Spearfish Grille

Imagine you’re on Siesta Key for a day of boating or relaxing on the beach. You dream of eating some fresh local catches without the effort of fishing for it yourself. Your dream has come true: Spearfish Grille is serving up fresh catches for eager local and tourist clientele.

Located at the Siesta Key Marina, Spearfish Grille offers up tasty, modern fish and seafood at its casual, rustically decorated location. Open since March of last year, Spearfish is the brainchild of the Dentici and Eggebrecht families, combining their experience in restaurants (the Denticis also operate Rico’s Pizza in the Sarasota area) and boating (Andros Boat Works for the Eggebrechts).

The main focus at Spearfish? Fresh, locally caught seafood, such as shrimp, hogfish, and grouper, says co-owner Maurice Dentici. The restaurant owners also serve Florida oysters from outside of Southwest Florida, but otherwise, it’s just about all local. “Sarasota has some of the best fish out there and has a long-running fish history,” says co-owner Andy Eggebrecht. “Our two families have been in the boating and fishing business a long time, and we’re dedicated to fresh, local fish.”

In fact, the fish are usually caught and served within 24 hours. Relying on local fishermen requires some menu flexibility based on what’s caught.

Some menu faves include sushi nachos, fish tacos, and hogfish Islamorada. “Everything I tasted was good,” says Bradenton’s Alexis Smith-Frady, who was wowed by the grouper cheeks. Conch fritters and seafood tacos also won high praise during a recent visit. Locally made craft beers (always cold and refreshing!) also appear on the menu.

Beyond the food and fresh catches, the atmosphere at Spearfish is casual and relaxing. Pick up a menu, go to the counter to order and pay, and sit inside or outside under some shade to kick back with a cold drink. During a recent visit reggae and ’90s alternative music entertained customers; sometimes there’s live music.

The other theme that Spearfish owners convey to their customers is sustainability. First, the rustic décor includes dock wood and old fishing rods, all of which were previously used. In fact, much of the material comes from local fishermen, and the rods were just sitting in a garage. Even the table marker numbers were used previously at a wedding. The restaurant serves its food and drinks using “green” cups, paper straws, and pressed-palm plates. Although there’s an extra cost for the restaurant to use those, the owners feel strongly about supporting the environment. “It’s something we pride ourselves on,” Dentici says.

1265 Old Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key; 941-349-1970; spearfishgrille.com