Cancel

Open app

Search

The Ferry Grill

3.9 (26 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

The Ferry Grill Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - The Ferry Grill

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

Menu
Scott P.

My season-long quest to find outdoor roadside grills in Connecticut landed me today at The Ferry Grill & Chill. Located in Rocky Hill on the Connecticut River, it is accessible by car and/or boat. The view is awesome, and the food is great. While I got the 8 ounce hamburger, I noted they have a 4 ounce burger for smaller appetites. My meal came to just over $18, but I am a big guy with a big appetite. You can spend less and not leave hungry. As you will see in the photo, the burger is quite large, and the fries are plentiful. All very delicious. In fact, this may be the best burger I have found yet! The service is quick and friendly. I will definitely be returning!

The ferry place
Denise C.

I was really craving a hot lobster roll, so I searched online and came across this little hidden spot with great reviews. It's tucked away in a nice, quiet area and has a cozy feel. I ordered two hot lobster rolls for me and my husband--$35 each and came with fries. Our son had the chicken tenders and fries. I also ordered a cup of clam chowder, but was disappointed to see them warming it up in the microwave. That kind of took away from the "fresh seafood" experience I was hoping for. Unfortunately, the lobster roll was way too salty, and I even found a hair in mine. I was going to say something, but my husband said to just leave it alone and decided we wouldn't be back. The coleslaw was full of black pepper and really unpleasant. One bright spot was their sweet little daughter who was helping clean up--she came over and kindly asked if we had any trash for her to throw out. My husband gave her a little tip--such a cutie and a hard worker. Overall, it's a nice location and has a lot of potential, but the food didn't meet expectations at all.

Dan R.

"Life goes on day after day Hearts torn in every way So, ferry cross the Mersey 'Cause this land's the place I love And here I'll stay" (Gerry and the Pacemakers) You'll have a sense of déjà vu when you enter the driveway, because if you were a previous customer of Shad Row or the Ferry Grill, the place looks unchanged. Even the sign over the ordering counter still reads "Ferry Grill". But the Ferry Grill and Chill is different, mainly because it's new owner, Sarah Bezdelovs is just 18 years old and graduated from Rocky Hill High School in 2021. How cool is that? You can read a newspaper article about her to the right of the ordering counter. Sarah didn't have to do much with the ambience because the beautiful location right on the Connecticut River is gorgeous. She did slim down and tweak the menu a bit, and concentrated on seafood, sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs. We went for a late lunch at 2:00 on a beautiful weather day that also happened to be Father's Day. They were pretty crowded and were lucky to get a table. Our order was Fried shrimp with French Fries ($14.60),Fried Clam Strips with onion rings ($14.60) and Loaded Lobster Bisque ($10.45). The two seafood plates were great- big portions of shrimp and clams perfectly cooked with excellent fries and rings, plus slaw, tartar sauce and cocktail sauce. The bisque? I'll pass on it next time, At ten bucks I didn't really feel it was a good value. No big claws or lobster chunks in there, just some fine shreds. One thing that we noticed was they were sold out of a number of things by the time we got there at 2:00. No scallops, no clam chowder, and no mint chocolate chip ice cream. We sat at a picnic table, enjoyed the sunshine, the waterfront views, the Rocky Hill - Glastonbury ferry looping around from shore to shore, and an excellent lunch. If you've never been here before, I want to recommend it. The food is very good and the atmosphere and scenery are lovely.

Monica B.

Wanted to have a nice lunch with a nice view near the water and this was the closest place that I knew of and that I also found on Yelp. Service was very nice and fast. You have to walk up to the window and order. They have the menu posted and couldn't decide. I asked and got recommended the shrimp with onion rings and that's what I got. I was in the mood for seafood anyway. The ambiance was very casual and peaceful. The ferry wasn't running today because of the high level of water lately. I was able to enjoy my lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the cocktail sauce that came with my dish. My bottle of soda was cold and I would definitely come back to try something different. Enjoy your summer !

View from the tables

The jalapeño burger was huge but my husband ate all of it because it was too delicious! Ok ok, I stole a couple bites. I had the fish tacos which were perfect. The slaw has a sweet-tangy balance. You can watch the ferry go back and forth to Glastonbury, boats bobbing on the river and jet-skis cruising by. Don't forget to tip your cook and hostess!

Warm lobster roll and fries
Kari B.

