Temptation Restaurant

It looks like a hole in the wall but you can tell this is a locals favorite. With a steady flow of customers we knew it would be good. We were quickly seated and our drink orders were taken. Lobster and corn bisque was amazing. We ordered the Grilled Cheese, Crab Cobb salad and a Petite filet. We also ordered some Onion rings. There wasn't anything that wasn't amazing. Perfectly cooked onion rings with the right amount of seasoning, not greasy and the onion didn't slide out when you take a bite. The filet was cooked like ordered, medium rare. The flavor was outstanding. And very tender. They loved the grilled cheeses. Very unique but delicious. My crab cobb salad was filling and also delicious. We also got the Key Lime pie and salted caramel cheesecake for dessert. Everything that came out of the kitchen not only smelled but looked amazing. All in all an amazing experience. My only concern and I'm sorry to say this is that I believe the crab may have been spoiled as I was violently sick the next day. It only happened to me and I'm the only one that ate crabmeat.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a charming restaurant styled after the 1940s, and the experience was truly delightful. The waitstaff, dressed in crisp white shirts, added to the nostalgic ambiance, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere. The food was simply outstanding. I tried the tuna steak, which was cooked to perfection—flaky, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The tomato soup was equally impressive, rich and hearty with a delightful blend of spices that elevated the dish. This restaurant is a fantastic spot for history enthusiasts and anyone looking to enjoy a unique dining experience. If you're in the mood for great food in a setting that transports you back in time, I highly recommend checking it out!

We sat at the bar and had the lobster bisque and shrimp and grouper bites. Very good food . The fish was lightly breaded to perfection. We will be going back very soon! 2 months later review….just as good as the first time. We all had fish. The red snapper blackened with almonds was fantastic. Served with a side of veggies (these were just ok) and mashed potatoes. The shrimp New Orleans is also great. Bread served at beginning of meal could have been better and it would have been nice to have music playing in the restaurant. Key lime pie was so much better than any of the pie we had in Key West.

The Temp is hands-down one of the best spots on Boca Grande if you’re looking for that true Old Florida feel. It’s like stepping back into the good old days, laid-back, full of character, and just what you want after a day on the water. The food is always amazing, and the staff couldn’t be nicer. After fishing, I always go for The Joy sandwich it’s a local favorite for a reason! If you’re heading to Boca Grande, don’t miss The Temp. It’s one of those places that just makes the island experience. Heads up: if you’re thinking about going for dinner, definitely call ahead for a reservation, it’s a popular spot and fills up quick!

I am a native Floridian. The Grouper I had was the best ever. The food and service was so good we went back a second night. The Pompano was superb. My brother had the seared Yellowfin Tuna - Wow! Kudos to the kitchen for knowing how to properly prepare fish, the hostess/manager at the door who was delightful and our server, Joe Martin, a real professional and great guy. Can’t wait to come back. This restaurant is a must if you are staying on Gasparilla Island.

We were a party of six and had made reservations for a special occasion more than two weeks in advance. Side dishes were all served very lukewarm. Rib eyes were chewy and dry. The crab meat au gratin was very good and was served hot. Fried shrimp was just ok. Blackened snapper was dry and small portion at $48. Desserts were very good. Had to chase down ou server for a second round of drinks. .

Really lovely "hole in the wall" with a long history. Food was excellent, we had the island favorite and a daily special chicken dish that were both so amazing. Portions were smaller than what you might find on average, but absolutely not more than you'd ever want. We left feeling very full and not wanting more. The dishes are so flavorful. We also had the conch fritters which were so good, and nearly identical to what we've had in the Bahamas, where they are a tradition. Service was friendly and they even gave us the history of the place on request. The inside feels like a time capsule of old Florida, and, while dim, still charming. Highly recommend this restaurant, and especially the Island Favorite fish dish (as pictured).

