Hemingway’s Island Grill

We were shopping at coconut point And needed a place to eat for lunch before our drive home to Miami. We saw Hemmingway Island Grill And went in. We were seated quickly. Our server was Michael, he was very attentive and recommended us the ropa vieja, and it did not disappoint. It was delicious, had a little kick but not too spicy. Have a side order of plaintains, it’s the perfect compliment to the ropa vieja. Hubby got the pork tenderloin med-​well it was good too, but he kept taking some of my ropa vieja. The portions were a good size, but get your own, too good to share. The food came out hot and tasted fresh. Oh and the mango margaritas are a must.
Great food and service. I read a sign saying there was live music in the evenings. Will return next time we’re in the west coast.

Sat outside with my family & listened to music while waiting for a server. About 6 songs in, and no wait staff to be found. I realized that the restaurant had been closed down. I was happy to say that it was the best meal I’ve ever eaten at this establishment.

Over priced for food that came from the Olive Garden.
The shrimp scampi was completely unseasoned, the flat bread was yeasty, but the salads were ok, kinda hard to mess up salads I guess!

NOT VERY GOOD
Perhaps 2 ½ stars if you push it. We stopped in for a Father’s Day meal and started with the Jerk Ribs as an appetizer. They were very dry and tasteless. It’s hard to ruin ribs, but they managed to do so. We each had the Prime Rib Special, which consisted of a slab of meat on a plate with potatoes. Miserable presentation, the meat was average, no veggies.
This small chain (there is one other restaurant) wants to be a big one. The interior is a cookie-​cutter model of most other chains. Nothing unique about it at all.
The service? Youthful, breezy, impersonal, lacking in attention.
Not much of a place. Sorry
Location — 4 STARS
Service — 2 STARS
Ambiance/​Décor — 3 STARS
Food — 2 STARS

Work brought me to the Naples area twice in two months, and I enjoyed my meal and the atmosphere so much on my first visit that I made it a point to eat there again during the second trip. Both times I was by myself, and ate ate the bar, and I ordered with and was served by the same bartender. Not only did he remember me from the first visit, but he remembered most of what I ordered that time, too! The Gun Club Steak was fantastic on both trips, flavorful and tender. On the first visit, I started with the Clam Chowder, which was also delicious and spicy, so since I knew I was ordering the same entrée on the second visit, I decided to try something different and went with the Black Bean Chili instead. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t very memorable either — couldn’t really taste any chili, just black beans and sour cream. However, if you go, you absolutely MUST have the bread pudding for dessert! Had it both times, and would order it again tomorrow if I was there. Wash it down with a cortadito. Service was fast and courteous, atmosphere is old Cuba, Tommy Bahama, leather and wicker everywhere. Although you can’t smoke anywhere near the place, you’ll swear you smell cigar smoke.

Food was priced right and service was great. Pleasantly surprised!

We were able to sit outside and listen to music and watch people dance which was nice. Overall, it’s a pretty good area. Not bad as far as malls go!
I enjoyed my meal. I had a cup of lobster bisque, the shrimp appetizer special, and the salmon salad over spinach with goat cheese and strawberries. I thought it was all good. I didn’t see the bill, but I know the salad was only $ 12 which is perfectly OK.
When we started off, I saw the list of rums and asked the waitress for a recommendation. When I told her that I hated Appleton’s, she asked another waiter for a suggestions and he said Pyrat XO rum by Petron. He said it had a vanilla flavor with citrus tones and he was right. I enjoyed it very much. Good work!
My brother-​in-​law said his ribs were OK, and I tried a little of the shrimp scampi, sans the shrimp and that was just OK. Overall, I didn’t hear any complaints. I would go back.

I love this place on a nice day for lunch or early drinks and apps. The ouside seating is just beautiful and sometimes there is music. The menu isn’t same old same old, but has some interesting choices.
But last night we went for late dinner. What’s with the lack of lighting? The kitchen is open and lighted making one section of the diningroom not only dark, but backlit. It is hard to see your menu, or the person right across from you. And I would realy like to see my food. I am not that trusting. My shrimp were not hot enough nor firm enough to be thoroughly cooked, but there was no way to check. Then the bill came. No onecould read it.
If you are going to use very dim lighting, use very dark printing.
I will go back, but I have learned its good and bad points. I love to sit outside, by the fountain and the food is good. With light I can monitor my food and bill.

