Pinchers
About This Spot
Nestled just off the waterfront in Venice, Pinchers welcomes you with a relaxed, unhurried vibe where the joys of simple, fresh seafood take center stage. As you step inside, the gentle hum of conversation blends with the subtle clatter from the open kitchen and the occasional hint of sea breeze drifting in. It’s the kind of place where familiar faces meet new friends, drawn together by the lure of locally sourced flavors and a genuine, laid-back atmosphere.
The pace here is easygoing, mirroring the rhythms of coastal life. Whether it’s a casual midweek dinner or a weekend gathering with family, the space invites moments lingered over good food and thoughtfully paired drinks. The staff’s friendly attentiveness strikes just the right balance—present without rushing, making you feel quietly cared for as you savor each bite.
The kitchen crafts each dish around the freshest local catches and time-honored recipes, giving a comforting nod to coastal traditions while allowing for playful twists. From tender crab cakes brimming with meat picked fresh from Island Crab Company to perfectly seasoned shrimp prepared in a variety of enticing ways, every plate offers a new way to experience the bounty of the Gulf. Creamy chowders, crispy hush puppies, and dips rich with smoked grouper invite sharing, turning meals into small celebrations of texture and flavor. And when it comes to drinks, the bar keeps it simple yet satisfying—go-to margaritas and cold beers flow easily, complementing the seafood without fanfare.
What truly shapes the Pinchers experience is its atmosphere—warmth without pretension and an authenticity that feels rooted in community. You’ll find locals dropping in regularly alongside visitors discovering it as a guest favorite. The occasional live music drifting from the outdoor deck adds just the right spark, making evenings here feel both special and utterly natural.
At its heart, Pinchers feels like a welcoming coastal anchor: a place to slow down, indulge in well-loved flavors, and savor moments that are as much about connection as they are about food. Whether you’re here for a hearty meal after a day on the nearby beaches or a relaxed night out, it’s a spot where simple pleasures come together without fuss, just the way they should.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Fast service
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Great beer selection
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Great cocktails
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Great dessert
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Serves local specialty
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Happy-hour drinks
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Happy-hour food
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Healthy options
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Late-night food
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Spirits
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Toilet
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Casual
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Cosy
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Trendy
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Family friendly
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Groups
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Tourists
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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Has changing table(s)
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM | |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM |
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Lucy Mason 12 Jan 2026
The food is always good!! Our service was not great this visit. We arrived around 8:30pm on a Monday night and didn't get our food til after 9:30. The restaurant was slow and not busy at all. Our server was very slow at bringing and refilling drinks. Getting our check & To-go boxes took way too long. I understand that we were there towards the end of the night and they had to do the closing duties, but it was an excessive amount of time we waiting for everything. Even the family at the table next to us was complaining about how long everything took.
Dwayne Baker 09 Jan 2026
While visiting the Sarasota/Venice area, we always try to make a stop at Pinchers. We have visited this location multiple times over the past few years, so we knew what to expect and what the menu had to offer. We arrived around 9PM to a fairly empty restaurant it appeared. We were immediately seated and greeted by our server. We decided to try the crab dip for the first time and the blackened shrimp entrée. The food did take longer than expected to arrive, but since we weren’t in a hurry, it wasn’t a big deal. The crab dip was excellent, and highly recommended. The blackened shrimp was just OK as it lacked flavor. Both side items were also incorrectly sent with the shrimp. Our server immediately fixed the error. The best part of the evening was ordering our favorite dessert item, the deep-fried Key lime pie! If you love Key lime pie, you will absolutely love deep-fried Key lime pie! Overall it was a good experience and we will definitely be back while visiting the area!
Angie Bennett 26 Dec 2025
We absolutely love this place! We’ve been there 3 times this week! Food is always phenomenal and atmosphere is great! Service is always amazing as well! We love to come back here every year!
Captain Dave 06 Dec 2025
Everything Seafood! This is the place! We found the selection vast, all the items you would expect plus their own specialty dishes. Fresh local catch plus delicious sides. A++ Pricing very reasonable. Family friendly, relaxed atmosphere. So many drink choices. A must do for seafood lovers! Even had live music at the outside tables.
G 04 Dec 2025
Paula (our server) was Professional, Friendly, Courteous & Attentive. Food was really good as well. We had a late lunch and was pleasantly surprised they have 2-4-1 drink specials all the time! And very generously sized glasses as well. Today was Margaritas (a Florida favorite) We had been traveling to Sarasota for our outings but we may have just found a local favorite A+++
Colton McClelland 23 Nov 2025
Alaskan snow crab was delicious, and they had stone crab in as well, it was overall amazing. The crab legs came with proper tools to eat them, and amazing garlic sauce, as well as a little wooden hammer to bonk fry stealers. The food was reasonably priced and delicious, would recommend.
birdy 22 Nov 2025
delicious and fresh seafood - we got stone crab claws, the grouper platter, oysters, and hush puppies. entrees came with 2 sides each. prompt and friendly service, indoor and outdoor seating, great decor and environment. loved trying this place out!
Curtis Schuman 27 Sep 2025
Great food with large portions served. Our waiter, Natalie was a delight to speak with. She knew her job.