In fair weather, we frequently make the trip to the southern end of Cayuga Lake from Binghamton. It's a lovely drive, but the destination is supreme. The BoatYard is one of our most special places. We go there for birthdays, anniversaries, and just to treat ourselves to something we realy look forward to. The food, service, atmosphere, and lake view are delightful. We go mostly in the warm seasons because we prefer dining outside. Expect superior fare and service that are well worththe price. Try it, and I feel comfortable in predicting that you'll return frequently as well. read more

We revisited after a great dinner last year. Sadly it seems they changed owners and our favorite items weren't on the menu anymore. So we played it safe and ordered lobster tails. When they were served we couldn't help but notice the strong fishy smell, that's a no no for lobster. Needless to say they weren't good, they put sweet Thai chili sauce on the Brussels sprouts and the potatoes they served with it had zero flavor even after adding salt. The service was great at least We scratched this off our list for next time we're in Ithaca. read more

This place was recommended to us by the owners of the B&B we stayed at so we decided to check it out for dinner. The views are lovely with a patio and windows overlooking the water. Our service was friendly but slow, however the restaurant was fairly busy when we went. After perusing the menu, we decided on the fish tacos and the gutenburger along with a mocktail each (a strawberry spritz and a hibiscus spritz). They brought some tasty fresh bread out right away but we waited a much longer time for our drinks. My husband enjoyed his burger and my fish tacos weren't bad but it seemed like there was way more slaw than fish and it needed some more seasoning for my taste. The fries were good though and we both enjoyed our drinks. All in all a nice evening. Thank you, Boatyard Grill! read more

The BoatYard Grill - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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Such a nice place right on the lake to grab drinks and a meal. Our server was so kind and welcoming and I loved the lake house atmosphere. I also appreciated the range of the menu, you could order a fancy steak or stick to a classic sandwich! Highly recommend the empress gin cocktail. A great way to end a lake day! read more

The BoatYard Grill - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Amazing, beautiful spot for dinner and the perfect place to relax by the fire pits afterward. We stopped in for drinks and a cup of clam chowder, and everything was wonderful. The fresh bread and seasoned butter they served were absolutely delicious. The manager was fantastic, and our server Amy was equally warm, attentive, and welcoming. Such a great experience all around! read more

The BoatYard Grill - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Mediocre service and rather salty food. No reservations and had to wait quite a bit. After being seated, we had to wait longer than expected for our drinks and water. For mains I ordered the crab stuffed shrimp. They were fine- shrimp was slightly overcooked, and overall a tad salty for my liking. Overall, I will likely not return. read more

The BoatYard Grill - crab stuffed shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Been going to the BoatYard for 2 decades and always enjoyed the experience. Walked in to the recently "renovated" boatyard and couldn't believe it. No longer did it look like a semi-fine dining warm low-lit atmosphere but now looked like a brightly lit cafeteria with bar under lighting that showcased all the dirt and moulding that needs a good coat of paint. Then there's the bar itself. It's like the place can't decide if they're a sports bar or a decent restaurant. The LED screen spans the entire length of the bar with 5-6 different channels all mashed together. I'm sure it wasn't cheap, but completely looks out of place. The lighting temperature is too bight and should be much warmer in color temp. Pin lighting is nice for all the tables, but they're washed out by the industrial Sam's Club dome fixtures set on blazing high. Food was so-so. I had the small plate Makers and wife had the filet. It was cooked properly and had good taste Skip the steamed (boiled??) Brussel sprouts...zero taste and very bitter. Ask for an alternative. Gone are the nice wine glasses and replaced with new baby sized cheapies that would look more at home at a wine tour kiosk. Gone are the days of sitting at the bar and they set a place set napkin in front of you. Now, they just throw up two small plates and silverware wrapped in the thinnest of cloth napkins. Definitely disappointed with the "new" boatyard. Not like the old...at all. It needs a xanax to help with its anxiety disorder. It looks confused and nothing flows. If this is progress...I'll skip and find something that makes us feel more comfortable and welcome. I should mention that service from the bar staff was very good. Thankfully, that hasn't changed. read more

