The Mermaid Inn

I just love this place. So charming. So affordable. Really delicious food, time and time again. I went on New Years Eve for dinner recently and they had a 4 course meal for $45!! That is unheard of in the city. This will always be a go to spot for me.

Mermaid Inn is my absolute fave spot for happy hour (they got $1 oysters too)!!! I frequent this location mainly because of the quality of food and staff. I know what you're thinking--HH should be pretty easy, but this place tops it all with consistency in their product and service. I love raw oysters and it's hard to take it for granted. Mermaid Inn makes sure that they don't compromise quality over price. I cannot stress it enough, this place is a gem.

PS. Reserve via OpenTable to rack up on dining points. You're welcome!

Delicious seafood spot! Really great cocktails and the staff has always been really attentive and informative when I've gone. I like that they have their own app about oysters because it lets people learn about what they like and also use that info at other places! The special dessert is also really cute and I'm obsessed with what they give you - but I won't ruin the surprise here!

This might be one of my favorite new restaurants in NYC! The Mermaid Inn in the East Village is such a departure from the other places in the East Village. It's more upscale, classy, yet still affordable. They have happy hour every day (and all day/night Mondays!) where they offer $1/oysters, which are delicious, and discounted wine, beer, cocktails, and bar food. The cocktails we got - the hacienta and the rajah collins, were both delicious. And one of the nice things about happy hour is you're not limited to sitting at the bar with happy hour! You can sit at your dinner table (in or outside) and still get the deal, which is pretty unusual. When I showed up early, the staff was incredibly accommodating at getting us seats at the bar for happy hour before we sat down for dinner. When we did sat down, we went into the backroom which was so much more quaint and peaceful than the front area (though that area isn't bad if you want a louder environment). They also have a beautiful patio space. For dinner we got the blue crab tostada, the fish tacos, and the red snapper. Everything was tasty, fresh, and had a big portion. One of the nicest surprises of the meal was after dinner, when they serve free pudding (there's no dessert menu - so don't come craving any fancy desserts) and a free "fish fortune teller." Can't wait to try the Upper West Side location!

If here's one place that's synonymous with happy hour, it's probably the Mermaid Inn. Everything is discounted in the magical time between 5-7pm, cocktails, wine, food, oysters!, so you might wonder what could go wrong?

To be fair, nothing did go wrong, but I was underwhelmed and slightly annoyed from start to finish. The hostess would not let me sit down at the empty restaurant until my entire party of 3 showed up, so I was left lingering at the small, crowded bar with an uninterested bartender. We ordered a few things from the happy hour and regular menu with nothing standing out except the kale salad. Yes, we ordered it; we, it was pretty good and big enough to share; no, this should not be the memorable dish from a seafood restaurant.

Would I come back? Sure, but only if suggested. Nothing was that bad, but nothing makes me want to go back either. I wouldn't be picking this place or recommending it when Upstate is a five minute walk. There are better happy hour spots literally doors down. Do yourself a favor, and go to those instead.