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  4. Northern Michigan
  5. Traverse City
Boathouse Restaurant, Traverse City, MI

Boathouse Restaurant

4.9
4.9
1737 Reviews
$50 and over
European
The cuisine of the Boathouse, created with distinctive flair is refined and contemporary, with an underlying element that echoes the classical French tradition of Escoffier.

The Boathouse experience begins with a drive along the shores of beautiful West Grand Traverse Bay and its sparkling blue waters.

When you dine with us, you get the best of both worlds: We are both locavores and connoisseurs of what the rest of the world has to offer, so you get the freshest, finest ingredients from near and far. Owner Doug Kosch adheres to the "farm to table" concept.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 11 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    European
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (231) 223-4030
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Executive chef
    Samuel Plamondon
  • Neighborhood
    Traverse City
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,737 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Food

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Service

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Ambiance

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Value

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Healthy

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Great for fine wines

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Romantic

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Good for special occasions

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Most Booked

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Food

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Service

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Ambiance

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Value

  • Northern Michigan

    Healthy

  • Northern Michigan

    Great for fine wines

  • Northern Michigan

    Romantic

  • Northern Michigan

    Good for special occasions

  • Northern Michigan

    Most Booked

1,737 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great restaurant! Great ambiance! We will be back soon!

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Boathouse in Bowers Harbor, MI is phenomenal ! It is pricey but absolutely the best filet my husband and I have ever had. Our waitress Mary was very attentive but not hovering.

    Is this helpful?

  3. MegM

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Boathouse was wonderful as always! It’s our favorite place to eat.

    Is this helpful?

  4. RobH

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, great food! Surf and Turf for 2 was AMAZING!!!

    Is this helpful?

  5. GMoney

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great experience at The Boathouse! Outstanding food and service every time!

    Is this helpful?

  6. LisaC

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Completed exceeded our expectations! Food was amazing. Server’s recommendations were exceptional. Can’t wait to go back.

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    Northern MI

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The Boathouse is my favorite restaurant in Michigan. The Chateaubriand dinner for two is the best steak I’ve ever had.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a lovely evening at the Boathouse. The atmosphere is perfect and the food was spectacular!

    Is this helpful?

  9. oldocfoster

    Indiana

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We came for Date Night special menu. Great options. Excellent service- friendly and attentive. Wonderful food, cooked to order. Sunset over the West Bay was beautiful.

    Is this helpful?

  10. MelissaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful and attentive servers, excellent fine dining with an amazing wine list as well as new non-alcoholic cocktails. Everything was made to perfection and we had a lovely evening.

    Is this helpful?

  11. Greg

    New York Area

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Good and service are always excellent. A must stop for us whenever we are in Traverse City.

    Is this helpful?

  12. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love this restaurant! Second time here and will definitely be coming back

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience4
    Thus is our third time at Boathouse. The first two times were perfect experiences. We’ve referred many to this place. Tonight it was good on many levels except my wife’s entree, the $95 Chef’s Shaver Wagyu Cut. She gave me a small bit and it was terrible - mostly gristle. I didn’t say anything as I figured it was an unusual sample. Driving home I asked if she liked the Wagyu entree. She said it was nearly all gristle. I told her of my one bite, and figured it was an odd sample. I asked why she didn’t say anything? She replied that she didn’t want to make a fuss, that the chef must have known what kind of meat he was serving and and it was our last time dining there. Serving staff was attentive. Other food was good to very good. But a terrible cut like that for such an expensive, featured entree is totally unacceptable.

    Is this helpful?

  14. CariO

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a reservation for the dining room, but when we arrived, we chose a cozy bar table. This allowed us to order from bar and/or dinner menu. We loved this option and that the Boathouse let us make the last minute change, as that left an open dining room table at the last minute. We drive over from Grayling, so it’s not ideal to take our chances that the bar seating would be available. The food and service were exceptional, as always.

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food here is exceptional as always. The service is also excellent. I booked a reservation weeks in advance for my wife’s birthday requesting the corner table overlooking the water. I don’t think the staff read these requests. They just put us in the back. Otherwise, excellent dinner and we enjoyed ourselves. Thank you.

    Is this helpful?

  16. OpenTable Diner

    Grand Rapids

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We always enjoy visiting the Boathouse when we are in the Traverse City area. The food is spectacular, always presented and prepared to perfection. Portions are a nice size. The waiters and waitresses are very knowledgeable and professional. Food always comes out very timely and is perfect temp. This place never disappoints. Love the great choices they have on the menu every time we visit.

    Is this helpful?

  17. DawnC

    Detroit

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall3food4service5ambience3
    For this high level of a restaurant the service was good. The value is poor. Entrees are overpriced. Our dessert to go was inadequate and small.

