Rick's Cafe Boatyard

Name: Rick's Cafe Boatyard
Address: 4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN, United States, 46254
Telephone: (317) 290-9300 ext. 1
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.6

4.6

6409 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Top Tags:

Rick's Cafe Boatyard is a waterfront restaurant offering its guests a panoramic view of Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis. Rick's offers ample but intimate seating both inside and out; as well as an extensive menu of fresh hand prepared meals offered daily. Rick's Cafe Boatyard offers it's guests lunch, dinner and a complete banquet facility. Their guests dine inside a beautiful, wide-open, high-ceiling dining room, or outside with a breathtaking view of the water.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 77 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Seafood, Steak, American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
Phone number
(317) 290-9300 ext. 1
Website
https://www.ricksboatyard.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46254
Neighborhood
Pike Township
Cross street
38th Street
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

45 Indiana Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Popular dishes

What 6,409 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Indiana
Great for outdoor dining
Indiana
Great for scenic views
Indiana
Seafood
Indiana
Most Booked
Indianapolis
Great for outdoor dining
Indianapolis
Great for scenic views
Indianapolis
Seafood
Indianapolis
Most Booked

6,409 Reviews

R
Rocky
Indiana
14 reviews
vip
3.0
14 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall3food2service2ambience4
Rick's is a great place to go to watch a beautiful sunset outdoors, and maybe for the $30 bottles of wine. However, if you are wanting a great meal you need to go elsewhere. Rick's food is consistently meh, like plastic-wrapped-cheese-slices-melted-over-various-dishes, canned-broccoli-cheddar-soup-with-a-few-broccoli-sprigs-thrown-in, frozen-food-heated-up, grocery-store-bought-rotisserie-chicken-in-appetizers type of food. If you are foodie, limit your visit to drinks and go elsewhere for dinner. Service is okay, but definitely not great. After our appetizer was served we asked a server (not ours) for utensils and never received them. Finally when our server was walking by (we had to stop him), we asked for utensils and they came. For the question if I'd recommend Rick's... only yes for the sunset and $30 bottles of wine.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everytime my family and I visit we have immaculate service. Each time we visit we request Adrianna as our server and she delivers each and every time. She never ceases to amaze and she is definitely the reason we always return. If I could give 10 stars I would. Keep up the great work.
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DW
DawnaW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious. It was out first time to eat there. Had wonderful staff.
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D
Dgbhagat
Chicago
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food and service. Highly recommend it. Service was prompt and the food menu has excellent options.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food4service5ambience5
All the dinners that were ordered we’re delicious except for the value of the enhancement where you can add King Crab legs & 30 on to an entree. The 3 extremely small crab legs & a claw was not worth the $30 extra! Very disappointed In this up charge price for what few legs I got.
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AM
AMPR
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food4service3ambience5
Nice place. Front staff was nice but our particular server could have cared less that we were there.
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M
Masaharu
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food3service4ambience3
I am Japanese. View is very good location. But I want little bit more sushi. Haha Thank you.
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c
crona
Indiana
27 reviews
4.0
27 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food4service5ambience4
Food and service was good. Outdoor seating could have been better considering there were plenty of open tables with better view and not so close to service area.
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LL
LouiseL
Cincinnati
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
It was all great but very loud in the area where we were, hard to talk and hear each other
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
2 reviews
vip
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall4food3service5ambience5
Lovely weather and great waitress. Disappointed that the kitchen won’t allow substitutions to their steak nachos . Was very odd that they wouldn’t do it. Food was okay, but you really go to Ricks for the view and the evincing was perfect for that
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CS
CSalmon
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time dining at Rick’s! Great place with great views of water side dining! Food was delicious and the cocktails were tasty! If you are eating outside, bring a jacket. Great service as they are very attentive to your needs! It was a bit pricey, but we were celebrating our anniversary. Go experience, as this place is a must!
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S
Steve
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service4ambience4
Great overall experience, and food was fabulous. Not a perfect 10 as Table staff could’ve been more attentive clearing dishes and providing drink refills, as it wasn’t all that busy. The “to go” refill was totally forgotten and we just finally left.
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KQ
KarenQ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was wonderful and our waitress was very efficient and nice. We can’t wait to return for more of the delicious short ribs!
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H
Hallcfi
Grand Rapids
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful restaurant inside, FANTASTIC view outside, FABULOUS food, TOP NOTCH service...and the Key Lime Pie...to die for! What more could you want? Oh, and it's right next to the airport, so from northern Indiana to Rick's and back, with dinner in 4 hours, a PERFECT evening!!!!
