Boathouse Restaurant

Dinner at the Boathouse was unbelievably fantastic! This is definitely a 5-star restaurant for food, service, and ambiance! We started with cocktails and appetizers. Our appetizers were the fresh spring salad and the shrimp cocktail with fresh horseradish. It included 6 jumbo shrimp and the fresh horseradish was really good, although I would personally prefer more horseradish. Next time I’ll just ask for double horseradish because I really like it spicy. For entrees we thoroughly enjoyed the 3 large scallops on top of mini lobster cakes with grilled cauliflower and broccolini, and the halibut over risotto with mushrooms on the side. These dishes were all perfectly prepared and delicious! Our server, Brian, was fantastic! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. We will definitely be back the next time we are in town. Be sure to make reservations way in advance!

I am so impressed with Boathouse!! This is my second time coming here and I'm still in love with the quality of food and service they provide! We were seated immediately in the sunroom upon arriving to our reservation of 6 people. The view from there was wonderful during the sunset overlooking the water. Our server, Mary Grace, greeted us immediately and put in our drink orders. She brought them out right away and they looked beautiful and tasted even better. I'm not much of a drinker so I was really excited to see they had mocktails and even more that they had an alcohol free espresso martini. I cannot even describe how amazing it was, it was so good. It was a foamy coffee drink with a cinnamon rim that just hit the spot. We also got a blueberry lemon drop cocktail and Manhattan that were just as good and balanced very well. For appetizers we ordered a half dozen Rockefeller oysters and two salads to share with the table. When our server came back she surprised us with an additional set of raw oysters from the east coast that the kitchen mistakenly made and gave to us on the house. This was my first time trying oysters and both the raw and cooked ones were phenomenal. My friend that was eating with us and knows oysters and said they were well above average and enjoyed them as well. We also thought it was so cute and smart that they wrap the lemon to prevent the seeds from falling into the oysters. When it came time to put in our entree orders, almost everyone ordered halibut and one ordered the wagyu filet. They were plated so beautifully and tasted great. We really enjoyed the food and ordered dessert to finish it off. We got the creme brulee, dirty ice cream with chocolate cake mixed into the vanilla ice cream, and some sort of chocolate hazelnut cake. We loved all of them. We were celebrating our soon-to-be bride and I asked our server, Mary Grace if she could split the bill 5 ways so we could all pay for her and she wasn't sure if she could get the POS system to do it but managed to make it work and for that I am so thankful! Each of our checkbooks had souvinir post cards and stickers for us to take home and it was so cute I loved it! Anyone that comes into Traverse City, I will always recommend going there to eat. They are always booked so make sure to book reservations in advance! Shout-out to our amazing server Mary Grace we loved her.

We were out wine tasting on the peninsula and decided to stop here for dinner. We'd never been before. It was outstanding! We had a wonderful waitress Kathleen. She explained the menu items and made our experience a delightful one. We both had soup, mine was the morel bisque that was delicious. My husband was not fond of the seafood one at all. We both had the waygu filets prepared the classic way. Absolutely delicious. We ended our dinner with a coffee drink and the shortbread dessert that was too die for. We look forward to dining here again on our next visit to Traverse City!

We will definitely be back in the summer! We enjoyed a wedding anniversary and it was great. The tuna tartare as an appetizer was amazing!!! So fresh. We also enjoyed the dinner for two with the steak and lobster. Delicious! Dessert was great too. And service was great, too.

For the price, we expected better food and service. Our server didn't check on us after our food was delivered. Would have been nice to enjoy another glass of wine with dinner but not able to get her attention. After finishing our entrees, asked if we were still "working on" the dinner roll. Pet peeve, no we're not working on our food, we're enjoying it. Halibut was overcooked and not seasoned well. The menu is over priced for the quality of the food and service. Decided against dessert as we didn't want to spend any more money at this restaurant. We would not dine here again. Have had better food and service at the many brewpubs in the area. Great view though!

An amazing restaurant to celebrate our anniversary overlooking the water while enjoying Veuve Clicquot with BC & MA oysters, delicious! Mary was genuinely attentive and not intrusive allowing us to enjoy our Wagyu tenderloin with morel mushroom cream sauce, twice baked and truffle demi glaze etc. A perfect night! Thank you Chef and supporting staff (:

Dined here as a student of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute & as a guest. Will say this fine establishment was one of the best restaurants I have ever experienced, to detail to the food was an experience. Very much would like to experience this once again.