Step straight back into the 1940s when you struggle through the heavy full screen door and double wooden door to get inside. The sign above the door says “restuarant,” so it’s not to be confused with the adjoining bar and small liquor store next door. Stumbling inside, you are greeted by an expansive dining hall with white table cloths, funky booths and an art deco recessed ceiling, softly lit. The floors are linoleum but the design is again 1940s modern, black and cream squares. No longer available. How they have preserved it with multiple hurricane storm surge and flooding is unclear. The wall murals depict iconic Boca Grande in the early days, with fishing boats and dock workers plying their trades. Large tarpon and a lone barracuda are mounted on the walls above. Ceiling fans spin slowly. The space is conversationally friendly. Quiet. Must be the recessed ceiling and white table clothes. A perfect spot to relax and have meaningful dialog. The long, dark-wood bar and small liquor store are through the doorway to the right. Dark and cool and heavily polished. A 300 pound, well-used butcher’s block sits regally at the end of the bar. Now the food. A simple menu with all one might desire. The emphasis is on fish. All fresh and perfectly prepared by a master chef, operating behind the 2 kitchen doors, with portholes. In fact bring your latest fresh catch in and the chef will prepare and serve it in the best way. We’ve seen it done more than once. The complimentary garlic and brown sugar bread is insanely good, and addicting. Best cheeseburger I’ve ever eaten (and I’ve devoured my share from NYC, to San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Miami and Denver.) Don’t miss the fried grouper strips and onion rings. Divine. Enroute to the restrooms, you might want to purchase some cigarettes from the 60-year old vending machine with the pull knobs. But get permission from the bartender first. Service staff is a delight. Warm, friendly, attentive and they always smile. Imagine that! We’ve been to Temptations frequently over the past decade. This restaurant is a treasure and our only hope is that the owner changes nothing, protects the establishment and keeps runnning the most iconic, original and classiest resturant in Florida.

This is for the bar! I love the old salty florida feel here. Very casual but the bartender was great! A good place for a cold beer while friends are shopping or after the beach!

I'd been mentioning this restaurant to Bruce for a while now. I'd walked in on a day trip to the island before, because you can't beat the sign & the old Florida ambiance and I told Bruce, "I think this is our kind of place." Last Friday, Bruce called for a table over the weekend and the lady laughed at him. He said she was "curt." So last night he surprised me by saying he'd gotten a table at 6:15 but we had to be out by 8:20. I started thinking, "This reminds me of something ..." [yes - Musso & Frank, White House Laguna, old-time Sycamore Inn] We got there and the hostess was kind and welcoming in person. She led us through the much-bigger-than-I-thought restaurant and the liquor cabinet. We got a table we were very thrilled with - by the back window. It reminded me of several places in "old LA" or "old Palm Springs" with its own special Florida flair. Our young, kind servers were all excellent and the party that sat next to us was a mom, dad, two grandmas, and the cutest little baby girl ever. They have home-grown looking murals and artwork on the walls and the restaurant's history is something to be proud of, as well as fascinated by. That said - our meal was one of our "good ones" - the food is oldschool but done right. We had the spicy crab dip which was seriously like something you'd get at Musso & Frank or maybe White House in Laguna Beach. An old recipe served in a traditional way. The chowder was excellent. I ordinarily don't order fried food but they have several fried items that are coated in extremely light, crispy, minimal batter. Oysters raw or cooked are one of my favorite foods & these were very good fried oysters. The baked potato was perfect & fluffy. The green beans were oldschool - with a little bit of pot liquor & spice. Bruce had crab cakes and he really enjoyed them. I fell off the sugar wagon & ate quite a bit of Bruce's caramel cheesecake. This thing was insane, it was like a candy bar in a crispy, buttery, brown sugary graham crust. It was so so sweet but had that dark caramel flavor with salt & graham, very good. So, this is the type of restaurant you need to show respect for, and they will treat you accordingly. You have to call ahead and make sure you get reservations and be kind to them, because it is always packed.

