Little Fish Reviews

BYOB, very small venue. Waitress was attentive without intruding. Oysters on the half shell had excellent treatments, with a choice of west or east coast. Hamachi in a very light butternut squash broth was outstanding. My dinner companion raved about her scallops (2nd course) ("perfect sear") and salmon (3rd course). Striped bass was also seared beautifully and accompaniments were very tasty. It’s a very small menu and portions are not chain huge. We left sated but not stuffed or heavy. Would definitely go again. Room gets a little noisy when full.

went with some colleagues from a meeting we were having here, wanted fish, found this place on internet, did not disappoint. Small selection (2 oysters, 4 first courses, 4 main courses, 1 dessert) all sounded great, four of us split some oysters, all four firsts and two mains (and of course the dessert). Service was attentive and friendly, food was exquisite, all different preparations, interesting herbs/spices and accompaniments. Not cheap but I certainly thought worth it, my favorites were a kinmedai (golden eye snapper) first course (had never heard of the fish, was delicious) and a walleye main (I'm used to the upper midwest pan-fried preperation, theirs was with tofu, shiitake, and perilla seeds and was great). Desert was a waffle with nuts and other toppings and yummy!

My wife and I ate here during our recent annual trip to Philadelphia. Little Fish was once one of our most favorite restaurants in Philly. We have lived through their move from the original location, to their attempt to go "big fish", and back to near the original place. We have eaten here during our annual trips to Philly for the last several years. This year, we were totally disappointed. Though the fish was, as always cooked to perfection, for some reason the chef seems to have forgotten what clean fish cooking is. I had the black bass that was so drowned in a weird conglomeration of corn, fennel, etc, etc, that the mild fish was totally tasteless in the bowl of vegetables, etc. My wife had the cobia, which was grilled and smoky, but also drowned in lentils and a mound of carrots in 2 forms for some unknown reason. For the prices, you should get well cooked (as it was) and clean flavored (which it was not) fish. Also, the sound level in this small restaurant was unbearable as there were 2 groups who seemed that they were in competition with one another as to who could talk the louder. Unfortunately, this place has passed on to another level that will not be seeing us in the future. All good things must end it seems.

Such creative food! Excellent seafood and service in this quaint neighborhood of Philadelphia. BYOB to top it off!

We were hyped up to finally make it to dinner here. Overall we thought the food was very good. When you pay $40 for an entree (we understand that with a BYOB there is no margin on liquor) you should expect a 5-star dining experience. Unfortunately it fell short. The biggest problem was that the restaurant was short-staffed. The lone waitress and bus person (they both shared these roles) were overwhelmed and could not possibly be as attentive as required. Mediocre service simply ruins what could be a great dining experience. The scallops were excellent. The hamachi was very good, though a really insubstantial portion. The tile fish with short ribs was the star of the evening-perfectly prepared and creative. The halibut with potatoes, onions and carrots was also very good, but the presentation was not appetizing. We passed on desert. We might return, but with lower expectations.

Me and my collegue had a dinner here. We Made a reservation for 5.30 and the restaurant was full. We didn't know it was a set menu but it was a great experience. The 5 course dinner was served quickly and its byo which is great. It's 40 a menu. We'll come back!

I've wanted to try Little Fish for years and I just never got there . Last night was the night and it didn't disappoint. Among four of us, we had the octopus appetizer, scallop appetizer, cod and Big Eye tuna. All were excellent but the octopus was exceptional. The room is small but not very noisy. Service was very good. We had a 7:30 reservation on a Saturday night and we weren't rushed . Expect to pay a premium price for well prepared fish in an intimate setting. We spent $140 per couple for an appetizer and entree each, including tax and 20% gratuity. octopus

Very small. Seats 22 people. We were a table of 4 and it felt tight. The menu is small and it changes daily. There were oysters, scallops, crab, tuna and very little greens. There were only 4 entree's the night we went. It is a BYOB and they will place you wine on ice in a large metal tub. That I found cool. The service was good. There was no place for the server to go but behind a small wall at the end of the room. You could sit and watch the chef and staff prepare the meal if you wanted. The food was excellent. I enjoyed tasting the others food and the companions of spices were so tasty. I had the Big Eye Tuna and it was wonderful. There was no dessert menu; they only offer one item and it was really good. That also changes daily. I would dine here again with a few people to taste as many of the different items as possible. The cost was over $250 with the tip.

