Harbor to enjoy a meal and see what fresh seafood was available. We were taken care of quickly and our server apologized that they were out of their banana pudding. Our meals did not disappoint. We probably could have split one of the combo meals, but we both finished the shrimp and he finished his fish.

Food is great but you have to add your hot sauce. Service is amazing staff is always friendly and helpful. And the atmosphere is relaxed it reminds me of Jamaica back in the days. Overall great experience, will be back for more.

It is a industrial Fish warehouse and market . They have the Most amazing selection of fresh fish 🐠🐟 ,caught across the street waterside and processed it , bring it all the the retail store . Tons of sauces, spices , even t shirts , hot sauce ! I got the shrimp salad and was tasty . Ate with crackers outside on blue picnic tables !!

This is a no nonsense seafood eatery located right on the water with scenic outdoor seating. Their peel and eat shrimp were superb! They fried shrimp and crab cakes were delicious as well. Be prepared to wait in line to order.

If you want the real, deal freshest shrimp possible - this is the place. Sit outside, watch the boats that probably brought in what you’re eating. Nothing fancy, simple & delicious. Take the ferry if you are on Amelia Island.

Been wanting to check this place out. Stopped in for lunch at 11 am on a Saturday........... man am i glad i tried this place !! Great food !! Great Service !! Really cool atmosphere!! Hats off to 'Buster' who was checking on customers and getting anything you needed! Some people are great at hospitality and he is a prime example!! I had a grouper basket ($25) fried with slaw and fries , with an xtra side of black eyed peas!! Everything was phenomenal!! Cant wait to bring the family back for them to experience this place!! A+

Safe Harbor is one of the few seafood restaurants I really want to eat at. I like that I can customize my basket to exactly what I want. This last visit I opted for a clam strip basket with sweet potato fries. I ordered extra hush puppies too, they are the tastiest around. My son had chicken strip and fries and he was very happy with his meal. The service is always friendly and the food is fresh. The wait can be long especially on the weekend. The location is a little far out but it's a beautiful area. The only complaint I have is the portions don't seem to be set in anyway. My sister ordered clam strips, she had about half the amount I did and her's were mostly bits of batter rather than pieces of clam. I think they need to work on this. The crab cake also had shell last time. I understand it's seafood and this happens, but they should really take care to ensure no one breaks a tooth on shell.

We have been coming here for a long time. But I have to say I won't be coming back. The food never came. Service was awful. We waited 40 minutes and nicely asked where our food was. We were told we were next. Okay.. Fine, so we waited another 15 minutes for the food, everyone around us sat down, got their food, ate and left. We went to the manager and asked for our money back.. Manager gave us a refund and offered a dip to go... Just a waste of time for mediocre food anyway. We recommend Seafood Kitchen. Great service and better quality!

Delicious, great prices, chill vibes. We got the caesar salad with red snapper filet and the pick two combo of shrimp and scallop. The scallop was pretty soft! They accommodated my gluten allergy and offered extra coleslaw and collard greens instead of the fries and hush puppies. I'm glad I got extra coleslaw! I find most seafood to end up on the saltier side so the coleslaw and veggies cut the salt. Also, they provided three different sauces with the pick two (tartar, cocktail, and a mayo based creamy dressing) which I loved taste testing.

Great harbor view on the patio seating and the staff was all very friendly and informative. The food was delicious.

Waited in line for almost 40 minutes...but goodness...it was well worth the wait!! The service was quick, food hot and fresh and the breeze from the water on this beautiful sunny day was very much worth it all in the end. Stopped by the seafood market across the street for some fresh fish. I will definitely be back. Definitely try them out if you're ever in the area!!

Really like the additional seating areas inside and outside and an added small inside bar area. I don't eat alot of seafood but this here is fresh seafood and that sure makes a difference. I had the fried shrimp with pig sauce, some black eyed peas and a few of their delicious hush puppies, chased it down with a cold Local IPA, added with the gorgeous weather over the inlet views and I felt I had seen a bit heaven.