    Is this helpful?

  18. RussK

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Kathleen our server was outstanding! True professional.

    Is this helpful?

  19. JohnR

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellence service, delicious food & beautiful view. Had the elk special & New Zealand venison, both were excellent. Enjoyed the tempura asparagus & squash soup as appetizers.

    Is this helpful?

  20. MichelleB

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful anniversary dinner at the boat house. We had a beautiful view, an amazing steak and lobster dinner. Our service was impeccable highly recommend we will be back again.

    Is this helpful?

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our reservation on Open Table got us a window table with a million dollar view on a Saturday. This was our first visit and everything was great. The oysters, soup and salad started off a great meal. The wagu demonico was amazing and plenty for 2 to share. 2 thumbs up

    1 person found this helpful

  22. DEWLLW

    Northern MI

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was great! Some of the best food that we have eaten.

    1 person found this helpful

  23. Eloise

    Northern MI

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The mushroom soup was phenomenal! And service was attentive but respectful of our conversation.

    Is this helpful?

  24. FrankH

    Grand Rapids

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was the BEST part of our 20th Anniversary weekend in Traverse City. The food was unbelievable and the service outstanding (thanks Darrius). We shall come back one day... thanks to all for a great experience.

    Is this helpful?

  25. BretS

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, service and ambience with beautiful views of Bowers Harbor! Perfect for a special dinner out.

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and drinks. It’s not cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for. We will be back for sure!

    Is this helpful?

  27. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was amazing as always and Kathleen was awesome!

    Is this helpful?

  28. OpenTable Diner

    Northern MI

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful venue. Exquisite food and service. Unfortunately we were seated next to a large party that was very loud and boisterous. It was difficult for us to hear our guest’s conversation across the table. For an anniversary celebration, we were a little disappointed by that but would still return next year we’re up there.

    Is this helpful?

  29. StanD

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A perfect meal at a perfect location, Tim was amazing

    Is this helpful?

  30. SuzanneL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fabulous as always, Surf and turf was amazing and Tim was a great waiter

    Is this helpful?

  31. Gypsy2022

    New Mexico

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very enjoyable..at the bar..lovely quiet dinner..morell soup delectable..asparagus..just as rated..all gone..thank you

    Is this helpful?

  32. Renee

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Boathouse is a wonderful place to dine for a special occasion. The service is top notch and the food is delicious! It is quite pricey, but it is worth the money when you are looking to celebrate or treat yourself.

    Is this helpful?

  33. RosalieG

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 18, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    The food was very expensive and really not that great.

    Is this helpful?

  34. KarenH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service! Surf and turf for two was amazing!

    Is this helpful?

  35. Gypsy2022

    New Mexico

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The service was delightful the ambience was extremely lovely the view was magnificent the food was delicious the kitchen was definitely off lots of issues with the food coming out but when the food came out absolutely magnificent and the waitress Mary handled it all beautifully

    Is this helpful?

  36. SandyB

    Detroit

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Ben was amazing. He was knowledgeable of all our question, about the different sauces and substituting vegetables. He was very prompt with everything. I will most definitely come back and visit again.

    Is this helpful?

  37. Annette

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A wonderful fine dining experience! Every course that we ordered was delicious. From the oysters, to the grilled octopus, to the wagyu. Our server described everything perfectly, gave us the best suggestions and helped with gluten free options. She made our entire (very rare) date experience so enjoyable! We even ordered dessert!! We have been here a couple of times and will return again!

    Is this helpful?

  38. Lane

    Detroit

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fine dining in a relaxing atmosphere. Stellar service. Exactly what we were looking for!

    Is this helpful?

  39. OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Oh, my goodness! it was our anniversary, and it was an unforgettable experience!

    Is this helpful?

  40. BenjaminD

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We first dined at the Boathouse to celebrate our wedding day last year, and it was such an incredible experience that we decided to return there again when we recently celebrated our first anniversary. It was divine! My wife ordered the Lake Michigan Walleye, which was superb. I had the American Wagyu Manhattan Strip, which was one of the best meals I have ever had in my 57 years. It was accompanied by pan-fried potatoes with a rosemary duck-fat reduction (YUM!), haricots verts, broccolini, and fried/lightly-breaded LEEK rings. I highly recommend the Boathouse, especially for special occasions, because it such amazing gastronomical experience, but book well in advance because it is always filled to capacity.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Boathouse Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (231) 223-4030.

Boathouse Restaurant is rated 4.9 stars by 1737 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 11 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Boathouse Restaurant

14039 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Traverse City
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    European
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Samuel Plamondon
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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