Anastasi Seafood Reviews

This was my 2nd visit to this 80 year old fish market and restaurant. I just love this small intimate space with white table clothes. They focus on freshness. They have a full service Bar serving specialty cocktails and a variety of beer choices The staff was very attentive. Great website too. Located in the Italian Market Anastasi’s is must visit . Full of “just caught” freshness the six of us had great tasty meals. My favorite Shrimp and Blue Crab Chowder. It was beyond fabulous!

I travel to Philly a couple times a year (from New York) for sports and aim to try a new restaurant each visit. This particular time, I decided to search TripAdvisor for seafood in the area. Anastasi's was everything advertised and more. Based on the reviews, I made reservations, but the restaurant was pretty busy (it was a Friday night). As other reviewers have stated, the restaurant is really just a corner of carpeted space within a fish market. I think it's great. Cut out the middle man! The staff was also super warm and friendly. With so many tasty-sounding options on the menu, my friend and I really went in. We had: - Clams Casino (good, but nothing earth shattering. we felt the peppers overwhelmed the flavor) - Cap Cod Mussels (very good!) - Shrimp & Blue Crab Chowder (phenomenal with huge chunks of shellfish!) - Octopus Salad (also out of this world--a must have) - Grilled Rainbow Trout (great!) - Grilled Seafood Platter (also great!) All in all -- I highly recommend visiting Anastasi's and I will try to make it a tradition myself.

No! Not all it's hyped up to be. While the seafood was fresh, dinner portions are small & bland. Crabs - disappointing Poor ambiance and rather average staff.

My wife and I just got back from our quick day trip to Philadelphia. After walking the Italian Market area we stopped at Anastasi's. Requesting to sit at the bar was no problem. We ordered a couple of drinks, vodka soda and a perfectly made mojito, prepared by our bartender Jen. In no time at all we were engaged in great conversation with some local regulars. We dined on raw clams and oysters. Lobster bisque, steamed shrimp and fish tacos. Believe me when I say this, they were all outstanding!!!!! We had such a great time we did not want to leave. We didn't. We stayed until closing feeling like we have been coming there for years and got a last minute room at a local Holiday Inn. A short day trip turned out to be a wonderful night. Thank you to the owner of Anastasi's for your hospitality and a great time. We will be back!!!!

Took a walk through the Italian market - quite different from other parts of Philly - local feel, market stalls under awnings selling all sorts of roots and exotic fruits. I'd been recommended an Italian joint when I saw, what for me was an immediate invitation - a seafood restaurant. Outside they sell fresh fish and seafood, inside a take-away counter and a small restaurant, nothing fancy, more like a diner than anything else. I chose wisely for my first two dishes - a blue cheese and seafood soup that was heavy and redolent with flavour; I also called for a couple of oysters and a clam - all were fine and tasty. The mistake I made was to go for a dozen fried shrimp - the mistake - the portion was huge and came with the most delicious fries, and I'd been avoiding this carby delicacy. Wow they were great - with a coating of something (could it have been spiced corn starch?) that was just so moreish. The only let down was that the shrimps were heavily coated in breadcrumbs so I couldn't really taste the prawn. Music was provided by various lounge lizards crooning over the radio.

This is a gem of a place. Tucked onto a corner in the Italian Market section of Philly, it appears to be a fish monger's shop. But, upon entering, you will find much, much more. Yes, they do have a section of coolers with fresh fish. The displays of this are so clean, it is enticing to buy some fish. But, if staying at a hotel that isn't an option is it? Well, then go to the other side of the area and you will find a lovely dining area cordoned off with pristine, white linen table cloths, candles and beautiful wooden seats. As it was only 4:00, we opted to sit at the long, wooden bar. It was happy hour with quite a selection. I chose Peroni beer on tap with an order of one dozen blue point oysters. Weeks later, I am still dreaming about this. The oysters were fresh, cold and briny just like they should be. The beer was cold and the bartender was delightful. I can't wait to return to Philly just to visit Anastasi's again!

Fantastic meal! I cannot imagine having found a better place for seafood in Philadelphia. Wonderful Shrimp and Blue Crab Chowder (gluten free). Good house salad. I had the Linguine Pescatore which they made with a Fra Diavolo sauce (choice of white or red). Loaded with mussels, clams, shrimp and crab meat. The others in my party ordered the broiled Seafood Combo: Scallops and crab wrapped with Flounder, Shrimp.

We visited the Italian Market in Philadelphia for the 1st time. Had heard this place has great sea food. The restaurant is part of the sea food market. There are some outdoor tables also. My wife didn't want to be smelling the sea food market while eating lunch so we sat out side which was much nicer anyway. The decor is basic and plain as this is a sea food market and not a 4 star restaurant. The waitress was friendly and service was good. Let's talk about the food. The menu isn't exotic. Simple seafood but well presented. I had a cup of the crab and shrimp chowder which was very good. Large pieces of shrimp and crab meat. My wife had the portabello mushrooms stuffed with crab meat. Two decent sized mushrooms well stuffed with very good crab cakes. One of the better crab cakes we have had and we have had many. I had the broiled trio. Maybe it should have been the broiled quattro. It was two pieces of flounder, 2 scallops, topped with crab meat with 2 large shrimp. The presentation was very nice and interesting. The flounder, scallops and crab meat were wonderfully done. The shrimp probably should have been grilled as they were kind of tasteless. Seems to have been boiled and lost the flavor. The side of rice was a bit under cooked. The seafood was very fresh. All the fish in the cases looked very very and very reasonably priced. Two of us with 2 glasses of house wine, a cup of soup and 2 entrees spent ~$70 with tax & tip. Not cheap but it was good.

