Anastasi Seafood
1101 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Anastasi Seafood Menu
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Address :
1101 S 9th St
Philadelphia, PA, 19147 - Phone (215) 462-0550
- Website https://www.anastasiseafood.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 : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Shawna H.
They have liquor! Drink and food specials for Happy Hour. You can sit, take out, or buy stuff to cook at home. What more can you ask for? Everything I've eaten here has always been good. I especially love the soups.
(5)Michael S.
Let's start by saying that this could have been our fault. But, then again, it didn't have to be this way. We had reservations for 7pm, but some friends ran late so we called and got there closer to 8. Now, upon looking at this site it says they close at 8pm tonight. We had no idea, and they didn't mention it either. When we arrived there were still a couple of tables both inside and out. We sat outside, and apparently the bartender was waiting on us. I could go through all of the details. The bringing wrong drinks, or making us wait 20 minutes to order, or any number of things. I've worked in restaurants, and I can tell you that if a table arrives 10 minutes, or even an hour and 10 minutes before close, they always got rocking fast service. Get 'em in and get 'em out. Let them know the kitchen is closing. They even brought tables and chairs in around us after they turned the music up to blasting. But, the real punch line is that while that music was cranked we never were offered our check. We actually had to wait for that too. The food was fine - quite good even. But unless you are serving ambrosia on Mount Olympus you can't pull off service that bad and have the food compensate. The food is the only reason it gets a second star.
(2)Lauren B.
My boyfriend and I have been here twice in 3 weeks...that's how much we loved it the first time. The food is amazing and very reasonably priced. The staff are very attentive and polite. This place doesn't look like something that you would want to do for a nice dinner, but looks are deceiving! Give it a try and be blown away!
(5)Casey R.
I have shopped here a few times for the non-vegetarian at my house and have been pleased with the selection and service. Everything tastes fresh (or so I am told) and the prices are right. The counter folks are helpful with answering my probably unusual questions which I appreciate.
(4)Dan F.
"Hidden Treasures from the South Philly Sea" Let's just get right to it. Glass of Sauvignon Blanc: right on. Red Soup of the Day: Red clam chowder. Complex, wonderfully aromatic red gravy, tender clams ... accept the offer of red chili flakes, wipe down the bowl with delicious bread. Side caesar salad (see photo): crisp and gooey as sin, with briny Kalamata olives, freshly shaved Parmesan, and perfect herbed croutons. Important note: it was lavishly studded in capers. This was an unexpected, and initially unwelcome, surprise. But one bite and I was sold. And Because I Wasn't Fat or Full Enough ... Crab Mac & Cheese (see photo). This, my friends, was the B to the O to the M to the B. Not sure why I even ordered it, as I'm never one to go for M&C. It just doesn't interest me enough. And yet ... theirs is worth every crunchy, chewy, tender-lovin' hot and bubblin' crabtastic gobful you should be so lucky to try. I am one picky mother-lover, and rest assured, you will not be disappointed. Also want to give a huge shout out to my server. She had that place running ... tight as a ship. Ba dum bum. Loved her! If you're running around Italian Market / Bella Vista way, you really owe it to yourself to take a load off your feet and enjoy the seafood stylings. Note to lobster lovers: while they don't have lobster on the regular dining menu, they're also a full seafood store, and if you call in advance they will cook you one to order to eat there ... as you draw butter out of each delicious claw.
(4)Devon L.
Went to Anastasi on Saturday afternoon for two things and two things only: Crabs and beer. We sat at a table outside, people watched, and split a dozen Baltimore Style crabs between the two of us. We got them clean which was so nice to not have to worry about some of the yucky stuff. The crabs came out nice and warm, covered in the right amount of old bay, with extra old bay on the side (which I was glad for!) and we had to ask for some extra butter. We had a basket of fries with the crabs that had some delicious dipping sauce with them, no clue what it was though. Our server was nice and checking in on us a lot a first, then I think she realized how slow we were going with the crabs, and disappeared for awhile, which was fine! We weren't in a hurry and she knew it. They have Sam Summer bottles which happened to be the beer of choice for the day for both of us, and all of their beers are pretty reasonably priced. I think we ended up spending like two and a half hours just leisurely cracking crabs, drinking, and taking in South Philly. Great way to spend a summer afternoon and glad to have a go-to place for crabs in the city. Will be back again for sure! :)
(4)Ken R.
They are either inept or unethical. First time I went, they padded my bill with extra charges. Second time, they didn't include part of my order in the bag, but still charged me the $15 (a disappointing discovery once I got home). Quality of the fish is mediocre at best. I don't plan to visit a third time.
(2)Colleen M.
The food was very good, but the service left some to be desired here. I had crab mac and cheese, and it was good, but too much basil in it. I don't believe that basil has much place in this dish. Also, the menu stated there was bacon in it, but there was no bacon in my dish. Despite that, it was still a good dish. My husband had mussels in red sauce, and it also was very good. But he had to ask for bread, which I found to be odd since bread is usually automatically served with mussels in any place I have been. Another person in our party had salmon, and that was very good as well. The service was where it went all wrong. My husband and I ordered apps for our entrees, and the server forgot to put our meals in. So the other 4 people in our party were eating away while we sat with no food in front of us. Once we finally got the server's attention, she was apologetic, but I was still unhappy. She offered us free desserts, but I didn't want any dessert. Finally the manager (owner?) came by to talk to our table, and since a member of our party was a regular there, she gave us free drinks. We might stop back although I would make sure we had a different server.
(3)Rick M.
Excellent food, friendly waitstaff, great prices, an absolute must go while in Philly. Nothing fancy but i'll take substance over decoration any time.
(5)Lizzie L.
seafood never goes wrong! it is a small place, not a fancy dining environment but they have fresh seafood.
(4)Rachel S.
As long as you can handle the "fishy" smell in the front, Anastasi is worth a try. You become accustomed to the smell rather quickly, IMO. Anastasi is a fish market / seafood restaurant / bar located in the heart of the Italian market. It's pretty small with only a few tables, but on this particular Friday night we got in without any problem. Upon entering, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who sat us quickly. A busboy brought over a bowl of chowder crackers, which made me happy. I hate when restaurants leave the crackers in a bowl on the table. Ugh. I think of all the dirty fingers in there....very unpleasant. Their menu is not terribly creative but their fish is very fresh. We shared a caesar salad before our dinner which was a little heavy on the dressing, IMO. Croutons were more chewy than crunchy, but, I tend to like a crunchy crouton. The kalamata olives were a nice touch. For dinner, I had the 3 cheese ravioli with blue crab served in a creamy vodka red sauce (gravy). The raviolis were huge and the blue crab meat that topped the entree was quite delicious. My dad settled on the shrimp scampi since they don't offer grilled calamari anymore. It was tasty, but unimpressive. Their bar had a nice selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. I really enjoyed the white cranberry cosmo- YUM!!!
(3)Andy D.
Great seafood in a funky setting that reflects the urban charms of the Italian Market. we'll be back again
(5)Becky R.
Definitely a great place to grab seafood in South Philly. I went for oyster happy hour, and ordered oysters, the soft shell crab, and my friend and I split a bucket of beer. The oysters were delicious. I had trouble refraining from ordering another dozen. The soft shell crab was also very, very good. I couldn't quite make out what was in the sauce it was served with exactly, but I loved it! Unfortunately, I did think it was a bit too expensive, but it was still great. Definitely give this place a shot. Can't wait to go back.
(4)YelpHatesMe Y.
The phrase "looks can be deceiving" have never been truer for this place. I have to admit, looking at it from the outside I was VERY skeptical about buying my seafood from them. My first and initial response was that they were expensive. I guess compared to a normal grocery store they were. I went ahead and got some shrimp, sea scallops and squid anyway and I have to say, it was probably the freshest seafood I had ever bought at a store. This is now on my go to store for all my seafood. Bottom line; Costs a little more than the grocery store, but the quality is FAR worth it! Do NOT go to the store one block over.
(4)Ken D.
Ive been two this place twice now and each time I go it gets better and better. Everything on there menu is really good. The price is alittle high but its worth it. I love seafood and this place does it right. The people their are always nice and accommodating, I have no problem giving them my money for a good meal. MUST try it out once if you love seafood.
(5)Jasmine U.
Yelp for the win, AGAIN! I brought a friend here last week for a bday dinner (he requested seafood) & we were both very pleased with the food & service. I had some of the best crab cakes since I've been living in Philly!!! My only complaint is that because this is also a seafood market, the raw fish smell is pretty strong, after you sit there for awhile you don't notice it as much. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of food, the crab cake dinner was $16 and it was all crab meat! The fries were good and seasoned well, and we were pleasantly surprised at how yummy the condiments were, I believe all the sauces are house made. I asked for honey mustard and instead I go some sort of lemon flavored mustard that was divine, I think I dipped everything in it. My date had the seafood platter with EVERYTHING, his flounder was HUGE, Neither of us finished our food. I will most definitely be back, next up is the soft shell crab!
(4)Mustafa S.
This place is awesome! I am an avid seafood lover and a foodie who has lived in Philly for over 20 years and I can assure you, this will be the best "play with your food" and "authentic seashore" experience in the heart of Italian Market in Philly. Thank you Anastasi!
(5)Woodrow B.
AMAZING. Great, fresh food, better service. Things cost what they should. Could not be happier with my experience here. Crab mac and cheese may be the best thing I've ever eaten. No joke. GO HERE NOW.
(5)Rebecca P.
This is a review of the restaurant, not the market. In a word: gross. Prior to eating here (several months ago), I purchased fish a few times from their market and enjoyed it at home. However, after dining in here, I can hardly walk by the place (in fact I go out of my way to avoid it when walking to my favorite taqueria). Anyway I think they used old fish that they did not sell at the market and then they cover it with gross sauces. Also clam chowder was somehow tasteless with stringy clams. The sides were lackluster and I left annoyed that I had spent any money here. The best part was probably the beer I ordered. Prior to eating here I had purchased a crab cake during the Italian Market Festival and was far from impressed, but not yet repulsed. I will never return.
(1)Allyson G.
I wanted to take my boyfriend out for a nice seafood dinner for passing the third part of his CPA exam. I made reservations at FISH (never been but reviews seemed promising & they had skate on the menu!). I went to his house and his roommate suggested Anastasi's. I used to live right by Anastasi's but I thought it was just a fish market, not a restaurant. I was going to pass, but then his roommates decided they were going to go to Anastasi's after talking about it. I couldn't be left out, so i said we are coming with! Best decision I ever made. The place was small, and smelled like seafood, and there was outside seating. We sat down and the waitresses were very nice and considerate. They offered 1.5lb Lobster on special for $25 add a crabcake stuffed inside for $30. I couldn't pass that up...we ordered calamari, oysters and garlic bread for apps-ALL EXCELLENT! My lobster wasn't the maine lobster i craved, but it was better than the 5-star restaurant lobster tail i had a week later. And heck, we aren't in maine so i can't have maine lobstah! The waitress also offered us a special deal on the blue crabs, essentially, it was 5 crabs for $20. They ordered 15 crabs. They were amazing. The owner came out later and spoke with us. She was so nice! They also have a bar there. I got two mojitos. They were not noticeably strong by taste, but definitely strong by effect! I had two mojito's, ate all that food, and still had a good buzzzzz. Can't wait to go back! I also want to check out Crafts & Claws, since the chef there is/was also the Anastasi chef!
(5)Sarah O.
My boyfriend and I went to Anastasi for dinner last night. We first started our evening with the Blue Crab Mac. It was delicious! I ordered 2 broiled jumbo lump crab cakes and my boyfriend had the mussels in red sauce. For dessert we had some kind of chocolate mousse cake. The ENTIRE meal from start to finish was phenomenal. The staff was super nice and helpful. We will definitely go back.
(5)Nicola M.
One of my favorite restaurants of all time. Super casual, pop up restaurant in a seafood market after 5pm. So reasonably priced for the amount of food and the quality, it's actually sacrilegious. I go here when visiting home, and I've never had one thing that was not incredible. From everyday standard menu items, to specials, this place has got seafood in the Italian Market down pat. The raw oysters, which are my favorite, are always plump, fresh and sweet. I order a dozen, and for $2 a pop totally worth it. I've had oysters many places elsewhere charged up to $4 a piece and these are by far the best. The lobster bisque is delicious- along with their other soups. I love getting the lobster as my entree which usually sets me back $20-$25 when it's on special, nothing for a succulent, perfectly cooked lobster with heaping sides of delicious garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables. The mussels are delicious- recently our sweet, competent and patient waitress (Gianna) told our table that there was a special with bacon infused sauce, to which i turned my nose up (bacon with mussels? yuck!) but i ate my words when i tasted them- they were delicious. The grilled octopus salad with the pineapple citrus dressing makes my mouth salivate thinking of it, and their pasta dishes are done well too. Smelts? Hellz yes. Shrimp Cocktail? Sock it to me. Crab-stuffed ANYTHING? I could go on and on... One suggestion: I love a good glass of white with seafood, and they could definitely improve their wine selection, or opt to offer the option to BYOB for a corkage fee (I am happy to bring my own delicious wine). Thanks Anastasi for great quality, service and prices! I am forever yours... xoxoxoxo
(5)Tiffany Y.
Review for the fish market only 3.5 stars Price are reasonable and the seafood looked fresh. In general, good amount of seafood options, although there was a lack of options for wild caught fish (i think i only saw 2-3 on display) on the day that we went. We ended up getting the red snapper filet and it tasted very fresh. Will be back to try the diner next time and purchase more fish!
(3)Anna K.
I bought crab legs for take out here for the first time on 1/12/14. They were steamed and season and they were AMAZING!! It was definitely worth the price and commute. The crab legs were slightly less meaty than what I'm used to but that is the only issue I had. I'll definitely be coming here for my fresh fish again.
(5)Gab G.
Had the amazing jumbo crab cake with delicious seasoned fries. yelp.com happened to be there filming and they shot us slurping delicious raw oysters. Oh lord... Limited seating, so don't come with more than 4-5 people.
(4)Kristin H.
