Cancel

Open app

Search

Waterway Cafe

3.5 (966 reviews)
Open • 12:00 am - 9:30 pm
Updated 1 week ago

Waitlist - Waterway Cafe

Live Current wait: 15 - 25 mins

Waterway Cafe Reservations

Waterway Cafe Photos

Business Info

WATERWAY CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Waterway Cafe

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

Brian W.

We were greeted warmly and promptly seated out in the covered eating area on the channel. Our server Christopher came over quickly with water and menus. He was very helpful as this was our first time. Offered suggestions, his favorites and described any item we had questions about. He came back with our beers and did a simultaneous double pour into our glasses! Never seen that before, well done Christopher! We got the blackened mahi sammich with sweet potato fries and the pistachio encrusted tile dinner. My oh my was everything delicious! Then we got the triple decker sponge cake with buttercream icing. It was very good and we wanted something different than key lime or cheesecake. The channel was busy with boats and there was a constant breeze. Absolutely a beautiful afternoon out there. Well executed everyone!

Cuban sandwich and fries.
Patty W.

It has been many years since the first time I went and the restaurant has been completely renovated. It's beautiful and resides with a water view on the outdoor patio. We were seated right away during lunch without a reservation and it was busy. The menu looked very good and I went for the Cuban sandwich and fries. It was delicious and plentiful! If I wasn't so full, I would had an appetizer to share. Our waiter was friendly and he made sure we were happy with everything. There were other staff members that were helping one another and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. Maybe happy hour next time? We shall see.

Lump Crab Cobb Salad
Tish P.

Came here with my team and sat outside by the bridge, which gave us a front-row view when it went up. That bridge is so damn infuriating when you're trying to get somewhere . Drives me insane but it was cool to see up close. The view itself is nice outside. This was my first visit to Waterway Cafe since it reopened, and overall it lived up to a little of the hype: solid food, scenic waterfront seating, and a relaxed, casual atmosphere. I had an Arnold Palmer, and we started the table off with the Fuji apple brie pizza. Pleasantly surprised by how good that was--definitely a strong starter and one I'd recommend. For my entrée, I ordered the jumbo lump crab salad. It was delicious, the crab was plentiful, and clearly the star of the dish. My only critique is that the tomatoes were cut way too large, which threw off the balance a bit. I finished with the vanilla bean crème brûlée. It was fine--nothing bad, just nothing memorable. Came with some fresh berries in the side. Service was okay, pretty standard. Not bad, not standout. Parking was easy for weekday lunch, and the lot is fairly large, though I've driven by before when it's been completely packed, so timing probably matters. Overall, it's a nice spot; food was better than expected, service was decent, and the location does most of the heavy lifting. A solid choice, particularly when you catch it at the right time.

Maple Glazed Antarctic Salmon
W Keith B.

Booked an inside table at 5:15pm on a Wednesday to celebrate a birthday. The renovation is spectacular; roomy open air dining room with water views of the ICW. Our server was new to the area and job. She was on point and very helpful to make our selections. We started with apps consisting of crab, spinach and artichoke dip. Entrees were maple glazed Antarctic salmon and lobster & shrimp stir fry. All servings were good portion and very flavorful. The stir fry had a bit too much soy sauce for my tasting. Dessert was finished with Key Lime Pie. Very good experience. Recommend getting there during "social hour menu" to enjoy a more reasonable cost. HIGHLY recommend

Dirty Martini
Cara M.

This place has been renovated and is incredibly beautiful while still being casual dining. Sitting outside is your best bet. There are two bars outside as well as fire pits. When you walk in, no one is sitting inside on a nice day. It's a gorgeous place to eat at night. The staff is very friendly but very busy. The reason for one star isn't because of the food, ambience or staff. It's rather that the staff was so busy that three times I had to preen my neck to look for our water and I had to get up and find a children's menu myself at an empty hostess desk. Don't let this deter you though the food is delicious. The fish is fresh. The drinks are made well. The kids menu is fantastic and not as basic as most places. I can't wait to come back here!

