The Waterman Fish Bar

We've wanted to visit this restaurant for a while and finally had the chance today. Our server Kortnie was awesome. We were greeted as soon as we walked in the door. The service was awesome. The food came out relatively quickly. They get great points for timeliness and courtesy. I liked the appetizers, although I can tell it was time to change the oil in the fryer... I could taste it in the Calamari. The Honey Butter for the Hush Puppies was really good. Unfortunately, I ordered the Cajun Pasta. The sauce was very thin and barely clung to the Cavatappi...I'm not sure why they use that pasta for that dish but that's an entirely different conversation. I don't like sending dishes back but I could not eat it so I sent it back. As a former Sous Chef, I was expecting a Manager to come speak with us for their report but that never happened. I was very surprised by that. Anyway, maybe they were having an off day in the kitchen. Not so sure I will be returning anytime soon.

Great food. Ordered the seafood gumbo. Wife ordered breaded shrimp. So good. Atmosphere is alive and vibrant. Service is great. Will be back. And oh my goodness if you even remotely like pecans get the Pecan Bar. It’s like candied pecans with ice cream wow!

The shrimp platter is delicious. I think the batch I had was a little over cooked, but the taste was there and the portions were good. I was not a fan of the lobster roll, though. It was bland, the lobster needed seasoning, some butter, something! The Mac and cheese was pretty good, but the portion was not enough to even feed a toddler. And for the price, it was quite disappointing. I might be back to try other options. The inside dining can feel cramped and loud, but they do have a rooftop, so not sure if that would be a better vibe.

Pretty disappointing experience. This had been one of the restaurants we liked going to for seafood and oysters. Seems to have fallen off. We were never asked if we wanted to sit outside. We were just taken to the table next to the bathroom. Really bad service. Short pours on a $7 12oz beer in the afternoon. Crumbs for fries. Recipe changes to cheaper ingredients on the ceviche (which seemed to have sat a while before being brought out with some soggy chips). It used to be one of our favorite things on the menu. And the service was so bad I could mention it again. How we could be served oysters before our drink order was ever taken is beyond me. Hard to enjoy the meal when it felt so dysfunctional and they didn’t seem to care that we were customers. We had a couple interactions with manager types but they never asked how things were going, just running the food or assisting taking the check.

I’m hooked on their hospitality! Even on a stormy night the manager cleared off tables to accommodate our birthday girl. There wasn’t much of a wait outdoor but the inside was packed which is a good sign of good food. There are drink specials and unique seafood dishes. The table raved about the appetizers. The rooftop was closed due to the weather but I would come back. Not too pricey and just enough to make the night special.

Best chicken waffles I’ve ever had. Service was great. Chicken was plum, juicy, and perfect crisp flavor for batter. The waffles were rich. Slightly a little too sugary, but still good. Biscuits were amazing. Nice and golden on the outside very fluffy and moist on the inside. Chicken and waffles – $18, biscuits – five dollars, chicken biscuit – $11 Music was very vibe and a good loud volume. Especially because the patio is in a busy intersection. Help drown out a little of the car noise. Pet friendly

I hadn’t visited in a long time and this take out food was not good at all. The broccoli was hard even though I asked for it to be cooked a little softer. They also charged me for an extra side of broccoli that I didn’t ask for. The salmon was bland. They barely gave any rice. The Mac and cheese used to be one of my favs and it had a very weird taste to it as if something was spoiled. It wasn’t good at all. I will not be returning.

This is a great spot for a lively and delicious meal! And I do mean delicious. This was our second visit in the past few weeks and it was even better the second time. We’ve had the lobster roll, the tacos, the scallops, the fish and chips, the calamari and the hushpuppies. The calamari was perfect! So tender. The fried haddock fillet was huge, fluffy and moist. It was all very good. Both times our server was prompt, friendly, accommodated our requests and anticipated our needs.

Soooo good! I love getting shrimp and grits everywhere I go and this one definitely lived up to the hype. My partner got fish and chips and they were super good as well! Everything was cooked to perfection. I love the vibes inside and out. I definitely need to come back and get a drink on the rooftop. The service was super quick and the staff is friendly. The portion sizes are great, and the price is great for a nice seafood restaurant. We will definitely be back. I'd recommend for food, service, and vibes! We didn't get drinks this time, but it seems like a great drink and date spot.

