Walked in for supper on Monday night. The mahi-mahi with garlic chorizo and artichokes was very savory. Shared with my wife, who was eating light this night. Her mashed potatoes were good, too. We shared a bottle of wine and laughed that the maitre'd went so far as to put the last of the wine in plastic cups for us to take along when we left. Gotta love Key West; even the classy little bistros support the go-cup philosophy! Very pleasant, well-run, attentive staff.
(4)
Alex F.
We stopped for a light dinner here. I ordered gazpacho and mussels and both were delicious. Excellent service and nice ambience
(5)
Jasmine A.
We went here for dinner. We got a nice bottle of wine, some fish and the carbonara. The carbonara is served traditionally, with a raw egg on top. I can't remember what fish we had, maybe because of the wine. Service was good, food was very good. It's on the quite side of Duval.
(4)
Matt B.
Decent, but way overpriced. 90 bucks for a 2 person meal which included a hamburger and grouper is a little ridiculous. I would have been happy for about 60
(3)
Alvin W.
Overall experience was superb. Staff was very attentive and kind. The food was out of this world. I would recommend this Restaurant to all of my friends and anyone who is interested in an exceptional culinary experience.
(5)
Malea X.
i have food allergies, so i had a lengthy discussion with the waiter, who was pretty clueless. i told him i wanted the yellowfin tuna which came with a sauce, a side of pineapple fried rice and bok choy for $30. i explained that i'm allergic to soy and gluten intolerant and asked him to relay that to the chef in case i couldn't eat the sauce or sides to see what the chef could do to accommodate me. what i ended up was a piece of fish (seasoned with salt & pepper, but no sauce of any kind), a single piece of bok choy and french fries. ok, so this isn't terrible. the fries were good, but they were fries. i would have appreciated at least a full serving of vegetables and perhaps a second vegetable instead of fries. then the bill came. i was charge the full $30 for the heavily modified & simplified version of the dish. i wasn't pleased but was not in the mood to have an argument on the spot with the wait staff and figured i would take it up with the owner or manager. i emailed via the website and asked him to refund a portion of the exorbitant price that i paid. his response was: "yellowfin tuna is a very expensive piece of fish and our fries are hand cut. i can offer you a $5 gift certificate toward your next visit." key west is one of those places you can visit once or twice in a lifetime and have had your fill of. the bottom line: this manager has no interest in not only my future business, but that of everyone who reads my reviews who may also have the need for a modified dish. he was more concerned with defending the cost of the fish than for ensuring that i write a good review for all to see and everyone i might talk to who is planning a visit. a $10 refund to my credit card would have resulted in a much, much different review.
(1)
Michael H.
Great dinner! I had the hogfish which was great. All meals came with beautifully prepared vegetables. Good wine list and pretty reasonable prices. One of our better meals on the trip. Good, attentive service too. We took two well behaved kids and it was fine, might be dicey with younger children, more of an adults place.
(4)
Sara J.
Pleasant tucked away garden seating was romantic. Service was top notch and accommodating. Food was simple French. Highly recommended. Don't miss the creme brulee!
Wow. Great spot. Tuna tartar was excellent as a starter. Lobster salad was also good while the chefs seafood pasta was awesome. Best pasta I've had in a long time. Service was also great when we were here. Five star.
(5)
Meghan K.
The food here was really really good. The service was horrendous. To be fair, the host was very pleasant and accommodating. The waitress, however, was incredibly rude not only through comments, but also in her demonor. There were 8 of us in our party (all adults), and she treated us with disrespect the entire meal. Each one of us felt we had never encountered such a rude waitress. Without this terrible service, this meal would've been our favorite in Key West!
(4)
Greg B.
Fantastic Burgers! The BlackFin Burger was the best of the three I tried. I would also recommend the Blue Cheese burger. Oh, and the fries were awesome. I just got back from 2 weeks in Belgium and didn't have fries this good.
(4)
Jeff C.
This place is okay. Had gazpacho, lobster summer rolls, a bistro salad and a croque madame sandwich. They were all tasty, but even when four beers are also tacked on, I have a hard time justifying a $100 check for lunch. I have nothing bad to say about this place, other than the fact that, if I had to do it all over again, I would've found something cheaper.
(3)
Chelsea B.
5 stars for their fabulous veggie burger (marinated portobello mushroom cap with avocado, onions and tomato). too often portobellos are overcooked/undercooked, but this one was perfect ("steak" consistency and flavorful marinade). nice, relaxed ambience - i was surprised at the number of establishments on duval street that did not have the spring break craziness. my dining partner had the yellow fin tuna burger, which was also delish. decent prices and great service. i only had water (too much day drinking the hours before....) and my boyfriend had a beer, but it looked like they had a pretty extensive wine selection/bar. i would love to come back sometime soon.
(5)
Lee S.
Three of us had dinner on Sunday night. Mussels were excellent and enough as an appetizer for us. A pork tenderloin dish my friend loved (it had enough meat for two). The other friend had the Pasta Bolognese. It was okay, not great, the meat/sauce was a bit dry but the dish was still tasty. I had the Key West pink shrimp on top of seasoned extremely, over-salted mashed potatoes. Very pleasant host never came over to ask us how our dinner was, the server was good but the busser apparently thought we were done after the mussels and took away all the utensils. When our main courses arrived he brought more flatware and said "oh, I guess you are having more to eat? That was odd but not a deal-breaker. The restaurant is nice, lovely artwork, simple and honest presentation. A bit noisy with the door to the street open. Also a bit warm with the candles and no air moving. Decent wine selection...prices were fair. EXPENSIVE desserts so we opted out. I WOULD try it again.
(4)
Gatsby's G.
At this fine establishment, I introduced my husband to a culinary treat. Escargot! That's right, my friends, but fear not. It was a success. We both really liked the escargot appetizer, which was accompanied my mushrooms and garlic. The waitress brought us two of those little loaves of bread and we enjoyed every drop of our appetizer. Worth the wait! xoxo
(4)
Dan S.
Good food and service. Not GREAT, but very good.
(4)
MiMi V.
Walking around late late at night in Key West. We asked a local where to eat on Duval and he recommended 915. As we were walking there we walked past this restaurant. One of our companions said she liked the menu and read about it in the hotel in a mag. So the four of us popped into this small restaurant. Greeted by waitress, Megan, who looked offended that we declined bottled water for tap. (I found that amusing since everyone in KW seemed to be espousing thinking green and bottled water is the antithesis of green). Before my husband could give her his drink order she stomped off. She deigned to return and asked if we knew what we wanted. Friend had to ask if there were any specials. My husband eventually got a drink, 5 minutes after asking for it and after I flagged her down to repeat. I got an unsweetened ice tea, it was good. Atmosphere for those into that thing was dark and tiny. Could be romantic if you weren't butted so close to the bar. The appetizers: Charcuterie plate- pate was good, chorizo mediocre, salami good, black olives came from a can and cornichons were ok. Not bad ~$20? don't remember exactly. Lobster spring rolls- came as 4, mediocre fried spring rolls with some veggies and an itty bitty piece of lobster in each one. Forgettable except for the $13 price tag. Meals were: Grilled yellowfin tuna ordered rare. Came out more med-rare and tough. Asparagus overcooked and soggy. Flavoring was ok though you could get fresher tuna at Publix. $25. Her husband ordered chef's seafood pasta, mostly clams but it had a good flavor in the linguine. I tried some, it was ok. $19, not bad price for what you get. I got the local hogfish since I've never had that type of fish. Delicate white fish served with fried potato cakes that were good and artichokes which were overcooked and oily. Fish was not bad but I ate about 1/2 and was good with tossing the rest. Just bland. $24 Husband had the hanger steak ordered rare, came out a bit more med-rare than he liked. He said it wasn't worth sending back since they were closing soon. Steak was on the small side but he wasn't that hungry anyway. Came with some uninspired veggies, don't recall what they were. $22 Skipped dessert as the meal indicated that dessert would be equally uninspired. Waitress needs serious lessons on how to serve food properly. One does not reach over a person to HAND someone a plate. I first thought she was rude but realized she was just uneducated (the waitresses at TGIF could teach her a thing or two about service). Sadly, the original restaurant we were heading to was literally across the street. Since I was still hungry we went there for tapas, desert and wine. Darn it, they were so good! Future reference, always trust the locals.
(1)
Bill V.
So when visiting KW recently, we were being told to hit up the usual spots like 915, A&B, etc. But this new place kept getting great word of mouth. let me tell you it is an awesome dinner. They seem to have most of the kinks worked out that were previously mentioned. The dinner was simply incredible. i had some grouper with a tremendous passion fruit reduction sauce. wow. the rest of the fresh fish was good too the wahoo was cooked to perfection as was the salmon. go for teh nightly special and you will not regret it. we chose to sit in the front for two reasons, i liked the look as it was different from most places and i also want the people looking in the windows to see other diners. otherwise most people sit in the back deck and it appears dead from the windows.
(4)
Susan P.
We decided to make our last night in Key West count and enjoy some seafood. And I'm so glad we made our choice Blackfin. When we first walked by (trying to build up an appetite by strolling Duval St) I was worried because there was no one seated inside! But we were pleasantly surprised when we got back and were shown to the patio. I still hope this place develops a stronger following but they were doing okay for their second week. We started off with escargot and it was ridiculously good. I believe it was a special appetizer and I hope they add it to the menu permanently. Served in a bowl with button mushrooms and heavenly garlicky butter, I could have eaten several servings. Soaking up that butter with their delicious french bread was the perfect ending. For my entree, I had the yellow tail snapper. Served with white rice and a veggie combo of pea pods, asparagus, cauliflower and carrots. I had to restrain myself from licking the plate clean! The fish was perfection and I have to find out how a chef can make plain white rice taste so good! My fiance ordered the seafood pasta. It was jam-packed with mussels, scallops and shrimp. He would dig deeper in the bowl and come up with more seafood every time. I had a twirl of the pasta alone and that was so good! I could have eaten just a bowl of their pasta and sauce without the seafood and been happy. We ended the meal by ordering the tiramisu. It didn't wow me but it was very good. Served in a wineglass, it was very pretty but hard to scoop out. I'd say just put it on a plate and let those ladyfingers soak a little longer for some more flavor. Please, please, please Key West residents and visitors...go to this restaurant and make sure it stays open so we can go back again on our next trip!
(5)
Dave L.
One of the great places to dine in Key West. We dined on the outdoor patio behind the restaurant which provided a cozy, secluded area on busy Duval Street. Somewhere in that area is a jasmine plant, I kept catching the tropical aroma throughout our meal - very nice. For dinner I had the hog fish on a bed of fresh artichokes with a chorizo-balsamic reduction. It was topped with a few julienned slices of chorizo, the best fish I had during my 5 day visit. Dessert was a bananas flambe, one of my favorites and it was delicious. We enjoyed the pace of our meal and the service was excellent. I hope Blackfin does well as I would love to come back on another trip to sample some more of the menu.
(4)
Noe N.
Delicious! We went here for lunch. My husband had the blackbean soup to start and we split a mahi burger. The food was excellent. There are other items on the menu I can't wait to try. It's a good place that probably doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
(4)
L D.
Had a great brunch here. Quiche for my companion and the Mahi Mahi sandwich for me. Both very tasty. Mimosas, two for one, were a great accompaniment. I am really glad we stopped here, as it was the perfect start to a Key West trip. The lunch atmosphere was very chill; when we walked by at night it had the impression of being fancier... Perhaps that is overstating it, though.
(4)
Bruce F.
Very happy with service, best restaurant we've eaten at so favorite in Key Wet, very good, attentive service. We had 2 seafood pasta dishes, shrimp provincial, and skirt steak.
(5)
Victoria P.
It took us a little while to decide where to go, but I'm really glad we picked Blackfin Bistro. Open since October 2009, Blackfin has a wide-array of adventurous tapas well worth their prices. The restaurant, located at 918 Duval St., has both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted for a cozy table with bench seating near the outside bar. The ambiance of the place was extremely relaxing and accentuated by lit tiki torches and large palm fronds. Chelsea had eaten here before and knew exactly what to order. We opted for a lot of the day's specials because they were made with the freshest ingredients and catch of the day. We went right before closing time so they were out of Lobster Spring Rolls. Apparently they are to die for. Instead we ordered the Calamari tossed in walnut, parsley, garlic and butter. So fresh and light, the calamari wasn't fishy at all. The texture was just chewy enough without being too rubbery. I never would have thought to put walnuts with it, but I liked the hint of flavor it added. The next dish to arrive was one of the day's specials, Five Chinese Spice Tuna Medallions with a wasabi cream sauce and sweet potato chips. Every ingredient was great by itself, but when you made a mini tuna sandwich dipped in the glaze with a sweet potato bun, the flavors were out of this world. The varying textures of the dish made it fun to eat. My favorite dish of the night had to be the Goat Cheese Balls. I am a sucker for any kind of cheese and anything fried, so basically this meal is perfect for me. The sweetness of the caramelized onions went well with the saltiness of the chip and breading. I felt like a super fatty afterward, but it was so dang delicious. I thought there was no way I was going to have room for dessert, but when the Creme Brulee came out my mouth started watering. The dish was so creamy and rich. I felt more and more luxurious with each spoonful.
(4)
William G.
This is a great place! Excellent service - and the food was as good as it gets. We had fabulous wine - with salads and a burger. Really outstanding!
(5)
Dawen H.
Only had appetizer there so I can't judge the main course. However, the waitress did pressure me to order more expensive main course when I told her I only wanted an appetizer which was a little bit turned-off. I had to explain to her I just ate somewhere else not long ago so I wasn't hungry and I shouldn't even do that, so that made me very uncomfortable.
(3)
Jim T.
Our server told us they had the best burger in town. I think he's right! Try the diablo burger- diablo sauce, mushrooms and goat cheese. Wash it down with a Guigal Cote du Rhone and be impressed by the value prices. Great spot for lunch.
(5)
Jeff D.
Excellent food. Had great specialty burgers, unique blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich with avocado, and brie, apple and avocado sandwich. Highly recommended.
(5)
Gabriela V.
Blackfin Bistro was the best restaurant I tried in Key West. The food tasted fresh and was the right portion. The place was clean and nicely decorated. The service was good, our waitress was very friendly and prompt. I'd give this place 4.5 stars, a definite must go if you're in Key West!
(4)
Dave A.
Excellent food all around. The mussels with chorizo and white wine broth was superb. The burger was said to be the "best I've had in along while". Highly recommended if you are in the area.
(5)
Ashwin A.
Walked in on a random chance at 4pm in the afternoon. Very, very tasty fish sandwiches. Their blackened fish is lipsmacking. Surprisingly quiet for Duval, and they outside seating is very nice.
