Water Oak

Stopped in Wednesday for 1/2 price Wine Wednesday on bottles with live jazz. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly service. Shout out to Julie for her genuine smile and subtle sense of humor. Request to move outside handled congenially. Returned Thursday for "the Best Happy Hour in Safety Harbour" It IS Savanna commands the bar with diligence, competence, and a quiet humor. Engaging without being intrusive. Drink and fare suggestions were honest and accurate. Received our order in a timely manner - everything fresh and tasty with good presentation. House wine was fine, extensive options available. Draft beers feature some local options and some staples. Bourbon guys ( or gals ) - this place is for you. Especially if you're a Buffalo Trace fan. Several hard to find pours available at reasonable prices. Flights of 3 are also available in 1 oz pours. Overall excellent. Will return often. One of those reviews I am hesitant to write for fear of ruining a great find by divulging the details - but the establishment definitely earned a 5 star review 👏

Amazing food and atmosphere! We had ribeye and calamari, both were cooked perfectly. Also, say hello to Frank if he’s there!

My wife and I went here yesterday sat at the bar and enjoyed happy hour drinks and food. I had a water oak mule and my wife just got the house red wine. They had hogfish sliders and wagyu sliders for $4 each which is a great deal. They also had shortrib fries for $5 for the happy hour special which goes until 6:00 everyday. We also tried an espresso martini which was great, and yes, included the coffee beans on top. Will definitely be back.

It may be unfair to rate the food, since I only had happy hour bar bites. For the price and variety, I was wholly satisfied. Nit-picks were my top slider bun was dry, the slider itself was exactly what I would expect a burger to be. The fried grouper bites tasted more like the fry oil than fish. The hot rib and cheese dip was the star for this visit. The staff were efficient and attentive. They seems to enjoy each other's company, so it it was less busy, I think they would have had time and inclination to be friendly with the customers. The bar area was packed and dining room was booked, so getting the level of service I experienced was amazing.

Kimberly Mcavoy

Join Tampa Bay Food Tours as we eat our way through some of the newest—and most delicious—local restaurants, sampling standout dishes and sharing our honest recaps along the way. One of the highlights of our Dunedin Food Tour is a stop at Hog Island Fish Camp, so we were especially excited to visit their Safety Harbor location, Water Oak Grill. Safety Harbor boasts an eclectic mix of locally owned, independent restaurants, with nearly every cuisine represented—and represented well. With so many great options, choosing where to dine can be a challenge, but Water Oak Grill is a solid choice that’s sure to please a wide range of tastes. The restaurant itself is warm and welcoming, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. Add in an impressive variety of menu options, a strong happy hour lineup, and a quest-worthy selection of Bloody Mary's and mimosas, and it’s clear that Water Oak Grill is truly raising the bar in Safety Harbor.

MSBIZZPRODUCTIONS

We came here on a rare date night out escaping our toddler (threenager) indoor seating was perfectly lit with upscale fisherman decor. I was fairly obsessed with one light in particular that looked like a large metal atom. Super cool and rustic. The bar was right next to our table so unfortunately there was a lot of gathering and grouping of the servers by the area. A little difficult to walk around if you are going / coming from the bathroom. We ordered the following: Drinks- Coke Zero Cucumber basil drink (so good) Appetizers- Raw oysters (extremely fresh) Seared ahi tuna (probably our favorite dish of the night. Exquisitely seared and seasoned with a ginger dressing and the noodles were actually from heaven) Entrees- His was 14 oz ribeye with French fries, garlic butter and a grit cake Mine was a 6 oz sirloin with wild mushrooms, garlic butter and a Caesar salad (which we split) I will say this was one of the most shockingly perfect meals I have ever tasted. Not one dish was unbalanced or cooked anything short of excellence. I overtipped on purpose to show my gratitude because the waitress and refills were also timely. Hostesses were personable. Great experience!

