The Boathouse at Saugatuck

Recommendations: Outdoor Table (upstairs), Local Oysters on the Half Shell, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Chicken Liver Pate, and Boathouse Lobster Roll. . Detailed Review: It's Summer 2022, I looked for a waterfront restaurant in CT. I found this place, however, it's tough to reserve an outdoor table for a weekend dinner. I booked my table on 6/6 for the dinner on 6/25. We ordered: Local Oysters on the Half Shell, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Chicken Liver Pate, Prime Burger, Boathouse Lobster Roll, Apple Strudel, and Creme Brulee. - Local Oysters on the Half Shell & Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: very fresh, you can even feel the oysters were crunchy. - Chicken Liver Pate: the Pate was very good, you may want to ask for more bread to finish the disc. - Prime Burger: it's juicy, the beef was good (but not excellent yet). The fries were crispy. - Boathouse Lobster Roll: delicious. The torpedo was crispy but not hard. - Apple Strudel: the vanilla ice cream was very good. - Creme Brulee: burning smell, not too sweet, delicious. 🍔So I gave 5/5 for the food. 🥂We did bring our own wine, there was $30 for corkage fee. I just wish they could have an ice bucket for our bottle, but they served well and their recommendations for food were good. So 5/5 for service. The view was great, there is the Saugatuck River flows by. Since the patio faces East, during sunset, the sunlight does not shine directly to your table. So view is 5/5. The restroom is nice and clean. They have an individual restroom upstairs and another restroom downstairs. . I hope this review is helpful for you. 🙂

We stopped in for lunch and enjoyed a great view of water. They have two dining areas and we chose to sit outside and dine. For starters we had the cheese plate along with the charcuterie. Both plates were great. The cheese was really good along with the charcuterie. For my lunch I had the burger which was cooked perfectly. The fries were delicious as well.

Ok so Let me start by saying the location is beautiful we had a great sunset. The service was fine nothing outstanding. The food however was a great disappointment. We were a party of 4. We Started with the the firecracker cauliflower and the Halibut tempura both were good as well as the clam chowder. had a french onion soup which had little to no flavor... not sure what exactly was missing but it honestly had no flavor. I also ordered the lobster roll, and unfortunately It just wasn't good, maybe not enough butter? Or too much parsley? Mot enough salt? Not sure but just bland. My husband and our friend ordered the special which was risotto and scallops the scallops were cooked to perfection but meal itself had little to no flavor and they both left the risotto. Lastly our friend had the swordfish meal and when asked how he wanted it cooked he said medium well.... the first time it came out pretty raw as in completely cold ...he sent it back and a second later another one came (was it ready in the back)? ...but that too was cold and raw in the middle. He left it in his plate as even the noodles were not good. As we sat there we heard the table behind us order the clams linguini and after taking a bite send it back saying it was "awful" when the waiter asked if he wanted to order something else he said NO! When the waiter came to clear the plates he did not ask about the swordfish meal mostly intact in the plate but he gave us a round of drinks for free for having to wait for out meals (which did not take long at all). Maybe they were just having an off night as the reviews are so good... But we will not be back.

This is an incredible location for an outdoor event. You're right on the water! The Boathouse has an outdoor patio with views of the river that are gorgeous. One thing I loved was that they have a large tent over part of the patio that's clear, so the view isn't blocked. (Most tents are solid white.) The Birthday girl at this party arrived by boat, which made for a unique grand entrance. Love this venue. Beautiful views, friendly staff and great food.

Gorgeous place but the food is really average and the Sunday brunch is atrociously expensive at $75 per adult and $40 per child, not even a Mimosa is included at that price. Prix fixe only! I paid $420 for lunch for three adults and two children. It’s criminal not to allow people to order a la carte

It is a nice spot to have a drink or dine in. The staff is nice and the food was tasty. We had the pâté to start which was delicious and their scallops were yummy! We lucked out with beautiful weather and will definitely come back again.

