Waterfront Seafood Market Restaurant Leads With Choice

What the public feedback says

Waterfront Seafood Market Restaurant holds a 4.4 Google rating from 1915 reviews, placing it among Ankeny’s more established seafood options in the public record. The recurring appeal is straightforward: a wide seafood selection, a fresh-fish display case and preparations ranging from chilled shellfish to fried baskets and grilled fish.

Reviews describe the restaurant as mid range, with enough variety to suit both a full seafood dinner and a simpler plate of fried fish or shrimp. The market component also distinguishes it from a standard sit-down seafood restaurant. Diners mention seeing fish displayed on ice and being able to choose from those selections rather than relying only on the regular entrees.

Strongest patterns on the menu

Shrimp receives some of the clearest praise. Diners describe it as large, meaty and notably fresh, with mentions spanning shrimp cocktail, peel-and-eat shrimp, cold shrimp salad and fried rock shrimp. Salmon also appears frequently, though the feedback is less consistent.

Fried seafood may be the safer entry point. One work traveler found the rock shrimp merely acceptable but praised the fried cod for its light, crisp tempura batter and wished the order had focused more heavily on cod. That same review called out the coleslaw positively.

The sourdough bread is another repeated highlight. Reviews identify it as San Francisco sourdough and treat it as more than a routine bread service. Side dishes also earn occasional approval, particularly sweet potato fries and baked potatoes.

Where experiences diverge

The main caution concerns grilled salmon. One review praised a meal built around salmon and shrimp, while another found the grilled salmon dry, unseasoned and paired with bland vegetables and a bland baked potato. That contrast suggests the kitchen can deliver a satisfying fish dinner, but consistency may depend on the dish or visit.

Fried items generate steadier enthusiasm in this small review sample. The cod’s tempura coating was specifically praised, while fried rock shrimp drew a more restrained response. Diners prioritizing crisp texture may want to lean toward the cod rather than assume every fried seafood option performs equally well.

Service fares better in the critical feedback. Even the diner disappointed by the salmon described the staff as friendly and attentive, reducing the sense that the poor meal reflected the entire experience.

Best approach for a first visit

A first-time order is best built around the restaurant’s most repeated strengths: shrimp, sourdough and a carefully chosen fish preparation. Seasonal oysters may appeal to shellfish fans, while the fresh-fish case gives diners another route beyond familiar menu entrees.

Those set on salmon should note the mixed reports. Fried cod appears more dependable based on the available comments, and shrimp is the ingredient with the broadest positive pattern. Waterfront’s range remains its main advantage, offering cold appetizers, fried seafood, grilled fish and market selections in one place.