First to back up my cred but not meant to impress, I've traveled the world & been to more than 8 countries in Europe & Asia as much or more than 20 times, have some friends who are chefs & others that just know food so I feel reasonably qualified in my opinions. I can eat in a dive or pizza place as well as a 4 or 5 star restaurant, it's all about the food first atmosphere 2nd for me, then factor in service & price. So I've come to the conclusion that most people really just don't know better & that a 5 is like a 3.5 & a 4 is like a 3. So after reading all the rave reviews on this place we were excited to try it & prayed it was not another let down as we've found in this town since moving here 8 months ago from NYC. This is a good breakfast/brunch/lunch town, yet to have 1 dinner here where we've said "now that was great"... & I;m not alone in my assessment Well this place just turned out to be more of the same, so here's the fact not elaborating a bit: - my appetizer was the scallops w/ crab & squid ink pasta: very little pasta, maybe 3 forkfulls, 2 little pieces of crab. Good not great: $20 - my wife had octopus salad w/ miso, melon, cucumber, mint, peanut... sounds amazing right? Decent but the dressing was average: $18 - my main: tilefish w/ fava, asparagus, farro, king crab, red wine miso... fish was raw in the center, room temperature, had to send it back (at this point it was after 10PM so no one else to serve but us, should have been perfect). Waitress was very nice & of course agreed, came back with another serving which was much better but overall it was good not great for: $40 - wife's main was wahoo w/ ginger & I can't recall what else, it was that average for: $38 Now I'm not a cheap guy & don't have an issue w/ these prices, BUT this is a little place w/ not much to speak of interior design wise w/ & average food that sounds or reads better than it tastes with higher end restaurant prices. So in conclusion, we have a reservation at Zahav next week... if that doesn't live up to it's billing then we're calling it quits & cooking in from now on & dining out when we travel!

Quaint little restaurant. Not many tables. The staff were super friendly. We started with the oysters. They were nice a fresh. My cousin and I both ordered the sea bass for our main course. However, she preferred the sides that the swordfish was paired with. The restaurant was able to accommodate my cousin's request. It was awesome! What a wonderful experience. We'll definitely be back!

Great moves using the fish as the main piece. Sauces are creative and cooking is skillful. The flavors are at times unexpected but perfectly paired. Overall a great culinary event. A solid 5 star.

Little Fish is a wonderful little restaurant. Reservations are important, because it is so intimate. We ordered three of the "Firsts" and two of the "Large Plates" and the four of us shared them. That way each of us got to experience a variety of flavors. A fun way to do it. You can BYOB of wine, and they chill the bottles for you, open and pour.

I've now been there twice and both times enjoyed the experience immensely. It's BYO, so make sure you bring your favorite wine to pair with the fish. The oysters were wonderful as were he appetizers and main course. My colleagues had salmon and tuna while I had the turbot. All presented wonderfully and incredibly flavorful. It's a little small and cozy for a business dinner if formalities are required, which in my case they were not.

The fish was quite ordinary...and the portions were small ( like the Woody Allen joke). Seriously, the menu is quite limited, and there was nothing special about our halibut. We had heard some rave reviews about this neighborhood restaurant, but we were disappointed. There are much better places for fish in Philly; try L'Angolo in South Philly.

Just perfect! Menu small- written out on a blackboard- in chalk. Appetizers- both- Octopus and Hamachi outstanding. Entrees- the striped bass and the tuna- wonderful.Veggies included. Tuna seared rare-with a bit of a smoky flavor- just right.Even the fingerling potatoes were done to perfection Everything was delicious. Right up there with Lahaina grill in Maui and Nemo's in Miami. Don't skip this gem if you are a fish lover.

Although reservations for Sunday night are hard to get, the meals are always a hit. The chef chooses what he serves for all 5 courses (pre fixe) but I have never been disappointed. I have tried several new things that I normally would not choose and now I love them. 2 seatings 5:30 or 8. Wait staff are friendly without hovering. Very small so call now. It's a BYOB so huge savings.

