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Atlanta Fish Market
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Food Specialty Food Seafood Markets Seafood, Seafood Markets [Edit]
265 Pharr Rd NEAtlanta, GA 30305
Neighborhood: Buckhead
(404) 262-3165
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Upscale
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
178 reviews for Atlanta Fish Market
Review Highlights
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"I love the Hong Kong style Sea Bass (my favorite) and the..." In 15 reviews -
"The crab cakes were THE BEST I've ever had." In 14 reviews -
"Sea bass just melted in my mouth." In 22 reviews
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178 reviews in English
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Review from Tunicia W.
Atlanta, GA
3/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
My family and I went here for Buckhead Restaurant Week. I enjoyed it. Of course since it was restaurant week the portions of the meals my aunt and I had were small compared to what my grandma and my mom had. I had the Salmon Trout...it is some more description to that fish but I can't remember it. It was good. It came with a side of mashed sweet potatoes. I also had the shrimp and chicken spring rolls for an appy. Dessert was the Key Lime Pie. Word to the wise it is REAL Key Lime Pie...meaning it doesn't taste like Edwards or some other frozen pie. It tastes like the acutal pie you can get from Florida. So don't expect it to taste like fake and phony.
Parking is Valet only unless you want to park down the street and hoof it up the street...which was pretty funny this particular day because the wind was howling like crazy. lol
Oh it would be in your best interests to make a reservation...if the hostess messes up, which we did see while we were there, you don't have to wait long because your priority is higher than those without reservations.
I'll come back. -
Review from Stephanie V.
Atlanta, GA
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
I feel that AFM holds a certain prestige, so I expected to be wow'd. The only thing that really wow'd me was the larger-than-life fish statue that sits in front of the restaurant. Everything else was 'meh.' The ambiance inside is strange and sort of reminded me of an upscale senior citizens dining hall. It large, high ceilings, and tons & tons & tons of tables.
We got some sake sashimi and the ocean garden roll. The roll was decent enough, and the sashimi was very good, I'm not sure $2/small piece good, but fresh and good none the less. The table ordered a seafood platter appetizer and spinach and artichoke dip. The seafood platter is what you'd expect out of a bunch of fried food. The artichoke dip wasn't good.
Finally, the main courses. I got some scallops, mixed veggies, and sticky rice. Buyer beware, sticky rice is not sticky rice, it's just plain ol' white rice without any notable flavor. The scallops were overcooked, which is a huge bummer. My boyfriend ordered the the Honk Kong seabass and salmon combo, because it came so highly recommended from yelp. The seabass was incredible, and the salmon was so overcooked, I could hardly believe it. How did AFM get both the scallops and the salmon so wrong? Don't they specialize in this cuisine? Ironically, they managed to ruin my two favorite types of seafood. Woe is me.
I'd like to take a moment to comment on the Hong Kong sauce - it's a cop-out sauce. Good, fresh fish can speak for itself with few bells and whistles. Hong Kong sauce is basically a sweet, thin sauce used to trick people into thinking that everything it touches is amazing. It's just sugar. Sugar is what's enhancing your good-flavor feelings! Also, the fact that you can get it on *any* piece of fish should raise an eyebrow. Flavors should be specific to the dish, ammirite?
The pros of this place: Our server was absolutely awesome. So attentive and nice, very well versed in their large menu. I almost hugged her when we left. Also, I've never had an espresso martini before, and a sleepy moment had me ordering one. It was the most delicious thing I tasted at this place. Mmmm.
Honestly, if it didn't have a reputation and prices to live up to, I probably would have gone with a 3 star review. Unfortunately, if you're gonna charge Buckhead Life prices, you gotta deliver. AFM, you did not deliver. -
Review from Christopher E.
Decatur, GA
2/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
SO I see a lot of bad reviews of AFM and I am not a BUCKHEAD LIFE fan and before dining had no idea they were associated with this place. A group of CPAs I know tend to get together once a year and eat some place "fancy" for Buckhead Restaurant Week and this was the place we chose this year.
For $30 I got 2 delicious chicken & shrimp spring rolls - appetizer , 6oz filet mignon and 6 fried shrimp, mash potatoes, green beans - entree and an apple crisp - dessert. I don't know about you but that is a slam dunk! Great fresh seafood and a well cooked filet and all for $30.
Most places give you extra tiny portions when you go for the Buckhead Restaurant Week Prix-Fixe but not AFM. One of my friends got the Red Snapper and it looked and tasted amazing.
Just have the runner keep our water glasses full and this would have been a perfect evening!! Will definitely visit again!