Grilled red fish, hush puppies and harbor fries... perfect end to a day! Staff is still smiling and engaging even so late in the day, and the water is relaxing after the storm!

I've been coming here for their take on fish & chis for almost two years now. The food is always fresh hot and delicious. My service also has always been on point no matter how busy the restaurant gets during peak times. The ambiance is delightful with your choice of waterfront dining or air conditioned dining room options. I have yet to have a bad experience at this restaurant and they will continue to get my business moving forward.

Safe Harbor Seafood has some of the best seafood in the Jacksonville area! They are always busy but it's totally worth the wait. Please don't let the long line deter you. Their shrimp nachos are amazing! Fresh mayport shrimp fried to perfection on top of tortilla chips and all the tasty nacho toppings. The smoked fish dip is also top notch! Some of the best I've ever had. Their fried fish baskets are my favorite. I usually get the basa. The filets are so flaky, light and flavorful! Hubby loves their hush puppies. We love Safe Harbor Seafood and can't wait until next time!

It was my Mom's birthday and she wanted to come here to eat. We had tried to come here in the past and didn't do our research, hence the line out the door at that time. This time we were able to walk right up to the counter an order. There was no way we were going to sit outside in 90+ degree weather, river breeze or nah so we sat at one of the high-top tables near the bar end. I got the Pick 3 Combo with Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Scallops, Fried Oysters, and fries and coleslaw. She got the Pick 2 Combo with Grilled Shrimp and Grilled Scallops with fries and coleslaw. The shrimp and scallops were good however they were salty and salty like they had added salt to them. Oysters were great. The hush puppies were really good and that was surprising. They weren't as sweet as ones from the other places and the cornbread tasted like actual corn and bread. After I ate all of the seafood, hush pups, most of the fries and my drink. I was full and satisfied. Mom liked her food just as it was. We also got a lemon blueberry cake slice and a chocolate cake slice, mine and hers. I was surprised that these were really good! Both were super moist like they came straight from a bakery. Definitely worth the drive out there.

Food was better than expected. Price was great. Service was awesome. The entire ambience of the place is exactly what we were looking for. I would recommend to anyone.

When we first tried Safe Harbor seven years ago it was OUTSTANDING! We waited in line almost three hours to get in. But it was worth it. We just had a late lunch early dinner on Saturday, October 14th. We arrived at 3:45 pm and found parking right in front of the restaurant. We walked in without waiting in line. We ordered a dozen raw oysters: they were small and tasteless! We ordered two clam chowders, but only one arrived with the explanation that they ran out and brought a gumbo soup. The clam chowder was watered down and bland. The gumbo was perfect! We shared a 3-way basket: Fried Crab cakes: we're dry and tasteless. Grilled Red Snapper: cooked to perfection. Grilled Mayport Shrimp: small but tasty. I tried to like safe harbor but unfortunately this time it was not worth the 90 minute drive.

Great food with an even better beach side view! Service was quick and very welcoming! Perfect for a beach trip meal or when that seafood craving hits

Line is long. U need to wait to order and then they will bring you your platters without utensils! Quality and quantity big disappointment! Crafty crab or Ale house are way better and you end up paying for less! We ordered calamari, crab cake, haddock, clusters of crab and shrimp. Shrimp were okay everything else big Disappointment!

So good! The three of a kind combo was awesome. I ordered the soft crab shell, oyster, and catch of the day blackened. Crab - tasty! Oyster - fried and good. Blackened fish, in this case haddock - amazing! Although they were all good, the fish was on another level! Atmosphere of this place and service was also on point. Top places I've ate at in Mayport. Must visit establishments!

Delicious lunch at Safe Harbor. Friendly staff and Veteran discounts! I ordered the pick three--scallops, shrimp and clam strips. You can pick from grilled, fried and blackened. I chose blackened. My meal was so good and came with fries and slaw along with several dipping sauces. I highly recommend Sage Harbor. Hint: if you don't want to wait in line, order at the bar on a first come/serve basis.