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JW
JudeW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
great service, beautiful environment, fun times, great food, wonderful ambiance.
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CT
CheriT
Indiana
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
I ordered the grilled tenderloin. A little dry for my taste. But, the outdoor patio and service was excellent.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We met some friends for brunch and it was a great time service was friendly and our food was timely.
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SB
ShelbyB
Indiana
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
When we’re in Indy meeting friends, we always choose Rick’s!
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SE
SueEllen
Indiana
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Rick's never fails! Not every restaurant handles large groups well, but Rick's was terrific with our group of 11.
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T
Tootie
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I have grown up in INDY and have always loved eating and drinking at Ricks Cafe Boatyard. This last visit did not disappoint. The service, food and atmosphere was off the chart. We had family in from the West Coast this past weekend, and they wanted to go to the famous Ricks Cafe Boatyard. Ricks never lets me down.
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KM
KelliM
Indiana
4 reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall3food5service1ambience5
Our server was terrible. He did not bus anything from our table. Did not make eye contact with anyone at the table. Didn’t get any water refills. Had to ask for silverware. One of our parties orders didn’t come out with the rest of the food. No one knew about it until I called a manager over. It was just not a great service experience and this server shouldn’t be a server.
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JT
JanetT
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
Loved being out on the patio, only problem we had was no silverware for our table of six, the food was served and it was 5 minutes til we got silverware
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 23, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience2
Way way way too loud for what it is, and the staff are stretched way too thin to keep up with all the tables they have to juggle
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TW
TimW
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall3food3service3ambience4
The view is outstanding but if you sit outside you cannot hear people at your table making it hard to visit. Sandwiches are overpriced for what you get. Sever was friendly but hard to hear because of the noise. Pork chops were outstanding as well as the fries.
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JU
JohnU
Indiana
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service were outstanding on a very busy night. The place was packed and the ambiance wonderful. Our server, Kerrigan, ensured our satisfaction with exemplary attention.
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D
Donn
Indiana
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall4food3service3ambience5
love this spot, and always enjoy coming. Food was good, not great and server was new and very average. Needs a few days more of shadowing. But overall, one of my faves.
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TE
TreyE
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had dinner on the deck with a stunning view of the reservoir and sunset. Greatly appreciated not feeling rushed after dinner so we could talk and enjoy the setting. Great service!
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KJ
KJay
Indiana
21 reviews
vip
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on September 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Outside table overlooking Eagle creek reservoir met my rez request. Grilled Chix salad & sandwich, mushroom risotto, cheeseburger & crabmeat ricotta pizza enjoyed by us (6 diners). Service very good. We will return again.
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JR
JohnR
Indiana
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
A great evening sitting on the deck enjoying great food and a beautiful sunset. Terrific service too!
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j
jimr
Indiana
87 reviews
vip
4.0
87 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
We almost quit going to Rick's because food quality was not good. The food has comeback but not all the way. I would like to see more fresh fish and really miss the grouper rubin.
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SL
SteveL
Indiana
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 20, 2023
overall2food2service4ambience2
I have been coming to Rick’s off and on from shortly after they first opened. Came there for work events upstairs long ago, for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, and just for a nice evening with someone or a few. Never for the bar, but for late lunch or dinner. This time is the first time in about a year to meet someone for dinner. I was happy with the staff greeting us and the server was good, but the rest was a disappointment. They seated us where I had requested from my reservation, but things have changed, and not for the better of the customer from my perspective. Sitting next to the rail, looking west, there is now a area for group events right below. There was a event going on, and we could look down and see everything, which is a terrible distraction and loud. There needs to be at least a canvas owning that goes out and blocks this unsightly view and dampens the noise as much as possible. Part of what ruined our evening. Our server was nice, polite, and efficient to a point. Being in the restaurant business for a number of years long ago, I learned a lot, which Rick’s right now needs to improve on; how often to check on each customer, asking if everything is okay, just checking, how is the food, and foremost, making sure the food doesn’t take far longer than it should, which happened to us, waiting and waiting and waiting! Finally when the food did arrive, one dinner a chicken salad was good, but my dinner a salmon salad, was a disgrace to even be presented. I had salmon salads before, and always got large solid pieces of whole salmon, with a nice portion of lettuce and the rest. This time the salmon salad was a disgrace to even be served! The salmon was more like it was but in a mixer, all shedded just like you can get a can of salmon at the store, and there were so many beans it was more like a bean salad. The chef or should I say a cook that doesn’t care and wants to go home, should not be working there. I should not have even paid for it!
