Great ambience and amazing staff. Love the vibes of being on the river. Try the Perch. A great Summer time hangout. read more

We went to Captain Lou's for an early dinner with our kids on summer vacation. It's completely remodeled since the last time we were there. The outdoor patio was great, very laid back summer vibes. It's a no reservations and seat yourself place. We couldn't find a table at first and a couple got up to give us their table since we had kids, they grabbed seats at the bar instead. Very cool of them. We sent them a round of drinks! They have lots of Michigan craft beers on the menu. My husband had beer and I had their South Haven Spritz. I liked the Soha Sunshine better. We started with their Captains dip. It's a creamy smoked salmon dip served with pita chips, it was good. I had their Manistee Mama, it's their fried perch sandwich with a cajun tater sauce. It was great and not overly battered. It was actually a pretty lite sandwich considering it's fried. My husband had their Beachside wings with Spicy Ranch Sauce. The "Spicy Ranch" Sauce intrigued him. He loved the wings and the sauce tasted just like it sounds. We had a great dinner. Captain Lou's is a great location on the river by the bridge, but parking is tough. We had to park off Black River St. and walk. Another option is to park in town and walk over the bridge. We were waiting for the check and noticed another group of four looking for a table so we got up early to give our table, pay it forward! The guy offered to buy us a round of drinks. We passed on the drinks, but such a positive vibe all around. read more

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It is what it is. A fun boat-up waterfront bar for salty dogs and summer people alike. If you are looking for a big old basket of onion rings, a cold beer, and some Jimmy Buffett tunes - you are in the right place. Luckily for us that is exactly what we were looking for. I would humbly suggest, from personal experience, avoiding the cocktail menu. Service was friendly and efficient. read more

Captain Lou's - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Solid bar in South Haven with late night hours on the weekends. Lots of seating especially outside near the water. There's a vast food menu and even non-alcoholic beverages which I was appreciative of! read more

Came in and sat at the bar at 3pm on a Sunday. It was fairly packed but we got to sit down quickly! Great service, nice breeze and the food was excellent! read more

I loved both the food and the ambiance at this riverside restaurant. I ordered the fried fish basket and picked tater tots as my side. With four pieces of fish, the basket was plenty of food and I probably ate more than I should have because it was so good. This fish was pike perch, which is a new kind of fish for me. I also tried a Mer Bear cocktail, which was nice and fruity. We sat outside and enjoyed a beautiful evening overlooking the water. read more

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We were able to find a table despite the summer crowds. Staff was kind but because it was busy the food and drinks were super spaced out and one drink was forgotten. We liked the spot since it had great views of the lake and the boats. Be prepared to have one bill for groups larger than 8. We expected this and just paid each other back afterwards. I had the spicy cheese curds which were delicious and I would recommend adding them to your order if you enjoy cheese. read more

Captain Lou's - Spicy Cheese Curds - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Captain Lou's is a hot spot for waterfront dining in South Haven. They have mostly outdoor seating overlooking the river. It was a rainy day when Nate and I visited, so everyone was huddled beneath the circular outdoor bar. We managed to grab the last two seats at the bar and had good service from the bartenders. The other parties around the bar were definitely celebrating with lots of rounds of shots, so it got pretty loud. I know this place can get super packed in good weather and later at night, so it was nice to experience it in the afternoon. The menu is typical of these waterfront, beach type bars with fish baskets, handhelds, etc. I got the "famous" fish basket, which comes with fried perch and your choice of fries, tater tots, or slaw. Nate got the fish tacos. Our food came out pretty quickly and I was impressed with the generous size of the fish filets and crispy tots. I've eaten a lot of perch and it's one of my favorites, so I was pleased when I realized this was one of the best perch baskets I've had in awhile! The filets were huge and meaty, and perfectly fried with a light coating, no heavy batter here. The tots were nicely seasoned. I'd definitely come back for more perch in the future, it was that good. We were walking but the parking situation at Captain Lou's looked a little hectic! read more

Captain Lou's - Lindy Lou tacos (fish tacos) - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

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Fun environment, but don't plan on a quick meal. My salad tasted great, the blueberry vinaigrette was fabulous, although I had to send it back because it came with walnuts despite my specific request for no walnuts. They did a decent job of correcting it fairly quickly. My friend ordered the Lou and substituted a chicken breast for the burger, which she said was good. We did enjoy our Mules. Would I go back? Sure read more

