Rating: 7.7 / 10 | Price Range: $$
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More than just bar food
Walking into Calamari’s feels like visiting an old friend you haven’t seen in years. The space has a cool, welcoming vibe. The main bar and dining area are narrow yet deep, maintaining an open and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, there’s a first-floor space for special events and an upper floor that can also accommodate private gatherings. In the summer, the spacious patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a balmy evening with a cocktail in downtown Erie.
Calamari’s offers three menus. The main menu features pizzas, wings, sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads. A second menu highlights entrées and dinner specials, while the third is an extensive drink menu with a wide selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. There are a fair number of vegetarian options and some vegan choices, but I didn’t notice anything specifically designated for gluten-free diners.
We started with the artichoke dip and calamari. The artichoke dip, served in a ceramic crock with toasted pita bread, was piping hot, rich, and satisfying. The calamari—definitely the best in town—lived up to the restaurant’s name, as one would expect.
For entrées, we had the veggie focaccia with fries and the chimichurri-encrusted salmon, which came with sugar snap peas, garlic mashed potatoes, and a choice of soup or salad. We opted for the seafood gumbo.
The sandwich was flavorful, and the fries had just the right amount of crispiness without being dry or overly crunchy. However, I would’ve liked to see a signature sauce or something to add a bit more zip.
The salmon was well-prepared with interesting and enjoyable flavors, but the portion felt a little underwhelming for the price. While it did include soup and two sides, there was a lot of empty plate space when the dish arrived.
Service followed a group approach, with multiple staff members attending to our table. Everyone we encountered was pleasant and quick to accommodate requests. The appetizers arrived promptly, but there was a 20–25 minute wait between placing our entrée order and receiving our meals, which felt a bit long given the overall dinner volume. Some sides arrived after the entrées, but this didn’t significantly impact the experience.
The ambiance was lively, with higher noise levels, but that’s expected for this type of establishment. Thankfully, we could still hold a conversation without straining to hear each other.
Additional Considerations: As with most downtown spots, parking can be a challenge, but we lucked out and found a spot right out front without having to circle the block—a definite win.
Final Thoughts: Calamari’s offers a welcoming atmosphere, a diverse menu, and a solid selection of drinks, making it a great spot for a casual night out in downtown Erie. While the food was generally enjoyable—especially the appetizers and fries—some portion sizes and flavor elements could be improved. The service was friendly, though wait times for entrées were a bit longer than expected. Despite minor drawbacks, the overall experience was positive, and the lively ambiance added to the charm. If you’re looking for a fun, laid-back dining spot with a spacious patio in the warmer months, Calamari’s is worth a visit.