Sorry, I just wasn't impressed. The food was "okay" but I believe the prices are high for the amount of food. My wife ordered the Mediterranean salad and it had only 2 shrimp and sparse crab meat. The food was good but nothing that would bring me back. Our waitress was very nice but terrible. Had to ask several times for everything. She brought food for the entire table and completely forgot to bring one meal and didn't notice. Several meals came with fries and one person ordered a side of fries. We had to actually ask for ketchup twice. My wife ordered the salad as per above and the waitress brought it out with no dressing and my wife had to ask twice. My friend ordered fish and chips and had to ask if there were any other condiments available. She forgot the tartar sauce so he had to ask. Then he had to ask for the malt vinegar that is often used in fish and chips. There were bottles of water on the table and we had to ask for the water to be refilled several times. I will guess that the waitress was having a bad night because I can't imagine her being tolerated if she was always this incompetent. Once again she was very nice but we almost felt like pests having to ask for things that should have been provided. I personally believe that this place is more hype than really that good.

We have a party of four on a Saturday evening, without reservation and was seated immediately outside without any delay. Great SeaFood in a market like ambience with attentive service. Price is very reasonable - at less better than those who claim to be 'Fine Dinning' restaurant. Owner also came to greet us when we finished. Will definitely return later.

The wife and I were visiting family and friends in the Philly area and wanted to combine Italian and fish/seafood so went to Trip Advisor for suggestions. Our meal was one of the highlights of our visit. Dinner was fabulous and our server, Paula, was a South Philly Original who added much picante joy to our meal. The wife, a friend and I did appetizers, entrees and dessert: clams casino, steamers, house garlic bread, scallops, Branzino, lobster pasta. a cannoli and a tiramisu. The restaurant has limited seating and shares the building with the fish market, which has a huge selection of fresh fish and seafood.

It was a great night out so we sat at one of the sidewalk tables. It was fun to watch all the people go by. Service was very good. The food was fresh and the portions were a nice size. I had the grilled octopus salad as my dinner and it was large enough to satisfy me. The octopus was plentiful and the dressing was very good. Other dishes ordered at the table were the swordfish, pan seared salmon and tuna. All dishes came with two sides. This is also a fish market, so fresh items are available to go.

This restaurant doesn’t look like much, but once you start eating here you feel like that’s a Michelin star restaurant. The creamy shrimp blue crab soup was so delicious I almost didn’t wanna try anything else, just get another bowl of soup....so happy I didn’t because the salmon pasta’s and the grilled fish served...so delicious I can’t describe in words! So, it’s a must go if you are a seafood lover.

An occasion to remember with some of the freshest seafood and fantastic menu around :) love the clams casino, beer selection and even the veggies were fantastic. We all loved the specials and the atmosphere. A definite spot to go to again. Thank you for such a great meal and experience xo heather

A small South Philly family owned Restaurant in the heart of the Italian Market provides you with great food and a friendly atmosphere. There is a fish market in the front and the restaurant is in the back so you know you are getting fresh fish. They are known for their crab cakes but I have never had a bad meal no matter what I ordered. The food is cooked to order and is prepared mostly with an Italian influence. An order of garlic bread is a must.

Because the restaurant is in the Italian Market, they do fish right: fresh, tasty and...with beer! The first time we passed by, it was like, "What? A bar in a fish market?" So we made a point of checking it out. Are we glad we did. Haven't had smelts this good since my mom's. And the octopus salad was amazing: grilled, salted and simply delicious. The boys had fish n' chips where the piece of cod was so huge, we took the rest home. Retro deco adds a real nice touch and the staff were super friendly. Our new favorite spot of Philly!

Anastasi's is located in the wonderful but aging Italian Market.Their food is fresh but highly priced. Service is greta. You can dine in or outside. There is a nice bar inside with a wide selection of beers.

Heard and read good things. We went for happy hour, buck a shuck and decided to sit outside, since $1 oysters were not available for people sitting at tables inside. Only at the bar or outside. It seemed like forever to get the oysters. While the oysters were good, we really wanted claws but they were out at 5 o'clock. WHAT? The service was marginal at best. We had to ask for everything including silverware. I could not tell if the server was bored or just tired. When we received the bill, on the inside of the book was a tipping guide. Because of the suggested range of tipping, we left the minimum! Should have left nothing. When walking by the front of the building, the smell was nauseating. I don't know if they are just used to it, but it made me gag.

Any trip to Italian Market in South Philadelphia should include a stop at Anastasi Seafood.

Funky in a good, South Philly way. The seafood is always fresh, since it travels only a few feet from the busy retail store (which you're in the middle of), and the preparation and service are terrific. Add the bar with some local characters and it's quite a show, especially if you're tourists looking to experience the real Philadelphia. Go to Gino's, Pat's or Jim's for the cheesesteaks, go to Anastasi's for seafood.

