We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
£2 - £10
CUISINES
American, Bar, Barbecue
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
View all details
meals, features, about
Reviews (794)
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Filter reviews
788 results
Traveller rating
265
340
125
34
24
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
More languages
Traveller rating
265
340
125
34
24
Show reviews that mention
All reviews gator bites ribs pulled pork catfish homemade chips fried green tomatoes sandwich old florida myakka river dirt road boat tour great bbq decent food banjo society alligators tarzan
Sort and selected filters
Sort FilterEnglish
Updating list...
Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Old Florida for sure. River tour boat rides available. Live music. Good food. People seemed to really enjoy Snook Haven. Rustic.

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 12 February 2024 via mobile

Went to this VERY popular spot for the banjo band & alligator bites. Excellent service...fun music. Very very busy. Almost impossible to find a parking spot & a table

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 February 2024

I completely agree with Joyce E.'s March 11, 2023 review concerning Snook Haven's tipping policy. We visited with our family for lunch and ordered our food and drinks from the takeout counter. Cashers and other staff were very friendly. Location by the river is unique...and food is good. Unfortunately, an automatic 10% tip was ("1 Gratuity Counter") was added to the bill which I did not notice and never made aware of. I paid the bill and placed what I believed was a generous cash tip for counter pickup in the tip jar. I did not add the "suggested tips" of 20%, 22% or 25% as shown at the bottom of the receipt. I discovered the automatic tip once outside eating our food at the picnic tables which ruined my visit. Staff were also walking around collecting additional tips for the band which I avoided after my food tipping experience.More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 January 2024

I’ve been going to Snook Haven for over 30 years last night we had reservations for there: Not so late New Years Eve party. The food was very good I had the prime rib it was delicious! The band was also very good! It was...a nice change. The old time big band sound that you don’t see much these days. Service was also very good. I’ll be anxious to see the new Snook Haven with construction starting in May Jim LantagneMore

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 23 December 2023 via mobile

Snook Haven is such a great ‘Old Florida’ experience. The drive through the trees to get there, lunching on the banks of the Myakka River & enjoying the little gator that came to sit close to shore. The food & wine were good. We enjoyed...the house Pinot and homemade snook chips, along with delicious fried green tomatoes. Read up on the history of Snook Haven & enjoy a pleasant afternoon on the banks of the Myakka.More

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 April 2023 via mobile

You never think you will land there from the main road! A heaven, basic right, wooden tables, nice terrace in the back, quite place and you can observe aligators in their natural environment if you are lucky! We were lucky and saw the big resident...alligator! The staff is just great and super friendly, nice service! Not the five star food but it does the work, roots like the place, really liked it! We took the chicken barbecue and a salad, we shared and it was already too much, so very well served! Will come back!More

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 April 2023 via mobile

It’s a bbq restaurant, but had a catfish sandwich which was great for us being pescatarians. We both had the catfish sandwich and it was great. We went on a Thursday afternoon and arrived in time to hear the banjo band. What a treat that...was. A full band and singers doing patriotic music. There was a fun crowd enjoying themselves. Most of the seating is outdoors, but there are shaded areas. They also offer river boat tours from the dock there. It’s a casual local spot off the beaten path … our favorite kind of place.More

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 23 April 2023

Delicious! The BBQ, Gator Bites, Catfish Sandwich, and local brews were all excellent. The experience was great too!

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 March 2023

This is my third time back this was the first time in 8 years and I couldn’t wait to be there I really enjoy the atmosphere and the food was amazing and the staff are just as amazing.

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 March 2023

Beautiful, very relaxing venue right on the river. Everyone's food was excellent, large portions, friendly service. This place is out of the way, but worth the drive. Savor the experience, and enjoy the day.

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 March 2023 via mobile

Good was fine. Average price for area. Placing order at inside counter there is an automatic tip added to receipt and also space ti add additional tip if you choose and tip jar on counter. Very poor taste to have forced tipping by any establishment...This snook haven owned by Sharky’s on the Pier as well as Pinchers Restaurant The next is the entertainment of various bands — again in poor taste - tip jar near band then a Snook Haven worker walks around looking for tips for the band. ?? IS the bands not paid????More

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 6 March 2023 via mobile

“what restaurant is at the next exit” is how we found this place. This is a great place. Their house beer is very good and relatively cheap. Sits by the river with fantastic scenery, including good alligator watching. good food. Great service. Love it.

