Marlin Moon Grille
1183 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250
Marlin Moon Grille Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Jacksonville Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Jacksonville Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Jacksonville Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1183 Beach Blvd
Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250 - Phone (904) 372-4438
- Website https://www.marlinmoongrille.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Cheryl O.
AWESOME!!!! Everything we tried was fabulous. Started with the tuna nachos. Gonna try to make these at home they were so good. The wedge salad was deceivingly good, full of bacon and blue cheese. Enough for a dinner. The crab cakes...what can you say about a lump of crab that does not have any filler. Baked the Maryland way. The Kenwood Pinot Noir was soft and fruity, a perfect match with the crab cake. Ask for SAM, she will pay the perfect amount of attention to your needs
(5)Jessica G.
Last night was my second time experiencing Marlin Moon Grille and I was not disappointed. In fact it was better even than my first visit. After having the soup du jour, the creamy broccoli and cheddar, I experienced one of the best pan seared snappers I've had in this town. Cooked to the perfect internal temperature for snapper, it was juicy and delectable.
(5)Caron S.
4.5 stars. Very impressed with our recent dinner. It's hard to tell from the outside what's inside but the former TacoLu spot has done it up right with Maryland favorites (the crab cake was outstanding and hardly any filler). We tried the Orange Crush, one of the signature drinks, and a grapefruit version -- delicious. There are excellent happy hour specials too. Ahi tuna "nachos" a must. Great presentation and really fresh, good quality sushi-grade ahi. There was a special appetizer with large Mayport shrimp wrapped in a phyllo dough and Greek kataife (reminded us of shredded wheat or Wheaties) with a sweet and spicy red chili sauce. Loved it. Per our waitress' recommendation I had the eggplant boat for dinner, which included fresh shrimp, perfectly cooked scallops (nice size too) and crawfish along with shitake mushrooms over a large fried eggplant and atop some smashed red potatoes and corn. Huge portion. The Neopolitan waffles (with Blue Bell strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream) dusted with powdered sugar were a fun dessert item and we tried the bumbleberry pie -- a pie made with three berries -- which was unique (a wee bit too sweet for my liking; go for the waffles!). The owner explained that the waffle sandwich was his dream menu item. Great spot for dinner with friends or a date. Thumbs up, will be back soon! Service was fantastic (ask for Kate, she was awesome) and the restaurant is clean and inviting.
(4)CJ M.
I visited this spot this evening to catch up with one of my good friends based off of her previous good visit. The reason for the 3 star rating is because our server, Crystal busted her *ss to help everyone as she was apparently the only server working the dining room. (Had it not been for her good customer service they would have received 2 stars) I ordered the Super Chicken Sandwich and it was decent. (It would have been much better if the bottom bun weren't so soggy that is was inedible) The ambiance was good enough for a quick meal. The decor was pretty rustic and they had cheesy old "marina type" signs hanging everywhere.
(3)LM S.
We got here 1hour before they closed and they still provided really good service. I love Maryland style crab cakes and am kind of a crab cake snob. I love lump crab cakes with not a lot of filler and I have to say the crab cakes were AMAZING. They were kind of expensive but I guess they can charge what they want because they have the best crab cakes in the area. My husband had the fried shrimp meal and that was really tasty also. If I ever come back to Jacksonville Beach , I would definitely eat here again!
(5)Lily H.
I've been here three times and never have been disappointed. I've had every item on the appetizer menu and it is all delicious. My favorite is their Tuna Nachos! So yummy! Also, you can't go wrong with any of their shrimp dishes. Always big, succulent, seasoned and cooked well no matter how you order it! Portions are big especially with the entrees. They definitely don't skimp with the amount of fresh seafood they put in your dish. I would love to see the tuna nachos as a bigger portion but that may be due to the fact that it's so yummy, I can't get enough! The chef really knows how to technically execute the dishes bc everything is always cooked so well. I just love how everything arrives at your table perfectly done and the flavors are just so yum! Reminds me a lot of Key West flavors with freshness and tastes. Oh and the crushes are amazing!!!! Your biggest problem will definitely be narrowing down your choices!
(5)Robert H.
Great food and service. Wings crispy and sweet chili is wonderful. Old taco lue location. Will be returning soon.
(4)Ginger B.
Went here tonight with family. It was pretty tasty and I would recommend it! We started with the calamari which was a great portion to share with 5 ppl. It was served with marinara and another Parmesan dipping sauce. The batter was light, oil fresh, tasted great! We ate the whole thing! I ordered blacken mahi tacos with onion rings. 3 good size tacos came out with a pile of large fat onion rings. Tasted great. My husband had chicken sandwich with crab dip in top and French fries. He loved it! And would recommend it. Large portions and cooked well. Our other party members had seafood pasta which was also a good portion and had great flavor... lots of seafood throughout every bite and a burger that was loaded with mushrooms and different cheeses. Everyone was very happy. .. hardest part was deciding what to order! Will be coming back to try something else.
(4)Neil O.
Yummy. Made me miss Baltimore a lot. Nobody was riting though. The crab cakes were up to Maryland standards. The half price happy hour appies are yummy. Shrimp n grits are among the best around. Best thing is the bar. Order a citrus based drink and they squeeze the mixer fresh for you. Can't beat that. Eat up Hon!
(4)Chris F.
I recently visited Jacksonville and came here late on a Saturday night. I was a little nervous because the place wasn't too crowded, almost empty. My friends and I ordered the crab dip appetizer and it came with bread to dip. The dip and bread were hot and absolutely delicious! The bread was soft in the middle and baked perfectly on the outside. For my entree I ordered the crab burger. This was also hot, delicious, and the taste of the crab was great. Everything my friends ordered also looked tasty. The service was good! The waitress and manager checked-in on us several times. This seems like a nice quiet and laid back date spot where you can actually hear yourself speak. If I visit Jacksonville again I'll definitely return! Don't pass up on this quiet gem.
(4)Pamela D.
This place was just a roller coaster of pros and cons. The atmosphere and decor, excellent. I love the paintings, gemstone fish statue and the bar area. Wert came in for dinner with a couple of friends of ours and the service was poor. Very slow and the waitress (maybe it was her first time waiting, I'm not sure) but she acted as if she forgot we were waiting to place an order. When speaking about the daily specials, she barely remembered what they were and bursted out laughing at the word "sausage" any time the word was mentioned... I still don't know what the sausage special is because she couldn't stop laughing to get through the sentence....it was bizarre. The food was pretty good though a little overpriced but I didn't mind spending a little extra that night. I had the grilled shrimp which was delicious and my friend loved the crab cake. The crab dip appetizer had way too much cream and barely any crab. Great drinks and desserts though. If you don't mind waiting the extra time to place an order and even longer to get your food, it's not too bad. Good company always helps those situations.
(3)Mark B.
Now I saw that Yelp is having another Elite Event. I have had Marlin's in my radar scope since Taco smell moved out. Now I had the chance or I drove by it and know the back streets so I could turn and make my way back. Yea that's what I did. Now I'm glad I did. The place is just about the same but has a bunch of fish slung on the walls but the food is a lot better. I went in for brunch and the bar was full. Hey it's the beach and it was about 12:30. I asked the bartender Katie Perry (she's moonlighting) she told me the French toast with that captain guy was great. Their crab cakes were even better and the bar added everything was good. They even had a self appointed on-site dish describer on hand. I ended up confused and so I ordered my usual a combo. This one contained some grilled shrimp that tasted well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Also a hunk of Mahi that I requested blackened. It was masterfully prepared and seasoned perfectly, not to much heat to mask the fish but enough to taste the heat. Then the Crab balls were alright, nothing to write home about. They contained a good amount of crab and had good seasoning. I would prefer a little more heat. Then I'm told a lot that my taste buds are fried and that's from someone that loves my cooking too. So bottom line the food is good maybe closer to great then most places at the beach. You know the pot and the shack places. So I hope I get to return later this month to taste more of their tasty delights.
(4)Rachel D.
The food is amazing. I was invited by a friend of mine to a yelp gathering. They had so many delicious dishes. I was able to try the mini crab cakes and the fried shrimp. It was delicious. The food seemed to be filling, even with the smaller portions. Everything seemed fresh, nothing pre-made. Also, If you have a chance try a grapefruit crusher from the bar. I know the sound of grapefruit will make most heads turn away, but it is actually very good. I was surprised myself. The location is right next to the Crave restaurant down on beach blvd. Great for people who plan to hit the beach right after. I give four out of five stars due to the fact that I wasn't able to taste any of the entrees. However, I am truly satisfied. :)
(4)Linda B.
Our evening at Marlin Moon Grille was superb! Many thanks to Allie, Yelp and server Brad who facilitated an outstanding meal. We must have been treated to a taste of the entire menu, including deserts. Fresh squeezed juice in the "crusher" drinks almost made me want to partake in them, as the aroma filled the room. The tuna nachos, OMG, just the right mix of tuna and spice, with a creative sauce combination. The crab dip was super amazing, creamy and hot on small italian bread. They seem to have sauce after sauce that complimented each dish to a tee, even house made Blue cheese sauce to compliment some very heathy chicken wings. Whoop whoop! Deserts were equally well equipped to please if you could possible make any room for them! A great evening.
(5)Diana M.
I'm told that Marlin's has good seafood, but since I'm a landlubber I can't really comment! I will say that I did try their tuna nachos and those were really good. Their Orange Crush drink alone is worth coming!! They could probably use a few more non-seafood items to cater to those of us who are dragged out with our seafood friends but otherwise there non-core items are tasty!
(4)Bob F.
My sister had been telling me how good Marlin Moon was for some time now , so on our way to a potential long wait for a table at Carrabas, my wife and I did a u- turn and stopped at MM. Noticed right off there were only three cars here on a Saturday night- uh oh. Went in anyways and place was deserted. Ordered crab dip and it was out of this world. Huge loaf of hot bread and the perfect blend of crab versus cheese. Could serve as a meal instead of an app. Orange crush was very good but in reality it is a vodka and OJ over crushed ice. Did not live up to its yelp hype. We ordered the Mahi Reuben's and the Mahi only covered 40% of the surface of the bread when you opened the sandwich. Guess we should not have ordered a lunch item at a dinner place. Sauerkraut was skimpy as well. Bottom line if you want a Reuben go to European street. The other three tables all had huge delicious looking entrees. Crab cakes looked amazing! We will return to try it again but will get dinner entrees next time. Hope this place stays around. Maybe have employees park out front to give the impression that it is as popular as it should be.
