Village Fish Market Punta Gorda - Celebrates 30 Years - Growing from a tiny Seafood Shack to a Modern Seafood Restaurant on the Harbor

I visited the Village Fish Market long before moving to Punta Gorda.  Years ago, my family visited Fishermen's Village during a vacation on Sanibel Island.  It was my first contact with the town that would eventually become my home.   What I most remember about the Fish Market that was then a  shacky little eatery with terrific harbor views  is a dish that still keeps drawing me back  frequently.  It was a  dish I was fearful might be removed from the menu when new owners bought out the original owners in 2003 (after over 20 years of their running the place).   You'll laugh -- fried smelts.  Now how many places on the planet serve fried smelts, a food my mother made every Friday forever that I unfortunately was never able to replicate.. well the Village Fish Market did and still does.   And they serve it with the most marvelous cole slaw -- not that gooey mayonnaisey stuff -- real seafood house coleslaw.  In fact in addition to this side, they offer a wide variety of embellishments to add to your platter or sandwich -- including absolutely irresistible zucchini fries.

Outside tables at Village Fish Market 

And while I am very partial to the smelts, that's only the beginning.  In fact, let's start with the beginning -- the appetizers, e.g. crab dip, smoked mullet dip, crab cakes, calamari..on and on.  And oh I can't forget the reason my partner will go out of his way to go there -- the New England chowder.
  For main courses, the restaurant offers a diner-like sprawl of seafood selections for  lunch or dinner including platters, salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes with a plethora of fish choices -- many offered both fried or broiled.  The fishermen's platter gives you a chance to sample several of the fish dishes at different price points.  In fact, another thing I love about this place, is that you can order smaller plates at reduced prices.   The full menu speaks for itself.  

The DiNunnos, who originally opened the Fish Market, delivered great food in a quiet corner of Fishville for many years.... Nicki and Sue Randall, who have been renovating and extending the place since they purchased it in 2003, have added a slick full-bar area and modernized the restaurant and menu without sacrificing the quality and variety of seafood offered and the basic formula that works so well.  It's not surprising they have won awards for best seafood restaurant in the area year after year.   Nor need I have worried about the Randalls removing my favorite dish from the menu -- they understood what made the tiny place they were transforming so successful.   After 30 years, the Village Fish Market is still serving the best fried smelts in the world and more.   I'll be back.