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    The Windlass

    3.9 (440 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    The Windlass Photos

    THE WINDLASS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Windlass

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    Elsie C.

    Came here twice. Once for dinner and once for drinks at the bar. Food was very good. Portions generous. Drinks at the bar were ok. We went at the tail end of the night on Valentine's Day . I think the bar staff was tired from a long day bc there was zero inviting atmosphere at the bar.

    Honeybee Martini
    Nicole M.

    Finally made it to the Windlass! We attempted to come earlier this summer without a reservation and learned the hard way. Fast forward to October and getting a reservation on a Sunday afternoon is east street :) We sat outside which is covered but the big garage doors can be opened when it's warm out. I had the honeybee martini along with the chargrilled oysters and caprese salad. It was perfect! Forgot to mention they serve you bread and oil when you sit down which is rare these days. It was so good that our server Colleen packed it up for us to take home. We really wanted to sit in the booths that are on the dock and learned that it's first come, first serve and for drinks only. No food service. So, after eating we sat out there with some drinks and watched the sunset. The experience was well worth coming back. I'm already thinking about coming back next summer!

    Evita N.

    If you're visiting Lake Hopatcong, The Windlass is one of those must-stop spots that really delivers the full lakeside experience. We came on a warm summer afternoon and scored a table right on the deck, with gorgeous views of the water, boats drifting by, and a nice breeze keeping things comfortable. The menu has something for everyone, from wood-fired pizzas to hearty pastas and fresh seafood. We went with the Crispy Buffalo Chicken pizza, and it was perfect.. just the right balance of heat and creamy drizzle on a crisp, flavorful crust. The drinks were just as impressive; my cocktail not only tasted fantastic but came garnished with a fresh orchid, which felt like a little tropical getaway in a glass. Service was friendly and quick, even though the place was busy. You can tell they know how to keep things moving without making you feel rushed. Between the great food, beautiful setting, and welcoming atmosphere, The Windlass makes you want to linger a little longer, order one more drink, and just soak in the view. Definitely a place we'll be returning to!!

    Eggplant Caprese Sandwich (as a wrap)
    Mary K.

    Came in for a late lunch on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. They have a large covered outside patio that was really nice. They had a limited Red, White, and Bkue menu but it still had a ton of food choices. I got the Eggplant Caprese as a wrap instead of sandwich and my husband got the Hot Honey Chicken sandwich. Portions were solid. We are very hungry and eat everything. The fries were delicious!

    First time here!
    Pat M.

    The first time we ate at Windlass was when restaurants just started reopening at the end of Covid. Since then, we've been back to the Windlass a few times and it's always been very nice. Whether it's drinks at the bar, dining outside, or inside like this past Monday night, we've had good experiences. On this occasion, my wife and stepsons enjoyed a nice casual dinner. My cheesesteak sandwich was excellent and everyone enjoyed their meals. The cannoli cake for dessert was delicious! Service here is excellent! The staff does a great job taking care of the patrons!

    Marcela L.

    First let's talk location: beautiful lakefront view! Dining outdoors was the best! Booked a reservation online and they accommodated us when we were running a bit late. The view is absolutely amazing! Lots of parking! Service was also good. Ryan was our waiter and did an awesome job making sure we were okay throughout the whole dining experience. Our food did take a bit long to come out but it was worth the wait! Calamari and mussels came out quick and both were absolutely delicious. Calamari was perfectly fried and they gave both chipotle and marinara sauce. The chipotle sauce was yummy! I only tried the sauce from the mussels but it was so good! Next were the entrees. I ordered the shrimp scampi and it was by far one of the best I have had. It was so flavorful. Hubby let me try his pork chop and it was juicy! Everyone said the food was delicious. Dessert was just what we needed to end the evening. Had the lava cake and Reese's cake at the waiter's suggestions and he did not disappoint. Drinks were good too but the food was the highlight as well as the views. Will come back!

    Angela L.

    Come for the sunset, but definitely stay for the food -- lol! This place blew me away from start to finish: the views, the service, and the food were all top-tier. We started with the calamari and mussels -- both fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. For my main, I had the chicken parm, and it was a standout. Crispy, well-seasoned, and portioned just right -- I even had leftovers to enjoy later (bonus!). Dessert-wise, the lava cake was okay, but if you're choosing between sweets, run to the Reese's dessert -- absolutely worth it. Our server? A+ across the board. Friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. Can't wait to come back!

    Kasia C.

    We came here for lunch on a Sunday afternoon as a party of 7. Reservation was made ahead of time for 1pm. This place has a 90 minute seating limit but it wasn't super busy. We were seated outside on near the lake which was very nice. For appetizers, we ordered garlic shrimp, cheesy bread, mussels fra diavolo and zucchini flowers. All the apps were delicious but the zucchini flowers with the ricotta were spectacular! For mains, my husband ordered the lobster roll, I got a chicken focaccia sandwich with truffle fries and the kids split a shrimp scampi. This is a very cute spot and their bucket drinks are delicious

    Calamari
    Terri-Ann M.

