The Best Waterfront Dining in Upstate New York

Upstate New York is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, and it’s no surprise that its waterfront dining scene is just as impressive. From lakeside restaurants offering local seafood to riverside eateries serving up farm-fresh fare, there are plenty of amazing dining experiences to be had. Whether you’re looking for a cozy dinner for two or a large gathering with friends, here are 12 of the best waterfront dining experiences Upstate New York has to offer.

1. The Boathouse, Lake George

The Boathouse in Lake George is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two. The restaurant overlooks the lake and offers a wide selection of seafood, steaks, and burgers. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the menu features local specialties such as lake trout, mussels, and clams. The Boathouse also offers outdoor seating for when the weather is nice.

In addition to dinner, The Boathouse is also the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch. Diners can enjoy dishes like huevos rancheros, french toast, and omelets while taking in the stunning views of Lake George. The restaurant also has a full bar, making it the perfect spot for a casual happy hour.

For those looking for a more unique dining experience, The Boathouse also offers sunset cruises. Guests can enjoy a 3-course dinner while taking in the gorgeous views of the lake. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a romantic evening in Upstate New York.

2. The River Grill, Catskills

The River Grill in the Catskills is the perfect spot for a large gathering with friends. The restaurant overlooks the gorgeous Esopus Creek, and the outdoor patio is the perfect spot for soaking up the stunning views. The menu features classic American dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. Dishes like cedar plank salmon, roasted chicken, and pork chops are all cooked to perfection, and the restaurant also offers a wide selection of craft beers and wines.

The River Grill also offers a unique dining experience with its riverside fire pit. Guests can enjoy s’mores and hot toddies while taking in the views of the Esopus Creek. It’s the perfect spot for a cozy gathering with friends.

The River Grill is also a great spot for an outdoor wedding or special event. The restaurant offers a large private deck overlooking the creek, and guests can enjoy the stunning views while sipping on craft cocktails and indulging in delicious food.

3. The Inn at Erlowest, Lake George

The Inn at Erlowest in Lake George is the perfect spot for a romantic night out. The restaurant overlooks the lake and offers a wide selection of American dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. Dishes like pan-seared scallops and pan-roasted duck breast are cooked to perfection, and the restaurant also has an extensive wine list.

In addition to dinner, The Inn at Erlowest also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside patio. Guests can enjoy a leisurely brunch or romantic dinner while taking in the beautiful views of Lake George. The restaurant also offers a full bar, making it the perfect spot for a casual happy hour.

For those looking for a more adventurous dining experience, The Inn at Erlowest also offers private boat cruises. Guests can enjoy a 3-course dinner while cruising around the lake. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a romantic evening in Upstate New York.

4. The Barn at Glenburnie, Saratoga Lake

The Barn at Glenburnie is the perfect spot for a cozy dinner for two. The restaurant overlooks the gorgeous Saratoga Lake and offers a wide selection of seafood, steaks, and burgers. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the menu features local specialties such as lake trout, mussels, and clams. The Barn also offers outdoor seating for when the weather is nice.

In addition to dinner, The Barn at Glenburnie is also the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch. Diners can enjoy dishes like huevos rancheros, french toast, and omelets while taking in the stunning views of Saratoga Lake. The restaurant also has a full bar, making it the perfect spot for a casual happy hour.

For those looking for a more unique dining experience, The Barn at Glenburnie also offers sunset cruises. Guests can enjoy a 3-course dinner while taking in the gorgeous views of the lake. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a romantic evening in Upstate New York.

5. The Waterfront Crab Shack, Canandaigua Lake

The Waterfront Crab Shack in Canandaigua Lake is the perfect spot for a large gathering with friends. The restaurant overlooks the gorgeous lake and the outdoor patio is the perfect spot for soaking up the stunning views. The menu features classic American dishes with an emphasis on seafood, including crab cakes, fried clams, and lobster rolls. The Waterfront Crab Shack also offers a wide selection of craft beers and wines.

The Waterfront Crab Shack also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside fire pit. Guests can enjoy s’mores and hot toddies while taking in the views of Canandaigua Lake. It’s the perfect spot for a cozy gathering with friends.

The Waterfront Crab Shack is also a great spot for an outdoor wedding or special event. The restaurant offers a large private deck overlooking the lake, and guests can enjoy the stunning views while sipping on craft cocktails and indulging in delicious seafood.

6. The Canandaigua Inn on the Lake, Canandaigua

The Canandaigua Inn on the Lake is the perfect spot for a romantic night out. The restaurant overlooks the lake and offers a wide selection of American dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. Dishes like pan-seared scallops and pan-roasted duck breast are cooked to perfection, and the restaurant also has an extensive wine list.

In addition to dinner, The Canandaigua Inn on the Lake also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside patio. Guests can enjoy a leisurely brunch or romantic dinner while taking in the beautiful views of Canandaigua Lake. The restaurant also offers a full bar, making it the perfect spot for a casual happy hour.

For those looking for a more adventurous dining experience, The Canandaigua Inn on the Lake also offers private boat cruises. Guests can enjoy a 3-course dinner while cruising around the lake. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a romantic evening in Upstate New York.