We used to come here when it was just Ferry Grill and food was hit or miss- but NOW with thr new owners the food is delish. A bit expensive side for two lobster rolls? Absolutely lol but very enjoyable. We tried both the hot and cold lobster rolls and both were great- a ton of lobster meat. French fries were made to perfection- dare you not to finish every last fry haha Hope to go back soon and try more menu items and then will upgrade rating. BYOB and great water view. Really nice spot.

fries and ketchup
Mark A.

Nice place to enjoy some fries or sandwich beautiful view overlooking Connecticut river.

Large piece of lobster claw

See all

Photo of Amy V.
59
42
85

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Sarah B.

Sarah B.

Thank you for your support and kind words! We love having you!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 0
Love this 9
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of 1 2.
0
6
0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of JoDee K.
26
57
19

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 years ago

The view and surroundings are pretty. The food is SUPER EXPENSIVE. Be prepared for the cost

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Great place to grab a quick bite with the kids. Warning, the kid's cheeseburger is huge

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

We love going here. The food is always great! The staff are nice. I love that we get to sit by the river in the warmer months.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - The Ferry Grill

You might also consider

Max Fish - Lobster bake

Max Fish

4.1(635 reviews)
3.8 mi
•$$$

Max Fish will have something great for any seafood and fish lover. Everything I tried here was…read moregreat, with great dish combinations as well as perfectly cooked fish. We had the sampler to start where every item was either fresh raw seafood or some clever seafood mix. The calamari salad has some great sauce with it and the trio of crudo has some wonderful fish. The Grilled Atlantic Swordfish was perfection. The swordfish was cooked perfectly and it went so well with the romesco. All the sides worked so well together and it is one of the most well put together dishes I've had. I also tried the scallops. The ricotta gnocchi with the Marsala sauce is fantastic and the scallops are cooked perfectly as well. Very rarely do you get a seafood place that knows both how to cook it and how to pair it but Max Fish does so expertly.

The 1 star rating is based on food ONLY. My server Dominic was so kind and attentive along with all…read morethe other staff they all deserve 5/5 stars!! I have been coming to max fish for some time now and between dinner drinks apps and dessert for 2-3 people you average $300 which is fine but recently the past two times I've come here the food just hasn't been as good as before making it not nearly worth almost a Car payment amount. The only item consistently delicious is the buffalo shrimp otherwise everything has been a hit or miss. I got oysters and they tasted a tad funky and I got the seafood pasta dish and it did not have much flavor besides the red pepper flakes, which I put in it. Otherwise it tasted very plain and bland and watery which was disappointing since I was excited for it and for $40. The dessert option brown butter cookie just tasted very bland as well seemed like the cookie packs I buy at the grocery store and make at home.

Photos
Max Fish - Bar dining area

Bar dining area

Max Fish - Fish & Chips

Fish & Chips

Max Fish - Lobster pasta

See all

Lobster pasta

J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood

J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood

4.3(982 reviews)
3.8 mi
•$$$

I think this is the best food I've eaten in CT. I tried a lot of places in my 15 years of visiting…read morethis state and have had some wonderful food, but the flavors and food here are amazing. We gad bread with the smoked butter to start. The smokiness of the butter added good flavor to the sourdough bread. The short rib gnocchi was perfect. Little potato pillows that I couldn't stop eating. The service was wonderful. The server went through the specials and meal service didn't take too long. I highly recommend making a reservation if you plan on eating here

We made this reservation a week in advance and specifically requested Amanda, as she was a big part…read moreof the reason we previously decided to return to J. Gilberts to celebrate another milestone with our son--his completion of ODS. Our reservation was for 7:30 PM, and after waiting about 10 minutes for our table, I asked whether we were being seated in Amanda's section. That was when we were told that Amanda no longer works at J. Gilberts. I was honestly surprised and disappointed that we weren't informed of this when making the reservation, especially since we specifically requested her. The food was OK as our steaks were more than medium rare (dry, not juicy) but unfortunately the overall experience felt very average this time. What made our previous visit special was the warmth, personal attention, and connection we experienced with Amanda. That feeling simply wasn't there this time. I understand that staff changes happen, but given that Amanda was specifically requested and was a major reason we chose to return for another family milestone, I would have appreciated being told in advance. It would have allowed us to set different expectations--or perhaps make another choice. We came back hoping to recreate a special experience, and unfortunately, it just didn't have the same warmth this time around.

Photos
J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood
J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood
J Gilberts Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood

See all

The Charles - Sunday sauce parpadelle

The Charles

4.4(429 reviews)
3.3 mi
•$$$

Honest food and service. Wellcoming and warm staff. The host arranged to have us at the bar so we…read morewould not have to wait for a table, while in a hurry to hit the road. It's good to meet good humans!!! Thank you!