We had been meaning to try this restaurant out for dinner for months now, and somehow never got around to it. Today, we happened to be in the Italian Market and so the two of us stopped in for a quick lunch. I had a lobster roll with coleslaw and she ordered the flounder sandwich, pan-cooked rather than fried, with coleslaw. That's it, very simple and accompanied by two ice cold bottles of Yuengling. Both sandwiches were excellent (see photos). The lobster consisted of three totally fresh, large, full pieces of claw meat on a traditional lightly toasted and buttered hot dog roll topped with a dollop of herbed tartar-like sauce. The flounder was perfectly moist and fresh and actually had some flavor, from the pan cooking, and was served on sesame seeded Italian bread with shredded lettuce and thin-sliced tomato and a side of coleslaw. She asked for tartar sauce to dress with and we both squeezed a good amount of lemon juice on them. The beers were served along with icy-cold glasses. We enjoyed this lunch so much we will be back often to repeat the experience and we will surely get to try dinner here some night soon. The only change we would suggest? Take a break from the endless Sinatra music - we get it, it's the Italian market!

I've bought a lot of fish here. The owners are lovely people, and the employees are first rate. Very helpful in making selections. Very popular place to buy clams and other seafood. I like to buy bronzino. Always fresh.

We decided to go down to 9th street for dinner and get off the tourist beaten path. As tourists we search out gems like Anastasi's. Surrounded by fresh seafood coolers that offer a great selection, is a small restaurant & bar with guess what!! fresh fish & pasta dishes. Friendly staff, local patrons & great food. This is the kind of neighborhood restaurant that you would beg to find when traveling in Italy. If Rick Steve's did Philadelphia he would give this place 5 stars. Rick & Laura

Wow don't even know where to start. This snack was so beyond fantastic that I was already planning my next trip to Philly so I can eat here again. We were walking down South Street when a sign in the window caught our eye for $1 oysters. It turned out that was only during the week but it made no difference. We enjoyed their red soup of the day -- clam chowder and split a delicious order of clams casino. The food, bartender and hostess all friendly, amazing and welcoming. Food is superior. Can't wait to return.

Fabulous service,friendly and funny.Oysters and a crab cake slider-terrific.Lemoncello martini was a WOW.Plan a dinner there next time,fresh seafood,fun location with outdoor seating in the middle of the Italian Market area

Passing thru Philly and thought I would visit a seafood place I had been to several times before, however it has closed. Thought I'd give Anastasi's a try. Was a great choice Crab legs were great but the crab and shrimp soup was excellent. Restaurant is not big but has a small bar and Sinatra music playing in the background. Great ambiance and if you like wine a very good selection.

Awesome prices and fresh/live seafood. Some of their prices are almost $2 cheaper per pound than other places. And they were still bringing in blue crab while other places weren't. I didn't try their cooked seafood only because I cook my own.

Neighborhood gem with fresh seafood (restaurant is part of a seafood market that has saved the community for years) in an unpretentious South Philly location. Seating inside enjoys the ambience of the market while outside seating features the sights and sounds of the vibrant Italian (and now, more and more, Asian) Market. The star here, however is the fresh seafood deliciously prepared to order. Portions are generous and prices are appropriate. Service is friendly. A great spot for quality seafood and casual dining.

I came across Anastai while visiting the Italian Market. One of the first 9th St. markets, Anastasi is owned and operated by a 4th generation brother and sister. It is a seafood market and restaurant. They deliver through Dining In Philly where my husband and I ordered from, to have dinner delivered to our hotel room. We ordered the clams casino and bacon blue crab mac & cheese. Because the mac & cheese was listed under appetizers, we ordered two. The servings were so big, we had enough for 4 meals. The clams were ok, but not your traditional clams casino. The mac & cheese was wonderful, full of crab meat. Would definitely return.

I am not a seafood fan, but my wife is, so we ended up going to this restaurant following a recommendation we received the day before. Don't judge this place by its location or by its appearance. This restaurant punches well above its weight on a number of levels. Near the Italian Market and in a part of Philadelphia that we were unfamiliar with. Got off the bus and had been told that it was across the road from the grocer's market, and this is a real grocer's market with beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables. We looked around and there it was. It looked like a fishmonger's, but the restaurant is inside. We started with a shared lobster mac and cheese. I asked for a recommendation from our waitress, who suggested a fish called Porgys. Never heard of it. Loved it! If you get the chance make sure this features in your visit to Philadelphia. You won't be disappointed.

Everything was family friendly from entering to leaving. The shrimp and blue crap soup was chock full of everything, made to order and fantastic. We wanted to share the entree of soft shell crab special and was served separate portions with no sharing charge. It was excellent. Finished the meal with chocolate mousse cake; nice ending to a delicious meal. Wait staff was accommodating ans efficient. They worked as a team along with the hostess.