Sheila Neu

Update: always our favorite place on a random Sunday for great food (best crab cakes ever!) drink, and wonderful service. I forgot my purse today which they kept safe until we were able to drive back to get it. Thank you so much!😀 We come about once a month, because the food and service are consistantly high quality. The Sprouts and Swine off the Specials menu were delicious today! Thin crispy brussels and tender pork belly perfectly paired with balsamic and feta.😁

Thomas Seyfors

Came for the first time tonight to celebrate a friend's birthday. We came during happy hour! The prices were not bad at all and everything was great. I had the old fashion and it was really tasty and had the rib covered fried to start then ate the appetizer steak bites with the blue cheese fondue for my main course. Everything was awesome and we had a great time! Will definitely try to come back again!

philip zemeski

Great atmosphere, elegance and Chris was an awesome server. Looking forward to.coming back and trying more food. Lobster bisque, Hogfish and Octopus were amazing!

Erin

Food was very yummy and servers are sooo nice! The young lady playing the flute brought the whole night together! A perfect touch to the dinner experience. I will definitely be returning (mostly to enjoy the flute) but also the food!!!

Robert “Bud” Booth

Stopped in Wednesday for 1/2 price Wine Wednesday on bottles with live jazz. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly service. Shout out to Julie for her genuine smile and subtle sense of humor. Request to move outside handled congenially. Returned Thursday for "the Best Happy Hour in Safety Harbour" It IS Savanna commands the bar with diligence, competence, and a quiet humor. Engaging without being intrusive. Drink and fare suggestions were honest and accurate. Received our order in a timely manner - everything fresh and tasty with good presentation. House wine was fine, extensive options available. Draft beers feature some local options and some staples. Bourbon guys ( or gals ) - this place is for you. Especially if you're a Buffalo Trace fan. Several hard to find pours available at reasonable prices. Flights of 3 are also available in 1 oz pours. Overall excellent. Will return often. One of those reviews I am hesitant to write for fear of ruining a great find by divulging the details - but the establishment definitely earned a 5 star review 👏

Kevin Poe

Amazing food and atmosphere! We had ribeye and calamari, both were cooked perfectly. Also, say hello to Frank if he’s there!

Lee Evans

My wife and I went here yesterday sat at the bar and enjoyed happy hour drinks and food. I had a water oak mule and my wife just got the house red wine. They had hogfish sliders and wagyu sliders for $4 each which is a great deal. They also had shortrib fries for $5 for the happy hour special which goes until 6:00 everyday. We also tried an espresso martini which was great, and yes, included the coffee beans on top. Will definitely be back.

Lawrence Faulkner

It may be unfair to rate the food, since I only had happy hour bar bites. For the price and variety, I was wholly satisfied. Nit-picks were my top slider bun was dry, the slider itself was exactly what I would expect a burger to be. The fried grouper bites tasted more like the fry oil than fish. The hot rib and cheese dip was the star for this visit. The staff were efficient and attentive. They seems to enjoy each other's company, so it it was less busy, I think they would have had time and inclination to be friendly with the customers. The bar area was packed and dining room was booked, so getting the level of service I experienced was amazing.

Amanda A

We went for Happy Hour on a Saturday. Arrived around 4, plenty of seating. When we left at 6, there was a line. Food was overall delicious. I wouldn't get the Bao bun again it was just ok. The hogfish slider was spectacular, getting that again for sure. Ceviche wasn't traditional but still good, shrimp was only slightly overcooked. We also got the swordfish special (not pictured) and it was phenomenal. Crème Brûlée was delicious - I usually prefer more custard and a more caramelized crust - but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and would get again. Drinks were good - ample wine list, nice selection of draft/craft beers and full liquor. Our second visit was just as good as the first. Again at happy hour, the hogfish and wagyu sliders were great. Mussels, goat cheese dip and mushroom lettuce wrap were all delicious. Ceviche wasn't as good this time, we called is pico but enjoyed it anyways. We will be back best happy hour in Pinellas.

John V

Fantastic first experience of this establishment. Awesome happy hour most of the afternoon. Chris was an awesome server all afternoon and into the evening. Food was awesome and the drinks where just as good. Great menu and great atmosphere. I recommend and will return

Howard Weinstein

The Water Oak restaurant is a true diamond experience in every way. I have been to the restaurant several times and every single time, the food is wonderful, the value is incredible, and the service is over the top! This evening, we had Chris as our server, and his attentiveness, professionalism and care for the entire table was so appreciated. You won't make a mistake by choosing this establishment to dine!