Lisa C.

I'm a huge fan of the renovated Waterway Cafe. The place is beautiful and the food is a million times better. It's more upscale so the increased cost reflects this. Andy at the bar took care of us tonight and he did great job. They offer HH from 3-6 (I think only M-F) and the menu features a few dinner size options. We ordered the maple Atlantic salmon which is paired with asparagus and mashed potatoes. Although, they'll allow you to swap sides so I ordered green beans in lieu of the mashed. This was my second time ordering this dish and the quality was consistent. Finally, the restaurant and ladies restroom were both clean. Parking is still a challenge, but luckily they offer valet. Overall, I'm a fan and find it to be an improvement.

Stephanie B.

I came here for a lunch meeting with a vendor and we sat outside which was nice since the weather was great that day! We enjoyed the sun while sipping on our drinks and we got the smoked fish dip which was simply delicious! I got the fresh catch of the day blackened and ate every single bite. The staff was friendly and our waitress made sure to refill my drinks. It was alo easy to find parking and we were sat down immediately. I will say the renovations made this place beautiful but the prices are a bit high and so it makes this place a more higher end restaurant so beware.

Reception
Audrey L.

This afternoon we met another couple for a delightful lunch here. The parking lot was full at 1 pm so we valet the car which is gratis. It seems we weren't the only ones interested in eating here. It was a magnificent day and what better way to enjoy than to eat outside on the porch overlooking the waterway with all the boats and yachts passing by. The ambiance is very special. Cory was our waiter. He was very pleasant and proficient. We all chose entrees which were fresh and flavorful. I had grilled grouper over a voluminous beet and goat cheese salad. Paul had pasta over scallops and shrimp. The tuna wrap came with fries and David enjoyed it. Donna also had a grilled grouper with mashed potatoes and string beans. Honestly we didn't want to leave and we were allowed to stay a while longer to enjoy the views and weather. This is such a great place when in the area.

Mahi Mahi Tacos on left / Salad with Mahi-Mahi on right
Michael O.

In review of the overall score, I find it hard to believe this has been rated below 4 stars. My personal opinion based on the food, service & ambience I experienced this is 4.5 stars. From the Valet to closing of the check, this is a place if you are in the Gardens area you need to come experience. I had the Mahi Mahi Tacos & my wife had the fresh catch (Mahi-Mahi) over a lovely constructed salad with ample amounts of greens, tomatoes, peppers, onions, blue cheese crumbles, olives...., both entrees were excellent! Cool place with high end ambience on the water, need I say more. Check it out, you'll have a great time!

Old fashioned.
Dave C.

Great service. Great decor and views . Food was nicely presented too. Would gladly come back again when in town.

View from our table.
Susan B.

Upscale waterfront dining with nice indoor and outdoor seating We enjoyed one of the lunch specials- lobster and shrimp taco salad and the gumbo. Great flavor and nice amount of seafood. Attentive service and bonus points for alerting us to the 20% gratuity that was included in the bill.

See all

Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the waterfront ambiance, attentive service, and flavorful seafood dishes. Cocktails are also popular.

Read the full review summary in the app

15 days ago

Love their food. Service is always grat and can't complain about the ambiance and location.

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

20 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Great review! We sent you a private message, so check your inbox!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Tish P.
1304
861
5445

10 months ago

Helpful 8
Thanks 4
Love this 3
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 days ago

This place service is fabulous,food is great and the scenery looking right out on be water us so peaceful

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Pasha W.
137
24
0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Michael O.
0
245
274

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Dave C.
6
164
33

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Thank you so much, Kathleen!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Kim S.
17
5
0

2 months ago

All went well. Good food and drinks. Atmosphere was great. Drinks great. Service perfect. I'm

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 2
Photo of E M.
0
251
276

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 26
Thanks 3
Love this 21
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Incredible service, outstanding food, lovely ambiance ! Definitely a great place for any occasion!

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Great review! We sent you a private message, so check your inbox!

