Cancel

Open app

Search

Rick's Café Boatyard

3.7 (1.3k reviews)
ModerateAmerican, Bars, Seafood
Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Order Rick's Café Boatyard Takeout or Delivery

Rick's Café Boatyard Photos

Business Info

RICK'S CAFÉ BOATYARD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Moderate noise
Romantic
Good for kids

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Rick's Café Boatyard

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Fatima G.

Rick's Boatyard is a name Indy reckons with for a long time now. And rightfully so they have the best ambience. A treat for the eyes in such a fancy location where sunsets are a prized commodity. The guests, vibe and overall atmosphere is fun, jovial and loud. Service was great, Fernando did his best to keep us all well served. Kudos to Fernando for managing a group of 9. My lemon pepper halibut was very good, flavorful with a base of rice and black beans. Knocked 2 stars off for Google saying dogs allowed, when the location only accepts service dogs. A-okay to accept service dogs only but UPDATE social media! My pups were with me and I couldn't get them in causing a LOT of inconvenience. Everyone looks at social media these days so don't expect first time customers to know the stickers on your entrance, door and patio. Absolutely not cool for such a famous place.

Beyond burger
Missi R.

I had lunch here today with three colleagues. The food and service could not have been better. Everything was absolutely perfect. This was a perfect day to dine outside. And Rick's has the best outdoor dining in the Indianapolis area, hands down. No other restaurant patio or deck even comes close. From our table we had a nice view of Eagle Creek. There were a few sailboats out, the sky was blue, and there was a gentle breeze. Our server Cameron was excellent. He answered our questions about menu items and provided suggestions. He was very efficient and kept our glasses full. We ordered several appetizers to share: shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes, and Korean hush puppies. Highly recommend the Korean hush puppies and the crab cakes! I ordered salmon roulades for my entrée, and I would definitely order it again. Everyone else enjoyed their entrées as well: a grouper Reuben, vegetable stir fry, and chicken Parmesan. A perfect experience.

Grilled Fisherman's Catch
Toni S.

We celebrated our anniversary 30 years ago at Rick's Boatyard and we are in town so we thought we would try it again. It has definitely changed in 30 years. It's still beautiful there. We sat next to the window so we could see the view which is beautiful still. The hostess and wait staff are very friendly and helpful. However they have changed the menu, but what can you expect. LOL Hubby got the grilled fisherman's catch which was salmon, lobster tail, scallop, and shrimp with rice. The best for him was the scallops, shrimp, and rice. The lobster had no flavor and was hard to get out of the shell. I got the grilled pork chops with mashed potatoes and green beans. The best thing on my plate was the mashed potatoes. The pork chops were grilled but didn't have any seasoning. The green beans didn't have any flavor either. I took my leftovers home to doctor them for another meal. Overall, we agreed that the restaurant has taken a turn for the worse. We kissed the seasoned mixed vegetables and seasoned seafood.

Booze
Christopher F.

We've been a couple times recently. Sat on the patio tonight. Personable service. Great food. Salmon with purple sweet potatoes and Brussels. Nice experience.

Billie K.

What is not to love about a restaurant on the water? Don't be afraid to do the outdoor seating. There is a lot of fans and it is very relaxing. The food is phenomenal. There's nothing I've ever had. That is not good. The staff is always friendly and there's not a long way to get your food. Try their wedge salad! You will not be disappointed. Oh, and don't forget to take home one of their pieces of Keylime pie!

Halibut bowl
Carolyn H.

Husband and I had a late lunch here yesterday. I had crab cakes dinner (with redskin mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus). Crabcakes were very tasty, but more shredded than lump crabmeat. Still fine. Tiny cup of accompanying sauce was good, but separated toward end of meal. Potatoes looked like they'd been on a steam table awhile, but they too were very tasty. My husband had the halibut over rice and a black bean/corn mixture. He liked it. For dessert we split a key lime pie. Generous portion, but needed more lime. Service was great - very prompt and friendly waitress. But the best was the ambiance. Located across the street from the Eagle Creek Airport, it was very convenient for our afternoon flight. A real plus is the restaurant's location on a marina. Gorgeous afternoon watching sailboats from our elevated table. The restaurant is very big, with both indoor and protected outdoor seating. We will be back. (Wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars.)