I would rate it a 4.5 why won't YELP let you rate 1/2 stars? -
Review from Ce L.
Pasadena, CA
No worries about finding this place - the gigantic 50 ft fish statue in front is not hard to miss! Don't really understand the bad rep this place gets. My friends and I had a fab meal here. It was a bit expensive for us but worth every penny. After eating too much fried food in Atlanta, we ventured out to try the famous seafood. My sea bass was moist, buttery, and I devoured every last bite. My friend ordered the oysters in soup which were also fresh and tasty. The service was also good, very attentive. We got bread and buttery oil, which is a sign of great service to me!
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Review from jennifer m.
Atlanta, GA
5/17/2012
I wish I had tried Atlanta Fish Market longer than a month before I planned to move. We were greeted by a super friendly hostess and from that point on I had a feeling we were going to enjoy the meal. I was surprised with just how large the actual restaurant was. I really liked the setup and the chairs were cute with Atlanta Fish Market written on the chair back. The menu is great and extensive with a ton of options for appetizers, entrees, and fresh catch. We went for lunch at 1pm on a Tuesday and it wasn't too busy. The fiance ordered the blackened swordfish which came with a vegetable medley and sticky rice. He said he really enjoyed the flavors. I got the skillet newburg which was amazing and tasted just as good the next day as leftovers. I almost forgot the crab fritters with a spicy remoulade sauce. They were fan-freaking-tastic. The only downside is price, even for lunch it was pricey (but delicious!). I hope we get back there before the move.
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Review from Jessica G.
Atlanta, GA
2/15/2012
We've lived around the corner from the Atlanta Fish Market for about a year and a half, and for about a year and a half I've really wanted to try it out. So I was pretty disappointed when we finally went and they kind of ruined our Valentine's Day.
As everyone else has mentioned, the service from the wait staff was great. Our server was very nice and attentive, and for a super busy night she only let us run out of water once. However, the dish she recommended to me was not that great. The salmon was fine, and the whipped sweet potatoes were excellent, but there was corn chowder and mango salsa that I expected to be strategically and aesthetically placed on the salmon, and instead it was just dumped on the plate in a kind of puddle around the salmon and sweet potatoes.
My boyfriend seemed to enjoy his dinner, though. I tasted his crab cake and it was pretty delicious. The appetizer we ordered, spinach and artichoke dip, was so sub-par. I've had better at Applebee's. Also the chips tasted like the cheapo off-brand tortilla chips I get at Publix sometimes.
So food and service up to this point would have scored AFM a 3 or 4. But then, a little after 10:00 we asked for our check. After we'd been waiting a few minutes, at about 10:15, the waitress comes up to us and apologizes and says their computer system went down and it will take just a few minutes to reboot and print our bill. She comes up a couple more times over the course of the next 15 monites and says the same thing again. We smile and say "It's ok" because we know it's not her fault. But then it's 10:35, 10:40, 10:45 etc and still no check and no waitress. We had other plans - we had to be somewhere by 11:00. At almost ten til we finally get out check.
I just feel like if you have to wait 40 minutes for your check (in addition to any number of other people who were also waiting for theirs) the manager should have probably come out and apologized to each table that was waiting and comped something. Or if he/she couldn't make it out, at least communicate to the serve staff to comp our drinks or appetizer. Nope, no manager, nothing was comped. As someone who has worked in the customer service industry for 15 years, I consider this absolutely terrible service.
Needless to say, after we paid the check and waited for the valet to fetch our car (btw, I don't know if this is every night or just busy nights, but valet was mandatory and $2 cash only. just in case you're like us and never carry cash. although honestly I would say don't even bother going here) it was 11:00 and we missed out on the rest of our Valentine's Day plans.
I had initially put 2 stars but really this place only deserves 1. If you're looking for good seafood, try Coast on Paces Ferry. It's much more bang for your buck.Comment from Sara L. of Atlanta Fish Market 2/17/2012
Hi Jess, We want to apologize for the inconvenience we… More » -
Review from Janelle D.
Atlanta, GA
2/28/2012
You can't miss this place; the huge, tacky fish statue outside is enough to make anyone wonder what is going on inside.
My sentiments echo those of many of the reviews I read. GREAT service, mediocre food.
I was expecting all kinds of fantastical seafood to dance around in my mouth and have a party. What happened instead tasted more like a bunch of drunks passed out on the floor after a party. That's what I get for expecting good seafood in the south (and by south, let me reiterate that I mean landlocked states, not Florida or anywhere coastal).