Our friend recommended this to us and we're so glad she did. Overall it was a great evening and a solid four star experience. I'm not sure if this is true, but I love that their menu feels like a daily menu that perhaps has some change from day to day. It is fairly small and for that reason I already appreciated this place! Seafood is definitely the shining star here but they do have a few other options. I ordered the Pompano because I've never had it or seen it in a menu. The server worked with me and the chef so that it was gluten free and dairy free which I was very thankful for but had hoped they would have come up with some sort of sauce or seasonings for the Pompano for me like I had requested. It ended up being plain and still very good and cooked well, but again, for such a nice place I didn't think my request was too much to ask. My baked potato was plain but also delicious and the side of green beans and carrots was really good! I'm glad they don't skimp on the quality of their sides. The history of the restaurant is really neat if you read the story on the menu. It helps explain why you feel like you're in a time capsule while dining there. I do have to say though, it almost feels like it has an identity crisis. The quality of the food and menu is quite high, but the interior isn't up to that caliber. The super old school floors and diner style booths are examples. Again, the history is neat and I'm sure some people appreciate these old features of the restaurant, but it just didn't do it for me. I'd return when we're back down in the area, as the food is definitely worth the visit. I'd recommend checking out this place; just don't blink because you'll miss it driving by!

Came before dinner and after lunch. The bar was the only thing open. We sat at the one hightop in the bar area. Grouper fingers and fries were delicious. Lightly breaded like we like. The man working the bar was friendly and attentive.

Been around for 76 years according to Kathleen the lovely hostess. Looks like a hole in the wall from the outside and the indoor decor dates itself but man oh man, must try. Delicious, great service. Love people watching here.

Had lunch at Temptation today and it was great. Grouper and shrimp very fresh and lightly battered, perfect seasoning. Daughter had the Grouper sandwich and said it was one of the best ever. Wife had the cobb salad with crab and gave it high praise. Waitress very attentive and never let the tea glass go empty. Would highly recommend!

This place is lovely. You take a trip back in time. I thought it would be stuffy considering the location. It's not at all. Our server Jean was just as warm as anyone could be. She didn't mind questions about the famous people who frequent the place. She didn't mind questions about the restaurant or about the working cigarette machines. She walked us all around and showed us the interesting aspects of the two dining rooms, the bar, and the liquor shop. The best part was the yummy food. I loved the murals on the wall. Felt like we experienced something very unique.

Walked in a little after 7pm. I didn't know this place was here so it was spur of the moment. No reservation. I walked in and stood at the door to be seated or at least greeted. I scanned the restaurant and it was packed. I probably wasn't going to get a table. 20/30 seconds pass and an older couple walked in. They were greeted immediately by a hostess. I didn't notice the hostess station when I walked in. Since the hostess greeted the couple that walked in after me and never acknowledged me, I walked out. I won't be back. It's a shame because it seems like a nice place. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Just perfect, Old Florida ambiance with really good food at a good value. Staff are super friendly and responsive. Don't miss Temptations if you are on Gasparilla.

We decided to do a day trip and were very hungry for lunch. We entered Temptation Restaurant and were so friendly greeted and that was by everyone. The food was amazing, grouper sandwiches were excellent and the drinks(pina colada and dirty martini) were perfect. We had a great waitress, great cook, great bartender! Next time we are in the area, we will drop in again. Thank you for the best food and service ever! Norm & Sue

We loved this restaurant. We went for lunch and all 3 of us loved our entrees. I want to try their dinner after such an awesome lunch.

The saying goes "its not how you start but how you finish" applied to our visit we made reservations (this is a must) for 6pm. Arrived a few minutes early and the welcome was not very warm. We grabbed a seat at the bar and grabbed a drink while our table was prepared. Barkeep was more interested in others and we thought this was going to be a mess. We were seated and waited several minutes for our server. She apologized and mentioned that opening is usually a bit hectic. From that point forward our experience went great. I had the chowder to start and it was amazing. My wifes salad was really good too. I decided on the crab cakes and they were superb. My wifes grouper was outstanding as well. Our server took great care of us and the meal was a hit. This is a mist place for a meal.