Captain Lou's - 2nd deck - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Terrible service, Terrible vibes, decent food/ drinks. If you are a tourist you will be mean mugged as soon as you enter the restaurant from locals and staff. Bartenders are rude. Tables were dirty and we asked for them to be bused and received a dirty look from the bartender / staff. There was one good waiter from Kalamazoo ! The 2 stars are for her! Ive been here almost a dozen times and its the same experience. Sadly, there arent many other riverside bars in South Haven. If there was this one would be out of business. Go to Admiral Jacks, better food, better vibes, better people! read more

They have a very nice patio they refuse to allow you to bring your dogs. Any place that doesn't allow your dogs. I give a one star and a bad review. Sorry you have a choice. read more

Took awhile to get service, & everything was taking a long time to receive. The view on the waterfront was nice tho, as well as the mozzarella sticks, those were fire! read more

The location is the highlight here and the pickle Bloody Mary. It's located right by the drawbridge with an outside sitting area so the location is prime. They have mostly burgers and fried perch dishes. The fried perch isn't overly seasoned and kind of bland. Pricing is okay, as portions are big. The service was spot on and I have nothing to complain about as they do a team style which is always preferred in my book. We got there right at the opening and it quickly got busy. Each time I come, I do have fun because of the ambiance, view, service and company but I'm always left disappointed about my meal. read more

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Captain Lou's is definitely a fun spot on the water in South Haven and a must if you're looking for a lively spot on the Black River. I opted for their famous Fish Fry dinner, and it absolutely did not disappoint. Paired with Cole Slaw, which was fantastic, the service was also great even when it was rather busy on opening weekend. Can't wait to come back! read more

Captain Lou's - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

The appetizers were all good starting with the spicy cheese curds. They were approved by the group as some damn good cheese curds, and the mozzarella sticks had a really good batter and also really cheesy. The Captains Dip had smoked salmon and paired well with the pita chips being soft yet roasted with some seasoning to really bring the best out of the bite. Only thing I'll say is that the ratio was off, and not in favor of the dip itself. The mains we pretty much all got the fried fish basket which had solid fries, and delicious fried pike and fried perch filets. I loved both and the fish was gone too soon, I liked the tartar sauce but the fish tasted better in my opinion on its own. Fun and pleasant experience overall. read more

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Excellent service by Aubrey! Fantastic drinks and the best place on the river! Amazing experience!

We love to pull in in the boat order to go. We have someone jump off and gather the Carryout order. Very easy and Accommodating If you are in town stop by. It's such a great spot to enjoy the vibe on the water and have a drink and food! read more

Food was hot and tasty it was typical bar food but tasted fresh. The food came out quickly we were seated quickly and our drinks came quickly also. I like how they all worked together as a team to get orders and drinks out. It was a great location the decor was quirky but it being odd the water was nice and we would definitely go back. read more

We make it a tradition to come to Lou's every time we come to South Haven. Not many things beat relaxing in the sun...beside the water...watching the boats come & go and the draw bridge go up and down. Today was an extraordinarily busy day. We wanted a LONG time for our food. We sat inside and the tables were positioned too close. The dad and kid behind be were constantly in my back. Despite that...I watched the team of 20 something la hustle their tails off. They did a great job helping to serve each other's customers without neglecting their customers. The were very well organized at clearing tables, bottles and debris. The manager should be proud of the team work I saw today. For lunch I had the All Season sandwich. The sandwich was piled high with turkey. The bread was slightly toasted/grilled..maybe a little too much. The topping on the sandwich were just right. The sandwich was good and refreshing and light. The pickle spear was crisp and semi tart - just perfect! The slaw was also very good! Mayo based with finely chopped slaw. Another excellent side! I hate to recommend give Captain Lou's a try as I hate to wait. However,.,they are worth the try and wait!! read more

Captain Lou's - All Season Sandwich - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Great ambiance, service but Not Great burger Loved the atmosphere and was so happy they had Impossible burgers but food was sub par. Patty wasn't cooked well and bun was low grade. Wanted to love this place but Meh read more

best service! they get there fast and make your food fast! food is great best ive ever had! would recommen!

