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The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern, La Crosse, WI

The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern

4.6 (1251)
$31 to $50
American
328 Front St South, La Crosse, WI 54601

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 14 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
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 certified angus 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!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (608) 782-5400
  • Website
    http://www.thewaterfrontlacrosse.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Jordan Freit
  • 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

Menu

At present, we do not have menu information for this restaurant. Please see their website or wait to visit the restaurant to learn more.

What 1,251 people are saying

The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Wisconsin

    Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern offers an "amazing view" and a memorable dining experience. Known for "high quality and deliciously prepared" food, it excels in service. Guests rave about its "top notch" steaks and "outstanding" mussels. While some menu diversity concerns exist, the restaurant remains a "great place for any special occasion."
1,251 Reviews

  1. Lisa

    Wisconsin3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    My cocktail was delicious., a raspbery lemon vodka martini. Our waitress was swamped so we had more than one person wait on us. The food was also delicious. A must-see restaurant to visit when you are in the area. The view of the Mississippi added to the upscale atmosphere.

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  2. Kevin Cavanagh

    San Francisco Bay Area16 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Waterfront aspires to be a great restaurant but due to multiple miscues in service they miss the mark.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Parker

    Wisconsin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for our anniversary. Amazing food, amazing service, with an amazing view!! Even got a nice dessert treat at the end.

    Is this helpful?

  4. William

    Las Vegas9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely wonderful meal. Steaks were sooooo delicious! Service was top notch. Oysters were so fresh. Will definitely be back the next time we are in town.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Kathy

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love going to the waterfront. Every year, we celebrate our anniversary there. The food was wonderful. The atmosphere is amazing. The quality of the food is exceptional. The prices went up quite a bit from last year ,as much as I love the restaurant we may need to start eating in the tavern to get the tavern, prices and menu options

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  6. Leah

    Wisconsin5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    We absolutely love dinner service and expected that lunch would have the same level of service and quality food. It was not. While our waiter was very nice, they seemed like they may have been new and didn't take the menu seriously? This was a stark contrast to the dinner we had later at Lovechild where everything runs like a well oiled machine. I asked about the burger and if it was a smash type burger...I was told yes. That was not the case. The burger was definitely pre-formed patties and not a smash at all. They could have at least been hand formed patties. Preformed makes me think it was low quality tube meat or frozen patties. I also expected that the fries would have been a better quality as well and not frozen fries. It was disappointing. Culvers makes a better burger. That said, my husband loved his steak sandwich, but was less than impressed that the chips seemed to be out of a bag. We will be back, the bartender and drinks were amazing as usual...but we will not be back for lunch.

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  7. David

    Wisconsin2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing experience. It's a great place to have dinner if in La Crosse

    Is this helpful?

  8. Laura

    Minneapolis - St. Paul3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Waterfront never disappoints. The food is high quality and deliciously prepared and the service is outstanding. The view of the water is so lovely especially during sunset. Highly recommend!

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  9. Jeff

    Wisconsin8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service and food. Always consistent and excellent. Sat outside on patio which was very comfortable. Mother’s Day was excellent with the special Buffet.

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  10. cosmo

    Chicago / Illinois39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is a very nice restaurant with delicious food and great service.

    Is this helpful?

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 4.6 stars by 1251 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Wisconsin
  4. La Crosse
  5. La Crosse

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Booked 14 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
    Mon–Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • 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
    Jordan Freit
  • 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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