Had a reservation at 1:45pm sunday september 8 2024, for brunch . We were seated and then the Manager, out of nowhere rudely said “you have to move them, I don’t care! move them”. I was Horrified by such Disgusting behavior . He didn’t have any basic training on how to treat patrons in their establishment. I will never spend my hard earned money in any locations, which treats any person in that manner. His delivery was demeaning and disrespectful . So i got up and walked out and walked across the street and spend $300 dollars on lobsters and oysters across the street at the lobster restaurant.

The perfect place to sit by the river and dine in a lovely atmosphere. A great place for any occasion but also the perfect brunch or Mother’s Day spot. Get my drift:)

Beautiful setting. Relaxing atmosphere. Good service and good food. All in all, a very nice brunch experience.

We stopped in for lunch and enjoyed a great view of water. They have two dining areas and we chose to sit outside and dine. For starters we had the cheese plate along with the charcuterie. Both plates were great. The cheese was really good along with the charcuterie. For my lunch I had the burger which was cooked perfectly. The fries were delicious as well.

We took overseas friends there for a midweek lunch and it was perfect. It's lovely looking out at the river and the gorgeous wooden boat hanging from the ceiling is beautiful. Our waitress was very attentive and everyone loved their food. Lobster rolls and burgers were big hits and we also loved the black bean soup which was a special. We lingered for more than two hours and were never rushed...wish I'd taken more photos as presentation was artful.

Beautiful venue for brunch. Mediocre food. Three of us had eggs Benedict....all eggs over cooked. Two of us made do with extra sauce but one order sent back. We were done by the time returned order reappeared. A poached eggs takes a few minutes...not 15 or 20. Waitress seemed put out. Mussels, fries and clam chowder were OK. Won't rush back.

Wish I had something to review, but after calling three times and emailing for information on holding an event there I never received a call back.

Little over priced but very good food. Beautiful setting to have a nice dinner. Wait staff was Pleasant as well.

I enjoyed my dinner at Boathouse. The setting was great and service was attentive. I thought the menu was limited. There was a good variety of wine and cocktails.

To be able to see one's high school buddies is pretty great, but my reunion at this fine restaurant was super great. We all loved the ambience--the location on the river, and the food was very good. I would like to go there again, as soon as possible!

We came here for a family lunch and it was excellent. Our server Maren was personable and very informative about specials and menu recommendations. We had the lobster rolls, salmon, crab cakes, and the limoncello spritz. All were excellent. We are long time residents of Westport and this was our first time here. A great find for waterfront dining in our neighborhood.

First time we came here for dinner. Outstanding and five stars for food and service- our server Antonio was terrific- professional and really friendly. Made us feel very comfortable. The burrata salad was amazing and the mixed green salad was really ugh delicious. The chicken entre and salmon were also fabulous and perfectly prepared. Great wine list and Eric the manager is on the ball. Really pretty spot to have a special meal with a great view of the river.

The view is beautiful and the service was good. Unfortunately, my lobster roll was not great. There was a lot of lettuce and hardly any lobster, and the rolls are to large for the filling. It was so much bread. For the price, it wasn't worth it. Also, the atmosphere is a little odd. Having to walk by a gym to get to the restaurant seemed off-putting . I understand that's it's a club, but there's no real separation.

Mediocre, overpriced food. The chicken panini was bland. Staff is rude and condescending. I expected better.

If you are looking for a waterfront dining experience in the western part of Connecticut this is a great spot. 4 stars for the food with a few 5 star items (cauliflower apetizer, apple strudel, berry pound cake). But the service (Fabio!) and views get 5 stars. The outdoor dining is well covered and even the lightest skin person won't need sunscreen though I recommend sunglasses for the glare.