Anastasi was the first place I checked out in the Italian Market when I moved to Philly. About a year ago, I was walking down Washington and felt a magnetic pull to their little patio seating area and promise of fresh seafood (and Happy Hour drink specials). I remember the server laughing at me because I ordered a cup of clam chowder and one single oyster (I was on a budget). All of those things helped make for a wonderful, unexpected afternoon, as small in portion as they were. The oyster was fresh and the clam chowder had a wonderful consistency. If anyone is looking for a decent cow-dah experience, this is a pretty solid bet. Even though I had a great meal there a year ago, I hadn't been back to Anastasi's until my boyfriend wanted to head over there for lunch yesterday afternoon. My oh my, THAT WAS GOOD. We started with 6 blue point oysters, which were a fresh as ever (and dare I say, larger than some other blue points I've encountered recently?). We each ordered sandwiches, his a shrimp po' boy, and mine, a lobster roll. With a trip up to Boston this past spring, I feel like I can speak about some lobster rolls, and my personal belief is that they can be done and number of ways and still be good. I don't become upset if it's hot, cold, dressed with butter, mayo, etc.: lobster is delicious, so, surprise me! And that Anastasi's did! For $12, and what has to be the most affordable lobster roll in the city, Anastasi's did it up right with a very fresh and crusty bread roll, nice choices of lobster meat, and tarter sauce. The tarter sauce was a first for me with a lobster roll, but it worked well with all the mentioned components in place, and was yummy in a homemade kind of a way all on it's own. As far as size is concerned, it wasn't a $25 submarine-sized roll from up north, but it was perfect for lunch! Boyfriend loved his po'boy: we didn't speak much while these sandwiches were in front of us. We also ordered broccoli rabe and marinated peppers, which went wonderfully with out sandwiches. The service was attentive. This is a wonderful place for lunch. I'm fairly certain that we'll be back soon!
(5)Baby E.
Overwhelming Fishy smell when you walk in. Bad service I felt like our waitress abandoned us. Food wasn't good either. I ordered the salmon with spinach and it should could have used hella seasoning. The spinach was bitter and bland too. The drinks were good though. Wouldn't recommend this place to anyone
(2)Mary S.
First time eating at Anastasia's. Will not be my last. Excellent mussels in red sauce. Mussels were ginormous; red sauce to die for. Followed by Grilled calamari atop well-dressed salad. My dining companion had tuna tartare special and Parmesan-crusted halibut. A wonderful dinner in a cool Italian market restaurant. Atmosphere + great food! Could not ask for more.
(5)Blaga S.
Although the Mediterranean salad was good, it wasn't worth over $18. Advertised as a seafood (shrimp and crab) salad, I thought I was paying for more than 3 small pieces.
(4)Kimberly N.
Made a reservation for 5 and we were greeted well upon arrival. I had only bought crabs from the market before, and this was my first dine-in experience. We ordered the crab Mac and cheese and clams casino to start. The Mac and cheese was AWESOME. The clams casino, not so much. Too much casino and not enough clam. Fresh bread and butter was also brought, and served as a perfect segue to our entrees. I ordered the 3 blue crabs prepared Baltimore and "dirty", and it was amazing. For 15 bucks and I don't have to cook or clean up afterward? Sold. Hubby ordered the crab ravioli, and it was enjoyable. Friends ordered the crab cluster, lobster bisque, and lobster roll, and were all satisfied. I also ordered the garlic bread, which was delicious, but I only had a bite because I was so full. I will def be back! Service was friendly and attentive.
(4)M W.
Decided on this place a few weeks ago because the ratings were pretty good but was disappointed at the food. I ordered the half grilled lobster and the hub got the mini fried of some sort. Sadly, the food was a bit too dried and we ended up leaving half of everything.. Nevertheless, the service was great though.
(2)Zakiya A.
5 Stars!!! I ordered from Anastasi last night and believe me when I tell you, they absolutely satisfied my seafood craving. We ordered lobster, shrimp and crab bisque and the broiled seafood platter. Everything was absolutely delicious! I was expecting something else for the broiled seafood but the way they plated that dish was well beyond my expectations. The Works sauce for the lobster was greatly appreciated. The bisque was wayyyy better than what one would find in any center city restaurant that I've tried...Which is quite a few since it's one of my favs. I'll definitely be ordering again... and again!
(5)Ja'Net R.
I heard about Anastasi's from my co-worker. He thought I should try it out. SO me and the family went out on a Friday night for some good ole seafood. I really enjoyed my meal.
(5)Emily M.
I only recently added seafood back into my diet, and just in time to find this place. Thank god! Both times I have been here it's been delicious. The chowder is super thick and indulgent, this might be my new favorite version of comfort food. Sitting outside along the patio is nice, despite it being a bit noisy, I appreciate the breeze. The staff is friendly and attentive and provided me with good descriptions/recommendations when I inquired. The prices seem reasonable for such decadent seafood dishes, and the portions are quite hefty. If I'm down that side of town I try to stay hungry enough to eat here!
(4)Jim B.
The Hard spiced cider cocktail is great. This is one of the places we always visit when we hit the 9th street markets. Quite small but comfortable. Bar, restaurant and fish market all in one. Food is very good as is the service. Prices are average and in line with this area of Philly. Nice selection of draft beers too. Great specials such as Crab Cake Ruben. Worth a look.
(4)Kerry B.
Well, I am sad to give this place two stars because based on most reviews I thought we were going to have a very nice dining experience...but that just wasn't the case. My boyfriend and I went here today, Father's Day, expecting to have to wait for a table. We didn't, which was shocking because this place is small. So why are two servers and a hostess running around like crazy? This place wasn't busy but our service would have screamed otherwise. It was 5-7 minutes before anyone even came over to greet us at our table. That's outrageous! I was literally watching the servers make eye contact with me and just continue to stand and do nothing! It was also FREEZING in the restaurant. FREEZING!!! Onto the FOOD section, which was the only redeeming thing... We ordered a clams app which wasn't advertised in red sauce but came that way. At any rate, it was really tasty. Veeeery salty. My sweet novio ordered the Bronzino. He got it whole, and although he enjoyed it he said it was a tad bit dry... I had the Chilean Sea Bass. IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD. Omg. The sundries tomatoes and artichoke hearts with capers and olives....I just. Oh goodness. I could eat it every day. The veggies were perfectly cooked, and the side mashed potatoes we both had were really tasty. But this brings me back to the service...if I am paying $26 for an entree, I expect a certain level of service. Everything we asked for she forgot. My bf asked for a soda refill and I saw it sitting on the bar for 15 minutes before she brought it back. This was after she walked past it at least 5 times. I had also asked for our check when he asked for his refill. So we get the refill...and we wait for another 20 minutes for the check until I finally got up and asked for it. I have NEVER tipped a waitress less than 15%...15% is what I give for eh service...but today I sadly had to leave less than that...for two people to have a meal with no alcohol that costs over $70...I'm sorry but we should have left damn satisfied. And that just didn't happen.
(2)Jacob L.
Not only was the food subpar but the owner could not have been more rude. I only go on here if the food is amazing or something like this happens. I would NEVER GO TO THIS RESTAURANT.
(1)Sarah S.
HH $1 oysters, $4 crab cake slider, and lobster dinner were good. We also ordered $5 bowl of claws. It was a little dry but for $5 not much to complain about. Ambiance was a negative for me. I don't think the food was good enough for me to want to go back.
(3)Ellen H.
This place has the best seafood! And the owner is so sweet! She gave me and my friends a nightcap on the house just because she's amazing. The whole staff is super friendly and the cooks really know what they're doing! It's a little pricey but totally worth every penny. Go there for Valentines...they decorate the place all cute and romantic.
(4)Rita C.
This review is for the restaurant portion of Anastasi. I've driven by this place dozens of times but was always immediately turned off by the overabundant fishy smell from the market. However, a friend told me that this is the best place to buy seafood because it's fresh and reasonably priced, so I decided to go in and check it out for dinner. Once you walk into the small restaurant, the fishy smell disappears, so that's a definite plus. There aren't many tables here, so if you're going on a weekend I would definitely recommend calling ahead to see if they take reservations (I'm honestly not sure if they do or not). They also have outdoor seating. FYI: Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm with drink specials and buck-a-shuck for clams and oysters. We sat down immediately and the waitress was right over to get drink orders and give us the specials. Based on some Yelp reviews I read earlier in the day, I already knew that the bacon and crab mac & cheese was a definite appetizer. I also wanted to check out the oysters, so we got some of those, too. Mac & cheese was amazing!!! Just the right amount of bacon and cheese with a heaping pile of crab meat on top. Let me tell you, I will definitely be back sooner rather than later to experience that again (though I'm pretty bummed about the lack of sriracha here). The oysters were also delicious and tasted EXTREMELY fresh! I was more than impressed and we didn't even get to our entrees yet. For the entrees, my friend ordered the broiled trio (flounder with crab meat, shrimp and scallops) while I ordered the scallop and shrimp marsala. Both were amazing! We licked our plates clean! Bottom line - this place is awesome! Definitely check it out! I know I'll be back!
(4)Ron C.
While wandering the Italian Market the weekend before Valentine's Day Michelle and I decided it was time to eat. With all of the amazing choices in the area we realized that we haven't been to Anastasi's in quite a while. The restaurant is located in the center of their retail store which is very different. The quality of the seafood here is excellent so a good meal is sure to be had. We started with a dozen oysters which were fresh and delish. As it was Shad season one of their specials was a pan fried Shad Roe. This was the complete roe sack lightly sauteed. Neither of us ever had this dish before and it was interesting. Do yourself a favor and order a seafood salad here. Shrimp, Scallops , Mussels and Lobster tossed in a nice light dressing over Romaine. They have a full bar and a few great microbrews on tap (I went with the Yards Love Stout). Service was on point although the restaurant is quite small. All manner of seafood for sale to prepare at home or a full menu of fried/broiled platters as well. Definitely a must go to spot.
(4)Diana K.
Came here last week after a big oyster craving hit me. We biked down here as fast as possible to make it before the buck a shuck happy hour ended at 6. These oysters were beautiful and so fresh. My only complaint: the oysters were gritty. :( I soo wish this didn't happen because I wanted my oyster indulgence to be just perfect. I can look past it, but it left a bad taste in my mouth (and some sand).
(4)Jack H.
I'm not a fish guy. Childhood in a fishing village on an island in Puget Sound means I can tell quality, but that I'm generally sick of it. My girlfriend's father, however, is a don't-take-"no"-for-an-answer type of guy, so we were going to Anastasi for a holiday family celebration. The whole party was about as disruptive as a four-person table can be in the center of the small dining room, which is bordered by the frozen counters of an indoor fish market (being in the evenings sealed tightly enough that the fishy smell is tolerable and the room keeps warm). The staff up to the owners themselves humored us and attended everything pleasantly and speedily. The waiter was, not to his great discredit but certainly not toward helping the rowdiness of the situation, a bit of a chummy guy. The food was so perfectly what it was advertised as and what it should have been, being smack in the middle of the Italian Market, that I'd like to call it "the comfort food of gourmet." I got muscles in white wine sauce over noodles I can't remember how to spell, someone ordered a fish entree which looked great, and two incredibly-cheap lobsters were devoured by the others. I can't promise they always have cheap lobster, but they do seem like they'd probably always have a randomly seasonally cheap offering of some sort. The wine was just fine, but I was ordering on my girlfriend's father's credit card, so I didn't try any of their nicer bottles. Don't come here for food tourism: go get a cheesesteak or something; come here in the day to get authentically good fish and in the evening to eat only if it's an occasion. It was as great as any people could have made it, but it was still a little cold and fishy. Worth it if you only go out twice a month.
(4)Jan W.
Soft Shell Crabs were some of the best I've had. Perfectly deep fried with only a minimum of coating. Crisp & succulent with a Lemon butter caper sauce! Live in the neighborhood, and never knew there was a restaurant hidden in the seafood shop! I'll be back.
(4)Cristina L.
We went to Anastasi's after learning that it is run by the same family as Pescastore, one of our favorite restaurants in Bala Cynwyd. It is certainly a hidden treasure within the wonderful Italian markets. This is a no frills, just great food, sort of place. You can sit either outside or surrounded by the fish counters and a bar, and are served only the best quality fish. My favorite dish was by far the grilled oysters, which were so tasty and unlike anything I've ever had! Despite all of the good, I was still disappointed by the prices, which were quite extravagant for a place to grab a bite within a fish market. In fact, the prices were comparable to Pescatore. Nevertheless, if you're looking for some incredibly good food and are in the area, I say to give it a shot. Just know that you'll be getting top-notch restaurant quality food for restaurant prices in a very casual atmosphere.
(4)Dredge K.
The raw oysters and clams were lovely. The draft beers good. The martini special (key lime pie) was for a teenage girl on crack. And i was smitten by the woman who was afraid of me for having blue hair. Order the top neck clams.
(3)Kerry B.
Well, I am sad to give this place two stars because based on most reviews I thought we were going to have a very nice dining experience...but that just wasn't the case. My boyfriend and I went here today, Father's Day, expecting to have to wait for a table. We didn't, which was shocking because this place is small. So why are two servers and a hostess running around like crazy? This place wasn't busy but our service would have screamed otherwise. It was 5-7 minutes before anyone even came over to greet us at our table. That's outrageous! I was literally watching the servers make eye contact with me and just continue to stand and do nothing! It was also FREEZING in the restaurant. FREEZING!!! Onto the FOOD section, which was the only redeeming thing... We ordered a clams app which wasn't advertised in red sauce but came that way. At any rate, it was really tasty. Veeeery salty. My sweet novio ordered the Bronzino. He got it whole, and although he enjoyed it he said it was a tad bit dry... I had the Chilean Sea Bass. IT WAS SO DAMN GOOD. Omg. The sundries tomatoes and artichoke hearts with capers and olives....I just. Oh goodness. I could eat it every day. The veggies were perfectly cooked, and the side mashed potatoes we both had were really tasty. But this brings me back to the service...if I am paying $26 for an entree, I expect a certain level of service. Everything we asked for she forgot. My bf asked for a soda refill and I saw it sitting on the bar for 15 minutes before she brought it back. This was after she walked past it at least 5 times. I had also asked for our check when he asked for his refill. So we get the refill...and we wait for another 20 minutes for the check until I finally got up and asked for it. I have NEVER tipped a waitress less than 15%...15% is what I give for eh service...but today I sadly had to leave less than that...for two people to have a meal with no alcohol that costs over $70...I'm sorry but we should have left damn satisfied. And that just didn't happen.
(2)Jacob L.
Not only was the food subpar but the owner could not have been more rude. I only go on here if the food is amazing or something like this happens. I would NEVER GO TO THIS RESTAURANT.
(1)Sarah S.
