The Boatyard Grill
Dine on the waterfront with live music, enjoying American cuisine with Asian influences, featuring prime steaks and fresh seafood.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
The Boatyard Grill
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dine on the waterfront with live music, enjoying American cuisine with Asian influences, featuring prime steaks and fresh seafood.
Call Ahead for Seating
While reservations aren't taken, calling ahead might get you a seat quicker. Be prepared for waits.
Weekday Dining Advantage
Visit on weekdays for potentially faster kitchen service and fewer menu items available.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American with Asian influences
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Waterfront Dining with Live Music
Enjoy a scenic lakeside setting with bands playing on an outdoor deck, creating a lively atmosphere.
Exceptional Steaks & Seafood
Indulge in perfectly cooked steaks from a wood-fired grill and exquisite seafood dishes.
Renowned Lobster Dishes
Savor highly recommended lobster features like mac & cheese, sliders, and fra diavolo pasta.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Call Ahead for Seating
While reservations aren't taken, calling ahead might get you a seat quicker. Be prepared for waits.
Weekday Dining Advantage
Visit on weekdays for potentially faster kitchen service and fewer menu items available.
Don't Miss Signature Cocktails
Try the Bahama Mama, praised as one of the best. Also consider their craft beer selection.
Parking Considerations
The lot is small. Arrive early or be prepared to park in an overflow area.
Tips
from all over the internet
Call Ahead for Seating
While reservations aren't taken, calling ahead might get you a seat quicker. Be prepared for waits.
Weekday Dining Advantage
Visit on weekdays for potentially faster kitchen service and fewer menu items available.
Don't Miss Signature Cocktails
Try the Bahama Mama, praised as one of the best. Also consider their craft beer selection.
Parking Considerations
The lot is small. Arrive early or be prepared to park in an overflow area.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Boatyard Grill offers a vibrant atmosphere and many highly praised dishes, especially its seafood and steaks, alongside a beautiful waterfront view. While many diners rave about the impeccable service, delicious food, and lively ambiance, some find the food to be mediocre or overpriced and the service lacking.
"Boatyard Grill ...
If you haven't been, definitely GO! The food, the service, the vibe is IMMACULATE.
Our server Daniel was so skilled and intuitive I asked how long he'd been working there and he said 18 years. I can tell, he literally anticipated our needs before we knew them. One of the signs of a fantastic restaurant are how skilled the workers are and how long they retain them.
Boatyard Grill is a FANTASTIC restaurant and experience. Upon reception the staff is warm, friendly and communicative. They gently explained that our wait time would be about 20 minutes which was fine.
Absolutely worth the wait! Everything was beyond delicious, like beyond and y'all know I COOK so I'm very mindful of flavors and how they should go together.
The crab cakes: buttery, flavorful and scrumptious with hints of lemon and tarragon. I had to pause and say "did I make these? Lol 🤣
The Ceaser Salad: Crispy lettuce with croutons and shredded parmesan cheese. You can tell the parmesan is aged well and not store bought. It tastes artisanal. The Ceaser dressing is top tier!!! I love Ceaser Salad but not everyone gets the dressing right. Boatyards dressing is amazing and I suspect made from scratch.
The Lobster fra diavolo :
Someone's Italian Nonna is in the kitchen making this food OMG!!! It's that good!!! It tastes homemade. The pasta is the exact texture I like, the scallops were perfection as was the lobster.
The tomato sauce is definitely made from scratch, there's even a few tomato seeds in the sauce.
Everything was sooooo good omg!
My daughter ordered seafood Mac and cheese. I'm actually not a fan of seafood Mac but I tasted hers and OMG it was insane!!!!
They use cellentani pasta which absorbs flavor and sauce beautifully. It had a delicious smoky flavor. Just amazing.
The Bahama Mama: The best Bahama Mama I've had at a restaurant period.
Definitely TREAT yourself and check them out. This was definitely a TREAT.
10 of 10!!!"
Sulaiminah Burns
"It was just amazingly amazing! We absolutely loved our experience here. We ordered the Dad’s Royal BBQ Platter, and it was incredible—hands down the most flavorful chicken I’ve ever had. The pork ribs were mouthwatering, and even the salad was delicious. That platter was an easy 10/10!
We also tried the Lobster & Shrimp Risotto, recommended by the wonderful lady who served us. Her suggestions were spot on—the dish was packed with lobster and shrimp and cooked to perfection.
I was unsure about which beer to choose, and she kindly brought me two types in small tasting cups to help me decide. Her service was exceptional and genuinely made our experience even better.
The ambiance was vibrant and lively—the place was full, and everyone looked like they were having a great time.
Highly recommend this spot to anyone visiting Ithaca, New York. Great food, great vibes, and even better service!"