Our waitress went on and on about the scampi lobster: two lobster tails where they scoop out the lobster meat and cook it scampi style with shrimps, scallops and some kind of crab stuffing. Right up my alley! Yet... I can't believe I've had tastier lobster at Red Lobster (or maybe that's because their lobsters are salty, thus giving some kind of flavor?) because this was Bland with a capital B. All of it. The scallops were probably a little slimy... And even though I asked before ordering my $40 lobster ($40 because it was al carte, so I got a side dish of mashed sweet potatoes that looked like poop), the amount of lobster was not the same. I don't care what they said: it didn't look like enough lobster meat to begin to even fill one tail!
I had a bite of someone's crabcake and that was pretty good, and my husband's shrimp were kind of impressive -- bigger than my head, and good flavor. To be fair, the rest of the party (6 people) finished off their plates, and they all had mostly fish dishes. Maybe it was just the lobster?
The wine was the best part of my meal. And the coffee. And the service (really, really good service, and we had a party of 8). But certainly not the seafood, which is kind of a bummer when you have the name Atlanta FISH Market. -
Review from Katy M.
2/4/2012
Oh boy. Let's make it clear that the 2 stars are for the SERVICE ONLY. Which was perfectly adequate, and they were very apologetic about the food. The food was a 1 star at most.
The food was really pretty awful. For the prices, it was unbelievably bad. Nothing was seasoned appropriately. My tuna was brought out Medium-Well instead of rare (who the f eats medium-well tuna??). I sent it back, and then received medium-rare tuna, which was fine, but boring. The vegetables were tough and bland. The glasses of (white) wine were brought out at all kinds of different temperatures, from cool to luke warm.
It was such unbelievably boring food for the price, I don't know how anybody eats here and thinks that they're getting a good deal.
Upshot- Want to pay $40 a person for unseasoned food and lukewarm white wine? Then this is the place for you. -
Review from Royal M.
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
What is it lately about waiters not refilling drinks, even water???? Is the drought here in Atlanta THAT bad????? Perhaps a sign on the door that states, "No refills!" would be in order???
There, I feel better now.
Other than the obvious above, this was a delicious experience. Most of the party I was with went with the sea bass. I decided to be different and have the Black Grouper. I'm glad I did as it was wonderful! The fish was sweet, but with more of a full flavor than sea bass. Having it blackened also gave it a fantastic contrast between sweet and sharp. YUMMY!!!!
Oysters to start were also fresh and fantastic, although a little on the small side, but I'm used to Gulf Coast Oysters. I'm not sure where these were from, I'm guessing the NE?
I hadn't been to AFM in years. I need to get back more often. Perhaps I'll just bring my own water next time? :) -
Review from Adam M.
Ann Arbor, MI
Updated - 2/18/2012
4.5.
I've given this place a few more chances, and it has delivered every time.
Things that are real nice:
Fresh Oysters (starting at 1.15 a piece!!)
Crawfish Gumbo
Scallops
Any of those Lobster Dishes.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/4/2011
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed my experience at ATL Fish Market, but like many of the other reviews, it did not… Read more »
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Review from sarah p.
1/8/2012
We recently joined friends at AFM because they had a gift certificate. I'll say outright that I'm not a huge fan of the Buckhead Life restaurants. The only great experience I've had is at Chops Lobster Bar.
The clientele at Fish Market is a mix of 20-somethings celebrating birthdays, tourists being dropped off in hotel shuttles, and a random smattering of couples on dates.
In general, I found the food really disappointing. I had the trout salmon crusted with pecans and sweet potatoes and there was probably 1 full cup of sugar on the plate - the fish was SO SWEET that I could barely taste the actual fish, and the sweet potatoes were like a cloying mash of brown sugar. It was disappointing.
Oysters were delicious but we had a sampler and it wasn't pointed out to us which oysters are which (a pet peeve of mine). The wedge was a little different than what you'll find from other places.
My boyfriend had a lobster special - sold as a scampi - but served in the shell of the lobster. All of it was fine, but nothing really shined.
For your money, I simply feel that there are so many better places in Atlanta. You can find them here on Yelp! -
Review from Bryan S.
Peachtree City, GA
1/15/2012
Considering the prices, I struggle to give them 3 stars -- hip design and offerings but food was so-so. Really lousy service ranging from the good looking reservation girls with attitudes to the Serbian waiter who stunk of cigarettes.
Only reason for me to go was the customer wanted to eat there. Really loud in there so didn't have much of a business conversation. -
Review from Shaah W.