HH $1 oysters, $4 crab cake slider, and lobster dinner were good. We also ordered $5 bowl of claws. It was a little dry but for $5 not much to complain about. Ambiance was a negative for me. I don't think the food was good enough for me to want to go back.
(3)Ellen H.
This place has the best seafood! And the owner is so sweet! She gave me and my friends a nightcap on the house just because she's amazing. The whole staff is super friendly and the cooks really know what they're doing! It's a little pricey but totally worth every penny. Go there for Valentines...they decorate the place all cute and romantic.
(4)Rita C.
This review is for the restaurant portion of Anastasi. I've driven by this place dozens of times but was always immediately turned off by the overabundant fishy smell from the market. However, a friend told me that this is the best place to buy seafood because it's fresh and reasonably priced, so I decided to go in and check it out for dinner. Once you walk into the small restaurant, the fishy smell disappears, so that's a definite plus. There aren't many tables here, so if you're going on a weekend I would definitely recommend calling ahead to see if they take reservations (I'm honestly not sure if they do or not). They also have outdoor seating. FYI: Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm with drink specials and buck-a-shuck for clams and oysters. We sat down immediately and the waitress was right over to get drink orders and give us the specials. Based on some Yelp reviews I read earlier in the day, I already knew that the bacon and crab mac & cheese was a definite appetizer. I also wanted to check out the oysters, so we got some of those, too. Mac & cheese was amazing!!! Just the right amount of bacon and cheese with a heaping pile of crab meat on top. Let me tell you, I will definitely be back sooner rather than later to experience that again (though I'm pretty bummed about the lack of sriracha here). The oysters were also delicious and tasted EXTREMELY fresh! I was more than impressed and we didn't even get to our entrees yet. For the entrees, my friend ordered the broiled trio (flounder with crab meat, shrimp and scallops) while I ordered the scallop and shrimp marsala. Both were amazing! We licked our plates clean! Bottom line - this place is awesome! Definitely check it out! I know I'll be back!
(4)Ron C.
While wandering the Italian Market the weekend before Valentine's Day Michelle and I decided it was time to eat. With all of the amazing choices in the area we realized that we haven't been to Anastasi's in quite a while. The restaurant is located in the center of their retail store which is very different. The quality of the seafood here is excellent so a good meal is sure to be had. We started with a dozen oysters which were fresh and delish. As it was Shad season one of their specials was a pan fried Shad Roe. This was the complete roe sack lightly sauteed. Neither of us ever had this dish before and it was interesting. Do yourself a favor and order a seafood salad here. Shrimp, Scallops , Mussels and Lobster tossed in a nice light dressing over Romaine. They have a full bar and a few great microbrews on tap (I went with the Yards Love Stout). Service was on point although the restaurant is quite small. All manner of seafood for sale to prepare at home or a full menu of fried/broiled platters as well. Definitely a must go to spot.
(4)Diana K.
Came here last week after a big oyster craving hit me. We biked down here as fast as possible to make it before the buck a shuck happy hour ended at 6. These oysters were beautiful and so fresh. My only complaint: the oysters were gritty. :( I soo wish this didn't happen because I wanted my oyster indulgence to be just perfect. I can look past it, but it left a bad taste in my mouth (and some sand).
(4)Jack H.
I'm not a fish guy. Childhood in a fishing village on an island in Puget Sound means I can tell quality, but that I'm generally sick of it. My girlfriend's father, however, is a don't-take-"no"-for-an-answer type of guy, so we were going to Anastasi for a holiday family celebration. The whole party was about as disruptive as a four-person table can be in the center of the small dining room, which is bordered by the frozen counters of an indoor fish market (being in the evenings sealed tightly enough that the fishy smell is tolerable and the room keeps warm). The staff up to the owners themselves humored us and attended everything pleasantly and speedily. The waiter was, not to his great discredit but certainly not toward helping the rowdiness of the situation, a bit of a chummy guy. The food was so perfectly what it was advertised as and what it should have been, being smack in the middle of the Italian Market, that I'd like to call it "the comfort food of gourmet." I got muscles in white wine sauce over noodles I can't remember how to spell, someone ordered a fish entree which looked great, and two incredibly-cheap lobsters were devoured by the others. I can't promise they always have cheap lobster, but they do seem like they'd probably always have a randomly seasonally cheap offering of some sort. The wine was just fine, but I was ordering on my girlfriend's father's credit card, so I didn't try any of their nicer bottles. Don't come here for food tourism: go get a cheesesteak or something; come here in the day to get authentically good fish and in the evening to eat only if it's an occasion. It was as great as any people could have made it, but it was still a little cold and fishy. Worth it if you only go out twice a month.
(4)Jan W.
Soft Shell Crabs were some of the best I've had. Perfectly deep fried with only a minimum of coating. Crisp & succulent with a Lemon butter caper sauce! Live in the neighborhood, and never knew there was a restaurant hidden in the seafood shop! I'll be back.
(4)Cristina L.
We went to Anastasi's after learning that it is run by the same family as Pescastore, one of our favorite restaurants in Bala Cynwyd. It is certainly a hidden treasure within the wonderful Italian markets. This is a no frills, just great food, sort of place. You can sit either outside or surrounded by the fish counters and a bar, and are served only the best quality fish. My favorite dish was by far the grilled oysters, which were so tasty and unlike anything I've ever had! Despite all of the good, I was still disappointed by the prices, which were quite extravagant for a place to grab a bite within a fish market. In fact, the prices were comparable to Pescatore. Nevertheless, if you're looking for some incredibly good food and are in the area, I say to give it a shot. Just know that you'll be getting top-notch restaurant quality food for restaurant prices in a very casual atmosphere.
(4)Dredge K.
The raw oysters and clams were lovely. The draft beers good. The martini special (key lime pie) was for a teenage girl on crack. And i was smitten by the woman who was afraid of me for having blue hair. Order the top neck clams.
(3)Shawna H.
They have liquor! Drink and food specials for Happy Hour. You can sit, take out, or buy stuff to cook at home. What more can you ask for? Everything I've eaten here has always been good. I especially love the soups.
(5)Michael S.
Let's start by saying that this could have been our fault. But, then again, it didn't have to be this way. We had reservations for 7pm, but some friends ran late so we called and got there closer to 8. Now, upon looking at this site it says they close at 8pm tonight. We had no idea, and they didn't mention it either. When we arrived there were still a couple of tables both inside and out. We sat outside, and apparently the bartender was waiting on us. I could go through all of the details. The bringing wrong drinks, or making us wait 20 minutes to order, or any number of things. I've worked in restaurants, and I can tell you that if a table arrives 10 minutes, or even an hour and 10 minutes before close, they always got rocking fast service. Get 'em in and get 'em out. Let them know the kitchen is closing. They even brought tables and chairs in around us after they turned the music up to blasting. But, the real punch line is that while that music was cranked we never were offered our check. We actually had to wait for that too. The food was fine - quite good even. But unless you are serving ambrosia on Mount Olympus you can't pull off service that bad and have the food compensate. The food is the only reason it gets a second star.
(2)Lauren B.
My boyfriend and I have been here twice in 3 weeks...that's how much we loved it the first time. The food is amazing and very reasonably priced. The staff are very attentive and polite. This place doesn't look like something that you would want to do for a nice dinner, but looks are deceiving! Give it a try and be blown away!
(5)Casey R.
I have shopped here a few times for the non-vegetarian at my house and have been pleased with the selection and service. Everything tastes fresh (or so I am told) and the prices are right. The counter folks are helpful with answering my probably unusual questions which I appreciate.
(4)Dan F.
"Hidden Treasures from the South Philly Sea" Let's just get right to it. Glass of Sauvignon Blanc: right on. Red Soup of the Day: Red clam chowder. Complex, wonderfully aromatic red gravy, tender clams ... accept the offer of red chili flakes, wipe down the bowl with delicious bread. Side caesar salad (see photo): crisp and gooey as sin, with briny Kalamata olives, freshly shaved Parmesan, and perfect herbed croutons. Important note: it was lavishly studded in capers. This was an unexpected, and initially unwelcome, surprise. But one bite and I was sold. And Because I Wasn't Fat or Full Enough ... Crab Mac & Cheese (see photo). This, my friends, was the B to the O to the M to the B. Not sure why I even ordered it, as I'm never one to go for M&C. It just doesn't interest me enough. And yet ... theirs is worth every crunchy, chewy, tender-lovin' hot and bubblin' crabtastic gobful you should be so lucky to try. I am one picky mother-lover, and rest assured, you will not be disappointed. Also want to give a huge shout out to my server. She had that place running ... tight as a ship. Ba dum bum. Loved her! If you're running around Italian Market / Bella Vista way, you really owe it to yourself to take a load off your feet and enjoy the seafood stylings. Note to lobster lovers: while they don't have lobster on the regular dining menu, they're also a full seafood store, and if you call in advance they will cook you one to order to eat there ... as you draw butter out of each delicious claw.
(4)Gab G.
Had the amazing jumbo crab cake with delicious seasoned fries. yelp.com happened to be there filming and they shot us slurping delicious raw oysters. Oh lord... Limited seating, so don't come with more than 4-5 people.
(4)Emily M.
I only recently added seafood back into my diet, and just in time to find this place. Thank god! Both times I have been here it's been delicious. The chowder is super thick and indulgent, this might be my new favorite version of comfort food. Sitting outside along the patio is nice, despite it being a bit noisy, I appreciate the breeze. The staff is friendly and attentive and provided me with good descriptions/recommendations when I inquired. The prices seem reasonable for such decadent seafood dishes, and the portions are quite hefty. If I'm down that side of town I try to stay hungry enough to eat here!
(4)Devon L.
Went to Anastasi on Saturday afternoon for two things and two things only: Crabs and beer. We sat at a table outside, people watched, and split a dozen Baltimore Style crabs between the two of us. We got them clean which was so nice to not have to worry about some of the yucky stuff. The crabs came out nice and warm, covered in the right amount of old bay, with extra old bay on the side (which I was glad for!) and we had to ask for some extra butter. We had a basket of fries with the crabs that had some delicious dipping sauce with them, no clue what it was though. Our server was nice and checking in on us a lot a first, then I think she realized how slow we were going with the crabs, and disappeared for awhile, which was fine! We weren't in a hurry and she knew it. They have Sam Summer bottles which happened to be the beer of choice for the day for both of us, and all of their beers are pretty reasonably priced. I think we ended up spending like two and a half hours just leisurely cracking crabs, drinking, and taking in South Philly. Great way to spend a summer afternoon and glad to have a go-to place for crabs in the city. Will be back again for sure! :)
(4)Ken R.
They are either inept or unethical. First time I went, they padded my bill with extra charges. Second time, they didn't include part of my order in the bag, but still charged me the $15 (a disappointing discovery once I got home). Quality of the fish is mediocre at best. I don't plan to visit a third time.
(2)Becky R.
Definitely a great place to grab seafood in South Philly. I went for oyster happy hour, and ordered oysters, the soft shell crab, and my friend and I split a bucket of beer. The oysters were delicious. I had trouble refraining from ordering another dozen. The soft shell crab was also very, very good. I couldn't quite make out what was in the sauce it was served with exactly, but I loved it! Unfortunately, I did think it was a bit too expensive, but it was still great. Definitely give this place a shot. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Colleen M.
The food was very good, but the service left some to be desired here. I had crab mac and cheese, and it was good, but too much basil in it. I don't believe that basil has much place in this dish. Also, the menu stated there was bacon in it, but there was no bacon in my dish. Despite that, it was still a good dish. My husband had mussels in red sauce, and it also was very good. But he had to ask for bread, which I found to be odd since bread is usually automatically served with mussels in any place I have been. Another person in our party had salmon, and that was very good as well. The service was where it went all wrong. My husband and I ordered apps for our entrees, and the server forgot to put our meals in. So the other 4 people in our party were eating away while we sat with no food in front of us. Once we finally got the server's attention, she was apologetic, but I was still unhappy. She offered us free desserts, but I didn't want any dessert. Finally the manager (owner?) came by to talk to our table, and since a member of our party was a regular there, she gave us free drinks. We might stop back although I would make sure we had a different server.
(3)Rick M.
Excellent food, friendly waitstaff, great prices, an absolute must go while in Philly. Nothing fancy but i'll take substance over decoration any time.
(5)Lizzie L.
seafood never goes wrong! it is a small place, not a fancy dining environment but they have fresh seafood.
(4)Rachel S.
As long as you can handle the "fishy" smell in the front, Anastasi is worth a try. You become accustomed to the smell rather quickly, IMO. Anastasi is a fish market / seafood restaurant / bar located in the heart of the Italian market. It's pretty small with only a few tables, but on this particular Friday night we got in without any problem. Upon entering, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who sat us quickly. A busboy brought over a bowl of chowder crackers, which made me happy. I hate when restaurants leave the crackers in a bowl on the table. Ugh. I think of all the dirty fingers in there....very unpleasant. Their menu is not terribly creative but their fish is very fresh. We shared a caesar salad before our dinner which was a little heavy on the dressing, IMO. Croutons were more chewy than crunchy, but, I tend to like a crunchy crouton. The kalamata olives were a nice touch. For dinner, I had the 3 cheese ravioli with blue crab served in a creamy vodka red sauce (gravy). The raviolis were huge and the blue crab meat that topped the entree was quite delicious. My dad settled on the shrimp scampi since they don't offer grilled calamari anymore. It was tasty, but unimpressive. Their bar had a nice selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. I really enjoyed the white cranberry cosmo- YUM!!!
(3)Andy D.
Great seafood in a funky setting that reflects the urban charms of the Italian Market. we'll be back again
(5)YelpHatesMe Y.
The phrase "looks can be deceiving" have never been truer for this place. I have to admit, looking at it from the outside I was VERY skeptical about buying my seafood from them. My first and initial response was that they were expensive. I guess compared to a normal grocery store they were. I went ahead and got some shrimp, sea scallops and squid anyway and I have to say, it was probably the freshest seafood I had ever bought at a store. This is now on my go to store for all my seafood. Bottom line; Costs a little more than the grocery store, but the quality is FAR worth it! Do NOT go to the store one block over.
(4)Ken D.
Ive been two this place twice now and each time I go it gets better and better. Everything on there menu is really good. The price is alittle high but its worth it. I love seafood and this place does it right. The people their are always nice and accommodating, I have no problem giving them my money for a good meal. MUST try it out once if you love seafood.
(5)Jim B.