Parking here is street parking, however there are plenty parking garages at walking distance. This restaurant is way part the more touristic area and at fist glance is not a place that promises much, but once you step in, things change. They have a fish market adjacent to the restaurant that may be a little odd at fist but I promise that it is worth the try. We came in for oysters and a couple of drinks, a quick in and out. The staff here was SUPER friendly and accommodating, the service was so quick and nice. OYSTER- we had a dozen of oysters, they were fresh and super tasty, they even went the extra step of loosen them up from the shell for us. The price was reasonable as well and the presentation of the oysters was on point! This place is truly a HIDDEN GEM! overall we had. great experience, a quick in and out! the dish cam out in a very quick amount of time and the ambiance was perfect too! super worth the try and I do think that this place is a winner!

Good service and great food. It is not a typical restaurant, it has flavor to it in the Italian Market. Everything we tried was excellent. Recommend you pay a visit.

We went here for dinner expecting a nice seafood meal and we weren't disappointed. In fact, it was the best seafood we've had in a long time. We started with crab cakes (appetizer) which had generous chunks of crab with little filler. Delicious. My husband had the crab ravioli which he inhaled, and I had a very tasty grilled Branzino. The mashed potatoes were amazing! Full of the perfect amount of garlic and butter. Our drinks were great. Lots of beer and wine choices for a reasonable price. I loved my cucumber Martini too. The atmosphere is really fun too. All in all, a fun night.

Fantastic, fresh, and cooked seafood at the corner of 9th and Washington Street (across from Giordano's in the Italian Market). Buy crabs by the bushel, half bushel fresh or cooked by the dozen. Succulent gulf wild caught shrimp, flounder, whitings, and red snapper fresh or cooked. Eat in, order take out, or buy and cook at home. Reasonably priced. Street parking and off street parking available.

DELICIOUS, FRESH SEAFOOD!! While visiting our daughter who now lives in Philly, looking for seafood restaurant since Friday during Lent. After googling, found Anastasi's. They have a parking lot (no charge after 5:00)--So good! Seafood is fresh, fresh, fresh!! It is an Italian fish market, with a quaint restaurant with 10-12 tables (also a bar). Nice little happy hour ($1 oysters yummy). Our dinners were all delectable!!! Highly recommend the scallops wrapped in flounder with a dollop of crabmeat. Casual, comfortable!! Will return on our next trip to Philly!

Went to Anastasi's with friends. I had the fried seafood combination. The fish was well prepared, tasty, and the portion was enormous. service was attentive and the people there are quite friendly. A nice evening.

We went there for a multi February birthday dinner; It was a bit tight for 9 of us, but as soon as we sat down, the owner came over; an Italian nonna fo the best sort. For appetizers, we had fired calamari, mussels, clams, seafood bruschetta (A MUST EAT!). Sharing with the family was a lot of fun. Afterwards, we had seafood marinara, fish, and a bunch of other delicious items, all of which was passed around the table. Though were were stuffed, there was room for deserts, coffees, and limoncello to close out the meal. We are definitely looking forward to going back.

They have the best seafood chowder at a reasonable price. All the food is fresh and good. The atmosphere is fun, always great music playing. Service is very friendly. We always enjoy our visit here.

We came to the restaurant at an odd time but were able to get a very early dinner. We both ordered lobster and were delighted that it was steamed (not boiled) and not overcooked. Although it was an odd time of day, the service was excellent.

went to Anastasia for oysters and i finish eating seafood. the restaurant is very clean prices excellent, service top notch and best of all seafood is extremely fresh. every thing in the heart of Philadelphia. 5 stars

We came here for a light Birthday lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The hostess was delightful! Her warm smile was very welcoming. We sat outside and started with a pitcher of tasty red sangria. We ordered clams on a half shell, oysters, and shrimp cocktail. Everything was extremely fresh! The clams were a bit on the small side. Then we ordered some fried shrimp to pick on and they were fantastic. The hostess sent over a complimentary dessert and limoncello for my Birthday, which was so sweet of her! I will definitely be back when I'm in the area!

If you're visiting Philly you'll want to see the famous Italian Market where Rocky ran. Enjoy but plan on a great meal at Anastasi's at the corner of 9th and Washington Ave in the heart of the market. Ambiance is irrelevant in this combination fish market/restaurant but the food more than makes up for it. My wife must try the escargot wherever she goes. They were the tenderest, tastiest she's ever had. A shrimp-crab chowder was thick and creamy and yummy. I had PEI mussels in a pink sauce (combination of marinara and white). They were fabulous. We came for the crabs and they were unbelievably tasty albeit not large. Bring your appetite, they portions are huge. I took home half the mussels. The breads were also outstanding. We were there late and had an opportunity to speak with the chef, Dick. It's obvious that he is passionate about seafood and it shows in the result.

Eating fresh seafood in the middle of a seafood market was a lot of fun. I also like their Manyunk location.

After reading a review of Italian Market area as going downhill I disagree. First I have visited markets all over Europe as well as major US cities. The Italian Market area still has great stores and restaurant.The area may need some work but it still has some gems hidden among the market streets. One of those gems is Anastasi's restaurant and fish market. I live on the gulf coast of Florida and am very picky when it comes to seafood freshness. The scallops and octopus were cooked to perfection. My experience was finding exceptional service, food and and most important a clean bathroom. As a surgical nurse when I use a restaurant restroom it's cleanliness is a reflection of what's going on in the kitchen. So I rate this place A+++ all around. Go and enjoy...