The shrimp basket was excellent. The atmosphere was relaxing. Service was quick to get our food out and friendly.

Way overpriced $28 for one tiny lobster tail. Cooked too tough. No sides. No drink. The ambience was nice though.

Location Mayport, across from seafood market. Parking Lot by restaurant and at seafood market Atmosphere Very casual- Service Order at counter, take out, or order ahead. One person taking orders Given a number and food delivered Seating Outside/ inside seating Food and beverage Appetizers, soups, tacos, lobster rolls, make your own bowls, platters, salads. Large portions. We had the tacos with snapper grilled and lobster roll. Tacos are self assembled and lettuce, pico is plentiful -corn tacos. Lobster roll-yum FULL of lobster-served with melted butter. Self serve fountain drinks and tea. Beer and wine available. Fresh seafood for whole fish entrees. Wide variety of desserts. Summary Worth the wait in line-large portions-great food-scenic seating overlooking harbor and fishing boats. Our go-to spot for really good food.

Safe harbor is a staple in mayport for years! Have been going since I was a kid! Food and service are great! Get there early. If there's a line don't leave it'll go fast

This is a local gem. Great, fresh seafood and the servers were friendly. The Mayport shrimp is great- fried or grilled!

Get their early bc the line will be out the door! If fresh fish is what you're looking for, this is your spot! They are right on the inlet and share a dock with fishing boats! From boat to plate is how they roll! Look at the menu ahead bc it is hard to decide once you get there. Pro tip: if the line is out the door you can sit at the bar and order right from the bartender...even if you're just having non alcoholic beverages. I like to get the platter with whatever is the fresh catch of the day! Can't go wrong. Also, get the crab or shrimp dip! Yummm! Pack that patience bc they are not quick and always busy! You can also walk across the street and buy fresh seafood from their market.

Got the weekly special at @safeharbormayport for lunch today. It was the Bangin' Shrimp Quesadilla. A flour tortilla filled with the bang-bang type shrimp found at most seafood places, but this one's better because the shrimp were swimming around, minding their own business mere hours before ending up stuffed into a tortilla. Delicious shrimp slathered in that famous bang-bang sauce everyone knows and loves. It was a chilly day so I also got a bowl of the Crab Savannah soup. It was a hearty and perfect way to warm up on a cool breezy day. #shrimp #seafood #mayport

Took my boyfriend here for his birthday dinner. Was trying to surprise him and he thought we were going somewhere else in Arlington lol he's not hard to please but I couldn't figure out a nice place to take him to dinner lol this place right here is one of Jax's best places for seafood and was rated best of Jax. So of course we had to come try it out and let me tell you.. the staff and the atmosphere is awesome. Especially when my bf got a little nauseated, one of the guys gave him a bottled water and a rag to wipe his forehead with. That was so nice of him. We had a nice dinner on the water, I splurge and got whatever he wanted. We will definitely come back to this place again for some fresh seafood!! You will not be disappointed! Captain Walters ComboConch FrittersCrab CakesBlackened Scallops

I love safe Harbor! When I want fresh seafood, this is always my first choice. I love their baskets where you can choose multiple items with fries and a hush puppy. My favorite is their triggerfish and I love it both fried and blackened. I really like that they're blackened seasoning is not too spicy but has a great amount of spice and is never burnt. They really know how to do it perfectly. I am always bummed when they are out of the triggerfish. However, there are always other options. They're clam strips are great, the shrimp is good, and they usually have some specials. I really like when they have their coconut shrimp. The weight can sometimes take a little while but it is definitely worth it. The only thing I wish that would change is in the summer. I wish that it was a little cooler inside because it can get quite hot with all of the People, the doors open, hot food, and sometimes the fans aren't always running. We have asked for them to turn them on, and sometimes they do and sometimes they do not. I also wish there was a little more seating, but it is what it is. The food is good and that is what counts.