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Ash K.
678
96
49

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

23 days ago

Food was great, sat in the covered patio that was wonderful and Sasha from Russia was adorable and very attentive!!!!!

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Marc M.

Marc M.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 25

Waterway Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Waterway Cafe

Is there a dress code or recommended attire?

Smart casual. Walking shorts are okay. Gym shorts will make you feel under dressed.

Happy hour at Waterway Cafe?

There is no happy hour but call to see if they do one in the summer.

Do you guys do bottomless mimosas for brunch?

The only thing that is bottomless will be your wallet after you pay the bill!

Is the restaurant able to accommodate special diets with advanced notice (i.e. Vegan, gluten free)?

There are not very many GFCF (gluten free dairy free) choices at this location

View All 5 Questions

You might also consider

Seminole Reef Grill - SUSHI ROLLS

Seminole Reef Grill

4.1(208 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$$

Honestly, from the service to the menu to the presentation of the food, everything at Seminole Reef…read moreGrill was a notch above. Starting off, they've got plenty of parking in their lot, which is really nice. In fact, while I was waiting for my dining partner to park after he dropped me off, a couple pulled up in a Rolls Royce and two Seminole Reef employees popped out to remove a reserved sign for them. Was it the owner or just a VIP? I'll never know, but that was great service lol. The menu is vast. I actually had a hard time choosing because there are so many amazing options. They've got 15+ sushi rolls (use real crab and not kani- if you ever saw the process of how they make imitation crab, you would never eat it again), a very robust appetizer section, an equally robust sushi appetizer section, and then the entrées. I went with the crab cake appetizer which I feel was a great value ($30) with a side of steamed spinach. Our server offered steamed spinach, creamed spinach, or sautéed veggies to make it more of a meal, and combined with those three mini crab cakes , i was very satisfied. I feel like the days of overstuffing and overindulging have come to an end, and this appetizer hit the spot and did not disrupt my sleep because it was too much food. My dining partner ordered the sashimi appetizer, which arrived beautifully on a huge ice style presentation with orchids. It was a lot of food for $35. He also got the fried oysters, which he orders every time he's there. He said they were a little small and heavy on the batter, but he ate them all nonetheless lol. One of the standouts of the night was our server, Colleen. She was friendly, familiar, warm, attentive, and so personable, and I'll tell you it had a huge impact on the experience. With the boom of new restaurants in the area, the warmth of the staff, the friendliness of the servers, and that family type feel still stand out to me. I would have loved to sit at the bar too. It had a really cool scene. It was a Friday night with a nice crowd, an attractive, upscale after work group, and great people watching. But then again, I wouldn't have been served by Colleen! Lastly, my dining partner, went home with a large slice of their famous carrot cake, which I hear was off the menu for a hot minute and is now back, so all you carrot cake fanatics can enjoy! I can't wait to go back!

I really liked this place. Reservations are recommended on a Friday or Saturday for sure. We were…read morethere on a Thursday night and it was busy, but we were sat right away. I ordered the Tuna Poke bowl as I continue my quest for the best Tuna Poke in the area. I gave it a 10 out of 10! Absolutely loved this bowl! Plenty of sushi grade tuna along with a perfect combination of supporting ingredients. I honestly don't know how it could be improved. They have a big bar area that looked very nice. Certainly looks like a great spot for happy hour or just meeting up with friends. The dining area is not crowded and the noise level was moderate. This one is on the list for a return.