We journeyed here - just over an hour each way - for lunch on a beautiful summer Saturday for two important reasons. First, they serve outdoors, on the water. Second, we needed a good lobster roll. There is plenty of parking at this "club", which served as a nexus for sculling, kayaking and training. Saugatuck is a world-class rowing and fitness club, sporting a state of the art gym, immaculate rowing facilities. Attached to the facility and its locker rooms is a tony outdoor restaurant on a large tent covered patio with several other tables on the fringes. (Apparently, the restaurant is upstairs during the winter and this likely changes the experience.) Reservation via Open Table was a snap. There is ample parking, with lots on both sides of the facility. We were greeted by a temperature taking hostess and seated promptly, on a table closest to the water. Perfect (see pics). Views are excellent. Our servers, a trainee (Raoul) and his overwatch (Santos, a veteran of Saltaire in Portchester) were engaging, efficient and fun - made the experience even more enjoyable. The menu is scan and read on your phone, with specialty cocktails, drinks and a very serviceable wine list (ten rose choices for summer loving). We started with super fresh PEI Mussels in a delicious broth (with bread for required dunking), and fresh oysters. Paired with a William Fevre Chablis, and a fresh breeze, we had landed exactly where we hoped to be! Heaven! After a brief rest, we moved on to the target of our adventure, Le lobster roll. We selected a Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Cotes de Provence Rose that killed with the lobster roll - lots of chunks of lobster (a bit less than ideal, and our only nitpic) on a warm toasted bun, served with crispy truffle fries (truffling optional). Picture perfect and one of those road trips where the rainbow had a pot of dining gold at the end. Highly recommended.

Quintessential Connecticut view at this restaurant. I love sitting in the Adirondack chairs in the back overlooking the Saugatuck River! Food is great too!

If you're looking for a place to host a bridal party, have it at The Boathouse. My daughter was so happy at the beautiful setting, excellent food, and pretty mimosa bar. I've never hosted anything where guests were more complimentary. It was nice to have a warm and sunny day this spring after so many gray, drizzly afternoons, but still. Antonio and Jeff saw to all our needs. Eric was exceptionally kind in designing the menu with just the right color to match the wedding colors...and Eric, the cake you selected was delicious. Lynn answered every question leading up to the event and was funny & patient with us. She didn't just meet our needs, she anticipated them. I'd suggest you just stop looking and book this place. I promise.

This was a hidden gem - great spot with a view of the Saugatuck, indoors and out. Service was spot on too. And the food selection was surprisingly tasty. Solid in all ways.

I highly recommend The Boathouse for a private party! We had a baby shower there - the space is beautiful and Josette and the staff were a pleasure to work with from beginning to end! The guests commented on the delicious food & drinks.

The Boathouse at Saugatuck hosted an engagement party for our daughter and her fiancé last Saturday and they could not have pulled it off better. It was a smashing success. We were very concerned about holding this event during a pandemic, and the Restaurant Manager, Scott, could not have been more reassuring or professional. The Boathouse reserved the entire ground level for our guests. The Boathouse rigorously enforced Connecticut capacity, screening, and face covering regulations. All guests were temperature checked before entering. Although under a tent, we had free access to the river and surrounding areas outdoors. All staff wore face coverings, as did the guests unless they were drinking or eating. And eat they did! The food was delicious. Shrimp, oysters, clams, cheese, Pulled Pork on crispy corn cake, Crab Cakes with Remoulade,Veggie spring rolls ,Pear & Roguefort Stars with Pomegranate molasses, Chicken Saté with Hoisin Drizzle and more. The service was incredible. It seemed like we had 10 servers helping with food and drink. Scott and his team helped make the blessed couple feel so special, especially under during these difficult times. We highly recommend The Boathouse for special events, or simply for lunch, brunch or dinner in a beautiful setting

I was a fan of this restaurant until my visit last weekend. We ordered the filet mignon which proved to be inedible. The meat tasted like liver and when I brought it to the attention of my waiter he showed zero interest in our concern. The chef and his staff actually treated us with total disrespect and acted as though we were rude guests for daring to question their cooking. This $52 hunk of meat was taken home and to a local butcher shop who told us it was "spoiled" and a good thing we didn't eat it. Restaurants are struggling in this economy and we appreciate the need to make accommodations. But sourcing meat (to secure their margins) from inferior distributors isn't the answer.