Our group of five went there, as expected in the busy season it was busy. We found a table that we had to squeeze into. The waitress was very nice and served our waters and drinks quickly. We asked about the wings she said that they had been sold out earlier, bummer. We ordered our meals and two appetizers. Not long after that one food order came out with one appetizer, ok I guess? Later our food order came out with the other appetizer? I order the perch tacos, they looked great, I ordered another drink. When she came back she put the drink on the table and boom my tacos when into my lap. I would not blame her for it, because it happened so quickly, didn't even get a bite. She said that she would reorder it. I thanked her. The rest of the gang was eating, she kept coming back and saying that she was checking, but the kitchen was super backed up. When everyone was done eating and asking, for boxes, still no tacos. I told her that she might as well box it up. When the tacos came there was no chip and salsa. I was told that they ran out, and that I could have another side. I told her that I didn't want to wait. I told her I didn't run the place, but when she re-order it that should have went to top. She apologized again, but the kitchen was super busy. We did tip her a great tip as it was not her fault and she was trying. The management should look at there ordering practices, know it was the busy time in South Haven. They should look at their kitchen and the priority of orders. It make me cautious at going back. read more

I ordered the Michigan Maritime salad and my husband ordered The Lou. My $18 salad, made with Spring Mix, was 1/2 GARBAGE! Slimy and I picked it out and when our waitress, Elise D, stopped to see how everything was I had a pile of slime to show her that the salad was garbage. She said she was sorry and would let the cook know. Did not offer a new salad and charged full price! I continued to clear out all the slimy spring mix and ate the remaining - mostly romaine lettuce with all the bare minimum toppings listed. My husband's burger tasted like the burger landed in an ashtray and threw on the bun anyway! We WILL NOT BE BACK! read more

We really liked this spot! Food was good; the fish was amazing. It is a seat yourself, but we got there early and had no issues. read more

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After we were settled in the rental property in South Haven and the pup was happy and a little adjusted, we decided to grab dinner at Captain Lou's. There aren't too many outdoor tables but we were able to snag one without the water view but still nice. We started with somejalapeño poppers. They were delicious and piping hot. I ordered the perch dinner served with some fries. I asked for some cajun spice and it was a great idea. The perch filet were lightly dusted with the cajun seasoning but I could definitely taste the flavors and the spice. Not overwhelming but loved the hot flavor! My husband had the reuben with fish. He liked his sandwich as well. He did not get the cajun seasoning as he didn't think it would go well with his reuben style sandwich. I had the beach bum and it tasted great. My husband had a cider. They have a lot of different cider selection, local or otherwise. Our waitress was very nice, friendly and very attentive. We definitely enjoyed our time at Captain Lou's as well as the food. Too bad we're only here for the week. I would really love to come back but I'm not sure if we will have the opportunity to do so. As far as COVID safety, the place did employ safety practices. All their servers wore masks and all their condiments were in individual packages (salt, pepper, ketchup) and the plastic ware wrapped in individual packaging as well. Signs that masks are a requirement to enter the restaurant are all over the entrance. read more

Captain Lou's - Perch with fries - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Hoping this was an off day....took my two active Navy kids here for their last day of leave. Service was slow...took almost 2 hours to get our food...and we had to ask for it at the bar...then immediately it came out...Most of it cold. Big black long hair in the chicken tenders. Waitress was timid and disappeared....got one round of drinks...sitting in the Sun. Get some help or train the help you have...and remind your servers smirking when providing poor service is tacky. read more

Captain Lou's - Awesome atmosphere... - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

Really nice view on the Black river by the draw bridge. We enjoyed watching the boats come and go. Vegetarian friendly, with all sorts of delicious fried foods, like perch, French fries, and tater tots. Friendly service and a friendly crowd make this a sure bet! read more

Such a great location, vibe and amazing drinks. Our server (I wish I caught her name) was outstanding and very helpful. My biggest complaint is that they do not stay consistent with their posted hours. Apple Maps said 12 am close, Google/yelp say 2 am. This is not accurate! We arrived at 9:45, and were told last call was at 10. Most of the front tables were full, and some inside at the bar. Luckily we were able to order a drink. At least 5 more groups, a few of more than 4, showed up for drinks and were turned away. I'm all for respecting open/close times, but the listed times are inaccurate, and closing not due to business being slow. I would choose Black River Tavern (as staff suggested), or Admiral Jacks (they stay open until at least 10:30) for your last stop of the night. read more

Great spot on the Black River. Great food and drinks. Bloody Mary's are top notch. Tried the North Point Cooler this trip and it was delicious! read more

Captain Lou's - North Point Cooler - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

DELUXE TOURIST TRAP!!! Poor food quality. 3% credit/debit card fee??? Are they serious?? Really??? Who carries cash these days?? So they'll gladly accept an out of state third party check?? read more

The band was horrible. All they did was get drinks and get drunk at the bar tonight. The music wasn't really good!!

