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The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern

4.8
4.8
919 Reviews
$31 to $50
American
Top Tags:

We are currently open for dine-in, take-out, and curbside delivery.
The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern has been changing the dining experience in La Crosse since 2006. By offering supreme product and hospitality, we have become a favorite of locals and a travel destination all in the same. Our menus highlight seasonal American cuisine that includes USDA Prime beef and fresh day-boat seafood. With a focus on the freshest foods of each season, our culinary team allows the ingredients to speak for themselves. Every detail is appreciated in everything we do – enjoy the results of hard work and high standards. Our current menus can be found by visiting www.thewaterfrontlacrosse.com
Thank you for supporting local businesses!

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
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7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Cuisines

    American, Steak, Cocktail Bar

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (608) 782-5400

  • Website

    http://www.thewaterfrontlacrosse.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Brian Plum

  • Catering

    Four unique dining spaces plus outdoor patios offer an elegant backdrop for any event from a private business presentation over lunch, a bustling conference with 300 guests, a wedding, or a relaxing cocktail reception. Your guests will feel at ease with every need artfully met.

  • Private party facilities

    The Cargill RoomThe largest of our event spaces, The Cargill Room is a grand, light-filled ballroom with panoramic views of the river and park. The subtle elegance of the Cargill Room makes it a stunning venue for wedding receptions, conferences and banquets. Dedicated amenities include two private bars, coatrooms, powder rooms, Wi-Fi, customized lighting and projection systems. The Banquet RoomDesigned as a stylish, comfortable venue for 24 to 100 guests, The Banquet Room showcases breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and Riverside Park. Amenities include a private bar, coatroom, powder rooms, private parking lot and complimentary presentation technology.The Private Dining RoomA secluded dining or meeting space for a small group, The Private Dining Room looks out over a spectacular river scene. Adjacent to the restaurant and tavern, it seats up to 16 guests.

  • Location

    328 Front St South La Crosse, WI 54601

  • Neighborhood

    La Crosse

  • Cross street

    Jay Street

  • Parking details

    There is a private parking lot located between the restaurant building and Riverside Park that is free of charge to all Waterfront guests. There are also reserved spots on the first floor in the parking ramp located on the corner of Front Street and Jay Street that are free to restaurant guests.

  • Entertainment

    Local and regional musicians fill the tavern with classic and contemporary music. In the warm season, enjoy our casual entertainment on the patio!

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 919 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Wisconsin

    Best Ambiance

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  1. RD

    RichardD

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We had an appetizer at the Tavern before our reservation at the restaurant. The appetizer was great. The service at both the Tavern and the Waterfront was very good.

  2. k

    keldkb

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Anything you order at Waterfront is incredible, the servers are knowledgeable and have answers to all your menu and restaurant questions when you ask. Whether you stay in the tavern or get seated in the dining room it is service and a meal you will not forget.

  3. SS

    StephenS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food. The chef must be an artist. Service by the waitress was also friendly, attentive and excellent.

  4. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server was magnificent

  5. PS

    ProudSponsorOfMVK

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful night on the patio! Exceptional food and service! The halibut feature was INCREDIBLE! 10/10 recommend!

  6. AD

    ADogg

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic food and service. Lovely view of the Mississippi too. Definitely recommend!

  7. MW

    MelissaW

    New York Area

    22 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on June 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We try to go to this restaurant twice a year when we are in La Crosse Wisconsin. The wait staff is wonderful and attentive, always with a smile. We've never had a bad meal. My husband had the Brazilian and I had We've never had a bad meal. My husband had the Brazino fish and I had a perfect steak. The atmosphere was perfected with the beautiful Sunny day. The location being next to the river makes it perfect. The buttermilk ice cream was was a real treat. Thank you for a perfect night.

  8. SH

    StacieH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing view, wonderful service, great laid back outdoor dining with quality great tasting food!

  9. R

    Robert

    Minneapolis

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We have dined at the Waterfront many times in the past and have always loved it! This last time was excellent except they have taken a few items off of the menu due to staffing problems! We will go back again and hopefully these staffing problems are eliminated.