Kavindi Pathirage
"I have always wanted to try this establishment, and I finally pulled the trigger. Our server, Matt, was very accommodating and attentive. We sat on the outdoor patio which was lovely. The drinks were very good. The bread and flavored whipped butter were delicious. The mystic tuna salad was delicious and filling. The lobster and shrimp risotto was scrumptious. The Makers Mark steak small plate which ended up being a full sized meal with sides. The sautéed Brussels sprouts were also flavorful. The Caesar salad was very fresh and tasty. There is such a beautiful view."
Melissa S.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Boatyard Grill does not take reservations. They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can call ahead for potential quicker seating.
Diners highly recommend the lobster dishes, such as lobster mac and cheese and lobster fra diavolo, as well as their steaks and seafood.
Yes, there are often bands playing on the outdoor deck, contributing to a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.
Parking is available but can be limited. It's advised to arrive early or be prepared for overflow parking.
While people celebrate special occasions, most diners are in casual attire like denim. Dress comfortably, as there's no strict dress code.
Yes, pets are welcome in the outdoor viewing area.
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Just a few blocks north is the BoatYard Grill, right on the waterfront. They’ve been rocking the lobster features, like a lobster cobb salad, lobster and shrimp sliders, lobster and shrimp mac & cheese, and lobster lollipops, as well as scallop-stuffed shrimp, a great fried calamari appetizer, a serious fish and chips, and a variety of seasonal fresh fish gussied up with sauces or grilled “naked” with just a touch of oil and lemon. (The BoatYard is also one of the best places in town for a good steak.)
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For diners looking for a beautiful waterfront view as the weather warms, this restaurant gives exactly that, along with inviting foods. With surf and turf offerings, this menu includes a classic Seafood Fra Diavolo (jumbo shrimp, calamari, bay scallops, toasted capers, spicy arrabbiata sauce and linguine), a Filet Mignon 8-ounce steak, wines, locally sourced beer and cocktails, as well as succulent desserts, such as the molten chocolate cake. Location: 525 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca.
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Located on Inlet Island, The Boatyard Grill offers a captivating East Coast ambiance, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon or evening meal. Nestled next to a charming marina, this restaurant provides an inviting setting to savor a delectable menu. Feast on a delightful array of sharing plates, succulent steaks, fresh fish, and grilled favorites, providing ample choices for you and your companions.
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My scallop dinner had only 3 scallops served on rice and bean sprouts for $36. The flavor was very good, but in what world does a restaurant think it’s appropriate to serve a pricey scallop dinner with barely any scallops?. The rice was not very good (taste like dish water to me) and the flavors were not Michelin star quality, but the price sure was!
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The Boatyard Grill: Open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, this restaurant offers everything from burgers to lobster. Located at 525 Old Taughannock Boulevard, Ithaca, NY, US, 14850, pets are welcome in the outdoor viewing area. Visit the website or email email protected(info@boatyardgrill.com) for more information.
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The Boatyard grill is a little confused on what type of restaurant it wants to be, with an atmosphere that's not quite casual, but not quite formal. The food is good, not great, and quite overpriced. If the prices were consistently $2-5 less, and the music turned down a notch, this place could be really great.
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Enjoy the view of the lake while enjoying some delicious surf and turf. This is the place in Ithaca where you go when you want a perfectly cooked steak or a plate of fresh fish (and you don't want to cook it yourself!). After selecting the kind of fish you want, you then get to choose the preparation.
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Visit the Boatyard grill if you want beautiful scenery on the water and delicious food/flavors. The Boatyard is a steak and seafood restaurant with Asian influences. You can go to the restaurant by land or sea because it is located right on the water.
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For dinner that evening we made reservations at The Boatyard Grill, a fantastic spot right on the water. They specialize in steak and seafood and focus on locally-sourced fare. Everything from the ambiance to the decor was impressive.
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Sit by the waterfront at The Boatyard Grill, where you can eat bistro fare and hear live music while enjoying the beautiful views of Cayuga Lake. Or, sample some classic comfort food in Northstar House’s backyard.
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If none of those options work or you need a quick bite before moving on, you can find plenty of the typical chain restaurants to the Southwest of Ithaca, just over 3 miles away from Robert H. Treman State Park.
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Boatyard is a seafood restaurant in downtown Ithaca right on Cayuga Lake. It’s a pretty spot for an outdoor meal. The specialties here are simple seafood dishes that can be prepared gluten free.
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The summer ambiance coupled with fantastic cocktails and seafood dishes makes The Boat Yard Grill a memorable Ithaca experience. Outdoor seating and dancing add to the festive atmosphere.
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However, this time, the owner had extensive experience in the local restaurant business having successfully owned and operated Joe’s downtown and in Collegetown and The Boatyard Grill .
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The Boatyard Grill is a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine - they have a large waterfront outdoor bar area with lawn chairs to watch the boats coming in and out of the Inlet
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- Rating: 3.5/5 (486 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 525 Taughannock Blvd. Ithaca, New York - Categories: Seafood, Bars, Steakhouses- Read more on Yelp
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If you want to get dressed up for dinner and also love seafood, Boatyard Grill is the place to go.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit