I really enjoyed the restaurant. Using an online tool for ordering was a bit awkward but I guess you get used to it. My steak was not very good. It was overcooked and not much flavor

The restaurant was very noisy. The food very good. Was served quickly but not the waiter who initially greeted us. Saw him as we were leaving. Everything is online. You order and pay via an app on your smart phone. Then different people bring you your orders.
BE AWARE they charge you 20% service fee and then ask for an additional tip on your bill. BUT here is the kicker- you also pay a 13% state and city tax on the 20% service fee. I do not feel this if fair.
I tip based on service and normally it is 20%. In this case I was forced to pay 20% and the server never brought any food to me. Probably will never go back there.

The atmosphere was good, food was mediocre. Corn and Jalapeño hush puppies were good, but that was the only item that really made an impression. Outdoor dining on the river at sunset was beautiful atmosphere.

We have been to The Boathouse on several occasions, and have always enjoyed our experience. However, they have a new “ordering system” that essentially makes the waiter unnecessary. With exception to explaining the ordering system to us, we rarely even saw the waiter. Runners bring your drinks, food, you order everything online, as well as pay. The site was fairly user friendly, but for a nicer restaurant, I didn’t expect to have to stay on my phone for periods of time trying to enter all this information for the table. I’m really unclear what the waiters role is at this restaurant? In addition to this, there is also a 20% service fee added to everyone’s bill so they can pay their staff a higher wage. The fee was described not as a tip, which made you feel as if you should tip as well. Why not just raise your prices 20% to cover your overhead? Felt doing it this way is misleading. Overall the food was pretty good. Steaks were good but the sides were underwhelming. We were planning to bring company here soon, but I’m just not sure it’s worth it anymore. Location is great, but kind of disappointed.

We always enjoy the Boathouse. Ironically, the new online ordering system is a hoot! With three couples, it was a challenge to order drinks, appetizers, main course, etc., in sync, but also lots of fun. There were always nearby servers to answer questions, and they went to great lengths to make sure our gift cards were accepted on the system. The calamari was fantastic. My tomato salad was AWESOME!! And the grilled salmon was delicious. Great food; fantastic view; attentive staff!

They're scan and order app was terrible. one dinner came out early we had to wait for a beer for 30 mins . When we informed our server she said she'd cancel it out . And within the next 5 mins 2 different servers brought out the beer and we had to return it. Had to explain again to our server that they showed on the bill and she didn't cancel it . When I asked if this was new ordering technique for the restaurant and said sometimes new technology needs to work out the kinks. She snapped back that its been in use for a year and all the problems we experienced was completely our fault . And to boot they automatically add 20% tip. Needless to say no one from out dinner party will be returning.

View is amazing and good excellent

One of our Richmond faves! We make a point to come here every time we're in town

Disappointed that after my family assisted my 91 year old mother with her walker up the two flights of steps (broken elevator), no one offered her a complimentary drink or…anything to acknowledge the tough climb she endured. Even a sympathetic apology would ha e been nice.
Then, the main lunch for my husband arrived…the rest of ours followed about 10 minutes later. No explanation, it was all ordered together. The absent waiter would show up to take a single used plate off the table, leaving the rest of the dirty dishes…happened 3 times and became a joke amongst the group.
The person who brought the remaining dishes called out the California Omelette so my mother took it and started eating. Turned out it was my cousin’s ham and cheese omelette so the waitstaff got it wrong at the pound delivery.
No one said goodbye, thank you, come again, etc when we left… very impersonal.
Food and decor very good, service and built in 20% service fee for the poor service was not so good.

Mikaela was our waitress and the attitude wasn’t necessary I don’t appreciate being told I need to pay 20% when the service was subpar. I don’t like not having the option to order from a menu when I have done so in the past year!

When arrived plates were dirty on the table. When I received my food it was not hot and my biscuit was hard with my crab Benedict, home fries didn’t come out with the meal. My fruit plate had cantaloupe with the had the rhines still partially on it it was green…in fact most of the cuts of cantaloupe were mostly rhines…for what you pay there I was very disappointed

Food was pretty good. I think the 20% set gratuity charge with an additional tip request in ridiculous and should be stated upfront.

Food and service outstanding. Valerie was so patient helping us navigate the order and pay system (which I don’t find useful). Noise level I would classify as annoying, not “energetic. “. Several large groups near us were overly loud. You need more baffles. Love to bring out of town guests for the food and the views.

Wife and I went there last Friday night. We were visiting Richmond as we are from Chicago. Terrible terrible experience!!!! No menus as everything has to be ordered through your phone. You have to put your charge card # in before you can order anything. The wait person handles many tables so you have a very hard time getting their attention. They have "food runners" that bring your food out to you when it is ready. Felt like the drive through at McDonalds!!! Overall the food was a disappointment. Appetizers were good but everything else was very bland including their "famous" crabcakes. Additionally when you sit down there is a sign on the table that tells you all checks will be assessed a 20% service charge which acts as the tip. Manager came over and apologized and explained all of this was due to Covid and shortage of help....
We told him we were very disappointed that they did not post on their website that this was not traditional dining but much more like fast food dining. Bill was not cheap either over $200.00 with tip!! Will not go back. Do not recommend.....