(4)Randy S.
Coming down in October and looking forward to a great meal. Land locked here in Nashville and ready to get my grub on some seafood. Looked at your website and the menu looks fantastic!!
(5)John W.
Everyone, If you want a real Maryland crab cake, this is the place. I spent 50 plus years in the Baltimore area and nearly 20 yrs here in N. Florida and now for the first time in my Florida years,I can get a real crab cake. Why, because the owner is from Maryland and knows crab cakes. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
(5)Marietta S.
Excellent meal. Fried shrimp and Eggplant boat were outstanding. Great service and fun atmosphere
(5)Cynthia V.
I am a picky and healthy eater. Usually, there are only a few options for me, but I could not make up my mind on this menu. Everything sounded delicious and extremely fresh. I was right, because it was. My husband and I ended up splitting our entrees, because we liked them both so much. They had fried food and more traditional options, but also grilled and more exotic plates. The wine list was also very good and our server, Samantha, was friendly and knowledgable. The only reason that I did not give it 4 stars is because I am a big fan of outdoor seating and windows, and there were none.
(4)Gary P.
The twin chops where some of the best I have ever had. The fish my wife had was a little dry. But the flavor was very good This was our second visit. Service was good. We will definitely go back
(4)Patrick C.
Very good place for a quick drink and appetizer before going out. The fried shrimp is very good and their appetizers are good too. Not a huge fan of their entrees, but I've only tried a few of them. The orange crush drink is also delicious and they have $5 specials on it (not sure what day). The shrimp/crab soup I ordered literally had no shrimp or crab in it, so that was a bit disappointing, but it had good flavor.
(4)Autumn K.
GREAT FOOD! EXCELLENT SERVICE! This was the first calamari I've ever liked. I couldn't get enough of it! The tuna nachos were delicious, too. I also got mussels. The first batch was bad. The owner and chef Gary came out, apologized, took them off our bill, and then brought out a delicious fresh batch. Everyone here is friendly and helpful. We'll definitely come back the next time we're in Jax!
(4)Chris S.
Great food! Meaty crab cakes, tasty orange crush drinks and unique tuna nachos.
(4)Johanna S.
The family was visiting from TN and we like to find local places to eat when traveling. We found Marlin Moon through the local alternative paper. Wow, did we find a jewel! Everyone was starving for seafood and we were not disappointed. My son had the Seafood Trio and did not leave anything on his plate. My daughter enjoyed the crab cakes - there was plenty to share with others at the table so everyone was able to try them. I ordered the special and it was the red snapper. It sort of surprised us when it arrived - the head was still on it and it was HUGE! Needless to say it was absolutely the best dish on the table! The Asian sauce was the perfect accompaniment to the fish, and it was prepared superbly! Dad ate the seafood pasta and was pleased to find the pasta was homemade. I had to try an Orange Crush and I gave it a thumbs up. The staff was very friendly, the food was excellent, the atmosphere was great - we will definitely return! I recommend anyone to try this restaurant!
(5)Aron P.
Very surprised at how great to food was. Food is 1st class and i consider myself a tough marker. Give it a try.
(4)Kim J.
Drinks and food are really good but the service last time was not very good, young server who seemed pre occupied.
(4)Anthony G.
Food is excellent...people are friendly and courteous . The owner greeted us and made us feel comfortable. Have to try Moma's Shrimp...delicious !! Highly recommend this place
(5)Cassie O.
sadly was very let down. my boyfriend and i have been trying to make it in for a few weeks, and sadly i wish something had come up tonight as well. the hostess was very polite and pleasant- we were excited. our server seemed a bit frazzled but was also very nice. Started with drinks *my bf had 2 of the crush drink and loved it. Got the dynamite shrimp as an app. it was great- on the spicy side (more than bone fish, or pf changs or anywhere else ive had this style of shrimp) but manageable and delishly crisp. Sadly the entree i ordered was beyond lacking. I ordered the Bone-In pork chops. it was the most bland pork i have EVER had. literally tasted like an unseasoned pock chop with jelly spread on top. veggies and mashed potatoes were great. again server was frazzled so i picked at my sides for nearly 10 minutes waiting for her to come back. by the time she was at our table my bf had finished his entire entree. 20 minutes later my food came out- the server apologized for the wait that they were really busy (at least 7 open tables in the small restaurant were still open at this time). this time around i ordered the beef tenderloin. was very tender and juicy- sadly still lacking a LOT of flavor. thankfully it was covered in some type of mushroom/wine sauce and i ate it because i was starving. server repeatedly apologized for me not liking my first entree and was very sweet- however she didn't seem to be very observant or under control of our table. left our plates and serving plate from app on the table half way through entree (relatively small tables) and entree plates until we were done paying and on our way out. we literally had to move them to the far corner of the table for any type of room. my boyfriend also ordered a salad- the server specifically asked if he would like it out before our entrees he said yes. it came out after a long wait- with our entrees. normally we would have politely reminded the server but she was literally no where to be found except for to drop off food and then when it was time to pay the bill. unfortunately the food nor service were stellar enough to consider going back unless i am not in charge of picking where we eat!
(2)Paula S.
Once again... Orange Crush far better than where drink originated in OC Maryland. Had the Eggplant Boat and was 'Super' good. Highly recommend it!!! Brad was our server and did excellent job. Explained the specials perfectly, attentive, and very personable . Great job Gary...
(4)Tracey G.
Delicious seafood. We had the tuna nachos as an app, soo good! The tuna is so fresh. I had the "eggplant boat", an egglant flash fried with crawfish tails, shrimp, and scallops with a crab butter sauce, pretty good! My husband had one of the specials, macadamia nut crusted fish (unfortunately, I forgot what kind of fish it was, but it was yummy!) along with some fresh veggies. Can't wait to go back :)
(4)Jill C.
We recently took a trip out to the beach to try Marlin Moon Grille. My friend Samantha is a waitress there and has been telling me how great the food is. We finally made it out there, and now we are mad that we waited that long!! The restaurant is located in the spot that Taco Lu recently vacated. We visited on a Wednesday night and they were pretty busy. Even though there were a lot of tables, the service was really good. Samantha came around and checked on us frequently. She was great, and I'm not just saying that because I know her! We tried a few different appetizers. The first was the Tuna Nachos. They can be summed up in one word, amazing!! The description is Sesame Crusted Tuna on Won Ton Chips with Seaweed Salad, a Sweet Teriyaki Drizzle, Spicy and Wasabi Cucumber Aioli. I loved the teriyaki drizzle, That's not something that you would normally think to put on there, but it works!! We also tried the Shrimp and Grits, which is Sharp White Cheddar Grits with a Tasso Ham and Holy Trinity Sauce. It is no secret that I love shrimp and grits...and I approve of these 100%! The shrimp were huge and the dish had such a bold and delicious flavor. For our entrees, I decided on the Crab Cakes. I love crab cakes so I was very eager to try these. Well I was not disappointed at all!! These are seriously the best I have had in Jax. There were large pieces of crab and very little filler. The crab cakes were served with hand cut fries, which were also very good. They were crispy and salted nicely. My husband got the LaTeDa Pasta (which was hilarious listening to him try to pronounce). It had Shrimp, Lobster, Lump Crab, Shittake Mushrooms and Asparagus in an Asiago Cheese Cream Sauce tossed with Ribbon Pasta. I tried a little bit of it and it was ridiculous good. He was also raving about it for a long while. Verdict: Loved it!! If you are looking for a great special occasion place, you should definitely consider Marlin Moon Grille. The food was very fresh and the service was great!!
(5)Trixy G.
First time....our service was exceptional...point on with the crab cakes...omg...best ones I've had for years ..Panama city doesn't male them like this..the coconut key lime pie with fresh blueberry sauce is like nothing you've ever enjoyed. ..oh yes..we will come back for more....Brya is an excellent. ....excellent. ...server:).....:) Totally farout experience
(5)Chelsy R.
I thought the crab cakes were full of fresh lumps of crab but unfortunately they were a lot more salty than i would perfer. The fresh bread and butter is to die for! Also, the LaTeDa pasta was amazing! Fresh Jumbo shrimp, large pieces of real crab and large pieces of lobster with a creamy wine sauce. I will definitely be back just not for the crab cakes.
(4)Jo M.
I give this restaurant a 3.5 stars not 4. This is my first review so I have not figured out how to give half stars yet or if it's even possible. I dined here on a busy Saturday evening with a friend and my boyfriend. I have been wanting to try this place because I heard that they have the best crab cake in town. So when my girl friend, Kel, who is the best hair stylist in town (foiled rotten - go find her) was craving seafood, or more specifically, a po boy, I suggested we try marlin moon grille. When we arrived, parking was minimal in front of the restaurant but got lucky and found one. Inside the restaurant, it was a full house but the hostess said that we will be seated in 5 minutes so we decided to wait at the bar. We ordered Jim beam and ginger ale. Liquor to soda ratio was decent which made it worth the $5.50 price tag. As 10 mins go by we noticed that there were only 2 people working the restaurant that night which contributed a lot to the 3.5 stars. So after 20 minutes of waiting, we had the feeling that the hostess forgot about us so we flagged for her attention and she went ahead and sat us at the high top tables by the bar which had been vacant the whole time. When we were finally seated, our orders were taken right away. We ordered the onion rings and calamari to start with. The onion rings ($4) were one of the best I've had. It is up there with Ted's and J. Alexander's onion rings. The batter is nice and crisp and not greasy. It came with some kind of aioli which was quite tasty as well. Unfortunately, the server forgot to put in our order of calamari ($10? Maybe)so we did not have any until the end of our meal. They happily comped the calamari for us though which was a very nice gesture. For my entree, I ordered the crab cake ($18) and I was oh so very excited. I ordered it with asparagus and rice. When it arrived in front of me, I was pleasantly surprised that it was all crab meat. It looked like the perfect crab cake. Better than most fancy restaurants i have been to. I ordered a single and the portion was just right. 5 oz. I believe. However, I was a bit disappointed when I took my first bite. It was overly salted. For a crab cake of that quality, they should've lightly seasoned it and let the crab meat do all of the talking. The salt definitely cheapened the taste in my opinion. My mancake ordered the blackened mahi sandwich and Kel ordered the shrimp po boy. Both with fries. They were both happy with their food. The calamari was very good as well. It was not over cooked like at most places and the batter was the same as the onion rings. The sauces that came with the calamari were the best. A marinara sauce and some type of butter with basil sauce. Their fries were very delicious as well. Overall it was an okay dining experience. It is worth noting that while service was slow, the server and bartender were super friendly and pleasant and did a fantastic job running a full restaurant with just the two of them. I would definitely go back and maybe ask for them to lightly salt my crab cake next time.