Caesar salad and crab cake hush puppies
Whitney M.

Over the weekend a small group of girlfriends and I went to Rick's Boatyard to enjoy the nice weather. I was fortunate enough to make a last minute reservation on open table (yay!) and we had an excellent table on the patio overlooking the water! It had been a couple of years since my last visit, and was sad to see some of my usual favorites no longer on the menu (I'm looking at you chicken cordon bleu fingers!!!). The vibes were incredible! Unfortunately our cocktails and food were average and honestly lacked a lot of flavor, but I will keep returning for the patio! I will say, parking can also be a nightmare depending on the time of day. They do have a rather big lot, so you may just be driving around for a while. If you happen to park further out, I appreciate they have a golf cart shuttle to the main entrance!

Megan G.

Rick's used to be one of my favorite spots for a date night or dinner with friends, but after today's visit, that changed. The service was great, and our server did everything he could to make our experience enjoyable. Unfortunately, I was heartbroken to learn that a new chef has taken over, completely revamped the menu, and STOPPED SERVING THE BEST APPETIZER IN ALL OF INDIANA: the Chicken Cordon Bleu Fingers. I genuinely have no idea why they would make this decision. These have been on the menu for well over a decade, have a cult following, and are one of the main reasons many people visit Rick's in the first place. Thankfully, our server went above and beyond and found a way to make it happen since they still prepare them for banquets and special events. That alone should tell you how beloved they are. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal didn't fare as well. The risotto was a major disappointment. It was bland, overcooked, and lacked the rich flavor it used to have. The gumbo was also underwhelming, tasting overly tomato-heavy and missing the depth and seasoning you'd expect. Overall, the food quality has noticeably declined. Between the menu changes and the disappointing execution, it's no longer worth the drive or the price point for me. It's disappointing to see a restaurant I once loved move in this direction.

Seasonal Creme Brûlée
Chassity B.

I've been to this place multiple times and it has never disappointed me! The food every time is delicious despite others saying quality has gone down. This hasn't been my experience thus far. I usually get the steak salad cooked medium rare and it is cooked perfectly every time. The service is usually just okay but my last few times in my bartender and server were both fantastic! You get a great view of eagle creek which gives great vibes year around. In the summer it makes for a perfect outdoor patio spot. Highly recommend!

Baked Goat Cheese Crab cakes
Justin D.

Stopped by after a hike at Eagle Creek for some great appetizers. Such a cool place to visit. We sat at the bar and had great service. Food was excellent. The sauce that comes with the crab cakes rocked.

Callie K.

This was my second visit to Rick's, and probably my first time in ten years. I made reservations online for a group of 8 and it was super easy. Day of, the staff called to confirm numbers and where we'd like to sit. Check in was easy, but our seating request hadn't been transferred over, no big deal thankfully. Our waitress was super friendly, and kept well organized. She automatically provided separate checks without even asking. I ordered the roll basket and bacon jam burger. The rolls were fine, but nothing special. The bacon jam burger was super delicious. Overflowing with bacon. My only complaint is I ordered it medium and it came out more medium well to well done. We all agreed we enjoyed our experience and would have to come back again.

Side salad
Ro W.

Most of my salad was welted today. My brownie sundae was good. There were multiple flies flying around inside the restaurant where I couldnt enjoy my food. Decent service. The bathroom needed to be cleaned also.

Rick's boat yard outside deck
Yvette A.

Celebrated a coworker's retirement here with Sunday brunch, and I didn't even realize they offered brunch until this visit. It ended up being such a nice experience! We sat on the patio, and although the shades were closed earlier in the day, they opened them later once the weather warmed up, which made the vibe even better. Our server was very nice and attentive, especially with our large group. We ordered a half mimosa tower, and I really enjoyed it. I also tried Rico's Coffee from the brunch menu, which was so good and paired perfectly with the brunch vibe. I ordered the French toast platter, which came with four pieces of French toast, scrambled eggs, brunch potatoes, and bacon. It was delicious and so filling that I had to get a to-go box. The yogurt parfait was also really good, and everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their food and drinks, including the Bloody Mary options and tea. We ordered liquid marijuana shots as a group and these were great. One thing to note: we brought a cake for our friend and didn't know there was a $25 outside cake fee, so be aware of that if you plan to bring your own dessert. After brunch, we walked around the beautiful grounds, and a few of us stayed longer on the patio. The high-top seating wasn't the most comfortable, but the drinks and appetizers made up for it. The whiskey sour was good, and we enjoyed the crab cakes, calamari, shrimp, and Rico's dip. This turned into an all-day affair with good food, drinks, beautiful weather, and great company. A really nice spot for brunch, celebrations, and patio time.

