The Mariner - (Near Corpus Christi, TX)

5 /5 przekurat13: The Mariner is a MUST go if you are in the area. The atmosphere, drinks, staff and food are amazing. Shout out to chef Eric!! You can tell how much detail, passion and creativity he puts into every dish on the menu. Our stay was 3 days long and we came here every night. You will not be disappointed.

5 /5 Angelica Ramirez: This is such a beautiful spot to eat and drink at. The staff is very helpful with their suggestions and knowledge. The bartenders are outstanding! The drinks were excellent. Our server was Arron and he was so nice. Happy hour all day Wednesday is really awesome. We got the New England oysters and they were perfect. I don’t ever have cocktail sauce with my oysters but I’m so glad I tried theirs, it was the best I’ve ever had. I could be wrong but the horseradish seems like it’s fresh, it was so good. We got the octopus and we were in heaven eating it! If you’ve never had it or had a bad experience with octopus in the past give this plate a try, it’ll completely change your view on octopus! We also got the scallop ceviche and it was so amazing. The strawberries in made it unique and memorable. I cannot stop talking about this place and I can’t wait till we go back. It’s such a good date spot.

4 /5 Ferlin Blood: Food was excellent. Atmosphere wonderful until a loud group arrived and refused to sit, keeping aisles blocked. Ordered lemonade for my son and charged for a "mocktail." Could use a sign outside on the upper deck to make finding the establishment easier. Would definitely go back.

3 /5 Derek Labian: The Mariner feels like an upscale dive bar, located on the second floor of a houseboat above a gift shop. Its an adults-oriented bar with tapas dishes. Based on the reviews, I had high expectations and went out of my way to go here. I had expected something a bit more elegant, although the food itself was anything but pedestrian. I envisioned something more akin to fine dining, especially considering the price. The restaurant is small, but the tables are smaller, making it difficult to fit all the plates. The service itself was fine, what you would expect from a bar restaurant (mostly bar), and a bit slow. The food itself looked great, but it just wasn’t that good, and we were HUNGRY! I expected to like it a lot more than I did, considering the ratings and the photos. It seems like a great bar to have a drink and get a small bite, but if youre looking for an elegant seafood restaurant, you should avoid it. I came for the food, and while I have no specific complaints, it didnt resonate with me in terms of value or vibe. On a side note, I was amazed at how quickly and how much food they produced from the seemingly tiny kitchen. It appears to be a small business, and they were working hard. I wish them the best.