(4)Annie S.
We were excited to go after reading the reviews. Not much to look at from the outside, but that's okay, it's quaint. Parking is a little cramped in front. I did see a sign that there is additional parking in back. It was really slow for a Friday night so we got a table immediately. The waitress came pretty quickly and we ordered two Orange Crushes. They are very good and light. Next came the Tuna Nachos. Yum. The best part of the meal. We also had the Scallop appetizer (or bait as they call it). It was fair at best. My husband ordered the Wahoo $24. It was described by the waitress as very spicy jerk seasonings. The menu stated it came on a bed of lime rice. Neither of these statements are true. The fish was pretty good, albeit a bit on the overcooked side, but it did not have hardly any spice on it. It was definitely not as described. I ordered the Snapper from the special menu $24. I inquired about the vegetable medley. I noticed the Salmon came with asparagus. I don't like asparagus and didn't want that. She said it was julienne carrots, onions, squash. That sounded great! Like I said, it wasn't busy, but it did take a while for everything to come. When our entrees did come, she brought me the salmon. My husband and I looked at each other, confused. I told her I ordered the Snapper. She just said, "Oh", and took it back to the kitchen. It was our 15 yr anniversary. My poor hubby felt bad and didn't want to eat his when I didn't have mine so he sat there letting his get cold. It only took about 10 minutes this time and she brought me Snapper. She set it down, said "Enjoy", and walked away. Really? No apology? I turned my head and said, "I forgive you". Needless to say she was taken back by my comment. She then did apologize & comped our two drinks. I thought the snapped was good. My husband did not. He said it tasted like fried fish & chips without the batter. He's more of a fish person than me. He said he has never in his life had Snapper that tasted like that. We then split the Coconut Key Lime Pie. Sounds delicious. It wasn't what we expected. Super hard thick oatmeal graham cookie bottom that crumbled when we tried to cut it. Honestly so hard I thought we might break the plate whilst trying to cut it. I didn't taste coconut maybe because the top key lime was so tart I puckered. All in all I would probably go back again for the Tuna Nachos and maybe try the $10 Tacos and the Ravioli app. I'll leave the $24 fish to someone else. For the record, my hubby gives it 2 1/2 stars.
(3)Stephen J.
We enjoyed our tuna appetizer, the eggplant and rack of lamb. We will definitely be back.
(4)Austin F.
This is a rare one-star review- but this place does not deserve their four stars. Service was awful, I mean awful awful. Our waitress seemed drunk. No joke. And then the food started arriving. Calamari? Bland, rubbery, oily, not crisp. Everything you don't want. Crab dip? A cheesy messy glop that tasted old and lazy. Then the mains. The shrimp pasta was laughable. The sauce tasted like heavy cream mixed with heavy cream mixed with no seasoning mixed with overcooked flour. Crabcake sandwich? Ok- but forgettable. Grouper was fresh- but the sauce was cloying and the veggies were uninspired and unevenly cooked. Mahi with shrimp was overcooked and oversalted. And everything was expensive. This is food for old people that don't give a shit anymore. Made by people who don't give a shit anymore, or never did. Awful awful food.
(1)Natalie Y.
The beaches hidden GEM! This place is awesome. Not only is all their food to die for, but dang do theses guys know how to throw together a cocktail! Great for date night or just a fun night out.
(5)Kurt K.
On our final evening of our florida holiday we found this one on yelp with a lot of good reviews. So we decided to go there. Good choice. Very friendly welcome and our waitress immediately came to the table offered us the specials and a gave us some recommendations. We had the house white wine a nice Chardonnay. For starters the wings with the house seasoning. Ooooh. How nice. We could have eaten much more of this, but we still had our main course. The swordfish and Frankie's pasta. Not only were the portion huge the taste was extraordinary. We did not had such good sea food for a while. Very tasty swordfish with well seasoned rice And the pasta was only half of the portion. The other half was seafood. Very good. And they played music of the 60-ies and 70-ies. All around a very nice dinner. If you be in Jacksonville Beach, don't miss that.
(5)Ken K.
Wow - top 10 meals of all time. Was a little scared at first, outside nothing to write home about - in fact it really does an injustice to what goes on inside...Once inside cute light classy but casual atmosphere - then we ordered: The "Mom's Shrimp" appetizer was incredible - the sauce was so good the waiter was nice enough to bring us extra bread to sop it up. The creamy crab soup was perfect. then the main courses: Wife got crab cakes - perfectly seasoned, not bready - she said best she's ever had - I ordered the blackened mahi - perfect thick piece of fish seasoned well without being overbearing - fantastic. The sides (spinach, asparagus, these little potatoes cut in half and cheesy grits) were all great as well. The fun was the drinks - wife got the cherry lime crush, I got the key lime crush....both were great, but her's was better - tasted like an adult kiddie cocktail - I'm going to try to replicate these at home. Great night, incredible drinks, good food - $130 with tip - solid value for top notch seafood.
(5)Danielle C.
5stars if we were just talking about the food. The food was incredible! Presentation and taste were amazing. We started with the tuna nachos and raviolis. So fresh and flavorful. I had the beef tenderloin. The bed of Brussels and sweet potatoes really topped it off. So good. The service was horrible. Our server was definitely drunk. It was horrible. Our first bar order was completely wrong. And he was very slow to take our order. We sat down at 730 and didn't have dinner in front of us until 9. It was bad. Thank God for the amazing food. We will definitely return.
(3)Marie F.
Glad I had found a great deal on Living Social. Purchased it without thinking - them was blessed to attend a Yelp events where I was able to taste test so many great items. The event when great and dinner with a friend was just as impressive. You will miss this place if you are not extremely observation. If you are going toward the beach - the restaurant is loocated on your LEFT hand side. Google maps and Apple maps seem to direct you to the back of the restuarant and make you take unnecessary turns. Krab Balls - delicious - the the sauce is unbarely sweet Tuna Nachos - freaking deliciouls - could have been a whole meal Grilled Mahi - extremely fresh (He wouldn't share his shrimp but he cleaned his plate so I guess they were just as good as everything else we tried.) Chicken Rockerfeller - I over use the owrd delicious but it was great. (Would be nice to add spinach to the plate) Food and service was top notch! Was too stuff to try the desserts but we will be back.
(4)chris h.
Been here a couple times and this is the best seafood in jax! Not a bad thing in the menu. Tell all the strangers to tell all their friends.
(5)Lauren H.
My friend and I tried this place a few weeks ago. We both loved it! Our waitress was very friendly and always checked on us. We tried the crabcakes, tuna nachos, and eggplant dish. Everything was delicious. The portions were huge and the price was not bad at all! I would highly recommend everyone try this place!
(4)Mitchell M.
After being referred by a co-worker and reading the reviews we had to come. I second the OMG! We started out with the Tuna Nachos which were awesome by the way. I wanted to try something different so I got the supposedly famous crab cakes. They were as advertised. Every time I've tried crab cakes their was more breading than crab, this was the opposite. It was loaded down with crab. Unfortunately I dove right in without taking a picture. My apologies to my fellow yelpers. All I can say it's worth the trip.
(5)Gary B.
I really wasn't impressed with this place. I was born and raised in Maryland, so I appreciated the atmosphere, but the food was definitely lacking. I had the crab cakes with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes. The crabs cakes were ok, but definitely nothing like the ones you will find in Maryland. The vegetables were limp and overcooked and the potatoes were just ok. Service was also very slow on a night when there were only three other tables that were occupied. I most likely won't be back.
(2)Ryan R.
I've lived in Jacksonville my whole life and this is hands down the best seafood restaurant in Jacksonville. They know how to make real Maryland crab cakes that have actual jumbo lump crab meat and not a bunch of filler. They were so good! We went with a huge party of 12 people and everyone really enjoyed their food. Not a single complaint. Of course since we had such a big party and it was our first time, we had to sample each others plates and I'm in love with their food. Not a bad dish on the menu. The staff was extremely friendly as well. We had two, two year olds with us as well. I know how this can be trying sometimes on the staff. Not at this place. They were great! This is now my go-to for seafood in Jax!
(5)Allie A.
The beach can be a bit of a drive for us "townies", LOL, but good food is always worth a quick jaunt across the ditch and last Friday, we set up a double date to check out Marlin Moon. You know the building.... it's in the old Taco Lu location. And that being said, you know parking can sometimes be a B... but we pulled up right at 7:30 for our reso, and parked right up front. Walking in, it seem much more open now... the walls are painted a warm salmon color, with different types of fish hanging up everywhere. The tables are covered in nice white table clothes, with white paper on top (for you messy folks, hehe.) I have heard so much about this "Orange Crush" I just had to have one. What I didn't know is that there are SEVERAL varieties to choose from, Key Lime Pie, Ruby Red and probably 7-10 more different flavors and mixes. I had a hard time choosing, but decided on the Ruby Red Crush. My friend ordered the original, so I was a happy girl that I got to try both. WOW! I tend to stick with my beer, but this drink was amazing. The Orange tasted just like the soda, minus the carbonation! I will admit, I reallllllllllly dug the ruby red.... so much that I ended up having two... ;) We started off with some apps, calamari, crab dip and the shrimp and grits. I've had some really bad and sad calamari experiences as of late, but DAYUM, this hit the spot! Expertly fried and the breading had a buttery taste to it.... all I can say is YAY!!!! I only had a little bite of the crab dip, but it seemed solid.... and the shrimp and grits? It was ok.... but I cannot NOT compare it to my fave shrimp and grits in town, which nobody holds a candle to. For entrees, my gal friend and I both order the Grilled mahi, which come with grilled shrimp on top and seasonal veggies, Mr. Yelp ordered one of the specials, the trio, which had a crab cake, lightly breaded and fried scallops and mahi, and our other friend ordered the grouper. The mahi was super fresh... seasoned (I think) with Old Bay. It had quite a bit of season to it... but was delicious. The shrimp were big, fresh and tasty as well. I'm not a fan of crab cakes, but Mr. Yelp really enjoyed it. Loaded with crab and hardly any of "filling", it looked fantastic. He did not care for the scallops... which worked out for me because I ate them ALL!!!! So lightly breaded, with that buttery taste like the calamari, and cooked just enough to be moist and delish.... not chewy or fishy at all. They were my favorite of the night!!! Our friend said the grouper was fresh and cooked perfectly as well. Service was the only thing that was not completely top notch. Our server was super cute and friendly... but forgot a few things here and there and we did wait quite a long time to get our entrees... (prob about 30-40 minutes after we finished the apps.) But overall, a great find with super fresh seafood and unbelievably great crushes! I would go back just for those.... and the scallops, and calamari.....