See all

Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the lakeside atmosphere and patio, friendly and attentive service, and seafood and steaks. The drink menu is also well-liked.

Read the full review summary in the app

27 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

17 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

25 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

13 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 3

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Ro W.
52
702
2382

4 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Alex R.
121
207
1593

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

23 days ago

The last time I was eating at Rick's I enjoyed the catfish. The chocolate cake was excellent.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of K H.
1
29
4

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

Page 1 of 32

Ask the Community - Rick's Café Boatyard

We want to check this place out, but we have two young kids and can't easily find sitters. Is it somewhere that is ok to bring kids?

As long as you don't let them run wild and keep them under control, there's no reason that you can't bring them!

Do the brunch and main menu overlap or is it just brunch menu on Sundays until brunch hours are over?

I know for Thanksgiving they had the traditional turkey dinner with the trimmings and dessert but some of our group were able to order off their menu; the brunch I am not sure. Give them a call and ask them. Food is great and plentiful. There… 

Do they have Oysters Rockefeller on the menu here ? On Open Table it does not list them, but I've seen them reviewed on here and mentioned

I was there a couple months ago and posted photos of the menu and I do not see them listed. They may have a special occasionally where they make them.

Are dogs allowed on the patio?

I really don't think so the way the business is set up.

Do they take reservations?

Yes - they take them over the phone or on the Open Table app.

Are there daily drink specials?

Yes, varies day to day. Give them a call when you plan on going and they can tell you what's on special.

What are the dress requirements for Rick's? Is it casual?

We were there for lunch and shorts and jeans wrere perfect. It is not fancy outside on the deck...I would say evenings indoors could be dressier OR not. Very informal vibe.

What hours are they open?

According to their website they have summer hours (5/1) & winter hours (10/1). Summer: Mon-Thurs 11am to 11pm… 

View All 9 Questions

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for American 3,216 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

All Stars Sports Lounge & Grill - Bar

All Stars Sports Lounge & Grill

3.8(4 reviews)
3.6 mi

Allstars is the place to be.. especially on Wednesday. $5 drinks and food specials. I orders the…read morecatfish and the wings both was cooked to perfection!! Lots and tvs for game watching and plenty of room for dancing and lounging. The servers are very helpful and friendly , constantly checking on our group making sure we were good. Even the owners walk around and greet people. Makes you feel welcome and appreciated for being there..... great place!!!!!

Today for lunch I decided to do something a little different. I typically don't have long for lunch…read moreso most times I'm discouraged to get a good home cooked type of meal. I took a chance... let me say, I'm so happy I did. I have heard many great things about this sports lounge & the food that they offer. They are perfectly nestled into a highly trafficked strip off of Georgetown rd & it's welcoming for "regular lunchtime attire" even though as soon as I stepped in, I felt underdressed (in a good way) the place is VERY clean & fully equipped for both day and night time crowds. Parking is all shared with the neighboring stores/businesses but it is very large so no qualms about finding a good spot. I was surprised to have placed a food order for myself and my daughter around 12:45pm and my food was bagged and ready to go by 1:15pm - while I waited, I did partake in an alcohol slushy which was so delicious & well deserved haha. The kitchen staff that I came in contact with and the bartender (Jasmine, Ms. Gigi & Shamon (sp)) were all very sweet women and took their time answering all of my curious questions about the space as well as menu/drinks. Another fun fact I learned about this place is that it is BLACK OWNED!! The food quality was on point (no cheap ingredients) and it was still hot when I got home. Fried mushrooms are always a sports bar go to of mine & these lived up to my expectations, the catfish was juicy on the inside and perfectly fried on the outside- not one piece of the two large fillets were the seasonings compromised. My daughter LOVED her wings & we know how teenagers love chicken wings. She was also happy the red beans & rice weren't spicy like she's had in the past from other places. One last thing I'd like to mention is that I usually am annoyed that my to-go order didn't include proper utensils or sauces requested.... They did not shy away from giving me ample sauces & napkins (they were thick too)! All in all, AllStars gets 5 stars from me! I can't wait to go back but the next review for them will be of the nightlife, which I've seen people rave about on IG and I fear I have been missing out.