Carrie Smetzer

We hosted our company Christmas party at Water Oak, and it was absolutely phenomenal! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was exceptional, and every detail was handled with care. The staff went above and beyond to make sure our event was perfect, and the food was outstanding. Our entire team had an amazing time. I highly recommend Water Oak.

The food was cooked perfectly and flavorful. The service was good and the managers came around often to check in. The prices are higher than expected for the atmosphere (sport bar style). Seating is limited inside so make reservations early on the weekends.

Alan Brown

The food was cooked perfectly and flavorful. The service was good and the managers came around often to check in. The prices are higher than expected for the atmosphere (sport bar style). Seating is limited inside so make reservations early on the weekends.

Susan Macbeth

Exceptional service at every turn. Sabina is amazing and her staff guided by her enthusiasm, knowledge, and her attention to detail was truly exceptional. We were impressed. The food was absolutely delicious and fresh. Sabina made us try everything on today's special menu from the stone crabs, fresh made fries, hog fish, grouper, desserts etc..along with the main menu that has exceptional seafood selections. The atmosphere was sophisticated yet casual and has a wonderful vibe. Our favorite new Safety Harbor Restaurant.

Alfonso Portugal

Nice place to eat, great atmosphere as well as service. Most of the food was good. It seems that they are not very good preparing steaks. The rest was ok. I didn't like the extra charge for paying. The place charges extra if you pay with credit card. That cost me $8 extra. Next time I'll dig in my mattress and get some cash before we go out to eat.

Tara M

Food was very good! We hade the beef short ribs, garlic mash, ceasar salad, grilled salmon. Everything was good. The short ribs were a medium portion. The ceasar salad was a good size for just a side/dinner salad. The service was excellent, drinks were great. Would definitely return.

Very nice restaurant, we had eaten here a year or so ago. Safety Harbor was having restaurant week so we went back to try some different dishes and we selected everything off the special menu except the Surf and Turf. Tuna Poke points to me seemed to have an overwhelming onion flavor. My wife and I traded as she did not like the Harbor Steam buns. She also struggled with the Tuna poke points, I did not mind the Harbor Steam Buns, but they did not seem to have much flavor. We both loved the Panko Crusted Red Drum fish, cooked well with a lot of flavor. Deserts were good, crème brûlée was a very small thin dish, felt a little skimpy for quantity. Service was not great, this was a Thursday night and 1/2 the tables were empty. Our server was nice and took our orders, but follow up was lacking. Bar service was horrible, we ordered our drinks first and asked for time to go over the menu. 5 minutes later we ordered our appetizers and meal. We received the appetizers just as our drinks showed up 15 minutes after we ordered. I asked our waitress for a 2nd drink as she cleaned up our appetizers, that did not come till well after dinner was served and we had completely eaten. Because of the bad bar service my wife decided to stay with her water instead of ordering another drink. The poor service (bar) will really have us rethink coming back.

Matthew McCunney

Very nice restaurant, we had eaten here a year or so ago. Safety Harbor was having restaurant week so we went back to try some different dishes and we selected everything off the special menu except the Surf and Turf. Tuna Poke points to me seemed to have an overwhelming onion flavor. My wife and I traded as she did not like the Harbor Steam buns. She also struggled with the Tuna poke points, I did not mind the Harbor Steam Buns, but they did not seem to have much flavor. We both loved the Panko Crusted Red Drum fish, cooked well with a lot of flavor. Deserts were good, crème brûlée was a very small thin dish, felt a little skimpy for quantity. Service was not great, this was a Thursday night and 1/2 the tables were empty. Our server was nice and took our orders, but follow up was lacking. Bar service was horrible, we ordered our drinks first and asked for time to go over the menu. 5 minutes later we ordered our appetizers and meal. We received the appetizers just as our drinks showed up 15 minutes after we ordered. I asked our waitress for a 2nd drink as she cleaned up our appetizers, that did not come till well after dinner was served and we had completely eaten. Because of the bad bar service my wife decided to stay with her water instead of ordering another drink. The poor service (bar) will really have us rethink coming back.