(4)Misty M.
Pros: nice food presentation, nice atmosphere, decent drinks Cons: very slow service. One of the female servers kept telling her table the kitchen was taking forever and was saying they're slow. Pretty unprofessional if you ask me. She should have apologized about the tardiness and kept positive; food was bland. We had to put salt, seasoning and pepper on our food. I had grilled mahi. He had seafood pasta. My green beans were definitely frozen/microwaved; not worth the price. Super disappointed. Everyone near us was complaining about the service.
(2)Virginia M.
I enjoyed my dinner here the other night! I sat on the patio and had the ladida pasta. It was excellent and the portion was huge! It was full of seafood and flavor. I also tried the mahi, asparagus, and pepper grits. They were delicious as well! There is dukes on tap, which is an added bonus for me! I would return and recommend this place for people who love seafood!
(5)Jimmy P.
It's Lent and we cannot eat meat on Fridays until Easter. Seafood is fine so we decided on Marlin Moon Grille. My girlfriend ordered the twin Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. It's jumbo alright. I had one and we both liked it. I ordered the 1/2 lb. Fried Jumbo Shrimp plate with mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day with a side of caesar salad. Too much caesar dressing on the salad. The shrimp was great! It came with about 7 pieces of shrimp, but I didn't realize that I should have gotten at least 16 pieces according to the menu. The plate looked full, but 7-pcs does not equal 1/2 lb. 16 pieces = YES. Oh well, we already left the restaurant. I love shrimp! I definitely could have eaten more. Maybe next time.
(3)Heather D.
I recommend going for dinner. They are well known for their crab cakes. I had an excellent steak. Has the feel of an old Florida seafood place inside. Great way to spend an evening.
(4)Dorine D.
Came in for lunch I was really happy to see they opened at 11:30 for lunch! Wanted something worth my money they recommend the crabby burger and it was not a disappointment at all!! Very juicy and thick burger!! Thanks marlin moon I will be back. I want to try your tuna nachos!!
(5)Rebecca K.
Yummy seafood place! We got there and were seated in a nice, secluded area. We ordered the Orange Crush and Ruby Red Grapefruit Crush - both good and surprisingly strong. I'd say we each ordered 3-4 Crush drinks and were sufficiently tipsy. We got the crab ravioli to start off with - they were pretty good and the crab filling tasted fresh. I got Freddy's seafood pasta and my boyfriend got the Chicken pasta thing...I forgot what it's called. Both were super good and I was happy with my food. The pastas were pretty pricey, considering they didn't come with sides or anything, but I can't trust my judgment after downing 3 Orange Crushes. The free bread that comes with everything wasn't very good, but that's my only complaint (and it was free).
(4)Debbi C.
What a great place to try on Tuesday night! We tried the crab dip and it was very good. A 4 out of 5. It would have gotten higher if the chips had been crispy but they were soggy. The dip was great though. The tuna nachos were good, but nothing special. Maybe if there was a kick to it we would have loved it, but it was average. It did taste fresh. 3 out of 5 The seafood sandwich rolls were good. It had nice chunks of crab and shrimp. Very fresh. 3.5 out of 5 cause of hubby's shrimp allergy so it couldn't be appreciated fully. The old bay wings were to die for. Omg they were crispy and hot and crispy. And crispy. And yummy! Actually the best ones I've had in Jax and hubby sd his 2nd fav to jazzy wings at Copelands. A solid 4 out of 5. Yummy!! The lamb was very tender and perfectly cooked. A solid 4 out of 5. The crab cake was a good good ball with great aioli. It was a solid 4. Ok so then I tried the FILO shrimp. (Philo? Fillo?) anyway.... It was fan-freaking-tastic with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. And Huge!!! Looked like a baby lobster. I definitely will order it again. A solid 4 out of 5. The apple crisp got 3.5 and pecan pie did too. They were chilly and I might like them more warmed with ice cream. The server- Brad- was great. Very accommodating and informative about the menu. A solid 4. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. So with that said.... We give it a 4!
(4)tony T.
Went for the crab cakes which were decent but the big difference and since the owner is from MD was the crabmeat while decent portion size was not jumbo lump crab meat! To be fair they don't advertize it that way and while there is minimal filler, the consistency is way different and for $26 you'd expect a higher quality crab. Sides were good and craft beer was tasty. Nice space and no problem getting a table later in the evening. Will come back but would skip the crab cakes and try one of the specials next time.
(3)Tommy U.
Great food. Great people. Great service. The owner of this restaurant moved down from Maryland so you know they have the top crab cakes in town... You also have to try the "moms shrimp"
(5)Val K.
First time eating at Marlin Moon and was very happy. Food was excellent. Nicely presented and everything tasted wonderful. My husband had shrimp and grits and I had the crab ravioli. Could not fault it. Also had to have an orange crush.....very refreshing!! Will definitely go back.
(5)Bill K.
Marlin Moon Grille is my wife and my new favorite go to restaurant at Jax. Beach. We got there at 7PM and were immediately seated and introduced to our server Kelsey. (who was fantastic) We ordered 2 drinks and a couple of appetizers (naked wings and onion rings) both were fantastic. We then ordered our entrees, my wife getting the Reuben Sandwich and I got the Surf & Turf with the Crab Cake instead of the fried shrimp. Both of our entrees were truly awesome. I would Highly recommend Marlin Moon Grille to anyone looking for a great meal at the beach.
(5)Daisy D.
From the first sip of an Orange Crush to the last sip of a Ruby Red Crush and everything in between, Marlin Moon was 'Crushing' it. My favorite of the appetizers hands down was the tuna nachos. The crab dip was warm & gooey & a perfect kick off to the evening. The Crab Cake Balls/bites were giant balls of meaty goodness. Yes, a couple of drinks in, we ALL loved describing our meaty balls. Have tried the chicken wings too. While I passed on them the first time - wasn't too excited about a chicken wing - so glad I eventually tried them as they were delicious. On my evening there I was more interested in drinking my calories, so I haven't tried any of their delectable dessert sweets yet. I'm sure I will one day. Somehow this place seems more open than it did with it's previous tenants, but I just remember it being SOO crowded. The marlins on the wall definitely add to the theme. The staff is on their game and the lovely bearded man behind the bar can cause some serious trouble. All in a good way, of course.
(4)Shelley M.
Marlin Moon Grille opened this week in the old Tacolu building. They've given the building a bright blue paint job, and the interior is different too. White tablecloths line the tables and stuffed fish line the walls, which are now pink with crisp white wainscoting. The menu has local seafood like Mayport shrimp as well as Maryland-style offerings. We started with a local beer, Duke's, on tap, and a bubbling hot dish of crab dip served with a warm, crisp baguette. Our entrees arrived a bit too quickly to finish the delicious appetizer. My husband ordered the triggerfish special stuffed with crabmeat. The portion size was ample, and included a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. I ordered the crab cake, assuming that a restaurant from Maryland would do it right. The crab cakes contain fairly large chunks of crab with very little filler, served with a surprising fruity aioli sauce. Not the best I've ever had, but I'm from Maryland too. Prices were very fair. The triggerfish special was only $18, and 2 crab cakes are $20. There were some tempting desserts offered, but we were too full. We will be back!
(4)Morgan H.
I'll admit I was a little apprehensive about trying this place out. While I enjoy trying new places, sometimes I like to wait out the newness and see if the place sticks around. I figure if they are worth trying they will be there when I finally decide to go, plus it gives them an opportunity to work out any kinks they may have going on in the beginning. But honestly Marlin Moon Grille wasn't even on my radar as somewhere I was wanting to try. It wasn't until a bartender at another restaurant that I enjoy, suggested it that I decided it was on my must try list. *Any time a server from any other restaurant recommends somewhere else to eat I consider it a high compliment.* So Friday night when dinner time rolled around and the place we originally tried to go to was too busy to wait out, we took our chance to explore what MMG has to offer. Luckily for us we got in while happy hour was still going on and were able to take advantage of some incredible deals. All of their appetizers were half off! We started with the Shrimp and Grits, Crab Balls and Tuna Nachos. My husband is crazy about shrimp and grits and while I definitely enjoyed them he said they were "they best grits I've ever had". They were creamy and thick with 6 fresh shrimp piled on top, a perfect portion to share! The tuna nachos weren't exactly what you picture in your head as nachos to be, they were more like 6 freshly made chips with 2 bites of tuna placed on top with some sauce drizzled over them, but they were dare I say perfect! I would order those again and again. And the crab balls were basically crab cakes in a ball form. They were pretty much straight crab with very little breading and perfectly fried. The order came with 4 balls, so again it was perfect to share and still feel as though you got to adequately try everything. You would think that we would stop there, but we were so impressed that we decided to order more! We each got a bowl of their Crab and Shrimp Soup and the Fried Calamari. The soup was delicious but very rich so we were only able to eat half and the calamari was also good but by the time we got to it we were both so full that we only ate about a quarter of what was served to us. Obviously our eyes were bigger than our stomachs that night. We ended up spending $42 on all that food plus we had 4 beers between the 2 of us and we were shocked that not only did we have what we believe is some of the best seafood being offered in Jax. Beach but that we managed to do it without breaking the bank. I will definitely be back to Marlin Moon Grille in the near future for dinner and drinks!
(4)Mark W.
Have to agree with Tony on 11/6/14 regarding the crab cakes not being Jumbo Lump. There is a clear difference between what used to be served and what is being served now. I hope this was a mistake and the owners will stop this practice because the advertising and price are for jumbo lump. No need to do this as the food is very good. We will try again in a few weeks.
(3)Matthew H.
