A stylish Fort Greene seafood destination with standout oysters, shrimp, fish dip, cocktails, and service, but reservation friction, uneven execution, saltiness, and premium pricing make careful ordering essential.
Strange Delight delivers strong food quality and attentive service, but inconsistent execution across visits prevents a higher grade. Reports of excessive salt, cold dishes, and uneven fried seafood undermine reliability, while food safety concerns warrant caution. The Fort Greene setting and open kitchen appeal provide pleasant atmosphere without destination-level distinction.
Strange Delight is a stylish Fort Greene seafood restaurant that feels more like a planned night out than a casual neighborhood drop-in. The open kitchen, chef’s counter, low lighting, and polished-but-relaxed room repeatedly win praise; one recurring impression is that the space turns the bustle outside into a warm, convivial dinner. Service is often a genuine strength, especially when bartenders or servers take time to guide the meal, though reservations and seating have produced some frustrating stories. The cooking is a contemporary, New Orleans-inspired seafood program: oysters in several treatments, raw-bar towers, smoked fish dip, fried seafood loaves, swordfish belly, and rich Southern sauces. Charbroiled oysters, smoked fish dip, shrimp loaf, swordfish belly, and the bread pudding are the safest bets from the review record. The menu is creative and seafood-forward rather than plain comfort food, and execution can swing from memorable to overly salty, under-seasoned, delayed, or poor-value depending on the dish and visit. Expect a premium check: a full meal commonly lands around $65-$85 before drinks and gratuity. Families can find approachable items on the current menu, including fried shrimp, fried catfish, fried potatoes, hush puppies, bread, and the vegetarian mushroom loaf, but this is not an effortless children’s restaurant. One reviewer explicitly found it unaccommodating for children, and the reservation-led, adult-leaning atmosphere may suit older or adventurous kids better than picky eaters. Choose bar or counter seating for a casual two-person visit, and book ahead for the dining room.
Area vibe: Tree-lined historic Brooklyn neighborhood with cultural venues and trendy dining spots.
Safety: Generally safe with active foot traffic evenings, though exercise usual urban caution late at night.
What's nearby: Close to Barclays Center, Fort Greene Park, Myrtle Ave and Atlantic Ave dining corridors and transit hubs.
The open kitchen, chef's counter, and low lighting make Strange Delight feel designed for a polished night out rather than a casual drop-in.
The charbroiled oysters, smoked fish dip, and shrimp loaf are reliable starting points, but the best order has a few caveats.
Plan ahead for seating and a premium check, while keeping in mind that portions and seafood execution can vary.