What a conclusion to a storybook Cornell U. wedding -- we couldn't have asked for a better location, service, and support than at the BoatYard Grill. Richy - new owner - and I discussed a few weeks in advance a Sunday brunch thank you for our wedding guests. What a location - we had a grand view of the inlet to Lake Cayuga - seated at tables just inside the patio area - and opposite a buffet table set for a feast that included chef's special breakfast items and crowned with a massive tray of smoked salmon. Earlier, Richy asked if I had any special requests - I admitted that I've not had English bread pudding in a while - and it turned out to be one of the best I've had! Kudos to the Chef! Service was superb with our guests greeted with Champagne Mimosas and a great selection of local wines (Richy is quite an expert on Finger Lake Wines). In sum, I strongly recommend the BoatYard Grill for any occasion, but readers should know that Richy and his team take special care of groups - It was a real treat at a glorious lakeside location with guests raving about a fabulous conclusion to a memory filled wedding weekend. read more

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Very disappointing.. Food isn't what it used to be.. drink ridiculously overpriced.. wont be back again..server was great.. but obviously not her fault.. read more

The food was good. Wait staff were very attentive. Hostess team (yes, there were at least thee) and manager need some training in customer service. read more

We called ahead for group of six seating. We waited over 1/2 hour past the time of our call ahead time and watched numerous groups of 2 and 4 guests being seated who came in after us. I felt we could have been seated since I saw a table empty that would have fit our group. I specifically asked not to sit near the bar since it was noisy and we wanted to enjoy a quiet social evening with family. When we were seated, we were seated at a booth at the bar but instead of waiting another 1/2 hour to eat, we took it. One of us is a diabetic and needed to eat, so we didn't want a further delay. The food was ok overall although the fried fish was dripping with oil. The service was good. So if you come here and enjoy bar socializing or are 2 people for dinner, you have no problem. But if you bring family wanting to be comfortable and relax, and spend $300 or $400 for your table, expect to be treated second class. read more

Great food n service I love that place I'm gonna go back there on Mother's Day weekend the food was excellent

This happened a while ago but I think it needs to be told for caution. I booked for a group of 9 on my birthday. They don't do typical reservations but I called ahead to let them know. I show up and they tell me it'll be an hour. Ok no biggie there was some big event going on. We waited and waited and they kept saying any time now. Three hours passed and we should have left but the time sunk by that time I wanted to eat there! Finally we are sat and the wait staff was awful. Messed up some orders, didn't add to the correct bill (which we were clear about up front not asking to split at the end), didn't bring me a box, no water refills. Our food also came out like 30 min after others were sat. I feel like if they didn't want a big group we should have been told a more accurate time. It was really upsetting cause again it was my birthday and it embarrassed me to choose such a bad spot. Disappointing. read more

Beautiful location right on the water with a great seafood menu. The staff was friendly, the food was delicious, the ambiance awesome! Love the extra touch with the edible orchid too. The only draw back I had was the bitter seemed like oil and not real drawn butter. Would recommend read more

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This was unfortunate. It was Saturday, but not crowded. We waited a few minutes to get a table, which was expected. Then we waited at the table. And we waited. Making eye contact with everyone we could. After about 15 minutes of sitting at the table, with no contact, the manager came up to us and told us that they sat us at the wrong table and would we mind moving. (They were putting table tops together for a larger party, may 7 or 8 people.) That happens and we moved. Second table, we are not looking at the menus and we are still waiting. The manager passed by us, diligently checking the status of the three table tops being put together, looked right at us. We are still waiting for any contact with a server. We were finally told by a server that she would get a couple of waters and I asked for a Ginger Ale as well. The waiting continued. We left. I told the hostess to give the table to someone else, we were done. Even if the we waited it out, the mood was set. I didn't mind moving, but you have already disrupted the experience that I am looking for when I pay to go out to a nice mean. I felt like we were a burden. We were very nice, dressed well, but not important to this manager, who has no place in that role. We won't be back and it's unfortunate. read more