So where do we start, first time checking out Saftey Harbor and Main Street and we loved it. Stopped dinner at this establishment, it was a Saturday night around 6-7pm and we got seared right away. Rhe service we had wasn’t the best. Our service took forever! From being us eaters to asking what drinks we wanted to order, 20 min. Then ordered a smoke old fashioned, wasn’t smoked, not even close! Finally she came back and asked if we wanted an appetizer, order the poppers and delicious!!!! But she put the order in wrong and they brought some tuna thing - toon it back and waiting 35 min for the poppers. No apologies. Once we ate the appetizer, she finally asked what we wanted to order. My wife got the sea food sampler with scallops. I have never seen scallops cut up and fried, looked like clams but they weren’t. We asked about it and the server treated us like we were dumb for asking. Took forever to pay the bill. The entire dinner experience we saw 2 couples come and go while we waited. Maybe our table wasn’t big enough for a tip for this service since she had a table of 8 and 6, who knows. Loved the atmosphere, the food was good - the price was expensive for the horrible service and long waits. Unsure if we go back or not.

We made it a long time for a waitress to come to our table after to be seated. Then we were about to leave hen the waitress came over, we regrettably stayed. I say this because we ordered the muscles and they tasted bland not fresh at all, also they were mealy texture and we sent them back. They replaced it with fish spread, which was better but still did not very taste fresh. I woke up in the middle night, sick to my stomach and stil didn’t did not that well the next day The waitress was very nice, professional and friendly. The cocktails were good and the dessert, chocolate layer cake was delicious.

Annie Fraley

We made it a long time for a waitress to come to our table after to be seated. Then we were about to leave hen the waitress came over, we regrettably stayed. I say this because we ordered the muscles and they tasted bland not fresh at all, also they were mealy texture and we sent them back. They replaced it with fish spread, which was better but still did not very taste fresh. I woke up in the middle night, sick to my stomach and stil didn’t did not that well the next day The waitress was very nice, professional and friendly. The cocktails were good and the dessert, chocolate layer cake was delicious.

DO NOT Order the Ribeye Steak. $55 for a cut that is no where near the quality for the price. It had almost no flavor other than what tasted like an old cow. Had to send the first steak back for I ordered Medium Rare but came well done. The waitress seemed upset and annoyed when she grabbed the plate to bring it back. The appetizers were great. Some in our party enjoyed the seafood dishes they ordered. I typically don't leave a somewhat negative review but for the price of the steak at $55 dollars they need to buy a steak better than what you would get from the bottom rack at Winn Dixie.

Let me start with our server tonight was amazing. My wife got the crab crusted grouper which is extremely average. I did get the chicken Marsala which I found to be delicious and our appetizer of steak bites with the blue cheese fundo was to die for! However I’ll never go back for a special event like we did for Valentine’s Day tonight. This entire restaurants seating was redone into multiple two tops to pack the inside and outside seating. Normally I’d be fine with this but we ALL were stacked on top of each-other with the tables less than 6” apartment from each other . You could not get to your seats without asking the tables next to you to move or bump into their table having to say excuse me. For a Valentine’s Day we expected romantic dinner which was impossible tonight. We could not help but hear everyone’s conversations to both the left and right of us which also lead the room to be extremely loud. We a kicker the small romantic light on our table wa cheap and kept dying/ turning off. The rest isn’t was out of both mash potatoes and Brussels sprouts which lead my wife into having a hard time choosing what sides to order. Total over all review of this restaurant is I’d come back for the food and service but never again on a weekend or special holiday an or event. The GM or Onwer of this restaurant really tried to pack it in by separating all the tables into 2 tops and forcing us to eat with strangers on Valentine’s Day and paid north or $200. It screams GREEDY. Next time we’ll go to the zoo and drop $200 of popcorn on the floor and see how many animals we can get surrounded with and then over whelmed by. That’s how this dinner felt. Atleast we could pet the animals at the zoo.