Shrimp and grits
Grouper Vilano
Piña Colada
Cranberry Appletini
Spicy Bloody Mary
outside
An amazing evening ...
outside
interior
Outdoor on the patio
tables and umbrellas on the beach
Looking out from the upper deck.
More sunset view
Sunset view
Mimosa
outside
The restaurant sign
Homemade Waffles
View outside our window
outside, pizza
Mimosas still rule!
Safura O.
Nov 23, 2024
For a dining experience that combines stunning views, impeccable service, and incredible food, The Reef is a must-visit. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a romantic meal, it promises to leave you delighted and craving more.Timeless elegance meets breathtaking ocean views at The Reef in Vilano Beach! From the tender blackened Mahi & Shrimp to the melt-in-your-mouth Sesame-Crusted Seared Tuna, every dish was a delight. Chef Denzel truly outdid himself with his culinary creations, including the flavorful House-Made Pâté and the perfectly balanced chefs special Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi with asparagus, basil, tomatoes, and orzo. All of our fishes were so fresh with just the right amount of spice, delivering a burst of flavor in every bite.And don't miss the Crème Brûlée or warm Bread Pudding to finish your meal on a sweet note.Big thanks to our amazing server Joey for making it extra special with his top-notch recommendations and charming descriptions (shoutout to orzo as "the love child of pasta and rice" ).Under the skilled hands of Chef Denzel Aponte, The Reef delivers seafood dishes that are both creative and delicious. My wife and I were in food nirvana, savoring every course from start to finish.Make your reservation today and savor a dining experience like no other. 4100 Coastal Hwy, Vilano Beach, FL
Read MoreHank R.
Dec 31, 2024
Train your staff!!!!Called to make a reservation and they said that it was waiting list and they didn't take reservations. showed up for early dinner and they asked if we had a reservation?????? Rude little cunt at the host stand should be fired!!!!!The food was very good, our waitress was awesome!!!The hostess almost st made us walk out until another hostess stepped in. Left a $100.00 tip and told our server about our experience, she was shocked!
Read MoreAndy O.
Nov 22, 2024
Dining with a View: A Memorable Experience at The ReefThe Reef in Vilano Beach offers a timeless dining experience, combining classic white-tablecloth elegance with breathtaking ocean views. The restless dance of the waves and the playful sea gulls add a charming touch, making it a delightful escape for seafood lovers.Star Dishes We Tried * Grilled Mahi & Shrimp: At the recommendation of our server Joey, we opted for the blackened style--a fantastic suggestion. The fish was tender and flaky, with just the right amount of spice, delivering a burst of flavor in every bite. * Sesame-Crusted Seared Tuna: This dish was pure perfection. The rare Saku tuna, paired with wasabi pea puree and pickled ginger, melted in the mouth and delivered a sensational dining experience. * House-Made Pâté: Made from chicken livers, garlic, onions, and tomato, served with crostini, this appetizer was incredibly flavorful and rich. * Chef's Special: Pan-seared mahi mahi with asparagus, basil, tomatoes, and orzo was a highlight of the evening. Joey's playful description of orzo as "the love child of pasta and rice" added charm, and the dish itself was a perfect balance of flavors.Sweet EndingsTo finish, the Crème Brûlée boasted a flawless caramelized crust, while the Bread Pudding with a dollop of ice cream was warm, comforting, and the perfect conclusion to an exceptional meal.DrinksThe Merlot red wine paired beautifully with our meal, enhancing the flavors and rounding out the experience.Service & AtmosphereOur server Joey was attentive and knowledgeable, elevating the entire dining experience with his insightful suggestions and engaging descriptions. The serene Vilano Beach setting, with oceanfront tables, provided a picturesque backdrop for an unforgettable evening.Final ThoughtsUnder the skilled hands of Chef Denzel Aponte, The Reef delivers seafood dishes that are both creative and delicious. My wife and I were in food nirvana, savoring every course from start to finish.For a dining experience that combines stunning views, impeccable service, and incredible food, The Reef is a must-visit. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a romantic meal, it promises to leave you delighted and craving more.
Read MoreLaurie V.
Jan 30, 2025
Met family from Jacksonville here while we are camping here at North Beach Camp resort. We were seated right away. Our server Brandon was very friendly, helpful and attentive. We have been before and glad the food was consistent. We ordered a spinach and artichoke dip appetizer. Then ordered meals shrimp and grits , jambalaya, salmon and prime rib. Everything was good everyone enjoyed. We will definitely be back.
Read MoreSusan H.
Sep 14, 2024
Indoor and outdoor seating with a nice bar area and a spectacular view of the ocean. This place feels elegant, yet casual. There's carpet throughout and on this very humid day of two weeks of rain left a slightly musty scent. Still a very clean and elegant setting. Staff is friendly and professional. I ordered a spicy Bloody Mary that was so satisfying. Nicely done! The Datil spiced Award Winning Seafood Chowder was creamy decadence with chunks of seafood and potatoes. My fried shrimp was light and crispy with succulent shrimp accompanied by a side of Datil pepper cocktail sauce. Perfect! My husband's order of Mahi Club was grilled and blackened and topped with smoky bacon and lettuce, tomato, onion and Swiss cheese with a dreamy avocado cream sauce. Amazing! Both our meals came with super crunchy well seasoned fries and Caribbean slaw.This is our first of many dining experiences as we intend to visit again often. Highly recommend!
Read MoreCaroline D.
Nov 2, 2024
This was an enjoyable evening listening to the waves from the ocean. The food was good I had the short rib with broccoli and fig jam accented in my dish, but my sister-in-Law had too much fig jam and it was sweet for her. The calamari appetizer was delicious and the seared tuna appetizer fresh. The service was so so. Things came out late. Over all good
Read MoreDavid F.
Nov 13, 2024
Great view even if the windows can get a little salty from the spray. Vilano is relatively close to St. Augustine so this is somewhat convenient for dinner if you are staying in STA or are going to the Amp.The Mai' Tai was pretty good. Crab app was very tasty. The fresh catch was pretty good.Service is laid back.Good beachside vibe with decent food.
Read MoreRobert M.
Jul 31, 2024
JC took AMAZING care of us in the bar area overlooking the beach!The food here is mediocre overall. You are paying for the ambience and the location. The service as I mentioned above is outstanding, but there's nothing that the servers can do to improve the quality and/or preparation of the food. My wife had the steak bowl, I had the crab Benedict.The presentation looks fantastic however that's where the fantastic ends. The flavors in the steak bowl were good, but the steak was tough and overcooked. The crab Benedict was good, the crab was a little little gamy, which can be expected with live animals. I think The Reef is a place to go one time just to experience it
Read MoreHeather B.
Feb 16, 2025
Ambiance, good, service was great! Only recommendation would be to not have crustinis so hard. Couldn't eat because afraid to break teeth. Other then that the food was amazing!!
Read MoreLynn P.
Feb 5, 2025
I just had the most amazing dinner at this location on the ocean. They have the cutest bar. Great bartender and I ordered the prime rib. It was the best I have ever had. Plus the mashed potatoes were out of this world. The were mashed with the skins on and so flavorful. Served with some perfectly cooked buttered green beans. AMAZINGLY delicious and LOVED the ambiance. New favorite place!!
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