A visit here is a trip back to Old Florida. Step through the original doors and you're magically transported to the 50's -- 60's with hand painted murals on the dining room walls, a 1950's cigarette machine located on the way to the restrooms, and bathroom sinks that have separate hot and cold faucets, just to name a few of Temptations' highlights. Following a foodie friend's suggestion, I ordered the Grouper Reuben. It's served on a toasted marble-rye bread and served with your choice of two sides. One of my sides was fresh fruit, and let me tell ya---the fruit was so fresh and delicious! So, if you're looking to travel back in time AND have a great lunch, YA GOTTA EAT HERE! :-D

Excellent food & service! Have eaten at this restaurant several times while visiting Boca Grande. Always have a great meal!

The Temp is a must for dinner when in Boca Grande! The fish in the specials menu is always my first choice and has never disappointed.

Favorite spot on the island. Menu is fresh and staff the staff is friendly and energetic.

I can't believe it's taken me so long to try this place after going to Boca for a few years for tarpon season. Temptation and their bar is fantastic, all the staff is wonderful as well! Some of the best food on the island is served here. Get a hummer for dessert drinks.

Always consistent and wonderful. My Grouper Almandine was wonderful. Dad's Pompano-was terrific also. Service attentive but not pushy.

We have been going for years. A great hangout. Grear food. Friendly people. A Gasparilla highlight and full of history.

Three strikes & your out... So not only did we give this place a second shot, we also went for a third and it just keeps missing it. It began when my boyfriend & we ordered a crab Rangoon which was about a month or so ago. It was served to us way to overcooked to the point that the outer layer was burnt & flaky. Then a few weeks later we were in the mood for some Italian yet we don't want anything lo heavy. While I was still reluctant from the previous experience, We agreed to share the stuffed ravioli. When our food was finally brought out, we come to find that the ravioli was ice cold on the inside! Well,, tonight, was the final strike. We decided to order the Ribeye dinner plate. We figured we would order one of the most expensive plates ($48) so it has to be more than good, right? Well, the meat was totally fatty and we ended up eating maybe 2 bites. For being in such a prestige island this place just does not fit in. Not only is the place dark and a bit dingy, service is not the best and the staff could be friendlier. Very disappointing. I hope they get their game right one day & start serving some good dishes not ones that you buy frozen at Costcos and then heat up in the microwave.

Ate here twice this week for dinner. The first night everything was super fresh and good. The grouper fingers appetizer was so good we ordered a second round. The best was the second night. We arrived with a bag of fileted fish that we caught 2 hrs prior. We were supposed to eat at the Gasparailla Inn but after arranging in advance to have our fish cooked they changed their mind. You can read more about that on the review on their page. Cathy at the front greeted us and took immediate care of us. Kevin the chef, prepared our food and it was fantastic. Our server Jessica was so helpful and the service was awesome. Can't say enough great things. Definitely worth a stop. Reminds me of old Florida.

It was fantastic. The pan fried snapper was one of the best meals I've had .....period. It's a must have. We had 3 couples in Gassparilla, and we all agreed it was our favorite place, and there is a lot of good food in that town. I will go back for sure the next time I'm on the island. Service was great.

We love this restaurant. It is always our top choice when we visit the island. Our server tonight was Bailey and he was so attentive and knowledgeable. Everything is so delicious and well made. Everything on the menu is fresh and tastes delicious. You can't go wrong with anything. We have never had a bad meal at The Temp. This place will be open for another 75 years! Long live The Temp!

Hidden gem! Fresh fish specials daily! Lobster corn chowder is a favorite. Crab au Gratin appetizer is a must! Great wine selection.