Large choice of seafood and fisches., prepared in the european ways. You can look at the fresh products in the refrigerated stands.You can eat late. Nice vintage decoration ( 50-60'sixties) Very Good food for money

We did not eat here, only shopped at their market. Very fresh seafood - no fishy smell at all. Very customer oriented - friendly and efficient. We bought fish, soft shell crabs, chopped clams, shucked oysters and clams casino. Soft shell crabs were live - thick and tasty. Prices were reasonable, seafood was freshest we've gotten in a while. We will definitely stop again next time we are in the Italian Market.

Fresh and fantastic seafood stopped in during a recent visit n had the stone crab claws with lemons and the mustard sauce they where rocking couldn't get enough !! No need to go to joes stone crab claws in Florida when this is right here !!

Excellent seafood dishes and great bar. The blue crab soup is a must try. The bartenders are also very nice and pour a great drink. Great for a small bite or appetizer.

Had dinner before a concert in South Philly. I had the broiled seafood combination, which was probably he freshest seafood I have ever eaten. It was well prepared, and seasoned perfectly. Service was very attentive. Will certainly return for another delicious meal.

Whatever you do i would stay away from this trap. Everything is Disgusting and over priced for canned seafood. The owner is a psycho lunatic who is so nice on the phone but after you hand her money she snaps on you if you ask for a napkin and charges $3 for a little bit of butter which didn't come with the loaf of bread. Sadly i will not return here and would not advise anybody to do so. Try 13th dickinson instead.

So my review is split. The service was not very good but the drinks were well made and they had a great selection of draft beers. Very clean, little pricey but a trendy area so probably about the same as the surrounding area. Just visiting but if I lived there I would go back again

My sister, my daughter, and I recently at a Anastasi's Seafood Ristorante in Philadelphia and it was wonderful! This was my first visit to the Italian market and we were very hot and tired and hungry! This was the perfect place to go. The wait staff and owner made us feel very welcome and comfortable. They were very friendly and did everything they could to make sure our visit was a good one. I ordered the fish taco, my sister got a crab cake sandwich, and my daughter got a Shrimp Po'Boy sandwich. Everything was DELICIOUS! (and reasonably priced) You can buy fresh uncooked sea food and other items to go here, too, but since we were shopping - we just got lunch. Honestly, I can't think of a better place to eat while in Philadelphia. I recommend this place whole heartedly!

My boyfriend and I decided to indulge in the essence of seafood while in town. I must say this place was nothing short of incredible. I would recommend the crab soup. Also the snow crab legs with the "works" was a huge hit. We also split a bottle of wine. They have a cute patio as well to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere. The restaurant is also attached to a cool market!

This was a real discovery for us on our last trip to Philadelphia, It's in South Philly, near the Italian Market, and definitely leaving Center City. The dishes were all outstanding (our table had crab cakes, clams, fried shrimp, and mixed seafood grill) and very reasonably priced. Small and crowded, but, for all that, not noisy. It is in the middle of the retail seafood store, which adds charm to the ambiance. Also a very good bartender.

The restaurant is in the heart of the Italian Market- think the Rocky movies. Outside weather permitting seafood is being sold and inside in the cases. There is fresh fish, pre-made salads, shellfish, smoked fish, long hot pepper and take out sweets. In good weather there is outdoor seating. There is a small bar and about 15 tables. There are always specials and special drinks. This is not an elegant restaurant-think a diner.If you like seafood it is a good choice. There is a happy hour. The menu has sandwiches, pastas, fish selections, salads and raw bar options. There is something for everyone. I recommend the macaroni and lobster,the poor boy, the lobster roll or something on the special menu like the monk fish or a pasta special. . If you want healthy choices there are options for grilled or broiled fish..

My family had an itch for some fresh seafood - mainly crab legs - and were in the city. So to Google/Trip Advisor we go to find a place. Anastasi came up on both searches with relatively decent reviews. We parked around the corner at a lot, and walked to the restaurant. I'll be honest, we almost didn't go in. It was about 75 degrees with decent humidity and the smell was a big turnoff. Thankfully, my husband saw the garbage can with all of the scraps from the fresh seafood market out front, and we determined that was the source, so we would step inside before making any judgments. And, boy, am I glad we did. You have a choice of dining inside or out. We went with inside - which is a cozy dining area, with full bar on one side, and behind glass/barrier, the inside portion of the seafood market. We dined inside. The servers were like family, welcoming you, and having light conversation while being very knowledgeable on portions, etc. We knew we were going to get what we wanted out of this experience, for sure. We started with the crab guacamole. The guacamole was fresh, and very well seasoned, topped with extremely fresh lump crab. So. Good. We ran out of chips, but that did not stop my son or myself from eating whatever was left with our forks -- that good. We also had the calamari, which again, fresh, but also crispy, and well-seasoned. For dunner (late lunch/early dinner), my son went with the shrimp and crab chowder. I must say; that stuff was so flavor packed, I could see myself pouring it on other things and having a meal of it: rice, potatoes, steak -- I actually dipped my fries in it! My daughter, husband, and I were all in the mood for crab, so we ordered 3 different kinds: Dungeness, snow, and king. But also got the red snapper with seasoned fries, then ordered the a la carte sides of sautéed spinach and roasted peppers. We were certainly over-hungry when we ordered, but typically shoot to take home leftovers anyway - which we certainly did here. I was surprised we actually took home crab, because my son started eating it after getting his fill of his soup! My ranking of the crab legs: king, snow, then Dungeness*, but they were all perfectly cooked, pre-cracked, and certainly full of meat. The only reason the Dungeness came in last, was because it was a bit salty - but once I dipped that badboy in some butter - all was forgiven: sweet, savory, tender, yum. As I said, we did leave with some leftovers, which became a crab béchamel sauce over a roasted pepper omelette: no regrets. All in all a great experience: fresh food, great service -- going to be our #1 seafood stop point forward.

