Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market

Category:	Seafood Restaurant
Address:	703 Tarpon Bay Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957, USA
Phone:	+1 239-395-2722
Site:	timbersofsanibel.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	4:30–9PM 4:30–9PM 4:30–9PM 4:30–9PM 4:30–9PM 4:30–9PM 4:30–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Caitlin Sticco

Ive eaten here on vacation every year for at least two decades. I dont get to pick the restaurants. This place is definately getting the benefit of the terrible quality of island food in the reviews. About three options on the menu are local, the rest is imported. The menu desperately needs updating--preparations are mostly uninspired eighties standards: lemon butter, bronzing, broiling, scampi. Prep is usually competent, just boring. The wine list is uninspired. However, I had my first actual bad experience here tonight. I ordered a fillet mignon, and was served an oblong, cross-gained steak that was clearly a sirloin. I was away from the table when it arrived, so it was halfway through the meal at the table before I was able to point out the error to the waiter. Whereupon he insisted that it was a fillet, but offered to take it back and get me another one. There is literally no way a fillet mignon can be shaped like that. It is cut from a tenderloin, a long cylindrical muscle, that must be cut into round steaks. Because there were 16 other people with us halfway through dinner, I declined to send it back, but told him I wanted to be charged for a sirloin, not a fillet. He returned to the kitchen and told me the chef was 100% sure it was a fillet--an amazing feat, considering he did not actually SEE the steak. He continued to argue even when I pointed out the other fillets at the table that looked nothing like my dinner. An error is fine. A condescending waiter who talks over me and tells me its just a "different cut" is not. A chef who is certain of what one person got served at a table for 18 without checking is not.

Nicholas Miller

POOR SERVICE EXCELLENT FOOD. Got seated right away Kristin greeted us and took our drink order. Very friendly and sounded up on her knowledge up sold us a bit. So far so good. The bisque was excellent. Im out of water. Food runner drops off crispy grouper platter with scallops and shrimp was delicious. Girlfriend ordered Yellow edge grouper with Buerre blanc also delicious. The server checks up on us 10 plus minutes into eating. Still out of water. Finish eating Id still like some water. Girlfriend requests the check. I decide to go use the bathroom and expect the check to be there 5 minutes later no check. Kristin asks if I want desert no just the check please. My girlfriend said she politely declined the same line of questioning while I was in the bathroom and asked for the check. Wait 5 minutes girlfriend then decides to go to the bathroom and when my girlfriend comes back still no check. Finally 20 plus minutes later we have a check try to hand Kristin a card(which was on table already at this point) and Kristi zips away again without taking our payment wait another 5 minutes or so and she finally takes our payment. Great now we can go see the sunset no we cant because it took nearly 30 extra minutes to ring us out!! What was she doing?.. Great question! My girlfriend is a server we watched as she had us a 2 top, a 4 top and an 8-9 top which must have been her friends as she spent 95%percent of her time talking and laughing with that table. I still never got my water I just got tired of asking for it be the end of the meal. POOR SERVICE 3 STARS FOR EXCELLENT FOOD.

Bob Johnson

It had been a while since I had gone to Timbers - no real reason other than there were other good choices on the island that we preferred. This trip I almost drove on by, but thought - why not renew an old acquantance . Same place, just as clean, nice lift for those in non-stair climbing mode, warm interior after you pass the spotless fish market counter and check the fish for that night. Service was impeccable but not overbearing, friendly, had good suggestions. Kitchen - is FAST! We barely had sampled our cocktails when the appetizer arrived, Calamari, properly prepared with a nice thick marinara sauce. The chowder and crab bisque. Ill match their chowder with the best of New England and eastern Canada, and the Timbers would win. The crab bisque was just perfect. Salads were crisp and cold and the bleu cheese dressing has to be a house secret. I had Red Snapper, and my wife had fried oysters ( she is the Gulf Coast expert on those) and said they were wonderful. My snapper was done to a "T", not overcooked, moist, and with just the right amount of seasoning. The only drawback is that the dining room can be noisy if there are large groups there. On short, you could do better but not by much, and this establishment has the mark of success with proper friendly service, excellent food, and a very affordable wine list.

A Private User

We visited this restaurant (actually it may have been the sports bar attached to it, but owned by the same person) 4 or 5 times during our stay. We loved sitting on the large second story patio, which apparently is a favorite of the locals (who are all very friendly!) We especially enjoyed jasper the dog, owned by one of the locals, who is a regular on the patio of the restaurant. Although there is no table service on the patio, it is quick and easy to run inside and get a drink or food from the fast and friendly bartenders at the huge bar. We got a pizza to-go from the restaurant one night, and it was good. Definately our favorite place to get a beer and hang out.

Teri Wengerq

We went specifically because they have local seafood options and we were not disappointed. They offered about 8 types of local fish (fresh catch of the day menu) and we tried 2, both were delicious! Service was excellent. The loaf of oatmeal - molasses bread was fantastic. We split plates and had plenty of food but were planning on going to a local ice cream shop after. I didnt have the peanut butter pie but it was amazing. The local offerings were more expensive than other entrees but we absolutely loved them, well worth at least one meal here while you are on the island.

Dana Galgana

Waitress was friendly ..ordered the King Crab....crab was dry, mashed potato was gross, and veggies did not appear to be fresh. . ..should have asked the market price, as the price of 49.00 for this meal, was BS... again waitstaff was friendly.. but would never evee recommend anyone to order the Kibg Crab..food all in all was poor..., I grined and paid the bill, without comment, as my significant other hates any kind of drama.. If I was by myself or with friends I would have screamed murder, as I felt totally ripped off... I expected beter.

David Barrett

A tad on the pricey side, but not without good cause. The fish is always outstanding, and the environment is classy and kitschy, without even the slightest wiff of taking itself too seriously. Ive been vacationing on the island for at least ten years, and the food has never failed to impress. A must visit for dinner while staying on the island. A word to the wise: call ahead for dinner. The Timbers can have a bit of a wait later in the evenings, so calling at least 30 minutes in advance can save on waiting to be seated.