This restaurant was so disappointing. My friend and I decided to try a different restaurant in South End with outdoor seating. The pictures and other reviews made this pick a candidate. Since this restaurant is located in a strip mall, there was ample parking. The tables and chairs lend to a nautical vibe. The hostess was friendly and seated us right away. Our waiter, Ryan, was also fantastic and accomodating. I ordered the salmon spinach salad and my friend ordered the trout. We asked for coffee and lemonade as well. The coffee was cold when it arrived. The lemonade was very syrupy, that is the best way I can describe it. The salad did not look appetizing at all. The salmon was well seasoned and the greens were crisp. This dish could have used more dressing. The cream on the trout took away from its mild flavor. The other patrons raved about their food. Maybe we picked the wrong things off the menu.

The food here was super good. It was very heavy though so just be mindful if you go anywhere after. I split the seafood dip and it was really good. Everything came out very hot and fresh. The service was honestly really good considering I was with a large party of 12. I like the vibes inside. I feel like I would like it even more on the rooftop but it was unfortunately raining so the top was closed.

The customer service plus Oysters are delicious here!!! 10/10. The ambiance is a nice warm feeling it reminds me of a beach day in Myrtle Beach.

Amazing food, amazing service, amazing time. I will definitely be going back!! I enjoyed everything about being there!

This is a decent choice for a meal in the Charlotte Airport. Service is on top of things throughout the meal, my glass was never empty. It's a nice space with a view of the runway, and relatively peaceful (although the music was a little loud). I started with clam chowder, which was very nice and chock full of clams. The lobster roll was also very good, although it needed a few squeezes of lemon to give a little pop. Some more butter would have also been good. Still, the meat was good and the bun was nice and toasty. The cole slaw was very plain, I'd suggest skipping it. Check out the Waterman next time you're flying through.

I haven't been here in years...so decided to make it a date night! First of all, the place was busy as ever. Unlike my first time here, it had this chaotic ambiance this time...with staff members running around everywhere. This could have been influenced by being seated in a booth right next to the cashier station. What an awkward placement! Anyway, we started by ordering the Crispy Calamari...and drinks. My husband got beer as usual, and I decided to try this "Sailor's Delight". Well, this frozen drink was basically undrinkable...in that it was so creamy and thick that I was unable to suck any liquid out of it. ?!? It was also way too sweet!! I barely touched this drink. Then the bad batch of Calamari. It took a long while...but when we finally got this delivered, it was like 80% tentacles (not sure what you call them, but look at the picture, and you'll see what I mean). We didn't pay $16 to have mostly these tentacles...we wanted the rings! I finally tagged down the waitress, and they took this bad plate of Calamari back, and replaced with mostly, if not all, Calamari rings. We appreciated this...however, it was rushed, so the Calamari wasn't fully cooked the way we like it. Meaning, it was a bit too chewy...and the fried batter wasn't quite right. Mostly flaked off. Oh Well. As for the entrees, we both got the Connecticut style Lobster Rolls (warm with butter!)...and my husband got Fries for sides, and I got the Broccoli (extra $2). Well, we both loved the rolls. These were truly lush rolls with a ton of Lobster, a ton of butter, and these thick, soft breads. However, my husband felt that the Fries were too greasy...and I thought my Broccoli was too tasteless. I wondered why they couldn't add a bit of flavor to it...Chili, Soy Sauce, something?? No matter, we were happy with the Lobster Rolls. Another thing that somewhat bothered me was their sloppy, slapstick presentation...everything with these paper wraps over the plates. Were the plates just not cleaned? Why all these paper wraps?? Maybe I'm missing something...but I just didn't see why they couldn't just deliver the foods on the plate...Would have made for a much better presentation. Instead, everything looked like cheap fast food! I remember they used to deliver the foods on the plate (no paper!) years ago...but now, this new crappy format. Why?!? Aside from the really good Lobster Roll (thank God for that!), everything else was a mess. Well, the waitress was good...no issues there. However, the bad drink (I should have sent this back too!), the bad Calamari and the cheap paper presentations all left me feeling a bit cheated. I mean, the foods here are quite pricey....yet they looked and tasted cheap on the most part. Again, the only redemption was their Lobster Rolls...and for that I'm not dropping 1 star...but 2. Frankly, for the price of the Lobster Roll, think I'd rather turn to Sea Level (equally delish rolls)...where you don't get things delivered on paper, and better fries. Unfortunately, I don't see myself choosing this place again.