I have adored this little restaurant ( in all it's iterations for years). It is a great place to go and relax with friends. Always interesting combinations, fresh oysters and unique dessert. BYOB adds to the experience. The new chef is a young talent to watch.

My daughter and her boyfriend where anxious for us to share this dinnning experience with them, since all of us love fish. This byob is small and cozy, limited decor. Are apps were, the grilled octopus and tuna hamachi which I highly recommend. We also tried the poached scallops that we all agreed were good, not great. Perhaps, because most of us prefer seared scallops. For entrees we ordered the stripped bass, halibut and seared tuna. The pairings with each entree are an amazing and did not disappoint. We shared the dessert of a corn cake with a fruit compote and sherbet which everyone enjoyed. Overall a great meal, good service, casual atmosphere but expect to pay the same price for entrees as Tulha's Garden without the atmosphere. The bonus is B.Y.O.B., with creative, extordinary and flavorable fish entrees.

Intro: Great BYOB for seafood lovers that appreciate fine dishes crafted with skill and intention. Basics: 1. Yea it's a BYOB. Bring a nice white or five, and the host will happily put it in ice for you. 2. Menu is seasonal and recent. And when I mean recent, I mean they give you a small slip of card stock with what they are serving that evening. Talk about the economics of menu cost;) 3. Appetizer: Grilled octopus. Great large chucks of tender and well seasoned octopus. Grilled with mild charring for flavor. Wonderfully prepared. 3. Main: Salmon. Awesome. Plain awesome, very tender and succulent. They paired the sauce very well.

This is a great place if you are someone who likes delicious, fresh fish. The menu changes regularly and there are about 5 starters and 5 mains to choose from. The atmosphere is lovely and the staff are great. I also love that it is BYO. It allows you to have a really nice dinner without breaking the bank. In case it wasn't obvious from the titles of the reviews as well as the restaurant name, you should not come here if someone in your party does not like / cannot eat fish. That person will be out of luck.

I loved the ambiance, the small, intimate setting and the reasonable portion size. We had two appetizers. The scallops were excellent and more than enough for two people. The lobster appetizer was very artful and had a nice flavor but while I usually applaud small portions, this was definitely just a petite taste for two. The menu is a cute bookmark that has the 4 appetizers and 4 dish dishes. I had the opportunity to taste the monkfish and the halibut. I don't know if it was because we were later diners, but to me vegetables seemed like they would have been better earlier in the evening and the entire dish was not quite warm enough at the time it was served. The fish was cooked perfectly. I would come again because they obviously have an interesting setting and know their fish!

Our daughter has turned into a "foodie" while living in Philly and she planned our evening. We had to wait for a little bit (with reservation) in a very small entry--it's a good thing we like her boyfriend, too! But the food was fabulous. Waiter was very helpful and we tried different things. I would highly recommend going with people who like to share their entrees so you can taste various fish. BYO was nice, too.

Scallops to die for, and an exquisite trout, the meal at this restaurant was superb. But can a meal be too rich? My wife and I both asked this question as we were leaving the restaurant. While we had a wonderful dining experience, both my wife and I agreed that we would not go to this restaurant again, even though we both agreed that we were glad that we ate there this time. The dining area is extremely small, and if all the tables are occupied, the noise factor can make conversation difficult. Also, Philadelphia has this weird thing about bringing your own wine to fine-dining restaurants. For locals, who know about this, this probably is not a problem. But for out-of-towners, it is a real disappointment. Is it even ethical to have an excellent meal without alcohol? I think not. So here's my recommendation, especially for out-of-towners. If you love fish, this is a great restaurant, certainly not to be missed. But be sure to bring your own wine or beer. Keep in mind that the food is extremely rich. The portions are not huge, which is good, but the richness factor--that can be a bit much.

I discovered this fish restaurant with my colleagues. Very good fish well prepared and well dressed. Pleasant service. Few tables so I think it is better to book it before. You can see the cooks cook and dress your plate ! Enjoy !