Atlanta, GA
3/31/2012
This place has the best seafood on earth. Makes me want to move from NJ to Atlanta, just to eat here on the regular. It is a little pricey but it is worth every single dollar and valet parking was only 2 bucks. Service excellent and fast. You have got to come here
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Review from Will P.
11/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Although I still think this place has some of the best quality fish in the city, the overall feel is starting to resemble a Times Square-ish tourist trap than actual Atlanta culinary experience. Back in the day, this joint used to be the preeminent Atlanta restaurant, setting the bar in service, food quality and atmosphere. Well folks, we've taken a few steps down.
Our server was decent enough, doing the best he could. Hosts were disinterested and disengaged when they greeted us. The restaurant has tinkered with the menu to its detriment, too. The candied rock shrimp was inexplicably off the menu, which disappointed my parents who always go back for that dish. Our waiter offered something that was supposed to be just as close, but unfortunately, what we got was an unintelligible mess of soggy breaded shrimp bearing to resemblance to that terrific dish of the past - and probably wouldn't have passed muster at Captain D's.
Why am I making a big deal about this? because chefs get bored with menu items - it's that simple. but we as restaurant fans and menu geeks don't really care much about the attention-deficit of chefs or restaurant-company suits' preferences. we just want what tastes good, and we want to engage our favorites. and that supplemental dish was abysmal.
one bright spot for me was being able to still choose my cut of swordfish in the case - I really appreciate being to do that, and our server indulged us. it was prepared well.
I've been to this restaurant a lot and I asked for a seat in the center section and we didn't get it, leading me to think they don't read the Open Table special requests.
Overall, some of the offerings are still good, but I'd urge them to return its menu to past greatness - ditto for the training of key staff. -
Review from Andria C.
3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Have always wanted to try this place, but finally stopped in during Buckhead Restaurant Week. As everyone else here has said, the service is excellent. Our server was always on top of things, but wasn't overly pushy. The food did not disappoint either. Both appetizers we tried (the sweet chili calamari and the clam chowder) were excellent. The entrees were very good as well (surf & turf and the skillet seafood newberg). All in all, it was a great experience. Not sure I'd pay full price here, but it's a good option for a splurge every now and gain.
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Review from Jie Y.
Atlanta, GA
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Service: good
Atmosphere: fancy
Food: average
Price: reasonable -
Review from Veronica H.
Ellenwood, GA
3/16/2012 Seated via OpenTable
The food is great and I enjoy every time I go
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Review from Ron B.
Township of Roxbury, NJ
3/14/2012
We were visiting Atlanta...from NJ...and the NJ/NY area has great places to eat. This place was excellent! For the cost...we had oysters,crab,clams,salmon...on and on...
Highly recommended...dont even read the stupid review about some idiots valentines day...they should have planned better...The salmon was cooked just right...not overdone. The oysters rock,scampi and bacon were excellent. My gf's crab cake was the best she has ever had...Go to this place and enjoy! -
Review from Stephen W.
Atlanta, GA
11/22/2011
There's one thing that Buckhead Life group does really well, and that is service. The rest is just plain mediocre. Over the years, I've eaten at a lot of, if not all, the Buckhead Life restaurants, and I've never been impressed. I've been pleased, but not impressed. My recent trip to AFM was no different.
The interior felt gimmicky and cheap, just like most of their restaurants do. Oh, it's going to be called Atlanta Fish Market? We better follow all the stereotypes of what a fish market should look like, down to the lobster tank. I mean, c'mon guys, let's get a little creative...
The food - I had the snapper, broiled - was quite bland. I've cooked better and more exciting fish at home. Lump crab appetizer - well it's almost impossible to mess that up. The cocktail - a dark & stormy - was simple enough, but managed to come across with the impression that it had been tossed together by a teenager playing around in his parents liquor cabinet. I skipped dessert for the lack of interest, and the perceived likelihood that it might be shown to me on a huge tray with other fake desserts.
That said, the service was excellent. Glasses stayed full, there wasn't too much or too little attention, and everything was very prompt.
So, maybe this place is a good spot to take your grandmother - who's taste buds don't really work - but if you're looking for a really good meal, this isn't your place. -
Review from Amee S.
Manhattan, NY
12/3/2011
You'd never guess fish in Atlanta would be so fresh! I went with a group of 5 and we decided everyone would get a different fish and we'd share. The sharing worked in as much as everyone got a taste of all the dishes but we pretty much stuck to our own plates. Four of us got the fresh fish option and 1 got the pecan crusted salmon trout. Everything was absolutely delish!