Anastasi Seafood Philadelphia is one of the world’s great restaurant cities, and even here, Anastasi Seafood stands out. Located in the heart of the historic Italian Market (YO ROCKY!), this mostly takeout gem serves up some of the freshest and best seafood in the city. From live and softshell crabs to Gulf shrimp and homemade seafood salad, Anastasi is a must-visit for seafood lovers. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a live crab making a daring escape from a bushel! (I named him ROCKY) Family-run for four generations and counting, it’s no surprise this local favorite has earned a solid 5-star reputation. To top it off, they’ll cook your fish, crabs, or whatever else is on the menu for you right on the spot. And if you want to hang out and enjoy your meal, there’s even a small seating area out front for 4–6 people. Jerry Ehrlich from the Great City of Philadelphia

I have never wrote a review before but this situation calls for one. My family paid $245 for a bushel of crabs today and when we got home they were not even #1's. We called and they did apologize but said " that is the best that we can do for jumbo size"`1 and left it at that. Make sure you check your bag before you leave this place because they obviously have no problem with charging you for something they are not giving you. This is a place that we get fresh seafood from often but now do not trust their word!!!

You would probably drive right by this place without giving it a second glance. You may, after seeing the outside, have second thoughts about your reservation and go elsewhere. That would be a terrible mistake. Granted, it doesn't look like much from the outside. Even upon entering, you are not overwhelmed with ambiance. But please, take your seat at one of the 8 tables. Order a drink from the full service bar. Order an app ( calamari for us), then sit back and try to decide what to have for dinner off the extensive menu. The entire menu looked delicious. We settled on a grilled whole Branzino for her and Pescatore for me. Both were perfectly prepared. Do yourself a favor and get a table here some night. We will certainly be back.

Thanks to Open Table we discovered this amazing seafood restaurant (and market). Not even a suggestion that fish is cooked and sold on the premises. They feature seafood of the highest quality and each dish is beautifully presented. Portions are large and cooked to perfection. The staff and owner are delightful. I can't wait to go back. If you've never been there make a reservation -- please.

You don’t go to Anastasi’s for the ambiance you go for the incredibly fresh seafood. It’s very old school in its approach yet the seafood rivals what you’d find at the hipper joints. Go for the food not the scene!

Although we were almost 40 min early we were seated in few minutes, quickly and politely served and the food was so good. We had shrimp and scallops with bacon, crab and soup , the flan was great as well, just the green side dishes were a bit under quality. Seating outside is a bit noisy but you can enjoy the amazing people and vehicles racing the Italian market

Gave it a try. Nice menu. Obviously the freshest seafood around. Staff was very nice, service good. The fried fish and chips is delish. Not greasy, which is sometimes horribly greasy elsewhere. We (2 parties) thought the price for the shrimp cocktail were CRAZY, bill said jumbo, however, they were not any larger than a medium at best!, @ $3.50 each....seriously? 6 of them for $21, WOW. The crab cakes were more like crab balls with shredded crab meat and a "different" taste..hmmmm couldn't figure it out. My husband who will eat just about anything when asked replied "they're ok"....Sorry just being honest, and listen, We all have had crab cakes all over the place, these were just not worth it. Having said that, won't go again. You don't mind paying for what you get if its good, but too pricey and average food..

Just took some out of town guests to one of our favorite restaurants. Warned them in advance that we are not paying for atmosphere, just for fresh seafood. At first you think you must be in the wrong place - as you walk into what is clearly a seafood store. But there it is, a restaurant in the back. Looks a little like a dive, but the food is to die for. Our guests said that they had the best seafood they had in a long time. Loved the food. We had a great evening. We'll be back.

A small restaurant in the Italian Market in South Phila. with a great seafood store. The fish was very fresh, the menu was simple, the service was good. The vegetables were good and not overcooked. I certainly would return for good seafood without a lot of frill. Unassuming decor, you are sitting in the middle of the fish restaurant.

We had lobster bisque which was tasty, but very thin and I had the crab and shrimp soup which was outstanding. My combination seafood platter was a huge piece of flounder, one shrimp, one scallop and a small crab ball. Mt wife had seafood pescatori and it was tasty. This place is tiny and cramped inside a fish market. Alcoholic drinks were small and overpriced, $10.00 for a small white cherry cosmo.