(4)
Ashley H.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, absolutely the freshest fish and ingredients of all of my dining experiences in Key West. The wine selection is spot on - not overly extensive (I hate being handed a novel to select a wine!) with varying price points. The atmosphere still feels casual and island-like, but with an upscale flair for a nice night out on vacation. We ate here multiple times on our one-week trip and will certainly be back on our next visit down. Standout dishes: Escargot (appetizer), Yellowfin Tuna, Hand-cut Fries, Fried Goat Cheese (appetizer), Tiramisu (dessert)
(5)
Jason S.
Romantic candle-lit ambiance, outstandingly friendly and attentive staff, and good food -- the pink shrimp were amazing. Would definitely eat here again. -Jason
(4)
Duy N.
Food was great along with e service. I had the snapper and wife had the shrimp entree. Portions were reasonable and prices were reasonable for duvall st. Very small restaurant with ambiance Would recommend.
(4)
Pam K.
Great patio, great music, great service, great wine. I had a wonderful black bean soup and salad. My friends loved the burgers. I would recommend it highly.
(4)
Pamela B.
We spent a week in Key West and found Blackfin Bistro to be our favorite dining spot. The owners are from upstate New York, where we are from, so we had a pleasant conversation about the pros and cons of both areas of the country. Service at Blackfin is excellent with attentive and knowledgeable servers. We had a short wait from ordering our meal to the meal being served. Food is delicious, artistically presented, and not too over the top as far as types of food available. We found the prices reasonable compared to other places. The atmosphere is romantic and cozy with a delightful dining area out back, on a patio, with white twinkling lights interspersed throughout the trees and surrounding area. It's a quiet respite from all the noise and hullaballoo on the Mallory Square end of Duval Street. I highly recommend Blackfin Bistro to anyone visiting Key West.
(5)
Joe B.
My wife and I stumbled on this restaurant through Yelp! The food was very tasty and the staff was attentive. I'd eat here again.
(5)
Jane C.
had surf and turf, amazing! great service, warm atmosphere
(5)
Alessandra N.
Oh so good and decadent. The escargot was the best I have ever had. Food here very similar to the good eats of San Francisco organic and fresh.
(5)
Rob C.
My wife and I saw the reviews on Yelp so on a quite Monday night in November we went to try Black Fin, glad we did it is on the quite more classy part of upper Duval. The place was not busy being the week before Thanksgiving but what a great place to eat, the mussels app and cheese plate app are perfect starters, the mussels are so big compared to PEI mussels. The main course of Mai Mai and grouper was perfect and plenty of food. The decor and lighting is superb, I would sit outside if you can very pretty in the courtyard. Service was great as well, one small drawback the wines are pricey but heck everything is priced to value. Would go again in a minute.
Stumbled upon this quaint little restaurant while looking for a place to stop in and have a glass of wine with my parents while walking Duval Street. We were very pleased with the casual, friendly but not over-the-top service we received at the bar. After looking at the menu and hearing they had only been open for about 9 months, we decided we'd come back and give them a try for dinner one evening. The total ambiance for dinner was perfect for our taste. Casual fine dining at it's best. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We tried the Fried Goat Cheese as an appetizer. Divine! I had the Yellowfin Tuna Burger Medium Rare. It was cooked to perfection. All three of us could not have been more satisfied. We were so pleased with our first experience that we brought more guests another evening who were also more than pleased with their food and experience that they wanted to go there again and bring even more guests. In our two week stay we had three fantastic meals and service here. If you're looking for great casual fine dining in Key West, I highly recommend you give them a try. It's great to see new restaurants come in and prevail. Our entire family and guests hope they stick around for our next vacation to the Keys.
(5)
Marc S.
Perfectly cooked fish, the lobster rolls are awesome, pasta primavera was great good coffee and desert, the blackfinn burger is awesome
(5)
Justin D.
The food was great, but my favorite part was the variety in both price and food options. It seems ideal for dining with someone with different preferences. I prefer affordable and simple fare and this was a great option when dining with someone who prefers the opposite. It is great to feel welcome.
(5)
Brian W.
Fresh catch of the day of snapper, grouper or mahi. We tried all and they were all fantastic. Prompt, friendly service and a great patio out back.
(4)
Ryan C.
Solid menu with a really nice dining area out back on the patio. The gazpacho was actually my favorite, it was perfect.
(4)
Sandra G.
this place was great!!! service was quick. i enjoyed the nice patio in the back, a little gem tucked away. food was fresh and delicious. our party tried the local tuna dish, the lobster rolls, the pasta primavera and the burgers. everything was done to perfection. I would highly recommend it.
(4)
Rory B.
Yes I am a fan.... Food was very good and presented well. Different fusions of flavors ie: Mahi Mahi with artichoke slivers. One of the two owners Joe who waited on us was a really nice guy from NY. They both had enough of the fast lane and put their knowledge and sweat making this lovely place. They made the bar, tables, wine racks. They did a great cozy place. There is also a nice out side area. If you do stop in.. and I would if I were you... tell they Rory Blane sent you.....
(4)
Mary D.
Very nice quiet atmosphere, food was very good, wait staff very attentive. Shrimp were done just perfect, as was the grouper. PEI mussels were not the best, but it's a long way from Canada to key west! Highly recommend if you need to get away from the craziness of Duvall street.
(4)
Ernie C.
Terrific food and friendly service. Hogfish over artichokes was amazing.
(5)
Ralph M.
Friendly welcoming staff. Excellent food great value
Very enjoyable dinner. Could not get into Seven Fish, so the host there sent us here. Had to eat inside with no reservations but hey that was our fault and it is a nice place. Shimp Provencale, Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Chef's Seafood Pasta as entrees were all delicious. The Lobster Bisque was the best I ever had!!! Great attention by wait staff. Nothing wrong at all! Highly recommend!
(5)
Jay T.
We made reservations for 7:45 pm and were told that the only available seating for our party of four would be outside because of a large party being seated inside the restaurant. We were fine with that. When we arrived we were actually happy to be sitting outside due to the noise inside the restaurant and it being a very pleasant evening. We started out with the cheese platter which consisted of three types of cheese. A blue cheese, a brie cheese, and what I believe to be some sort of sharp cheddar. There was also fruit, walnuts, and Melba toast. It was very tasty and a light start to the meal. Homemade bread was also provided, which we all enjoyed immensely. After we finished our appetizer is when the problem began. We waited well over an hour for our entrees to arrive. We were never told why there was such a long delay, but instead were periodically told our food should be ready soon. When our meals finally did arrive we were overall very pleased with the quality and the quantity of the meal. Our one friend ordered the Yellow Tuna with rice and Asparagus and her husband ordered the NY Strip with peppercorn sauce. My friend was unprepared for the spiciness of the peppercorn sauce, while his wife was thoroughly content with the Tuna. My wife ordered the Linguine with meat sauce. She ate it until she was about to burst. Mind you, this was after she had already eaten two of the loaves of bread (four slices per loaf). I ordered the pan seared scallops with the orange cream sauce. Luckily, I asked to have the sauce on the side because it was very sweet and would have been to much. I slightly dipped the first two scallops into the sauce and just skipped it all together for the last two. The scallops stood on there own without the sauce. Both fish dishes came with rice and asparagus which was a nice compliment to both dishes. By the time we finished eating our meals it was now past 9:35! We had wanted to order dessert but had to be somewhere by 10:00. We were fearful that had we ordered dessert we would be late for our activity later that evening. Finally, while we were waiting for the check ( which also took longer than it should have), I got up and voiced my displeasure to one of the staff for the exceptionally long wait for our entrees. The staff member apologized and blamed it on the large group on the inside of the restaurant. He said they hadn't planned on such a large group and were under staffed to accommodate them which led to the delay. I have two problems with that. The first was that there weren't any tables added inside the restaurant. So, in my opinion, it wasn't like they increased the capacity of the restaurant to accommodate this group. Secondly, it was a Friday night during the fourth of July weekend. I would think you'd be prepared for a larger customer base than during a normal week. They took ten percent off of the entire bill for our trouble. I explained to the staff that I didn't hold them responsible for the delay and felt they were very courteous and friendly. Up until the delay in getting our meals we were very pleased with our decision. But by the time we were leaving the restaurant we all felt very deflated. It's a shame because I wanted it to make for a great evening and it didn't.
(3)
H B.
We had lunch here after a trip to the Hemingway House and Butterfly Museum. We ate inside because it was really hot inside. It is a small restaurant with only a few tables and a bar inside. The menu is a little fancier than I'm used to but I thoroughly enjoyed my grilled shrimp omelet. They serve breakfast all day so my son tried the French toast and enjoyed that too.
(4)
Daniel N.
I would definitely go back. Tranquil and hip setting complemented by an interesting menu, excellent wines and very good service. My burger was over cooked, but they were very nice about it and corrected the situation.
(4)
Cameron M.
It was good, not great. I had the mahi mahi and my husband had the carbonara. Both were under seasoned and somehow lacking. While the ambiance was nice, the food was not worth the price.
(3)
Terry W.
Wonderful fresh fish specials with interesting twists such as Thai and oriental seasonings (or just plain grilled if you're not into those flavors). Ask to sit in the back garden - it's a delightful respite from crazy & loud Duvall St. We liked this place so much that we went back again two nights later, which is unheard of for us, since we like to try out as many new places as possible on each trip. Highly recommended!
(5)
David B.
This place is great! Fish was very fresh, patio out back a quiet oasis, just a lovely place for a relaxed lunch in Key West!
(4)
Katy R.
A tremendous meal and great space. To start, both salads were tremendous and a solid wine list to choose from. I had the bistro salad - warm egg on top, outstanding, and I rarely rave about a salad. For entrees, strip steak and shrimp provencal, both excellent. Great service and attention from the owner as well. The back garden was a lovely place to dine in the evening, just a little dark, but we were offered little flashlights to read the menu. Maybe a little brighter table lighting? We ate across the street at 915 Duval the night before and Blackfin Bistro wins, hands down. Thanks for a great meal, we hope to come back again.
(5)
Sheila S.
Service was excellent! Food was very good. If you like calamari this would be the place to try it in a different way. Made with olive oil and garlic, was a real treat. After you eat it safe the sauce and dip the bread! Very good menu. I had spinach salad with goat cheese and was excellent. Others in my party had grouper sandwich, burgers and lobster bisque and everyone was pleased. Lobster rolls could use more lobster. Over all tiny place with excellent service and food!
(5)
Debra C.
quaint little romantic spot even if your not looking for one. everything on this menu is homemade and awesome. sit back have a glass of wine or two while you wait for a table, you won't be sorry. p.s. it's not just for seafood.....just sayn
(4)
Susanna N.
Excellent food, good service. The food was a little slow to come out but well worth the wait. Decently priced with generous portions. It was surprisingly loud given how small it was but that may have just been due to a rowdy group at one end of the dining room. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Janice A.
We had dinnner here our last night in Key West and it was great. The servers were attentive without hovering. I had the escargo and the tuna tartare appetizer for dinner and my husband had the seafood pasta with creamed spinach. It was all great and the portions were just right. We highly recommend it.
(5)
Stephen G.
4.5 really, and only because I rarely give 5's. Fresh local fish, reasonable prices, and interesting, unique preparations that really worked out well. Pleasant service, decent little wine list, nice space. Definitely a nice respite from the touristy hubbub of Key West and Duvall Street.
(4)
Joe D.
During our trip we ate here twice. Dinner and breakfast. This is a great place. Super nice people, great service, and excellent food. For dinner we had the grilled yellowfin and the yellowtail snapper. Both were very good and flavorful. The side veggies were super flavorful (yes veggies can be good). They both came with rice as well. We actually started with a seared scallop app and they were cooked perfectly. I had a salad and can't remember which one but it was good as well. Throw in a little wine and you have a great meal. Go there. For breakfast, a few days later, we had french toast, bacon and eggs, an omelette, fresh squeezed OJ, and coffee. The french toast is awesome, get it. The rest was very good for the most part, including the OJ which was truly fresh squeezed. The omelette was decent but they forgot a couple of ingredients and had to half ass make some salsa after getting the food. A small bump in the road though. This place is worth going to.
(4)
AnneMarie S.
Servers were friendly and overall ambiance was quaint. The escargot was excellent. However I got sick after eating the mussels. The mussels were less than fresh; they tasted "fishy" and had been frozen since the meat stuck to the shell after cooking.
(3)
Stephanie W.
Uninspired. Finding a dish not slathered in garlic and butter proved to be impossible. Service was great and environment was lovely. Maybe the burger might be okay??
(2)
Courtney P.
My boyfriend and I were in Key West for the weekend, and this was our first dinner spot. For some reason, we were not given the option of eating inside, and were led immediately outside to the back deck. They were out of most of the beer on their list, so my bf had to settle for his third choice, and I had a glass of the pinot grigio. They gave us a bread basket with warm butter, which was a nice touch. For dinner, I had the ahi tuna with jasmine rice and asparagus. For ordering it well-done, which I know you're not supposed to do, the tuna was still flavorful. My bf had the NY strip steak, which came with fries and salad (all of which were amazing). All through dinner, there was a rooster in the tree that was crowing, but that's just Key West. I did think they were priced a little high for the ambiance (and the lack of beer), but the service was commendable. Still, it probably wouldn't be my first choice next time I visit.
(4)
craig s.
We ate there last night 1/2. Service was excellent and very attentive. Food was good; but not great. The port tendorloin special was over-cooked. I think what bothered me the most was that they brought my son a pasta/butter plate .....which was clearly a children's portion and charged him for a full pasta primavera dish. There has to be a better way to extract $5 from the final tab.
(3)
Carol K.
At the insistence of a local, we tried the Blackfin Bistro on our recent week's vacation in Key West. The Andalusian gazpacho was to die for. The food was fresh, flavorful, visually pleasing and well-prepared. Scallops with chutney were perfect. The food and dining experience were so pleasant that we returned another evening. The young owners go out of their way to make the evening enjoyable. In light of the excellence of the flavors and presentation, as well as the complexity of some of the dishes, It was no surprise to learn that their chef was from Southern France.
(5)
Matt B.
Decent, but way overpriced. 90 bucks for a 2 person meal which included a hamburger and grouper is a little ridiculous. I would have been happy for about 60
(3)
Alvin W.
Overall experience was superb. Staff was very attentive and kind. The food was out of this world. I would recommend this Restaurant to all of my friends and anyone who is interested in an exceptional culinary experience.
(5)
Greg O.
Walked in for supper on Monday night. The mahi-mahi with garlic chorizo and artichokes was very savory. Shared with my wife, who was eating light this night. Her mashed potatoes were good, too. We shared a bottle of wine and laughed that the maitre'd went so far as to put the last of the wine in plastic cups for us to take along when we left. Gotta love Key West; even the classy little bistros support the go-cup philosophy! Very pleasant, well-run, attentive staff.
