PAGE INTRODUCTION
One of the pleasures of staying at Ocean Reef is that you never need to get in a car or leave the Club to find the perfect place to eat. There is something for every mood—from breakfast in your pajamas and lunch in your swimsuit to sunset cocktails and a proper dinner out. You can enjoy sushi, Italian, steak, local seafood, smoothies and salads, or American comfort food. And the variety is not just in what you eat. You can get something delicious from room service, grab-and-go spots, a “food court” of food trucks, a wine and tapas bar, a cocktail lounge, or traditional restaurants. For such a small community, the options are remarkably varied.
And perhaps the best part: wherever you go, there is a good chance you will run into someone you know.
You can find the complete list of Ocean Reef dining options, with menus and hours, here. But read on for our insider guide to the places we love, what we order and what we think each one is best for.
DINING
START OF THE DAY
REEF TREATS
For us, this is classic Ocean Reef. Stop by for coffee, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches or something sweet. It is casual enough for a morning golf-cart run with the kids still in their pajamas—which we have done more times than I can count. And the ice cream is available all day. When was the last time you took the family out for ice cream after dinner? This is the weekend to do it.
BEST FOR
Coffee • Quick breakfast • Smoothies • Ice cream—all day
THE OCEAN ROOM
For a more leisurely start to the day, The Ocean Room serves a full breakfast overlooking the water, including an excellent buffet on the weekends.
BEST FOR
Sit-down breakfast • Weekend buffet • A slower morning
GOOD TO KNOW
Dress Code: The Ocean Room has a dress code, even at breakfast.
Gentlemen: Collared shirts with walking-length shorts, slacks or smart denim. Hats should be removed in the dining room.
Ladies: Blouses, dresses, skirts, slacks, walking shorts or smart denim. Midriffs must be covered
Not permitted: Swimwear, beach cover-ups, athletic shorts, tank tops, or ripped, torn, frayed or cut-off denim.
If you are heading to Buccaneer Island afterward, plan to change into your beachwear after breakfast.
CASUAL LUNCH
Whether you are coming straight from the beach, meeting friends between activities or simply looking for an easy lunch, there are plenty of places to stop without making an occasion of it.
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Right at Buccaneer Island, the Beach Grill makes it easy to stay exactly where you are. Grab lunch in your swimsuit and head straight back to your lounger.
BEST FOR:
Beach days • Lunch in your swimsuit • Keeping the day easy -
One of our family's favorites for a lunch that suits everyone—sandwiches, salads, pizza and, importantly, the tater tots.
It is an easy stop between activities, or a great place to grab something to take home or back to the beach. And if you see Alexis there, she is definitely eating the tater tots.
BEST FOR:
Quick lunch • Families • Takeaway • An easy stop between activities -
Overlooking the ocean, Palm Court is a great choice when you want to sit down, have a drink and make a little more of lunch without making it formal. The best part - - you can linger and watch the boats of Ocean Reef come and go out to sea.
BEST FOR:
Leisurely lunch • Drinks • Meeting friends────GOOD TO KNOW────
Palm Court has excellent cocktails and sushi at lunch, making it an especially good choice when you want to settle in and linger for a while. Although it is on Buccaneer Island, it does require a full cover-up if you are coming from your beach lounger.
AN EASY DINNER
For an easy evening with children—or a larger group of friends—these are two of our favorite places to keep dinner casual. Neither require reservations and are both very much come as you are.
BURGEE BAR
This is one of our family's go-to spots. Burgee is casual, lively and particularly easy with children. There is an arcade and game room, pool tables, sports on television and plenty happening while the adults have dinner and a drink.
It is exactly the kind of place where everyone can relax and settle in.
BEST FOR
Families • Casual dinner • Big Groups • Sports & games
TOWN HALL WATERSIDE
Town Hall Waterside is a casual dining concept bringing together food trucks serving a changing selection of regional cuisines, with plenty of outdoor space for groups to gather and children to run around. Everyone can choose what they feel like eating, find a table together and enjoy a very relaxed evening outside.
And there is ice cream for the kids after dinner.
BEST FOR
Families • Casual dinner • Groups • Enjoying the weather • Room for kids to roam
GOOD TO KNOW
Town Hall Waterside is entirely outdoors, so it is an especially good choice on a beautiful evening.
DINNER & DRINKS
For an evening out, these are good places to settle in for dinner, drinks and a little Ocean Reef atmosphere. An evening out in Ocean Reef is not fancy, however. Aside from the dress code preventing short shorts and ripped denim or requiring collared shirts for men, dining in these restaurants is very much a laid-back affair.
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The Islander is one of our favorites for a relaxed dinner out. We especially love Chef Eric's sushi creations – the Melanie Roll is a MUST - and the daily fresh fish specials.
If you want to keep things spontaneous, both the bar and sushi bar are first come, first served, and you can order from the full dinner menu at either. The bar is also a great place to stop for a drink, whether or not you are staying for dinner.
If you prefer a table, we recommend making a reservation. Reservations open only 24 hours in advance for guests, so call the morning of the day before you would like to dine.