I've been to Waterman quite a few times now and they're a solid spot for seafood! You can't go wrong with the happy hour oysters, and we've enjoyed the lobster rolls and lobster Mac and cheese more than once! The interior is casual and sea-based, which makes for a fun lunch, especially if you throw some hush puppies in the mix! Servers are always kind as well.

Jess and Tiffany were amazing, quick and knowledgeable, so accommodating ...The best chargrilled oysters were fresh and so good, lobster roll and creole biscuits tasted yummy... wonderful lunch! A beautiful day on the patio was the best atmosphere!!

I decided to head here for an early dinner and got the Fisherman's Pick with a side of Caesar salad. The food was okay, the fish was a bit under-seasoned, but it had a nice crunch, and the tartar sauce made up for it. I was greeted by a fun and friendly staff, which I really appreciated. I do plan on going back to try the oysters, as they looked really good. All in all, it was a good experience, and I plan on returning to try something new!

Had a craving for seafood during my visit to Charlotte so decided to give Waterman a try! Ordered 2 different types of oysters from CT & from Canada. They were both DELICIOUS! Decided on the lobster Mac & cheese & the portion was perfect for me! The cheese was very creamy just how I like it! Great ambience inside but definitely call ahead for an outside table as none were available during my visit. Will definitely be back!!

I went here for a quick vibe after passing a few times and loved it! The rooftop is really nice but can get hot depending on the time. The waiter was very attentive and I appreciated his recommendations on my shrimp taco. Im excited to go back and try some of the other dishes.

I got the NC trout for dinner and it wasn't my favorite. The skin was still in it which made it quite fishy. We also got the calamari as a starter which I loved! Will definitely be coming back to get that.

Love the food and rooftop ! I'm hooked on their hospitality! There wasn't much of a wait upstairs There are drink specials and unique seafood dishes. The table raved about the appetizer and the rum punch ( I think this was a brunch drink) Not too pricey and just enough to make the day or night special.

At this price point, you may not find better fish in Charlotte. I went for the shrimp po' boy, and boy was it stuffed! I also don't know what they did to the bread, but I'd probably take an order of that on its own. The fries were decent; they only needed a bit of salt to bring them up to where they needed to be. This is definitely a casual place, not your fancy dinner place, but it doesn't need to be.

I enjoyed my experience at Watermans. Me and my friends split the platter which included a piece of fish, shrimp fried oysters, french fries, coleslaw and hush puppies. We sat at the bar where you can watch staff shuck oysters and it's convenient to have the outdoor seating along with the upstairs "rooftop "area. Also lots of barking.

I retuned to Waterman's because my first experience with them was so good! Our server was sweet and the staff were helpful. We started with oysters and calamari, which were both very tasty! When we got to our entrees, that's when things changed a little. The lobster Mac and cheese was delish but the breading in the fish was so greasy and thick, it made it hard to enjoy the fish and chips. We also had salmon and broccoli which was pretty good but the shrimp was a bit overcooked. We usually enjoy Waterman's so we will give them another shot! The restaurant is still clean and provides a good amount of seating! Hopefully the top deck will be open next time.

10/10 err... 5/5 Great spot to grab some seafood. There is plenty of parking which is hard to come by in south end. It shares a lot with Harris teeter. We were greeted by a wonderful host named Avah, she was outstanding in welcoming us and sharing what the place was all about, she gave us some recommendations on what to eat as well! We started with the hush puppies and charbroiled oysters. Both were excellent, no complaints there. Some of the best oysters I've had. Wife got the chicken and waffles which was really well done, the hot/bbq maple syrup that came with it as an option was less desirable, it just tasted like bbq sauce. So she asked for the regular maple syrup in the end. My in laws and I got the hot butter lobster rolls which were very good, just missing some extra butter. Once that was brought out we enjoyed the rolls. They were sweet and buttery with that richness of the lobster that the butter brings out. As we left avah saw us out and left us with a good send off. I forgot to mention she even offered our son an extra kids menu to draw on when he'd finished his first. Love the attention and care put in to the experience.