The lede to this story is simple: Best Loaded Bloody Marys ever, anywhere. Whatever they use, it isn’t a bottled mix; it’s some combo of fresh spices, juices, and decent vodka. Never had anything like these and doubt I ever will again. Others in my party had other mixed drinks and felt the same about those.
Food was good. Eaten there twice; first time, had the Havana flank steak. Chewy, but very flavorful. Garlic mashed potatoes were awesome. Second time, had the Italian sandwich. A little thin, but quite flavorful and excellently made. Fries were tasty and perfectly crisp.
I’d like to give Hemingway’s 4 ½ stars, but that’s a no-​go. First visit was Christmas Eve, lots of big parties. Service was excellent. Second visit on a slower mid-​week evening. Bar service was herky-​jerky, two servers juggling tables (weirdly, my first server was replaced by the second server, but the first server kept switching in and out.) Great drinks, good food, a little disorganized.

A Ok is a little generous if you are looking for good food or service, but there IS something to be said for location, atmosphere, and a good combo of indoor /​outdoor & bar seating.
I’ve been to Hemingway’s several times and most recently for breakfast. There are lots of reviews on this place that give examples of the poor service, and I would have to agree that the service trends towards terrible in general. Sadly, I don’t think that these are single instances with one bad server, but really a symptom of weak management & poor training & /​or high turn over.
My breakfast experience was reminiscent of other visits: Server not familiar with menu. Meal served with incorrect side… have to ask for more water.
However, I will probably be back, especially if I am in the area, or have friends in town. The menu is a nice change from the usual and when the food comes out properly, it IS pretty good.

Papa’s rolling in his grave right now.
Maybe to some of the worker bees busily buzzing around Coconut Point’s endless shops, cafes and chainlets, Hemingway’s echoes as a beacon of sanctuary; an al fresco oasis with endless rum cocktails, island time service and fresh-​from-​the-​sea eats. And like an oasis, the illusion disappears after spending 10 minutes at the bar.
Not to say my $ 2 fish tacos weren’t average, had they arrived within the first 30 minutes of our placed order. Nor would I knock the cuban sandwich, although I’ve had the same quality from a Publix deli at half the price. It’s more tied to the frenetic service from a roller coaster of a staffer that actually made the entire restaurant (which, to be fair, was 8 people at 2pm on a Wednesday) markedly uncomfortable.
Projected F-​bombs, overtly sexual commentary and nonstop inquisition on all matters personal and atmospherical. It got to be so ridiculous, Pops and I played into it, scoring heavy pours and beer top offs before leaving utterly flabbergasted. I mean, there were kids in the dining room, buddy.
The grub was fine (my suspicion: dinner supersedes in quality) but that bizarre experience at the bar played more like a stand-​up bombing hardcore, and did nothing to drive me back in the future. Back to the Future, however, never bombs.

Dad’s steak was raw. Waiter rarely around. Soups were cold. Manager didn’t give us anything off for the bad experience. Bad experience overall. Hopefully when season comes it will be better.

I have devised a new Unilocal rating system. 3 stars is I enjoyed but not running back. 4 stars is a very much enjoyed and look forward to going back. 5 starts. well, it’s the schiznit. Ok… Hemingways…
Went here with 4 adults and 4 kids (5 and under). I like that it’s situated in a common area with other restaurants. There is a little pond out front that has fish and turtles so the kiddies liked that. We went around 6 and were seated right away (this is a Saturday night). Place is very nicely tommy bahama /​Cuba type of feel (dark woods, etc). Since we had hungry kids, we asked for some bread to pacify them. The waitress asked how many pieces. So I then asked if the bread was complimentary. She said yes. Ummmm… if its complementatry just bring a freakin basket! We can always ask for more, no? Just thought this was weird… and we did in fact ask for more… same question. Just bizarre.
I had the Jack’s Hurricane Shrimp. $ 18.95 for 12 shrimp. Not good, not bad in the price/​value spectrum. I tried one shrimp, and it was lukewarm, so I told the waitress and she said she would bring out new. Instead, she brought out ours reheated. I also said it was one shrimp short, so she brought out a whole plate with yup, one shrimp. See, this is where as a restaurant and a customer is having some challenges that you go above a little bit… just put a few at least… I’m not asking for free stuff keep in mind.
My wife had the Junkanoo BBQ sandwich and it was a good temperature and tasted great.
In terms of sides, we had the plantains with rum sauce (very good) and the squash which we really didn’t like.
We also had the white sangria and I just thought this was ehh.
So two adult plates, one kids plate, and ½ of a pitcher of sangria cost me about $ 75.