This restaurant has it all: a menu with a wide variety and creative interpretations of seafood-based dishes, indoor and outdoor seating and friendly service. Great for larger parties as well as date night for two. The seafood arrabbiata was dynamic, and the fish + chips were perfectly crispy and flaky. Love the slightly dressy casual vibes, too! read more

A group of us came here for my friends birthday and it was a great experience! We were a little bummed they didn't take reservations but we were able to call ahead earlier in the day and that did help with getting a shorter wait time. This was my first time coming and I thought everything was delicious! Our waitress was so attentive and helpful with the menu items. I got the Ultimate G and T, Lobster Fra Diavolo and we shared the Fried Calamari. The drink was so refreshing and the seafood tasted fresh and flavorful. A few of my friends got the Makers Mark Sirloin and they enjoyed every bite. Each steak was cooked to perfection and they couldn't stop talking about the Brussel Sprouts. I also ordered a Key Lime Pie to go and it was the perfect late night sweet treat. The weather wasn't that great when we went so I'll definitely be back to take advantage of the outside seating and beautiful views! read more

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We have been here several times and it was always good. Something must have changed because our entrees were mediocre and lukewarm. My scallops must have been in the pan for about 10 seconds and were rubbery. The other entree was tasty but also lukewarm. Lobster and corn fritter appetizer was good and actually hot. Not going to rush back soon. Sad to say. Service was terrific so it's a kitchen issue, Not a good sign. read more

Overall very mediocre food. I definitely was thinking that the clam chowder wasn't home made. The five onion soup was very oily and had frizzled onions on top... interesting choice but where are the other 4 onions? Service was good otherwise read more

The BoatYard Grill - Five onion soup - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I really enjoyed this restaurant. It has a nice little spot right on the water and they've got the outside set up nicely so you can sit out there to relax or wait for your table. Our waitress was fantastic and I wish I could remember her name. She had some great recommendations and was super friendly. One option on the menu that I loved was that you can get smaller portions of certain entrees. I got the small plate portion of the markers mark sirloin which was very good! I also treated myself to the sizzling cookie which was awesome! I would absolutely recommend this restaurant if you're visiting Ithaca. I can't wait to go back! read more

The BoatYard Grill - The sizzling cookie... my only photo of the night. - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

When in Ithaca I always stop in for dinner. They have a good location on the water with a large parking lot. I always have a great meal with good service. All the seafood is great. read more

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I have no idea what has happened to the restaurant. Fantastic location. Nicely appointed space inside. With extended covers outside dining and a tiki bar. They don't take reservations which I find to be a drawback. They have discontinued lunch which was a delightful time to enjoy the view. Last evening, a friend and I went for an early dinner before heading to the Hanger Theater. We ordered the soup and steak which were the specials for the evening. The soup was great. The steak was billed as a ribeye with crab, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. The steak was $49. However, it was not a ribeye and was of one of the worst qualities of beef I have ever had. The waiter was friendly and professional. Excellent. The manager acted as if he were high. Could careless. As, it turns out the waiter went to another manager and the cost was reduced by 50 % Will not return or recommend this establishment. I will note it was PACKED. Maybe it was just the luck we had. read more

The BoatYard Grill - This was the worst steak ever. - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

the dinning area was pleasant . a little dark . the service was fine . The soup was great . The garlic potatoes had no garlic and seemed old and dry. the sirloin had very little flavor . it was served with fried crispy onions along with steamed vegetables that consisted of onions carrots and bell peppers. How many onions should be on a plate . I'm sorry but bell peppers should be roasted not steamed . The risotto was the worst meal I have ever eaten in a restaurant. lobster was invisible in the risotto not enough shrimp and way to much cheese . The risotto itself was like mush. This dish had to many flavors . none that complimented each other . I couldn't eat it . Honestly I would have gotten a better meal at almost any restaurant. very very disappointed. won't go back . read more