7. The Red Dock, Finger Lakes

The Red Dock in the Finger Lakes region is the perfect spot for a large gathering with friends. The restaurant overlooks the gorgeous Seneca Lake and the outdoor patio is the perfect spot for soaking up the stunning views. The menu features classic American dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. Dishes like cedar plank salmon, roasted chicken, and pork chops are all cooked to perfection, and the restaurant also offers a wide selection of craft beers and wines.

The Red Dock also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside fire pit. Guests can enjoy s’mores and hot toddies while taking in the views of Seneca Lake. It’s the perfect spot for a cozy gathering with friends.

The Red Dock is also a great spot for an outdoor wedding or special event. The restaurant offers a large private deck overlooking the lake, and guests can enjoy the stunning views while sipping on craft cocktails and indulging in delicious food.

8. The Copper Oar, Skaneateles

The Copper Oar in Skaneateles is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two. The restaurant overlooks the lake and offers a wide selection of seafood, steaks, and burgers. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the menu features local specialties such as lake trout, mussels, and clams. The Copper Oar also offers outdoor seating for when the weather is nice.

In addition to dinner, The Copper Oar is also the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch. Diners can enjoy dishes like huevos rancheros, french toast, and omelets while taking in the stunning views of Skaneateles Lake. The restaurant also has a full bar, making it the perfect spot for a casual happy hour.

For those looking for a more unique dining experience, The Copper Oar also offers sunset cruises. Guests can enjoy a 3-course dinner while taking in the gorgeous views of the lake. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a romantic evening in Upstate New York.

9. The Boathouse Pub, Lake Placid

The Boathouse Pub in Lake Placid is the perfect spot for a large gathering with friends. The restaurant overlooks the gorgeous Mirror Lake and the outdoor patio is the perfect spot for soaking up the stunning views. The menu features classic American dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. Dishes like cedar plank salmon, roasted chicken, and pork chops are all cooked to perfection, and the restaurant also offers a wide selection of craft beers and wines.

The Boathouse Pub also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside fire pit. Guests can enjoy s’mores and hot toddies while taking in the views of Mirror Lake. It’s the perfect spot for a cozy gathering with friends.

The Boathouse Pub is also a great spot for an outdoor wedding or special event. The restaurant offers a large private deck overlooking the lake, and guests can enjoy the stunning views while sipping on craft cocktails and indulging in delicious food.

10. The Boathouse at Lake Desolation, Saratoga

The Boathouse at Lake Desolation in Saratoga is the perfect spot for a romantic night out. The restaurant overlooks the lake and offers a wide selection of American dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. Dishes like pan-seared scallops and pan-roasted duck breast are cooked to perfection, and the restaurant also has an extensive wine list.

In addition to dinner, The Boathouse at Lake Desolation also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside patio. Guests can enjoy a leisurely brunch or romantic dinner while taking in the beautiful views of Lake Desolation. The restaurant also offers a full bar, making it the perfect spot for a casual happy hour.

For those looking for a more adventurous dining experience, The Boathouse at Lake Desolation also offers private boat cruises. Guests can enjoy a 3-course dinner while cruising around the lake. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a romantic evening in Upstate New York.

11. The Pier Restaurant, Lake Ontario

The Pier Restaurant in Lake Ontario is the perfect spot for a large gathering with friends. The restaurant overlooks the gorgeous lake and the outdoor patio is the perfect spot for soaking up the stunning views. The menu features classic American dishes with an emphasis on seafood, including crab cakes, fried clams, and lobster rolls. The Pier Restaurant also offers a wide selection of craft beers and wines.

The Pier Restaurant also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside fire pit. Guests can enjoy s’mores and hot toddies while taking in the views of Lake Ontario. It’s the perfect spot for a cozy gathering with friends.

The Pier Restaurant is also a great spot for an outdoor wedding or special event. The restaurant offers a large private deck overlooking the lake, and guests can enjoy the stunning views while sipping on craft cocktails and indulging in delicious seafood.

12. The Inn at Silver Lake, Adirondacks

The Inn at Silver Lake in the Adirondacks is the perfect spot for a romantic night out. The restaurant overlooks the lake and offers a wide selection of American dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. Dishes like pan-seared scallops and pan-roasted duck breast are cooked to perfection, and the restaurant also has an extensive wine list.

In addition to dinner, The Inn at Silver Lake also offers a unique dining experience with its lakeside patio. Guests can enjoy a leisurely brunch or romantic dinner while taking in the beautiful views of Silver Lake. The restaurant also offers a full bar, making it the perfect spot for a casual happy hour.

For those looking for a more adventurous dining experience, The Inn at Silver Lake also offers private boat cruises. Guests can enjoy a 3-course dinner while cruising around the lake. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy a romantic evening in Upstate New York.

Summary

Upstate New York boasts an incredible waterfront dining scene, and there are plenty of amazing spots to enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the stunning views of the area’s lakes and rivers. From cozy lakeside restaurants to riverside eateries to private boat cruises, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner for two or a large gathering with friends, these 12 restaurants offer some of the best waterfront dining experiences Upstate New York has to offer.