Having heard about the Boathouse's extraordinarily generous support of first-line providers during the pandemic last year (they hand delivered 30 - 60 meals to area hospitals NIGHTLY), I couldn't wait to come in and see what Scott Green & his team were up to when I was in town recently. I am smitten! We sat upstairs at the bar with my new favorite barman, Roberto (actually Robert but I made him Italian since he was so debonair), who immediately turned the little bar TV to the Red Sox game to make my squad happy. I had SEVERAL of whatever their version of a Paloma cocktail is called, and only common sense made me stop after #3 (note: I wasn't driving). I had the truffle fries as my app, which were literally the BEST ones I've EVER had on three continents -- mouthwateringly flavorful, not too salty, and could they have been made in an air fryer because they were crisp and virtually oil-free? We shared a Kit Kat concoction for dessert -- DEE. LISH. I LOVED the ambiance and the view. The staff was ADORABLE. I LOVED how well Scott took care of us, too. As mentioned, we were seated at the upstairs bar (no tables), and he thoughtfully brought over the cute little table lights they use throughout so we could SEE our menus (and glow, which you know is a girl's best friend after a Certain Age, dahling). I appreciated that enormously. I had to duck out to the stair landing to take an important call, and loved that there was thoughtfully located seating to accommodate me there. (AND ran into a college buddy who was also taking a work call on the adjacent banquette! #supercool) The Boathouse is my new Westport fave! Two thumbs up and a coxswain!

We love the boathouse....the view and the service. Best kept secret in Wesport! On several occasions we have gone either for lunch after working out or for dinner (amazing choices) and it gets better and better every time! The view of the Saugatuck is wonderful, the Chef, Owner and staff are kind and courteous!

This is a special spot with beautiful views and fabulous food! The Management and wait staff make you feel so welcome and comfortable. I love that they don't try to rush you out of your table. The natural setting is spectacular and the decor is chic. The vibe is warm and fun!

Beautiful view. But don't know about the food. We left. We had reservations from open table but once we were seated outside right by the water view we were told that we needed to be seated elsewhere as there were previous reservations and they tried sitting us all the way back in a corner away from the water. All Tables were empty. We decided to leave. You decide. BTW we drove over 20 miles to get here. Don't bother unless you fit their profile.

Very expensive especially for drinks. Great location but 18$ for margarita that 50 pct ice???

Stunned, just beside myself I am sitting at my computer late at night totally stunned after going to the Boathouse at Saugatuck. I made the reservation over two weeks ahead. It was the day before Mother's Day, my family is out of state, I am 67 years old, and I had a perfect day up until I sat down at this restaurant, it was sort of my gift to myself. I drove 40 miles to try out this cute place on the water. I was told when I made the reservation that a large party was going to be there. I told the person on the phone that we could come earlier, or even another week and was told, no come today, and bring as many friends as you'd like. So we walked in and all was fine. The host greeted us and helped us with accessing the menu from our phones. The waitress came by and asked what we wanted. I asked for a coffee and my friend asked for a glass of water. She took our order. I ordered the lunch omelette, and not sure what my friend ordered. Everything went downhill from there. One half hour goes by, 45 minutes, and I tried to get the waitress's attention. She either ignored me or looked peeved. She said they had a party of 65 they were "plating" for. She really made me feel like I was annoying her. We waited another 15 minutes, now we are there for an hour. The waitress never came back to ask if I wanted another coffee or acknowledged us in any way. She was spending all her time at two tables - a large party and another party of four who were ordering many, many drinks. There was one other party of 3 or 4 who had ordered a couple of wines, and they were waiting longer than we were. So I said to my friend, I think we need to go somewhere else. Bad enough we aren't being served, but the waitress is acting like we aren't even here and keeps making nonsense excuses for why we aren't getting our meal! So, after one hour and 20 minutes waiting to get our meal, we walked out. I've been having this sickening feeling since then that I'm missing something here. It all went downhill AFTER WE PLACE OUR ORDER. The entire tone of servers changed. This place caters to BIG SPENDERS. Don't think you are coming here on a weekend and getting served if you order a coffee and omelette. Why is an omelette even on the menu if you can't order it and expect service? I have been to many upscale restaurants. If the item is on the menu and I order it, I get served and respected. They are not gauging their service and treatment based on what I ordered. I am trying to lose weight and can't drink alcohol and other high calorie beverages, and my friend is on medication and cannot drink alcohol. I am not buying that the waitress was rude and made us wait an hour and 20 minutes and refused to acknowledge us because a party of 65 was there. I'm not that stupid. NEVER, EVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I BEEN TREATED so inhumanely, like I didn't even exist. Demoralizing, sickening. I don't think there is a word in the English language for how I am feeling now. I WILL NEVER, EVER GO BACK HERE.