Great local hangout with brilliant food...grouper fingers and spicy scallops are amazing !

I had an excellent lunch at my first time at Tim Tatian, I heard locals call it the temp! Small and cozy very intimate space, everyone seem to know everyone else, but they were also extremely welcoming! I had the grouper fingers and shrimp, vert good!

Charming restaurant, spectacular shrimp carbonara special. Kitchen was swamped with a large party and our order was delayed. Understandable, but other guests arriving after us did not wait for one hour.

Good average . Service adequate at best. Nice room. Very Pricey ! Rude !!!!! Not going back again

Great food! Love going for lunch and the grouper fingers are fabulous! Highly recommend!

The owners seem very nice and the food is good but........ Tables are crammed on top of each other. Old people screaming at each other. More iPhones lighting up menus than fans asking for an encore at. Sammy Hagar concert. If the place is crowded turn around. Could not wait to get out of there. Time to put an outdoor patio on the lot next door and pull some tables from inside. When no one is there; I am sure it's great but I doubt that ever happens.

I grew up in Boca Grande and have fond memories of the Temp and Frank and Ricky. I love the shrimp and get it every time. My wife got the triple tail special- but my other go to is the steak! Enjoy!

Very hard to get a reservation Last visit seated my party of five next to rest room and kitchen entry in front room. Visited a week earlier and got nice table in Caribbean room. Service both times was good and guests enjoyed their meals. Other than crowding and sometimes loud talking noise levels was good enough to recommend. Will be going back

we dined at the temptation last night, had the best waitress Marci, she was so attentive , informative, so knowledgable about the food on the menu. She was so great, and the food was so fresh, hot an appealing visually and tasted even better. The best fried oysters on the planet. Would highly recommend this restuarant with no hesitation !!!!! The place is clean an crisp, not much to look at from the out side, its a hidden gem!!!!!!!But make reservations , lunch or dinners. Can't say enough good things about the service and the food.

Had such high hopes based on reviews. Ordered lobster chowder, shrimp cocktail, triple tail with avo crema and fried shrimp/grouper. Chowder and cocktail were good. We are from Louisiana so know fried seafood. This shrimp arrived with no batter, no flavor and tough. Felt it was like a bad long John silvers. Do not recommend Service was sweet and swift.

Love The Temp. Food is great, atmosphere is old school, love it. Bar is robust and great place to have dinner too.

Get the lobster corn chowder!! Food was great, sat at the bar and had a great conversation with the bartender! Will be back next visit!

Old Florida atmosphere. Opened in 1946. Vinyl tile flooring (probably the original tile). Murals painted on the plaster walls. White table cloths for lunch and dinner. A wonderful time capsule taking you back to the 40's. You feel like Humphrey Bogart could walk in any minute. The specialty here is fresh, locally caught seafood which typically includes grouper, snapper, pompano, shrimp, oysters and soft shell crab. We enjoyed the Grouper Reuben at lunch. Small bar on side. If you come in the winter months, you need a reservation.

Our captain recommended this place after a morning of fishing. Located downtown, but easy to find. The inside gives you an old-school, speakeasy like vibe. Unfortunately, due to freezer issues the day we visited the seafood selection was limited. We split the snapper, which was cooked well and served over the most delicious brussel sprouts.