Upscale island-​style dining. I especially like going for brunch, which hardly anyone ever seems to do. Great drinks, and island/​Spanish style brunch options that are surprisingly creative and super tasty. Dinner and happy hours are great as well. Think Tommy Bahamas, but not as touristy.
What I had: Been a bunch, but my favorite is still the brunch. Bloodies with the egg special dish and homefries.
Best bet: Nothing wrong with dinner at all, but brunch is where it’s at!

So was greeted by an obnoxious bartender who called everyone «baby girl» … Screwed up my first margarita but redeemed on the second (the lady next to me wanted a weak one and he mixed them up) not the typical bartender he was just too innapropriate discussing his love for weed. To each is own. The food totally made up for the outlandish comments. Lobster and shrimp ravs were to die for! And a side of the asparagus topped with feta. So great. I will def be back but will sit at a high top to get away from the vain bartender. Great food though! Top pick

I’ve been here a few times and always enjoy the experience. Now that it’s off season, they started a new happy hour that is amazing! Wednesdays they have $ 2 fish tacos and $ 5 mojitos at the bar. The fish tacos were very good – much better than I would have expected for that price.
The tortillas were crispy (just how I like them) and there was some kind of red pepper sauce that I’m obsessed with now. The pico de gallo was a nice touch, especially since when I usually order fish tacos they don’t include this topping.
They always seem to have coupons in the local mail and with these specials I can see this becoming a place that I will head to often during happy hour!

So the food alone would not put the experience at 5*, it certainly isn’t comparative to the finer dining establishments available on 5^th & 3^rd in Naples, but the Friday & Saturday outdoor dining (in season) along with the live entertainment, dancing, and ½ price drinks until 7pm (we get there at 6:30 for ½ price drinks, then entertainment starts at 7).
I highly recommend several items: For an appetizer the onion straws are great to share and plenty for the table. It is far less greasy than the similar menu items at chain restaurants (like blooming’ onion). For dinner, my favorite dish is Salmon St Croix, but have also enjoyed sharing the ribs (the rack is too large for one), and the pork tenderloin, the mahi magi. The only dish I have not enjoyed was the pecan crusted tilapia).
For desert, order a baileys on the rocks with a splash of grand mariner. Absolutely delightful way to end the evening! The chocolate cake with rum is also nice, but VERY strong and rich.

Stopped in for lunch. Very quiet — almost a hidden location at the Coconut Point Mall. Large menu concentrating on island food /​seafood. Prices from under $ 10 for lunch to around$ 15– $ 30 for dinner entrées.
I had a Junkanoo BBQ sandwich with fries — Jerk BBQ sauce with caramelized onions over thin-​sliced pork roast. Very good.
I would probably go back for a sandwich, but the entrées looked VERY expensive for what they were.

Stopped here for a late lunch after shopping at Coconut Point. The food was good. Nothing exciting, and not a whole lot of variation (everything seemed to come with the «island rice» and beans), but good. My husband had grilled mahi (with the aforementioned rice & beans), I had the «mixed grill,» which was grilled tilapia and three grilled shrimp brushed with barbecue sauce… plus rice & beans and bonus! pineapple salsa. My kid had fried tilapia with — you guessed it! — rice and beans. The fish was all well prepared, my pineapple salsa was quite tasty & a nice accompaniment to those ubiquitous rice & beans, and my son’s fried fish was light & crispy. I also had a mango margarita, which was decent, although the mango chunks were frozen so no fun to eat. And it was VERY strong — no skimping on the alcohol on that one, I’ll tell you.
Seems like a good place for lunch or a casual dinner, reasonably priced, our service was good. Just nothing terribly exciting, you know?

Spent the day shopping in Coconut Point on vacation and came to Hemingway’s for dinner. We didn’t have a reservation but they were happy to accommodate us at prime dinner time. We chose to sit inside because it was a bit breezy outside.
The Mango Margarita was AWESOME!!! I’m a Rosa Mexicano girl and for a almost unknown Florida restaurant to have a drink this good, I was very impressed, loved it — had two, hehe. Boyfriend had the Hurricane and they did not skimp on the liquor — very tasty.
Hurricane Shrimp appetizer was very good — you are sad when all the yummy sauce is gone and the salsa was great!
I couldn’t decide on my meal so the waiter told me to try the Ropa Vieja and it was definitely delicious — the steak was very moist and tender and a huge portion — no room for dessert! He had the Salmon and being very picky with his fish, well any food really, he said it was great — spicy for his tastes but a very good dish with big portions.
The atmosphere is fun and takes you away to the islands and the outdoor seating area is very nice with a singer and people dancing. Will definitely go back to Hemingway’s if I am in the area again :-)