The Hard spiced cider cocktail is great. This is one of the places we always visit when we hit the 9th street markets. Quite small but comfortable. Bar, restaurant and fish market all in one. Food is very good as is the service. Prices are average and in line with this area of Philly. Nice selection of draft beers too. Great specials such as Crab Cake Ruben. Worth a look.
(4)Jasmine U.
Yelp for the win, AGAIN! I brought a friend here last week for a bday dinner (he requested seafood) & we were both very pleased with the food & service. I had some of the best crab cakes since I've been living in Philly!!! My only complaint is that because this is also a seafood market, the raw fish smell is pretty strong, after you sit there for awhile you don't notice it as much. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of food, the crab cake dinner was $16 and it was all crab meat! The fries were good and seasoned well, and we were pleasantly surprised at how yummy the condiments were, I believe all the sauces are house made. I asked for honey mustard and instead I go some sort of lemon flavored mustard that was divine, I think I dipped everything in it. My date had the seafood platter with EVERYTHING, his flounder was HUGE, Neither of us finished our food. I will most definitely be back, next up is the soft shell crab!
(4)Mustafa S.
This place is awesome! I am an avid seafood lover and a foodie who has lived in Philly for over 20 years and I can assure you, this will be the best "play with your food" and "authentic seashore" experience in the heart of Italian Market in Philly. Thank you Anastasi!
(5)Woodrow B.
AMAZING. Great, fresh food, better service. Things cost what they should. Could not be happier with my experience here. Crab mac and cheese may be the best thing I've ever eaten. No joke. GO HERE NOW.
(5)Rebecca P.
This is a review of the restaurant, not the market. In a word: gross. Prior to eating here (several months ago), I purchased fish a few times from their market and enjoyed it at home. However, after dining in here, I can hardly walk by the place (in fact I go out of my way to avoid it when walking to my favorite taqueria). Anyway I think they used old fish that they did not sell at the market and then they cover it with gross sauces. Also clam chowder was somehow tasteless with stringy clams. The sides were lackluster and I left annoyed that I had spent any money here. The best part was probably the beer I ordered. Prior to eating here I had purchased a crab cake during the Italian Market Festival and was far from impressed, but not yet repulsed. I will never return.
(1)Allyson G.
I wanted to take my boyfriend out for a nice seafood dinner for passing the third part of his CPA exam. I made reservations at FISH (never been but reviews seemed promising & they had skate on the menu!). I went to his house and his roommate suggested Anastasi's. I used to live right by Anastasi's but I thought it was just a fish market, not a restaurant. I was going to pass, but then his roommates decided they were going to go to Anastasi's after talking about it. I couldn't be left out, so i said we are coming with! Best decision I ever made. The place was small, and smelled like seafood, and there was outside seating. We sat down and the waitresses were very nice and considerate. They offered 1.5lb Lobster on special for $25 add a crabcake stuffed inside for $30. I couldn't pass that up...we ordered calamari, oysters and garlic bread for apps-ALL EXCELLENT! My lobster wasn't the maine lobster i craved, but it was better than the 5-star restaurant lobster tail i had a week later. And heck, we aren't in maine so i can't have maine lobstah! The waitress also offered us a special deal on the blue crabs, essentially, it was 5 crabs for $20. They ordered 15 crabs. They were amazing. The owner came out later and spoke with us. She was so nice! They also have a bar there. I got two mojitos. They were not noticeably strong by taste, but definitely strong by effect! I had two mojito's, ate all that food, and still had a good buzzzzz. Can't wait to go back! I also want to check out Crafts & Claws, since the chef there is/was also the Anastasi chef!
(5)Sarah O.
My boyfriend and I went to Anastasi for dinner last night. We first started our evening with the Blue Crab Mac. It was delicious! I ordered 2 broiled jumbo lump crab cakes and my boyfriend had the mussels in red sauce. For dessert we had some kind of chocolate mousse cake. The ENTIRE meal from start to finish was phenomenal. The staff was super nice and helpful. We will definitely go back.
(5)Terry C.
Interesting place for lunch... After about 10 minutes, you don't even realize the fishy smell of the market on the other side of the glassed in restaurant. The service is amazing and quick. I was disappointed that my crab cake sandwich did not come with fries, but I stole some from my partner's plate - I love old bay fries! He had the soft shell crab sandwich and said it was the best soft shell crab he ever had! It was a good place to eat, but it was a bit uncomfortable with the orange roughy, red snapper, and haddock starring at me from their ice packed display counters... Note to self - sit with your back to the fish, that way no guilty conscious!
(3)Nicola M.
One of my favorite restaurants of all time. Super casual, pop up restaurant in a seafood market after 5pm. So reasonably priced for the amount of food and the quality, it's actually sacrilegious. I go here when visiting home, and I've never had one thing that was not incredible. From everyday standard menu items, to specials, this place has got seafood in the Italian Market down pat. The raw oysters, which are my favorite, are always plump, fresh and sweet. I order a dozen, and for $2 a pop totally worth it. I've had oysters many places elsewhere charged up to $4 a piece and these are by far the best. The lobster bisque is delicious- along with their other soups. I love getting the lobster as my entree which usually sets me back $20-$25 when it's on special, nothing for a succulent, perfectly cooked lobster with heaping sides of delicious garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables. The mussels are delicious- recently our sweet, competent and patient waitress (Gianna) told our table that there was a special with bacon infused sauce, to which i turned my nose up (bacon with mussels? yuck!) but i ate my words when i tasted them- they were delicious. The grilled octopus salad with the pineapple citrus dressing makes my mouth salivate thinking of it, and their pasta dishes are done well too. Smelts? Hellz yes. Shrimp Cocktail? Sock it to me. Crab-stuffed ANYTHING? I could go on and on... One suggestion: I love a good glass of white with seafood, and they could definitely improve their wine selection, or opt to offer the option to BYOB for a corkage fee (I am happy to bring my own delicious wine). Thanks Anastasi for great quality, service and prices! I am forever yours... xoxoxoxo
(5)Colleen S.
Tried Anastasi's for the first time and was very pleased. They have nice outdoor seating, it was perfect for dinner on a nice day. My boyfriend had crabcakes, broiled not fried, which he said were delicious. I had an order of crab macaroni and cheese that was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was super creamy, super cheesy and had the perfect amount of crab meat mixed in. They also had some great happy hour specials while we were there, great priced beer and margaritas.
(4)Kara C.
The crabs are perfect!
(5)Vincent F.
It doesn't need to be fine dining to rock. This place rocks. We get takeout here at least once a week. It's inexpensive and tasty. The people there are super nice too. What more can you ask for? Oh, you want to dine in? They can do that too! Awesome fish market too..
(4)Mariel M.
When I first arrived at this place it seemed kind of random and sketchy, but I got over it as soon as I walked in. There was fresh seafood everywhere, and our waitress was super friendly. Also, a Woodchuck cider was only $4, so I was immediately pleased. THEN, as our waitress recited the specials, I realized A 1 1/2 POUND LOBSTER with vegetables and fries (seasoned: I think spices, cheese, and parsley, not so sure but they were awesome) WAS ONLY $25. I also ordered crab cakes, which were fresh and delicious, but the lobster was the real treat. It was huge, super fresh, and came with plenty of butter and lemon, and it was actually one of the best seafood-binges I've ever had. I was crazy full when I left this restaurant and paid less that $30. Definitely a must, especially in Philly, where I haven't found that many great seafood places.
(5)Jing G.
Only recently since my love affair with small markets began, have I even began to think about coming here. It's not exactly on a posh street and the dingy-ness of it is a little off-putting, but we wandered in here anyway after a day of visiting butchers and buying different things. Not a whole lot of seafood places in the area.. at least, the ones I saw had their goods outdoors and that's even more off-putting. The mussels looked dead in everywhere else we went to. Anyway, we came in here and picked up 3 lbs of P.E.I mussels.. the nice man sorted each one individually and threw away the ones that were obviously dead. That's about 110 mussels, give or take, for roughly $7. After we prepared them we found only 2 to have been dead and uneatable... awesome!!
(4)Crystal L.
After reading all the great reviews, we were a bit disappointed. Here's the deal: Food- fried calamari app, tasted like I could have made it at home (not too great), seafood pescatore- LOTS of mussels, but only 3 prawns( overall average-good). Dining area- HORRIBLE, rickety tables and uncomfortable chairs, bartender was the only waiter??? Overall, it was ok. We have no plans to return in the future.
(2)Sylvia M.
Dining in- personally, I think it's overpriced and theres no need to pay that much for that food... the place itself is kind of mediocre and its not fancy at all so I dont understand why they are so expensive. Fish market itself is pretty damn good. The guys behind the counter know their stuff... If i ever have a question about what kind of fish i need for a recipe they always have recommendations. its always fresh and reasonably priced. the fried food is good too, they can either deep fry it for you OR (amazing) you can take it home and prepare it yourself. overall this place is pretty good if u want to make your own meal at home.
(4)Brendan M.
This is a charming little market/restaurant if I've ever seen one. This joint has been in the Anastasi family for 4 generations, a fact that you can observe if you come for dinner on the later side (say 8ish) and during the course of your meal everyone filters out except the family hanging out at the bar while you finish up your meal. When you have settled the bill someone will let you out of the now closed restaurant and you are one your way - full, satisfied, and intrigued by this little spot. I haven't been here for the Fish Market part, but it sure looks like an authentic buy something they caught today kind of spot for fresh fish. Smells like it too! We had the three-course dinner special and loved it. I generally prefer pork and steak to fish but was absolutely satisfied with my fish and even had some mussels. Yum! Probably not the best date location if you are towards the early stages of a relationship, but if you are comfortable with adventures and each other, trust me this place is worth it. Enjoy.
(4)demetrios s.
the fish is the freshest you can buy on land. i have bought red snapper here. i boiled some and broiled them and i was in culinary heaven. the durados, from the meditteranean were fresh and meaty. the fish case is fresh. the fish come scaled and gutted, to reduce the smell. please cook the fish whole and enjoy the tasty cheek morsels and other bits of the fish. As a Greek person who loves seafood, I cannot say enough great things about this place. The diver scallops were so plump and the taste after i fried them was amazing. a little old bay and terragon and that is it. cannot speak for dining in, but i enjoy cooking the food myself. At $6 or $7 a pound for fish, a much better option than a big mac and fries or pizza and coke
(5)Cory H.
A delicious lunch.
(4)G S.
I have had a lot of items off their lunch menu and some from their dinner. Everything I have eaten there has been the freshest and tastiest of what ever that was I have had pretty much anywhere. And the price is beyond reasonable for this quality. I am born and raised in NYC - over there, you don't get half as good quality for twice the price. I especially love the shrimp salad sandwiches. Something so basic, you'd think. But the shrimp are so fresh, they don't cut them into little pieces - they are whole - they snap in your mouth, there's a lot of them and perfectly seasoned. It's all the attention to small details about how the food is prepared, the cooking times, the seasoning and presentation. Absolutely fabulous and such a unique place. It's not for everybody, being in a fish market but it will definitely impress most anybody you are with. It's like a best kept secret kind of feel.
(5)Francis G.
The second we walked in we were instantly greeted by the sweetest server. We came specifically for happy hour which is $1 oysters/clams, $3 wells/coronas, and $13 buckets. The oysters were way bigger than I would have expected for a dollar. I wasn't sure what I was in the mood for so the waitstaff was incredible helpful and knowledgeable and soon I had picked the grilled octopus salad which was delicious. It was super fresh and delicious. Also there mojitos were awesome. Can't say enough nice things about the service. Super friendly.
(5)Samuel C.
Sad to have to write this about Anastasi Seafood, a venerable institution that I've patronized for years but no more. I used to regularly get takeout from this establishment for the family, usually the same things, fried scallops, shrimp, and flounder filet. A while back they started salting and outting large amounts of black pepper on the fried flounder filets which I did not like, as it "drowned out" the delicious, subtle flavor of the fish. I complained about it and asked that it not be put on my fish. The last four times they put it on three times. When I called to complain (not to take it back but just to again register my displeasure, I was told I could go somewhere else and they didn't care about my opinion. They don't, maybe you do. But if you're going to add something after everything is done that the customer does not want, don't make your attitude the cherry on top of the fish.
(2)QueenSoulsista W.
the blue crab dishes are great.. whatever sauces they add to them should come in a bottle for selling. outdoor seating was cool and shaded minus the peole so close walking by on the street
(3)Geronimo G.
The most perfect crab place you can imagine. Buy cold steamed crabs, feisty live crabs, or order hot steamed crabs and sit at the high tables on the awninged italian-market sidewalk. Have a chat with the owner/buyer. Plenty of local fish, bluefish, bronzino and tuna steaks. Chesapeake blue crabs, snow crabs, clams, oysters.
(5)Annie N.
update on the actual restaurant....so cool! its like having dinner at an italian family's house, only one that makes the tastiest softshell crabs ever. everyone was super nice and i LOVED and i mean LOVED my meal. check this place out for a low key but super friendly experience. thumbs up!
(5)James B.
I love this place! Since moving into the neighborhood I've been buying fish here and never a bad experience. Call in your order and they will have it ready for when you arrive. They'll even clean the shrimp as to save you time before that big party! Awesome!
(5)Emily M.
We bought live blue crabs last weekend, jumbo and large. Both very good size and quality. Price was very reasonable and selection was good. Very pleased.
(4)Margaret B.
An Italian family owns a fish market. You won't be disappointed in the results. Delicious food and fresh fresh seafood. Try the seafood combo special (ask if it is not on the menu). We also love the calamari - so lightly fried. And save room for cannoli or tiramisu. Prices fit the quality and cost of the seafood served.
(5)Mr P.
Walk in the door and like it right away. Simple, unpretentious, and friendly. The seafood are fresh and well prepared. But not a place if you are on a diet, I guess that goes for almost any place in Philadelphia. The portion are huge. I came from the BayArea, where sometimes the portion are so small you thought you have ordered the appetizer instead. Always have something for lunch the next day.
(4)Cherie S.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Born and raised on their seafood.((best in the city)) I go there aleast twice a month. I am a big "Blue Crab" fan.The staff here is very friendly and family oriented. I believe their prices reasonable to me.
(5)Cliff C.
nothing and no one to see here, try take out for the mixed seafood soup in cream of coconut I think, It costs around 27 dollars but is so worth it, get some jasmin rice for it when you get home and it tastes just like the sea, very fresh ingredients simple home cooked feel to it. Not so good nitty gritties but the food is great.