(4)
Alex F.
We stopped for a light dinner here. I ordered gazpacho and mussels and both were delicious. Excellent service and nice ambience
(5)
Jasmine A.
We went here for dinner. We got a nice bottle of wine, some fish and the carbonara. The carbonara is served traditionally, with a raw egg on top. I can't remember what fish we had, maybe because of the wine. Service was good, food was very good. It's on the quite side of Duval.
(4)
Malea X.
i have food allergies, so i had a lengthy discussion with the waiter, who was pretty clueless. i told him i wanted the yellowfin tuna which came with a sauce, a side of pineapple fried rice and bok choy for $30. i explained that i'm allergic to soy and gluten intolerant and asked him to relay that to the chef in case i couldn't eat the sauce or sides to see what the chef could do to accommodate me. what i ended up was a piece of fish (seasoned with salt & pepper, but no sauce of any kind), a single piece of bok choy and french fries. ok, so this isn't terrible. the fries were good, but they were fries. i would have appreciated at least a full serving of vegetables and perhaps a second vegetable instead of fries. then the bill came. i was charge the full $30 for the heavily modified & simplified version of the dish. i wasn't pleased but was not in the mood to have an argument on the spot with the wait staff and figured i would take it up with the owner or manager. i emailed via the website and asked him to refund a portion of the exorbitant price that i paid. his response was: "yellowfin tuna is a very expensive piece of fish and our fries are hand cut. i can offer you a $5 gift certificate toward your next visit." key west is one of those places you can visit once or twice in a lifetime and have had your fill of. the bottom line: this manager has no interest in not only my future business, but that of everyone who reads my reviews who may also have the need for a modified dish. he was more concerned with defending the cost of the fish than for ensuring that i write a good review for all to see and everyone i might talk to who is planning a visit. a $10 refund to my credit card would have resulted in a much, much different review.
(1)
Michael H.
Great dinner! I had the hogfish which was great. All meals came with beautifully prepared vegetables. Good wine list and pretty reasonable prices. One of our better meals on the trip. Good, attentive service too. We took two well behaved kids and it was fine, might be dicey with younger children, more of an adults place.
(4)
Sara J.
Pleasant tucked away garden seating was romantic. Service was top notch and accommodating. Food was simple French. Highly recommended. Don't miss the creme brulee!
Wow. Great spot. Tuna tartar was excellent as a starter. Lobster salad was also good while the chefs seafood pasta was awesome. Best pasta I've had in a long time. Service was also great when we were here. Five star.
(5)
Meghan K.
The food here was really really good. The service was horrendous. To be fair, the host was very pleasant and accommodating. The waitress, however, was incredibly rude not only through comments, but also in her demonor. There were 8 of us in our party (all adults), and she treated us with disrespect the entire meal. Each one of us felt we had never encountered such a rude waitress. Without this terrible service, this meal would've been our favorite in Key West!
(4)
Greg B.
Fantastic Burgers! The BlackFin Burger was the best of the three I tried. I would also recommend the Blue Cheese burger. Oh, and the fries were awesome. I just got back from 2 weeks in Belgium and didn't have fries this good.
(4)
Jeff C.
This place is okay. Had gazpacho, lobster summer rolls, a bistro salad and a croque madame sandwich. They were all tasty, but even when four beers are also tacked on, I have a hard time justifying a $100 check for lunch. I have nothing bad to say about this place, other than the fact that, if I had to do it all over again, I would've found something cheaper.
(3)
Chelsea B.
5 stars for their fabulous veggie burger (marinated portobello mushroom cap with avocado, onions and tomato). too often portobellos are overcooked/undercooked, but this one was perfect ("steak" consistency and flavorful marinade). nice, relaxed ambience - i was surprised at the number of establishments on duval street that did not have the spring break craziness. my dining partner had the yellow fin tuna burger, which was also delish. decent prices and great service. i only had water (too much day drinking the hours before....) and my boyfriend had a beer, but it looked like they had a pretty extensive wine selection/bar. i would love to come back sometime soon.
(5)
Lee S.
Three of us had dinner on Sunday night. Mussels were excellent and enough as an appetizer for us. A pork tenderloin dish my friend loved (it had enough meat for two). The other friend had the Pasta Bolognese. It was okay, not great, the meat/sauce was a bit dry but the dish was still tasty. I had the Key West pink shrimp on top of seasoned extremely, over-salted mashed potatoes. Very pleasant host never came over to ask us how our dinner was, the server was good but the busser apparently thought we were done after the mussels and took away all the utensils. When our main courses arrived he brought more flatware and said "oh, I guess you are having more to eat? That was odd but not a deal-breaker. The restaurant is nice, lovely artwork, simple and honest presentation. A bit noisy with the door to the street open. Also a bit warm with the candles and no air moving. Decent wine selection...prices were fair. EXPENSIVE desserts so we opted out. I WOULD try it again.
(4)
Gatsby's G.
At this fine establishment, I introduced my husband to a culinary treat. Escargot! That's right, my friends, but fear not. It was a success. We both really liked the escargot appetizer, which was accompanied my mushrooms and garlic. The waitress brought us two of those little loaves of bread and we enjoyed every drop of our appetizer. Worth the wait! xoxo
(4)
Dan S.
Good food and service. Not GREAT, but very good.
(4)
MiMi V.
Walking around late late at night in Key West. We asked a local where to eat on Duval and he recommended 915. As we were walking there we walked past this restaurant. One of our companions said she liked the menu and read about it in the hotel in a mag. So the four of us popped into this small restaurant. Greeted by waitress, Megan, who looked offended that we declined bottled water for tap. (I found that amusing since everyone in KW seemed to be espousing thinking green and bottled water is the antithesis of green). Before my husband could give her his drink order she stomped off. She deigned to return and asked if we knew what we wanted. Friend had to ask if there were any specials. My husband eventually got a drink, 5 minutes after asking for it and after I flagged her down to repeat. I got an unsweetened ice tea, it was good. Atmosphere for those into that thing was dark and tiny. Could be romantic if you weren't butted so close to the bar. The appetizers: Charcuterie plate- pate was good, chorizo mediocre, salami good, black olives came from a can and cornichons were ok. Not bad ~$20? don't remember exactly. Lobster spring rolls- came as 4, mediocre fried spring rolls with some veggies and an itty bitty piece of lobster in each one. Forgettable except for the $13 price tag. Meals were: Grilled yellowfin tuna ordered rare. Came out more med-rare and tough. Asparagus overcooked and soggy. Flavoring was ok though you could get fresher tuna at Publix. $25. Her husband ordered chef's seafood pasta, mostly clams but it had a good flavor in the linguine. I tried some, it was ok. $19, not bad price for what you get. I got the local hogfish since I've never had that type of fish. Delicate white fish served with fried potato cakes that were good and artichokes which were overcooked and oily. Fish was not bad but I ate about 1/2 and was good with tossing the rest. Just bland. $24 Husband had the hanger steak ordered rare, came out a bit more med-rare than he liked. He said it wasn't worth sending back since they were closing soon. Steak was on the small side but he wasn't that hungry anyway. Came with some uninspired veggies, don't recall what they were. $22 Skipped dessert as the meal indicated that dessert would be equally uninspired. Waitress needs serious lessons on how to serve food properly. One does not reach over a person to HAND someone a plate. I first thought she was rude but realized she was just uneducated (the waitresses at TGIF could teach her a thing or two about service). Sadly, the original restaurant we were heading to was literally across the street. Since I was still hungry we went there for tapas, desert and wine. Darn it, they were so good! Future reference, always trust the locals.
(1)
Bill V.
So when visiting KW recently, we were being told to hit up the usual spots like 915, A&B, etc. But this new place kept getting great word of mouth. let me tell you it is an awesome dinner. They seem to have most of the kinks worked out that were previously mentioned. The dinner was simply incredible. i had some grouper with a tremendous passion fruit reduction sauce. wow. the rest of the fresh fish was good too the wahoo was cooked to perfection as was the salmon. go for teh nightly special and you will not regret it. we chose to sit in the front for two reasons, i liked the look as it was different from most places and i also want the people looking in the windows to see other diners. otherwise most people sit in the back deck and it appears dead from the windows.
(4)
Susan P.
We decided to make our last night in Key West count and enjoy some seafood. And I'm so glad we made our choice Blackfin. When we first walked by (trying to build up an appetite by strolling Duval St) I was worried because there was no one seated inside! But we were pleasantly surprised when we got back and were shown to the patio. I still hope this place develops a stronger following but they were doing okay for their second week. We started off with escargot and it was ridiculously good. I believe it was a special appetizer and I hope they add it to the menu permanently. Served in a bowl with button mushrooms and heavenly garlicky butter, I could have eaten several servings. Soaking up that butter with their delicious french bread was the perfect ending. For my entree, I had the yellow tail snapper. Served with white rice and a veggie combo of pea pods, asparagus, cauliflower and carrots. I had to restrain myself from licking the plate clean! The fish was perfection and I have to find out how a chef can make plain white rice taste so good! My fiance ordered the seafood pasta. It was jam-packed with mussels, scallops and shrimp. He would dig deeper in the bowl and come up with more seafood every time. I had a twirl of the pasta alone and that was so good! I could have eaten just a bowl of their pasta and sauce without the seafood and been happy. We ended the meal by ordering the tiramisu. It didn't wow me but it was very good. Served in a wineglass, it was very pretty but hard to scoop out. I'd say just put it on a plate and let those ladyfingers soak a little longer for some more flavor. Please, please, please Key West residents and visitors...go to this restaurant and make sure it stays open so we can go back again on our next trip!
(5)
Dave L.
One of the great places to dine in Key West. We dined on the outdoor patio behind the restaurant which provided a cozy, secluded area on busy Duval Street. Somewhere in that area is a jasmine plant, I kept catching the tropical aroma throughout our meal - very nice. For dinner I had the hog fish on a bed of fresh artichokes with a chorizo-balsamic reduction. It was topped with a few julienned slices of chorizo, the best fish I had during my 5 day visit. Dessert was a bananas flambe, one of my favorites and it was delicious. We enjoyed the pace of our meal and the service was excellent. I hope Blackfin does well as I would love to come back on another trip to sample some more of the menu.
(4)
Noe N.
Delicious! We went here for lunch. My husband had the blackbean soup to start and we split a mahi burger. The food was excellent. There are other items on the menu I can't wait to try. It's a good place that probably doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
(4)
L D.
Had a great brunch here. Quiche for my companion and the Mahi Mahi sandwich for me. Both very tasty. Mimosas, two for one, were a great accompaniment. I am really glad we stopped here, as it was the perfect start to a Key West trip. The lunch atmosphere was very chill; when we walked by at night it had the impression of being fancier... Perhaps that is overstating it, though.
(4)
Bruce F.
Very happy with service, best restaurant we've eaten at so favorite in Key Wet, very good, attentive service. We had 2 seafood pasta dishes, shrimp provincial, and skirt steak.
(5)
Victoria P.
It took us a little while to decide where to go, but I'm really glad we picked Blackfin Bistro. Open since October 2009, Blackfin has a wide-array of adventurous tapas well worth their prices. The restaurant, located at 918 Duval St., has both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted for a cozy table with bench seating near the outside bar. The ambiance of the place was extremely relaxing and accentuated by lit tiki torches and large palm fronds. Chelsea had eaten here before and knew exactly what to order. We opted for a lot of the day's specials because they were made with the freshest ingredients and catch of the day. We went right before closing time so they were out of Lobster Spring Rolls. Apparently they are to die for. Instead we ordered the Calamari tossed in walnut, parsley, garlic and butter. So fresh and light, the calamari wasn't fishy at all. The texture was just chewy enough without being too rubbery. I never would have thought to put walnuts with it, but I liked the hint of flavor it added. The next dish to arrive was one of the day's specials, Five Chinese Spice Tuna Medallions with a wasabi cream sauce and sweet potato chips. Every ingredient was great by itself, but when you made a mini tuna sandwich dipped in the glaze with a sweet potato bun, the flavors were out of this world. The varying textures of the dish made it fun to eat. My favorite dish of the night had to be the Goat Cheese Balls. I am a sucker for any kind of cheese and anything fried, so basically this meal is perfect for me. The sweetness of the caramelized onions went well with the saltiness of the chip and breading. I felt like a super fatty afterward, but it was so dang delicious. I thought there was no way I was going to have room for dessert, but when the Creme Brulee came out my mouth started watering. The dish was so creamy and rich. I felt more and more luxurious with each spoonful.
(4)
William G.
This is a great place! Excellent service - and the food was as good as it gets. We had fabulous wine - with salads and a burger. Really outstanding!
(5)
Dawen H.
Only had appetizer there so I can't judge the main course. However, the waitress did pressure me to order more expensive main course when I told her I only wanted an appetizer which was a little bit turned-off. I had to explain to her I just ate somewhere else not long ago so I wasn't hungry and I shouldn't even do that, so that made me very uncomfortable.
(3)
Jim T.
Our server told us they had the best burger in town. I think he's right! Try the diablo burger- diablo sauce, mushrooms and goat cheese. Wash it down with a Guigal Cote du Rhone and be impressed by the value prices. Great spot for lunch.
(5)
Jeff D.
Excellent food. Had great specialty burgers, unique blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich with avocado, and brie, apple and avocado sandwich. Highly recommended.
(5)
Gabriela V.
Blackfin Bistro was the best restaurant I tried in Key West. The food tasted fresh and was the right portion. The place was clean and nicely decorated. The service was good, our waitress was very friendly and prompt. I'd give this place 4.5 stars, a definite must go if you're in Key West!
(4)
Dave A.
Excellent food all around. The mussels with chorizo and white wine broth was superb. The burger was said to be the "best I've had in along while". Highly recommended if you are in the area.
(5)
Ashwin A.
Walked in on a random chance at 4pm in the afternoon. Very, very tasty fish sandwiches. Their blackened fish is lipsmacking. Surprisingly quiet for Duval, and they outside seating is very nice.
(4)
Ashley H.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, absolutely the freshest fish and ingredients of all of my dining experiences in Key West. The wine selection is spot on - not overly extensive (I hate being handed a novel to select a wine!) with varying price points. The atmosphere still feels casual and island-like, but with an upscale flair for a nice night out on vacation. We ate here multiple times on our one-week trip and will certainly be back on our next visit down. Standout dishes: Escargot (appetizer), Yellowfin Tuna, Hand-cut Fries, Fried Goat Cheese (appetizer), Tiramisu (dessert)
(5)
Jason S.
Romantic candle-lit ambiance, outstandingly friendly and attentive staff, and good food -- the pink shrimp were amazing. Would definitely eat here again. -Jason
(4)
Duy N.
Food was great along with e service. I had the snapper and wife had the shrimp entree. Portions were reasonable and prices were reasonable for duvall st. Very small restaurant with ambiance Would recommend.