The food was very fresh and the fish was of good quality. I am always a bit critical of that as a fisherman. The wedge salad was good and quite large! The entrees were good but not great - everything was underseasoned. I was really hoping to like it... maybe one more try.
(3)Kurt K.
On our final evening of our florida holiday we found this one on yelp with a lot of good reviews. So we decided to go there. Good choice. Very friendly welcome and our waitress immediately came to the table offered us the specials and a gave us some recommendations. We had the house white wine a nice Chardonnay. For starters the wings with the house seasoning. Ooooh. How nice. We could have eaten much more of this, but we still had our main course. The swordfish and Frankie's pasta. Not only were the portion huge the taste was extraordinary. We did not had such good sea food for a while. Very tasty swordfish with well seasoned rice And the pasta was only half of the portion. The other half was seafood. Very good. And they played music of the 60-ies and 70-ies. All around a very nice dinner. If you be in Jacksonville Beach, don't miss that.
(5)Trixy G.
First time....our service was exceptional...point on with the crab cakes...omg...best ones I've had for years ..Panama city doesn't male them like this..the coconut key lime pie with fresh blueberry sauce is like nothing you've ever enjoyed. ..oh yes..we will come back for more....Brya is an excellent. ....excellent. ...server:).....:) Totally farout experience
(5)Chelsy R.
I thought the crab cakes were full of fresh lumps of crab but unfortunately they were a lot more salty than i would perfer. The fresh bread and butter is to die for! Also, the LaTeDa pasta was amazing! Fresh Jumbo shrimp, large pieces of real crab and large pieces of lobster with a creamy wine sauce. I will definitely be back just not for the crab cakes.
(4)Lauren H.
My friend and I tried this place a few weeks ago. We both loved it! Our waitress was very friendly and always checked on us. We tried the crabcakes, tuna nachos, and eggplant dish. Everything was delicious. The portions were huge and the price was not bad at all! I would highly recommend everyone try this place!
(4)Natalie Y.
The beaches hidden GEM! This place is awesome. Not only is all their food to die for, but dang do theses guys know how to throw together a cocktail! Great for date night or just a fun night out.
(5)Virginia M.
I enjoyed my dinner here the other night! I sat on the patio and had the ladida pasta. It was excellent and the portion was huge! It was full of seafood and flavor. I also tried the mahi, asparagus, and pepper grits. They were delicious as well! There is dukes on tap, which is an added bonus for me! I would return and recommend this place for people who love seafood!
(5)Jimmy P.
It's Lent and we cannot eat meat on Fridays until Easter. Seafood is fine so we decided on Marlin Moon Grille. My girlfriend ordered the twin Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. It's jumbo alright. I had one and we both liked it. I ordered the 1/2 lb. Fried Jumbo Shrimp plate with mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day with a side of caesar salad. Too much caesar dressing on the salad. The shrimp was great! It came with about 7 pieces of shrimp, but I didn't realize that I should have gotten at least 16 pieces according to the menu. The plate looked full, but 7-pcs does not equal 1/2 lb. 16 pieces = YES. Oh well, we already left the restaurant. I love shrimp! I definitely could have eaten more. Maybe next time.
(3)Marie F.
Glad I had found a great deal on Living Social. Purchased it without thinking - them was blessed to attend a Yelp events where I was able to taste test so many great items. The event when great and dinner with a friend was just as impressive. You will miss this place if you are not extremely observation. If you are going toward the beach - the restaurant is loocated on your LEFT hand side. Google maps and Apple maps seem to direct you to the back of the restuarant and make you take unnecessary turns. Krab Balls - delicious - the the sauce is unbarely sweet Tuna Nachos - freaking deliciouls - could have been a whole meal Grilled Mahi - extremely fresh (He wouldn't share his shrimp but he cleaned his plate so I guess they were just as good as everything else we tried.) Chicken Rockerfeller - I over use the owrd delicious but it was great. (Would be nice to add spinach to the plate) Food and service was top notch! Was too stuff to try the desserts but we will be back.
(4)chris h.
Been here a couple times and this is the best seafood in jax! Not a bad thing in the menu. Tell all the strangers to tell all their friends.
(5)Ken K.
Wow - top 10 meals of all time. Was a little scared at first, outside nothing to write home about - in fact it really does an injustice to what goes on inside...Once inside cute light classy but casual atmosphere - then we ordered: The "Mom's Shrimp" appetizer was incredible - the sauce was so good the waiter was nice enough to bring us extra bread to sop it up. The creamy crab soup was perfect. then the main courses: Wife got crab cakes - perfectly seasoned, not bready - she said best she's ever had - I ordered the blackened mahi - perfect thick piece of fish seasoned well without being overbearing - fantastic. The sides (spinach, asparagus, these little potatoes cut in half and cheesy grits) were all great as well. The fun was the drinks - wife got the cherry lime crush, I got the key lime crush....both were great, but her's was better - tasted like an adult kiddie cocktail - I'm going to try to replicate these at home. Great night, incredible drinks, good food - $130 with tip - solid value for top notch seafood.
(5)Danielle C.
5stars if we were just talking about the food. The food was incredible! Presentation and taste were amazing. We started with the tuna nachos and raviolis. So fresh and flavorful. I had the beef tenderloin. The bed of Brussels and sweet potatoes really topped it off. So good. The service was horrible. Our server was definitely drunk. It was horrible. Our first bar order was completely wrong. And he was very slow to take our order. We sat down at 730 and didn't have dinner in front of us until 9. It was bad. Thank God for the amazing food. We will definitely return.
(3)Jill C.
We recently took a trip out to the beach to try Marlin Moon Grille. My friend Samantha is a waitress there and has been telling me how great the food is. We finally made it out there, and now we are mad that we waited that long!! The restaurant is located in the spot that Taco Lu recently vacated. We visited on a Wednesday night and they were pretty busy. Even though there were a lot of tables, the service was really good. Samantha came around and checked on us frequently. She was great, and I'm not just saying that because I know her! We tried a few different appetizers. The first was the Tuna Nachos. They can be summed up in one word, amazing!! The description is Sesame Crusted Tuna on Won Ton Chips with Seaweed Salad, a Sweet Teriyaki Drizzle, Spicy and Wasabi Cucumber Aioli. I loved the teriyaki drizzle, That's not something that you would normally think to put on there, but it works!! We also tried the Shrimp and Grits, which is Sharp White Cheddar Grits with a Tasso Ham and Holy Trinity Sauce. It is no secret that I love shrimp and grits...and I approve of these 100%! The shrimp were huge and the dish had such a bold and delicious flavor. For our entrees, I decided on the Crab Cakes. I love crab cakes so I was very eager to try these. Well I was not disappointed at all!! These are seriously the best I have had in Jax. There were large pieces of crab and very little filler. The crab cakes were served with hand cut fries, which were also very good. They were crispy and salted nicely. My husband got the LaTeDa Pasta (which was hilarious listening to him try to pronounce). It had Shrimp, Lobster, Lump Crab, Shittake Mushrooms and Asparagus in an Asiago Cheese Cream Sauce tossed with Ribbon Pasta. I tried a little bit of it and it was ridiculous good. He was also raving about it for a long while. Verdict: Loved it!! If you are looking for a great special occasion place, you should definitely consider Marlin Moon Grille. The food was very fresh and the service was great!!
(5)Aron P.
Very surprised at how great to food was. Food is 1st class and i consider myself a tough marker. Give it a try.
(4)Kim J.
Drinks and food are really good but the service last time was not very good, young server who seemed pre occupied.
(4)Anthony G.
Food is excellent...people are friendly and courteous . The owner greeted us and made us feel comfortable. Have to try Moma's Shrimp...delicious !! Highly recommend this place
(5)Jo M.
I give this restaurant a 3.5 stars not 4. This is my first review so I have not figured out how to give half stars yet or if it's even possible. I dined here on a busy Saturday evening with a friend and my boyfriend. I have been wanting to try this place because I heard that they have the best crab cake in town. So when my girl friend, Kel, who is the best hair stylist in town (foiled rotten - go find her) was craving seafood, or more specifically, a po boy, I suggested we try marlin moon grille. When we arrived, parking was minimal in front of the restaurant but got lucky and found one. Inside the restaurant, it was a full house but the hostess said that we will be seated in 5 minutes so we decided to wait at the bar. We ordered Jim beam and ginger ale. Liquor to soda ratio was decent which made it worth the $5.50 price tag. As 10 mins go by we noticed that there were only 2 people working the restaurant that night which contributed a lot to the 3.5 stars. So after 20 minutes of waiting, we had the feeling that the hostess forgot about us so we flagged for her attention and she went ahead and sat us at the high top tables by the bar which had been vacant the whole time. When we were finally seated, our orders were taken right away. We ordered the onion rings and calamari to start with. The onion rings ($4) were one of the best I've had. It is up there with Ted's and J. Alexander's onion rings. The batter is nice and crisp and not greasy. It came with some kind of aioli which was quite tasty as well. Unfortunately, the server forgot to put in our order of calamari ($10? Maybe)so we did not have any until the end of our meal. They happily comped the calamari for us though which was a very nice gesture. For my entree, I ordered the crab cake ($18) and I was oh so very excited. I ordered it with asparagus and rice. When it arrived in front of me, I was pleasantly surprised that it was all crab meat. It looked like the perfect crab cake. Better than most fancy restaurants i have been to. I ordered a single and the portion was just right. 5 oz. I believe. However, I was a bit disappointed when I took my first bite. It was overly salted. For a crab cake of that quality, they should've lightly seasoned it and let the crab meat do all of the talking. The salt definitely cheapened the taste in my opinion. My mancake ordered the blackened mahi sandwich and Kel ordered the shrimp po boy. Both with fries. They were both happy with their food. The calamari was very good as well. It was not over cooked like at most places and the batter was the same as the onion rings. The sauces that came with the calamari were the best. A marinara sauce and some type of butter with basil sauce. Their fries were very delicious as well. Overall it was an okay dining experience. It is worth noting that while service was slow, the server and bartender were super friendly and pleasant and did a fantastic job running a full restaurant with just the two of them. I would definitely go back and maybe ask for them to lightly salt my crab cake next time.
(4)Paula S.
Once again... Orange Crush far better than where drink originated in OC Maryland. Had the Eggplant Boat and was 'Super' good. Highly recommend it!!! Brad was our server and did excellent job. Explained the specials perfectly, attentive, and very personable . Great job Gary...
(4)Austin F.