Photos
All Stars Sports Lounge & Grill - Bar

Bar

All Stars Sports Lounge & Grill - Bar

Bar

All Stars Sports Lounge & Grill - Sauces + plasticware & napkins

See all

Sauces + plasticware & napkins

Gatsby's

Gatsby's

3.5(165 reviews)
3.9 mi
•$$

Today, after my doctor's appointment, I just wanted a small appetizer to knock the edge off since…read moreI had several other errands today. Gatsby's has become one of my staples after my PCP or Rayus appointments since it's just across the street in the strip center behind Starbucks. I selected the basket of calamari, which was the perfect size to fill me up enough till early evening. It arrived very quickly, nice and hot. The calamari was lightly golden brown and not overcooked, which I appreciated. I know many people like a very crispy calamari, but I do prefer obviously cooked but lightly crispy. My server, Dee S., was terrific as always and checked on me several times. I've been coming in for many years, and she has become familiar with my habits and orders as all good servers do. The restaurant is decorated top to bottom in scary ghosts, hanging, bloody body parts, frightening Dracula's, skeletons, and well distributed spider webs, especially on the long mirror above the upper booths. There are actually dying, small tree limbs loaded with leaves and secured tightly to the ceiling, which provide a very authentic fall effect with the dried up leaves with the colorful hanging decor. Nice job, and your hard work is appreciated. Nice location to stop after work for a drink with friends. See you next time.

Gatsby is one of our favorite places for pizza and fried mushrooms. We went there after the INDY…read more500, and the food did not disappoint. The Customer Service, however, unfortunately did. The restaurant was busy, and became even busier as we were dinning. There were only two servers for the entire restaurant. We waited quite a while for our order to be taken. We actually saw three different tables get up and leave the restaurant because no one came to take their order. The table next to us waited a while as well. When the server finally came to their table, she said, " I'll get to you when I can." We had a different server from the table next to us. Our server got our order wrong and our bill was incorrect. The restaurant has around 13 TVs, making it a great place to watch sporting events. As mentioned this was Sunday after the INDY 500. Being broadcast while we were at Gatsby was the replay of the Indy 500, the NASCAR race, the Pacers pre-game for the eastern finals. Gatsby had the Indy 500 on one TV. NASCAR and the Pacers were not shown at all. What was shown? The same UFL game was on five TVs, women's softball, happy TV network, 60 minutes, and two TVs that scrolled advertisement for bar poker. I've nothing against UFL and women's softball. But this is Indianapolis and it's the day of the 500 in the Pacers! There were also several individuals in the restaurant with Kyle Larson shirts. I know they would've been interested in the NASCAR race since Kyle ran both the 500 and made it in time to Charlotte for nascar. Sadly, it appears management of Gatsby missed the mark tonight on a couple of items. First, they underestimated the crowd on a holiday weekend and misjudged the number of servers that they needed in the restaurant. There is a hotel right next-door to Gatsby's. We saw several groups of individuals entering the hotel, coming from the race. We also saw several groups walking from the hotel to Gatsby's for dinner. Management misunderstanding the impact of the race on their business is one thing. Another is the apparent lack of comprehension of a large group of out-of-town visitors at a hotel next-door. Second, management did not appear to be cognizant of the local sporting events and the concept of what patrons may want to watch on a sports filled weekend at a sports pub. As mentioned Gatsby's is our favorite place for pizza and fried mushrooms. We will definitely return for those items and give them another try. This visit just sadly disappointed with regards to the customer service and customer awareness aspect. And was not a good representation of what Indianapolis has to offer for out of town visitors.

Photos
Gatsby's
Gatsby's
Gatsby's

See all

Rick's Café Boatyard - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...