    They have a parking lot, great views of the lake, and the aesthetic of the restaurant has nautical vibes. The staff is cordial and attentive. The food needs some work, we had the calamari (the best thing we ate), the carne asada could have been better (too much oil, lacked flavor), garlic bread was chewy, as for the cocktails they were alright (had a Sangria). Highly suggest getting a sandwich or burger for food. To my we are either 1 or none

    Casey S.

    Came here tonight with my wife to enjoy a quiet evening at a recommended restaurant. Food; our choice of food was well worth it. For an appetizer we got the fried calamari which was pretty lightly breaded and not super heavy. For dinner I picked a chicken saltimbocca which I REALLY enjoyed and my wife got a Crazy Tuna roll which was very flavorful. I also got a mocktail called a cherry bomb that I enjoyed, albeit drank a bit fast. Service: because we sat away outside the service was a little slow but it was a bit of a busy night and our waiter Ryan was honestly stellar. Super nice and was checking on us frequently enough. Also our hostess whose name I never received was so kind. Aesthetic: beautiful bar along a small marina on Lake Hopatcong. I assume this place is packed during the summer but it made for a very nice night otherwise.

    Beet pita sandwich
    Stacey G.

    Came here for lunch. The food and service were great! To start we ordered the garlic shrimp. It's a large portion and everyone really enjoys it - they always order the garlic shrimp appetizer. I ordered the red beet pita which was delicious - wish it came with onion that is listed on the menu. All year outdoor seating on the lake is key! I'm not sure if they had specials - we weren't told of any specials and I didn't see a separate menu insert.

    Natty C.

    I love this place when the weather is nice. Beautiful views and right on the water. I sat at the bar and it wasn't too crowded. Very good food.

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    2 months ago

    Food and vibe are always excellent. We love the small plates and appetizers. Love their fresh take on cocktails.

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    1 month ago

    Have been to the Windlass a few times and love the decor overlooking the lake. The food is always good and you get a lot for your money.

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    8 months ago

    Just outstanding, everything about it. Best food on the lake hands down. Never disappointed.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - The Windlass

    Is it dog friendly?

    The Windlass is a restaurant serving food. For that reason we must follow health code requirements - one of which is not allowing pets/dogs on premises. This includes, inside the main dining room, the outdoor pavilion, docks, and porch. We… Read more

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    Alice's - Spring Charcuterie Board from our 2025 Spring Menu.

    Alice's

    3.3(325 reviews)
    0.0 mi
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    It was a beautiful fall day and the view of Lake Hopatcong was quite good. 5 stars. I rate the…read more service we received as outstanding. 5 stars again. The food was another matter. Serving sizes for all 6 of us were plentiful and I was pleased that fresh green beans could be substituted for fries. I ate my burger and had tastes of others entrees then concluded that the food was nothing special. I rate the quality and preparation of the food as 3 (tops). So, enjoy the view and, based on my experience, expect top quality service. But don't expect gourmet food.

    Okay, this review taught me not to judge a book by its cover! I came to Lake Hopatcong on a whim…read morefor dinner on a warm night looking to sit outside and without a reservation. No reservation was my first mistake. The restaurants in the area all have a beautiful view / sunset but are often booked. I intended to visit another spot on the water but couldn't get in, and ended up at Alice's instead. We climbed a big staircase to get into the main entrance and it seemed pretty small outside compared to what it looks like outside. Think they have a separate bar / dining room down in the lower area. But I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by my experience here. At first, the hostess told us that there was nothing available but then the other woman up front with her told us to wait a minute. Luckily, she came back and said she could get us a table. Finally, a win! For dinner, we ordered the Arugula Salad special which is we excellent. It has mandarin oranges and walnuts in it which I enjoyed together. I got the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna for dinner which was good. Though, I didn't love the noodles it came with it was still pretty tasty overall. We finished up sharing the Limoncello cake and dessert martinis. I'd normally go for an espresso martini, but tried the chocolate peanut martini which was like dessert in a glass! Our server was very attentive - service was fast, food was good and prices weren't bad. Plus, you cannot beat the sunset view if you get an outside table! I'll definitely make my way back here again.

    Photos
    Alice's
    Alice's - Spring Wedge from our 2025 Spring Menu

    Spring Wedge from our 2025 Spring Menu

    Alice's - Our French Onion Burger from our 2025 Spring Menu

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    Our French Onion Burger from our 2025 Spring Menu

    Stone Water at 3 Peaks Marina - Cheesecake (in a jar...odd to share. Wish the server told us because we wouldn't have ordered dessert in a jar to share....)