Fresh food and great service. The weekend lunch line can get rather long, but thankfully one of the cashiers told me I could sit at the bar and order when I'm by myself. Love their specials!

The food is so good! They are a little slow. I love the kids cups! It is a nice place with a nice view! The workers are kind and polite. I would recommend this great place!

Took the drive and not the ferry to this iconic Jacksonville seafood spot. No frills-Check, Come early and get in line or be prepared to wait-Check There is limited seating inside and out thus mommy's the reason to get here early so you can sit outside by the water, eat fantastic fresh seafood and watch the boats come and go. Relaxing but there are some friendly bird's occasionally so watch your food unless you like sharing with interlopers.

Really good quality seafood, and a nice atmosphere! A little on the expensive side, but some of the best fried oysters i've had in a while!

It was Mother's Day and busy, and they said 45 minutes. We ordered two shrimp baskets to go. It was well worth the wait at 30 minutes. The best shrimp I have had in a long time. And we eat at another restaurant in Callahan FL the day before and it wasn't as fresh as Safe Harbor. Wow the best!! if its busy get it to go its a lot easier to enjoy eating the shrimp.

Highly recommend this Mayport seafood institution. The seafood is fresh,and they have much to choose from. We went on a busy Sunday at dinner time, and the line is pretty long. We were told it's worth the wait. It was. I had grilled Mayport shrimp, and the shrimp and the hush puppies were the best I ever had. My friends ordered various items, and were very impressed with the great quality seafood. I think next time we'll sit inside, it was uncomfortable sitting on the patio in the heat, and the seagulls were a bit aggressive. Taking food off of plates people had left. But, that's part of the ambiance! Gotta love a great seafood place.

My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Safe Harbor Seafood recently, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. The highlight of my meal was undoubtedly the delicious blackened shrimp and scallops. Cooked to perfection, every bite was a burst of amazing flavors that left me craving more. The clam chowder at Safe Harbor Seafood is a must-try. The rich and flavorful broth paired with tender clams created a comforting and satisfying bowl of chowder. What stood out beyond the delectable dishes was the excellent service provided by our server, Chloe. Her attentiveness, knowledge of the menu, and friendly demeanor added a personal touch to our dining experience. Chloe's recommendations were spot-on, enhancing our overall satisfaction. We left the restaurant with full stomachs, content hearts, and the certainty that we would return to indulge in more of their culinary delights. Safe Harbor Seafood has undoubtedly earned a loyal customer in us.

As restaurants go, this one is closer to the line you would enter for a pizza or a bowl of ingredients that you selected from a menu, and of course there's an option to call in your order. On my recent visit I ordered both a Salmon bowl and a Tuna spinach salad. I asked for no onions but there they were on the side. Each choice came with an option to get a "fresh catch" for the day with an additional and significant up-charge, often higher in price that the actual dish you're selecting. I opted for the bowl and salad "as is". I don't believe you would be able to taste the difference if it was caught today or yesterday. The food was very good, but in my opinion overpriced. But then everything is currently overpriced so I'm likely overstating the cost. My thinking is if the salad is $12 and the up charge for fresh catch of the day is $18, that is definitely very expensive. At that price, I would expect to be seated and order from a waiter with metal utensils, not plastic like at Whole Foods. . The food is very good and the line is out the door during evening and weekend hours so they must be doing something right. If you love seafood and sitting outside near the boat docks, it's wonderful! I personally love sailing and anything on the docks. The beer is cold, the deserts are tasty, the ambience on the docks is cozy. A large party of people may have trouble getting a large table but otherwise I enjoyed the experience and I would eat here again! 4 out 5 stars The person taking my order has poor customer service skills.

Love the atmosphere and the food! The restaurant is now...."just the restaurant"; the fresh fish is across the street. You can walk or drive over and pick up more to take home. We love sitting outside and seeing the shrimp boats parked.