Oh man it was good - and if you see the place there is no way you see this coming. To call this a "hole in the wall" if an over- exaggeration. This is a nook inside a hole in the wall., I think there are 22 seats in the whole place - but we when we were there it was 22 happy dinners. My son had Grilled Swordfish and I had pan seared Red Snapper. Both pieces of fish were fresh and tasty! WHat made this exceptional was the fish (both) were expertly prepared. I mean like what I would expect if an Iron Chef or Gordon Ramsey cooked it up... It was maybe the best fish I have been served... ever. The sides were okay, I mean basic, they were good, but they could have served cardboard and shoestrings as sides and everyone would have still raved at the fish! It is a small place, but its not loud or cramped. The fish market is RIGHT THERE but you dont smell all that fish... it is a place I can tell you I am in a hurry to get back to. This is a tell your friends, but not everyone because you dont want the secret to get out! I still want to be a ble to get a table without calling 3 months out... Kudos evereyone, this was a great meal!!!!!

The seafood was fresh and delicious! Bartender made a cucumber Collins for me even though it was no longer on the menu and it was perfection!

For my mother’s birthday, We drove her from Boston to spend the day with our son who recently moved to Philly. He had heard this place had good seafood and thought it would be a nice place to take her for dinner. Complete understatement! It was amazing! The menu was extensive, the staff was so friendly, the food was fresh and delicious! My family tried a lot of items and everything was fantastic! I actually don’t even like seafood and got a side of pasta and the sauce was out of this world! Coming from Boston, we are not strangers to fresh seafood or menu options, but Anastasi’s is on a level of its own!

The food is fresh and priced to please. Very pragmatics eatery, nothing fancy smancy here...a very good meal, atmosphere like found at Chelsea(not a restaurant) which is indoors in Manhattan. You will not go wrong here!

If I was to take home fresh ingredients and make a meal, I would want it to turn out like this! Bacon wrapped dry scallops and shrimp and also the crab macaroni and cheese. Just wonderful!

It seemed as if all of the staff who care were laid off. It took forever to get a drink, even though we were sitting at the bar for lunch. After we ordered, I watched the cook walk into the bathroom and come back out with the same glove on his hand that he went in with. I should have left right then but I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt because we liked it so much on our previous visit. It only got worse...most of our food was terrible. The server hung on my husband's arm while he was trying to eat his mostly indelible salad. She also complained about a bad tip from another table; maybe she should have tried harder for a tip from the remaining customers. It was even harder to get a second drink than it was the first. It just seemed like nobody here cares about the customers.

Ate crab cakes as carry out first then returned a week later for full lunch. Fun fish market offering fun dining as well. The service is very personable. And the food is great. Best crab cakes ever, good soft shell crab, wonderful octopus salad. Disappointed in mussels as they were a bit tough being large variety as opposed to P.E.I. and the broth they were steamed in lacked flavor. Definitely will return.

We ate lunch at Anastasi's while visiting the Italian Market. From the outside, it does look like only a seafood market, but the sign saying "Full Bar" cleared up any confusion! When you walk in the door, it smells like the sea with all the fresh seafood in the cases. The restaurant and bar are not as lacking in atmosphere as the other reviews imply - I thought it was kind of charming. The service was very friendly and all of the food was excellent. We have eaten at numerous high-end "seafood" restaurants in Philadelphia and Anastasi's has most of them beat in terms of freshness and preparation.

We went to their restaurant in Manayunk at 4161 Main St. We sat outside on the second floor deck. I had the broccoli and smoked salmon chilled soup was very good. I also had fried oysters which were cooked just right and served with a side salad. My dinner companion had the crab cocktail; although he prefers the crab plain to enjoy the taste, he was impressed with the sauces served with it. He also had one of the specials: mussels and clams over a bed of linguini in a marinara sauce; it was divine. Our server was very good.

On a corner in the Italian market, you can sit outside and watch the people go by. The food was good with a great selection of fresh fish. The service was excellent.

Last night (1/25/20) we had a 7:45 reservation for my wife's birthday. Forty minutes later and still not seated the manager came out to basically berate us for bugging the hostess saying, "She can't do anything, she's just a woman." After that statement he said if we were unhappy we could leave. Given that there was no apology, no effort to make us happy we did just that and went to another neighborhood restaurant. We've eaten here several times before and enjoyed it but now the management will cause us to go someplace else in the future.

It was a perfect night, so we sat outside for dinner. We ordered some oysters, octopus, and salmon with a side of slaw. The food was all fresh and well seasoned. The octopus salad was a good portion and the dressing was delicious. The oysters were huge and crunchy, yum! The salmon was nicely grilled-charred, the veggies were good, and the pilaf was a nice, needed addition of a healthy carb. The $5 wine was good for the price. The atmosphere is super casual. Don't come here if you're expecting culinary art, but simple, fresh seafood. A bit pricey...you can buy their seafood and take it home and make a huge meal for 1/2 the price.

Love this neighborhood restaurant for its basic straightforward family feel and of course (duh) its great selection of seafood. Since I'm allergic to shellfish my favorites are somewhat limited - the fried smelts and their wonderful version of fish and chips are my go-to choices. Portions are large, so think about sharing. Prices are moderate and there is a full service bar so this makes for a great spot for larger groups.

