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    Black Duck Cafe

    3.2 (333 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Burgers, American
    Open 11:30 am - 12:30 AM (Next day)

    Order Black Duck Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Black Duck Cafe Photos

    BLACK DUCK CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Black Duck Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Clam chowder
    John M.

    Nationally recognized Dive Bar serving good pub food and great music. A comfortable spot if you can get over the slight tilt of the structure over the Saugatuck River. A survivor of many storms it caused a local furor when it threatened to close after one of the last ones. Good service, eclectic and lively crowd, and always a good time!

    Nice outside seating
    Nelia F.

    I went here for my birthday this year and first the location was great and the service was superb. The food was also really good and the ambience was chill vibes. I wish I would have taken more pictures of the food.

    Shrimp PoBoy without tomatoes and a nice cold draft.

    FYI- don't lets the look and lopsided building fool you. Been here many times from burgers to there heavy meals. Always above average fresh food. Prices are perfect for what they offer. Service has always been a 10/10.

    Louise F.

    Let me start by saying I visited the Black Duck for lunch on President's day. The restaurant was crowded but there was an empty table or two and you could tell people at a couple of other tables were getting ready to leave. Having said that ..... given the lack of attention which seemed to drag on far too long had we not drove 45 minutes we would have left. We clearly saw waiters/waitresses, bus boy and a not very busy bartender during our arrival who ignored us. I got tired of waiting and flagged the bus boy to ask if we could be seated? He quickly cleaned up a table to sit us. From the time we sat the pace was significantly picked up. A waiter took our drink order and delivered them quickly while we waited again to order food. From that point our appetizer came in a timely matter and then our main entrees. Our table was by the door where we had a full view of people entering the restaurant and getting the same treatment we did before someone acknowledged them. Our main meals were very good, hearty portions and reasonably priced. While the Quahogs had diced up clam, the breading was tasteless. Would not order those again. The warm CT lobster roll was delicious, drenched in butter and lots of lobster meat for $22. Can't beat that. I added a salad for I think another $4 instead of fries and it was a nice size salad. My husband had the fish & chips cooked perfectly (2 pieces) with a nice tartar sauce and fries. The fries weren't good, a bit limp and greasy so they went uneaten. Given the food was delivered quickly it seems the issues where with the front of the house and not the back. Guy Fieri from the Food Network visited a long time ago and highlighted this restaurant on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It certainly is a dive which I'm guessing is part of its charm. The have onsite parking which was packed when we arrived. We parked in an adjacent lot which said it was permit parking but not on weekends. While it wasn't a weekend, it was a holiday, so we hoped it applied and threw caution to the wind and park. Happily, no ticket when we returned to our car. Not sure where you park when their lot is full as I didn't see any street parking in the immediately area?

    New England Clam Chowder
    Rick F.

    I brought my 95 year old mom who had a walker. I didn't see any handicap entrance but Mom made it up the steps just fine. The food was great. The calamari was the best I've ever had. Service was very friendly. We sat outside on their deck. Would have liked it better if it wasn't enclosed, but it works well in all seasons.

    Clam chowder

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    7 years ago

    Basic bar menu, quirky little place. Cool waiter. Omg the mozzarella sticks we're amazing! Seriously the best I've ever had!

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    7 years ago

    The food was super greasy and crazy expensive. The food is definitely not worth the high prices. We will not be returning

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    The Bridge at Saugatuck

    The Bridge at Saugatuck

    3.7
    (20 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    My friend recommended The Bridge at Saugatuck because I wanted to take my other friend out for her…read morebirthday. It was easy to make a reservation for Saturday night at 8:45pm. There was street parking when we got there but they also have valet and some self parking in the back. As we walked in, the ladies at the host stand were so warm and inviting. They were also the cutest ever. They encouraged us to sit out on the patio versus the bar so we headed upstairs. Our waitress came over with menus and it went downhill from there. She was so inattentive that we had to ask the other waiter for things we needed. He was engaging, checked on us and we even chatted about his Jordanian heritage and my trip there back in December. Our actual waitress, however, checked on the table next to us 6 times (yes I counted) in between her checking on us. Even when I ordered a mocktail, I guess they didn't have the one I wanted so she brought me an entirely different drink without asking me. Then got upset when I didn't want it. The absolute audacity. As far as the food, we got the crab cake, lamb, whipped mashed potatoes and the bread. The food was good but the bread took it to another level. It should have been complimentary though but that's neither here nor there. Overall, loved the experience but wish we had another waitress. She didn't even acknowledge my friend's birthday. Sigh.

