Boathouse on the Pier

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Address:
3411 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Neighborhood:
South Shore

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Cuisine:
American

Price: $30 and under

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Boathouse on the Pier Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://tahoebeachretreat.com/dining/the-bistro/
Phone: (530) 600-1846
Hours of Operation:
Lunch: Daily 11:00am-3:00pm
Dinner: Daily 5:00pm-9:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: American
Executive Chef: Mike Quintal
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Beer, Cafe, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wine
Entertainment: Entertainment changes seasonally. Currently, the Boathouse features Wine Not Wednesdays, with live music and wines by the glass at half price, and Sunday Songs with Bloodies and Bubbles.

Getting there

Parking: Private Lot
Parking Details: Complimentary parking is available in front of the Pier, behind the Beach Retreat & Lodge.

A word from Boathouse on the Pier

Boathouse on the Pier is located on the 1,000 ft Pier, right over Lake Tahoe. A part of the Beach Retreat & Lodge, the Boathouse has the views in town and offers lunch, happy hour/cocktails and dinner. Live entertainment and specials each week.

Foodspotting photos

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Diner Reviews

"Yelp reviews pretty much hit this place on the head. Food was good, pricy for the quantity you receive, but again it was delicious. I had the filet mignon and it was cooked exactly how I had ordered it. My boyfriend had the scallops and they too were quite yummy. Unfortunately we went there when it was already dark so we didn't have a view. I'm sure it's a gorgeous view in the day time!"
Dined on 1/25/2014
"We are frequent diners at this restaurant and have really enjoyed it. December 30th we had a wonderful dining experience with our daughter. Unfortunately we went back for happy hour on Saturday after a hike and our experience was not pleasant. We asked to sit at a table as we've done in the past and the gentleman seating customers informed us we would need to sit at the bar. The bar seats have no backs and are not comfortable. We had wine and an appetizer. We would have had more but my back hurt and servers kept running into me at our table. When we left the dining tables were still empty. Great for dinner,but don't go for appetizers (even early) if you want to be comfortable."
Dined on 12/30/2013
"Boathouse on the Pier has the most amazing view in Lake Tahoe. The restaurant sits on the water, on a pier and offers the most beautiful views of the lake. If you can catch the sunset, you are in heaven! The menu is small but perfect. There was a good selection of food for both adults and children. This was the best meal we ate in Lake Tahoe on our recent trip. I am still craving the Lobster Bisque. It was divine! Next time I go to South Lake Tahoe I will definitely return to Boathouse on the Pier. Best restaurant in the area."
Dined on 12/27/2013
"We came here for Christmas and it paid a pretty high fixed price for dinner. First, we've had a reservation at 6:15 and we got our table only at 6:45. Appetizers and entrees were very good, tasty, delicious but when it comes to the desert and coffee it's absolute fail. No latte/cappuccino (regular only) and desserts are very poor."
Dined on 12/24/2013
"Great meal, good entertainment, and great location."
Dined on 11/13/2013
"We got there just in time to see the sun set behind Mt. Tellac. Fantastic!"
Dined on 11/1/2013
"The food was good but somewhat expensive.at is part of the price. Great view I guess that is part of the price. Service was good but it wasn't too busy when we were there."
Dined on 10/24/2013
"We did enjoy our dinner & Austyn, our waitress was excellent. My wife had the Filet Mignon & I had the Espresso Salmon. The Filet should have melted in her mouth, but just tasted like a good steak. The salmon was very good but such a small piece that I didn't get to enjoy it for long. The small dinning room is connected to the bar so any loud patrons applauding the musician was very noticeable during our quiet romantic dinner. The meal was definitely overpriced ($30+ a plate) as they are trying to become a fine dining restaurant but have a ways to go. Nonetheless, we enjoyed ourselves but will look elsewhere next time we're in S. Tahoe."
Dined on 10/27/2013