Skate: cooked (either sauteed or broiled) in brown butter with whipped sweet potatoes and a veggie medley...absolutely phenomenal. I always try to order fish that I don't come across often at the store or cooked in a way that would be more difficult at home. The skate was perfect melt-in-your-mouth yummy. I was a little nervous the brown butter sauce would be too heavy but it was a great complement. The fish was still really light and flaky. Chewing was somewhat optional. I also got a glass of the abarino which was ok but I've had better.
Pecan Salmon Trout: I was excited someone ordered something off the prepared entrees because chefs always have good palattes. This was a southern delight. The salmon trout was much milder than traditional salmon so it was a good contract to the rich nutty flavor of the crust. Had it been regular salmon, I think it would have been too heavy. The crust had a great crunchy bite and the salmon trout was a great contrast in texture...also melted upon contact. It might have been too heavy for me to finish, but I'd definitely order 2 dishes and go halfsies with someone.
Mahi Mahi: Blackened as recommended by the waitress. If I had to pick, this might have been my second fave after my skate. It was salty and crispy and had a really great bite in which everything worked very well together. I'll probably order it the next time I go.
Red Snapper: broiled. simple deliciousness. I'm pretty sure it was done with lemon and olive oil and it made for a great tang that I guess kind of lightened the fish a little. I've only had red snapper once at Straits and it was cooked with Asian influence, so this was a really good contrast for me. Definitely something to get again.
Halibut: the most simple of the dishes - sauteed with the lemon and olive oil, but cooked exceptionally well. However they did it, the halibut somehow developed flavor as you kept eating it. The first bite compared to the other dishes tasted slightly underwhelming but I don't know, it just got better...I'm sad I can't explain it any better than that.
I had high ambitions for dessert because I had seen the menu before going, but we were so full it didn't happen, maybe next time but somehow I think I'll have to go 24 hours without eating first. It didn't help that the bread was fan-f***ing tastic as well. We had 3 delicious, warm bread baskets. One of my friends commented that if the bread was a sign of what's to come, we were in for a real treat. (He was right)
Service: I know the buckhead group is knowng for service and this was definitely a high end experience. I have to say though, I felt a little uncomfortable because the waitress kept addressing me when referring to the whole table because I had made the reservation. My guess is its my own personal nuance but I didn't like it.
Special note: right now the group is offering 20% extra on their dining card. They have a tent outside the Fish Market and my friend and I got $50 dining cards and an extra $10 was put on it. I believe they are running the promotion through the end of the year. I think I want to try Kyma next! -
Review from Andrew P.
Alpharetta, GA
1/29/2012
One of my favorite places in the city. The staff is amazing. My favorite dish was taken off the menu and the chef has offered to make it every time I've gone. Really couldn't say anything bad about this restaurant.
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Review from Ruksana H.
Atlanta, GA
3/13/2012
Always drove past the place with the huge fish sticking out of it but never tried it out until today. Friend and I landed there for dinner today, a leisurely one at that considering we were there for well over 3 hours! The place is huge! We were seated by the windows facing the street about 5.30pm but in an hour the whole place was packed! Great service, menu can be overwhelming but take your time with it, but the food is simply divine. Clearly there's a reason why people flock to this place. Our drinks were all good - strawberry and raspberry margaritas followed by white wine for dinner. The crab fritters for appetizers were cooked just right. Wasn't a big fan of the rock shrimp, mainly because I imagined an American preparation and not the Asian one we received. For entrees, my friend had one of the lobster specials and would not stop singing praises. I had the rainbow trout amandine served with beans, mushrooms and potatoes cooked in brown sauce. Unbelievable! And the portions are large enough that we both boxed some of that deliciousness to take home. For dessert I tried the creme brulee which was usual fare, with their specialty coffee but my friend's choice of the pie with the oreo base and caramel drizzled all over it was the best! Definitely not a place I can afford to dine at all too often but once every few months to maybe celebrate a special evening would be nice! If you have not tried it yet then please do.
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Review from Ken G.