Love everything about this restaurant! I am a vegetarian, my husband is not. Lots of options - fresh food, often locally sourced. Best waitstaff! Dan is a particular favorite (and an incredible pickleball player!).

We were visiting Traverse City and had received a recommendation for the Boathouse Restaurant, so we made a reservation...and, we're glad we did! Here is what we liked: - Comfy, warm vibes with beautiful water views. - They had a great cocktail menu, with many unique options, so we started there. I ordered the Flying Dutchman, which for $24 wasn't cheap, but it worth every penny. My wife got the Paper Boat, which she liked although it was a bit sweeter than she was hoping for. - We started with the Morel Chanterelle Bisque, which was every bit as good as our server had said...in fact, it was probably one of the best mushroom soups I've ever had. My wife got the Spring Burrata salad, which as very good but nothing too out of the ordinary. - For entrees, my wife got the Sea Scallops (on lobster cakes) and I got the Atlantic Halibut. Both meals were excellent! - We broke down and got the Cherry Bomb for dessert, which was worth every single calorie. - Our server was very good...attentive but not overbearing. Bottom line: Next time we're in the area, we'd go back to the Boathouse in a heartbeat!

We had an amazing dinner tonight and it was made better by the awesome service we received from our server, Dan. Everything we had was stellar in taste and presentation. I loved my cocktail with the homemade limoncello. The jumbo shrimp were the perfect start and the creme brûlée, the perfect finish. We both chose fish for our main entree (salmon and halibut). They were cooked to perfection. I almost forgot our soups! Both were extremely tasty but the chanterelle sets the standard. I can't wait to return to demolish the seafood tower.

Back in town for a bit and had to have dinner here. Bay views are so beautiful, restaurant quiet and food so good! Hubby and I both had the halibut for dinner, also with the lobster/shrimp bisque, and the tempura asparagus. Wonderful! Service is always great regardless who your waiter is and all are very knowledgeable of the menu and so helpful! Thanks again for another delicious dinner.

On my recent trip to Traverse City, I stopped by the Boathouse Restaurant. Great food and ambiance! View is amazing. Servers are very attentive as well.

This was hands down one of the best restaurants I've had in Michigan and probably in the states. Everything was fresh and beautifully made and thought out. It's also a beautiful location. Food is on the high end, but well worth the price!

Beautiful place on the water. The Morel soup was delicious, but I don't know if I'd pay $18 for it. The halibut was perfectly cooked, tender on the inside a nice sear on the outside. It was buttery and flaky. The risotto was a little bit undercooked. But the mushrooms and everything were a great companion. Great service, great views.

On my second trip to Boathouse, my true love gave to me... Halibut with Parmesan risotto, foie gras and oysters from New Brunswick, New Jerseyyyy Let me tell you, if you're in Traverse City, I would make sure this spot was on your list. It was, as expected, amazing. We've come here two years in a row for our anniversary. Every part of the meal was cooked perfectly and was nothing short of exquisite. We started with oysters and the burrata salad. This burrata salad was made with tomatoes from the owners garden, we were told. I don't care where it's from, I want it as an appetizer before every meal. It was delicious. I then moved onto the morel chanterelle bisque; I'm a huge proponent of the fungi, so this was right up my alley. It was perfectly seasoned and all the reviews I read about it were on point. Everyone else ordered steak and I went with the halibut. Once again, I regret nothing. I got to take a bite out of all the different steaks but my fish on top of the Parmesan risotto was by far my favorite. We did not get any dessert but walked away perfectly content and full. I hope to come back again in a year!

Always a 5 star experience, the steak and oysters always a great choice, beautiful ambiance by the water. Service is top notch.

