Fish Tales by Merrick’s

📍 Cape Coral, FL

🗓️ Visited: September 17, 2025 | ⏰ 12:20 pm – 2:00 pm

👩‍🍳 Reviewed by: Marissa & Edgard

First Impressions

Fish Tales by Merrick’s makes a strong first impression with its vibrant, coastal-inspired vibe. The exterior features teal and pink curtains around the open patio, complete with TVs and fans for a breezy, game-day-friendly atmosphere. Inside, neon pink and white lighting, paired with upbeat lounge music, creates a trendy yet relaxed setting. The space smells fresh—seafood-forward but never fishy.

Service

We were greeted by Jason, the bartender, who doubled as our server. Though the signage and arrows at the entrance were confusing, Jason quickly made up for it with warm, welcoming service. He guided us through the lunch menu, offered helpful suggestions, and even gave us a peek at the dinner options. Service was attentive and quick—the fried calamari arrived hot in under ten minutes.

Food & Drinks

Fried Calamari ($16): Perfectly seasoned, crisp, and flavorful. Garnished with parsley and lemon, served piping hot with marinara and dijon aioli. Ideal for sharing.
Buffalo Shrimp Salad ($18): A colorful, fresh plate topped with lightly breaded buffalo shrimp, avocado, bacon, bleu cheese, and a creamy house-made dressing that tied everything together. Flavorful yet light—great for lunch.
Shrimp Po’ Boy ($15): A standout dish. Six jumbo shrimp on grilled fresh bread with lettuce, tomato, and spicy sauce. Generous portion, bold flavors, and highly recommended (ask for extra sauce if you like heat).
Espresso Martini ($17): Classic and well-executed, but a bit pricey for repeat orders.
Fishtale Frozen Fishbowl ($18): A showstopper—bright blue, served in a fish-shaped glass, topped with a Swedish fish. Fun, tropical flavors (piña colada + coconut rum + blue curaçao). Worth trying once for the experience.

Menu & Options

The menu focuses heavily on fresh seafood (thanks to the Merrick’s connection), with only a handful of non-seafood options like a Thai Chicken Peanut Wrap and a Steak Sandwich. A good balance of indulgent and lighter dishes, but limited choices for non-seafood diners. No allergy-specific menu available.

Vibe & Dining Style

Trendy neon lights, clean décor, and a fun patio make this a versatile spot—equally good for date night, small groups, or game-day hangs. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, with UberEats for delivery.

Logistics

Parking is free across the street in Big John’s Plaza.
Bathrooms are single but very clean (likely a wait during peak times).
Lunch and dinner are both busy, but service stays efficient.

Value

Prices lean high, especially for cocktails, but the portions are generous and the seafood quality justifies the cost.

Final Thoughts

Fish Tales by Merrick’s delivers on fresh seafood, fun cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. Backed by Merrick Seafood Market (a Cape Coral staple since 1991), Fish Tales has been serving diners since 2013 and is widely recommended as the #1 spot for tourists looking for seafood in Cape Coral. The confusing entrance is the only real drawback, but once seated, the experience is smooth and satisfying.

Best Thing: The food—especially the Shrimp Po’ Boy.

Weakest Thing: Entrance/door confusion.

Best For: Date nights, small groups, seafood lovers, and visitors looking for Cape Coral’s top seafood experience.

Would Return? Absolutely.
Rating
5 Stars
Address
1229, Southeast 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, Lee County, Florida, 33904, United States

Review

4.3

4 reviews

Randyhohbein@gmail.com
12 November, 2025
Had dinner there this week. Food was awesome! The service was awesome! Four people in our group, divided up the check with no problem. It was cold outside, so the inside was full and very very noisy. Don’t go there expecting a quiet meal!
Jlusuriello
2 November, 2025
Went twice e cause sometimes you can have an off day.. Besides being rained on their “enclosed” patio, food is sub par. Soup was terrible. Service was awful. Too many other better choices.
Cheech
1 November, 2025
First choice for a date
Kelly
28 October, 2025
Fish Tales by Merrick’s
📍 Cape Coral, FL
🗓️ Visited: September 17, 2025 | ⏰ 12:20 pm – 2:00 pm
👩‍🍳 Reviewed by: Marissa & Edgard
First Impressions
Fish Tales by Merrick’s makes a strong first impression with its vibrant, coastal-inspired vibe. The exterior features teal and pink curtains around the open patio, complete with TVs and fans for a breezy, game-day-friendly atmosphere. Inside, neon pink and white lighting, paired with upbeat lounge music, creates a trendy yet relaxed setting. The space smells fresh—seafood-forward but never fishy.
Service
We were greeted by Jason, the bartender, who doubled as our server. Though the signage and arrows at the entrance were confusing, Jason quickly made up for it with warm, welcoming service. He guided us through the lunch menu, offered helpful suggestions, and even gave us a peek at the dinner options. Service was attentive and quick—the fried calamari arrived hot in under ten minutes.
Food & Drinks
Fried Calamari ($16): Perfectly seasoned, crisp, and flavorful. Garnished with parsley and lemon, served piping hot with marinara and dijon aioli. Ideal for sharing.
Buffalo Shrimp Salad ($18): A colorful, fresh plate topped with lightly breaded buffalo shrimp, avocado, bacon, bleu cheese, and a creamy house-made dressing that tied everything together. Flavorful yet light—great for lunch.
Shrimp Po’ Boy ($15): A standout dish. Six jumbo shrimp on grilled fresh bread with lettuce, tomato, and spicy sauce. Generous portion, bold flavors, and highly recommended (ask for extra sauce if you like heat).
Espresso Martini ($17): Classic and well-executed, but a bit pricey for repeat orders.
Fishtale Frozen Fishbowl ($18): A showstopper—bright blue, served in a fish-shaped glass, topped with a Swedish fish. Fun, tropical flavors (piña colada + coconut rum + blue curaçao). Worth trying once for the experience.
Menu & Options
The menu focuses heavily on fresh seafood (thanks to the Merrick’s connection), with only a handful of non-seafood options like a Thai Chicken Peanut Wrap and a Steak Sandwich. A good balance of indulgent and lighter dishes, but limited choices for non-seafood diners. No allergy-specific menu available.
Vibe & Dining Style
Trendy neon lights, clean décor, and a fun patio make this a versatile spot—equally good for date night, small groups, or game-day hangs. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, with UberEats for delivery.
Logistics
Parking is free across the street in Big John’s Plaza.
Bathrooms are single but very clean (likely a wait during peak times).
Lunch and dinner are both busy, but service stays efficient.
Value
Prices lean high, especially for cocktails, but the portions are generous and the seafood quality justifies the cost.
Final Thoughts
Fish Tales by Merrick’s delivers on fresh seafood, fun cocktails, and a lively atmosphere. Backed by Merrick Seafood Market (a Cape Coral staple since 1991), Fish Tales has been serving diners since 2013 and is widely recommended as the #1 spot for tourists looking for seafood in Cape Coral. The confusing entrance is the only real drawback, but once seated, the experience is smooth and satisfying.
Best Thing: The food—especially the Shrimp Po’ Boy.
Weakest Thing: Entrance/door confusion.
Best For: Date nights, small groups, seafood lovers, and visitors looking for Cape Coral’s top seafood experience.
Would Return? Absolutely.
Rating
5 Stars
Address
1229, Southeast 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, Lee County, Florida, 33904, United States