  10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful on all levels. We brought our guest who was visiting from Ireland and felt that she experienced one of the finer aspects of dining in the US.

  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, great service, great ambience. Somewhat expensive.

  12. RF

    RichF

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Food is some of the best around for fine dining. Cost is on the higher end but worth every penny.

  13. JB

    JohnB

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall3food4service2ambience5

    The view and food was amazing. This was our second time here. We thought the service (hostess and waitress) were unfriendly and indifferent. Sadly it was even worse the second time. Can’t recommend due to the u friendliness and high prices. Thanks

  14. d

    dianes

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was wonderful we definitely will be back!

  15. YM

    YenhM

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a wonderful evening for our first time dining at the Waterfront. My husband had the Osso Bucco and I had the Salmon, both were exceptional! We will return again when we’re in the area!

  16. C

    Colleen

    Milwaukee

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    Nice place to have a couple cocktails . Excellent service and ambiance .We had tenderloin. The meat was of good quality but lacked flavor …. As did the crab and Hollandaise sauce . The asparagus was pretty much raw. For the price that was disappointing. Would not return .

  17. M

    Mermer

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We had an excellent anniversary dinner. Our server was top notch and the food was amazing. I wish we had a seat with a view of the water, but that is literally the only negative I can come up with.

  18. L

    Lor26

    Minneapolis

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We appreciated the window table, as requested. Our server, Brittany, was Outstanding….everything customers would expect, and so much more: She is a fantastic communicator, always glad to answer questions, and consistently went above and beyond last evening. The food is absolute perfection, which made my birthday celebration delightful in all ways. And I loved the fact that they carry my favorite gin, Vikre; the Vikre family in Duluth distills fabulous product, and we were so very amazed and thrilled that the Waterfront Restaurant owners stock it. We enjoyed to the max the rolls and garlic butter, salad and country tomato soup, branzino, Faroe Salmon, and key lime pie. And the ambiance is high class and intimate. Absolutely top-notch restaurant all around, and we’ll be back soon. We highly recommend this fabulous restaurant.

  19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Very kind staff, pretty setting, very good service, meal was a bit cold but perfectly cooked.

  20. MA

    MATTHEWS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic overall experience. Food, service, and ambience was amazing. Was there for a special occasion, and this only added to the wonderful memories.

  21. K

    Katina

    San Diego

    120 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    120 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Our server Patrick was perfect in every way. My husband ordered the ribeye and I ordered the Duck. The steak was wonderful but the Duck was very tough. They were SO gracious about taking it back and brought me a lovely filet instead. All was well!'

  22. BM

    BadgerMom70

    Hawaii

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    I love The Waterfront’s mojitos, and the quality of their apps and entrees is great. However, I have always found the quality of their desserts lacking, which is disappointing because I love desserts!

  23. JK

    JimK

    Milwaukee

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Dining at the Waterfront Restaurant was quite pleasant. The food was very good, and the personal was efficient and thoughtful. For my taste the noise level was excessive. Otherwise it was a great dining choice.

  24. SF

    SchandraFay

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was the most amazing dining experience we have ever had. We went for my birthday and it was well worth it. They even gave me a free dessert even though it was 4 days after my birthday.

  25. g

    gdadffr

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    it was nice! i will definitely be back in the near future

  26. b

    bharri

    Minneapolis

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    This was a wonderfully romantic spot with a beautiful view of the river and amazing food all the way from the escargot, crab, wedge salad, filet mignon and crème brulee. Would 10/10 recommend!

  27. BA

    BillA

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Best dining experience in the area! Beautiful setting on the river, fabulous food and cocktails, and a professional and well-trained staff. The Waterfront is great dining as it should be.

  28. RR

    RollingRing

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server, Dillon, was phenomenal. Gave us good recommendations. We've never had a bad experience at Waterfront. We love going here for special occasions.