A beautiful venue serving excellent fare! My wife and I went there with two other couples for an early dinner (It's very popular, so reservations are highly recommended). We sat on the indoor "porch" (pictured), which was what I would recommend for the water view. I started with their signature Morel Chanterelle Bisque, made with chateau d'orignac, cream, and white truffle oil. It was excellent - delicate but flavorful. Others tried the ample selection of fresh oysters, giving a favorable report. All but one of us (unfortunately for this review) chose the Halibut, which sits on a bed of parmesan risotto, with broccolini, roasted mushroom, and a lemon beurre blanc. It was outstanding - flaky and perfectly prepared. The other one of our crew ordered the 10 oz. American Wagyu steak from Snake River Farms in Idaho (which also comes in a smaller 6 oz. portion). It's offered with three options: House, Classic, and Aupoivre. My friend chose House, which is served with potato dauphinoise, parsnip puree, black garlic, grilled asparagus, and tomato jam. He told me that is was tender and flavorable. We opted to share a couple of desserts - a crème brûlée and a chocolate torte. Both were very good. The service was friendly, professional, and attentive. It is pricey. I don't drink, but everyone had a cocktail, and two bottles of moderately-priced wine with dinner, and the bill, with tip, was about $120.00 per person. i

We ate at The Boathouse last weekend and were very happy with the food and service. We originally requested to sit upstairs outside and the wait was about 45 min we then changed our mind last minute to sit inside and they were very accommodating. The server greeted us quickly and our drinks came fast. The food all was hot and tasted good. My husband got the burger and it was cooked perfectly, I got the wedge and it was very good with fresh ingredients. The view of the marina is an added bonus. We will add this restaurant to our list of places to come back to when we make it to Door County again.

This restaurant is usually top notch, so my husband and I were disappointed when our meal was not great. We were celebrating our anniversary, and the lobster was undercooked. Dessert was crème brûlée and it was lumpy from separating.

Great restaurant. The view is beautiful and the interior is very well done. The food is great. The appetizers were good. The main entree was great. Had the halibut was delicious and the risotto that came with it was great. I had the cherry bomb cake for dessert. It was very fresh and tasty. Definitely would recommend this place.

Beautiful restaurant in a beautiful location. My wife, who had eaten here a few years ago, suggested the Boathouse for our first night in Traverse City. This is a beautiful restaurant on a bay about 25 minutes north of TC. Jasmine, our server, was excellent -- cheerful, informative and, most importantly, had very helpful suggestions. The drinks were great -- a ginger Manhattan for Laura and a negroni for me. Later Laura had a glass of an excellent Michigan white wine. Laura started with the morel bisque. She loved it. We split two mains: a cauliflower steak (meh) and grilled halibut (excellent). The halibut was outstanding, flakey, moist with a beautiful crispy skin. The cauliflower was just ordinary. It was a vegetarian dish made by someone who doesn't like vegetables. You can make better at home. I can and I do. (If the chef would like my recipe I'd be glad to share it.) After dinner we walked down by the yacht harbor just after dusk. The whole ambience of the harbor and the beautiful restaurant is worth the drive from traverse City. P.S. Someone should please tell the yacht basin manager to replace the shredded, faded American flag. It dishonors the flag.

Strengths: service, quality and presentation of food, view of water and boats. Cute nautical/rustic decor. Opportunities: price pt for food is high - all entrees are $50-65/ea. Three ppl over $300 easily. Eating at bar might be more feasible option, otherwise for most this is best for very special occasions.

I am visiting here in Traverse CIty and looked this restaurant up on Yelp. Gotta admit its a little bit out of town but every mile was worth it. I had waygu beef ravioli and shrimp/lobby bisque. It was sooo good. Washed it down with an Oregon Pinot Noir and then had a shrimp cocktail. I was in heaven. What a nice place - out of town, intimate, quiet, eclectic food samplings and a nice wait staff. Thank you Darius! TadS

Excellent food, service and atmosphere! I highly recommend this restaurant for special occasions and date nights. Our meals were excellent and the drinks were amazing. Great views of the bay.

The food is excellent. In the half dozen times we have gone it has been excellent. The service especially Boston Sue was great and the ambiance really nice. So why not 5 stars? We go tonight and the service was terrible with Dana and the ambiance was way off. They were playing Quiet Riot and Billy Idol - not the music I expected at the Boathouse. The kitchen is great and churns out good meals - keep that up.

Best in a long time. We look forward going back and enjoying a wonderful meal. Everybody was great.

The most phenomenal dining experience bar none Dined Al Fresco, the service was impeccable, our drinks and all of our food was extraordinary!!! The Dupont Oysters were salty, either because of the salty Feta or the oysters brine?, but pure heaven for an Anchovy lover like me. My Oysters on the half shell once again proved to be the superior seafood, they're briny, buttery & sweet = a symbiotic mystery The Wagyu Ribeye is beyond earthly adjectives, but in earthly words it was tender, with a rich bold taste. Washed it all down with a fitting dark beer, Stout! Our waiter Bryan B. was exceptional, as well as the rest of the wait staff, chefs & managers. Can't wait to return there.

Wow! Amazing able to get reservations as it was a really off time. We were able to sit outside and it was a lovely view. Excellent service- wonderful oysters, bisque, and desserts! We started with traditional oysters and Prosecco. Moved into some foie gras and tempura battered asparagus. I had the shrimp and lobster bisque and they are known for the morel bisque that my friend had (which was good). To finish a lovely glass of Caymus wine with strawberry basil sorbet and a classic crepe brûlée. Lovely- happy- and full we moved on. Definitely a treat! Hope to come back

Amazing dinner!! Rivals restaurants in Manhattan and Chicago. Highly recommend!!!! 5pm

Service 5 Food Quality 5 Drink Quality 5 Order Time 4 Aesthetics 5 Noise Level 4.5 Menu Selection 5 Restrooms 4 Overall experience 4.69 When you walk inside the restaurant you'll see a small bar on the right and an oyster bar on your left where they prepare the oysters. The restaurant is bright and well lit, and if you're lucky you will face the window which has a beautiful view of the water and boathouse outside. The vibe is very upscale and the decor is tasteful. The restrooms are clean and the stalls are public (open at the bottom where you can see peoples feet who are using the toilet). There are plenty of thick napkins by the sink with the Boathouse logo on them. The Boathouse salad was tasty and refreshing with a nice extra crunch from the pine nuts. Snow crab ravioli was delicious, rich and creamy texture and the taste was amazing with the perfect blend of spices to complement the wonderful flavor of the snow crab inside the ravioli, and noticed a slight tangy lemon flavor in the sauce. We also got 1/2 dozen Kushi oysters which were very creamy and delicious. The table bread was very tasty and the olive oil that was at the table was sooooo good! A brand called Fustini's. I got the Wagyu ribeye cooked Pittsburgh medium and it was nice and charred on the outside and perfectly medium on the inside. For the price I've definitely had better ribeyes but this was an 8 or 9 out of 10. Very good. It came with some colorful carrots and roasted potatoes on the side as well as a few pieces of broccolini. We also ordered 2 pieces of scallops to have with our meals and they were absolutely delicious. My girlfriend ordered the American Wagyu Queens filet, prepared "classic" style (there are two other options to go with and she opted on this one). The filet was very soft and tender; the meat melted in our mouths. It came with a few small twice baked potatoes which had some cheese on them and were tasty. There was a bit of a wait for our main courses to arrive but not long enough to frustrate us because the salad, oysters and Snow Crab Ravioli came out very quickly. Our waiter was also very amazing and the overall service was top notch. He even wrote a bunch of suggestions down for us when we travel up to the Upper Peninsula in the next week. Interesting to note that the Wagyu here comes from Snake River Farms in Idaho. They were the original farm to bring Wagyu here from Japan in the 80s. They have a robust wine list as well as some beers in bottles and on draft, and there are quite a few mixed cocktails offered on the menu as well. A nice selection of dessert wines as well for after your meal. There was some music playing out of the speakers and you could hear people talking at the neighboring tables but neither the music nor the neighboring conversation was loud enough to make you have to raise your voice to talk to your companion. For dessert we split the chocolate cheesecake and the creme brûlée with a side of vanilla ice cream to pair with the cheesecake. Both desserts were delicious and we'd get them again. The creme brûlée was exceptional and perfectly toasted on the top -- nice and crunchy and took a little pressing with the spoon to break the top open. Well prepared! We would return here again!

Last minute decision. Wings were good. Very noisy! Great waitress. Definitely more of a bar atmosphere and food.

Absolutely spectacular place! The service was outstanding, the food was delicious, the ambience was perfect. We didn't have a reservation and were lucky enough to be able to snag a table outside looking over the marina. Our waitress was amazing, very attentive and we had great conversation with her! Our drinks were so delicious and refreshing I don't think you could go wrong ordering any one of them, they also have a ton of local wine selections. Our seafood tower was absolutely amazing, my favorite was the salmon tartare and mussels. That alone was probably enough food but we decided to order that scallops as well, and they did not disappoint! The crab cake they were served with all melded together beautifully. I wish we had saved room for dessert but we were to full, maybe next time we are in the area we'll stop for a drink and dessert.

Lovely dinner spot! We decided to dine at the Boathouse Restaurant on recommendation from a friend while up in the Traverse City area. They sat us outside on the patio facing Marion Island. The view was beautiful and the food was fantastic. We started out with the tuna tartare and shrimp cocktail. Also, had the Surf and Turf for two and finished it off with the creme brûlée. It was one of the best places we have dined at in the Traverse City area.

My husband brought me here for our wedding anniversary, & I'm so glad he did!! Absolutely amazing experience all the way around! Food hospitality, , the breath-taking view we will definitely be back!! (I never write reviews, that's how pleased I was)

Thank you so much Tim for assisting us with dinner service today. Your suggestions and expertise were right on point. Every aspect of our special dining experience were of the highest standards. We will request you when returning to The Boathouse. Such a beautiful atmosphere, and the food quality and presentation were even better than the reviews we have read. We will return to enjoy all that awaits At The Boathouse. James and Suzanne

The Boathouse is absolutely the most amazing restaurant with best-ever views, all with amazing food. Every time we have gone, it has surpassed expectations all around! The best place to take your date on an intimate, romantic experience.... This is where I proposed to my Fiancée, and is always a destination for future rendezvouses! Ann & Jeff

Ambiance was superb, yet falling short on cocktails. Cannot comment on the food as we stopped in to simply grab a drink as there were no reservations available. Look forward to our next trip to old mission to try the food.

We have had generally very good experiences here as the food is good as is the service. But I must comment on the the surprisingly high prices this time around (earlier this week). For three with drinks and tip (20%) the bill was around $550. Yes, overall the food was good. The exception was the strip steak (for me) that while generous was a disappointment in both taste and texture. It was about $70. My wife and son got the filet and loved them. I must say the ravioli appetizer was outstanding! This was a very busy night and the kitchen must have been stressed to the limit. Our server was professional but obviously harried. There was no time for banter. Given the prices high end restaurants are comfortable charging these days, we wonder about the value of eating out vs preparing a good meal at home. The following night we ate at Red Ginger in Traverse City, a favorite of ours. Its prices have risen but were reasonable for the consistently delicious fare. The three of us ate well at about half the price of Boathouse, albeit the type of food served is quite different. I recommend Boathouse but caution to expect a hefty price for this area.

The experience was fantastic. The food was phenomenal and better than that (Dan our waiter made the experience absolutely fabulous). Congratulations to a great restaurant the boathouse ! Setting in weather and sunset perfect!

This is the best restaurant in ALL of Northern Michigan. Their service is wonderful and the location is perfect. I highly recommend the Oysters Rockefeller.

Great views, friendly staff, and unbelievable food from beginning to end. Had a three course meal and left stuffed and yet wanting more food. The white fish pate is a must since it is a local fish to the lake, the lobster and crab bisque with their homemade bread is bomb. Also go big with the surf n turf, they drizzle the steak with a homemade sauce and then finish it with dessert - brownie or apple pie! Scrumptious.

The boathouse is a great spot a short drive out side of traverse city. We generally go every year to enjoy the view and have a great meal each summer. This review and the pictures are from traverse city's restaurant week. The menu was great for the price with a lobster tail and filet option among others. The service was top notch as always!

Great food and service with a beautiful view of the water. Always enjoy the ride out there, the wait staff are wonderful.

I don't know which was better, our dinner or the view. Both were spectacular. We started with the Blue Point oysters which were fresh and sweet. Then we ordered the creme de la creme, Surf & Turf for 2. The wagyu beef was so tender we literally cut it with a butter knife. The flavor was so different and delish. Our lobster tail was succulent and sweet, perfect. Then we were graced with a fantabulous sunset! So glad we found this place on our way back from wine tasting. Not to mention, service was great!