This is a rare one-star review- but this place does not deserve their four stars. Service was awful, I mean awful awful. Our waitress seemed drunk. No joke. And then the food started arriving. Calamari? Bland, rubbery, oily, not crisp. Everything you don't want. Crab dip? A cheesy messy glop that tasted old and lazy. Then the mains. The shrimp pasta was laughable. The sauce tasted like heavy cream mixed with heavy cream mixed with no seasoning mixed with overcooked flour. Crabcake sandwich? Ok- but forgettable. Grouper was fresh- but the sauce was cloying and the veggies were uninspired and unevenly cooked. Mahi with shrimp was overcooked and oversalted. And everything was expensive. This is food for old people that don't give a shit anymore. Made by people who don't give a shit anymore, or never did. Awful awful food.
(1)Johanna S.
The family was visiting from TN and we like to find local places to eat when traveling. We found Marlin Moon through the local alternative paper. Wow, did we find a jewel! Everyone was starving for seafood and we were not disappointed. My son had the Seafood Trio and did not leave anything on his plate. My daughter enjoyed the crab cakes - there was plenty to share with others at the table so everyone was able to try them. I ordered the special and it was the red snapper. It sort of surprised us when it arrived - the head was still on it and it was HUGE! Needless to say it was absolutely the best dish on the table! The Asian sauce was the perfect accompaniment to the fish, and it was prepared superbly! Dad ate the seafood pasta and was pleased to find the pasta was homemade. I had to try an Orange Crush and I gave it a thumbs up. The staff was very friendly, the food was excellent, the atmosphere was great - we will definitely return! I recommend anyone to try this restaurant!
(5)Cassie O.
sadly was very let down. my boyfriend and i have been trying to make it in for a few weeks, and sadly i wish something had come up tonight as well. the hostess was very polite and pleasant- we were excited. our server seemed a bit frazzled but was also very nice. Started with drinks *my bf had 2 of the crush drink and loved it. Got the dynamite shrimp as an app. it was great- on the spicy side (more than bone fish, or pf changs or anywhere else ive had this style of shrimp) but manageable and delishly crisp. Sadly the entree i ordered was beyond lacking. I ordered the Bone-In pork chops. it was the most bland pork i have EVER had. literally tasted like an unseasoned pock chop with jelly spread on top. veggies and mashed potatoes were great. again server was frazzled so i picked at my sides for nearly 10 minutes waiting for her to come back. by the time she was at our table my bf had finished his entire entree. 20 minutes later my food came out- the server apologized for the wait that they were really busy (at least 7 open tables in the small restaurant were still open at this time). this time around i ordered the beef tenderloin. was very tender and juicy- sadly still lacking a LOT of flavor. thankfully it was covered in some type of mushroom/wine sauce and i ate it because i was starving. server repeatedly apologized for me not liking my first entree and was very sweet- however she didn't seem to be very observant or under control of our table. left our plates and serving plate from app on the table half way through entree (relatively small tables) and entree plates until we were done paying and on our way out. we literally had to move them to the far corner of the table for any type of room. my boyfriend also ordered a salad- the server specifically asked if he would like it out before our entrees he said yes. it came out after a long wait- with our entrees. normally we would have politely reminded the server but she was literally no where to be found except for to drop off food and then when it was time to pay the bill. unfortunately the food nor service were stellar enough to consider going back unless i am not in charge of picking where we eat!
(2)Ginger B.
Went here tonight with family. It was pretty tasty and I would recommend it! We started with the calamari which was a great portion to share with 5 ppl. It was served with marinara and another Parmesan dipping sauce. The batter was light, oil fresh, tasted great! We ate the whole thing! I ordered blacken mahi tacos with onion rings. 3 good size tacos came out with a pile of large fat onion rings. Tasted great. My husband had chicken sandwich with crab dip in top and French fries. He loved it! And would recommend it. Large portions and cooked well. Our other party members had seafood pasta which was also a good portion and had great flavor... lots of seafood throughout every bite and a burger that was loaded with mushrooms and different cheeses. Everyone was very happy. .. hardest part was deciding what to order! Will be coming back to try something else.
(4)Neil O.
Yummy. Made me miss Baltimore a lot. Nobody was riting though. The crab cakes were up to Maryland standards. The half price happy hour appies are yummy. Shrimp n grits are among the best around. Best thing is the bar. Order a citrus based drink and they squeeze the mixer fresh for you. Can't beat that. Eat up Hon!
(4)Chris F.
I recently visited Jacksonville and came here late on a Saturday night. I was a little nervous because the place wasn't too crowded, almost empty. My friends and I ordered the crab dip appetizer and it came with bread to dip. The dip and bread were hot and absolutely delicious! The bread was soft in the middle and baked perfectly on the outside. For my entree I ordered the crab burger. This was also hot, delicious, and the taste of the crab was great. Everything my friends ordered also looked tasty. The service was good! The waitress and manager checked-in on us several times. This seems like a nice quiet and laid back date spot where you can actually hear yourself speak. If I visit Jacksonville again I'll definitely return! Don't pass up on this quiet gem.
(4)Heather D.
I recommend going for dinner. They are well known for their crab cakes. I had an excellent steak. Has the feel of an old Florida seafood place inside. Great way to spend an evening.
(4)Dorine D.
Came in for lunch I was really happy to see they opened at 11:30 for lunch! Wanted something worth my money they recommend the crabby burger and it was not a disappointment at all!! Very juicy and thick burger!! Thanks marlin moon I will be back. I want to try your tuna nachos!!
(5)Rebecca K.
Yummy seafood place! We got there and were seated in a nice, secluded area. We ordered the Orange Crush and Ruby Red Grapefruit Crush - both good and surprisingly strong. I'd say we each ordered 3-4 Crush drinks and were sufficiently tipsy. We got the crab ravioli to start off with - they were pretty good and the crab filling tasted fresh. I got Freddy's seafood pasta and my boyfriend got the Chicken pasta thing...I forgot what it's called. Both were super good and I was happy with my food. The pastas were pretty pricey, considering they didn't come with sides or anything, but I can't trust my judgment after downing 3 Orange Crushes. The free bread that comes with everything wasn't very good, but that's my only complaint (and it was free).
(4)Mitchell M.
After being referred by a co-worker and reading the reviews we had to come. I second the OMG! We started out with the Tuna Nachos which were awesome by the way. I wanted to try something different so I got the supposedly famous crab cakes. They were as advertised. Every time I've tried crab cakes their was more breading than crab, this was the opposite. It was loaded down with crab. Unfortunately I dove right in without taking a picture. My apologies to my fellow yelpers. All I can say it's worth the trip.
(5)Bill K.
Marlin Moon Grille is my wife and my new favorite go to restaurant at Jax. Beach. We got there at 7PM and were immediately seated and introduced to our server Kelsey. (who was fantastic) We ordered 2 drinks and a couple of appetizers (naked wings and onion rings) both were fantastic. We then ordered our entrees, my wife getting the Reuben Sandwich and I got the Surf & Turf with the Crab Cake instead of the fried shrimp. Both of our entrees were truly awesome. I would Highly recommend Marlin Moon Grille to anyone looking for a great meal at the beach.
(5)Annie S.
We were excited to go after reading the reviews. Not much to look at from the outside, but that's okay, it's quaint. Parking is a little cramped in front. I did see a sign that there is additional parking in back. It was really slow for a Friday night so we got a table immediately. The waitress came pretty quickly and we ordered two Orange Crushes. They are very good and light. Next came the Tuna Nachos. Yum. The best part of the meal. We also had the Scallop appetizer (or bait as they call it). It was fair at best. My husband ordered the Wahoo $24. It was described by the waitress as very spicy jerk seasonings. The menu stated it came on a bed of lime rice. Neither of these statements are true. The fish was pretty good, albeit a bit on the overcooked side, but it did not have hardly any spice on it. It was definitely not as described. I ordered the Snapper from the special menu $24. I inquired about the vegetable medley. I noticed the Salmon came with asparagus. I don't like asparagus and didn't want that. She said it was julienne carrots, onions, squash. That sounded great! Like I said, it wasn't busy, but it did take a while for everything to come. When our entrees did come, she brought me the salmon. My husband and I looked at each other, confused. I told her I ordered the Snapper. She just said, "Oh", and took it back to the kitchen. It was our 15 yr anniversary. My poor hubby felt bad and didn't want to eat his when I didn't have mine so he sat there letting his get cold. It only took about 10 minutes this time and she brought me Snapper. She set it down, said "Enjoy", and walked away. Really? No apology? I turned my head and said, "I forgive you". Needless to say she was taken back by my comment. She then did apologize & comped our two drinks. I thought the snapped was good. My husband did not. He said it tasted like fried fish & chips without the batter. He's more of a fish person than me. He said he has never in his life had Snapper that tasted like that. We then split the Coconut Key Lime Pie. Sounds delicious. It wasn't what we expected. Super hard thick oatmeal graham cookie bottom that crumbled when we tried to cut it. Honestly so hard I thought we might break the plate whilst trying to cut it. I didn't taste coconut maybe because the top key lime was so tart I puckered. All in all I would probably go back again for the Tuna Nachos and maybe try the $10 Tacos and the Ravioli app. I'll leave the $24 fish to someone else. For the record, my hubby gives it 2 1/2 stars.
(3)Caron S.
4.5 stars. Very impressed with our recent dinner. It's hard to tell from the outside what's inside but the former TacoLu spot has done it up right with Maryland favorites (the crab cake was outstanding and hardly any filler). We tried the Orange Crush, one of the signature drinks, and a grapefruit version -- delicious. There are excellent happy hour specials too. Ahi tuna "nachos" a must. Great presentation and really fresh, good quality sushi-grade ahi. There was a special appetizer with large Mayport shrimp wrapped in a phyllo dough and Greek kataife (reminded us of shredded wheat or Wheaties) with a sweet and spicy red chili sauce. Loved it. Per our waitress' recommendation I had the eggplant boat for dinner, which included fresh shrimp, perfectly cooked scallops (nice size too) and crawfish along with shitake mushrooms over a large fried eggplant and atop some smashed red potatoes and corn. Huge portion. The Neopolitan waffles (with Blue Bell strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream) dusted with powdered sugar were a fun dessert item and we tried the bumbleberry pie -- a pie made with three berries -- which was unique (a wee bit too sweet for my liking; go for the waffles!). The owner explained that the waffle sandwich was his dream menu item. Great spot for dinner with friends or a date. Thumbs up, will be back soon! Service was fantastic (ask for Kate, she was awesome) and the restaurant is clean and inviting.