Photos
Seminole Reef Grill - Inside bar view

Inside bar view

Seminole Reef Grill - BEET SALAD

BEET SALAD

Seminole Reef Grill - Raw oysters

See all

Raw oysters

Voodoo Bayou - Gator Tail

Voodoo Bayou

4.3(1k reviews)
1.7 mi
•$$
Happy hour specials
Kitchen open late

One of the best dining experiences I have had. Coming from Atlanta we have a ton of great Cajun…read moreoptions but this really impressed. Everything from the ambiance to the food and even the service was phenomenal. Great dining room area with both an outdoor and indoor bar. We sat with the bartender AB that immediately greeted us with waters and their menu. They are currently running a pick 2 for $15.99 menu that has some pretty great options. We had 2 meals & chose the wings, blackened shrimp po boy with the small gumbo's. Wings were super crispy, juicy, and tender. With a nice light Smokey taste. They buffalo and blue cheese sauce was actually pretty impressive. The po boy had a good amount of shrimp to bread ratio, with a nice sauce included. The gumbo had a deep rich flavor, but was not overly heavy with fatty meats. We were also informed of the happy hour oyster special, so we ended up getting a few of the rockerfella and raw. The rockerfella was amazing with melty cheese, a nice garlic flavor, & served with crispy bread slices. The raw came with crackers, lemon, wine vinegar, and a tasty cocktail sauce. Both were delicious. Marco, the manager came and spoke with us about our experience which really showed the attention to detail this restaurant offers. After sharing our story of visiting New Orleans a few years ago and bragging about the beignets, he brought us 2 out to finish our meal. I have to say, these were better than the ones I've had at cafe beignet in NOLA. They were HOT out the fryer to the point where the powdered sugar was slightly melted. Crisp outside dough but gooey soft in the center. A unreal experience to end a fantastic meal. I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone. Luckily my sister lives 5 mins from this place but I would easily drive a hour or 2 when visiting from out of town just for this experience. Marco and AB really went above and beyond to make sure this was a special outing on a regular ole' Monday, and we could not have left happier.

Decent place with cool happy hour options. I love the theme of the restaurant…read more Fast friendly service at the bar. I ordered their smoked wings, gator tail bites, deviled eggs and beignets. The wings were just okay - it didn't have enough flavor. The gator bites were okay - it could be better if it was crispier and had more flavor. The deviled eggs were not bad - huge portions. I saved the best for last - the beignets. The best beignets I've had in Florida and it was close to Cafe du Monde's beignets in Louisiana. It was light, airy and puffy. I could have easily had 2-3 orders of it. The place overall is not bad, I enjoyed the ambiance but I would come back to try other items they have to offer.

Photos
Voodoo Bayou - Love the vibe in this place

Love the vibe in this place

Voodoo Bayou - Weekday lunch specials

Weekday lunch specials

Voodoo Bayou - This drink is old fashioned which everyone loves to order.

See all

This drink is old fashioned which everyone loves to order.

The River House - Don't skip the Key-lime pie

The River House

3.7(626 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$$

Came to River House to celebrate my cousin's birthday and had a great experience. We had a…read morereservation for four and were seated right on time at a beautiful outdoor table overlooking the water. The service was friendly, the food came out quickly, and the staff surprised her with a complimentary birthday dessert, which was a very nice touch. The outdoor tiki bar overlooking the Intracoastal is also worth checking out. Great atmosphere, great service, and a perfect spot for a celebration. We'll definitely be back!

Stopped by The River House during happy hour and sat at the bar for a few drinks and appetizers…read more Overall, it was a decent experience with a great atmosphere and beautiful views of the water. The deviled eggs were really good, although the bacon was a little overpowering. I also tried the crispy shrimp appetizer, but the portion was quite small. The happy hour pricing was reasonable, though I think the food could have been a little better. I ended up getting pretty full from the appetizers, so I didn't get a chance to try any of the entrées. I did really enjoy the setting, the water views were beautiful, and they also have an outdoor bar area with TVs, which would be a great spot to hang out. Overall, a nice place for drinks, happy hour, and the atmosphere. I'd definitely come back again to try more items from the menu.

Photos
The River House - Outdoor seating

Outdoor seating

The River House - Ribeye bathed in hotel d' maitre butter and as a side a baked potato.

Ribeye bathed in hotel d' maitre butter and as a side a baked potato.

The River House - Chicken Milanese  With champagne beurre blanc, served with Fettuccine Alfredo.

See all

Chicken Milanese With champagne beurre blanc, served with Fettuccine Alfredo.

Waterway Cafe - seafood - Updated October 2026

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