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KS
KeithS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very nice setting to enjoy our meal. Food was delicious and served timely. Our server was excellent. She was very attentive, and friendly. Our first time eating at Rick's. Will definitely return to enjoy again.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food, great service, and beautiful scenery!!
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 18, 2023
overall3food5service2ambience4
Ricks cafe is on of my favorite place to dine. The food is always outstanding. The service we have today wasn’t good at all. That was the reason I gave 3 points.
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SB
SheriB
Indiana
6 reviews
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall3food5service1ambience5
Rick's Boatyard is one of my favorite Restaurants, so we eat there frequently. But, our Server this time (Dave) was either confused or distracted & made our dining experience quite unpleasant! 😕 First, when he approached our table, he never made eye contact. He just introduced himself in a dry manner & never smiled. That was ok. We simply ordered our Drinks, along with Water & Lemon for the 4 of us. He returned with 4 Waters & a small cup with 3 slices of Lemons. Again, that was ok. Things became a little frustrating, though, when it took him (literally) 40 minutes to return with my Wine & my other Guests' Sodas! In addition to that, he then offered to take my Guests' order for appetitizers, but abruptly walked away before taking my order. I was stunned. We tried to wave him down, but couldn't get his attention in time. He came back a little later to ask my Guests if they were enjoying their appetitizer, without even acknowledging me or my Husband. That's when she motioned in my direction & said that I'd wanted to order a Shrimp Cocktail too. Dave just nodded, didn't even look at me & left. I was livid!! I went outside to calm myself down, but wrote my Dinner order on a paper napkin should he come back while I was gone. In the meantime, I was told that he'd returned, plopped a cup of coffee where I'd been seated so hard that it spilled slightly. My Husband explained that I hadn't ordered coffee. He seemed confused, then remembered that it was supposed to have gone to a Patron a couple of tables over. My Husband & Guests cleaned up the spilled coffee themselves. At this point, my Husband had had enough! We'd invited our 2 Guests (his co-workers) all the way up from Edinburgh specifically because we'd bragged about Rick's Boatyard so often to them. And, he he totally embarrassed!! That's when he went to the front, requested to speak to the Manager & asked for another Server to replace Dave. We realize that this was an isolated incident.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I had a great time. Love the food and my server was very polite and nice. I will be booking another date.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Indiana
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on September 17, 2023
overall2food1service5ambience5
Ate from the brunch menu and the food was very disappointing to say the least.
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TW
TrishW
Indiana
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 15, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience3
We regularly enjoy our experiences at Rick's. Our server needed more training and sharper attention skills. The Friday night movie soundtrack was WAY TOO LOUD for people who were not there to see the film. We realize that every establishment needs to try new things - and we enjoy most of them. We did not enjoy having the last part of our dinner conversation drowned out by the movie soundtrack.
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DZ
DarleneZ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very pleasant experience. We were celebrating a birth announcement of a family member. Cheers!
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CB
CarolB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful attention to our party from start to finish
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FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Rick's Cafe Boatyard using the Order Online button. Rick's Cafe Boatyard also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (317) 290-9300 ext. 1.

Rick's Cafe Boatyard is rated 4.6 stars by 6409 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Oct 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 77 times today

Order delivery or takeout

4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46254

Additional information

Cross street
38th Street
Neighborhood
Pike Township
Hours of operation
Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm
Cuisines
Seafood, Steak, American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.ricksboatyard.com/
Phone number
(317) 290-9300 ext. 1

Featured in

45 Indiana Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Rick's Cafe Boatyard

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

45 Indiana Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Popular dishes

Crab Cake Dinner

Key Lime Pie

Grilled Chix

Menu

What 6,409 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

FAQs

Does Rick's Cafe Boatyard offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Rick's Cafe Boatyard restaurant rated?

Is Rick's Cafe Boatyard currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

45 Indiana Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day