Came late. Was only able to order from their limited late menu. Chicken tenders were good Tots good. read more

We had lunch here before our boat ride at Maritime. It was a busy Monday afternoon but we found a seat and our drink and food orders were taken pretty quickly. I had fish tacos and they were decent. Others had chicken strips, club sandwich and chicken tacos. Everyone was satisfied. I'd recommend for a casual lunch or a place to get a beer/cocktail. read more

Popular bar and restaurant. Views of the harbor. Has a fun beach/harbor vibe outside. Inside is primarily covered in doodled on dollar bills. If you want to add your mark to the décor bring a dollar and a pen or marker. Mostly outdoor seating. All tables inside and out are high tops. (There was another section that was closed. I did not see what tables were there.) Not recommended for those in a wheelchair or for younger children. Children who are okay on a (breakfast) bar stool will be fine. Portions are generous. The patty melt on marbled rye was good. Bread was toasted as to be crisp, but not so hard it is a crouton. It also wasn't greasy. Sweet onions, paired well with the cheese and meat. I don't remember the name of the burger one of my son's ordered, but he loved the spicy sauce. If was a mess to eat, but he enjoyed the way the tots tasted with all the burger drippings on them. Tots were a bigger hit with our group than the fries. Cajun perch is delicious. Just a bit of kick to kick up your day. Fish was mild and flaky. A bit of crunch comes from the light outter coating. The plater came with four pieces of fish. Onion rings were a bit of a disappointment. They had a bit of a burnt taste. Service was slower than what I am informed is they usually long wait. They did take care of us. read more

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After going to the art fair in the park, we stopped in at this place for lunch. We ordered Lou's famous fish basket and bang bang shrimp. We also ordered a dirty banana drink, a Pickleman Bloody Mary (spicy) and a frozen rum runner ( with a floater). The place was very busy, but with all the people service was still very quick. The Bang bang shrimp was very average, if you've had that kind of dish before, it was good just not very spicy. The fish basket on the other hand was very delicious the fish was excellent and not greasy at all. As a side with this we had tater tot's which were also done very good. Some restaurants tend to undercooked the tater tots when you order them. We did order the fish Cajun style so it was a little spicier than normal, which is very good! The drinks were all very tasty and a good price for the size drink you get. read more

Captain Lou's - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

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Food was very pricey and not great. Service was okay. Ambiance was fun. I'd say the location and vibe is probably what makes this place worth visiting... read more

SERVICE: 3 FOOD QUALITY: 3 DRINK QUALITY: 5 ORDER TIME: 4 AESTHETICS: 5 NOISE LEVEL: 5 MENU SELECTION: 5 OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 4.2 Attended the blueberry festival to get some delicious fruits for our pancakes :p Before leaving we wanted to get lunch, and take in the beautiful surrounding of South Haven. We decided to eat at Lou's because it's right on the water and it has live music. We went in, and it was so packed that we couldn't observe the live music so we made our way to the back on the water. We started by ordering drinks. I ordered the Bloody Mary which is known for their home made pickles. I must admit that it was probably one of the best pickles I've ever eaten. I then ordered chicken tacos which was just subpar. Wasn't bad but it didn't taste like it was anything better than what I make at home. Lou's was special mainly because of its location. The service was also subpar. I'm assuming that may have been due to the festival, and how busy they were. The overall experience was still great and I highly recommend this place. I hope I get the opportunity to enjoy the live music with my delicious Bloody Mary next time. read more

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Cool joint on the river to Lake Michigan. Lots of outdoor seating and nice views of boat traffic and the draw bridge. It's not fine dining but good at what it does. The drinks are strong! We had the fish tacos and fried perch. Both were tasty and I would recommend if in town. Parking here ... like all of south haven is terrible! read more

Captain Lou's - Fish tacos - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

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Their service is great. I really like the food especially the fish basket. It's not the healthiest but what the hell. I don't eat there everyday. It's pretty tough finding a parking spot but it's worth a slight walk. read more

Great place to grab some fish and chips next to the marina and drawbridge. Tables are 1st come 1st serve and we're spaced due to COVID precautions with staff wearing masks. Some of the beer selection was sold out and we were told they were not restocking things as they close in a few weeks for winter. Still had great selection and food tasted great! Their Bloody Mary was really good with a really sweet pickle that we've not had before but enjoyed. read more

Captain Lou's - Perch Basket - New American Near Me - South Haven, Michigan

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