(4)
Pam K.
Great patio, great music, great service, great wine. I had a wonderful black bean soup and salad. My friends loved the burgers. I would recommend it highly.
(4)
Pamela B.
We spent a week in Key West and found Blackfin Bistro to be our favorite dining spot. The owners are from upstate New York, where we are from, so we had a pleasant conversation about the pros and cons of both areas of the country. Service at Blackfin is excellent with attentive and knowledgeable servers. We had a short wait from ordering our meal to the meal being served. Food is delicious, artistically presented, and not too over the top as far as types of food available. We found the prices reasonable compared to other places. The atmosphere is romantic and cozy with a delightful dining area out back, on a patio, with white twinkling lights interspersed throughout the trees and surrounding area. It's a quiet respite from all the noise and hullaballoo on the Mallory Square end of Duval Street. I highly recommend Blackfin Bistro to anyone visiting Key West.
(5)
Joe B.
My wife and I stumbled on this restaurant through Yelp! The food was very tasty and the staff was attentive. I'd eat here again.
(5)
Rob C.
My wife and I saw the reviews on Yelp so on a quite Monday night in November we went to try Black Fin, glad we did it is on the quite more classy part of upper Duval. The place was not busy being the week before Thanksgiving but what a great place to eat, the mussels app and cheese plate app are perfect starters, the mussels are so big compared to PEI mussels. The main course of Mai Mai and grouper was perfect and plenty of food. The decor and lighting is superb, I would sit outside if you can very pretty in the courtyard. Service was great as well, one small drawback the wines are pricey but heck everything is priced to value. Would go again in a minute.
Stumbled upon this quaint little restaurant while looking for a place to stop in and have a glass of wine with my parents while walking Duval Street. We were very pleased with the casual, friendly but not over-the-top service we received at the bar. After looking at the menu and hearing they had only been open for about 9 months, we decided we'd come back and give them a try for dinner one evening. The total ambiance for dinner was perfect for our taste. Casual fine dining at it's best. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We tried the Fried Goat Cheese as an appetizer. Divine! I had the Yellowfin Tuna Burger Medium Rare. It was cooked to perfection. All three of us could not have been more satisfied. We were so pleased with our first experience that we brought more guests another evening who were also more than pleased with their food and experience that they wanted to go there again and bring even more guests. In our two week stay we had three fantastic meals and service here. If you're looking for great casual fine dining in Key West, I highly recommend you give them a try. It's great to see new restaurants come in and prevail. Our entire family and guests hope they stick around for our next vacation to the Keys.
(5)
Marc S.
Perfectly cooked fish, the lobster rolls are awesome, pasta primavera was great good coffee and desert, the blackfinn burger is awesome
(5)
Justin D.
The food was great, but my favorite part was the variety in both price and food options. It seems ideal for dining with someone with different preferences. I prefer affordable and simple fare and this was a great option when dining with someone who prefers the opposite. It is great to feel welcome.
(5)
Brian W.
Fresh catch of the day of snapper, grouper or mahi. We tried all and they were all fantastic. Prompt, friendly service and a great patio out back.
(4)
Jane C.
had surf and turf, amazing! great service, warm atmosphere
(5)
Ryan C.
Solid menu with a really nice dining area out back on the patio. The gazpacho was actually my favorite, it was perfect.
(4)
Sandra G.
this place was great!!! service was quick. i enjoyed the nice patio in the back, a little gem tucked away. food was fresh and delicious. our party tried the local tuna dish, the lobster rolls, the pasta primavera and the burgers. everything was done to perfection. I would highly recommend it.
(4)
Rory B.
Yes I am a fan.... Food was very good and presented well. Different fusions of flavors ie: Mahi Mahi with artichoke slivers. One of the two owners Joe who waited on us was a really nice guy from NY. They both had enough of the fast lane and put their knowledge and sweat making this lovely place. They made the bar, tables, wine racks. They did a great cozy place. There is also a nice out side area. If you do stop in.. and I would if I were you... tell they Rory Blane sent you.....
(4)
Mary D.
Very nice quiet atmosphere, food was very good, wait staff very attentive. Shrimp were done just perfect, as was the grouper. PEI mussels were not the best, but it's a long way from Canada to key west! Highly recommend if you need to get away from the craziness of Duvall street.
(4)
Ernie C.
Terrific food and friendly service. Hogfish over artichokes was amazing.
(5)
Ralph M.
Friendly welcoming staff. Excellent food great value
Very enjoyable dinner. Could not get into Seven Fish, so the host there sent us here. Had to eat inside with no reservations but hey that was our fault and it is a nice place. Shimp Provencale, Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Chef's Seafood Pasta as entrees were all delicious. The Lobster Bisque was the best I ever had!!! Great attention by wait staff. Nothing wrong at all! Highly recommend!
(5)
Jay T.
We made reservations for 7:45 pm and were told that the only available seating for our party of four would be outside because of a large party being seated inside the restaurant. We were fine with that. When we arrived we were actually happy to be sitting outside due to the noise inside the restaurant and it being a very pleasant evening. We started out with the cheese platter which consisted of three types of cheese. A blue cheese, a brie cheese, and what I believe to be some sort of sharp cheddar. There was also fruit, walnuts, and Melba toast. It was very tasty and a light start to the meal. Homemade bread was also provided, which we all enjoyed immensely. After we finished our appetizer is when the problem began. We waited well over an hour for our entrees to arrive. We were never told why there was such a long delay, but instead were periodically told our food should be ready soon. When our meals finally did arrive we were overall very pleased with the quality and the quantity of the meal. Our one friend ordered the Yellow Tuna with rice and Asparagus and her husband ordered the NY Strip with peppercorn sauce. My friend was unprepared for the spiciness of the peppercorn sauce, while his wife was thoroughly content with the Tuna. My wife ordered the Linguine with meat sauce. She ate it until she was about to burst. Mind you, this was after she had already eaten two of the loaves of bread (four slices per loaf). I ordered the pan seared scallops with the orange cream sauce. Luckily, I asked to have the sauce on the side because it was very sweet and would have been to much. I slightly dipped the first two scallops into the sauce and just skipped it all together for the last two. The scallops stood on there own without the sauce. Both fish dishes came with rice and asparagus which was a nice compliment to both dishes. By the time we finished eating our meals it was now past 9:35! We had wanted to order dessert but had to be somewhere by 10:00. We were fearful that had we ordered dessert we would be late for our activity later that evening. Finally, while we were waiting for the check ( which also took longer than it should have), I got up and voiced my displeasure to one of the staff for the exceptionally long wait for our entrees. The staff member apologized and blamed it on the large group on the inside of the restaurant. He said they hadn't planned on such a large group and were under staffed to accommodate them which led to the delay. I have two problems with that. The first was that there weren't any tables added inside the restaurant. So, in my opinion, it wasn't like they increased the capacity of the restaurant to accommodate this group. Secondly, it was a Friday night during the fourth of July weekend. I would think you'd be prepared for a larger customer base than during a normal week. They took ten percent off of the entire bill for our trouble. I explained to the staff that I didn't hold them responsible for the delay and felt they were very courteous and friendly. Up until the delay in getting our meals we were very pleased with our decision. But by the time we were leaving the restaurant we all felt very deflated. It's a shame because I wanted it to make for a great evening and it didn't.
(3)
H B.
We had lunch here after a trip to the Hemingway House and Butterfly Museum. We ate inside because it was really hot inside. It is a small restaurant with only a few tables and a bar inside. The menu is a little fancier than I'm used to but I thoroughly enjoyed my grilled shrimp omelet. They serve breakfast all day so my son tried the French toast and enjoyed that too.
(4)
Alessandra N.
Oh so good and decadent. The escargot was the best I have ever had. Food here very similar to the good eats of San Francisco organic and fresh.
(5)
Daniel N.
I would definitely go back. Tranquil and hip setting complemented by an interesting menu, excellent wines and very good service. My burger was over cooked, but they were very nice about it and corrected the situation.
(4)
Cameron M.
It was good, not great. I had the mahi mahi and my husband had the carbonara. Both were under seasoned and somehow lacking. While the ambiance was nice, the food was not worth the price.
(3)
Terry W.
Wonderful fresh fish specials with interesting twists such as Thai and oriental seasonings (or just plain grilled if you're not into those flavors). Ask to sit in the back garden - it's a delightful respite from crazy & loud Duvall St. We liked this place so much that we went back again two nights later, which is unheard of for us, since we like to try out as many new places as possible on each trip. Highly recommended!
(5)
David B.
This place is great! Fish was very fresh, patio out back a quiet oasis, just a lovely place for a relaxed lunch in Key West!
(4)
Katy R.
A tremendous meal and great space. To start, both salads were tremendous and a solid wine list to choose from. I had the bistro salad - warm egg on top, outstanding, and I rarely rave about a salad. For entrees, strip steak and shrimp provencal, both excellent. Great service and attention from the owner as well. The back garden was a lovely place to dine in the evening, just a little dark, but we were offered little flashlights to read the menu. Maybe a little brighter table lighting? We ate across the street at 915 Duval the night before and Blackfin Bistro wins, hands down. Thanks for a great meal, we hope to come back again.
(5)
Sheila S.
Service was excellent! Food was very good. If you like calamari this would be the place to try it in a different way. Made with olive oil and garlic, was a real treat. After you eat it safe the sauce and dip the bread! Very good menu. I had spinach salad with goat cheese and was excellent. Others in my party had grouper sandwich, burgers and lobster bisque and everyone was pleased. Lobster rolls could use more lobster. Over all tiny place with excellent service and food!
(5)
Debra C.
quaint little romantic spot even if your not looking for one. everything on this menu is homemade and awesome. sit back have a glass of wine or two while you wait for a table, you won't be sorry. p.s. it's not just for seafood.....just sayn
(4)
Susanna N.
Excellent food, good service. The food was a little slow to come out but well worth the wait. Decently priced with generous portions. It was surprisingly loud given how small it was but that may have just been due to a rowdy group at one end of the dining room. We will definitely go back.
(4)
Janice A.
We had dinnner here our last night in Key West and it was great. The servers were attentive without hovering. I had the escargo and the tuna tartare appetizer for dinner and my husband had the seafood pasta with creamed spinach. It was all great and the portions were just right. We highly recommend it.
(5)
Stephen G.
4.5 really, and only because I rarely give 5's. Fresh local fish, reasonable prices, and interesting, unique preparations that really worked out well. Pleasant service, decent little wine list, nice space. Definitely a nice respite from the touristy hubbub of Key West and Duvall Street.
(4)
Joe D.
During our trip we ate here twice. Dinner and breakfast. This is a great place. Super nice people, great service, and excellent food. For dinner we had the grilled yellowfin and the yellowtail snapper. Both were very good and flavorful. The side veggies were super flavorful (yes veggies can be good). They both came with rice as well. We actually started with a seared scallop app and they were cooked perfectly. I had a salad and can't remember which one but it was good as well. Throw in a little wine and you have a great meal. Go there. For breakfast, a few days later, we had french toast, bacon and eggs, an omelette, fresh squeezed OJ, and coffee. The french toast is awesome, get it. The rest was very good for the most part, including the OJ which was truly fresh squeezed. The omelette was decent but they forgot a couple of ingredients and had to half ass make some salsa after getting the food. A small bump in the road though. This place is worth going to.
(4)
AnneMarie S.
Servers were friendly and overall ambiance was quaint. The escargot was excellent. However I got sick after eating the mussels. The mussels were less than fresh; they tasted "fishy" and had been frozen since the meat stuck to the shell after cooking.
(3)
Stephanie W.
Uninspired. Finding a dish not slathered in garlic and butter proved to be impossible. Service was great and environment was lovely. Maybe the burger might be okay??
(2)
Courtney P.
My boyfriend and I were in Key West for the weekend, and this was our first dinner spot. For some reason, we were not given the option of eating inside, and were led immediately outside to the back deck. They were out of most of the beer on their list, so my bf had to settle for his third choice, and I had a glass of the pinot grigio. They gave us a bread basket with warm butter, which was a nice touch. For dinner, I had the ahi tuna with jasmine rice and asparagus. For ordering it well-done, which I know you're not supposed to do, the tuna was still flavorful. My bf had the NY strip steak, which came with fries and salad (all of which were amazing). All through dinner, there was a rooster in the tree that was crowing, but that's just Key West. I did think they were priced a little high for the ambiance (and the lack of beer), but the service was commendable. Still, it probably wouldn't be my first choice next time I visit.
(4)
craig s.
We ate there last night 1/2. Service was excellent and very attentive. Food was good; but not great. The port tendorloin special was over-cooked. I think what bothered me the most was that they brought my son a pasta/butter plate .....which was clearly a children's portion and charged him for a full pasta primavera dish. There has to be a better way to extract $5 from the final tab.
(3)
Carol K.
At the insistence of a local, we tried the Blackfin Bistro on our recent week's vacation in Key West. The Andalusian gazpacho was to die for. The food was fresh, flavorful, visually pleasing and well-prepared. Scallops with chutney were perfect. The food and dining experience were so pleasant that we returned another evening. The young owners go out of their way to make the evening enjoyable. In light of the excellence of the flavors and presentation, as well as the complexity of some of the dishes, It was no surprise to learn that their chef was from Southern France.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Greg O.
Walked in for supper on Monday night. The mahi-mahi with garlic chorizo and artichokes was very savory. Shared with my wife, who was eating light this night. Her mashed potatoes were good, too. We shared a bottle of wine and laughed that the maitre'd went so far as to put the last of the wine in plastic cups for us to take along when we left. Gotta love Key West; even the classy little bistros support the go-cup philosophy! Very pleasant, well-run, attentive staff.
(4)Alex F.
We stopped for a light dinner here. I ordered gazpacho and mussels and both were delicious. Excellent service and nice ambience
(5)Jasmine A.
We went here for dinner. We got a nice bottle of wine, some fish and the carbonara. The carbonara is served traditionally, with a raw egg on top. I can't remember what fish we had, maybe because of the wine. Service was good, food was very good. It's on the quite side of Duval.
(4)Matt B.
Decent, but way overpriced. 90 bucks for a 2 person meal which included a hamburger and grouper is a little ridiculous. I would have been happy for about 60
(3)Alvin W.
Overall experience was superb. Staff was very attentive and kind. The food was out of this world. I would recommend this Restaurant to all of my friends and anyone who is interested in an exceptional culinary experience.
