After a fun day of cruising, sunning, swimming and fishing, it's time to tie up and have a nice dinner someplace where docking your Maxum is easy and the food and libations are enjoyable. Nothing beats a dock valet handling your lines so you can relax dockside in a friendly setting with good food-- a perfect ending to a perfect day on the water.
Dockside dining in coastal cities and on inland lakes and rivers is readily available, as restaurateurs search for ways to grow their business in a slow economy. They are finding that even landlubbers enjoy dining on the water, if not for the food, for the scenery--fabulous boats and colorful sunsets. What's not to like? Next time you're hungry and the Captain's mate wants a night off from galley duty, check out these waterfront eateries.
Detroit, MI: Jack's Waterfront Restaurant, 24214 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores, near Emerald City Harbor Marina. 586-445-8080. Cuisine: Steak, seafood, sandwiches, Mom's Home Cooked Specials and pasta. Carryout and on-board catering available. 1000-foot dock. Price range: Under $16. Reservations: Necessary only for overnight docking. http://www.jackswaterfront.com
Sag Harbor, NY: Oasis. 3253 Noyac Road, Sag Harbor in The Hamptons. 631-725-7110. Cuisine: Modern American. Open for dinner, cocktails and late-night dining. Overlooks Noyac Bay. Price range: Under $45. Reservations suggested. Credit cards accepted. www.wordhampton.com/restaurants/Oasis.htm
Chicago, IL: Tavern on the Pier. 435 E. Illinois Street, Chicago, on Navy Pier. Outdoor seating weather permitting. 312-321-8090. Cuisine: American bar fare, including burgers, salads and pizza. Private TV on every table. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. Boats can dock in adjacent Ogden Boat Slip. Price range: Under $15. Credit cards accepted. Reservations not required.
Chicago, IL: House of Blues. 329 N. Dearborn Street, near the Chicago River in Marina City. 312-527-2583. Cuisine: Mississippi Delta-inspired, appetizers, burgers, pizza, Mexican. Music venue with 1500 seats features the blues. Open for lunch and dinner; ticketed gospel brunch on Sundays. Dock at Windy City Marina and walk over. Price range: Under $15. Credit cards accepted. Reservations accepted only for groups of 7 or more. www.hob.com
West Palm Beach, FL: Jetty's Waterfront Restaurant, 1075 A-1A North, Jupiter. 561-743-8166. On Intracoastal Waterway south of the lighthouse. Cuisine: Seafood and steaks, full bar. A local favorite. Price range: Under $20. Reservations not accepted. www.geocities.com/palmbeachboating/dockside_dining_jettys
Ft Lauderdale, FL: Shooters Waterfront Café USA. 3033 NE 32nd Avenue, Bridgeside Square. 954-566-2855. Waterfront chain of restaurants; other locations in Cleveland, Costa Mesa, Miami, Ft. Myers, Sarasota. Cuisine: Seafood, soups, salads, burgers, pizza. Price range: Under $15. Credit cards accepted. Reservations not required.
Ft. Myers Beach, FL: The Bridge Waterfront Restaurant. 708 Fisherman's Wharf at Gulf Star Marina. 941-765-0050. Cuisine: Fresh seafood, prime steaks, chicken, pasta, salads. Sunday Reggae Dock Party rain or shine, no cover charge. Open all year for lunch and dinner. Reservations accepted. www.thebridgerestaurant.com
Tampa FL: Rick's on the River. 2305 N. Willow Avenue on the Hillsborough River from Tampa Bay. 813-251-0369. Cuisine: Grouper sandwiches, salads, wings, pizza, soups. Hair salon on premises! Price range: Under $15. Reservations not required for dining. Call ahead for hair appointments, http://www.ricksontheriver.com
Lake Havasu City, AZ: Shugrue's Restaurant and Lounge. 1425 McCulloch Boulevard, on north side of London Bridge.928-453-1400. Open for lunch and dinner; happy hour 3-6 pm daily. Cuisine: Seafood, steaks, prime rib, sushi. Price range: Under $25. Reservations accepted. Beach the boat and walk up. www.shugrueslhc.com
Grand Prairie, TX: Oasis, 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway on Joe Pool Lake at Lynn Creek Marina. 817-640-7676. Cuisine: Seafood specialty is catfish, plus shrimp, steaks, Tex-Mex, pasta. Family-friendly, patio dining, full bar. Reservations not required. Price range: Under $25. Credit cards accepted. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Docking available in front. www.guidelive.com/profile/100467
San Diego, CA: Anthony's Fish Grotto/Fishette/Star of the Sea. 1360 North Harbor Drive, overlooking San Diego Bay. 619-232-5103. Three dockside restaurants, from inexpensive to moderate, casual to upscale. Cuisine: Fresh seafood of every type, with multiple preparation styles. Fishette is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner most days, all outdoor dining. Fish Grotto serves lunch and dinner daily; dinner only at upscale Star of the Sea. Price range: From $5 to 25, depending on venue. Credit cards accepted. Reservations suggested. Call ahead for slip availability. www.gofishanthonys.com
Stockton, CA: Breadfruit Tree. 8095 Rio Blanco Road, on San Joaquin Delta Waterway at Paradise Point Marina. 209-952-7361. Cuisine: Caribbean influenced--jerk chicken, rice & beans, curry, conch, daily specials. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday; dinner only Sunday. Price range: Under $18. No credit cards. Reservations requested. Guest docking at marina. www.breadfruittree.com.
Newport Beach, CA: Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar. 630 Lido Park Drive on Lido Peninsula. 949-675-FISH. Cuisine: Classic New England fish house specializing in mesquite-grilled seafood, homemade chowders and oyster bar. Open daily for lunch and dinner, and brunch on Sunday. Price range: Under $35. Credit cards accepted. Reservations not accepted. Two slips for guests. Call ahead for availability. www.bluewatergrill.com/locations/newport
Sausalito, CA: Cat 'n' Fiddle. 303 Johnson Street at Sausalito Yacht Harbor. 415-332-4912. Cuisine: Casual eatery featuring steaks, seafood, wild game and some Scottish dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Outdoor dining, large bar. Price range: Under $20. Credit cards: MC and Visa. Reservations: recommended. Dock at yacht harbor. www.ctguide.com/pages/dining/marinreviews/Cat_n_Fiddle.html