Sat on the patio as we didn't have reservations. Some fruit flies...a bit annoying but we we were able to move beyond that. Highlights: mushroom soup and the 6 oz filet with the blackened pepper finish!

Boathouse was on our radar this trip to Traverse City. We knew we were going to be visiting the wineries in the Old Mission Peninsula and we want to end our tour here. This is a very nice restaurant near Bowers Harbor Marina, very picturesque. We were seated in a nice corner window facing the Harbor. We only had a few questions about the menu as we did a little research of the restaurant prior to our reservation. My wife and I shared the Surf and Turf Dinner for 2. We upgraded to a wedge salad, only because we like it. Keep in mind their steaks are not standard IS beef, it's Waygu Beef. Like Angus, a different breed of cattle but from Japan. We also Paired our meal with a Grand Traverse Gamy Noir, a local winery, actually right down the road. The meal was outstanding from the view to the last drop of wine. The steak was very good, a slightly different taste than standard American cattle, still tender and juicy, the lobster done well in a buttery cream sauce served over asparagus. Next trip back we will return, reservations are recommended, they fill up weeks in advance.

Excellent food and service! The walleye and morel mushroom soup were delicious! We sat on the outdoor covered patio and the ambiance was great!Definitely recommend.

Boathouse has become our go-to destination in Traverse City. Quality and service are exceptional - it's the best fine dining option in town and the only restaurant in Northern Michigan that you can get traditional caviar service. Cocktails are very well thought-out and prepared, wine list is exceptional. We live in town and have been here half a dozen times and have never been disappointed.

Oh my goodness. Beautiful outdoor seating. We did the wagyu carpaccio, oysters rockefeller (twice), duck confit and foie gras and they were incredible.

Sitting on the deck was a delight after a day in the sun. The breeze off the water was instantly cooling. Mary was amazing she made awesome recommendations and she knew the menu well. The food was divine and we ate every bite.

We are enjoyed our anniversary dinner here. There was a beautiful sunset ! We had the famous tempura asparagus . Tonight the tempura was different but good. DH had the morel bisque which is okay excellent. I had the wedge salad that was served with Bibb lettuce. It included avocado and creamy blue cheese dressing with bacon. Our entrees were the walleye for me . I like fish and don't need sauces and extra on the fish to appreciate it. The sauce was ok, but a little over powering. DH had the filet with twice baked potatoes and carrots. The steak was perfectly cooked. The dessert selections were great, but we were too full to order . Our waiter, Will, was attentive and interactive.

WOW. We were hungry after doing some wine tastings, called and they just so happened to have a table open, which is very rare without reservations. We were NOT dressed foe this place - we had jeans and a tshirts on and I was pleasantly surprised that the waiter didn't treat us any differently. He was very friendly, and made some great recommendations including wine! My husband ordered the wagu beef and it was really good. We loved the food, atmosphere, view, drinks, and memories we made, we've decided to make it a yearly trip! The oysters were really good and we had been eating them in florida 3 weeks before! Also, the morel mushroom bisque that came with my food was to die for!

Feels like a little Northern Michigan gem here. Servers are outstanding, the food is delish, and the cocktails are refreshing. Favorite place up in TC.

Love this place, the service is terrific, right on the water for great sunsets. Oh, the food is wonderful as well. What more could you ask for?

Perfect! Beautiful location on the bay and marina. White tablecloths both inside and the outside covered but open air patio. Our table was on the patio surrounded by water, the sunset and flowers. Service was excellent and the food was delicious. Interesting entrees with quality food and presentation. Hostess Kelly and Server Brian went over the top to make our evening special!

Great food and great view. We had a patio table and the view was incredible! Loved everything we had. Of course the wagyu is a standout.

I was in traverse city for work and wanted to try something new! I heard this place was near impossible to get a reservation in season. I was by myself and I lucked out and got a table right outside with a view of the lake. Dinner and service were great! Highly recommend.

Always love sitting on the patio. Enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner meal of small plates, including their signature asparagus tempura, whitefish pate, Yellowfin tuna tartare and a classic wedge salad. Wonderful all around! Attentive server Emma was always on top of everything. Love making that one of our vacation experiences.