(5)Malea X.
i have food allergies, so i had a lengthy discussion with the waiter, who was pretty clueless. i told him i wanted the yellowfin tuna which came with a sauce, a side of pineapple fried rice and bok choy for $30. i explained that i'm allergic to soy and gluten intolerant and asked him to relay that to the chef in case i couldn't eat the sauce or sides to see what the chef could do to accommodate me. what i ended up was a piece of fish (seasoned with salt & pepper, but no sauce of any kind), a single piece of bok choy and french fries. ok, so this isn't terrible. the fries were good, but they were fries. i would have appreciated at least a full serving of vegetables and perhaps a second vegetable instead of fries. then the bill came. i was charge the full $30 for the heavily modified & simplified version of the dish. i wasn't pleased but was not in the mood to have an argument on the spot with the wait staff and figured i would take it up with the owner or manager. i emailed via the website and asked him to refund a portion of the exorbitant price that i paid. his response was: "yellowfin tuna is a very expensive piece of fish and our fries are hand cut. i can offer you a $5 gift certificate toward your next visit." key west is one of those places you can visit once or twice in a lifetime and have had your fill of. the bottom line: this manager has no interest in not only my future business, but that of everyone who reads my reviews who may also have the need for a modified dish. he was more concerned with defending the cost of the fish than for ensuring that i write a good review for all to see and everyone i might talk to who is planning a visit. a $10 refund to my credit card would have resulted in a much, much different review.
(1)Michael H.
Great dinner! I had the hogfish which was great. All meals came with beautifully prepared vegetables. Good wine list and pretty reasonable prices. One of our better meals on the trip. Good, attentive service too. We took two well behaved kids and it was fine, might be dicey with younger children, more of an adults place.
(4)Sara J.
Pleasant tucked away garden seating was romantic. Service was top notch and accommodating. Food was simple French. Highly recommended. Don't miss the creme brulee!
(4)Andres M.
Awesome dinner. We were a party of eight and ordered the conch cakes to share. Grilled yellowfin tuna, pan roasted grouper, sautéed peruvian seabass with coconut rum sauce (one of my favorites), chef's seafood pasta and even the tuna and regular burger are outstanding. And of course key lime tart for dessert. A very pleasant surprise with the perfect January weather. We will definitely go back and recommend it to all our friends.
(5)Ian K.
Wow. Great spot. Tuna tartar was excellent as a starter. Lobster salad was also good while the chefs seafood pasta was awesome. Best pasta I've had in a long time. Service was also great when we were here. Five star.
(5)Meghan K.
The food here was really really good. The service was horrendous. To be fair, the host was very pleasant and accommodating. The waitress, however, was incredibly rude not only through comments, but also in her demonor. There were 8 of us in our party (all adults), and she treated us with disrespect the entire meal. Each one of us felt we had never encountered such a rude waitress. Without this terrible service, this meal would've been our favorite in Key West!
(4)Greg B.
Fantastic Burgers! The BlackFin Burger was the best of the three I tried. I would also recommend the Blue Cheese burger. Oh, and the fries were awesome. I just got back from 2 weeks in Belgium and didn't have fries this good.
(4)Jeff C.
This place is okay. Had gazpacho, lobster summer rolls, a bistro salad and a croque madame sandwich. They were all tasty, but even when four beers are also tacked on, I have a hard time justifying a $100 check for lunch. I have nothing bad to say about this place, other than the fact that, if I had to do it all over again, I would've found something cheaper.
(3)Chelsea B.
5 stars for their fabulous veggie burger (marinated portobello mushroom cap with avocado, onions and tomato). too often portobellos are overcooked/undercooked, but this one was perfect ("steak" consistency and flavorful marinade). nice, relaxed ambience - i was surprised at the number of establishments on duval street that did not have the spring break craziness. my dining partner had the yellow fin tuna burger, which was also delish. decent prices and great service. i only had water (too much day drinking the hours before....) and my boyfriend had a beer, but it looked like they had a pretty extensive wine selection/bar. i would love to come back sometime soon.
(5)Lee S.
Three of us had dinner on Sunday night. Mussels were excellent and enough as an appetizer for us. A pork tenderloin dish my friend loved (it had enough meat for two). The other friend had the Pasta Bolognese. It was okay, not great, the meat/sauce was a bit dry but the dish was still tasty. I had the Key West pink shrimp on top of seasoned extremely, over-salted mashed potatoes. Very pleasant host never came over to ask us how our dinner was, the server was good but the busser apparently thought we were done after the mussels and took away all the utensils. When our main courses arrived he brought more flatware and said "oh, I guess you are having more to eat? That was odd but not a deal-breaker. The restaurant is nice, lovely artwork, simple and honest presentation. A bit noisy with the door to the street open. Also a bit warm with the candles and no air moving. Decent wine selection...prices were fair. EXPENSIVE desserts so we opted out. I WOULD try it again.
(4)Gatsby's G.
At this fine establishment, I introduced my husband to a culinary treat. Escargot! That's right, my friends, but fear not. It was a success. We both really liked the escargot appetizer, which was accompanied my mushrooms and garlic. The waitress brought us two of those little loaves of bread and we enjoyed every drop of our appetizer. Worth the wait! xoxo
(4)Dan S.
Good food and service. Not GREAT, but very good.
(4)MiMi V.
Walking around late late at night in Key West. We asked a local where to eat on Duval and he recommended 915. As we were walking there we walked past this restaurant. One of our companions said she liked the menu and read about it in the hotel in a mag. So the four of us popped into this small restaurant. Greeted by waitress, Megan, who looked offended that we declined bottled water for tap. (I found that amusing since everyone in KW seemed to be espousing thinking green and bottled water is the antithesis of green). Before my husband could give her his drink order she stomped off. She deigned to return and asked if we knew what we wanted. Friend had to ask if there were any specials. My husband eventually got a drink, 5 minutes after asking for it and after I flagged her down to repeat. I got an unsweetened ice tea, it was good. Atmosphere for those into that thing was dark and tiny. Could be romantic if you weren't butted so close to the bar. The appetizers: Charcuterie plate- pate was good, chorizo mediocre, salami good, black olives came from a can and cornichons were ok. Not bad ~$20? don't remember exactly. Lobster spring rolls- came as 4, mediocre fried spring rolls with some veggies and an itty bitty piece of lobster in each one. Forgettable except for the $13 price tag. Meals were: Grilled yellowfin tuna ordered rare. Came out more med-rare and tough. Asparagus overcooked and soggy. Flavoring was ok though you could get fresher tuna at Publix. $25. Her husband ordered chef's seafood pasta, mostly clams but it had a good flavor in the linguine. I tried some, it was ok. $19, not bad price for what you get. I got the local hogfish since I've never had that type of fish. Delicate white fish served with fried potato cakes that were good and artichokes which were overcooked and oily. Fish was not bad but I ate about 1/2 and was good with tossing the rest. Just bland. $24 Husband had the hanger steak ordered rare, came out a bit more med-rare than he liked. He said it wasn't worth sending back since they were closing soon. Steak was on the small side but he wasn't that hungry anyway. Came with some uninspired veggies, don't recall what they were. $22 Skipped dessert as the meal indicated that dessert would be equally uninspired. Waitress needs serious lessons on how to serve food properly. One does not reach over a person to HAND someone a plate. I first thought she was rude but realized she was just uneducated (the waitresses at TGIF could teach her a thing or two about service). Sadly, the original restaurant we were heading to was literally across the street. Since I was still hungry we went there for tapas, desert and wine. Darn it, they were so good! Future reference, always trust the locals.
(1)Bill V.
So when visiting KW recently, we were being told to hit up the usual spots like 915, A&B, etc. But this new place kept getting great word of mouth. let me tell you it is an awesome dinner. They seem to have most of the kinks worked out that were previously mentioned. The dinner was simply incredible. i had some grouper with a tremendous passion fruit reduction sauce. wow. the rest of the fresh fish was good too the wahoo was cooked to perfection as was the salmon. go for teh nightly special and you will not regret it. we chose to sit in the front for two reasons, i liked the look as it was different from most places and i also want the people looking in the windows to see other diners. otherwise most people sit in the back deck and it appears dead from the windows.
(4)Susan P.
We decided to make our last night in Key West count and enjoy some seafood. And I'm so glad we made our choice Blackfin. When we first walked by (trying to build up an appetite by strolling Duval St) I was worried because there was no one seated inside! But we were pleasantly surprised when we got back and were shown to the patio. I still hope this place develops a stronger following but they were doing okay for their second week. We started off with escargot and it was ridiculously good. I believe it was a special appetizer and I hope they add it to the menu permanently. Served in a bowl with button mushrooms and heavenly garlicky butter, I could have eaten several servings. Soaking up that butter with their delicious french bread was the perfect ending. For my entree, I had the yellow tail snapper. Served with white rice and a veggie combo of pea pods, asparagus, cauliflower and carrots. I had to restrain myself from licking the plate clean! The fish was perfection and I have to find out how a chef can make plain white rice taste so good! My fiance ordered the seafood pasta. It was jam-packed with mussels, scallops and shrimp. He would dig deeper in the bowl and come up with more seafood every time. I had a twirl of the pasta alone and that was so good! I could have eaten just a bowl of their pasta and sauce without the seafood and been happy. We ended the meal by ordering the tiramisu. It didn't wow me but it was very good. Served in a wineglass, it was very pretty but hard to scoop out. I'd say just put it on a plate and let those ladyfingers soak a little longer for some more flavor. Please, please, please Key West residents and visitors...go to this restaurant and make sure it stays open so we can go back again on our next trip!
(5)Dave L.
One of the great places to dine in Key West. We dined on the outdoor patio behind the restaurant which provided a cozy, secluded area on busy Duval Street. Somewhere in that area is a jasmine plant, I kept catching the tropical aroma throughout our meal - very nice. For dinner I had the hog fish on a bed of fresh artichokes with a chorizo-balsamic reduction. It was topped with a few julienned slices of chorizo, the best fish I had during my 5 day visit. Dessert was a bananas flambe, one of my favorites and it was delicious. We enjoyed the pace of our meal and the service was excellent. I hope Blackfin does well as I would love to come back on another trip to sample some more of the menu.
(4)Noe N.
Delicious! We went here for lunch. My husband had the blackbean soup to start and we split a mahi burger. The food was excellent. There are other items on the menu I can't wait to try. It's a good place that probably doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
(4)L D.
Had a great brunch here. Quiche for my companion and the Mahi Mahi sandwich for me. Both very tasty. Mimosas, two for one, were a great accompaniment. I am really glad we stopped here, as it was the perfect start to a Key West trip. The lunch atmosphere was very chill; when we walked by at night it had the impression of being fancier... Perhaps that is overstating it, though.
(4)Bruce F.
Very happy with service, best restaurant we've eaten at so favorite in Key Wet, very good, attentive service. We had 2 seafood pasta dishes, shrimp provincial, and skirt steak.
(5)Victoria P.
It took us a little while to decide where to go, but I'm really glad we picked Blackfin Bistro. Open since October 2009, Blackfin has a wide-array of adventurous tapas well worth their prices. The restaurant, located at 918 Duval St., has both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted for a cozy table with bench seating near the outside bar. The ambiance of the place was extremely relaxing and accentuated by lit tiki torches and large palm fronds. Chelsea had eaten here before and knew exactly what to order. We opted for a lot of the day's specials because they were made with the freshest ingredients and catch of the day. We went right before closing time so they were out of Lobster Spring Rolls. Apparently they are to die for. Instead we ordered the Calamari tossed in walnut, parsley, garlic and butter. So fresh and light, the calamari wasn't fishy at all. The texture was just chewy enough without being too rubbery. I never would have thought to put walnuts with it, but I liked the hint of flavor it added. The next dish to arrive was one of the day's specials, Five Chinese Spice Tuna Medallions with a wasabi cream sauce and sweet potato chips. Every ingredient was great by itself, but when you made a mini tuna sandwich dipped in the glaze with a sweet potato bun, the flavors were out of this world. The varying textures of the dish made it fun to eat. My favorite dish of the night had to be the Goat Cheese Balls. I am a sucker for any kind of cheese and anything fried, so basically this meal is perfect for me. The sweetness of the caramelized onions went well with the saltiness of the chip and breading. I felt like a super fatty afterward, but it was so dang delicious. I thought there was no way I was going to have room for dessert, but when the Creme Brulee came out my mouth started watering. The dish was so creamy and rich. I felt more and more luxurious with each spoonful.
(4)William G.
This is a great place! Excellent service - and the food was as good as it gets. We had fabulous wine - with salads and a burger. Really outstanding!
(5)Dawen H.
Only had appetizer there so I can't judge the main course. However, the waitress did pressure me to order more expensive main course when I told her I only wanted an appetizer which was a little bit turned-off. I had to explain to her I just ate somewhere else not long ago so I wasn't hungry and I shouldn't even do that, so that made me very uncomfortable.
(3)Jim T.
Our server told us they had the best burger in town. I think he's right! Try the diablo burger- diablo sauce, mushrooms and goat cheese. Wash it down with a Guigal Cote du Rhone and be impressed by the value prices. Great spot for lunch.
(5)Jeff D.
Excellent food. Had great specialty burgers, unique blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich with avocado, and brie, apple and avocado sandwich. Highly recommended.
(5)Gabriela V.
Blackfin Bistro was the best restaurant I tried in Key West. The food tasted fresh and was the right portion. The place was clean and nicely decorated. The service was good, our waitress was very friendly and prompt. I'd give this place 4.5 stars, a definite must go if you're in Key West!
(4)Dave A.
Excellent food all around. The mussels with chorizo and white wine broth was superb. The burger was said to be the "best I've had in along while". Highly recommended if you are in the area.
(5)Ashwin A.
Walked in on a random chance at 4pm in the afternoon. Very, very tasty fish sandwiches. Their blackened fish is lipsmacking. Surprisingly quiet for Duval, and they outside seating is very nice.
(4)Ashley H.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, absolutely the freshest fish and ingredients of all of my dining experiences in Key West. The wine selection is spot on - not overly extensive (I hate being handed a novel to select a wine!) with varying price points. The atmosphere still feels casual and island-like, but with an upscale flair for a nice night out on vacation. We ate here multiple times on our one-week trip and will certainly be back on our next visit down. Standout dishes: Escargot (appetizer), Yellowfin Tuna, Hand-cut Fries, Fried Goat Cheese (appetizer), Tiramisu (dessert)
(5)Jason S.
Romantic candle-lit ambiance, outstandingly friendly and attentive staff, and good food -- the pink shrimp were amazing. Would definitely eat here again. -Jason
(4)Duy N.
Food was great along with e service. I had the snapper and wife had the shrimp entree. Portions were reasonable and prices were reasonable for duvall st. Very small restaurant with ambiance Would recommend.
(4)Pam K.
Great patio, great music, great service, great wine. I had a wonderful black bean soup and salad. My friends loved the burgers. I would recommend it highly.
(4)Pamela B.