Absolutely divine…read more It has been so long since I've been able to have a crab cake that's gluten free, but at The Charles, their crab cakes are gluten free and lovely. But first, walking into The Charles is a step back into time yet still fresh and intentional. Plenty to look at all around the restaurant. The layout of even the bar is nice with seats by the windows and plenty of TVs playing the games without being disruptive. The building is gorgeous, well kept, and I can see how this restaurant gets packed quickly! But back to the gluten free crab cake. I would have loved some slightly larger chunks of crab, it was the crispy texture on the outside and soft inside that made my heart melt. The cakes sat lightly on an aioli and beside some greens, and each bit was delectable and delicious. Lovely appetizer. I also have the octopus basquaise, and I loved it. The potatoes needed just a smidge more seasoning and were sitting in oil, but I cared not, because it was an oil with Kalamata olives and tart, and how lovely it all was together. The octopus was nicely cooked and tender and not greasy. The potatoes were a lovely vessel, and the aioli was not too overpowering. A delicious fish overall. The service was great, friendly, and you can tell they love their regulars. Everyone was on the move at all times and overall very efficient and kind. Tons of gluten free dishes naturally. I loved coming to The Charles and look forward to coming back later this week to try their actual dishes. But if the entrees are even close to as good as the appetizers, I'm sure it will all be delicious!

Photos
The Charles - Dining area

Dining area

The Charles - Burger

Burger

The Charles - Grilled cheese

See all

Grilled cheese

River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar

River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar

3.2(731 reviews)
3.4 mi
•$$
Family-owned & operated
Outdoor seating

The food and view at River are the reasons to go. The service on a moderately-busy Monday (about…read more5-6 outdoor tables were occupied), however, was subpar. Items were forgotten and we waited a long time for things like tea and salads, though our main dishes came out promptly and were warm.

The only reason I give this restaurant 1 star is that the food tasted good. Otherwise I'd give it…read moreZero stars! Here's a list of what went wrong here: 1. I reserved an outdoor table for 4. When I arrived I was told it would be a 45 minute wait. Basically my reservation was useless. The 2 greeters made no attempt to address this whatsoever and didn't care at all. We decided to wait at the bar 2. The bar was not crowded with a couple of bartenders. We placed our order. The bartender looked like she didn't know what she was doing and greeted us with about as little enthusiasm and happiness as possible. (Maybe she was having a bad day). She didn't seem to know how to mix two drinks; a manhattan and a Negroni. She couldn't answer our question about what gin she had at the bar and just told us to ' look' as she pointed behind her. Then it took about 10 minutes for three drinks to arrive; the poorly made Negroni, a Coors light in the bottle (she never asked if I wanted a glass), the wrong glass of white wine that she had to redo with the correct one, then after 5 more minutes the manhattan arrived, also made poorly. She didn't charge us for that drink due to the delay saying she had to wait to get the vermouth. That's an odd excuse from a bartender. I've been a paid bartender, I know what to expect and she was just horrible. I'm sorry but that's a plain fact. If she worked for me I would have fired her on the spot and took over myself. 3. By this time, about 7:50, we were seated at an outside table. The crowd was dying down but our waitress was less than attentive and certainly not prompt. We have dietary allergies that she promptly noted but did nothing about as she said she would check wth the kitchen about of couple of possible choices we had interest in, but never came back to give us the answer. Now being quite impatient, we ordered anyway based on the menu description. One appetizer could not be eaten because of the allergy. We asked for the wine list, that never arrived, and it was 10 minutes until she came back to the table, but we ordered without it. The waitress seemed like she could care less about how we were doing or how she was performing her job. After dinner, ironically, the manager stopped by to ask how everything was, but we quickly said things were OK only because it would have taken too much time to make note of everything that had gone wrong. By now it was after 9 and my reservation was at 7. We had to leave. Suffice it to say, we won't be back. A sad overall experience indeed. I don't expect this restaurant and or management will be around for long as I have no reason to believe we were the only party to endure this horrible dining experience.

Photos
River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar - We do Bloody Marys differently!

We do Bloody Marys differently!

River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar - TIRAMISU TRIFLE

TIRAMISU TRIFLE

River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar - AVOCADO TOAST, smashed avocado, tomato, onion, sunny side up eggs, topped with micro greens and served with a fresh cup of fruit

See all

AVOCADO TOAST, smashed avocado, tomato, onion, sunny side up eggs, topped with micro greens and served with a fresh cup of fruit

The Ferry Grill - seafood - Updated October 2026

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