    Stone Water at 3 Peaks Marina

    3.6(371 reviews)
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    It has been a while. Old owner back, old GM back. The location and ambience is unparalleled. Right…read moreon the lake. Where to begin? All breads and almost all food inputs are made in-house. Find that elsewhere. We had 3 apps at lunch. The Tuna Ceviche with avocado was excellent: exactly what my mood required. The Wagyu Wontons were on point. The Grilled Shrimp with Mango pico de gallo and mango aioli were wonderful: I could have made a meal of them. We had sandwiches and salads for mains. The chicken Caesar salad was substantial and precisely executed. The chicken sandwich with fresh mozzarella, roasted pepper and Arugula was excellent. The Artichoke hearts sandwich was amazing. Ribiola cheese, arugula, artichoke hearts lightly marinated. Delicate, yet satisfying: a real wow. Service was attentive and friendly, without being intrusive. The wine and cocktail list is fine but is still under redevelopment; understand that the new GM Michael definitely knows his business. So, I can't wait to see what he puts together next. This is a great destination now and is only getting better.

    We made a reservation here for a girl's day out (reservations definitely recommended). Our table…read morewas not outside, but close enough to enjoy the great view. The drink menu was unique and delicious. For our entrees......2 of us got the salmon and the other 2 got the tuna; the last dish was the stone water burger. We all Loved our dishes. Definitely a great spot with great service!

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    Stone Water at 3 Peaks Marina - Bar Area

    Bar Area

    Stone Water at 3 Peaks Marina - Tuna entree, yum!

    Tuna entree, yum!

    Stone Water at 3 Peaks Marina - View from the parking lot of Lake Hopatcong

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    View from the parking lot of Lake Hopatcong

    Taphouse 15

    Taphouse 15

    3.8(617 reviews)
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    I have been here a handful of times now with my boyfriend and Taphouse has consistently earned my…read moretop spot for a vegan burger. The caramelized onions, vegan animal sauce and pretzel bun make it so much better than the classic vegan burger. It's so good every time. Fries are nothing special but not bad by any means. I also enjoy the pretzel very much! Not too salty, always warm and fluffy. Our waitresses/waiters are always very attentive and friendly. We have never had an issue with the service, staff or waiting times. When I'm craving a great vegan burger and pretzel this is my go to!

    Another review from a poor man. We went for the…read moreanniversary celebration of Taphouse 15 this year. First week of December 2025. We went on the second day, Saturday. This review is a complete mixed bag for me as there is pros and cons to the experience. Pros: The Argentinian chicken wings were really tasty and crispy and good. Both of our burgers were really good. The waitress was pleasant and quite good as well. so for these reasons, it was a pleasant experience and rather tasty. Also, we didn't wait too long for a table with a 7 o'clock reservation. Cons: Only six wings come to an order for the Argentinian chicken wings and they charge $15! I think that's rather expensive. Although the French onion soup had great flavor, it was a salt bomb! I couldn't believe how much salt was in it! Also, the lack of substitutions for certain things like fries without enough charge for an already pricey burger is a bit much. Beers were expensive as well. 7 bucks for a 4 ounce IPA? Not thank you. So if you don't mind paying top dollar for a ver good tasting burger and wings, then this spot will definitely deliver on flavor. But would I choose to spend this much?? No. Not in the least. The choice is yours on what you are willing to spend for pub food at steakhouse prices.

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    Taphouse 15
    Taphouse 15
    Taphouse 15

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    Pub 199 - 2 Dozen Clams and Lobster tails

    Pub 199

    3.4(833 reviews)
    2.5 mi
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    Stopped in for lunch at Pub 199 and once again had a great meal…read more Started with a bowl of lobster bisque, followed by a porterhouse steak cooked medium rare that we split. The meal came with a baked potato, steamed vegetables, and two dozen steamed clams, all washed down with a cold bottle of Briar's root beer. Pub 199 feels like walking into a natural history museum inside a hunting lodge, surrounded by taxidermy and rustic decor. The service is consistently excellent, the atmosphere is comfortable, and the prices remain very reasonable. If you enjoy classic New Jersey spots with character and reliable food, this is one worth visiting. If you've been here, feel free to share your experience or leave a review.

    Missed getting reservation today at a place we never been to so we resorted back to what we loved…read more I figure since everyone was recommending steakhouses with outrageous prices when we knew Pub 199 had the best steaks and they don't need to break the bank. Tonight I ordered the 2 doz calms (always a must) and the steak and lobster tail. It was AMAZING as always. My normal order is the whole lobster but now that they offer 2 tails I always will get that. I'm excited to try the lobster bisque which I didn't try tonight. My only complaint tonight is the waitress came over with a dish of fries for my husband who ordered the baked potato (omg so good also order the baked potato) and apologized for selling out of the potatoes. 5 Minutes later we see the table next to us get their baked potato's with their dishes. My husband was so mad. Don't lie to people when we love your food. Fries could be better. (We left them). And their vegetables are always soggy and not worth eating. Back to the positive the seafood and steaks are always worth looking over the sides. Not the baked potato, keep doing what you're doing with them. Except stop lying to the customers.

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    Pub 199
    Pub 199 - Fried Calamari

    Fried Calamari

    Pub 199 - Shrimp Cocktail l & T-Bone Steak

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    Shrimp Cocktail l & T-Bone Steak

    The Windlass - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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