We spent a week in Key West and found Blackfin Bistro to be our favorite dining spot. The owners are from upstate New York, where we are from, so we had a pleasant conversation about the pros and cons of both areas of the country. Service at Blackfin is excellent with attentive and knowledgeable servers. We had a short wait from ordering our meal to the meal being served. Food is delicious, artistically presented, and not too over the top as far as types of food available. We found the prices reasonable compared to other places. The atmosphere is romantic and cozy with a delightful dining area out back, on a patio, with white twinkling lights interspersed throughout the trees and surrounding area. It's a quiet respite from all the noise and hullaballoo on the Mallory Square end of Duval Street. I highly recommend Blackfin Bistro to anyone visiting Key West.
(5)Joe B.
My wife and I stumbled on this restaurant through Yelp! The food was very tasty and the staff was attentive. I'd eat here again.
(5)Jane C.
had surf and turf, amazing! great service, warm atmosphere
(5)Alessandra N.
Oh so good and decadent. The escargot was the best I have ever had. Food here very similar to the good eats of San Francisco organic and fresh.
(5)Rob C.
My wife and I saw the reviews on Yelp so on a quite Monday night in November we went to try Black Fin, glad we did it is on the quite more classy part of upper Duval. The place was not busy being the week before Thanksgiving but what a great place to eat, the mussels app and cheese plate app are perfect starters, the mussels are so big compared to PEI mussels. The main course of Mai Mai and grouper was perfect and plenty of food. The decor and lighting is superb, I would sit outside if you can very pretty in the courtyard. Service was great as well, one small drawback the wines are pricey but heck everything is priced to value. Would go again in a minute.
(4)David C.
We went for dinner, on a Monday night, even after reading some of the lack-luster reviews; it was close to the hotel. All I can say is, we had a marvelous experience. We could have paid more for dinner, but the food wouldn't have been any better. We split YellowFin Tartare; Seafood Pasta and Creme Brûlée'. Everything was well prepared and timely to the table. Service was attentive, efficient and professional. Our reservation was for 7P, and things started to fill up pretty fast, after that. Well worth the gamble!
(5)Jennifer H.
Stumbled upon this quaint little restaurant while looking for a place to stop in and have a glass of wine with my parents while walking Duval Street. We were very pleased with the casual, friendly but not over-the-top service we received at the bar. After looking at the menu and hearing they had only been open for about 9 months, we decided we'd come back and give them a try for dinner one evening. The total ambiance for dinner was perfect for our taste. Casual fine dining at it's best. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We tried the Fried Goat Cheese as an appetizer. Divine! I had the Yellowfin Tuna Burger Medium Rare. It was cooked to perfection. All three of us could not have been more satisfied. We were so pleased with our first experience that we brought more guests another evening who were also more than pleased with their food and experience that they wanted to go there again and bring even more guests. In our two week stay we had three fantastic meals and service here. If you're looking for great casual fine dining in Key West, I highly recommend you give them a try. It's great to see new restaurants come in and prevail. Our entire family and guests hope they stick around for our next vacation to the Keys.
(5)Marc S.
Perfectly cooked fish, the lobster rolls are awesome, pasta primavera was great good coffee and desert, the blackfinn burger is awesome
(5)Justin D.
The food was great, but my favorite part was the variety in both price and food options. It seems ideal for dining with someone with different preferences. I prefer affordable and simple fare and this was a great option when dining with someone who prefers the opposite. It is great to feel welcome.
(5)Brian W.
Fresh catch of the day of snapper, grouper or mahi. We tried all and they were all fantastic. Prompt, friendly service and a great patio out back.
(4)Ryan C.
Solid menu with a really nice dining area out back on the patio. The gazpacho was actually my favorite, it was perfect.
(4)Sandra G.
this place was great!!! service was quick. i enjoyed the nice patio in the back, a little gem tucked away. food was fresh and delicious. our party tried the local tuna dish, the lobster rolls, the pasta primavera and the burgers. everything was done to perfection. I would highly recommend it.
(4)Rory B.
Yes I am a fan.... Food was very good and presented well. Different fusions of flavors ie: Mahi Mahi with artichoke slivers. One of the two owners Joe who waited on us was a really nice guy from NY. They both had enough of the fast lane and put their knowledge and sweat making this lovely place. They made the bar, tables, wine racks. They did a great cozy place. There is also a nice out side area. If you do stop in.. and I would if I were you... tell they Rory Blane sent you.....
(4)Mary D.
Very nice quiet atmosphere, food was very good, wait staff very attentive. Shrimp were done just perfect, as was the grouper. PEI mussels were not the best, but it's a long way from Canada to key west! Highly recommend if you need to get away from the craziness of Duvall street.
(4)Ernie C.
Terrific food and friendly service. Hogfish over artichokes was amazing.
(5)Ralph M.
Friendly welcoming staff. Excellent food great value
(5)Dan P.
This place is excellent - one of the best meals I've ever had in Florida. All seafood was cooked to perfection and was very fresh. I had a calamari appetizer special which was outstanding, sautéed with butter and garlic (the bread found itself being dipped in the sauce quite often). For the entrée, I chose the scallops, which were nice and plump - very meaty, and very well prepared. I finished with an apple tart that was just as outstanding as the other dishes and was the perfect way to end it. I found the portions to be the right size - I was definitely full, but not bursting. Lastly, the service was outstanding. If you are in Key West, I highly recommend you stop by at the Blackfin. I will be back in Key West in a couple of weeks, and will definitely be coming back here. Hopefully they will also have a espresso machine by then!
(5)Dave B.
Very enjoyable dinner. Could not get into Seven Fish, so the host there sent us here. Had to eat inside with no reservations but hey that was our fault and it is a nice place. Shimp Provencale, Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Chef's Seafood Pasta as entrees were all delicious. The Lobster Bisque was the best I ever had!!! Great attention by wait staff. Nothing wrong at all! Highly recommend!
(5)Jay T.
We made reservations for 7:45 pm and were told that the only available seating for our party of four would be outside because of a large party being seated inside the restaurant. We were fine with that. When we arrived we were actually happy to be sitting outside due to the noise inside the restaurant and it being a very pleasant evening. We started out with the cheese platter which consisted of three types of cheese. A blue cheese, a brie cheese, and what I believe to be some sort of sharp cheddar. There was also fruit, walnuts, and Melba toast. It was very tasty and a light start to the meal. Homemade bread was also provided, which we all enjoyed immensely. After we finished our appetizer is when the problem began. We waited well over an hour for our entrees to arrive. We were never told why there was such a long delay, but instead were periodically told our food should be ready soon. When our meals finally did arrive we were overall very pleased with the quality and the quantity of the meal. Our one friend ordered the Yellow Tuna with rice and Asparagus and her husband ordered the NY Strip with peppercorn sauce. My friend was unprepared for the spiciness of the peppercorn sauce, while his wife was thoroughly content with the Tuna. My wife ordered the Linguine with meat sauce. She ate it until she was about to burst. Mind you, this was after she had already eaten two of the loaves of bread (four slices per loaf). I ordered the pan seared scallops with the orange cream sauce. Luckily, I asked to have the sauce on the side because it was very sweet and would have been to much. I slightly dipped the first two scallops into the sauce and just skipped it all together for the last two. The scallops stood on there own without the sauce. Both fish dishes came with rice and asparagus which was a nice compliment to both dishes. By the time we finished eating our meals it was now past 9:35! We had wanted to order dessert but had to be somewhere by 10:00. We were fearful that had we ordered dessert we would be late for our activity later that evening. Finally, while we were waiting for the check ( which also took longer than it should have), I got up and voiced my displeasure to one of the staff for the exceptionally long wait for our entrees. The staff member apologized and blamed it on the large group on the inside of the restaurant. He said they hadn't planned on such a large group and were under staffed to accommodate them which led to the delay. I have two problems with that. The first was that there weren't any tables added inside the restaurant. So, in my opinion, it wasn't like they increased the capacity of the restaurant to accommodate this group. Secondly, it was a Friday night during the fourth of July weekend. I would think you'd be prepared for a larger customer base than during a normal week. They took ten percent off of the entire bill for our trouble. I explained to the staff that I didn't hold them responsible for the delay and felt they were very courteous and friendly. Up until the delay in getting our meals we were very pleased with our decision. But by the time we were leaving the restaurant we all felt very deflated. It's a shame because I wanted it to make for a great evening and it didn't.
(3)H B.
We had lunch here after a trip to the Hemingway House and Butterfly Museum. We ate inside because it was really hot inside. It is a small restaurant with only a few tables and a bar inside. The menu is a little fancier than I'm used to but I thoroughly enjoyed my grilled shrimp omelet. They serve breakfast all day so my son tried the French toast and enjoyed that too.
(4)Daniel N.
I would definitely go back. Tranquil and hip setting complemented by an interesting menu, excellent wines and very good service. My burger was over cooked, but they were very nice about it and corrected the situation.
(4)Cameron M.
It was good, not great. I had the mahi mahi and my husband had the carbonara. Both were under seasoned and somehow lacking. While the ambiance was nice, the food was not worth the price.
(3)Terry W.
Wonderful fresh fish specials with interesting twists such as Thai and oriental seasonings (or just plain grilled if you're not into those flavors). Ask to sit in the back garden - it's a delightful respite from crazy & loud Duvall St. We liked this place so much that we went back again two nights later, which is unheard of for us, since we like to try out as many new places as possible on each trip. Highly recommended!
(5)David B.
This place is great! Fish was very fresh, patio out back a quiet oasis, just a lovely place for a relaxed lunch in Key West!
(4)Katy R.
A tremendous meal and great space. To start, both salads were tremendous and a solid wine list to choose from. I had the bistro salad - warm egg on top, outstanding, and I rarely rave about a salad. For entrees, strip steak and shrimp provencal, both excellent. Great service and attention from the owner as well. The back garden was a lovely place to dine in the evening, just a little dark, but we were offered little flashlights to read the menu. Maybe a little brighter table lighting? We ate across the street at 915 Duval the night before and Blackfin Bistro wins, hands down. Thanks for a great meal, we hope to come back again.
(5)Sheila S.
Service was excellent! Food was very good. If you like calamari this would be the place to try it in a different way. Made with olive oil and garlic, was a real treat. After you eat it safe the sauce and dip the bread! Very good menu. I had spinach salad with goat cheese and was excellent. Others in my party had grouper sandwich, burgers and lobster bisque and everyone was pleased. Lobster rolls could use more lobster. Over all tiny place with excellent service and food!
(5)Debra C.
quaint little romantic spot even if your not looking for one. everything on this menu is homemade and awesome. sit back have a glass of wine or two while you wait for a table, you won't be sorry. p.s. it's not just for seafood.....just sayn
(4)Susanna N.
Excellent food, good service. The food was a little slow to come out but well worth the wait. Decently priced with generous portions. It was surprisingly loud given how small it was but that may have just been due to a rowdy group at one end of the dining room. We will definitely go back.
(4)Janice A.
We had dinnner here our last night in Key West and it was great. The servers were attentive without hovering. I had the escargo and the tuna tartare appetizer for dinner and my husband had the seafood pasta with creamed spinach. It was all great and the portions were just right. We highly recommend it.
(5)Stephen G.
4.5 really, and only because I rarely give 5's. Fresh local fish, reasonable prices, and interesting, unique preparations that really worked out well. Pleasant service, decent little wine list, nice space. Definitely a nice respite from the touristy hubbub of Key West and Duvall Street.
(4)Joe D.
During our trip we ate here twice. Dinner and breakfast. This is a great place. Super nice people, great service, and excellent food. For dinner we had the grilled yellowfin and the yellowtail snapper. Both were very good and flavorful. The side veggies were super flavorful (yes veggies can be good). They both came with rice as well. We actually started with a seared scallop app and they were cooked perfectly. I had a salad and can't remember which one but it was good as well. Throw in a little wine and you have a great meal. Go there. For breakfast, a few days later, we had french toast, bacon and eggs, an omelette, fresh squeezed OJ, and coffee. The french toast is awesome, get it. The rest was very good for the most part, including the OJ which was truly fresh squeezed. The omelette was decent but they forgot a couple of ingredients and had to half ass make some salsa after getting the food. A small bump in the road though. This place is worth going to.
(4)AnneMarie S.
Servers were friendly and overall ambiance was quaint. The escargot was excellent. However I got sick after eating the mussels. The mussels were less than fresh; they tasted "fishy" and had been frozen since the meat stuck to the shell after cooking.
(3)Stephanie W.
Uninspired. Finding a dish not slathered in garlic and butter proved to be impossible. Service was great and environment was lovely. Maybe the burger might be okay??
(2)Courtney P.
My boyfriend and I were in Key West for the weekend, and this was our first dinner spot. For some reason, we were not given the option of eating inside, and were led immediately outside to the back deck. They were out of most of the beer on their list, so my bf had to settle for his third choice, and I had a glass of the pinot grigio. They gave us a bread basket with warm butter, which was a nice touch. For dinner, I had the ahi tuna with jasmine rice and asparagus. For ordering it well-done, which I know you're not supposed to do, the tuna was still flavorful. My bf had the NY strip steak, which came with fries and salad (all of which were amazing). All through dinner, there was a rooster in the tree that was crowing, but that's just Key West. I did think they were priced a little high for the ambiance (and the lack of beer), but the service was commendable. Still, it probably wouldn't be my first choice next time I visit.
(4)craig s.
We ate there last night 1/2. Service was excellent and very attentive. Food was good; but not great. The port tendorloin special was over-cooked. I think what bothered me the most was that they brought my son a pasta/butter plate .....which was clearly a children's portion and charged him for a full pasta primavera dish. There has to be a better way to extract $5 from the final tab.
(3)Carol K.
At the insistence of a local, we tried the Blackfin Bistro on our recent week's vacation in Key West. The Andalusian gazpacho was to die for. The food was fresh, flavorful, visually pleasing and well-prepared. Scallops with chutney were perfect. The food and dining experience were so pleasant that we returned another evening. The young owners go out of their way to make the evening enjoyable. In light of the excellence of the flavors and presentation, as well as the complexity of some of the dishes, It was no surprise to learn that their chef was from Southern France.
(5)Matt B.
Decent, but way overpriced. 90 bucks for a 2 person meal which included a hamburger and grouper is a little ridiculous. I would have been happy for about 60
(3)Alvin W.
Overall experience was superb. Staff was very attentive and kind. The food was out of this world. I would recommend this Restaurant to all of my friends and anyone who is interested in an exceptional culinary experience.
(5)Greg O.
Walked in for supper on Monday night. The mahi-mahi with garlic chorizo and artichokes was very savory. Shared with my wife, who was eating light this night. Her mashed potatoes were good, too. We shared a bottle of wine and laughed that the maitre'd went so far as to put the last of the wine in plastic cups for us to take along when we left. Gotta love Key West; even the classy little bistros support the go-cup philosophy! Very pleasant, well-run, attentive staff.
(4)Alex F.