  29. RK

    RalphK

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Superb. Everything was the best. The setting on the River is beautiful. The ambiance is elegant without being pretentious. The service anticipates your needs and is attentive, not intrusive. And the food has to be considered in the very top tier of Wisconsin restaurants. If you are in LaCrosse and fail to book a table at the Waterfront, you’ll miss what would have been the highlight of your trip.

  30. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall3food2service4ambience5

    We are used to going to the Waterfront for dinner and lunch. We love it so much we made Easter brunch reservations. We were not aware it was a buffet, so that was disappointing - the food did not resemble the great food we always experience. It was disappointing and very expensive.

  31. PC

    PatC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Thank you for the wonderful Easter Brunch buffet. The food and service was second to none.

  32. AA

    AmandaA

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great Easter brunch!

  33. JF

    JesseF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent meal with out of town guests. Spice rigatoni was outstanding. Steaks, salads and desserts were also excellent.

  34. MS

    MichaelS

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 7, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    We were very appreciative that WF gave us the corner table we requested so that I was spaced away from other tables (i have immune deficency issues. It was the best table in the house!

  35. P

    Pabs55

    San Antonio

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Ambience was great, service was great and the food was even better. Had the 8 oz. fillet and it was cooked perfectly. Enjoyed the oysters on the half shell as well as the Oyster Rockefeller apps. Nice bottle of Alexander Valley Chardonnay from California, too. Pleasant experience.

  36. IF

    IrvF

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great meal with great service! Couldn’t have been better!

  37. JA

    JAMESG

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 30, 2022

    overall3food2service5ambience5

    Our meal suggests a fairly steep post-pandemic drop in the quality of the food. JG

  38. BK

    BikingKona1

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food as always and great service. The Waterfront is always a great choice.

  39. JS

    JenniferS

    Key West

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    All staff at the Waterfront are always friendly, respectful, knowledgeable, and helpful. The food is always impeccable in taste, plating, and variety. And, of course, the view is amazing! The restaurant is cozy and stylishly decorated, the chairs are comfortable, and the ambiance is inviting and quiet! Thanks for great experiences every time, Waterfront!

  40. AB

    AnnB

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We have never had a bad experience at The Waterfront! This was no exception. It was great to reconnect with staff that we have known for years and plan to see again and again, in the future.

FAQs

The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (608) 782-5400.

The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern is rated 4.8 stars by 919 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today
Google Map for The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern

328 Front St South La Crosse, WI 54601

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Jay Street

  • Neighborhood

    La Crosse

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 3:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    American, Steak, Cocktail Bar

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    There is a private parking lot located between the restaurant building and Riverside Park that is free of charge to all Waterfront guests. There are also reserved spots on the first floor in the parking ramp located on the corner of Front Street and Jay Street that are free to restaurant guests.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Brian Plum

  • Entertainment

    Local and regional musicians fill the tavern with classic and contemporary music. In the warm season, enjoy our casual entertainment on the patio!

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.thewaterfrontlacrosse.com/

  • Phone number

    (608) 782-5400

  • Catering

    Four unique dining spaces plus outdoor patios offer an elegant backdrop for any event from a private business presentation over lunch, a bustling conference with 300 guests, a wedding, or a relaxing cocktail reception. Your guests will feel at ease with every need artfully met.

  • Private party facilities

    The Cargill RoomThe largest of our event spaces, The Cargill Room is a grand, light-filled ballroom with panoramic views of the river and park. The subtle elegance of the Cargill Room makes it a stunning venue for wedding receptions, conferences and banquets. Dedicated amenities include two private bars, coatrooms, powder rooms, Wi-Fi, customized lighting and projection systems. The Banquet RoomDesigned as a stylish, comfortable venue for 24 to 100 guests, The Banquet Room showcases breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and Riverside Park. Amenities include a private bar, coatroom, powder rooms, private parking lot and complimentary presentation technology.The Private Dining RoomA secluded dining or meeting space for a small group, The Private Dining Room looks out over a spectacular river scene. Adjacent to the restaurant and tavern, it seats up to 16 guests.

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