(4)Michael K.
The market offers all kinds of good stuff that you can take home and make with your family, a wide array of fish, pasta, salads, and shellfish. But the restaurant: When I go out for seafood I'm not really to concerned with the ambiance or my surroundings at all. So never mind that this restaurant is in the middle of a fish market. I like it because the food is damn good. That's as far as it goes. They have a full bar and the staff is friendly, but its all about food. If you aren't sure about something, just ask the staff, they usually know what's good and when it's good. They have the means to store all this seafood properly and they know how to prepare it for you. Nice variety of options. The mussels are fantastic. The crab cake is pure jumbo lump. The mediterranean salad is delicious. They always have a great fish of the day. Wild Salmon, whole bronzino, fried flounder, lobster, crabs, mussels, raw oysters: whatever you're looking for, they've got it and it's gonna be good. Try the crab mac and cheese.
(5)Nicole R.
The weirdest thing about Anastasi Seafood is its dual identity as a fish market and restaurant. This tends to take away from the whole fish market aspect (you can be waiting there forever to buy some clams before anybody notices you) and makes the restaurant feel like it's on the boardwalk. It is on Italian Market, which has some boardwalk-like characteristics so I guess that's fair enough. The food was good, a little expensive for the lack of ambiance but very tasty and well-prepared. The fish is always pretty fresh and reasonably priced. I don't think I would ever go back to the restaurant (maybe for takeout) but I would definitely go there for tilapia or sushi grade tuna.
(3)Bella Vista R.
The only place I get mussels in Philly. Consistently good with very few open shells. At $2 a pound and right down the street, whats not to like?
(4)Won S.
This is a pretty cool place. The oysters are great. I don't know if they fast the oysters there, or the suppliers do, but that was one secret I learned from my uncle a long time ago about oysters. You leave them in a big tank of slightly salty water for a day or two, and it they crap out everything, and the oysters taste excellent as a result. The oysters here, tasted like they were fasted, which make for great eating. The clams on the half shell are good and the shell fish in garlic and oil is greasy but good. Stick to the shellfish I think. I was dissapointed with the Linguini and clams I got, but I got it because I knew I would be too stuffed from the plates I got from the raw bar. Also, a great place to get a fresh Peroni on tap, that I haven't had since I left Brooklyn. What keeps it from being 4 or even 5, is the quality of other entrees they have and the ambience. Iff they got rid of everything else on the menu and just kept it as a raw bar that served crabs, it would be 4 stars. If the place wasn't a bit loud in the early evening as they cleaned up the fish market, or were in a different place, seperate fro the fish market, it would be a 5. They have a prix fixe, but the first two courses are sort of salad kind of things. Skip it and go off the menu starting with the raw bar. After dinner walk over to John's and get some italian ice and you are set to go.
(3)Lene P.
The search for lobster led us to Anastasi as the pics of whole lobster with the crab cake were very, very appealing. It was our first visit and we were very, very satisfied. The service was prompt, nice and very helpful. The lobster with crab cake was awesome. I rated this visit 5 stars. We were very happy! The food was delicious! It was a nice day so we sat outside. Being familiar with Italian Market, you have to expect all the hustle and bustle of the weekend crowds and traffic. If you are visiting on the weekend, it is a lot harder to find parking. I have never sat inside, but there is a bar and the market inside. It isn't a fancy looking place. Second visit, the wait for service was a little long at happy hour. Ordered the crab cake sliders ($4 each) and some cocktails. The Limoncello martini is very, very lemony. The mac and cheese was also very good. You get oyster crackers with horseradish and warm bread with butter until your order arrives. This visit was good, 3.5 stars. Anastasi still holds my vote for best seafood until I find another seafood restaurant that beats it.
(4)Deborah H.
The reviews on Anastasi are super mixed. Unfortunately adding another to the "skip this restaurant" side. Pros: Fun location right in the Italian Market - you can choose to sit outside and watch the action, or inside and have a more intimiate restaurant experience (though one right next to all the raw fish bar sales. Instead of the normal bread basket you're given large oyster crackers and real horseradish to nibble on while you wait for your food. Cons: So much waiting. While we were seated right away and given menus, it took about 15 minutes to actually get our order placed even though there few other customers. We kept trying to make eye contact with our server before finally flagging down another member of the staff when ours disappeared. She came back finally to take our order but seemed put out. Then when we wanted to pay the bill a similar thing occurred and I went to go get it from the hostess, returned it to her as well, and waited for her to find our server. The food. My crab cakes had a decent amount of crab but not really any flavor. They were served with the worlds smallest thimble of coleslaw despite it being billed as a side, and the fries were very overly fried. My friend ordered two fish tacos and while she was happy with her meal, could barely finish one as the serving was so large (unusual for fish tacos and something we wish the server had mentioned). We spent most of our meal taking about how disappointed we were with it :/
(1)Rasheeda J.
I've only been here twice, but the food is yummy, delicious, goodness. Glad it's in my hood, so I can make happy hour on my way from work! I'm still really pissed at myself for not going with my first instinct and stopping in sooner. I completely forgot they also sell fresh fish AND the take out like "your" favorite place to get your seafood fried/grilled to-go. Mine was in Harlem before moving to Philly. I've really been playing myself by traveling to the end of the damn earth for fresh fish. And, happy hour. Nap time! Hmph.
(5)Ron C.
Great fresh fish market. Friendly service, great selection, excellent quality and always fresh. I have not tried the restaurant.
(5)Brian M.
Okay so this place is split, more or less, into two sections: Seafood Market - No complaints here. Generally cleaner appearing than others in Italian Market and similarly priced. Don't really have anything exciting here I've found but a great spot for standard, regional stuff. Straightforward which isn't bad and I shop from here regularly. Restaurant - one of those "Why don't we try here sometime?" places that took us walking by probably 50 times before walking in. Finally tried and can't say we were disappointed, or thrilled really. Again nice, straightforward stuff at decent prices. Right now they have a $10 soft shell crab sandwich which is a GREAT deal and the po-boy I had was a great mix of shrimp and oyster but I wasn't pleased with the roll to be honest; no excuse for bad bread in the IM. Calamari was excellent - well seasoned and lightly fried. Service however was disappointing. Everyone was South Philly Nice but way too much absenteeism. Took us a solid 1.5hr to have calamari and two sandwiches in here so forewarning if you'd trying to eat and run. Wasn't for lack of staff (they had plenty), more organization I think. Oh also, a group next to us went HAM for their lunch, up to and including group selfies with their steamed lobster. #lobsterselfie
(3)Suzette A.
Lovely outdoor shaded seating. Good music playing. The raw combo is $29 and it's a rip off in my opinion... Why? Because it only bring 6 oysters and 3 jumbo shrimps and some mini cup with crab. Not worth it when the oysters and clams are $1.25 or a dollar depending on the day. So be wise and just order 16 oysters for less than $20. The little clams in sauce are super tasty and so is the Mac and Cheese. They had a variety of beer available and wines. No real mixed cocktail drinks. Customer service is on point. The ladies here are friendly and approachable. Definitely coming back again before the summer ends. You can purchase seafood to go etc. It feels a bit out of place because of its location but you forget where you are with the old school music and the service. Recommend it!!
(3)Shy J.
This place has become my favorite place for seafood. The exterior and the interior are not fancy but the seafood is so fresh. I ordered the lobster twice and the Chilean sea bass, which did not disappoint. The prices are very reasonable as well. Just don't come with a large party as there is limited seating inside and it is a small place. This restaurant also has a seafood market which has deals and variety. I only rated it four stars because of the limited seating and because it's a small place.
(4)Jojo Y.
I had 3 bluecrabs only for 15 dollars which was a pretty good deal compared to other restaurants. Also, the shrimp and crab chowder is super delicious! Can't wait to come back and try other food!
(5)Jake C.
I came here during happy hour. I ordered a few sets of the clams and oysters which were all excellent. The sauce they bring with it was tasty. The crab cake sliders were good too.The beer tasted warm and not the proper temp. I sat for close to a half hour waiting for the other sets of sliders, which never arrived, so I went inside and closed out and left. The warm beer aside, If I did not have to wait for so long for the sliders that never arrived this place would be 5 stars.
(3)Jo L.
TERRIBLE!! We arrived and the blonde girl with big earrings walked pass me 3 times and would not have said 'hi' if I didn't first. She replied "hi" and walked away, didn't tell us to wait a second or something. And her boyfriend was at the bar. Isn't there a rule against that? However, our main waitress, an older lady, was very nice and friendly. We had a dozen Blue Point Oysters ($2 each). Those were okay. Not cold enough though. BACON BLUE CRAB MAC N' CHEESE $12 (Bacon, Parmigiano, Provolone & Mozzarella Cheeses, Jumbo lump crab meat Herbed Panko Crust) This was actually okay. Not hot enough. PESCATORE $22 (Littleneck Clams, P.E.I. Mussels, Gulf Shrimp, Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Classic Marinara) White. The pasta and soup were bland. Nothing special about this. RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH CRAB $17 (Cheese Ravioli, Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Vodka Blush Sauce) Pretty good, not hot, pasta was hard. FRIED DINNER COMBO $17 (Flounder, Scallop, Petite Crab Cake, Oyster, Shrimp) Wayyyyy too oily. The oily came out when you poke your fork into it. There was nothing special about any of it. The batter they used to fry this did not have anything special. They also let you smoke if you dine outside which is bad for those who want to sit outside and do not like the smoke. Will NOT be back!
(2)Deb A.
The crab cakes were excellent. We always stop by to eat here whenever we're in town. We picked an outside table because it smells inside. They need better exhaust although the seafood are fresh
(4)Andrea P.
Great Italian market institution that's been around for 80 years. Fresh, fat mussels. Sweet, rich seafood Marsala pasta is the best I've had. Tiramisu was light, fluffy, and cool on a summer night. Great happy hour specials. Dungeness crab in white wine garlic was slightly saltier than necessary, and the wait can be long on weekend evenings, even with a reservation. (I was seated at 8:45 for an 8:15 booking.) Definitely worth the wait, though! And you can pick up some fresh seafood to cook after dinner! (The porgies are delicious and underrated).
(4)Jody P.
My boyfriend pulled a 3" vein (poop shoot) from his lobster that was otherwise fresh. At the recommendation of other reviews I went for the lobster bisque and can confirm that the lobster pieces are huge! My entree, the crab stuffed lobster (so much lobster!) was fresh, and came with some top notch buttery mashed potatoes and asparagus. We sat outside on a Tuesday night, and felt forgotten by the waiter. It was the type of service where you start ordering another beer before you finish the first one, because they may not be back for a while. The beer selection was wide, they had Ommegang on tap. I will be back for what looks like a great happy hour menu.
(3)TJ H.
I moved out of the area more than 2 years ago - but recently stopped by again for their happy hour, "I was in the area", is that a good enough excuse...? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but they were still as great as ever. My sister and I jumped right into three dozen cherrystone clams on the half shell. YUM YUM YUM. Beers on draught at decent prices, and apparently there's parking around the back. I looked for a dish I had before of mussels over a bed of linguine over a spicy sauce but didn't see it. It was a great visit and glad to see Anastasi hasn't let their quality slipped. Will definitely stop by whenever I'm back in the area.
(5)Lindsay D.
Anastasi is 5 stars for a few reasons. There are not that many restaurants in Philadelphia that are geared towards just seafood. I know there are a handful, but there's something about this place that keeps us coming back. The casual atmosphere is inviting at any time of day, the outside seating in the warmer months is a tremendous bonus, the freshness of the food, the friendliness of the staff and the prices are all what keep us loyal patrons. We've had everything from oysters, fish specials, crab legs, soup, salads and their cannolis. We do eat there often, but we've also done take out dinner AND purchased their semi-prepared items to take home and cook ourselves. It's just a gem of a find for so many reasons. They have a great beer list and cocktails which was surprising the first time we went there. We recently went and sat outside on the warmest Saturday so far this April and had the most enjoyable dinner ever! Calamari, shrimp cocktail, crab legs and cocktails! We've been talking about for a week now that we're going back tomorrow because we just can't wait. I love establishments that are family owned and run, where you see the same familiar faces of the servers and they just seem happy to have you back. I heart Anastasi Seafood.
(5)Nicole R.
The mixed reviews on here appropriately express how I feel! I want to say it's a great place to take friends where you can sit inside (if you don't mind staring at fish in ice) or outside where the heart of Philly's Italian Market shines. I want to say the food is delicious and the servers were all very kind (which they were). I'm just not sure HOW to say all of this without also feeling it's fair to warn customers this isn't exactly a "go home feeling wonderful about your dining experience" hotspot. We had a reservation and were greeted with smiles, sat outside on a beautiful evening, were immediately given water and oyster crackers......and then, we waited. And waited. We waited for just under 35 minutes before we started to debate whether or not to walk away or get up to ask someone if servers even existed! When we were finally greeted by our server, she was friendly and apologizing for the wait. She didn't seem too observant over our empty water glasses and the fact that we were literally picking up crumbs just to eat. We ordered our meal and out of the multiple entrées ordered, when the food finally started to arrive there were multiple errors in the platters! Side dishes were missing, some of our food never showed up (only to later learn they were out and didn't tell us), the portions we very large and we definitely paid the price! For me, I ordered only side dishes which should have been the easiest meals, but none of the dishes were accurate and he prices just put a damper on it :( Anastasi does have a lot of heart and I'm sure as a fish market, they excel in their service and product, but as a restaurant, I wouldn't recommend this as a date night spot, but an "experience" to go into with an open mind....and wallet.
(3)Elisabet R.
I love this place! If you can handle the smell of eating at an actual fish market, you'll love the food!! I always get the clams in garlic (which are incredibly fresh and delicious-- loaded with garlic). I love the crab legs in the works-- the perfect mixture of spice and garlic. Also... the garlic bread is to die for!! I honestly can't review the other goods!! I always get the same things because they are soooooo good! Never had a bad meal here!! I can't wait to be back in Philly to eat here!!
(5)Rob M.