As always, the food and service are excellent. And the OYSTERS!!! It's always about the Sea Level oysters at oyster happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7. The rooftop bar is one of the best spots in Charlotte! Thank you, Takira for making tue experience memorable!

Went for happy hour oysters and also got the calamari and dirty martinis. Calamari was crisp and hot and the sauces really made it next level! Oysters were fresh and excellent and loved their take on the condiments: fennel mignonette, lime juice and jalepeno and the classic cocktail sauce with lots of horseradish. We sat at the bar on a busy Friday and still had great service. We will definitely be back.

Walked in and was immediately seated -- off to a good start. We were served water right away and told our waitress would be with us shortly. But after 30 minutes of waiting with no service, we decided to head over to the bar. That's when the night turned around -- we were greeted by Kaci, who then introduced Ava, and they were both amazing! Fast, attentive, and consistently checking in -- they refilled our water without us asking and made sure we were taken care of the entire time. Top-tier bar service made up for the slow start, and honestly, I'll be back just for that level of hospitality.

Connor with Offline - Popped in for a late lunch, bartender walked through the whole menu and highly suggested the Cajun Pasta. It was fantastic, had chicken, andouille sausage and shrimp all mixed into a rich creamy sauce. Large serving, you'll definitely be bringing some home!

Waterman's has an amazing roof rooftop, and inside dining experience. The rooftop seasonal pop-up is an event not to be missed! During my recent visit, I enjoyed cocktails that were wonderfully made and taste delicious. The only negative is the food was under seasoned. This was the experience for everyone at my table. We had a great time however the food was simply so-so.

This is my new favorite restaurant. I've been twice. The most recent visit, our server didn't visit us the entire time (she apologized and said she had a 13-top). I wanted to try the lobster Mac n cheese and they were out of lobster as well. All that aside, the food is so good and the fish sandwich is like my favorite. Last time the fish was enormous. I was extremely pleased. The fries are always amazing. The pasta was pretty good. The lobster roll was good but I did not expect the lettuce but I guess that's my fault. I was pretty sure the menu didn't say lettuce but no big deal. The hush puppies are by far the best I've had my entire life. The coconut shrimp is good but what makes it really good is the sauce that comes with it.

The NC Mountain Trout fried with crawfish gravy was delicious! Also, the Salmon spinach was a hit with the wife. Good service and choices. Thumbs up!

Found the Waterman in Charlotte after traveling all day from Texas to a training seminar. My coworker and I were driving around to find something as we were unfamiliar with the city and came upon this restaurant. We were seated quickly and courteously and ordered. The vibe was lively and patrons seemed to be college aged for the most part. Later learned we were near the UNC. Our food was served and it was so good. I'd never had a BLT w/salmon before but it was tasty. Would recommend.

The food here is good I have no complaints there, however the service was bad. When we arrived we were not greeted. We stood at the door roughly for five minutes before we were acknowledged. They had a private event happening on the rooftop which maybe why they were unorganized, however if that was a private event b then staff should've been prepared. We finally were seated but no one came back to take out for roughly 10 minutes. There weren't many guest there which is why we were confused at how inattentive they were. We waited another extended time for our drinks. I hope their service isn't always like this because if so I'll have to pass. But overall the food was great the service wasn't. Do with that what you will!

I've wanted to try this place out for a couple years now. I brought my mother and sister here because they both wanted seafood. It's a beautiful location. The inside is roomy and cozy. They have a nice menu offerings, and fair pricing. The chargrilled oysters were a little small, but OK. We had some mimosas on the Sunday brunch menu. The salmon BLT was just OK. I felt that the food kind of lacked in flavor. But maybe I just needed to try something else. The fries were really good. The service was average. Our server was pretty attentive, it was a slower Sunday morning. I enjoyed it, I came with a tough crowd, though. As in they're hard to please. But I'll be back back by myself. The bar looked inviting. There's plenty of parking in the parking lot. And the bathrooms are nice and clean. They also have some outdoor seating. Overall, it's a nice place.

Stopped in because I was craving some oysters. I came early on a Sunday and set at the bar. Wasn't super busy yet. They have a nice patio and rooftop. Service was quick and pleasant. Decently priced. Shrimp toast was good definitely shareable if ordering for the table. Will definitely be stopping back in. It's next to a Harris Teeter so there is ample parking which is nice.