BEST FOR:
Sushi • Fresh fish • Dinner for up to four • Drinks at the barRESERVATIONS
Call Ocean Reef Dining
at 305.367.5931After 5:00 PM call the Islander direct at: 305.367.5862
────GOOD TO KNOW────
If you are dying for sushi last minute, but don’t want to wait for seat at the bar, the Islander does the full menu take out. Call them directly or stop by to order. -
Gianni is an excellent choice for Italian dining at the Reef, with a friendly bar that is just as nice for a drink as it is for settling in before dinner. It is our kids’ favorite “proper restaurant” on the Reef. Who can resist pizza and pasta?
BEST FOR:
Italian • Dinner for up to four • Drinks at the barRESERVATIONS
Reservations open 24 hours in advance. If you know you would like a table, we recommend putting a reminder in your phone to call the day before.Call Ocean Reef Dining at 305.367.5931
After 5:00 PM call the Gianni direct at: 305.367.5879
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For super fresh seafood in a very casual setting, the Raw Bar is an Ocean Reef favorite. It has an easy indoor/outdoor feel and is a great choice when you want good food without making much of a plan.
BEST FOR:
Fresh seafood • Casual lunch or dinner • Drinks in a plastic cup • Indoor/outdoor dining • Keeping things easy────GOOD TO KNOW────
The Raw Bar does not take reservations. Just put your name and the number in your party on the whiteboard inside the door when you arrive. Take a seat outside and they will give you a shout when a table becomes available. It is very popular, so be prepared to wait at key times or if a group larger than 4. But they turn the tables quickly, so you won’t wait long!
It is also one of the most relaxed restaurants at the Reef when it comes to dress – a collared shirt isn’t required for men and no need to remove your hat.
BEFORE/AFTER DINNER
REEF LOUNGE
If you fancy an extensive cocktail list, head to the Reef Lounge. With live music on most nights, it is a fun place to settle in for a drink, listen to some music and see who else happens to wander in. Come for a cocktail before dinner or stop by afterward and stay awhile.
The atmosphere usually gets livelier as the evening goes on, making it a fun place to end up later in the night.
BEST FOR
Live music • Dinner • Cocktails • Meeting up with friends • A later evening
GOOD TO KNOW
The Reef Lounge is not just a place for drinks and music. It also serves an excellent menu, so if you want a different take on a bar-food dinner—with genuinely good cuisine, including sushi —this is a great place to combine food, drinks and live music in one evening.
The dress code does apply to the Reef Lounge, so men need a collared shirt.
PORT OF CALL
If you prefer a great glass of wine, check out Port O’Call before dinner. Run by trained sommeliers and accompanied by an amazing retail selection, this is the place for wine lovers. Sit at the bar inside to chat about great wines or enjoy a view of the marina at the outdoor tables or sofas. This is a great place for a pre-dinner drink with friends at sunset.
BEST FOR
Wine Lovers • Drinks outside • Pre-dinner drinks with friends
GOOD TO KNOW
Port O’Call isn’t open late, so come before dinner rather than after.
And, if the wine makes you hungry and you don’t have a reservation elsewhere, they serve food from the Tapas Bar at the outdoor tables.
BURGEE BAR
Karaoke fan? Fancy a boogie?
The sports bar turns into a dance floor later in the evening, sometimes even with karaoke. It is Ocean Reef’s late-night venue, but don’t expect it to be filled with 20-something's. Even the old folks like a good night out.
BEST FOR
Late Nights • Dancing • Karaoke • Beers
GOOD TO KNOW
Karaoke and DJ hours at Burgee are typically found in This Week at the Reef, a newsletter you will be given at check-in.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
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For the restaurants that require reservations, you can only book 24 hours in advance. We recommend calling the morning of day before you would like to dine, particularly if you have your heart set on a specific restaurant or time.
If you can’t get a reservation, have no fear. Most restaurants take walk-in guests at the bar or you can get takeaway and find a table outside.
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Ocean Reef is relaxed, but most of the Club's restaurants have a dress code.
For The Ocean Room, Palm Court, The Islander & Pelican Bar, Gianni Ristorante, and the Reef Lounge, think polished resort casual—collared shirts and long pants for gentlemen, and the equivalent for women. No jackets or ties are required.
The more casual exceptions are:
Burgee Bar • Raw Bar • Reef Treats • Reef Hut • Beach Grill • Town Hall Waterside
Do not let the words "dress code" make Ocean Reef sound formal. This is still the Florida Keys. Think freshly showered after a day at the beach, sandals and a little sun—not cocktail attire.
───GOOD TO KNOW─────
In all restaurants, mobile phones are NOT permitted to be used inside or at outdoor tables. They take this seriously, but understand that guests may not know the rules. Do not be offended if they ask you to step outside to take a call.
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One of the great pleasures of dinner at Ocean Reef is that home is never far away. Hop back in the golf cart and you will usually be there within ten minutes.
───GOOD TO KNOW───
Had an exceptionally good evening and do not feel like driving your golf cart home? Call the Ocean Reef operator at 305.367.2611 and ask for the Bellstand. They will come pick you up and take you home.
The next morning, give them another call and they will take you back to your golf cart.
A LITTLE ADVICE FROM US
Try a few places while you are here rather than eating in the same restaurant every day.And if you see people from the weekend at the next table, pull up a chair—or make plans for tomorrow. That is exactly how we hope this weekend unfolds.
WANT TO EXPLORE MORE?
This page is meant to be our guide to some of the places we think you will enjoy—not a complete directory of every dining option at Ocean Reef.