We ate here earlier today. Our server was nice but did not go out of her way. I don't know her name because she never introduced herself. I did like the atmosphere of the 9th st Italian market. We sat outside. Ok, now on to the food. There was nothing I hated but there also wasn't anything that I particularly enjoyed. We ordered raw oysters and clams. I thought the clams were good but I thought the oysters were just ok (a little large and bland for my taste). I also wish they would offer red vinegar and couple other compliments with their raw items. My daughter ordered the shrimp and crab chowder. We all tried it and we all thought it could use some seasoning. The last item we ordered was the crab Mac-n-cheese. Again I thought it was bland and could have used more crab meat. My daughter didn't even ask for seconds and she loves Mac-n-cheese. She didn't even want to take any home. My daughter is young but has a refined palate (I think she gets it from her father lol). Nothing to write home about and probably will not visit again.
(2)Rob T.
I made plans to cook surf n' turf at home with my girlfriend for Valentine's Day. I checked yelp and saw some great reviews for Anastasi so I called at 2pm to see if they had any lobsters left. The man assured me that they had plenty of 1.5 lb lobsters, but that he would reserve two for me to be certain. I gave my name and told him I'd be there within two hours. I came in at 3:30 and was told blankly that there were no lobsters left. The man behind the counter checked to make sure nothing was set aside and then plainly told me "too bad". Thanks Anastasi, you nearly ruined my holiday! Fortunately I was able to go down the street to Ippolito's Seafood, where they had an abundance of lobster, in addition to crabs, shrimp, and assorted fish. My advice is to do the same. Skip Anastasi; it stinks (literally), and the service is poor.
(1)Jim M.
The mussels in the white wine and garlic sauce were of the white variety and were the most tender and flavorful I have ever ate. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys mussels
(4)Brittany R.
Whenever I'm in the mood for a great seafood meal, Anastasi is always my first choice. I love the mom and pop feel and the outside seating. I have yet to order anything from the fish market, but I plan to soon. We usually always get an order of oysters, which never disappoint. For my entree I've gotten the broiled seafood platter, which was okay or the mediterranean seafood salad which I think could come with a more generous helping of crab meat and shrimp or could be a bit better with an addition of some broiled scallops. The waitresses lack a little personality, but the owner is always so friendly and warm. I wish it was a BYOB and there wasn't a corking fee because we always bring wine.
(3)Joe W.
Anastasi is the best seafood market in the city. Everything is always fresh (often still alive) and affordable. There is also a restaurant in the market and the food is fantastic.
(5)Jessica G.
Great service and food.....had raw oysters and sautéed soft shells - both were great.
(5)Nate H.
Best place for seafood anywhere! I would drive up from DC for dinner again just to hang out at Anastasi! The seafood doesn't get any fresher, and best place to get crabs...Maryland who?? Lobster bisque should not be missed! Owner is the nicest lady you will ever meet. Just a great place.
(5)Heather R.
Best seafood in Philadelphia. This place is so unique...a seafood market and restaurant combined with the most amazing waitstaff you'll ever find in Philly. Try the seafood bruschetta if they have it on special...it's divine. The Parmesan crusted halibut is also amazing. I haven't tried any of their fried platters yet but plan on it. Also this is a great place to go for lobster mmmm.
(5)Travis E.
Ughhhh. I love this place. LOVE it, usually! I was so disappointed by the crabs tonight, though. I don't know if these crabs (3 for $15) we're ready to come out of the bay, so small and a waste of time and money. When I called today to make sure they had crabs this evening the woman told me they would be jumbo crabs. I've eaten crabs a million times in my life and I have never had such small crabs in my life. On the bright side, the service was awesome and everyone was very attentive. It's only because of the crabs I gave two stars. I'll still be back. I'll just never order the crabs.
(2)Roger C.
The ambiance here isn't the greatest and you can smell raw seafood in the dining area but the food they serve you is very fresh and the portion size is fitting for someone who really eats. I usually get the pescatore which comes with a pile of seafood. The price is very fair too and the wait staff are very attentive and actually likes to talk to their customers. I'm giving my rating based on the food and the value..
(5)Joey L.
This is a interesting place. It is also a seafood market store but with dining. It is somewhat casual and fine dining but located in the "ghetto". It is part of the Italian market street or district. We sat outside at night with a perfect breeze. Our appetizer were mussels cooked in a red wine sauce. We then had a whole lobster and snow crab legs so I couldn't give you a review on the entree's. The lobster was fantastic and snow crab was okay but the "works" sauce made up for it. By date also had a cocktail but for $10 it could use more alcohol in it. I could understand some of the lower ratings and see how it could happen. We had a good night with what we ordered.
(4)K L.
Little dining area inside the fish market. Staffs are very friendly and food is very fresh and portion size is pretty decent. We ordered the fish and chips and pan seared red snapper. I wish the red snapper could be slightly more flavorful but overall experience is really good!
(4)Margo v.
The clams on the half shell were perfect. The fish and crab cakes couldn't be better. Delicious wine. Good service. A quirky atmosphere in the middle of a fish market. Sinatra in the background. Good sound level, not loud. A great place for a great meal. Our delicious meal would have been twice the price at a traditional restaurant.
(4)Henry P.
I had the lobster bisque and it had lobster in it -it was quite tasty. It wasn't lobster chunks, it was shredded lobster and there was a lot of it. They have great garlic bread for sopping up the jus from the steamed littleneck clams I ordered. I got a whole lobster, which was cheap, $26 I believe. The claws were delicious and the tail was a little tough. Being a connoisseur of Lobster is not my specialty, all I can say is that it was pretty big and I almost couldn't finish it. This place is a little bit hidden. Meaning, you begin to walk into a fish market and you start to doubt yourself and then you notice a seating area that is fairly inviting with a bar to boot. The staff is very friendly south philly folk eager for you to have a good experience. I would be glad to patronize their establishment again.
(4)Ann V.
I usually hate raviolis but their crab raviolis were to die for! Not much else to say this time around since I ordered out. Maybe ummmm.... nice containers, nice employees, decently priced?
(5)John B.
Anastasi's is located on the Italian market which makes it convenient to have a seafood meal after you have just pounded Italian subs, cheeses and of course a fresh ground veal sandwich along your stroll down to Anastasi's. Would like to give Anastasi's a higher rating, as most of their food is ok, but my biggest complaint is that the owner(female) is like a Nazi. She does not make you feel at home and has a very tough attitude. You can also tell she is over bearing on the employees and that is sometimes reflected in their attitude. Will say though that outside the Nazi, staff is very friendly and right on top of things. Now, for the food. Their shrimp and crab chowder is probably their staple. A must try while there. Needs a bit of salt for flavoring, but still worth it. The Mediterranean salad is also great. It is a meal in itself. The smelts are a must have for me, but leave a bit to be desired at Anastasi's. A little large and soft, and have had better seasoning. Cant go wrong with the steamed clams in white sauce. Those are always great. Fish and chips are not bad either as it always seems fresh as you would expect from a seafood retailer. Broccoli Rabe is also a staple for me, and Anastasi's is way too boiled. It should be sautéed, not boiled. Cocktails are poured ok, but priced very high. As for the retail side, prices are quite high. Better off going up the road or to Samuels + Sons for retail. Overall, worth a try, but watch out for the Nazi. Excellent bar tenders and service. Don't expect a lot ambiance, as this is just a retail store with a small bar and tables. Sometimes the smell of the seafood will get ya from the retail side while dinning. Prices are a quite high for the quantity you receive which also brought the score down a bit. Enjoy, and cant wait for your opinion!
(2)Hani M.
Mix of people dressed up and casual. The server was nice enough to accomodate my need for privacy (need to nurse my son). Eventhough, this is more of an adult restaurant. Great NY music and feel. They have a small bar too. Food is great. Love it
(5)Kristin H.
Anastasi was the first place I checked out in the Italian Market when I moved to Philly. About a year ago, I was walking down Washington and felt a magnetic pull to their little patio seating area and promise of fresh seafood (and Happy Hour drink specials). I remember the server laughing at me because I ordered a cup of clam chowder and one single oyster (I was on a budget). All of those things helped make for a wonderful, unexpected afternoon, as small in portion as they were. The oyster was fresh and the clam chowder had a wonderful consistency. If anyone is looking for a decent cow-dah experience, this is a pretty solid bet. Even though I had a great meal there a year ago, I hadn't been back to Anastasi's until my boyfriend wanted to head over there for lunch yesterday afternoon. My oh my, THAT WAS GOOD. We started with 6 blue point oysters, which were a fresh as ever (and dare I say, larger than some other blue points I've encountered recently?). We each ordered sandwiches, his a shrimp po' boy, and mine, a lobster roll. With a trip up to Boston this past spring, I feel like I can speak about some lobster rolls, and my personal belief is that they can be done and number of ways and still be good. I don't become upset if it's hot, cold, dressed with butter, mayo, etc.: lobster is delicious, so, surprise me! And that Anastasi's did! For $12, and what has to be the most affordable lobster roll in the city, Anastasi's did it up right with a very fresh and crusty bread roll, nice choices of lobster meat, and tarter sauce. The tarter sauce was a first for me with a lobster roll, but it worked well with all the mentioned components in place, and was yummy in a homemade kind of a way all on it's own. As far as size is concerned, it wasn't a $25 submarine-sized roll from up north, but it was perfect for lunch! Boyfriend loved his po'boy: we didn't speak much while these sandwiches were in front of us. We also ordered broccoli rabe and marinated peppers, which went wonderfully with out sandwiches. The service was attentive. This is a wonderful place for lunch. I'm fairly certain that we'll be back soon!
(5)Baby E.
Overwhelming Fishy smell when you walk in. Bad service I felt like our waitress abandoned us. Food wasn't good either. I ordered the salmon with spinach and it should could have used hella seasoning. The spinach was bitter and bland too. The drinks were good though. Wouldn't recommend this place to anyone
(2)Mary S.
First time eating at Anastasia's. Will not be my last. Excellent mussels in red sauce. Mussels were ginormous; red sauce to die for. Followed by Grilled calamari atop well-dressed salad. My dining companion had tuna tartare special and Parmesan-crusted halibut. A wonderful dinner in a cool Italian market restaurant. Atmosphere + great food! Could not ask for more.
(5)Blaga S.
Although the Mediterranean salad was good, it wasn't worth over $18. Advertised as a seafood (shrimp and crab) salad, I thought I was paying for more than 3 small pieces.
(4)Kimberly N.
Made a reservation for 5 and we were greeted well upon arrival. I had only bought crabs from the market before, and this was my first dine-in experience. We ordered the crab Mac and cheese and clams casino to start. The Mac and cheese was AWESOME. The clams casino, not so much. Too much casino and not enough clam. Fresh bread and butter was also brought, and served as a perfect segue to our entrees. I ordered the 3 blue crabs prepared Baltimore and "dirty", and it was amazing. For 15 bucks and I don't have to cook or clean up afterward? Sold. Hubby ordered the crab ravioli, and it was enjoyable. Friends ordered the crab cluster, lobster bisque, and lobster roll, and were all satisfied. I also ordered the garlic bread, which was delicious, but I only had a bite because I was so full. I will def be back! Service was friendly and attentive.
(4)M W.
Decided on this place a few weeks ago because the ratings were pretty good but was disappointed at the food. I ordered the half grilled lobster and the hub got the mini fried of some sort. Sadly, the food was a bit too dried and we ended up leaving half of everything.. Nevertheless, the service was great though.
(2)Zakiya A.
5 Stars!!! I ordered from Anastasi last night and believe me when I tell you, they absolutely satisfied my seafood craving. We ordered lobster, shrimp and crab bisque and the broiled seafood platter. Everything was absolutely delicious! I was expecting something else for the broiled seafood but the way they plated that dish was well beyond my expectations. The Works sauce for the lobster was greatly appreciated. The bisque was wayyyy better than what one would find in any center city restaurant that I've tried...Which is quite a few since it's one of my favs. I'll definitely be ordering again... and again!
(5)Ja'Net R.
I heard about Anastasi's from my co-worker. He thought I should try it out. SO me and the family went out on a Friday night for some good ole seafood. I really enjoyed my meal.
(5)Tiffany Y.
Review for the fish market only 3.5 stars Price are reasonable and the seafood looked fresh. In general, good amount of seafood options, although there was a lack of options for wild caught fish (i think i only saw 2-3 on display) on the day that we went. We ended up getting the red snapper filet and it tasted very fresh. Will be back to try the diner next time and purchase more fish!
(3)Anna K.
I bought crab legs for take out here for the first time on 1/12/14. They were steamed and season and they were AMAZING!! It was definitely worth the price and commute. The crab legs were slightly less meaty than what I'm used to but that is the only issue I had. I'll definitely be coming here for my fresh fish again.
(5)Lene P.
The search for lobster led us to Anastasi as the pics of whole lobster with the crab cake were very, very appealing. It was our first visit and we were very, very satisfied. The service was prompt, nice and very helpful. The lobster with crab cake was awesome. I rated this visit 5 stars. We were very happy! The food was delicious! It was a nice day so we sat outside. Being familiar with Italian Market, you have to expect all the hustle and bustle of the weekend crowds and traffic. If you are visiting on the weekend, it is a lot harder to find parking. I have never sat inside, but there is a bar and the market inside. It isn't a fancy looking place. Second visit, the wait for service was a little long at happy hour. Ordered the crab cake sliders ($4 each) and some cocktails. The Limoncello martini is very, very lemony. The mac and cheese was also very good. You get oyster crackers with horseradish and warm bread with butter until your order arrives. This visit was good, 3.5 stars. Anastasi still holds my vote for best seafood until I find another seafood restaurant that beats it.
(4)Deborah H.
The reviews on Anastasi are super mixed. Unfortunately adding another to the "skip this restaurant" side. Pros: Fun location right in the Italian Market - you can choose to sit outside and watch the action, or inside and have a more intimiate restaurant experience (though one right next to all the raw fish bar sales. Instead of the normal bread basket you're given large oyster crackers and real horseradish to nibble on while you wait for your food. Cons: So much waiting. While we were seated right away and given menus, it took about 15 minutes to actually get our order placed even though there few other customers. We kept trying to make eye contact with our server before finally flagging down another member of the staff when ours disappeared. She came back finally to take our order but seemed put out. Then when we wanted to pay the bill a similar thing occurred and I went to go get it from the hostess, returned it to her as well, and waited for her to find our server. The food. My crab cakes had a decent amount of crab but not really any flavor. They were served with the worlds smallest thimble of coleslaw despite it being billed as a side, and the fries were very overly fried. My friend ordered two fish tacos and while she was happy with her meal, could barely finish one as the serving was so large (unusual for fish tacos and something we wish the server had mentioned). We spent most of our meal taking about how disappointed we were with it :/
(1)Brian M.