"Gorgeous setting tucked away with delicious food and dessert. Tuna was delicious as an app and the filet mignon was cooked perfectly. Chocolate cookie with vanilla ice cream was decadent."
Dined on 10/12/2013
"We spend eight to ten weekends a year in Tahoe and I'm always looking for a nice restaurant that's away from the casinos. We've watched 4th of July fireworks from the beach next to the pier for years and I knew the sunset view would be just as advertised. The view was great, but everything else was only acceptable. The prices were high for the portion sizes although the food was pretty decent. There's not much to see once the sun goes down. The clientele was a little too varied for me to consider this a romantic location. Unless you want to eat early, watch the sunset from the beach (or the pier itself), and eat somewhere else."
Dined on 10/5/2013
"Delicious, accommodating, and an unrivaled view - a little on the pricey side, but the food was pretty good. Nothing out-of-this-world memorable, but honest, well prepared, and delicious. The sunset drinks are fantastic, and pretty inexpensive, too. The view is to die for. Definitely recommend."
Dined on 8/12/2013
"We were impressed! We reserved a table for a sunset dinner on our last night in Lake Tahoe. Everyone really enjoyed the food and the location. Beautiful sunset views. The upper outside balcony seating would be very nice for a table of 2, but was too cramped for 4. The waitress couldn't even get between the table and the railing. There was a very cool breeze and some heat lamps or a wind screen on the land-end of the balcony would have helped - we were chilled even with jackets. The inside of the restaurant has a very nice ambiance and would be a great choice as well."
Dined on 8/9/2013
"Perfect restaurant for that romantic sunset dinner. Great food, fantastic service!"
Dined on 8/8/2013
"We visited this sweet little place for a combo celebration - my birthday, our anniversary and my in-laws anniversary. We had the best table in the place and arrived in plenty of time to enjoy the scenery before the perfect sunset! The drinks were wonderful, the food fabulous and the service very good. They even gave us sunglasses as we had not brought any and the moments before the sunset were bright on the water. Highly recommend this place to everyone."
Dined on 8/6/2013
"Poor service, no hostess, brought us worst prime rib ever, waitress squeezed us in while serving drinks at the bar. Sat inside no view. Charged for a salad we didn't get. Just very disappointing."
Dined on 7/31/2013
"Sunsets are spectacular from this venue. The menu was limited, however their is a seafood or beef choice for everyone. Drink menu is well thought out. Service was good. Not the best, but definitely good."
Dined on 8/3/2013
"We were in Tahoe to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We choose the Boathouse for the view and sunset. It lived up to our expectations. We arrived early, had drinks and a couple of appetizers (which were good but small serving size), and enjoyed the view from the bar and enjoyed talking to the staff. The staff was very nice and got us a table outside on the deck. Great view, great weather, we loved every minute of it. Food was not very good. How do you screw up a simple pasta dish? Anyway, while the food is sub par (which seems hard to believe since it is such a limited menu), the ambience is out of this world. We would go there again."
Dined on 7/27/2013
"I made reservations for my anniversary. The photo on the website made it look like a special place with great views. When we got there, we had to ask where the entrance to the restaurant . We went up the stairs to the restaurant and it didn't have a definite place to check in such as a hostess stand. We found someone and told him we had reservations. He put us at a table with no view. I asked about the deck and he replied that people had it reserved. Had I known that I would have reserved the outside deck to have dinner on. Empty tables during our time there. Sitting there for at least 20 minutes I had to ask for a server, so that we could order drinks. Our meals were fair. The "fresh" vegetables were a joke! I'm still married!"
Dined on 7/29/2013
"We went to this restaurant our first night in Lake Tahoe for the view. The reviews for the quality of the food were spotty, but we thought we would take a chance. Anyway, our meal was better than we had anticipated. I had the pear salad with stilton and the seafood special, which was sea bass. Both were very good. They served us hot bread to start, which had been obviously microwaved. However, the flavor was good -- if a little chewy from being nuked."