Lawrenceville, GA
4/11/2012
My wife and I dined here on Monday night after she flew in from Phoenix. Atmosphere was very nice and there were a moderate amount of customers for a Monday night, usually a good sign. We started with margaritas which were spot on. Within a couple of minutes, we were brought a loaf of bread, fresh and hot from the oven. My wife had the oyster sampler appetizer and was very pleased. I had the sea bass (sauteed) with steamed broccoli and asiago potatoes. One word...YUM! Everything was cooked to perfection and the sea bass, although a little pricey ($29.95), was worth the $$! My wife had the halibut (hong kong style) with asparagus and a baked sweet potato and was equally well pleased. The service was atentive and we never lacked for anything. We absolutely wanted dessert, but were so full from the generous portions, we didn't have the room! We will definitely be going back and are excited to try Atlanta Fish Market for lunch. Total bill with tax and tip was just over $100, but I don't regret one penny! If you have never been here, I highly recommend you give them a try!
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Review from Kierstin R.
Atlanta, GA
10/22/2011
A friends birthday party, 2 guests (which we knew were going to be late) for our 830pm reservation and this restaurant refused to seat us until all the guests arrived. Four of the six guests were there and this restaurant has large & mall booth style seating. The booths sat 2 people or if they really packed people in the 2 booth could be a 4 booth and the large booths sat 6-8 people. I don't understand what the issue was other than time is money, understandable but seriously? They finally sat us after 30 minutes! We finally just lied and said the other party members weren't coming. Our other two guests arrived after we had appetizers.
We had the lobster. Not so good as both plates were over cooked. More like crawdads masquerading as lobster for $34.00 a plate. The vegetable medley was fine. The bread pudding was AWESOME.
Would I go back to eat there? Probably not. Would I make a reservation for a party there? Definitely not. I would stop by there for bread pudding again though if I wasn't expecting guests and had already eaten dinner.
Our server was attentive and really went out of his way to help us take photos. Well done! He got a great tip even though the restaurants policies & food were poor. -
Review from Heather M.
Lake Mary, FL
4/8/2012
We loved the food! Hubby said the Blue Point Oysters were the best he had ever had, he also enjoyed his King crab legs. I got the Spinach artichoke dip that was th ebest I ever had, along with the Baked Flounder casserole and it was amazing!! Will def be back next time we are in the area
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Review from Bobbin W.
5/6/2011
The fish sculpture outside the Atlanta Fish Market is kind of like our version of Marietta's Big Chicken, twisting in all its glory. Except it's on a side street and therefore doesn't function as a truly iconic landmark. It's big though, y'all.
The service was exemplary and the food really good, especially since my sister paid for it. Highlights included the Boca mojito (topped with fresh basil and grapefruit), the tuna carpaccio appetizer (the regular and green onions atop it added a nice pop) and the signature flounder stuffed with crab, scallops, shrimp and mushrooms (the tangy mushrooms saved the entree).
The only component of the gluttonous meal I didn't care for was the sauteed spinach I requested as a side to my main; delivered in a boat of a bowl, the tasteless green heap sat uneaten.
The jellyfish tank in front offered sophisticated entertainment as well. I floated my face around following them while my sister took pictures, but my Jellyfish Face isn't as artistic as I thought. -
Review from Amanda D.
6/23/2011
I am not a fish fan, at least when it is not sushi. I have a serious problem with the textures some fish take on when cooked. Maybe I am weird.
So at first I was like, really Buckhead Life, in your little summer $25 gift card giveaway, the first I get is for the restaurant I'll probably least enjoy?
Of course, I could have gone with chicken or steak, but I am all about trying new things. Problem is, there are so many fish to choose from and when you don't know much about how they are, it's overwhelming.
Our server wasn't too helpful about it, giving me the "everything we have is good" spiel, but he did say if I didn't like what I ordered, it would be perfectly fine for me to get something else. I really didn't want it to come to that though. He kept trying to push sea bass on me, which was the most expensive of all the fish. My boyfriend had told me I'd probably like mahi mahi so I went with it sauteed since I was now wary of the server's suggestions.
First though we had their BBQ Brisket Spring Rolls and a half order of their spicy tuna roll. Four pieces cost $5.50, a bit pricey for a spicy tuna roll. The pieces were somewhat large, but the roll itself also wasn't packed too tightly. It was okay, thankfully it was not one made with spicy mayo, so it did have a kick to it. The spring rolls were pretty good, I think we left them sitting too long while we were asking questions so they weren't hot anymore. They were still really good.
I wish I had gotten the mahi mahi blackened. While it was okay, it just really lacked any flavor beyond lemon. There was no fishy aftertaste that really turns me off, and even though it was slightly flaky, it was in big pieces and did not just fall apart. I liked it, and it was a pretty good sized piece of fish.
I also had an Elderflower Collins to drink, and it was pretty good, like a slightly flowery lemonade.
