The Complete Guide to Dining at Bonefish Grill

Wood-grilled fish, a signature shrimp dish that built a national following, and a happy hour that draws a crowd well before dinner-Bonefish Grill has carved out a distinct niche in casual American dining. This guide walks through what to order, when to visit for the best deals, and what to expect from the atmosphere before you book a table.

The Bonefish Grill Concept

Bonefish Grill is a seafood-centered restaurant chain built around fish cooked over an oak-fired grill, distinguishing it from fried-seafood competitors and fine-dining seafood houses alike. Every location hand-cuts its fish daily and fires the grill each morning with oak wood, a detail the brand points to as central to its flavor profile. The restaurant’s menu balances two audiences at once. Seafood lovers get a rotating lineup of market fish, scallops, and shellfish, while guests who prefer land-based options can order filet mignon, ribeye, or chicken dishes without feeling like an afterthought. That dual appeal is part of why Bonefish Grill works well for groups where not everyone shares the same taste in protein.

Signature Menu Items Worth Knowing

Bang Bang Shrimp is the dish most associated with Bonefish Grill, a crispy shrimp appetizer coated in a creamy, spicy sauce that appears in multiple forms across the menu. It shows up as a standalone starter, folded into tacos, and layered onto loaded fries, making it something close to the restaurant’s calling card. Its popularity has led many locations to host weekly promotional discounts built specifically around the dish.

Beyond the shrimp, the “From the Sea” section carries the bulk of the dinner menu’s identity:

• Bourbon Glazed Salmon-a wood-grilled fillet finished with a bourbon-based glaze
• Cod Imperial-cod topped with a seafood-and-cheese blend
• Pan-Seared Blackened Ahi Tuna-seared rare with a blackened crust
• Scallops & Shrimp Scampi Pasta-a pasta dish combining two proteins in a garlic butter sauce
• Twin Cold Water Lobster Tails-a lobster-forward option for guests wanting a more indulgent entrée
• Blackened Baja Fish Tacos-a lighter, taco-style seafood option

Entrée pricing in this category generally lands between $20 and $46, with lobster and multi-protein dishes at the higher end. Appetizers such as calamari, sashimi tuna, and crab cakes typically round out a meal for shared starters before the main course. Alongside its everyday menu, Bonefish Grill also runs Seasonal Partner Selection dishes-special fish offerings curated by the managing partner at each individual location and sourced locally. These items rotate throughout the year and are not part of the standard printed menu, so availability depends heavily on the specific restaurant and time of year.

When to Visit for Happy Hour

Bonefish Grill’s happy hour, sometimes marketed as “Social Hour,” generally runs from around 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., though start times can shift slightly by location and day. The promotion launched nationwide as a rebranded take on traditional happy hour, organized into five distinct categories rather than a simple drinks list.

The five categories break down as follows:

Category	Starting Price	Example Items
Shareable Starters	$15	The Big Bang, B.L.T. Nachos
Craveable Small Plates	$7	Calamari, Ahi Tuna Poke
Irresistible Cocktails	$7	Blueberry Lemon Drop, Mango Bourbon Sour
Remarkable Spirits	Varies	Jefferson’s Ocean “Aged at Sea” Bourbon
Desirable Wines and Drinks	Varies	House wines, select beers

Because Bonefish Grill has stated that Social Hour pricing and specific items vary by restaurant, the figures above should be treated as a general reference rather than a guaranteed menu at every location. Some locations have also run a separate bar bites program priced around $6 to $8 per item, featuring calamari, mussels, sliders, and tuna poke during the same afternoon window.

Finding a Bonefish Grill Near You

Bonefish Grill has locations across many U.S. states. Use the official restaurant locator to find the nearest restaurant, check hours, make reservations, or place an online order. Since locations and operating hours can change, always confirm details for your preferred restaurant before visiting.

Atmosphere and Dress Expectations

Bonefish Grill maintains a casual dress code across its locations, though the overall setting leans more polished than a typical sports bar or fast-casual seafood spot. Guests commonly describe the vibe as “casual chic,” where jeans and a nice top work fine for a weeknight dinner, while some diners opt for smarter attire when visiting for anniversaries or celebrations. Flip-flops, tank tops, and beachwear tend to stand out as too casual, particularly in the main dining room rather than the bar area. Most locations offer full bar service-often branded as a “Big City Bar”-a private dining room suited for showers, rehearsal dinners, and business gatherings, and a wine list built to pair with the seafood-forward menu. Guests planning a group event should reach out to the specific restaurant, since private dining minimums, room capacity, and available menus vary from one location to the next.

Where the Seafood Comes From

Bonefish Grill sources its fish from suppliers around the world, emphasizing seasonal availability and hand-cutting each portion in-house rather than relying on pre-portioned, frozen product. The company has stated that it follows guidance from national fisheries authorities and works with organizations focused on sustainable fishing practices when selecting seafood.

Certain proteins, including farmed salmon and shrimp, are tied to specific sourcing standards the company has referenced in its supply chain communications. That said, sourcing details-including which specific region a given fish or shrimp comes from-can vary by location and by season, since the restaurant adjusts its supply based on availability. Diners with strong preferences around wild-caught versus farmed seafood, or specific concerns about a particular species, should ask their server directly, since menu descriptions don’t always specify origin for every dish.

Lunch, Dinner, and Brunch Hours

Bonefish Grill’s lunch service, available on weekdays at most locations, gives guests a lighter and generally faster alternative to the full dinner menu. It typically includes soup-and-salad combinations, protein-topped salads, and a handful of sandwich options built around the same wood-grilled preparations used at dinner. Dinner service runs seven days a week starting in the late afternoon, and select locations also serve an award-winning brunch on Sundays. A fixed-price lunch option bundles a drink, a starter, and an entrée for a set price, giving budget-conscious diners a predictable cost without sacrificing the chain’s core menu identity. Because lunch and brunch hours can differ by market, checking with the specific location-especially outside major metro areas-helps avoid surprises when planning a visit.

Making the Most of a Visit

A few practical points can shape a smoother visit, particularly for first-time guests or larger groups.

• Ask about happy hour timing when booking, since the window can start earlier or later depending on the restaurant
• Consider sharing 2–3 starters before entrées arrive, since portions like Bang Bang Shrimp and calamari are designed for the table
• Call ahead for large groups, since private dining and reservation policies vary by location
• Check delivery coverage in advance if ordering for pickup or delivery through a third-party platform
• Ask your server about current seafood sourcing and any seasonal Partner Selection dishes if sustainability or origin matters to your dining choices

Frequently Asked Questions