Speaks Clam Bar - Lakewood Ranch

“We found this gem of a restaurant while searching for a new foodie spot to enjoy during our regatta days. The vibe is exactly what you want in a classic clam bar, loud, lively, and full of energy, with a bustling dining room that makes the whole experience feel fun. Despite the crowds and buzz, the service was excellent: attentive, efficient, and genuinely friendly. The menu truly has a little bit of everything for everyone. It strikes the perfect balance between fresh seafood and comforting pasta dishes, making it easy to please everyone at the table. We shared a variety of dishes, and every single one was a hit. The spinach and crab dip was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. The steamed middleneck clams were fresh, briny, and perfectly cooked. The scallop and shrimp scampi was tossed in the most delicious garlicky sauce, and the raw oysters were simply yum! Everything was so, so good. If you’re looking for a high-energy spot with fantastic seafood, great pasta options, and top-notch service, Speaks Clam Bar is an easy win, especially after a long day on the water.”

“Stopped in for a quick lunch and so glad I did! The service here is so friendly, generous, and efficient you will be amazed. Justin took great care of me. I never felt rushed or unattended - it was just right. The food was delicious, reasonably priced, and I can't wait to come back to try other dishes. Had heard of this place through the Manatee Chamber and I'm so glad I ate here. You will be too!”

“Our favorite restaurant never disappoints. You can sit at the bar or outside or inside. The eggplant app is amazing. Fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic. Salads excellent, we love th sausage dish with pasta yummy. Chicken dishes are good. You can’t go wrong with speaks ! Drinks are all hand craft - get the spicy marg !”

“Really great good. The steamed clams appetizer and cold lobster roll were fantastic. If you get the clams, make sure to ask for an extra basket of bread to dip into the sauce. Our amazing waiter, Clay, recommended this to us and WOW 🤩 We will definitely be returning and have already recommended this to some family who will be visiting from out of town soon.”

“We finally tried Speaks Clam Bar for the first time this past weekend. We were more so excited about the gluten-free options and fresh homemade pasta than any of the seafood. We did make a reservation in advance, as the last couple of times we tried to visit there were 1-2 hour waits. We were seated almost immediately when we arrived. The place was already busy and it was fairly loud inside. Our server was a much older gentleman, but he was friendly throughout our meal. We started off with a few drinks and appetizers, which were all delicious. The drinks were mixed well and we even made it in time for happy hour up until 6pm. We ordered a clam chowder, mozzarella sticks and caprese salad to start. The chowder was excellent and the mozzarella sticks were huge. Both are highly recommended. The caprese salad was also good, but needed a better balance of (more) mozzarella and (less) tomatoes. For entrees, our party had the spaghetti and meatballs, rigatoni bolognese, gluten-free pasta and chicken alla vodka, and the lobster tail & shrimp pappardelle. To be honest, the consensus amongst our party was that the entrees were fine. The sauces were all kind of bland and lacked flavor. The pastas were all good though and the gluten-free pasta was delicious. Overall, the consensus was that the drinks and appetizers were 5/5, while the entrees were all rated 3/5. In general, we would still recommend visiting Speaks for a nice meal!”