Okay so this place is split, more or less, into two sections: Seafood Market - No complaints here. Generally cleaner appearing than others in Italian Market and similarly priced. Don't really have anything exciting here I've found but a great spot for standard, regional stuff. Straightforward which isn't bad and I shop from here regularly. Restaurant - one of those "Why don't we try here sometime?" places that took us walking by probably 50 times before walking in. Finally tried and can't say we were disappointed, or thrilled really. Again nice, straightforward stuff at decent prices. Right now they have a $10 soft shell crab sandwich which is a GREAT deal and the po-boy I had was a great mix of shrimp and oyster but I wasn't pleased with the roll to be honest; no excuse for bad bread in the IM. Calamari was excellent - well seasoned and lightly fried. Service however was disappointing. Everyone was South Philly Nice but way too much absenteeism. Took us a solid 1.5hr to have calamari and two sandwiches in here so forewarning if you'd trying to eat and run. Wasn't for lack of staff (they had plenty), more organization I think. Oh also, a group next to us went HAM for their lunch, up to and including group selfies with their steamed lobster. #lobsterselfie
(3)Suzette A.
Lovely outdoor shaded seating. Good music playing. The raw combo is $29 and it's a rip off in my opinion... Why? Because it only bring 6 oysters and 3 jumbo shrimps and some mini cup with crab. Not worth it when the oysters and clams are $1.25 or a dollar depending on the day. So be wise and just order 16 oysters for less than $20. The little clams in sauce are super tasty and so is the Mac and Cheese. They had a variety of beer available and wines. No real mixed cocktail drinks. Customer service is on point. The ladies here are friendly and approachable. Definitely coming back again before the summer ends. You can purchase seafood to go etc. It feels a bit out of place because of its location but you forget where you are with the old school music and the service. Recommend it!!
(3)Shy J.
This place has become my favorite place for seafood. The exterior and the interior are not fancy but the seafood is so fresh. I ordered the lobster twice and the Chilean sea bass, which did not disappoint. The prices are very reasonable as well. Just don't come with a large party as there is limited seating inside and it is a small place. This restaurant also has a seafood market which has deals and variety. I only rated it four stars because of the limited seating and because it's a small place.
(4)Jojo Y.
I had 3 bluecrabs only for 15 dollars which was a pretty good deal compared to other restaurants. Also, the shrimp and crab chowder is super delicious! Can't wait to come back and try other food!
(5)Jake C.
I came here during happy hour. I ordered a few sets of the clams and oysters which were all excellent. The sauce they bring with it was tasty. The crab cake sliders were good too.The beer tasted warm and not the proper temp. I sat for close to a half hour waiting for the other sets of sliders, which never arrived, so I went inside and closed out and left. The warm beer aside, If I did not have to wait for so long for the sliders that never arrived this place would be 5 stars.
(3)Rasheeda J.
I've only been here twice, but the food is yummy, delicious, goodness. Glad it's in my hood, so I can make happy hour on my way from work! I'm still really pissed at myself for not going with my first instinct and stopping in sooner. I completely forgot they also sell fresh fish AND the take out like "your" favorite place to get your seafood fried/grilled to-go. Mine was in Harlem before moving to Philly. I've really been playing myself by traveling to the end of the damn earth for fresh fish. And, happy hour. Nap time! Hmph.
(5)Ron C.
Great fresh fish market. Friendly service, great selection, excellent quality and always fresh. I have not tried the restaurant.
(5)Jo L.
TERRIBLE!! We arrived and the blonde girl with big earrings walked pass me 3 times and would not have said 'hi' if I didn't first. She replied "hi" and walked away, didn't tell us to wait a second or something. And her boyfriend was at the bar. Isn't there a rule against that? However, our main waitress, an older lady, was very nice and friendly. We had a dozen Blue Point Oysters ($2 each). Those were okay. Not cold enough though. BACON BLUE CRAB MAC N' CHEESE $12 (Bacon, Parmigiano, Provolone & Mozzarella Cheeses, Jumbo lump crab meat Herbed Panko Crust) This was actually okay. Not hot enough. PESCATORE $22 (Littleneck Clams, P.E.I. Mussels, Gulf Shrimp, Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Classic Marinara) White. The pasta and soup were bland. Nothing special about this. RICOTTA RAVIOLI WITH CRAB $17 (Cheese Ravioli, Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, Vodka Blush Sauce) Pretty good, not hot, pasta was hard. FRIED DINNER COMBO $17 (Flounder, Scallop, Petite Crab Cake, Oyster, Shrimp) Wayyyyy too oily. The oily came out when you poke your fork into it. There was nothing special about any of it. The batter they used to fry this did not have anything special. They also let you smoke if you dine outside which is bad for those who want to sit outside and do not like the smoke. Will NOT be back!
(2)Deb A.
The crab cakes were excellent. We always stop by to eat here whenever we're in town. We picked an outside table because it smells inside. They need better exhaust although the seafood are fresh
(4)Andrea P.
Great Italian market institution that's been around for 80 years. Fresh, fat mussels. Sweet, rich seafood Marsala pasta is the best I've had. Tiramisu was light, fluffy, and cool on a summer night. Great happy hour specials. Dungeness crab in white wine garlic was slightly saltier than necessary, and the wait can be long on weekend evenings, even with a reservation. (I was seated at 8:45 for an 8:15 booking.) Definitely worth the wait, though! And you can pick up some fresh seafood to cook after dinner! (The porgies are delicious and underrated).
(4)Jody P.
My boyfriend pulled a 3" vein (poop shoot) from his lobster that was otherwise fresh. At the recommendation of other reviews I went for the lobster bisque and can confirm that the lobster pieces are huge! My entree, the crab stuffed lobster (so much lobster!) was fresh, and came with some top notch buttery mashed potatoes and asparagus. We sat outside on a Tuesday night, and felt forgotten by the waiter. It was the type of service where you start ordering another beer before you finish the first one, because they may not be back for a while. The beer selection was wide, they had Ommegang on tap. I will be back for what looks like a great happy hour menu.
(3)Lindsay D.
Anastasi is 5 stars for a few reasons. There are not that many restaurants in Philadelphia that are geared towards just seafood. I know there are a handful, but there's something about this place that keeps us coming back. The casual atmosphere is inviting at any time of day, the outside seating in the warmer months is a tremendous bonus, the freshness of the food, the friendliness of the staff and the prices are all what keep us loyal patrons. We've had everything from oysters, fish specials, crab legs, soup, salads and their cannolis. We do eat there often, but we've also done take out dinner AND purchased their semi-prepared items to take home and cook ourselves. It's just a gem of a find for so many reasons. They have a great beer list and cocktails which was surprising the first time we went there. We recently went and sat outside on the warmest Saturday so far this April and had the most enjoyable dinner ever! Calamari, shrimp cocktail, crab legs and cocktails! We've been talking about for a week now that we're going back tomorrow because we just can't wait. I love establishments that are family owned and run, where you see the same familiar faces of the servers and they just seem happy to have you back. I heart Anastasi Seafood.
(5)Nate H.
Best place for seafood anywhere! I would drive up from DC for dinner again just to hang out at Anastasi! The seafood doesn't get any fresher, and best place to get crabs...Maryland who?? Lobster bisque should not be missed! Owner is the nicest lady you will ever meet. Just a great place.
(5)Heather R.
Best seafood in Philadelphia. This place is so unique...a seafood market and restaurant combined with the most amazing waitstaff you'll ever find in Philly. Try the seafood bruschetta if they have it on special...it's divine. The Parmesan crusted halibut is also amazing. I haven't tried any of their fried platters yet but plan on it. Also this is a great place to go for lobster mmmm.
(5)Travis E.
Ughhhh. I love this place. LOVE it, usually! I was so disappointed by the crabs tonight, though. I don't know if these crabs (3 for $15) we're ready to come out of the bay, so small and a waste of time and money. When I called today to make sure they had crabs this evening the woman told me they would be jumbo crabs. I've eaten crabs a million times in my life and I have never had such small crabs in my life. On the bright side, the service was awesome and everyone was very attentive. It's only because of the crabs I gave two stars. I'll still be back. I'll just never order the crabs.
(2)Nicole R.
The mixed reviews on here appropriately express how I feel! I want to say it's a great place to take friends where you can sit inside (if you don't mind staring at fish in ice) or outside where the heart of Philly's Italian Market shines. I want to say the food is delicious and the servers were all very kind (which they were). I'm just not sure HOW to say all of this without also feeling it's fair to warn customers this isn't exactly a "go home feeling wonderful about your dining experience" hotspot. We had a reservation and were greeted with smiles, sat outside on a beautiful evening, were immediately given water and oyster crackers......and then, we waited. And waited. We waited for just under 35 minutes before we started to debate whether or not to walk away or get up to ask someone if servers even existed! When we were finally greeted by our server, she was friendly and apologizing for the wait. She didn't seem too observant over our empty water glasses and the fact that we were literally picking up crumbs just to eat. We ordered our meal and out of the multiple entrées ordered, when the food finally started to arrive there were multiple errors in the platters! Side dishes were missing, some of our food never showed up (only to later learn they were out and didn't tell us), the portions we very large and we definitely paid the price! For me, I ordered only side dishes which should have been the easiest meals, but none of the dishes were accurate and he prices just put a damper on it :( Anastasi does have a lot of heart and I'm sure as a fish market, they excel in their service and product, but as a restaurant, I wouldn't recommend this as a date night spot, but an "experience" to go into with an open mind....and wallet.
(3)Elisabet R.
I love this place! If you can handle the smell of eating at an actual fish market, you'll love the food!! I always get the clams in garlic (which are incredibly fresh and delicious-- loaded with garlic). I love the crab legs in the works-- the perfect mixture of spice and garlic. Also... the garlic bread is to die for!! I honestly can't review the other goods!! I always get the same things because they are soooooo good! Never had a bad meal here!! I can't wait to be back in Philly to eat here!!
(5)TJ H.
I moved out of the area more than 2 years ago - but recently stopped by again for their happy hour, "I was in the area", is that a good enough excuse...? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but they were still as great as ever. My sister and I jumped right into three dozen cherrystone clams on the half shell. YUM YUM YUM. Beers on draught at decent prices, and apparently there's parking around the back. I looked for a dish I had before of mussels over a bed of linguine over a spicy sauce but didn't see it. It was a great visit and glad to see Anastasi hasn't let their quality slipped. Will definitely stop by whenever I'm back in the area.
(5)Rob M.
We ate here earlier today. Our server was nice but did not go out of her way. I don't know her name because she never introduced herself. I did like the atmosphere of the 9th st Italian market. We sat outside. Ok, now on to the food. There was nothing I hated but there also wasn't anything that I particularly enjoyed. We ordered raw oysters and clams. I thought the clams were good but I thought the oysters were just ok (a little large and bland for my taste). I also wish they would offer red vinegar and couple other compliments with their raw items. My daughter ordered the shrimp and crab chowder. We all tried it and we all thought it could use some seasoning. The last item we ordered was the crab Mac-n-cheese. Again I thought it was bland and could have used more crab meat. My daughter didn't even ask for seconds and she loves Mac-n-cheese. She didn't even want to take any home. My daughter is young but has a refined palate (I think she gets it from her father lol). Nothing to write home about and probably will not visit again.
(2)Rob T.
I made plans to cook surf n' turf at home with my girlfriend for Valentine's Day. I checked yelp and saw some great reviews for Anastasi so I called at 2pm to see if they had any lobsters left. The man assured me that they had plenty of 1.5 lb lobsters, but that he would reserve two for me to be certain. I gave my name and told him I'd be there within two hours. I came in at 3:30 and was told blankly that there were no lobsters left. The man behind the counter checked to make sure nothing was set aside and then plainly told me "too bad". Thanks Anastasi, you nearly ruined my holiday! Fortunately I was able to go down the street to Ippolito's Seafood, where they had an abundance of lobster, in addition to crabs, shrimp, and assorted fish. My advice is to do the same. Skip Anastasi; it stinks (literally), and the service is poor.
(1)Jim M.
The mussels in the white wine and garlic sauce were of the white variety and were the most tender and flavorful I have ever ate. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys mussels
(4)Brittany R.
Whenever I'm in the mood for a great seafood meal, Anastasi is always my first choice. I love the mom and pop feel and the outside seating. I have yet to order anything from the fish market, but I plan to soon. We usually always get an order of oysters, which never disappoint. For my entree I've gotten the broiled seafood platter, which was okay or the mediterranean seafood salad which I think could come with a more generous helping of crab meat and shrimp or could be a bit better with an addition of some broiled scallops. The waitresses lack a little personality, but the owner is always so friendly and warm. I wish it was a BYOB and there wasn't a corking fee because we always bring wine.
(3)Joe W.
Anastasi is the best seafood market in the city. Everything is always fresh (often still alive) and affordable. There is also a restaurant in the market and the food is fantastic.
(5)Jessica G.
Great service and food.....had raw oysters and sautéed soft shells - both were great.
(5)Roger C.
The ambiance here isn't the greatest and you can smell raw seafood in the dining area but the food they serve you is very fresh and the portion size is fitting for someone who really eats. I usually get the pescatore which comes with a pile of seafood. The price is very fair too and the wait staff are very attentive and actually likes to talk to their customers. I'm giving my rating based on the food and the value..
(5)Joey L.
This is a interesting place. It is also a seafood market store but with dining. It is somewhat casual and fine dining but located in the "ghetto". It is part of the Italian market street or district. We sat outside at night with a perfect breeze. Our appetizer were mussels cooked in a red wine sauce. We then had a whole lobster and snow crab legs so I couldn't give you a review on the entree's. The lobster was fantastic and snow crab was okay but the "works" sauce made up for it. By date also had a cocktail but for $10 it could use more alcohol in it. I could understand some of the lower ratings and see how it could happen. We had a good night with what we ordered.
(4)K L.
Little dining area inside the fish market. Staffs are very friendly and food is very fresh and portion size is pretty decent. We ordered the fish and chips and pan seared red snapper. I wish the red snapper could be slightly more flavorful but overall experience is really good!
(4)Margo v.
The clams on the half shell were perfect. The fish and crab cakes couldn't be better. Delicious wine. Good service. A quirky atmosphere in the middle of a fish market. Sinatra in the background. Good sound level, not loud. A great place for a great meal. Our delicious meal would have been twice the price at a traditional restaurant.
(4)Henry P.