Wow I was blown away by the food here! The staff were working their butts off making the best and fastest seafood around! And it shows! I got a basket with fried haddock and fries and their pink sauce that came with 1 hush puppies too! It was absolutely Devine! The fish was just perfectly fried and so fresh! And our view was wonderful of the water-though watch out for all the birds trying to snag some food! Can't wait to bring my family back to try!!

Three stars is being generous, but I'm giving some benefit of the doubt based on the now-closed Five Points location which turned out better food. Getting lunch here can be an expensive proposition, and I'm just not sure the kitchen is up for the challenge of working with fresh seafood. The blackened shrimp which were plump and juicy in Riverside are a little drier and harder, and the fried oysters just don't seem very flavorful. The service can be very slow even at less crowded times, and the space is more warehouse vibe than restaurant. I won't be hustling back here anytime soon.

Great affordable seafood. The haddock fried fish, scallops and shrimp are amazing. Love the hash puppies. Go early because this place gets really busy. Great staff and awesome atmosphere. It's on the waters.

Years ago, this was the most amazing place for seafood. We visited here today and I'm sad to say that's no longer the case. While the seafood is very fresh and our meals were served at the appropriate temperature, the portions are small and the execution leaves a lot to be desired. My fiancé had the fried shrimp and deviled crab (pick 2) combo. The fried shrimp was very good but the deviled crab was very bready. I ordered the lobster roll thinking it was a normal chilled Maine lobster roll but that was not the case. Instead, I was served burned lobster on a burned roll. I ate some of the lobster but it was very dry. I didn't eat the roll at all. The fries on all plates were served hot but it's sad when the frozen fries are better than the fresh seafood. We also shared a seafood chowder which had mostly corn in it. I'm giving 2 stars for the waterview and one for the food. All in all, it was very pricey for a substandard experience; one which we will not repeat.

Sad. Used to come here a lot. Visiting from the Burgh and brought family. 109$ 130$ after tip and we get attitude from the cashier when I ask if we need a number bc O realized we didn't have one. She blames us "You didn't take it and I gave it to someone else." Fact - and on camera - she didn't give us one to begin with. The food came and grill is over salted. (See scallop and images). Just too much salt to taste anything. Used to love this place - no wonder it's not busy.

Let me start by saying - I know during the last couple years- there are staffing issues, inflation and Covid occurred. My other review was 5 stars - need to update to reflect the last couple months. I previously stated long line - worth the wait - now not so much. However the costs of a lunch for two I compared has gone from what we normally order from $50 to $80. The quality seems less, dry fish - and smaller portions. We usually enjoy our food here tremendously, but I think the margins have caught up. Second time we encountered this in a row. Hope we get back to better quality and portions for cost especially since we are paying 38% more. Staff have always been great no issues there - we see a lot of turn over though. Let us know when you think thinks have stabilized to try again - this was a weekly / monthly visit sometimes - now I am thinking rarer visit for gumbo.

Great Fresh Seafood! We were visiting the National Park just down the street and the park ranger suggested this place and we are glad that he did. The seafood is Fresh, so fresh that they own the seafood market across the street.

Anytime I want fresh seafood that was sure to be swimming in the sea only hours ago, I go to Safe Harbor! Be prepared to wait in some sort of line when you go- they're busy because they're food is good and it's that desired by EVERYONE! I've waited in lines wrapped around the inside of the dining room and outside all for the chowder and harbor fries because it's THAT good! Safe Harbor is your local, seafood shack-type dining place on the water. It's affordable and the employees are happy to take care of you and serve you their food during your visit. You can tell they're proud of their menu and what they offer, rightfully so! I ALWAYS order the clam chowder, it's one of the best around! The harbor fries are something different yet SO good. You can't go wrong with the combo baskets- highly recommend trying a fresh catch and shrimp combo. I always go for the Trigger fish or Grouper, worth the upcharge! Blackened seasoning is definitely the way to go for the fish and lightly fried for the shrimp! Their side salads are nice portions for the price. Everything is reasonably priced for the quality of seafood you're getting. And of course, the view and surroundings are PRICELESS! You really feel like you're in a coastal fishing town when you visit Safe Harbor. This is one of my favorite parts about this location. I highly recommend grabbing a table on the porch so you can gawk at the boats and marine life while dining.