Read all the reviews and decided to try. The girls in the front told us there is a 5 minute wait, but I think k they forgot about us because we were still waiting after 10 minutes while parties that arrived after us (no reservation) were being shown in. We brought it to their attention and were seated immediately. We ordered the Cayuga Crunch salad, risotto, ribeye, and the grilled chicken. The salad seasoning was good and the fruit and nuts were definitely a plus, but the kale/carrot and other vegetables tasted like it came from a prepackaged bag. Ribeye and grilled chicken were delicious. My son ordered the ribeye and was super excited about having a 16oz steak. He cleaned the plate. My risotto however was overcooked. It was very mushy and too much cheese to taste anything else. We will come back again, but I will order from the grill next time. read more

Very busy place with great view. I've been in the restaurant business for many years and honestly could not be more impressed with PK and the staff. We were in town scouting colleges and had such a great time at the bar we will definitely be back on every visit. Excellent ribeye cooked perfectly. Thank you for ending our very long day with such a great experience. read more

This place is perfect for a wedding! :) I love it here and went on a wonderful date that I will always remember. Fast service and tasty food. Pssst come here!!! read more

We came here for dinner after my daughter's graduation. We called ahead at 11am for a text ahead dinner reservation for 5 at 4:30pm. By 4:45pm we were seated in a booth. We all ordered the halibut special $34 a plate and then a seafood Diablo. Halibut came with spinach and rice. Rice was on the salty side so I didn't finish it. For dessert we tried the chocolate cake for two, molton chocolate cake, and sorbet. The waitress was attentive even though they were packed. Including tip the bill was $260 read more

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Fantastic food and service! Great Coconut Shrimp, delicious entrees for a very discriminating party of 4.

We met friends from out of town to enjoy an early dinner on Saturday. We were seated on the outside deck where although the side curtains were down was chilly with the occasional breeze coming through. The heat was not on. The music was loud enough that we had to raise out voices to be heard even though we were sitting at the same table. I asked to turn it down but was told that they couldn't do that. I ordered a dozen oysters for an appetizer. The waitress brought six. When I asked about the other six, she explained that they came in sixes, but I could order another app if I wanted to. They couldn't put them all on the one large platter. My wife and I ordered the prime rib dinner special. We both ordered medium rare. We both received a nice slice of meat that was essentially raw. The server was obviously new at the trade. She served some dishes by reaching across the table sometime serving from the left and sometimes from the right. The rest of the meal was warm but not hot. The baked potato was very good and quite large. I had to ask for horse radish to go with the prime rib. I had ordered a rye and ginger for my cocktail. I received some sort of whiskey with the gingerale, but it wasn't rye. I probably should have specified what I wanted. I will think hard before I go back there, And That's disappointing. read more

For being short staffed this place is amazing. We opted to sit at the bar so we didn't have a ridiculous wait to be seated. Bar staff friendly & accommodating. I had the scalloped stuff shrimp, with asparagus,perfectly cooked & great match with my white wine. 3 of us ate entrees with drinks for $95, not bad at all! The outside of the place at night is heavenly. Lots of good stuff here read more

The BoatYard Grill - Outside at sunset - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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The ambiance is good for family's and groups. Would not say dates necessarily. Definitely draws a crowd but there is room. One side felt very " sports bar" like but the rest was upscale restaurant feel. Located at base of Cuyagoa lake. Great view. The food was good - appetizers plenty and tasty. I was full by the time the main course came. Waiter was attentive and friendly. Would go again. I accidently labeled the tortilla appetizer as fresh fry in the pictures read more

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Amazing!! Great food, service and nice atmosphere!! The fish fry is out of this world. Definitely will go back again.