Came in on a Friday to take advantage of their lunch specials, which run from 11am-2pm on weekdays. Parking in the lot was crowded, but luckily there were still some spaces open. We arrived around 1:30pm, and there was about a 30 min wait for both indoor and outdoor seating (the rooftop wasn't open). But there were a couple of spots at the bar, so we decided to just do that to ensure we'd get our order in before 2pm. Service at the bar was friendly and speedy. We ordered the Fisherman's Pick sandwich and the Fried Shrimp Po' Boy, both with fries. The plates were hefty portions, and everything tasted great. The white fish in the Fisherman's Pick was piping hot and breaded so nicely. I'm amazed that they offer these options for just $10 each. It's a great deal, and next time I'll just try to arrive on the earlier end so that we can get a table on the patio.

Everything was well for dinner. I would do that the greeting times were kinda off as in how long it took to greet someone. I had the fish sandwich and it was really good. The fries were not good on the other hand. They were lukewarm, wasn't really a fan of them. I added on the mac and cheese but I did not think the portion size was 6.5 worth. The flavor was good just not the price. It was kind of late so I decided to get dessert to go, which I decided on the key lime tart but the bartender did suggest the southern pecan bar if you really like candied pecans. Overall a good experience, I would love to come back during lunch and sit outside since they do have a outdoor seating area and from the looks of it they also have a great drink list and flight options.

Great spot for a happy our drink or appetizer (haven't ordered an entree from there to speak to their full meals). Their upstairs roof is awesome for a breezy view of the city. We sat at the bar and the service was quick and friendly! Would definitely stop by again for a spritz and some shrimp cocktail - two of my favorites :)

Stopped by to grab a quick lunch. I ordered the salmon BLT which was decent. The fries were good & seasoned well. Our server was friendly & helpful. The restaurant was clean & there was plenty of seating. Overall, decent experience.

Really nice place, trendy. It has indoor and outdoor seating as well as a rooftop. Tried the New England clam chowder and although it was good, I wish it was creamy. For main dish, I ordered the warm lobster roll with fries. This one was really good and the restaurant offers the cold or warm option for the roll. And to drink I ordered the flight that came with 4 drinks and one was a frozen drink. The flight was really good and my favorite. Our server was really nice too. Definitely a place to try

The salmon blt is always amazing. Perfect for lunch and a nice filling size portion. The happy hour oysters are from 2-7 and are absolutely worth going for. Wasn't too thrilled with my waitress this visit however but none the less all food and drinks were great

Had the sea level salts and the lobster roll both were bery good, server was great worth the trip

I am a regular here but I've recently started getting take out more often than dining in. The lobster Mac and cheese here is one of my favorite things as well as the trout.

This place is amazing! It is located in South End around a bunch of cute shops. There is parking in the back as well as on the street, I found street parking very easily. We arrived at 2 pm on a Saturday and there was a 10-15 min wait, not bad. The food was incredible, we ordered the seafood dip for the table and it was very yummy and a great dish to start out on. Their Caesar dressing is made in-house so I would recommend ordering a small Caesar salad with your meal. All of our dishes came out perfectly and we will definitely be back to try more!

I would say this place is just okay -- we got calamari for an appetizer and while the sauces that come with it were delicious, the calamari itself was extremely tough :( For the main entrees, the fish and chips was just decent. The fried coating on the fish was over done though, and almost tasted burnt. Additionally, there was a ton of grease which I did not like!! My bf got the Po Boy roll, and he really liked it. The fries in both our dishes were good.