Attentive hostess. Seated immediately as we requested outdoors on a beautiful evening Service and food met the high standards we expected Will certainly be back again

I mean, if the view doesn't speak for itself, I will! Every time I have gone to the Boathouse it is FABULOUS. It is so well managed, super clean and safe, the food is killer and the menu is always changing. The staff is great and work soooo hard to service all customers when with a labor shortage!

Not great. Average food average service. Maybe on a nice summer day out on the patio but it was disappointing. Westport has such great restaurants they need to up it a bit. Also it's next to the kayak place and work out gym on second floor kinda weird

Thank you Frank! This place has been unfairly reviewed, though I understand why, but our server Frank was brilliant and attentive, more like a star of the venue, which wouldn't work if he wasn't there. The entry was confusing but we made it on the second floor side doors. The outside was closed due to the weather but given the over 60 degrees it brought out a crowd on Saturday evening. My local friends wanted to try the food so we trekked up from Scarsdale. Pretty simple eats really but good on the fish side. My wife is veg and I'm newly trying to be vegan. They were very happy to accommodate with the limitations. She had the pasta with a bunch of veggies and spicy, quite good. I had the salmon with the sauce on the side, not very vegan! Very filling btw. The branzino think is a big hit for healthy food choices. If you're getting filet mignon then ask for the sauce on the side, it will mess with the flavor. We got pistachio ice cream and creme brûlée for dessert which were both amazing! I got the feeling that the wait staff were more vested in the place than management. Ask for them and tip well!!

My fiance and I had a small micro wedding here in October and couldn't be happier with our decision. Joette was fabulous to work with and catered to our every need. The ceremony and luncheon following were absolutely perfect - we keep hearing how fabulous the food was! I would 100% recommend this to any couple interested in hosting a smaller, more intimate wedding in Fairfield County!

This restaurant pays a lot of attention to making the client feel safe and gently taken care of. The location is amazing, right on the water, with a well organized venue. We went for the Branzino, an interesting interpretation by the chef with pancake and a tasteful salad and great dressing. The oysters platter was excellent and the wine list is wide and reasonable. Very nice experience overall

Excellent food and service!! View was spectacular and very relaxing. We will be back!

I've lost count of the number of times I've been here. Started going when the new management took over for FUN happy hours. Family meals during shutdown were a staple. It was our first outing once restaurants were able to open up, and we felt so totally safe and both the food and service were OUTSTANDING. Our most recent visit was on 10/16, on which occasion our dinner and drinks were terrific - Robert the bartender is not only great but lots of fun! We also watched the manager dealing as gracefully as humanly possibly with a large, unruly, and frankly rude group of people who broke every rule of "How to be a good restaurant guest" they could. I've seen a lot... they were A LOT. Well done Scott and staff for handling the mess far better than I might have. We'll be back again and again (and again)!

A wonderful experience. Consistent service & the food is incredible. The view is the icing on the cake in such a peaceful, idyllic setting. Go at happy hour to watch the boats gliding through the water! Scott & his team have done such an incredible job reviving this restaurant !

Scott and his team are the best. Service and attention to detail are super. My son and I a wonderful meal.highly recommend this restaurant

I had a delicious meal and the service was excellent!! From the moment I stepped in the door everyone was welcoming, professional and friendly! What a wonderful experience- we can't wait to return!!

We just had a magnificent brunch and the best truffles fries we have eaten in years! My husband had the mussels with the most amazing sauce, cream of mustard. Not a speck left on his plate. The staff and manager were extremely accommodating and professional. And a great view! Highly recommend!