Larry M. Chicago

I had to send back COLD bread 2 times before it came hot the third time. Then had cold calamari. I asked for a glass of ice for my water and waiter brought me a paper cup of ice. Really??? I’m not at McDonalds can I please get my ice in a glass. Terrible experience all the way around!

My wife and I went here to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We had not been to the Boathouse since the rise of COVID so the experience was different due to the fact that the interaction between us and the server was almost none existent. The only real interaction we had was how to log into their Toast system to order and pay and with the waitress that brought us our wine. It was odd to say the least. What the Boathouse has kept is the romantically unique ambiance, delicious food, and one of a kind hometown Richmond experience. Truly a beautiful way to celebrate the best year of our lives!!

The QR code ordering is a mess. Everyone is glued to their phone trying to get their orders in rather than socializing and enjoying the meal and view. All the food and drinks came out at different times. We would have ordered more food and drinks but after dealing with the first round nobody wanted to have to pull their phones out again so we left. Nobody was bussing our table. We had to flag staff down and ask them to clear dishes. We were charged a 20% service fee for what? Carrying plates out from the kitchen. On top of that their elevator is broken. Nobody told us even though we had a reservation for weeks. We found out when we arrived so my 81 year old father and another elderly man using a walker had to be helped up and down the stairs. I won’t be back unless they go back to being a full service restaurant.

We gathered last night to celebrate my husband's birthday. I've been to other Boat House locations - however this was my first visit to Rockett's Landing. The staff was very pleasant and helpful. They even alerted us to the elevator being out of service ahead of our arrival. I'm definitely looking forward to my next visit!

Love the ambiance and service. But, I was shocked to see how poorly the apple cobbler was made. Felt like ice cream with apple sauce. Food quality generally has really dropped. Food came cold too.

We enjoyed the food and view at The Boathouse. We sat outside and it was a beautiful evening. We do not like the system of service here. It is very impersonal and lacks the very reason one goes out for dinner. We are from out of town and my husband and I enjoy taking with the wait staff at restaurants and asking for suggestions. The only thing your staff wants to do is to refer us back to the phone.
This might be temporary due to Covid but paying 20% for service and then seeing an opportunity for tipping at the end is a slap in the face to your diners. People enjoy tipping good staff but this whole policy of tipping before receiving service is absurd.

Well first, we had to pay $5 per person to reserve an outdoor table. This doesn’t get applied as a credit towards your bill if you do arrive on time for your table. It’s just a flat non-refundable charge.

Next we had to deal with an online ordering system. Meaning no wait person takes your order in spite of a required 20% gratuity.

A Corona beer came without a lime. Who has a Corona without a lime?

Then no crackers were brought with a chowder, no spoons available with coffee (we got a fork instead). So think carefully before coming.

food not that special. kind of dried out oysters were soggy wine was good

overall ok but mostly just because of its location over the river

The staff was amazing and very friendly.

Will continue to come here, great people and great food.

The online ordering doesn’t seem fitting for the upscale vibes and prices. Service wasn’t great but the server was friendly when she did come around. I think only twice. Never got our water refilled. Food is delicious.

Everything was wonderful ! Looking forward to going back...

Great food and venue. My reason for 3* service is that you literally order everything yourself online.

Our experience was great! The restaurant accommodated us outdoors which was awesome as the weather was beautiful and we were able to observe the beautiful sunset on the river!
Our server, Lesly, was also great! This was my daughter's birthday event and she made it extra special by helping us with a cake that we brought.

The most important is that everyone was happy and had a great time!!! can't ask for more from a restaurant!

Ample parking. Helpful waitress. Efficient wait staff. Delicious food.

Everything was mostly great except no butter was provided for my biscuit and apparently the button to call Ben, our waiter, did not work because we finished our meal before seeing him again!

Beautiful view of the James River and the amenities of Rocketts Landing. Great food and cocktail options and everything was fantastic.

Two egg Benedict dishes had the eggs overcooked and had to be sent back. The steak and egg dish included biscuit and gravy which was dry and had little flavor. All breakfast dishes had biscuits which were dry. So 3 out of 5 dishes were not properly prepared. We ordered a second French Press coffee and they didn’t bring the milk and had to wait quite a while to get the milk while coffee was getting cold. Ordering system is probably good for the restaurant but not customer friendly. Have visited 3 Boathouse locations during the last year so I’m familiar with the system, and I hate it every time, especially when children and non-tech savvy people are part of the group. This time I had printed a menu and we had all decided what to order before arriving. Not every diner wants to enter their phone number to place their own order. I hate it every time. I have only returned because other people have wanted to go.

Just ok. Food was fine but nothing was very hot by the time it came to our table. I assume the ordering system was due to covid but stupid system. The waiter came to our table so why can't they just take our order with all our comments/requests rather than our having to stare at our phones and put our order in and try to time the arrival - i don't want to be an expeditor. Location was nice but don't think I will be going back

Wow! Just read the recent reviews. We had brunch there 2 weeks ago and glad it was before this new policy of $5/person for the privilege to dine on the balcony. This is a classy restaurant, but sadly it's now dividing people into classes.

Food was good but it felt like a diner, with all booths, loud, and ordering from your phone with minimal attention from staff. Not enjoyable dining. Would not return.

Beautiful outdoor dining experience under covered porch with beautiful views of downtown Richmond.

Excellent seafood and attentive wait staff. Xavier was great!😊