We stopped for a light dinner here. I ordered gazpacho and mussels and both were delicious. Excellent service and nice ambience
(5)Jasmine A.
We went here for dinner. We got a nice bottle of wine, some fish and the carbonara. The carbonara is served traditionally, with a raw egg on top. I can't remember what fish we had, maybe because of the wine. Service was good, food was very good. It's on the quite side of Duval.
(4)Malea X.
i have food allergies, so i had a lengthy discussion with the waiter, who was pretty clueless. i told him i wanted the yellowfin tuna which came with a sauce, a side of pineapple fried rice and bok choy for $30. i explained that i'm allergic to soy and gluten intolerant and asked him to relay that to the chef in case i couldn't eat the sauce or sides to see what the chef could do to accommodate me. what i ended up was a piece of fish (seasoned with salt & pepper, but no sauce of any kind), a single piece of bok choy and french fries. ok, so this isn't terrible. the fries were good, but they were fries. i would have appreciated at least a full serving of vegetables and perhaps a second vegetable instead of fries. then the bill came. i was charge the full $30 for the heavily modified & simplified version of the dish. i wasn't pleased but was not in the mood to have an argument on the spot with the wait staff and figured i would take it up with the owner or manager. i emailed via the website and asked him to refund a portion of the exorbitant price that i paid. his response was: "yellowfin tuna is a very expensive piece of fish and our fries are hand cut. i can offer you a $5 gift certificate toward your next visit." key west is one of those places you can visit once or twice in a lifetime and have had your fill of. the bottom line: this manager has no interest in not only my future business, but that of everyone who reads my reviews who may also have the need for a modified dish. he was more concerned with defending the cost of the fish than for ensuring that i write a good review for all to see and everyone i might talk to who is planning a visit. a $10 refund to my credit card would have resulted in a much, much different review.
(1)Michael H.
Great dinner! I had the hogfish which was great. All meals came with beautifully prepared vegetables. Good wine list and pretty reasonable prices. One of our better meals on the trip. Good, attentive service too. We took two well behaved kids and it was fine, might be dicey with younger children, more of an adults place.
(4)Sara J.
Pleasant tucked away garden seating was romantic. Service was top notch and accommodating. Food was simple French. Highly recommended. Don't miss the creme brulee!
(4)Andres M.
Awesome dinner. We were a party of eight and ordered the conch cakes to share. Grilled yellowfin tuna, pan roasted grouper, sautéed peruvian seabass with coconut rum sauce (one of my favorites), chef's seafood pasta and even the tuna and regular burger are outstanding. And of course key lime tart for dessert. A very pleasant surprise with the perfect January weather. We will definitely go back and recommend it to all our friends.
(5)Ian K.
Wow. Great spot. Tuna tartar was excellent as a starter. Lobster salad was also good while the chefs seafood pasta was awesome. Best pasta I've had in a long time. Service was also great when we were here. Five star.
(5)Meghan K.
The food here was really really good. The service was horrendous. To be fair, the host was very pleasant and accommodating. The waitress, however, was incredibly rude not only through comments, but also in her demonor. There were 8 of us in our party (all adults), and she treated us with disrespect the entire meal. Each one of us felt we had never encountered such a rude waitress. Without this terrible service, this meal would've been our favorite in Key West!
(4)Greg B.
Fantastic Burgers! The BlackFin Burger was the best of the three I tried. I would also recommend the Blue Cheese burger. Oh, and the fries were awesome. I just got back from 2 weeks in Belgium and didn't have fries this good.
(4)Jeff C.
This place is okay. Had gazpacho, lobster summer rolls, a bistro salad and a croque madame sandwich. They were all tasty, but even when four beers are also tacked on, I have a hard time justifying a $100 check for lunch. I have nothing bad to say about this place, other than the fact that, if I had to do it all over again, I would've found something cheaper.
(3)Chelsea B.
5 stars for their fabulous veggie burger (marinated portobello mushroom cap with avocado, onions and tomato). too often portobellos are overcooked/undercooked, but this one was perfect ("steak" consistency and flavorful marinade). nice, relaxed ambience - i was surprised at the number of establishments on duval street that did not have the spring break craziness. my dining partner had the yellow fin tuna burger, which was also delish. decent prices and great service. i only had water (too much day drinking the hours before....) and my boyfriend had a beer, but it looked like they had a pretty extensive wine selection/bar. i would love to come back sometime soon.
(5)Lee S.
Three of us had dinner on Sunday night. Mussels were excellent and enough as an appetizer for us. A pork tenderloin dish my friend loved (it had enough meat for two). The other friend had the Pasta Bolognese. It was okay, not great, the meat/sauce was a bit dry but the dish was still tasty. I had the Key West pink shrimp on top of seasoned extremely, over-salted mashed potatoes. Very pleasant host never came over to ask us how our dinner was, the server was good but the busser apparently thought we were done after the mussels and took away all the utensils. When our main courses arrived he brought more flatware and said "oh, I guess you are having more to eat? That was odd but not a deal-breaker. The restaurant is nice, lovely artwork, simple and honest presentation. A bit noisy with the door to the street open. Also a bit warm with the candles and no air moving. Decent wine selection...prices were fair. EXPENSIVE desserts so we opted out. I WOULD try it again.
(4)Gatsby's G.
At this fine establishment, I introduced my husband to a culinary treat. Escargot! That's right, my friends, but fear not. It was a success. We both really liked the escargot appetizer, which was accompanied my mushrooms and garlic. The waitress brought us two of those little loaves of bread and we enjoyed every drop of our appetizer. Worth the wait! xoxo
(4)Dan S.
Good food and service. Not GREAT, but very good.
(4)MiMi V.
Walking around late late at night in Key West. We asked a local where to eat on Duval and he recommended 915. As we were walking there we walked past this restaurant. One of our companions said she liked the menu and read about it in the hotel in a mag. So the four of us popped into this small restaurant. Greeted by waitress, Megan, who looked offended that we declined bottled water for tap. (I found that amusing since everyone in KW seemed to be espousing thinking green and bottled water is the antithesis of green). Before my husband could give her his drink order she stomped off. She deigned to return and asked if we knew what we wanted. Friend had to ask if there were any specials. My husband eventually got a drink, 5 minutes after asking for it and after I flagged her down to repeat. I got an unsweetened ice tea, it was good. Atmosphere for those into that thing was dark and tiny. Could be romantic if you weren't butted so close to the bar. The appetizers: Charcuterie plate- pate was good, chorizo mediocre, salami good, black olives came from a can and cornichons were ok. Not bad ~$20? don't remember exactly. Lobster spring rolls- came as 4, mediocre fried spring rolls with some veggies and an itty bitty piece of lobster in each one. Forgettable except for the $13 price tag. Meals were: Grilled yellowfin tuna ordered rare. Came out more med-rare and tough. Asparagus overcooked and soggy. Flavoring was ok though you could get fresher tuna at Publix. $25. Her husband ordered chef's seafood pasta, mostly clams but it had a good flavor in the linguine. I tried some, it was ok. $19, not bad price for what you get. I got the local hogfish since I've never had that type of fish. Delicate white fish served with fried potato cakes that were good and artichokes which were overcooked and oily. Fish was not bad but I ate about 1/2 and was good with tossing the rest. Just bland. $24 Husband had the hanger steak ordered rare, came out a bit more med-rare than he liked. He said it wasn't worth sending back since they were closing soon. Steak was on the small side but he wasn't that hungry anyway. Came with some uninspired veggies, don't recall what they were. $22 Skipped dessert as the meal indicated that dessert would be equally uninspired. Waitress needs serious lessons on how to serve food properly. One does not reach over a person to HAND someone a plate. I first thought she was rude but realized she was just uneducated (the waitresses at TGIF could teach her a thing or two about service). Sadly, the original restaurant we were heading to was literally across the street. Since I was still hungry we went there for tapas, desert and wine. Darn it, they were so good! Future reference, always trust the locals.
(1)Bill V.
So when visiting KW recently, we were being told to hit up the usual spots like 915, A&B, etc. But this new place kept getting great word of mouth. let me tell you it is an awesome dinner. They seem to have most of the kinks worked out that were previously mentioned. The dinner was simply incredible. i had some grouper with a tremendous passion fruit reduction sauce. wow. the rest of the fresh fish was good too the wahoo was cooked to perfection as was the salmon. go for teh nightly special and you will not regret it. we chose to sit in the front for two reasons, i liked the look as it was different from most places and i also want the people looking in the windows to see other diners. otherwise most people sit in the back deck and it appears dead from the windows.
(4)Susan P.
We decided to make our last night in Key West count and enjoy some seafood. And I'm so glad we made our choice Blackfin. When we first walked by (trying to build up an appetite by strolling Duval St) I was worried because there was no one seated inside! But we were pleasantly surprised when we got back and were shown to the patio. I still hope this place develops a stronger following but they were doing okay for their second week. We started off with escargot and it was ridiculously good. I believe it was a special appetizer and I hope they add it to the menu permanently. Served in a bowl with button mushrooms and heavenly garlicky butter, I could have eaten several servings. Soaking up that butter with their delicious french bread was the perfect ending. For my entree, I had the yellow tail snapper. Served with white rice and a veggie combo of pea pods, asparagus, cauliflower and carrots. I had to restrain myself from licking the plate clean! The fish was perfection and I have to find out how a chef can make plain white rice taste so good! My fiance ordered the seafood pasta. It was jam-packed with mussels, scallops and shrimp. He would dig deeper in the bowl and come up with more seafood every time. I had a twirl of the pasta alone and that was so good! I could have eaten just a bowl of their pasta and sauce without the seafood and been happy. We ended the meal by ordering the tiramisu. It didn't wow me but it was very good. Served in a wineglass, it was very pretty but hard to scoop out. I'd say just put it on a plate and let those ladyfingers soak a little longer for some more flavor. Please, please, please Key West residents and visitors...go to this restaurant and make sure it stays open so we can go back again on our next trip!
(5)Dave L.
One of the great places to dine in Key West. We dined on the outdoor patio behind the restaurant which provided a cozy, secluded area on busy Duval Street. Somewhere in that area is a jasmine plant, I kept catching the tropical aroma throughout our meal - very nice. For dinner I had the hog fish on a bed of fresh artichokes with a chorizo-balsamic reduction. It was topped with a few julienned slices of chorizo, the best fish I had during my 5 day visit. Dessert was a bananas flambe, one of my favorites and it was delicious. We enjoyed the pace of our meal and the service was excellent. I hope Blackfin does well as I would love to come back on another trip to sample some more of the menu.
(4)Noe N.
Delicious! We went here for lunch. My husband had the blackbean soup to start and we split a mahi burger. The food was excellent. There are other items on the menu I can't wait to try. It's a good place that probably doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
(4)L D.
Had a great brunch here. Quiche for my companion and the Mahi Mahi sandwich for me. Both very tasty. Mimosas, two for one, were a great accompaniment. I am really glad we stopped here, as it was the perfect start to a Key West trip. The lunch atmosphere was very chill; when we walked by at night it had the impression of being fancier... Perhaps that is overstating it, though.
(4)Bruce F.
Very happy with service, best restaurant we've eaten at so favorite in Key Wet, very good, attentive service. We had 2 seafood pasta dishes, shrimp provincial, and skirt steak.
(5)Victoria P.
It took us a little while to decide where to go, but I'm really glad we picked Blackfin Bistro. Open since October 2009, Blackfin has a wide-array of adventurous tapas well worth their prices. The restaurant, located at 918 Duval St., has both indoor and outdoor seating. We opted for a cozy table with bench seating near the outside bar. The ambiance of the place was extremely relaxing and accentuated by lit tiki torches and large palm fronds. Chelsea had eaten here before and knew exactly what to order. We opted for a lot of the day's specials because they were made with the freshest ingredients and catch of the day. We went right before closing time so they were out of Lobster Spring Rolls. Apparently they are to die for. Instead we ordered the Calamari tossed in walnut, parsley, garlic and butter. So fresh and light, the calamari wasn't fishy at all. The texture was just chewy enough without being too rubbery. I never would have thought to put walnuts with it, but I liked the hint of flavor it added. The next dish to arrive was one of the day's specials, Five Chinese Spice Tuna Medallions with a wasabi cream sauce and sweet potato chips. Every ingredient was great by itself, but when you made a mini tuna sandwich dipped in the glaze with a sweet potato bun, the flavors were out of this world. The varying textures of the dish made it fun to eat. My favorite dish of the night had to be the Goat Cheese Balls. I am a sucker for any kind of cheese and anything fried, so basically this meal is perfect for me. The sweetness of the caramelized onions went well with the saltiness of the chip and breading. I felt like a super fatty afterward, but it was so dang delicious. I thought there was no way I was going to have room for dessert, but when the Creme Brulee came out my mouth started watering. The dish was so creamy and rich. I felt more and more luxurious with each spoonful.
(4)William G.
This is a great place! Excellent service - and the food was as good as it gets. We had fabulous wine - with salads and a burger. Really outstanding!
(5)Dawen H.
Only had appetizer there so I can't judge the main course. However, the waitress did pressure me to order more expensive main course when I told her I only wanted an appetizer which was a little bit turned-off. I had to explain to her I just ate somewhere else not long ago so I wasn't hungry and I shouldn't even do that, so that made me very uncomfortable.
(3)Jim T.
Our server told us they had the best burger in town. I think he's right! Try the diablo burger- diablo sauce, mushrooms and goat cheese. Wash it down with a Guigal Cote du Rhone and be impressed by the value prices. Great spot for lunch.
(5)Jeff D.
Excellent food. Had great specialty burgers, unique blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich with avocado, and brie, apple and avocado sandwich. Highly recommended.
(5)Gabriela V.
Blackfin Bistro was the best restaurant I tried in Key West. The food tasted fresh and was the right portion. The place was clean and nicely decorated. The service was good, our waitress was very friendly and prompt. I'd give this place 4.5 stars, a definite must go if you're in Key West!
(4)Dave A.
Excellent food all around. The mussels with chorizo and white wine broth was superb. The burger was said to be the "best I've had in along while". Highly recommended if you are in the area.
(5)Ashwin A.
Walked in on a random chance at 4pm in the afternoon. Very, very tasty fish sandwiches. Their blackened fish is lipsmacking. Surprisingly quiet for Duval, and they outside seating is very nice.
(4)Ashley H.
Amazing food, amazing and friendly service, absolutely the freshest fish and ingredients of all of my dining experiences in Key West. The wine selection is spot on - not overly extensive (I hate being handed a novel to select a wine!) with varying price points. The atmosphere still feels casual and island-like, but with an upscale flair for a nice night out on vacation. We ate here multiple times on our one-week trip and will certainly be back on our next visit down. Standout dishes: Escargot (appetizer), Yellowfin Tuna, Hand-cut Fries, Fried Goat Cheese (appetizer), Tiramisu (dessert)
(5)Jason S.