Dined on 7/27/2013
"Server blamed the new chef for items on the menu not being available. They ran out wine glasses, and they were down to one dessert offering. early in the evening. We had to wait forever for water, and the service was poor for the rest of the evening."
Dined on 7/25/2013
"I choose this place because of the views of Lake Tahoe. The food was ok. i would suspect that most of it is not prepared fresh. A majority of what we god was pre-packaged and assembled. The salad was room temperature and a vinaigrette on a seafood salad doesn't work. I though I would try it but just didn't work. The servers were fair. It was hot and the place was pretty warm inside so I think they might have been a little testy. Being a hot day they were out of Iced Tea. I don't know how that happens since tea bags can be purchased at just across the street at Safeway. I heard several sorry's from the staff to other tables so I guess we are not the only ones who felt like we were paying to much for to little. If you go, go for the view."
Dined on 7/20/2013
"This "neighborhood gem" has been a favorite of ours for dinner since new owners took over. Went there for brunch/lunch for first time over weekend and found daytime staff lacking in courtesy and basic friendliness. Aside from that, food was great, outdoor seating offered first-rate view, being right on the lake. Staff, particularly bartender, could use a refresher course in hospitality."
Dined on 7/21/2013
"We found the food to be rather bland and the service was very slow. The views, however, are exceptional and the live music they had that evening was really enjoyable, albeit a bit loud."
Dined on 7/18/2013
"wonderful place to eat right on the beach, We really enjoyed it and our server Amber was great"
Dined on 7/15/2013
"The food was mediocre and the service was lack luster. The view was great of the lake, but that alone does not make me want to go back."
Dined on 7/14/2013
"Stayed at the hotel next door and made reservations at the Boathouse specifically based on the report of "best sunset view on Lake Tahoe." Took cameras with us to photograph the sunset but were seated inside (even though I requested outside) with no usable view to accomplish our goal. Noise level inside made it nearly impossible to hear across the table. Food was very good when we finally got it. No refills of our drinks for the entire meal. I won't be back."
Dined on 7/13/2013
"Maybe a lunch place but wouldn't reccomend for elegant dining...although they charge you as if you were at the Ritz...sorry not impressed."
Dined on 7/13/2013
"On west side of building, Very sunny, glaring. Upstairs, inside is dark because they have to drop the screens. Patio downstairs and narrow patio upstairs, but again directly in the sun with no way to avert your eyes. The best time to go for dinner is at sunset--8:00 pm in July. The fish was swimming in olive oil, but the prime rib was good. There was nothing on the very short menu for vegetarians unless you stuck to a green salad. The service was friendly and aimed to please. And children were welcome--had their own menu."
Dined on 7/13/2013
"We dined here for our second anniversary of dating. We were staying at the Beach Retreat and Lodge which was the hotel that this restaurant is part of. Its a short walk down the beach and part of the pier to get there and I don't think its accessible by any other way then just walking. For our appetizer we had the calamari and were expecting small rings like you get at most places. You get like 5 rings but they're HUGE they're like giant onion ring size and so yummy and fresh. For our food I had the Bacon Wrapped Filet which was so decadent and the smoothest tenderest bites of beef I was in love with my food lol. My boyfriend had the Chicken Piccata which we both loved as well. The view of the Lake at sunset is gorgeous!!"
Dined on 6/9/2013
"Great views, limited outdoor seating, food okay, service fine if a little cold. Disappointing addition of sharing fee which seemed unnecessary given that we had ordered extensively but just wanted to share dessert."
Dined on 7/10/2013
"Booked based on recent reviews and loved the setting, but the food & service didn't quite live up to expectations. Starters of Calamari and Crab cakes were probably the highlight, main courses included swordfish (the special) which to be fair was delicious, and the prime rib, which was cooked perfectly but was let down by an unseasoned and lumpy mash potato. For desert we ordered the fruit tart which was pretty good, but made by a local bakery (not in house) and took over 20 minutes to arrive (perhaps they went to the bakery to pick it up especially for me!)"