So, I tried a cooked fish, and I liked it. I think that was worth getting a new $25 gift card over. Not sure if I'd come back any time soon, but it was just what the little phrase says besides 3 stars: A-OK.
I hate that you have to pay to valet in addition to a gratuity, but I applaud them for actually locking my car's doors since I disabled the power locks. -
Review from Diedre R.
Updated - 6/2/2011 1 photo
I had so much fun last nite, that I almost couldn't wait to write an update. It was a final dinner party for one of my good friends who is moving back to North Carolina.
Atlanta Fish Market has really got great service and good food down to a science. I went with the parmasan crusted salmon, sweet potatos, and green beans. I've got to load the picture of my empty plate online and it wasnt cause I was starving, because I also had one of the best greek salads Ive ever had, I didnt finish it, because i also had blue point oysters, and half of CA roll. I left here, stuff and satisified.
Corey was our server, and boy were we rowdy and indecisive. He served us with grace, humor and an exceptional attitude. I dont think anyone had any complaint on him or the food at all. Corey has been my server before one nite when i was dining with my mother, and he gives the best best service at Atlanta Fish Market. He knows how to make himself a part of your table, without acutally takin over the table.
Tried a new drink last nite, Elderflower Collins, it was cool and refreshing, which was a plus since they couldn't get the air conditioner to flow as we like, and everyone was complaing that it was HOT in there.
I think it was a nite where everyone in our party tried something different and from being able to taste thiers, it was great food all around for everyone!Listed in: Buckhead, Yelp Second RofD Award...2…, Top Restaurants
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/7/2010
Oh Atlanta Fish Market....how do I miss you when I cant get there....but today was a day when I… Read more »
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Review from Gordon H.
Atlanta, GA
9/8/2011
The Atlanta Fish Market has been consistently good during the 5+ years I have been going there. They always have a great selection of fresh seafood and I appreciate the variety of ways you can choose to have it prepared. The service has always been good as well. We tend to linger with friends over dinner and we never feel rushed by the wait staff.
My only negatives are that the cocktails are weak (but they charge full price!) and the fish sculpture out front is a little creepy. But, maybe that's just me. -
Review from Amber S.
Houston, TX
9/2/2011
My favorite restaurant in Atlanta, and that is saying a lot.
I never had anything here that wasn't good. And most things are fantastic. Try your fish/scallops Hong Kong style. Mmm. Buckhead Life really must have the supply chain and expertise with seafood.
The other wonderful thing about the Fish Market is that you can take anyone here. Clients or friends who are used to the world's finest restaurants will find it quite acceptable. But it's unpretentious, so you can take your cousin from the backwoods here, and he/she will enjoy the spot and the food. That's really hard to accomplish, but it suits Atlanta culture very well.
Oh, and the service has always been very good. I ate here many many times from 2009 to 2011. -
Review from Rick F.
2/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Business dinner with my new boss! Clam Chowder was just OK. Halibut Hong Kong Style was good but not very creative. Bread was the best part of the meal piping hot. Server and Service was great! I really was expecting a little more.
I'm going to give it another shot and try some of the other things on the menu, so far this is the least favorite Buckhead Life Restaurant! -
Review from Lisa W.
Miami, FL
3/26/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Food was delicious - perfectly prepared from the warm, crusty bread to the succulent Hong Kong-style sea bass. My husband had a grilled tuna steak with scallions mashed potatoes. Everything was just so, so YUMMY. The service was outstanding, from the hostess to the waitress, to the busboy. It is unusual to be addressed by name these days, and the entire staff exuded sense of propriety that was elegant, yet warm and friendly.. I will defintely return next time I am in Atlanta.
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Review from Art V.
Atlanta, GA
1/8/2012
I took my family to AFM last night. Birthday party of 6. We had a confirmed reservation for 8:00. We were finally seated @ 8:40
When we arrived at the table, it was un-set and still wet from a recent wiping. Further, there were only 5 chairs. Another chair was found at a nearby table.
Some of the food was ok. Some was poorly prepared. Their sushi rice was way overcooked and mushy. The portion of calamari served on the appetizer was shockingly small. A steak ordered "medium" was nearly raw. My entree of skate meuniere was first served with the wrong side dish. Rather than simply deliver the correction, the server (russian woman) took the entire plate back to the kitchen. 5 min later the entire dish was re-done. For an unknown reason they served the meuniere sauce on the side (in a ramekin) and forgot the capers. The skate was very greasy.
My wife's salmon, ordered "medium" was raw and cool in more than the center area. The crab cakes (prepared in advance, no doubt) were barely warm toward the center.