(4)Allie A.
The beach can be a bit of a drive for us "townies", LOL, but good food is always worth a quick jaunt across the ditch and last Friday, we set up a double date to check out Marlin Moon. You know the building.... it's in the old Taco Lu location. And that being said, you know parking can sometimes be a B... but we pulled up right at 7:30 for our reso, and parked right up front. Walking in, it seem much more open now... the walls are painted a warm salmon color, with different types of fish hanging up everywhere. The tables are covered in nice white table clothes, with white paper on top (for you messy folks, hehe.) I have heard so much about this "Orange Crush" I just had to have one. What I didn't know is that there are SEVERAL varieties to choose from, Key Lime Pie, Ruby Red and probably 7-10 more different flavors and mixes. I had a hard time choosing, but decided on the Ruby Red Crush. My friend ordered the original, so I was a happy girl that I got to try both. WOW! I tend to stick with my beer, but this drink was amazing. The Orange tasted just like the soda, minus the carbonation! I will admit, I reallllllllllly dug the ruby red.... so much that I ended up having two... ;) We started off with some apps, calamari, crab dip and the shrimp and grits. I've had some really bad and sad calamari experiences as of late, but DAYUM, this hit the spot! Expertly fried and the breading had a buttery taste to it.... all I can say is YAY!!!! I only had a little bite of the crab dip, but it seemed solid.... and the shrimp and grits? It was ok.... but I cannot NOT compare it to my fave shrimp and grits in town, which nobody holds a candle to. For entrees, my gal friend and I both order the Grilled mahi, which come with grilled shrimp on top and seasonal veggies, Mr. Yelp ordered one of the specials, the trio, which had a crab cake, lightly breaded and fried scallops and mahi, and our other friend ordered the grouper. The mahi was super fresh... seasoned (I think) with Old Bay. It had quite a bit of season to it... but was delicious. The shrimp were big, fresh and tasty as well. I'm not a fan of crab cakes, but Mr. Yelp really enjoyed it. Loaded with crab and hardly any of "filling", it looked fantastic. He did not care for the scallops... which worked out for me because I ate them ALL!!!! So lightly breaded, with that buttery taste like the calamari, and cooked just enough to be moist and delish.... not chewy or fishy at all. They were my favorite of the night!!! Our friend said the grouper was fresh and cooked perfectly as well. Service was the only thing that was not completely top notch. Our server was super cute and friendly... but forgot a few things here and there and we did wait quite a long time to get our entrees... (prob about 30-40 minutes after we finished the apps.) But overall, a great find with super fresh seafood and unbelievably great crushes! I would go back just for those.... and the scallops, and calamari.....
(4)Misty M.
Pros: nice food presentation, nice atmosphere, decent drinks Cons: very slow service. One of the female servers kept telling her table the kitchen was taking forever and was saying they're slow. Pretty unprofessional if you ask me. She should have apologized about the tardiness and kept positive; food was bland. We had to put salt, seasoning and pepper on our food. I had grilled mahi. He had seafood pasta. My green beans were definitely frozen/microwaved; not worth the price. Super disappointed. Everyone near us was complaining about the service.
(2)Morgan H.
I'll admit I was a little apprehensive about trying this place out. While I enjoy trying new places, sometimes I like to wait out the newness and see if the place sticks around. I figure if they are worth trying they will be there when I finally decide to go, plus it gives them an opportunity to work out any kinks they may have going on in the beginning. But honestly Marlin Moon Grille wasn't even on my radar as somewhere I was wanting to try. It wasn't until a bartender at another restaurant that I enjoy, suggested it that I decided it was on my must try list. *Any time a server from any other restaurant recommends somewhere else to eat I consider it a high compliment.* So Friday night when dinner time rolled around and the place we originally tried to go to was too busy to wait out, we took our chance to explore what MMG has to offer. Luckily for us we got in while happy hour was still going on and were able to take advantage of some incredible deals. All of their appetizers were half off! We started with the Shrimp and Grits, Crab Balls and Tuna Nachos. My husband is crazy about shrimp and grits and while I definitely enjoyed them he said they were "they best grits I've ever had". They were creamy and thick with 6 fresh shrimp piled on top, a perfect portion to share! The tuna nachos weren't exactly what you picture in your head as nachos to be, they were more like 6 freshly made chips with 2 bites of tuna placed on top with some sauce drizzled over them, but they were dare I say perfect! I would order those again and again. And the crab balls were basically crab cakes in a ball form. They were pretty much straight crab with very little breading and perfectly fried. The order came with 4 balls, so again it was perfect to share and still feel as though you got to adequately try everything. You would think that we would stop there, but we were so impressed that we decided to order more! We each got a bowl of their Crab and Shrimp Soup and the Fried Calamari. The soup was delicious but very rich so we were only able to eat half and the calamari was also good but by the time we got to it we were both so full that we only ate about a quarter of what was served to us. Obviously our eyes were bigger than our stomachs that night. We ended up spending $42 on all that food plus we had 4 beers between the 2 of us and we were shocked that not only did we have what we believe is some of the best seafood being offered in Jax. Beach but that we managed to do it without breaking the bank. I will definitely be back to Marlin Moon Grille in the near future for dinner and drinks!
(4)Jessica G.
Last night was my second time experiencing Marlin Moon Grille and I was not disappointed. In fact it was better even than my first visit. After having the soup du jour, the creamy broccoli and cheddar, I experienced one of the best pan seared snappers I've had in this town. Cooked to the perfect internal temperature for snapper, it was juicy and delectable.
(5)Stephen J.
We enjoyed our tuna appetizer, the eggplant and rack of lamb. We will definitely be back.
(4)Mark W.
Have to agree with Tony on 11/6/14 regarding the crab cakes not being Jumbo Lump. There is a clear difference between what used to be served and what is being served now. I hope this was a mistake and the owners will stop this practice because the advertising and price are for jumbo lump. No need to do this as the food is very good. We will try again in a few weeks.
(3)Ryan R.
I've lived in Jacksonville my whole life and this is hands down the best seafood restaurant in Jacksonville. They know how to make real Maryland crab cakes that have actual jumbo lump crab meat and not a bunch of filler. They were so good! We went with a huge party of 12 people and everyone really enjoyed their food. Not a single complaint. Of course since we had such a big party and it was our first time, we had to sample each others plates and I'm in love with their food. Not a bad dish on the menu. The staff was extremely friendly as well. We had two, two year olds with us as well. I know how this can be trying sometimes on the staff. Not at this place. They were great! This is now my go-to for seafood in Jax!
(5)CJ M.
I visited this spot this evening to catch up with one of my good friends based off of her previous good visit. The reason for the 3 star rating is because our server, Crystal busted her *ss to help everyone as she was apparently the only server working the dining room. (Had it not been for her good customer service they would have received 2 stars) I ordered the Super Chicken Sandwich and it was decent. (It would have been much better if the bottom bun weren't so soggy that is was inedible) The ambiance was good enough for a quick meal. The decor was pretty rustic and they had cheesy old "marina type" signs hanging everywhere.
(3)LM S.
We got here 1hour before they closed and they still provided really good service. I love Maryland style crab cakes and am kind of a crab cake snob. I love lump crab cakes with not a lot of filler and I have to say the crab cakes were AMAZING. They were kind of expensive but I guess they can charge what they want because they have the best crab cakes in the area. My husband had the fried shrimp meal and that was really tasty also. If I ever come back to Jacksonville Beach , I would definitely eat here again!
(5)Cheryl O.
AWESOME!!!! Everything we tried was fabulous. Started with the tuna nachos. Gonna try to make these at home they were so good. The wedge salad was deceivingly good, full of bacon and blue cheese. Enough for a dinner. The crab cakes...what can you say about a lump of crab that does not have any filler. Baked the Maryland way. The Kenwood Pinot Noir was soft and fruity, a perfect match with the crab cake. Ask for SAM, she will pay the perfect amount of attention to your needs
(5)Lily H.
I've been here three times and never have been disappointed. I've had every item on the appetizer menu and it is all delicious. My favorite is their Tuna Nachos! So yummy! Also, you can't go wrong with any of their shrimp dishes. Always big, succulent, seasoned and cooked well no matter how you order it! Portions are big especially with the entrees. They definitely don't skimp with the amount of fresh seafood they put in your dish. I would love to see the tuna nachos as a bigger portion but that may be due to the fact that it's so yummy, I can't get enough! The chef really knows how to technically execute the dishes bc everything is always cooked so well. I just love how everything arrives at your table perfectly done and the flavors are just so yum! Reminds me a lot of Key West flavors with freshness and tastes. Oh and the crushes are amazing!!!! Your biggest problem will definitely be narrowing down your choices!
(5)Robert H.
Great food and service. Wings crispy and sweet chili is wonderful. Old taco lue location. Will be returning soon.
(4)Debbi C.
What a great place to try on Tuesday night! We tried the crab dip and it was very good. A 4 out of 5. It would have gotten higher if the chips had been crispy but they were soggy. The dip was great though. The tuna nachos were good, but nothing special. Maybe if there was a kick to it we would have loved it, but it was average. It did taste fresh. 3 out of 5 The seafood sandwich rolls were good. It had nice chunks of crab and shrimp. Very fresh. 3.5 out of 5 cause of hubby's shrimp allergy so it couldn't be appreciated fully. The old bay wings were to die for. Omg they were crispy and hot and crispy. And crispy. And yummy! Actually the best ones I've had in Jax and hubby sd his 2nd fav to jazzy wings at Copelands. A solid 4 out of 5. Yummy!! The lamb was very tender and perfectly cooked. A solid 4 out of 5. The crab cake was a good good ball with great aioli. It was a solid 4. Ok so then I tried the FILO shrimp. (Philo? Fillo?) anyway.... It was fan-freaking-tastic with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce. And Huge!!! Looked like a baby lobster. I definitely will order it again. A solid 4 out of 5. The apple crisp got 3.5 and pecan pie did too. They were chilly and I might like them more warmed with ice cream. The server- Brad- was great. Very accommodating and informative about the menu. A solid 4. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. So with that said.... We give it a 4!
(4)tony T.