We went to one of our favorite places for a late lunch and was seated immediately in the nearly empty room. I love that they play Sinatra and lover the lights even though it is a fish market! A familiar waitress waited on us and as usual without a smile, greeting , etc. We expected that. In some places the disregard is anticipated. This time was beyond. When asked for something to place under the table leg, the response was " there is something there." Told that it was not stable, she supplied a piece of plastic again, a missing smile. Lunch was served. Quite large plates of fish and chips . The presentation unappetizing with the "hunk " of fish atop a ton of fries.. So with silver ware ready we tried. There was no way to eat his without using your hands(which we didn't) and . our waiter visited our table and asked if we needed anything

It's a fish store, it's a restaurant, and it's in the heart of South Philly's Italian market. This place is great - it has character and the food is well-prepared and fresh. Good service, good prices, good horseradish, delicious soups, great raw bar, mixed drinks, draft beer. You won't be sorry!

We had reservations, but they were crowded and told us we could wait at the bar. Casual attire with inside and outside seating. Within 10 minutes, we had our table and was perusing the menu. They have specials on the board and the prices are very good. For appetizer we had seafood with avacodo bruschetta. It was piled high and taste delicious. Their soups are not a tiny cup, but a nice sized bowl. We tried the lobster bisque with medium sized pieces of lobster and the crab chowder with plenty of crab, both were delicious. I had the bacon wrapped scallops and shrimp, tasty but needed a little heat. He had the pan seared Chilean sea bass, cooked absolutely perfect and one of the best, I've ever tasted. Yes, they have desert, but we were so full we couldn't eat another bite. The only bad thing was there was only one waiter, we couldn't get a drink and also the wait time for your food could be improved. Kudos to this South Philly restaurant!

Fresh seafood and nice atmosphere. Lobster Bisque was really great. Service was good and they have fresh seafood available for purchase.

In the middle of South Philly's Italian Market is this seafood market with fresh and prepared items to go. There is an extensive selection of fish, crabs of all type, mussels, shellfish and more. But don't stop on the outside. Take a break from your food shopping on 9th Street and have a snack or a meal here. The seating and bar area is a step up from most seafood shacks with paper covered tables. There are no paper plates or plasticware here. But the highlight is the food. The usual fried seafood entrees are available, but there is a selection of appetizers, salads and entees that will make your choices difficult. No matter-whatever you choose- the quality, portions and preparation will have you planning what to order next time, before you even settle the bill. The fried items are crisp and tasty with no greasy finish. The other seafood items are fresh and tasty (and you can see the clean lighted display cases from your table). You also get the standard oyster crackers and some horseradish. And the bread is local, fresh, and crusty. The staff and service is friendly and attentive. And make sure to check out the specials. Desserts are available, but we didn't have room on this visit. So whether it's a break from shopping or a destination in itself, make sure you put this place on your must visit list.

South Philadelphia is our Little Italy. There are a plethora of decades-old eateries, some of them market restaurants like this one, but I had never been to Anastasi. Standing on the corner of 9th and Washington, I dashed across the street and stepped inside. The seafood display dominates the space inside with an intimate dining area, full bar and open kitchen. The hostess was a charming woman--she seated me right away (even though it was before opening time of 12 noon... others can be sticklers about that), bringing menus and a tall glass jar of cold water with her. She pointed out the specials with a smile and soon returned with warm Italian bread (most likely from Sarcone's Bakery just up the street) and butter. Glancing at the specials, two things jumped out at me--the Negroni Sbagliato cocktail and the Monkfish Marsala. Wow... the cocktail was light and refreshing. My entree arrived swiftly. That fillet of monkfish was generously sized, tender and caressed by a creamy savory Marsala with Portobello mushrooms. I inhaled the tender grilled asparagus (it had the perfect char to it) and rice. I ended my meal with coffee, followed by a stroll through the Italian Market. This place is welcoming, unpretentious and gracious. The service is cheerful and efficient. And you will love the other patrons at neighboring tables--most of them are regulars given they're all on a first name basis with the staff. Next time you're east of Broad and south of South, stop in!

Absolutely fantastic! We spent 4 days in Manhattan and this was the one of the best meal we have had. Incredible personal service excellent food. Very fresh and we'll prepared. The four of us loved everything we got. I live 700 miles away and we already planning a trip back here to eat.

Stopped in to Anastasia's for lunch yesterday. Enjoyed the shrimp and blue crab chowder, clams casino and grilled octopus salad. My mouth can still taste the delights we were served. Unbelievably fanastic!

Anastasi is a neighborhood hangout and small restaurant inside a fish market. We tried two of the chowders and then my husband had the ravioli (delicious) and I had crab cakes. I ordered them grilled, not fried and they were not too bready and full of luscious crab. Nice people, good service. We had reservations, but still waited a bit for a table. No worries. We will go again. I wish I had ordered the mussels....

My husband said this was the best fish and chips he had ever had (and he should know!). This is a very funky, neighborhood type place, but the seafood couldn't be fresher (you can see it all in the coolers in the front of the restaurant). The service was a nowhere near as good as the food, but the enormous portions and great presentation made up for it. And it has its own parking lot, not a small thing in the Italian Market!