The Owl Cafe

The Owl Cafe reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. C

   Carla VIP

   Tallahassee24 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My family of three (husband, teenaged son and I) went for an early dinner on a Saturday. Our server was attentive, and we had a great seat by the window. The food was outstanding. We started with the crab dip which was plentiful and delicious. The fried flour tortillas tasted and felt more like puff pastry - either way, they were a nice vehicle for the dip. My son had a cup of the gumbo and said it was outstanding. Rich roux and full of the good stuff. He also had the linguini carbonara with shrimp and deemed it delicious. The carbonara was rich and mildly garlicky, with shrimp that were perfectly cooked. My husband had the fish and chips - something he feels is a splurge in the calorie department and he said, "If you're going to splurge, this is the one." The fish was perfectly cooked, but still flaky, and the coating was light and crunchy. The fries felt as though they were double-fried - crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside (the way we like fries), and he said the cole slaw was refreshing. I had the chicken salad salad and the plate overfloweth with veggies, chicken salad, candied walnuts and dried cranberries. The homemade sherry vinaigrette was tasty on the greens, tomatoes and cucumbers. While a "salad" it was very satisfying and delicious. This was our second time to The Owl Cafe and only affirmed why, the next time we're in Apalachicola, we'll be back there for another meal.
   

   Is this helpful?

2. D

   Dwight

   Jacksonville / Northeast Florida6 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   We arrived early and our reservation was at 7:30. It was 7:50 before we were seated and it was 8:00 before we met our waiter. Also, I had reserved the Wine Room for our party and we were told we couldn’t sit in the Wine Room.
   

   Is this helpful?

3. J

   Joel

   Atlanta2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   The Owl Cafe has gone down hill. The service was very slow. We waited 20 minutes at our table before someone came by to bring us water. Then another 20 minutes before they came to get our drink order. They didn’t bus tables on the porch, so we had to fend off seagulls that were eating off of the dirty table next to us. I had the ribeye, and it was mostly fat, and smothered in canned mushrooms and canned gravy. It was terrible. I had to get up, walk inside and find silverware off of an empty table. This used to be a place I would recommend, but we will not be going back. The prices are too high for the food and service provided. It’s a shame, because it used to be well managed, and the food was great. The owners are missing a great opportunity to be the only finer dining establishment in Apalachicola.
   

   Is this helpful?

4. KC

   KeithC

   Coastal Georgia1 review

   3.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We sat outside over the HVAC system that blew hot air. Service was not good. Took 15 minutes to be greeted, order was wrong, had to ask for utensils, no drink refills until the end of the meal. The food was delicious came out quickly. Spoke with the manager, they were very understanding and discounted the meal. I would return. Eat inside. Food was excellent. I made the reservation 1.5 months prior, so that added to the disappointment.
   

   Is this helpful?

5. M

   Marla VIP

   St. Louis13 reviews

   4.0

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Very good food, had the catch of the day. Others jn my group had the fried oysters and the steak. Everyone enjoyed their food. Drinks were good too, especially the espresso martini. It took a while to be waited on initially but once we were the service sped up.
   

   Is this helpful?

6. d

   dan VIP

   East Tennessee72 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 17, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent experience enjoyed the entire dinner fantastic service, and awesome food
   

   Is this helpful?

7. B

   Brice

   Unspecified1 review

   5.0

   Dined on May 16, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Was a perfect Birthday dinner! Service, food & outdoor seating was amazing. We arrived 15 minutes early and they allowed us to go ahead be seated. The crab stuffed shrimp was delicious, then we had the catch of the day red fish and it may have been better than the Filet Mignon but they both were so good! Finished with the pecan tart desert with side of ice cream, we would have licked the plate but of course we didn’t. If you’re looking for upscale meal in the area this is the place.
   

   Is this helpful?

8. L

   LuMarie

   Hawaii3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The Owl Cafe is a popular seafood restaurant and the food always pleases.
   

   Is this helpful?

9. W

   Warren

   Tampa3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on May 4, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Came for brunch. My breakfast came out cold while my wife’s was fine. Once they replaced my meal, the food was good. However, by the time they re-plated mine and served it, my wife was almost done with hers. Coffee was lukewarm but the Bloody Mary and Mimosa was nicely chilled. Nice ambience and it was quiet. We had reservations for dinner for another night but we cancelled it and will dine somewhere else.
   

   Is this helpful?

10. S

    Susannah

    Jacksonville / Northeast Florida2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    We dined at the Owl on our 6 month wedding anniversary weekend for Brunch 4/27. We sat on the balcony and it was a perfect day filled with the smells of the fresh honeysuckle blooming. The service was excellent. We had the Crab Cakes Benedict and a Breakfast Sandwich which were both delicious. We are always in search of who has Hanson Vodka, which is amazing and they had everything we wanted. Bloody Mary with Hanson Habanero, Screw Driver with Hanson Mandarin and an Espresso Martini for dessert with Hanson Espresso Vodka. Excellent experience. We will definitely be back. Thank you.
    

    Is this helpful?