I had the lobster bisque and it had lobster in it -it was quite tasty. It wasn't lobster chunks, it was shredded lobster and there was a lot of it. They have great garlic bread for sopping up the jus from the steamed littleneck clams I ordered. I got a whole lobster, which was cheap, $26 I believe. The claws were delicious and the tail was a little tough. Being a connoisseur of Lobster is not my specialty, all I can say is that it was pretty big and I almost couldn't finish it. This place is a little bit hidden. Meaning, you begin to walk into a fish market and you start to doubt yourself and then you notice a seating area that is fairly inviting with a bar to boot. The staff is very friendly south philly folk eager for you to have a good experience. I would be glad to patronize their establishment again.
(4)Ann V.
I usually hate raviolis but their crab raviolis were to die for! Not much else to say this time around since I ordered out. Maybe ummmm.... nice containers, nice employees, decently priced?
(5)John B.
Anastasi's is located on the Italian market which makes it convenient to have a seafood meal after you have just pounded Italian subs, cheeses and of course a fresh ground veal sandwich along your stroll down to Anastasi's. Would like to give Anastasi's a higher rating, as most of their food is ok, but my biggest complaint is that the owner(female) is like a Nazi. She does not make you feel at home and has a very tough attitude. You can also tell she is over bearing on the employees and that is sometimes reflected in their attitude. Will say though that outside the Nazi, staff is very friendly and right on top of things. Now, for the food. Their shrimp and crab chowder is probably their staple. A must try while there. Needs a bit of salt for flavoring, but still worth it. The Mediterranean salad is also great. It is a meal in itself. The smelts are a must have for me, but leave a bit to be desired at Anastasi's. A little large and soft, and have had better seasoning. Cant go wrong with the steamed clams in white sauce. Those are always great. Fish and chips are not bad either as it always seems fresh as you would expect from a seafood retailer. Broccoli Rabe is also a staple for me, and Anastasi's is way too boiled. It should be sautéed, not boiled. Cocktails are poured ok, but priced very high. As for the retail side, prices are quite high. Better off going up the road or to Samuels + Sons for retail. Overall, worth a try, but watch out for the Nazi. Excellent bar tenders and service. Don't expect a lot ambiance, as this is just a retail store with a small bar and tables. Sometimes the smell of the seafood will get ya from the retail side while dinning. Prices are a quite high for the quantity you receive which also brought the score down a bit. Enjoy, and cant wait for your opinion!
(2)Hani M.
Mix of people dressed up and casual. The server was nice enough to accomodate my need for privacy (need to nurse my son). Eventhough, this is more of an adult restaurant. Great NY music and feel. They have a small bar too. Food is great. Love it
(5)Colleen S.
Tried Anastasi's for the first time and was very pleased. They have nice outdoor seating, it was perfect for dinner on a nice day. My boyfriend had crabcakes, broiled not fried, which he said were delicious. I had an order of crab macaroni and cheese that was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was super creamy, super cheesy and had the perfect amount of crab meat mixed in. They also had some great happy hour specials while we were there, great priced beer and margaritas.
(4)Kara C.
The crabs are perfect!
(5)Vincent F.
It doesn't need to be fine dining to rock. This place rocks. We get takeout here at least once a week. It's inexpensive and tasty. The people there are super nice too. What more can you ask for? Oh, you want to dine in? They can do that too! Awesome fish market too..
(4)Mariel M.
When I first arrived at this place it seemed kind of random and sketchy, but I got over it as soon as I walked in. There was fresh seafood everywhere, and our waitress was super friendly. Also, a Woodchuck cider was only $4, so I was immediately pleased. THEN, as our waitress recited the specials, I realized A 1 1/2 POUND LOBSTER with vegetables and fries (seasoned: I think spices, cheese, and parsley, not so sure but they were awesome) WAS ONLY $25. I also ordered crab cakes, which were fresh and delicious, but the lobster was the real treat. It was huge, super fresh, and came with plenty of butter and lemon, and it was actually one of the best seafood-binges I've ever had. I was crazy full when I left this restaurant and paid less that $30. Definitely a must, especially in Philly, where I haven't found that many great seafood places.
(5)Jing G.
Only recently since my love affair with small markets began, have I even began to think about coming here. It's not exactly on a posh street and the dingy-ness of it is a little off-putting, but we wandered in here anyway after a day of visiting butchers and buying different things. Not a whole lot of seafood places in the area.. at least, the ones I saw had their goods outdoors and that's even more off-putting. The mussels looked dead in everywhere else we went to. Anyway, we came in here and picked up 3 lbs of P.E.I mussels.. the nice man sorted each one individually and threw away the ones that were obviously dead. That's about 110 mussels, give or take, for roughly $7. After we prepared them we found only 2 to have been dead and uneatable... awesome!!
(4)Crystal L.
After reading all the great reviews, we were a bit disappointed. Here's the deal: Food- fried calamari app, tasted like I could have made it at home (not too great), seafood pescatore- LOTS of mussels, but only 3 prawns( overall average-good). Dining area- HORRIBLE, rickety tables and uncomfortable chairs, bartender was the only waiter??? Overall, it was ok. We have no plans to return in the future.
(2)Sylvia M.
Dining in- personally, I think it's overpriced and theres no need to pay that much for that food... the place itself is kind of mediocre and its not fancy at all so I dont understand why they are so expensive. Fish market itself is pretty damn good. The guys behind the counter know their stuff... If i ever have a question about what kind of fish i need for a recipe they always have recommendations. its always fresh and reasonably priced. the fried food is good too, they can either deep fry it for you OR (amazing) you can take it home and prepare it yourself. overall this place is pretty good if u want to make your own meal at home.
(4)Margaret B.
An Italian family owns a fish market. You won't be disappointed in the results. Delicious food and fresh fresh seafood. Try the seafood combo special (ask if it is not on the menu). We also love the calamari - so lightly fried. And save room for cannoli or tiramisu. Prices fit the quality and cost of the seafood served.
(5)Brendan M.
This is a charming little market/restaurant if I've ever seen one. This joint has been in the Anastasi family for 4 generations, a fact that you can observe if you come for dinner on the later side (say 8ish) and during the course of your meal everyone filters out except the family hanging out at the bar while you finish up your meal. When you have settled the bill someone will let you out of the now closed restaurant and you are one your way - full, satisfied, and intrigued by this little spot. I haven't been here for the Fish Market part, but it sure looks like an authentic buy something they caught today kind of spot for fresh fish. Smells like it too! We had the three-course dinner special and loved it. I generally prefer pork and steak to fish but was absolutely satisfied with my fish and even had some mussels. Yum! Probably not the best date location if you are towards the early stages of a relationship, but if you are comfortable with adventures and each other, trust me this place is worth it. Enjoy.
(4)demetrios s.
the fish is the freshest you can buy on land. i have bought red snapper here. i boiled some and broiled them and i was in culinary heaven. the durados, from the meditteranean were fresh and meaty. the fish case is fresh. the fish come scaled and gutted, to reduce the smell. please cook the fish whole and enjoy the tasty cheek morsels and other bits of the fish. As a Greek person who loves seafood, I cannot say enough great things about this place. The diver scallops were so plump and the taste after i fried them was amazing. a little old bay and terragon and that is it. cannot speak for dining in, but i enjoy cooking the food myself. At $6 or $7 a pound for fish, a much better option than a big mac and fries or pizza and coke
(5)Cory H.
A delicious lunch.
(4)G S.
I have had a lot of items off their lunch menu and some from their dinner. Everything I have eaten there has been the freshest and tastiest of what ever that was I have had pretty much anywhere. And the price is beyond reasonable for this quality. I am born and raised in NYC - over there, you don't get half as good quality for twice the price. I especially love the shrimp salad sandwiches. Something so basic, you'd think. But the shrimp are so fresh, they don't cut them into little pieces - they are whole - they snap in your mouth, there's a lot of them and perfectly seasoned. It's all the attention to small details about how the food is prepared, the cooking times, the seasoning and presentation. Absolutely fabulous and such a unique place. It's not for everybody, being in a fish market but it will definitely impress most anybody you are with. It's like a best kept secret kind of feel.
(5)Francis G.
The second we walked in we were instantly greeted by the sweetest server. We came specifically for happy hour which is $1 oysters/clams, $3 wells/coronas, and $13 buckets. The oysters were way bigger than I would have expected for a dollar. I wasn't sure what I was in the mood for so the waitstaff was incredible helpful and knowledgeable and soon I had picked the grilled octopus salad which was delicious. It was super fresh and delicious. Also there mojitos were awesome. Can't say enough nice things about the service. Super friendly.
(5)Samuel C.
Sad to have to write this about Anastasi Seafood, a venerable institution that I've patronized for years but no more. I used to regularly get takeout from this establishment for the family, usually the same things, fried scallops, shrimp, and flounder filet. A while back they started salting and outting large amounts of black pepper on the fried flounder filets which I did not like, as it "drowned out" the delicious, subtle flavor of the fish. I complained about it and asked that it not be put on my fish. The last four times they put it on three times. When I called to complain (not to take it back but just to again register my displeasure, I was told I could go somewhere else and they didn't care about my opinion. They don't, maybe you do. But if you're going to add something after everything is done that the customer does not want, don't make your attitude the cherry on top of the fish.
(2)Terry C.
Interesting place for lunch... After about 10 minutes, you don't even realize the fishy smell of the market on the other side of the glassed in restaurant. The service is amazing and quick. I was disappointed that my crab cake sandwich did not come with fries, but I stole some from my partner's plate - I love old bay fries! He had the soft shell crab sandwich and said it was the best soft shell crab he ever had! It was a good place to eat, but it was a bit uncomfortable with the orange roughy, red snapper, and haddock starring at me from their ice packed display counters... Note to self - sit with your back to the fish, that way no guilty conscious!
(3)QueenSoulsista W.
the blue crab dishes are great.. whatever sauces they add to them should come in a bottle for selling. outdoor seating was cool and shaded minus the peole so close walking by on the street
(3)Geronimo G.
The most perfect crab place you can imagine. Buy cold steamed crabs, feisty live crabs, or order hot steamed crabs and sit at the high tables on the awninged italian-market sidewalk. Have a chat with the owner/buyer. Plenty of local fish, bluefish, bronzino and tuna steaks. Chesapeake blue crabs, snow crabs, clams, oysters.
(5)Annie N.
update on the actual restaurant....so cool! its like having dinner at an italian family's house, only one that makes the tastiest softshell crabs ever. everyone was super nice and i LOVED and i mean LOVED my meal. check this place out for a low key but super friendly experience. thumbs up!
(5)James B.
I love this place! Since moving into the neighborhood I've been buying fish here and never a bad experience. Call in your order and they will have it ready for when you arrive. They'll even clean the shrimp as to save you time before that big party! Awesome!
(5)Emily M.
We bought live blue crabs last weekend, jumbo and large. Both very good size and quality. Price was very reasonable and selection was good. Very pleased.
(4)Mr P.
Walk in the door and like it right away. Simple, unpretentious, and friendly. The seafood are fresh and well prepared. But not a place if you are on a diet, I guess that goes for almost any place in Philadelphia. The portion are huge. I came from the BayArea, where sometimes the portion are so small you thought you have ordered the appetizer instead. Always have something for lunch the next day.
(4)Cherie S.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!! Born and raised on their seafood.((best in the city)) I go there aleast twice a month. I am a big "Blue Crab" fan.The staff here is very friendly and family oriented. I believe their prices reasonable to me.
(5)Cliff C.
nothing and no one to see here, try take out for the mixed seafood soup in cream of coconut I think, It costs around 27 dollars but is so worth it, get some jasmin rice for it when you get home and it tastes just like the sea, very fresh ingredients simple home cooked feel to it. Not so good nitty gritties but the food is great.
(4)Michael K.
The market offers all kinds of good stuff that you can take home and make with your family, a wide array of fish, pasta, salads, and shellfish. But the restaurant: When I go out for seafood I'm not really to concerned with the ambiance or my surroundings at all. So never mind that this restaurant is in the middle of a fish market. I like it because the food is damn good. That's as far as it goes. They have a full bar and the staff is friendly, but its all about food. If you aren't sure about something, just ask the staff, they usually know what's good and when it's good. They have the means to store all this seafood properly and they know how to prepare it for you. Nice variety of options. The mussels are fantastic. The crab cake is pure jumbo lump. The mediterranean salad is delicious. They always have a great fish of the day. Wild Salmon, whole bronzino, fried flounder, lobster, crabs, mussels, raw oysters: whatever you're looking for, they've got it and it's gonna be good. Try the crab mac and cheese.
(5)Nicole R.
The weirdest thing about Anastasi Seafood is its dual identity as a fish market and restaurant. This tends to take away from the whole fish market aspect (you can be waiting there forever to buy some clams before anybody notices you) and makes the restaurant feel like it's on the boardwalk. It is on Italian Market, which has some boardwalk-like characteristics so I guess that's fair enough. The food was good, a little expensive for the lack of ambiance but very tasty and well-prepared. The fish is always pretty fresh and reasonably priced. I don't think I would ever go back to the restaurant (maybe for takeout) but I would definitely go there for tilapia or sushi grade tuna.
(3)Bella Vista R.
The only place I get mussels in Philly. Consistently good with very few open shells. At $2 a pound and right down the street, whats not to like?
(4)Won S.
This is a pretty cool place. The oysters are great. I don't know if they fast the oysters there, or the suppliers do, but that was one secret I learned from my uncle a long time ago about oysters. You leave them in a big tank of slightly salty water for a day or two, and it they crap out everything, and the oysters taste excellent as a result. The oysters here, tasted like they were fasted, which make for great eating. The clams on the half shell are good and the shell fish in garlic and oil is greasy but good. Stick to the shellfish I think. I was dissapointed with the Linguini and clams I got, but I got it because I knew I would be too stuffed from the plates I got from the raw bar. Also, a great place to get a fresh Peroni on tap, that I haven't had since I left Brooklyn. What keeps it from being 4 or even 5, is the quality of other entrees they have and the ambience. Iff they got rid of everything else on the menu and just kept it as a raw bar that served crabs, it would be 4 stars. If the place wasn't a bit loud in the early evening as they cleaned up the fish market, or were in a different place, seperate fro the fish market, it would be a 5. They have a prix fixe, but the first two courses are sort of salad kind of things. Skip it and go off the menu starting with the raw bar. After dinner walk over to John's and get some italian ice and you are set to go.
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