Went for the crab cakes which were decent but the big difference and since the owner is from MD was the crabmeat while decent portion size was not jumbo lump crab meat! To be fair they don't advertize it that way and while there is minimal filler, the consistency is way different and for $26 you'd expect a higher quality crab. Sides were good and craft beer was tasty. Nice space and no problem getting a table later in the evening. Will come back but would skip the crab cakes and try one of the specials next time.
(3)Tommy U.
Great food. Great people. Great service. The owner of this restaurant moved down from Maryland so you know they have the top crab cakes in town... You also have to try the "moms shrimp"
(5)Val K.
First time eating at Marlin Moon and was very happy. Food was excellent. Nicely presented and everything tasted wonderful. My husband had shrimp and grits and I had the crab ravioli. Could not fault it. Also had to have an orange crush.....very refreshing!! Will definitely go back.
(5)Matthew H.
The food was very fresh and the fish was of good quality. I am always a bit critical of that as a fisherman. The wedge salad was good and quite large! The entrees were good but not great - everything was underseasoned. I was really hoping to like it... maybe one more try.
(3)Gary B.
I really wasn't impressed with this place. I was born and raised in Maryland, so I appreciated the atmosphere, but the food was definitely lacking. I had the crab cakes with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes. The crabs cakes were ok, but definitely nothing like the ones you will find in Maryland. The vegetables were limp and overcooked and the potatoes were just ok. Service was also very slow on a night when there were only three other tables that were occupied. I most likely won't be back.
(2)Daisy D.
From the first sip of an Orange Crush to the last sip of a Ruby Red Crush and everything in between, Marlin Moon was 'Crushing' it. My favorite of the appetizers hands down was the tuna nachos. The crab dip was warm & gooey & a perfect kick off to the evening. The Crab Cake Balls/bites were giant balls of meaty goodness. Yes, a couple of drinks in, we ALL loved describing our meaty balls. Have tried the chicken wings too. While I passed on them the first time - wasn't too excited about a chicken wing - so glad I eventually tried them as they were delicious. On my evening there I was more interested in drinking my calories, so I haven't tried any of their delectable dessert sweets yet. I'm sure I will one day. Somehow this place seems more open than it did with it's previous tenants, but I just remember it being SOO crowded. The marlins on the wall definitely add to the theme. The staff is on their game and the lovely bearded man behind the bar can cause some serious trouble. All in a good way, of course.
(4)Shelley M.
Marlin Moon Grille opened this week in the old Tacolu building. They've given the building a bright blue paint job, and the interior is different too. White tablecloths line the tables and stuffed fish line the walls, which are now pink with crisp white wainscoting. The menu has local seafood like Mayport shrimp as well as Maryland-style offerings. We started with a local beer, Duke's, on tap, and a bubbling hot dish of crab dip served with a warm, crisp baguette. Our entrees arrived a bit too quickly to finish the delicious appetizer. My husband ordered the triggerfish special stuffed with crabmeat. The portion size was ample, and included a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. I ordered the crab cake, assuming that a restaurant from Maryland would do it right. The crab cakes contain fairly large chunks of crab with very little filler, served with a surprising fruity aioli sauce. Not the best I've ever had, but I'm from Maryland too. Prices were very fair. The triggerfish special was only $18, and 2 crab cakes are $20. There were some tempting desserts offered, but we were too full. We will be back!
(4)Pamela D.
This place was just a roller coaster of pros and cons. The atmosphere and decor, excellent. I love the paintings, gemstone fish statue and the bar area. Wert came in for dinner with a couple of friends of ours and the service was poor. Very slow and the waitress (maybe it was her first time waiting, I'm not sure) but she acted as if she forgot we were waiting to place an order. When speaking about the daily specials, she barely remembered what they were and bursted out laughing at the word "sausage" any time the word was mentioned... I still don't know what the sausage special is because she couldn't stop laughing to get through the sentence....it was bizarre. The food was pretty good though a little overpriced but I didn't mind spending a little extra that night. I had the grilled shrimp which was delicious and my friend loved the crab cake. The crab dip appetizer had way too much cream and barely any crab. Great drinks and desserts though. If you don't mind waiting the extra time to place an order and even longer to get your food, it's not too bad. Good company always helps those situations.
(3)Mark B.
Now I saw that Yelp is having another Elite Event. I have had Marlin's in my radar scope since Taco smell moved out. Now I had the chance or I drove by it and know the back streets so I could turn and make my way back. Yea that's what I did. Now I'm glad I did. The place is just about the same but has a bunch of fish slung on the walls but the food is a lot better. I went in for brunch and the bar was full. Hey it's the beach and it was about 12:30. I asked the bartender Katie Perry (she's moonlighting) she told me the French toast with that captain guy was great. Their crab cakes were even better and the bar added everything was good. They even had a self appointed on-site dish describer on hand. I ended up confused and so I ordered my usual a combo. This one contained some grilled shrimp that tasted well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Also a hunk of Mahi that I requested blackened. It was masterfully prepared and seasoned perfectly, not to much heat to mask the fish but enough to taste the heat. Then the Crab balls were alright, nothing to write home about. They contained a good amount of crab and had good seasoning. I would prefer a little more heat. Then I'm told a lot that my taste buds are fried and that's from someone that loves my cooking too. So bottom line the food is good maybe closer to great then most places at the beach. You know the pot and the shack places. So I hope I get to return later this month to taste more of their tasty delights.
(4)Rachel D.
The food is amazing. I was invited by a friend of mine to a yelp gathering. They had so many delicious dishes. I was able to try the mini crab cakes and the fried shrimp. It was delicious. The food seemed to be filling, even with the smaller portions. Everything seemed fresh, nothing pre-made. Also, If you have a chance try a grapefruit crusher from the bar. I know the sound of grapefruit will make most heads turn away, but it is actually very good. I was surprised myself. The location is right next to the Crave restaurant down on beach blvd. Great for people who plan to hit the beach right after. I give four out of five stars due to the fact that I wasn't able to taste any of the entrees. However, I am truly satisfied. :)
(4)Linda B.
Our evening at Marlin Moon Grille was superb! Many thanks to Allie, Yelp and server Brad who facilitated an outstanding meal. We must have been treated to a taste of the entire menu, including deserts. Fresh squeezed juice in the "crusher" drinks almost made me want to partake in them, as the aroma filled the room. The tuna nachos, OMG, just the right mix of tuna and spice, with a creative sauce combination. The crab dip was super amazing, creamy and hot on small italian bread. They seem to have sauce after sauce that complimented each dish to a tee, even house made Blue cheese sauce to compliment some very heathy chicken wings. Whoop whoop! Deserts were equally well equipped to please if you could possible make any room for them! A great evening.
(5)Diana M.
I'm told that Marlin's has good seafood, but since I'm a landlubber I can't really comment! I will say that I did try their tuna nachos and those were really good. Their Orange Crush drink alone is worth coming!! They could probably use a few more non-seafood items to cater to those of us who are dragged out with our seafood friends but otherwise there non-core items are tasty!
(4)Bob F.
My sister had been telling me how good Marlin Moon was for some time now , so on our way to a potential long wait for a table at Carrabas, my wife and I did a u- turn and stopped at MM. Noticed right off there were only three cars here on a Saturday night- uh oh. Went in anyways and place was deserted. Ordered crab dip and it was out of this world. Huge loaf of hot bread and the perfect blend of crab versus cheese. Could serve as a meal instead of an app. Orange crush was very good but in reality it is a vodka and OJ over crushed ice. Did not live up to its yelp hype. We ordered the Mahi Reuben's and the Mahi only covered 40% of the surface of the bread when you opened the sandwich. Guess we should not have ordered a lunch item at a dinner place. Sauerkraut was skimpy as well. Bottom line if you want a Reuben go to European street. The other three tables all had huge delicious looking entrees. Crab cakes looked amazing! We will return to try it again but will get dinner entrees next time. Hope this place stays around. Maybe have employees park out front to give the impression that it is as popular as it should be.
(4)Randy S.
Coming down in October and looking forward to a great meal. Land locked here in Nashville and ready to get my grub on some seafood. Looked at your website and the menu looks fantastic!!
(5)John W.
Everyone, If you want a real Maryland crab cake, this is the place. I spent 50 plus years in the Baltimore area and nearly 20 yrs here in N. Florida and now for the first time in my Florida years,I can get a real crab cake. Why, because the owner is from Maryland and knows crab cakes. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
(5)Marietta S.
Excellent meal. Fried shrimp and Eggplant boat were outstanding. Great service and fun atmosphere
(5)Cynthia V.
I am a picky and healthy eater. Usually, there are only a few options for me, but I could not make up my mind on this menu. Everything sounded delicious and extremely fresh. I was right, because it was. My husband and I ended up splitting our entrees, because we liked them both so much. They had fried food and more traditional options, but also grilled and more exotic plates. The wine list was also very good and our server, Samantha, was friendly and knowledgable. The only reason that I did not give it 4 stars is because I am a big fan of outdoor seating and windows, and there were none.
(4)Gary P.
The twin chops where some of the best I have ever had. The fish my wife had was a little dry. But the flavor was very good This was our second visit. Service was good. We will definitely go back
(4)Patrick C.
Very good place for a quick drink and appetizer before going out. The fried shrimp is very good and their appetizers are good too. Not a huge fan of their entrees, but I've only tried a few of them. The orange crush drink is also delicious and they have $5 specials on it (not sure what day). The shrimp/crab soup I ordered literally had no shrimp or crab in it, so that was a bit disappointing, but it had good flavor.
(4)Tracey G.
Delicious seafood. We had the tuna nachos as an app, soo good! The tuna is so fresh. I had the "eggplant boat", an egglant flash fried with crawfish tails, shrimp, and scallops with a crab butter sauce, pretty good! My husband had one of the specials, macadamia nut crusted fish (unfortunately, I forgot what kind of fish it was, but it was yummy!) along with some fresh veggies. Can't wait to go back :)
(4)Autumn K.
GREAT FOOD! EXCELLENT SERVICE! This was the first calamari I've ever liked. I couldn't get enough of it! The tuna nachos were delicious, too. I also got mussels. The first batch was bad. The owner and chef Gary came out, apologized, took them off our bill, and then brought out a delicious fresh batch. Everyone here is friendly and helpful. We'll definitely come back the next time we're in Jax!
(4)Chris S.
Great food! Meaty crab cakes, tasty orange crush drinks and unique tuna nachos.
(4)