    The food at The Bridge was delicious…read more The Tuna Tartare was fresh and tasty, the avocado was very well made as well. My steak was cooked perfectly. Melt in your mouth and so flavorful. The ambiance is very nice, elevated feel to the restaurant. We sat in the upstairs portion of the restaurant. This area they packed with tables very close to each other and was very loud. Other than that, I'd definitely dine here again!

    Photos
    The Bridge at Saugatuck
    La Bella Farm Duck Breast stir fry asian vegetables, ruby red plum sauce
    La Bella Farm Duck Breast stir fry asian vegetables, ruby red plum sauce
    Heirloom badger flame beets salad with whipped goat cheese, charred almonds, sherry vinaigrette

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    Heirloom badger flame beets salad with whipped goat cheese, charred almonds, sherry vinaigrette
    Rizzuto's Oyster Bar & Restaurant

    Rizzuto's Oyster Bar & Restaurant

    3.5
    (267 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I have experienced this place is several capacities: happy hours, holiday party's, and dinners…read more First and foremost, I really appreciate the service there. Staff is very friendly, pleasant and accommodating. Rizzutos is one of the few places (3 in my area) around Connecticut that does igloos for the winter and then canopy tents in the summer! This is great if you're looking for that added privacy and special touch to your dining experience. The inside is also lovely as you'll be able to dine by a wonderful fireplace that definitely feels amazing during these cold northeast winters. One recent addition that I think is amazing and what brought me in this last time is their seasonal four-course menus! For like $30 you get a four course meal! Such a great price for the experience. The portions are samplings so not TOO large portions but with the amount of courses you will get comfortably full.

    The host and service were very slow. We walked in and waited over five minutes, before walking up…read moreto the bar, and asked if someone was going to come seat us. We had a 1pm reservation on Sunday. We requested to sit outside in one of the tents. The area was not clean and I asked if they could come and sweep it. It was ignored! There was food, and napkins, and all other kinds of stuff on the ground underneath the table, including french fries with ants, crawling all over them. The service was very slow. We actually thought that we were being ignored and I was ready to go inside to see whether or not they were going to take our order. I ordered the crabcake brunch, which was actually smaller than the crabcake appetizer that someone else ordered. The portion was small, compared to the price. The food was OK. The service was slow, and I was disappointed that they were not a little more concerned about the cleanliness and atmosphere outside. I have been coming here for years, and it was always a Special place to visit, but not so much anymore. If there was a manager present; they should have been more concerned about presentation and cleanliness. What a shame!!

    Photos
    Rizzuto's Oyster Bar & Restaurant
    Warm  lobster roll on toasted butter brioche roll with drawn butter and yummy slaw.
    Warm lobster roll on toasted butter brioche roll with drawn butter and yummy slaw.
    Rizzuto's Oyster Bar & Restaurant

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    The Boathouse at Saugatuck

    The Boathouse at Saugatuck

    4.0
    (150 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$

    We had a scheduled post graduation dinner after my daughter's graduation from SHU (Sacred Heart…read moreUniversity), and we really had a great experience. My ex-wife, friend, and daughter's mother had pre-arranged the event, but they held up their end of the deal. The location really has the a wonderful ambiance (at least for our purposes). The chef, kitchen, wait and bar staff were great-highly accommodating., If we had anything negative to say, it would be that they ran out of many of the most popular desserts by the time we were read, but what they were able to offer was excellent. Highly recommend-especially for a large party event.

    I ordered a whole roasted chicken, which is not on the menu. Instead, I ordered some other food,…read moreincluding eggs, bacon, sausage, and the fish of the day. Oh, and a glass of soda pop. The service was excellent. They explained that the menu I was ordering from was from another restaurant. Admittedly, it was. We all had a good laugh and the wait staff apologized profusely, saying they had no idea how that other restaurant's menu was handed to me. We had an even heartier laugh when I told them I brought it. Let me say this about the ambiance. It's just a fun place to be. The sights and the sounds are marvelous. The wonderfully potent and ever present odor of fish reminds me of the Fulton fish market on a humid, blazing hot summer day in New York City. To the people of the Boathouse, god bless. Your establishment is truly a place to Live, Laugh, Love!!!'

    Photos
    The Boathouse at Saugatuck
    Black bean soup
    Black bean soup
    The Boathouse at Saugatuck

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    Black Duck Cafe - bars - Updated July 2026

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