Romantic candle-lit ambiance, outstandingly friendly and attentive staff, and good food -- the pink shrimp were amazing. Would definitely eat here again. -Jason
(4)Duy N.
Food was great along with e service. I had the snapper and wife had the shrimp entree. Portions were reasonable and prices were reasonable for duvall st. Very small restaurant with ambiance Would recommend.
(4)Pam K.
Great patio, great music, great service, great wine. I had a wonderful black bean soup and salad. My friends loved the burgers. I would recommend it highly.
(4)Pamela B.
We spent a week in Key West and found Blackfin Bistro to be our favorite dining spot. The owners are from upstate New York, where we are from, so we had a pleasant conversation about the pros and cons of both areas of the country. Service at Blackfin is excellent with attentive and knowledgeable servers. We had a short wait from ordering our meal to the meal being served. Food is delicious, artistically presented, and not too over the top as far as types of food available. We found the prices reasonable compared to other places. The atmosphere is romantic and cozy with a delightful dining area out back, on a patio, with white twinkling lights interspersed throughout the trees and surrounding area. It's a quiet respite from all the noise and hullaballoo on the Mallory Square end of Duval Street. I highly recommend Blackfin Bistro to anyone visiting Key West.
(5)Joe B.
My wife and I stumbled on this restaurant through Yelp! The food was very tasty and the staff was attentive. I'd eat here again.
(5)Rob C.
My wife and I saw the reviews on Yelp so on a quite Monday night in November we went to try Black Fin, glad we did it is on the quite more classy part of upper Duval. The place was not busy being the week before Thanksgiving but what a great place to eat, the mussels app and cheese plate app are perfect starters, the mussels are so big compared to PEI mussels. The main course of Mai Mai and grouper was perfect and plenty of food. The decor and lighting is superb, I would sit outside if you can very pretty in the courtyard. Service was great as well, one small drawback the wines are pricey but heck everything is priced to value. Would go again in a minute.
(4)David C.
We went for dinner, on a Monday night, even after reading some of the lack-luster reviews; it was close to the hotel. All I can say is, we had a marvelous experience. We could have paid more for dinner, but the food wouldn't have been any better. We split YellowFin Tartare; Seafood Pasta and Creme Brûlée'. Everything was well prepared and timely to the table. Service was attentive, efficient and professional. Our reservation was for 7P, and things started to fill up pretty fast, after that. Well worth the gamble!
(5)Jennifer H.
Stumbled upon this quaint little restaurant while looking for a place to stop in and have a glass of wine with my parents while walking Duval Street. We were very pleased with the casual, friendly but not over-the-top service we received at the bar. After looking at the menu and hearing they had only been open for about 9 months, we decided we'd come back and give them a try for dinner one evening. The total ambiance for dinner was perfect for our taste. Casual fine dining at it's best. Our waiter was very friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We tried the Fried Goat Cheese as an appetizer. Divine! I had the Yellowfin Tuna Burger Medium Rare. It was cooked to perfection. All three of us could not have been more satisfied. We were so pleased with our first experience that we brought more guests another evening who were also more than pleased with their food and experience that they wanted to go there again and bring even more guests. In our two week stay we had three fantastic meals and service here. If you're looking for great casual fine dining in Key West, I highly recommend you give them a try. It's great to see new restaurants come in and prevail. Our entire family and guests hope they stick around for our next vacation to the Keys.
(5)Marc S.
Perfectly cooked fish, the lobster rolls are awesome, pasta primavera was great good coffee and desert, the blackfinn burger is awesome
(5)Justin D.
The food was great, but my favorite part was the variety in both price and food options. It seems ideal for dining with someone with different preferences. I prefer affordable and simple fare and this was a great option when dining with someone who prefers the opposite. It is great to feel welcome.
(5)Brian W.
Fresh catch of the day of snapper, grouper or mahi. We tried all and they were all fantastic. Prompt, friendly service and a great patio out back.
(4)Jane C.
had surf and turf, amazing! great service, warm atmosphere
(5)Ryan C.
Solid menu with a really nice dining area out back on the patio. The gazpacho was actually my favorite, it was perfect.
(4)Sandra G.
this place was great!!! service was quick. i enjoyed the nice patio in the back, a little gem tucked away. food was fresh and delicious. our party tried the local tuna dish, the lobster rolls, the pasta primavera and the burgers. everything was done to perfection. I would highly recommend it.
(4)Rory B.
Yes I am a fan.... Food was very good and presented well. Different fusions of flavors ie: Mahi Mahi with artichoke slivers. One of the two owners Joe who waited on us was a really nice guy from NY. They both had enough of the fast lane and put their knowledge and sweat making this lovely place. They made the bar, tables, wine racks. They did a great cozy place. There is also a nice out side area. If you do stop in.. and I would if I were you... tell they Rory Blane sent you.....
(4)Mary D.
Very nice quiet atmosphere, food was very good, wait staff very attentive. Shrimp were done just perfect, as was the grouper. PEI mussels were not the best, but it's a long way from Canada to key west! Highly recommend if you need to get away from the craziness of Duvall street.
(4)Ernie C.
Terrific food and friendly service. Hogfish over artichokes was amazing.
(5)Ralph M.
Friendly welcoming staff. Excellent food great value
(5)Dan P.
This place is excellent - one of the best meals I've ever had in Florida. All seafood was cooked to perfection and was very fresh. I had a calamari appetizer special which was outstanding, sautéed with butter and garlic (the bread found itself being dipped in the sauce quite often). For the entrée, I chose the scallops, which were nice and plump - very meaty, and very well prepared. I finished with an apple tart that was just as outstanding as the other dishes and was the perfect way to end it. I found the portions to be the right size - I was definitely full, but not bursting. Lastly, the service was outstanding. If you are in Key West, I highly recommend you stop by at the Blackfin. I will be back in Key West in a couple of weeks, and will definitely be coming back here. Hopefully they will also have a espresso machine by then!
(5)Dave B.
Very enjoyable dinner. Could not get into Seven Fish, so the host there sent us here. Had to eat inside with no reservations but hey that was our fault and it is a nice place. Shimp Provencale, Pan Seared Sea Scallops, Chef's Seafood Pasta as entrees were all delicious. The Lobster Bisque was the best I ever had!!! Great attention by wait staff. Nothing wrong at all! Highly recommend!
(5)Jay T.
We made reservations for 7:45 pm and were told that the only available seating for our party of four would be outside because of a large party being seated inside the restaurant. We were fine with that. When we arrived we were actually happy to be sitting outside due to the noise inside the restaurant and it being a very pleasant evening. We started out with the cheese platter which consisted of three types of cheese. A blue cheese, a brie cheese, and what I believe to be some sort of sharp cheddar. There was also fruit, walnuts, and Melba toast. It was very tasty and a light start to the meal. Homemade bread was also provided, which we all enjoyed immensely. After we finished our appetizer is when the problem began. We waited well over an hour for our entrees to arrive. We were never told why there was such a long delay, but instead were periodically told our food should be ready soon. When our meals finally did arrive we were overall very pleased with the quality and the quantity of the meal. Our one friend ordered the Yellow Tuna with rice and Asparagus and her husband ordered the NY Strip with peppercorn sauce. My friend was unprepared for the spiciness of the peppercorn sauce, while his wife was thoroughly content with the Tuna. My wife ordered the Linguine with meat sauce. She ate it until she was about to burst. Mind you, this was after she had already eaten two of the loaves of bread (four slices per loaf). I ordered the pan seared scallops with the orange cream sauce. Luckily, I asked to have the sauce on the side because it was very sweet and would have been to much. I slightly dipped the first two scallops into the sauce and just skipped it all together for the last two. The scallops stood on there own without the sauce. Both fish dishes came with rice and asparagus which was a nice compliment to both dishes. By the time we finished eating our meals it was now past 9:35! We had wanted to order dessert but had to be somewhere by 10:00. We were fearful that had we ordered dessert we would be late for our activity later that evening. Finally, while we were waiting for the check ( which also took longer than it should have), I got up and voiced my displeasure to one of the staff for the exceptionally long wait for our entrees. The staff member apologized and blamed it on the large group on the inside of the restaurant. He said they hadn't planned on such a large group and were under staffed to accommodate them which led to the delay. I have two problems with that. The first was that there weren't any tables added inside the restaurant. So, in my opinion, it wasn't like they increased the capacity of the restaurant to accommodate this group. Secondly, it was a Friday night during the fourth of July weekend. I would think you'd be prepared for a larger customer base than during a normal week. They took ten percent off of the entire bill for our trouble. I explained to the staff that I didn't hold them responsible for the delay and felt they were very courteous and friendly. Up until the delay in getting our meals we were very pleased with our decision. But by the time we were leaving the restaurant we all felt very deflated. It's a shame because I wanted it to make for a great evening and it didn't.
(3)H B.
We had lunch here after a trip to the Hemingway House and Butterfly Museum. We ate inside because it was really hot inside. It is a small restaurant with only a few tables and a bar inside. The menu is a little fancier than I'm used to but I thoroughly enjoyed my grilled shrimp omelet. They serve breakfast all day so my son tried the French toast and enjoyed that too.
(4)Alessandra N.
Oh so good and decadent. The escargot was the best I have ever had. Food here very similar to the good eats of San Francisco organic and fresh.
(5)Daniel N.
I would definitely go back. Tranquil and hip setting complemented by an interesting menu, excellent wines and very good service. My burger was over cooked, but they were very nice about it and corrected the situation.
(4)Cameron M.
It was good, not great. I had the mahi mahi and my husband had the carbonara. Both were under seasoned and somehow lacking. While the ambiance was nice, the food was not worth the price.
(3)Terry W.
Wonderful fresh fish specials with interesting twists such as Thai and oriental seasonings (or just plain grilled if you're not into those flavors). Ask to sit in the back garden - it's a delightful respite from crazy & loud Duvall St. We liked this place so much that we went back again two nights later, which is unheard of for us, since we like to try out as many new places as possible on each trip. Highly recommended!
(5)David B.
This place is great! Fish was very fresh, patio out back a quiet oasis, just a lovely place for a relaxed lunch in Key West!
(4)Katy R.
A tremendous meal and great space. To start, both salads were tremendous and a solid wine list to choose from. I had the bistro salad - warm egg on top, outstanding, and I rarely rave about a salad. For entrees, strip steak and shrimp provencal, both excellent. Great service and attention from the owner as well. The back garden was a lovely place to dine in the evening, just a little dark, but we were offered little flashlights to read the menu. Maybe a little brighter table lighting? We ate across the street at 915 Duval the night before and Blackfin Bistro wins, hands down. Thanks for a great meal, we hope to come back again.
(5)Sheila S.
Service was excellent! Food was very good. If you like calamari this would be the place to try it in a different way. Made with olive oil and garlic, was a real treat. After you eat it safe the sauce and dip the bread! Very good menu. I had spinach salad with goat cheese and was excellent. Others in my party had grouper sandwich, burgers and lobster bisque and everyone was pleased. Lobster rolls could use more lobster. Over all tiny place with excellent service and food!
(5)Debra C.
quaint little romantic spot even if your not looking for one. everything on this menu is homemade and awesome. sit back have a glass of wine or two while you wait for a table, you won't be sorry. p.s. it's not just for seafood.....just sayn
(4)Susanna N.
Excellent food, good service. The food was a little slow to come out but well worth the wait. Decently priced with generous portions. It was surprisingly loud given how small it was but that may have just been due to a rowdy group at one end of the dining room. We will definitely go back.
(4)Janice A.
We had dinnner here our last night in Key West and it was great. The servers were attentive without hovering. I had the escargo and the tuna tartare appetizer for dinner and my husband had the seafood pasta with creamed spinach. It was all great and the portions were just right. We highly recommend it.
(5)Stephen G.
4.5 really, and only because I rarely give 5's. Fresh local fish, reasonable prices, and interesting, unique preparations that really worked out well. Pleasant service, decent little wine list, nice space. Definitely a nice respite from the touristy hubbub of Key West and Duvall Street.
(4)Joe D.
During our trip we ate here twice. Dinner and breakfast. This is a great place. Super nice people, great service, and excellent food. For dinner we had the grilled yellowfin and the yellowtail snapper. Both were very good and flavorful. The side veggies were super flavorful (yes veggies can be good). They both came with rice as well. We actually started with a seared scallop app and they were cooked perfectly. I had a salad and can't remember which one but it was good as well. Throw in a little wine and you have a great meal. Go there. For breakfast, a few days later, we had french toast, bacon and eggs, an omelette, fresh squeezed OJ, and coffee. The french toast is awesome, get it. The rest was very good for the most part, including the OJ which was truly fresh squeezed. The omelette was decent but they forgot a couple of ingredients and had to half ass make some salsa after getting the food. A small bump in the road though. This place is worth going to.
(4)AnneMarie S.
Servers were friendly and overall ambiance was quaint. The escargot was excellent. However I got sick after eating the mussels. The mussels were less than fresh; they tasted "fishy" and had been frozen since the meat stuck to the shell after cooking.
(3)Stephanie W.
Uninspired. Finding a dish not slathered in garlic and butter proved to be impossible. Service was great and environment was lovely. Maybe the burger might be okay??
(2)Courtney P.
My boyfriend and I were in Key West for the weekend, and this was our first dinner spot. For some reason, we were not given the option of eating inside, and were led immediately outside to the back deck. They were out of most of the beer on their list, so my bf had to settle for his third choice, and I had a glass of the pinot grigio. They gave us a bread basket with warm butter, which was a nice touch. For dinner, I had the ahi tuna with jasmine rice and asparagus. For ordering it well-done, which I know you're not supposed to do, the tuna was still flavorful. My bf had the NY strip steak, which came with fries and salad (all of which were amazing). All through dinner, there was a rooster in the tree that was crowing, but that's just Key West. I did think they were priced a little high for the ambiance (and the lack of beer), but the service was commendable. Still, it probably wouldn't be my first choice next time I visit.
(4)craig s.
We ate there last night 1/2. Service was excellent and very attentive. Food was good; but not great. The port tendorloin special was over-cooked. I think what bothered me the most was that they brought my son a pasta/butter plate .....which was clearly a children's portion and charged him for a full pasta primavera dish. There has to be a better way to extract $5 from the final tab.
(3)Carol K.
At the insistence of a local, we tried the Blackfin Bistro on our recent week's vacation in Key West. The Andalusian gazpacho was to die for. The food was fresh, flavorful, visually pleasing and well-prepared. Scallops with chutney were perfect. The food and dining experience were so pleasant that we returned another evening. The young owners go out of their way to make the evening enjoyable. In light of the excellence of the flavors and presentation, as well as the complexity of some of the dishes, It was no surprise to learn that their chef was from Southern France.
(5)