Unbeatable location, delicious food, great service. AND fresh baked bread! Everything we ordered was delicious (coconut shrimp and lobster entree salad). Our server was so good we ordered dessert just because of her great description - it was worth it. Oh and this wunderkind helped us identify a nearby bird! Thanks for a lovely evening. read more

While visiting Ithaca, we happened to be in town for my daughters birthday. She chose the Boatyard Grill as the choice for her birthday dinner. We noticed they don't take reservations, but you can call at 3pm and put your name on a wait list for when you arrive. Done! When we arrived at 630pm there was no wait...but a 45 min wait for outside on the warmest day of the year (thus far). We stayed inside. We started out with the Buffalo chicken egg rolls. OMG, these were amazing. Where have they been my whole life? I'd fly across the country again for these in a minute. Dinner, I ordered the NY Strip steak, while my wife and daughters ordered seafood fra diavolo, fish tacos and scallop stuffed shrimp. They raved about their meals. Okay, I'll rave about mine as well. My steak was cooked beautifully. It was so good. It came w/ fingerling potatoes and asparagus. Service was great throughout. Not being from the area, I often rely on Yelp to lead us the way. Not sure why this restaurant has 3.5 stars. It is solidly better than that...highly recommended. read more

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I came here during family weekend with my friend and her parents. This restaurant does not take reservations and because of the influx of people visiting this weekend, we had to wait 1.5 hours to be seated. We came at 7:00, and didn't start eating our main dishes until about 9:00 pm. Another friend I have visited during a less busy weekend, but she still had to wait an hour. As for the food, it was decent. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. I ordered the burger and they cooked it perfectly medium rare, according to what I requested. Portions were generous, which justified their price, in my opinion. Another thing I expected was a good view as the website had advertised. Unfortunately, it was dark and we were seated on the porch under a tent, but the tent's windows were foggy. If you are looking for outstanding or unique food, or to have a quick meal, this place probably isn't the best. Maybe try on a less busy weekend, and definitely arrive half an hour to an hour before you want to dine. read more

The BoatYard Grill - NY Cheddar Burger* - Seafood Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Arrived Monday 5:30pm and were seated immediately outside in the tent. Most other people who arrived had made reservations, and if we'd wanted an outside spot any later, that would have been a good idea. Sanitizer at the door, all servers and staff wore masks, guests took masks off at tables and while sipping cocktails or smoking outside on the Adirondack chairs, but wore them in restrooms and when walking around. Food was fresh, tasty, well-seasoned and needed nothing extra to taste great. Service was excellent. Scenery at the edge of the peninsula was nice- lots of boaters were out in the evening. Great night out- well worth it! read more

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I love the vibes of this place. The clam chowder was so delicious. Great place if you wanna dress up a bit but not too pricey

The spot for family visits and celebrations - reservations fill up quickly so make one in advance! read more

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The Boat Yard Grill is cute spot in Ithaca for date nights/more "special" dinners. (Although the interior kind of reminds me of an early 2000's Red Lobster chain store... I'm only looking past it because we are in Ithaca, NY). We ordered a seasonal Sugar Cookie Martini that was super fun to drink because of the sprinkle-dipped sides. It was a sweet, creamy cocktail that was actually pretty strong. I really enjoyed this one. For dinner, we ordered the Spicy Tuna Roll (nothing too special, it tasted like a spicy tuna roll so it was good). We also ordered the Lobster & Shrimp Sliders, the Scallop Stuffed Shrimp. I really enjoyed the Scallop Stuffed Shrimp. There was a creamy, gravy-like sauce served with the scallops, cornbread stuffing, and shrimp. One gripe I have with this dish was that it cost $33 but there were only 3 pieces of scallop/shrimp. Way too overpriced IMO.For dessert, we got the Molten Chocolate Cake. The dessert tasted good but it was nothing too spectacular/out of the ordinary. There was no chocolate oozing from the cake center either which disappointed me slightly. I would not make a big deal out of coming back here again but overall I had a good experience/dinner. read more

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Exceptional experience. David was our server; he was so very good. Made us feel welcome and valued. The food was simply amazing. Kale salad, filet mignon and lobster. Would recommend it to anyone in the area! read more