Dropped in this place unexpectedly in North Carolina due to a layover.. what a refreshing find! First greeted with friendly staff, quickly put on a waiting list to get a seat and directed to the bar for our wait. Ask for a particular tasting beer the bartender well-versed suggested and actually said let me go pull one from upstairs.. brought it back, served ice-cold, and exactly what I was wanting.. just was an amazingly kind effort and for sure, not expected. We shortly seated at a perfect table. The Waitress was able to take the time and give us specific details of their menu, which helped us be able to make our decisions much quicker. We chose the fried Waterman's fish and chip platter so that we could taste Carolina flounder and we were not disappointed. Very tasty. The hush puppies were also wonderful served with sweet cream butter was a special treat. Another entrée of our choice was grilled salmon on a bed of basil and spinach linguine pasta which was very creamy delicate served with garlic bread and flavorful cooked to perfection, (sidenote my sister ordered that and she is a salmon connoisseur.. she is super hard to please when it comes to her grilled salmon and she bragged and bragged on this.! ) We had a bowl of gumbo that was full of flavor and you know it's good gumbo when the rice is on top lol. For our appetizer we picked the number one local North Carolina sea level-salt oyster. On another day, I would say a person could go in there and just belly up to the raw oyster bar that they have and have a fantastic meal tasting all the different varieties.

I was excited to try this place based on reviews and their GF options. I am so sad I spent almost $50 for a meal. I ordered the Scallops with a side of french fries and NA midnight something drink, none of it was good. The drink flavors did not blend together at all, one of the worst tasting drinks I have ever had. I ended up throwing it out. The scallops had some type of grit on them and the rice mixture almost broke a tooth, unsure what that was. The fries were so soggy they were slimy. I ended up spitting bites of food back into the bag and throwing the entire meal out. I am surprised this place has the reviews and following it has. I would not give them another try, I believe there are better places in the area to try.

We had a fun "catch up" visit. We wanted to experience their $1.50 oyster happy hour. We also ordered their seafood platter. It was a good time with amazing service & great food!!

The oysters were delicious!!! Wanted to sit oyster but it was closed! The drink I had was really sweet and tasted like straight sugar. The staff was nice, this is a family friendly spot and wouldn't be bad for a larger group.

Excellent restaurant! 5 choices of fresh oysters, great selection of craft beer, and a friendly staff! Couldn't ask for more.

Great service, very reasonably priced, and great oysters as well! Also got the salmon with dirty rice and mac & cheese. Everything was great, will definitely be returning!

I love The Waterman Fish Bar, it's such a nice place to go on a warm day because they have a rooftop bar! The food is delicious, although they were packed my food came out super fast. The bartenders were really nice and attentive.

I classify The Waterman as one of my favorite seafood spots in Charlotte. If you're looking for a place where the food is flavorful and appetizing then this is your spot. I thoroughly enjoyed the hush puppies. The butter they have that goes with it is sweet and addicting so just know you've been warned. While having your appetizer be sure to get one of their many cocktails. They are strong so one, no more than two, should get you through your meal. I absolutely loved the entrees here. I'm a big fan of the NC trout with the creole sauce. It was enough to take some home as well since it's a good sized portion. Service was amazing and the staff was kind and efficient. I enjoyed the atmosphere upstairs on the roof if you're able to get seated there.

The Waterman is a great seafood spot in Charlotte! It is a great space with indoor, outdoor, and rooftop seating. We did make a reservation for the rooftop and they sat us inside, which was kind of a bummer. We ordered a few specialty cocktails and they were all great! The food is delicious also. I ordered the Cajun pasta and it was a very generous portion and very good! I heard great things about everyone else's meals. I will definitely return to The Waterman!

We stopped by super early for lunch after attending an early morning graduation on Monday. We started off with calamari & charbroiled oysters. Both good. But I definitely recommend the oysters.The charbroiled oysters were really good. Very flavorful and fresh. The calamari had too many tentacles in my opinion (I prefer the rings and do not eat the tentacles) The oyster shooter was also good , and went down smooth. For my main dish I got the Po boy shrimp w/ Cajun fries and it was very good. They packed so many fried shrimp on the sandwich that the shrimp was falling out of my sandwich everytime I took a bite. I definitely recommend this dish. My husband got the fried chicken Cesar salad which was also good. The fried chicken was flavorful and crispy. The only downside I had was when we first walked in, we couldn't find the host. We were kind of standing around for a sec trying to figure out if we were supposed to seat ourselves or wait to be seated.When the hostess finally appeared , she had us walk back outside and back in the establishment to be seated. It was a bit odd that we had to walk outside when we were already physically inside the establishment. I also didn't understand why we were seated next to the bathroom when the restaurant wasn't packed yet and there were plenty of other tables we could have sat at, away from the bathroom. Next time we will ask to be seated elsewhere.