Great restaurant, the food was amazing. The drinks are fantastic! Outstanding and amazing service, great views. Highly recommend this place or a lunch , dinner and your next celebration! I proposed to my girlfriend here and the staff made the day so much more special for us. Joet was amazing the moment I walked in. Highly highly recommended.

We had a wonderful brunch outside on Sunday. great service and delish food. We were treated to a sample of a signature cocktail- the backsplash - yum. highly recommend- the staff if awesome!

We love this place. The staff is super friendly, the food is fresh and delicious and the seasonal drinks are divine. It's in a fabulous location, atop the Westport Rowing Club, with a beautiful view. Great spot for a special occasion!

Amazing atmosphere and great salad. Very nice dinne on the water! I loved the atmosphere and they were very nice and the food cake our in a decent time. We waited a long time to get helped at first though.

This place gets 1 star - solely for the beautiful view and the live music. My family of 6 went to enjoy their Prohibition Jazz Sunday Brunch. We arrived and were seated right away, but a waiter didn't come to us for about 20 minutes to take our drink orders. After ordering food 20 minutes after drinks, we sat and waited to be served for OVER AN HOUR. We were told our food was "dropped" and had to be remade, but that was clearly an excuse because we started chatting with nearby tables who were also complaining about their food taking equally as long. When the food finally arrived all of our poached eggs were hardboiled and our potatoes were all cold and soggy. Incredibly disappointing experience that took over 3 hours despite the beautiful atmosphere. We eventually had to just go find our waiter to pay because we asked for the check and he disappeared for 20 minutes - when we found him, he was chatting in the corner with the other waiters. They all seemed annoyed because clearly too many people had been seated and they were dealing with complaints from all of their tables. This place needs some better management because it has potential to be amazing but was far from it.

Decided to meet friends for brunch and we wanted something on the water. This place is perfect. I can't say enough about the service and food. Everyone was friendly and accommodating, as we had an elderly friend with us with special dietary needs. Can't wait to return.

Going to the Boathouse one experiences one of Westport's finest jewels in hospitality and delicious dining.Every time I have gone there....for meetings, cocktail parties, brunch, lunch and dinner you are greeted with a warm and friendly staff surrounded by an atmosphere of all that Westport has to offer being on the water, always caring about your experience while dining there. My surprise birthday dinner with friends at a large table this July was beautiful....food and cocktails served seamlessly, we had a ball! The view!!! The food, the service and staff, they go out of their way to make sure you have a wonderful experience. Can't wait to go back!

The only thing better than the menu are the views, and the only thing better than the views are the awesome staff! If you're looking for a wonderful meal, super awesome cocktails, and great ambiance... definitely check this spot out!

Dinner for six in this newly built beautiful structure that serves as a restaurant as well as exercise facility and club house for the rowers and teams who train on the Saugatuck River. Restaurant is on the second floor. It's an intimate area with a small bar in the corner of the floor plan. Mood lighting at night and presumably great views of the river during the day. Salads all around and some salmon for my aunt which she said she enjoyed. I had the steak salad mid rare with a balsamic dressing. Steak was tender and tasty. Salad was crisp and enjoyable. A giant picture of the Winklevoss twins on the wall in the dining room casts an unappealing shadow over the restaurant, and dessert sucked for lack of a better word. Creme brûlée was firm, cold, eggy, and unsweet. Crust was thin, and overall not enjoyable. Lava cake was similar. Cold, and unenjoyable. No ice cream. I wanted to try a specialty drink but nobody came around to our table besides taking our order, which was surprising because they were staffed appropriately and it's a smaller restaurant. One of the girls was swiping away at her phone for the majority of our time there. Good food for dinner, dessert not so much, wasn't able to get a drink. Three stars.

There is a reason so many people have been recommending this one! Views, innovative chef, and the staff and management can't do enough for patrons ! Been going often, lots of parties and celebration going on as well. Always looks beautiful! Kudos to those responsible for outreach to first responders and frontline workers during Covid shutdowns. Awesome!