Safe Harbor is my kind of place! Quick affordable fresh seafood with a view! They have good prices for beverages and have a delicious mini key lime pie. Been coming here for years and always take my family when they are in town. This time we tried the conch fritters-sooo good! And the snapper fish tacos. Somehow on a Friday at 5:30 there is was no line. I usually get the seafood baskets with a blackened shrimp, scallops, and fried clams. Mmm This is very close to the Naval station Mayport, a boat launch if you like to fish, and some great outdoor spots for hiking or the beach: Hannah park, Fort Caroline, Spanish Pond. You can also take the ferry across for about $6 up to Amelia island and make a day going to Huguenot Memorial park on Heckscher drive, Big Talbot or Little Talbot. I can't wait to check out the fish market that they just built and is now open. It looks so nice.

Food was good Service was great Ambiance was nice Will return whenever I get a chance to visit Florida again I will make a stop to have lunch here

Still one of the best and most reasonably priced seafood restaurants in North Florida. Don't believe me, ask any of the people standing in line when you go, because there is always a line. Don't worry, the line moves quickly. There is a lot to get, so go numerous times and try the menu because it is all well done. There is parking up front, but it fills up quickly, but there is plenty of room off to the side (dirt lot) or across the street at the seafood market (paved lot). While I am talking about it, stop by the seafood market after lunch to get the freshest seafood this side of the ocean. Crab, lobster, Basa, Grouper, Shrimp (heads on, heads off, shelled, unshelled), Flounder and a host of other things like sauces, desserts, spice mixes and bags of frozen fish. But what about the food? Shrimp Nachos - good, nachos with everything but the meat, replaced with shrimp. Good, but I think there are better choices. Harbor Fries - OMG, this is the bomb. Fries top with crab and spices. I challenge you not to eat every scrap in the basket. Shrimp Po Bo - very big sandwich, so it is good but awkward to eat. So much so that awkwardness overcomes to flavor. Banging Shrimp Tacos - really solid choice. Datil peppers add just the right amount of spice. Fish Tacos - build your own, choose your fish and get it fried, grilled or blackened. My choice is always blackened. Basa Basket - my go to, but I switch out twice baked potatoes for the fries. I also get it lightly blackened. Sides - really all of it is good from the cucumber sales to the fried okra to my choice of twice baked potatoes. Really solid lunch spot, also a cool place to take out of town guests as something ONLY LOCALS KNOW.

Great seafood place! It's a pre-plated service, so you order your food from the cashier and they give you a number. Then you grab a table anywhere you want, the table are outside. So there are some hungry creatures flying end to have some food. Most of the outside seating is covered though.

Tasty seafood! Fresh. Great taste. Fast service. On the water. Nice view. Loveddd the shrimp nachos!!!

This restaurant's hours are listed wrong on Yelp. We walked in (door is unlocked) with our two year old at 10:56 am. There was a line forming at the counter, there were people ahead of us and behind us. An employee came out from behind the counter and loudly and rudely informed us they were not open until 11am and that we needed to wait outside. As we started making our way out of the restaurant, he continued, "back up, we open at 11, not 10:57, not 10:58...". Everyone was complying but he kept almost shouting at us as he ushered us out of the restaurant. My family was really excited about this place and this food, but we ended up getting back in our car and leaving. The way that he treated us was really inappropriate and if this staff treats their customers this way, it makes me nervous in regards to their food prep and safety and restaurant cleanliness, and all of the parts of this kind of business-- if they don't value their customers, they don't value anything.

If u love deep fried fish this place is for you. Service was quick and ambiance is perfect for all age.