Reservations a must at this BYO! The menu changes, so don't go by the websites. I never even heard of some of the fish on this menu and the lack of space between tables can make a claustrophobic run screaming, but don't let that deter you from eating here. The food truly is delicious. Our server was patient and explained everything on the menu with ease. We had the hamachi as an appetizer. I don't usually eat anything raw, but we really liked it. Our entrees were large with "odd" combos, but ohhh so good. I had the red fish with grilled cauliflower, pistachios, onions, pineapples, etc. The fish cooked perfectly - the skin crunchy and fish flaky. My man had the Black Cod with bokchoy, hazelnuts, ramen noodles, etc. arrived in a bowl with a soupy sauce - just scrumptious. The dessert Tres Leche - simply OMG especially with the homemade pineapple sorbet. We can't wait to return.

A wonderfully eclectic restaurant with a changing menu. We were a party of 5, so we just ordered one of each from the menu and shared family style. It was all exceptional! Great service and staff. It's a small place, so make a reservation. It's also BYO. Memorable dining get experience!

We were there Tuesday, 2/17, on a very cold night. A restaurant of contrasts...byob The night was well below freezing, patrons were seated with coats, scarves and hats..didn't see any mittens. The waitress brought us a heater or two, but they did little good. The fish we had was excellent, maybe one of the best entrees I have ever had. Wish I could remember the name, it began with 'C'. It took a long time to come, the conditions were averse, imho: the wait was worth it. The one offered dessert was delicious...ice cream, chocolate cake, orange slices, chocolate crumbles. It was awesome. The coffee was a bit weak. The waitress was pleasant, the wait was long, the place was freezing and small, the food was the best.

I will start with the delicious tuna tartar and mention that the oyster mushrooms in the salad were very good but salad just ok. The pasta disk was ok but nothing special and my main course was monk fish with sun chokes on a butter purée that was good but served cold and the sun chokes has flavor but served so big and very difficult to cut. Dessert was a waffle with beet ice cream and that was delish. The service was terrible, you could tell our server did not want to be there. We waited to get into this little corner byob looking to a 5 star hoping for a 4 star and being generous with a 3. So much competition in the city next time we will go back to bistrot le minete right down the street.

We got off to a shakey start. My husband made reservations to dine outside and confirm that they could fulfill my dietary restrictions for a weeknight at least a week in advance. Upon arrival we were told that outside wasn't available and it was not noted in the reservation. We do not like small BYOB's because the noise level can be overwhelming and tables are too close together. We started to leave but decided to stay if we could get the lone table by the window. They obliged. The food is excellent, beautiful presentation, expensive and serving size small. It was loud and crowded. Not at all likely that we will return unless we can secure an outside table.

I've been there with a friend and we had a delicious main course with fresh fish. They don't serve alcool but you can bring beer or wine with you. Small place, very cool, worth visiting for fish lovers

Little Fish never disappoints. Every dish is beautifully presented and so well conceived. I may raise an eyebrow at an ingredient when reading it on the menu, but when I taste it, it's obvious just how well it all works. I'm always amazed. Bring a great bottle of wine (or two) and prepare to take the time to enjoy every moment of this meal. Not one to be rushed.

Old friends invited my wife and I back to Philly for a concert and dinner. We look forward to coming back because of the numerous small restaurants and the culture of BYOB. They had dined there before and were anxious for us to try Little Fish. We arrived for our late reservation about the same time most of the other customers were finishing so we had the restaurant to to ourselves and another couple. We brought along a bottle of bubbly which we immediately cracked open and started the meal with fresh oysters - East Coast and West Coast. They were delicious and we all agreed we should have ordered more. We shared two starters, the grilled octopus and the hamachi with foie gras. Both were exceptional. We each had a main course including the sea trout, the haddock and the monkfish. The portions were large perhaps because we were the final diners for the weekend. Each was prepared well however compared to the starters they just seemed not to be as interesting. All in all the experience was wonderful. The service was cordial, efficient and informative. Pricing was a little in the high side however considering it is BYOB the total for the four of us was reasonable considering the overall quality of the meal. I wish we had options like Little Fish in the town we live.

Place to go if you enjoy fish Intimate setting with small tables over candlelight. The menu usually offers oysters, several appetizers and 4 main entrees, each featuring a different fish. Although a bit pricey, the meals have so many different fresh ingredients and flavors to make it worth it. The service is top-notch. They will take your wine to chill it in their wine bath and come around to refresh your glass as it lowers. You can easily make a reservation on opentable.com.