My check was presented with 2 charges for drinks we didn't order. The server corrected the mistake.
This restaurant now charges for valet parking in their own parking lot. Since we had to pay- the least the valet could do is escort the ladies under an umbrella. It was pouring outside and we entered the restaurant with wet hair and clothes.
We've been dining at APM for years. In fact it was the first restaurant my daughter suggested for her birthday party.
Time to move on.... -
Review from Timber W.
Augusta, GA
5/8/2011
When we arrived at AFM, my sister and I sat outside in the rocking chairs to enjoy the weather. I was totally fascinated with the lights suspended overhead, which had bronze octopuses clinging to the top. (That's right. I wrote "octopuses." The word "octopus" is NOT Latin. http://en.wikipedia.or... ...I got into an argument with an employee at an aquarium about this once. From now on, I'll hold my tongue.)
After we circled our way in through the rotating door, we were seated promptly and ordered our Boca mojitos immediately. They were made with basil leaves and grapefruit juice, which it turns out is totally delicious.
We ordered the lobster tail and the tuna carpaccio as our appetizers. Lobster tail is always good, but the tuna was my favorite. For my entree, I ordered the Hong Kong Combo: Chilean sea bass and salmon with sticky rice on the side and sauteed spinach beneath the fish, which were topped with ginger. It was great, but upon tasting my sister's dish I knew she had made a better choice. Her stuffed flounder was amazing!
One of the things I appreciate most about restaurants is timing and service. AFM was flawless in both, and I would love to go back! -
Review from Diane D.
Riverdale, GA
6/19/2011
reviews of the fish market
I have a dish that was with pasta and mussels, shrimp and scallops
in a marinara sauce.
margarita spinach did
My friend had calamari
My cousins appetizer was pow wow shrimp
birthday girl had the buffalo dish
Very pricey but I had a great time
This was just a sampling of what we had not the whole meal -
Review from Jennifer S.
Dallas, TX
11/1/2011
Very nice place with good food and good service. We ate a prix fixe menu with a group, so it was hard to get a good feel of the true dinner menu choices.
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Review from Lawrence C.
Atlanta, GA
3/6/2011
A decent place to go for fish. Yes, it's part of Buckhead Life Group, but it's probably at the lower end of the quality of this fine local group.
I went Saturday night, which under normal circumstances would probably have been okay, but this is Buckhead Week, and the place was a zoo. Valet was also not attentive on arrival, though they were on leaving (looking for tips??). Anyway, I will try not to go to another "restaurant week" at a restaurant on a sat night.
A short wait for our table which was fine. Amy, our server was very professional. Prices for the food was very acceptable, though the prices for glasses of wine was a tad on the high side, OR, the size of the glass was small.
Spicy pow-pow shrimp @ $9 was excellent, though very rich. Spicy tuna roll was decent, but nothing to write home about. I had to send my Pecan crusted Salmon trout back to be replated, as the juices/liquid from the collard greens were suffocating the sweet potato and fish. The manager apologized, and then the dish was fine.
This is a large, casual, pedestrian restaurant. Fine dining it's not, nor does it pretend to be. I would return, but likely only on a weekday night. -
Review from Carrie Neal W.
Atlanta, GA
Updated - 1/5/2011
Well, I have to say, me likey the sushi.
AFM has a clever twist on the sushi picks- a "half" menu - four rolls at a kind of half price. Somewhere in the range of $5-6 instead of $9-10, it's perfect if you're either not that hungry, or indecisive. I'm often both- and the Yummi-Yummi roll was perfect for a nosh.
I happened to stop by this week for a late afternoon lunch and learn about this menu option, and get great service, and was warmly surprised at the reception I got at a longtime Atlanta institution. My feelings on the Big Fish are getting warmer . . .1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2008
The best word for this member of the Buckhead Life Restaurant group is overrated. Yes, that's right.… Read more »
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Review from Claire S.
6/15/2011
I absolutely love this place because the fish is sooo delicious and fresh. Had the pecan salmon and the grouper; both were great. For Atlanta this is good quality fishes.
Knocked off a star because it is a bit pricey and the service is not good. Idk if he was really new or something because he was young but like they wouldn't let my baby order soup as a side for some strange reason and for most of the meal I didn't have any diet coke at all which was sad.
But I love this place, the food is good and I have been craving it ever since we went 2 weeks ago. -
Review from Latoya J.
Flowery Branch, GA
12/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
The service and food are exceptional. Save room for dessert too. The dessert menu is sure to have something on there for everyone.