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 17 February 2023 via mobile

I guess you have to come on Wednesday when they have a full swing band; otherwise, the experience on Friday was just mediocre. The trip down the dirt road to the restaurant was a surprise and truly people should be warned. We arrived before opening...and there were already people waiting. There was a 4 person “band” setting up on the little stage: average age 70-80. We sat down at one of the many picnic tables and then noticed that people were moving to the back of the restaurant facing the river. Before the official opening, people were seating themselves at tables on the back deck…searching out the shaded areas. We followed. The wait staff accommodated the guests with menus and drink orders. All of the wait staff appeared frazzled and I don’t blame them. There was no system of knowing which tables were there first and which came in later. We noticed several tables complaining about people receiving their orders who came after them. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with everyday coleslaw in a small paper condiment container. The potato chips were plentiful, crispy and over salted. My friend ordered the rib plater with purple cabbage in a paper deli container. The kitchen had used every bit of the cabbage because the slaw was nothing but old cabbage leaves. My sandwich had plenty of meat..tasteless even with the sauces provided. The ribs were okay. The beers were served either in plastic cubs or in the can. As we left, the picnic tables out front were almost full. The outside bar had a line 6 deep. The two parking lots were full, and car after car were coming down the dirt road. I guess people thought it was Wednesday.More

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 February 2023 via mobile

Back on it's feet after a hard hit by Hurricane Ian, Snook Haven continues to charm from late morning into the evening...Free live music(some days from noon on), really great bbq, soups and salads st picnic tables - some covered dining available in back -...river boat tours, canoe and kayak rentals. No reservations for dining, but advisable for rentals and boat tours. See the website for details and schedules. We went for Gulf Coast Banjo Society Thurs 11 am practice. It was amazing, a little corny and SO MUCH FUN. Get there plenty early, parking is limited and they'll turn you away. And go to the gift shop, it's cute and the owner lost everything in the storm.More

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 February 2023

Once upon a time during prohibition Snook Haven was a smuggler's cove on the banks of the Myakka River. Later it was used as a movie location for "Prestige" (a classic French Foreign Legion move.) "Tarzan" and other movies were filmed here too all along...the banks of the Myakka (now federally designated as one of the only two) "Wild and scenic Rivers" in the state of Florida. Traditional smoked barbecue as well as "Gator Bites" and Catfish are served here. I had fish and it was very very good. This is a VERY low key atmosphere (Lots of outdoor dining) with local bands playing all the time. Boat rides are available for scenic enjoyment. Needless to say this is a VERY ambient place located at the South end of Venice Avenue.More

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
View more reviews
Best nearby
Best nearby hotelsSee all
TownePlace Suites Venice
12 reviews
3.08 miles away
Fairfield Inn & Suites Venice
392 reviews
3.12 miles away
Best Western Plus Ambassador Suites Venice
898 reviews
3.26 miles away
Holiday Inn Express Venice, an IHG Hotel
346 reviews
3.26 miles away
Best nearby restaurantsSee all
BrewBurger's Pub and Grill
664 reviews
3.24 miles away
British Open Pub
396 reviews
3.25 miles away
Peaches
238 reviews
3.59 miles away
Best nearby attractionsSee all
Venice Myakka River Park
26 reviews
3.11 miles away
Snook Haven
288 reviews
.04 miles away
Sleeping Turtles Preserve North
23 reviews
2.02 miles away
Jelks Preserve
60 reviews
1.40 miles away
Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Bob P
24 February 2021|
Answer
Response from 504brucer | Reviewed this property |
Yes. Have a seperate section just for dog families
0
Votes
Dyche M
11 December 2017|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from Justin P | Property representative |
No just catfish filets
1
Vote
MamaPurv
14 November 2017|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from Justin P | Property representative |
Yes you can. Any day except Thursday and Sunday the launch is open.
0
Votes
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing

SNOOK HAVEN, Venice - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Snook Haven

Yes, Snook Haven offers takeaway services.

Snook Haven is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5