Square Grouper A DINING DELIGHT IN ISLAMORADA

Islamorada Square Grouper Key lime martini is everything you want and more when enjoying a drink in the Keys. NICK DOLL/Contributed

A diverse and unique Upper Keys dining experience went next level almost two years ago with a notable restaurant name coming to town. 

Boasting strong brand recognition and satisfying guest experiences, Square Grouper Islamorada quickly rose as a top dining destination when it opened in March 2019. 

Located along Islamorada Marina at MM 80.4, bayside, Square Grouper brings innovative dining with an emphasis on consistency and quality. Square Grouper is all about fresh, local seafood, some of the finest craft cocktails, a fantastic wine selection and top-notch service.

Square Grouper Islamorada is run by Joe and Sarah Bell. Mother Lynn Bell, pictured middle, runs the Square Grouper restaurant in Cudjoe Key. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

The restaurant brings three key aspects that General Manager Joe Bell hones in on: service, ambiance and food.

“You cannot have a great, holistic dining experience unless you pretty much hit all those three marks,” he said. “And we’re not cutting any corners at the end of the day.”

The panko encrusted local yellowtail and a pomegranate martini. TYLER BRUNNER/Contributed

With popular appetizers like flash fried conch and ahi tuna and avocado rolls come elegant entrees, including the panko encrusted local yellowtail, Florida lobster with applewood smoked bacon and the truffled lobster mac. 

The restaurant’s upscale cocktail program includes marvelous martinis like the pomegranate and Key lime. And don’t forget to try the magical brownie that’s served with warm Belgian chocolate sauce and ice cream.

Dine in an elegant indoor setting or outdoors looking out at the water. Adding to their dining experience, Square Grouper will soon open a new lounge/restaurant on the third floor that’ll feature a raw bar, live entertainment and craft cocktails.

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many Western New Yorkers who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures for warm living by the water. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 4-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. “One of my college professors would always preach to be curious,” he said. “Behind every person is a story that’s unique to them, and one worth telling. As writers, we are the ones who paint the pictures in the readers minds of the emotions, the struggles and the triumphs.” Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, which is composed of energetic members who serve the community’s youth and older populations. Jim is a sports fanatic who loves to watch football, hockey, mixed martial arts and golf. He also enjoys time with family and his new baby boy, Lucas, who arrived Oct. 4, 2022.