Dined on 7/6/2013
"The Boathouse on the Pier has great Lake and sunset views but the food is mostly a miss. Our calamari appetizer was excellent. We eagerly anticipated our main course of Salmon with a raspberry sauce. It sounded spectacular however someone forgot to tell the chef that the fish should be seasoned. We ended up with was a tasteless Salmon fillet with an odd raspberry compote on top. Our other entree was a bit better but was so tasteless to be forgettable. Cocktails took quite a while but that was understandable as it was the evening of July 4th and the bar was packed. Servers were completely overloaded as they had to work tables upstairs in the restaurant and those down on the pier. Our meal was off the regular menu."
Dined on 7/5/2013
"Everything was fantastic. Was a little disappointed that when we said it was our anniversary they didn't do anything unique or fun. Just something small to make the experience a little different and memorable."
Dined on 7/7/2013
"This place has a great location but in my opinion could use a makeover. It would take very little to warm the place up."
Dined on 6/25/2013
"I would not recommend this place to anyone. Everything was slow and not good at all. Our waiter was one of the laziest waiters I had in a while. We weren't approached with menu when we sat, our drinks were watered down because they sat on the bar while our waiter took his time getting them to us....not a good start at all. After we finally did order our salads came out drenched in dressing, and we waited for 12 minutes for that. Our dinner took another 15 minutes to arrive, one of the dishes was cold, four of them were luke warm, and the sixth wasn't what the waiter claimed it would be.....it was a nightly special and not described on the menu. Do not eat here."
Dined on 6/24/2013
"This restaurant is on the second level of a pier jutting out onto Lake Tahoe. We dined at sunset. So really, it could have been canned beans and who cares, right? But the servers were genial, if not very knowledgeable. Generally speaking, food was good for the resort/tourist audience. Kind of boring food and not for 'foodies.' But a good experience and a spectacular location."
Dined on 6/6/2013
"The view of the lake and beach are very nice. The staff was very friendly. We had lunch and the ahi fish tacos were good. Not over the top, tho. Experience was nice. We both had fish tacos so I can't comment on any other food."
Dined on 6/11/2013
"WE ARRIVED AT 730PM . WE WERE NOT GREETED IN ANY WAY. THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THIS BAR WAS AT LEAST 90-100 DEGREES. THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE BAR-RESTAURANT IVE EVER BEEN IN. WE ASKED FOR AN OUTSIDE TABLE. ALTHOUGH WE HAD THE RESERVATION THEY SAID THEY WILL SEE IF THEY HAVE ONE FOR US.WE COULD CLEARLY SEE AT LEAST 5 TABLES OUTSIDE. WE WERE SEATED OUTSIDE DIRECTLY IN THE SETTING SUN.ONCE THE SUN WENT DOWN IT WAS WAY MORE COMFORTABLE.. I HAVE NO CLUE WHY THIS BAR WAS SO HOT. NO EXPLANATION WAS OFFERED. I MIGHT GO BACK( NOT IN THE SUMMER TIME). TO GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE.TO HOT AND WAY TO EXPENSIVE TO ENJOY .LOWER YOUR PRICES, GET A MAITRE-D TO GREET GUESTS. GET AIR CONDITIONING INSIDE.ROLL UP BLINDS FOR OUTSIDE GUESTS TILL SUNDOWN"
Dined on 6/8/2013
"What a great restaurant. Service was truly outstanding and food excellent! What beautiful sunsets. Lake is just fantastic, especially with the lovely flock of geese along the beach in the evening.... just before sunset. Will go back as often as possible. Wonderful location, with the Beach Retreat and Resort within a very short walking distance along the beach. The prices were very reasonable as well! We stayed at the hotel and had dinner at the Boathouse both evenings!"
Dined on 6/1/2013
"We ate here for our anniversary, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! The sunset over Lake Tahoe was spectacular! The menu was heavy on seafood which was fine with us, though we chose Pumpkin Ravioli. The ravioli was delicious though somewhat pricey($20 for 6 pieces). The warm bread was amazing and the chocolate mousse delightful! This restaurant is casual, and the wait staff quite attentive. Most dishes are in the $20-25 range. . We would highly recommend this restaurant! And did I mention the spectacular view?!"
Dined on 5/30/2013

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