Summary: Go! Just get on the phone and call for a booking. I don't give very many 5-star reviews, but temptations was just great. I'd take a few points off for the room, but what they lack there is more than made up for elsewhere. Room: Definitely not Temptation's strong suit. Very utilitarian. In the full light of day it would look a bit like an elaborately decorated cafeteria. They even deliver the meals on those gray, plastic push carts I remember from the high school cafeteria. Service: Exceptional. Our server, Pete, was vey friendly and steered us toward a few things that we really appreciated. The appetizers came out quickly (soup and salad) and when the entrees were taking a little longer than we thought normal, Pete was there to entertain for a few minutes and take our attention back. Food: this is where Temptations really shines. We started with a Bibb lettuce salad and a lobster chowder and both were delicious. The salad was dressed really well and everything tasted fresh. For entrees, we had a seared tuna (special that day) and pompano piccata. The tuna was a really big block of very fresh, rare tuna, seared on both sides with an Asian noodle salad and a side of ginger fried rice. The Pompano was beautifully cooked with a delicate, flaky texture and the piccata sauce was delicious. It came with a potato croquette and both entrees came with sautéed asparagus. Everything was seriously delicious. Dessert is always a tug-of-war with us. We're up for it if it's something really special, but otherwise we're rather not waste the calories. Again Pete came through, suggesting the pecan pie and it was among the best I've ever tasted. Value: Temps is a very good value for what you get. Our dinner with two apps, two entrees, one dessert, and a bottle of wine was $185 and the wine was about 1/3 of that. Considering how really delicious it was, and the terrific service, I believe it's a good value for a splurge or celebratory event.

Best place for any occasion on the island! Fish and cocktails outstanding - and the package store is a lifesaver.

After a long day in the water, dinner at the Temp was just what we needed. Caught a grouper and brought the fillets in to the restaurant, handed them to the waiter, and they cooked it for us to perfection. We came as a large group and tried many items in the menu, everything was delicious. Service was fantastic and very attentive. Love the atmosphere. A must try when in Boca Grand!

Love the atmosphere! It's like going back into 1940s Florida. The murals on the wall are wonderful, the long bar as one enters is surely filled with locals, the food is delicious and there's even an old-fashioned cigarette machine near the bathrooms, which was just hilarious. It's a great place.

Wow, best meal I've had in FLA by far. Waitstaff is amazing, and the Island Favorite is the best grouper/fish dish I've ever had

The four of us had different lunch dishes. My seafood was good and the service was excellent. We'd probably go back if in the area again.

Great restaurant ! Fish specials are always fresh off the boat that day . We had triple tail last night and it was fantastic. Service was great ! My favorite restaurant in Boca Grand!

Temptation Restaurant was a surprising little gem that my friend had always wanted to try. We decided today was the day! We entered and saw what seemed like a little dinner set back in time. E wandered to the other side where there was a bar and one bar height table in the window with two chairs. We decided to sit there. Our waitress was bubbly and kind. Came right over and asked what she could get started for us. We asked for a drink and lunch menu. Promptly ordered a Prosecco drink and an old fashioned. We then ordered a bouillabaisse salad with crab and shrimp and a raspberry vinegarette, a lobster and corn chowder and a platter with fried grouper and shrimp, sweet potato fries and a fresh fruit bowl. The lobster and corn chowder was so thick! But it was delicious! The platter was tasty and my friend enjoyed her salad. The old fashioned was surprising. Wisconsin old fashioneds are completely different from Florida old fashioned. There was a giant ice cube with about an inch of whiskey in it, Dark cherries on a stick and a bit of orange peel in it. Back home they fill it with sprite or something! Not here!

Food was good as it has been in past visits, but service of entree was very slow. First course was delivered in timely manner but one can only drink so much wine waiting for the entrees.

Bartender Christine is always friendly and always on the move to serve ppl!! Great food...recommend Lobster Chowder, Shrimp and Grouper Platter, Cobb Salad!! It's all good!!! We sit in the bar for a casual experience. However, we have sat in the dining area for a special occasion.

Food was fantastic! Had the Lobster Corn Chowder, which is among the best soup I've ever had. Then had the Red Snapper, which was cooked to perfection. Everyone in our party was very pleased with their dishes. Server was very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. Even the head chef visited our table to ask how everything tasted. Wonderful evening. If you're looking for delicious food and great dining experience, off the beaten path, I highly recommend making the trip out here. Not likely to disappoint!