Some folks don't care for this type of traditional restaurant but the food is outstanding. Group of 6 started with oysters Rockefeller with lots of well poured drinks. Wide variety on the menu and my filet was superb--I could cut it with a fork. Hubbys linguini was fabulous. This is one of the only restaurants in the northern suburbs that has LIVE music and dancing (not Bella Cain) for the mature spenders. Lovely evening! read more

The world is changing, but not at dover straits. I mean that in the best possible way. I used to eat there in the late 70's. We just moved back into the area.i was very pleased to see they haven't changed. Outstanding food, no young waiters that don't write down your order, or talk so fast you can't understand them. Professional wait staff, wow what a pleasure to see again , a very lost art. And then we come to bill and his brother, after staying away for almost 30 years I was greated with the warmest, friendly greeting by Bill. Thank you guys for doing a fantastic job. ​​ read more

Love this place! Been coming here for special occasions for nearly 40 years? I do miss the salad boat, which was a rolling salad bar, which looked like a boat, and would come to your table. But the quality, and service is still second to none, and they have done a good job keeping the place updated, while keeping the original, oldschool, seafood restaurant, feel. read more

Excellent service Excellent food Ok prices. Sat under the tent. Covid protocols managed well. read more

My girlfriend and I decided to try this restaurant for the first time. We were welcomed by the manager/owner and he thanked us for supporting them. I could tell they really care about their customers and they were all very polite. I got the sautéed shrimp and my girlfriend got the shrimp pasta. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the salad was super fresh, as if it was just picked from the garden. My girlfriends pasta was also excellent, with a delicious broth and a good portion size. Overall the waiters are very attentive and the food is excellent. Definitely glad we tried this restaurant, I would highly recommend. Even as we were leaving the manager/owner thanked us again for supporting them. Very friendly people with excellent food and service. We will be coming back. read more

Food was wonderful, I ordered NY strip and husband ordered lobster. Everything was well prepared. The wait staff was very attentive and friendly. Menu is priced very well. We will be back read more

Dover Straits - Seafood Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

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Great service, delicious food, very enjoyable evening. Hosts made you feel very welcomed. It was hard to settle on my entree choice. There were so many excellent sounding dishes. I will go back soon. read more

Came here with the family on July 4th to celebrate my mom's birthday. I took advantage of the July special for the whole Maine lobster for $30 (awesome deal). It was good but came out kind of cold. Everyone said their meals were ok-good but nothing spectacular. The reason for 3 stars instead of 4 was because of service. The timing of everything was odd. The place was pretty empty but our dirty plates remained at our table long before our next round came out (which maybe that's high maintenance but an empty/used plate should not sit at an already crowded table for 20+ minutes). And that happened after the apps and after the entrees. The price for 5 adults and 2 kids came to about $230 with tax and tip which I think is a good price so I am open to trying it again. I'm just hoping it was due to it being a holiday that the service was off. read more

First thing you notice is the percentage of long time customers is very high. The host is an older gentleman that greets many guests like old friends. Place is busy and packed, and running 30 mins. Late on reservations. Seafood focus but steaks and other too. Huge place with two large areas and banquet facility. Anna our waitress could not of been more attentive or accommodating! Our area band started at 8pm but not loud and just added to the great night. Beer and wine choices a bit weak but good enough, big martini list but tried one and way too strong. Wife had Australian Lobster- huge she loved it. I had steak and salmon - cooked perfectly. When The salad boat comes by you will chuckle. Crowd leans heavy toward the plus 50 age but really fun, dance floor was packed all night! Interesting old school restaurant-we enjoyed! read more

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Service was great. Good old school restaurant. Food was average. Captains appetizer so so..... No cheese on oyster Rockefeller! Clams were tough. My surf and turf with strip steak and scallops was unique. Never saw a strip steak that was shaped like a rectangle.... and over seasoned. The prices were ok. Dancing and band great! Like the table side salad. Better steaks please! Charge more! read more

Awesome place definitely recommend never had a bad meal !!!! Fresh food at a reasonable price !!!

Really a 3.5, I'm not comfortable giving a 4. Made a reservation for a New Year's Eve dinner here since they had advertised on their website having some live entertainment. I had mentioned it to the person when making the reservations, and there may have been a little mix up because I didn't realize we had to be seated near the bar area, and we were seated waaaaay across in the other room where we didn't even know the live music had started. Oh well. Food here was pretty good. I ordered the crab cakes & filet mignon. The prices here are fairly reasonable for seafood, and the food was pretty good. The crab cakes were not too bread-y and a decent size (tiny crab cakes is one of my pet peeves). I had ordered the filet mignon medium, and it came out rare so I had to send it back but they refired it. Service was quite slow, it took a while to get our orders placed and another while to flag down our waitress after I found my steak to be raw. I think they may have been a little overwhelmed with the NYE crowd; it was pretty busy. As people have mentioned the crowd tends to be on the older side. It's a far cry from anything you'd find on the East Coast, but as far as seafood restaurants go, I think I like this one better than say Bob Chinn's or Red Lobster. read more

So.....we have gone to Dover Straits about once a year for many years. A throw back, old school dining experience. We would eat in the bar. Enjoy a leatherette booth. Have a martini. Wonderful escargot. Then the salad boat (really) would come by for a custom salad. Followed up with a nice piece of broiled fish for our main meal. In the back ground was a real bona fide lounge act!!!! Happy campers, right? We went last week and I am sad to say it has gone way down hill. The complimentary sour dough bread was still great and it was the same lounge act from years before but that was it. The lobster was rubbery and tasteless. The escargot was boring. The soft shell crabs were previously frozen and small. The booth was dirty. Nothing was a good and I doubt that we will be back. Sad. read more

Our family had the pleasure of one of the best dining experiences ever this evening. The service was top notch, the wait staff is exceptionally attentive. The starters were phenomenal. The escargot and oysters Rockefeller were by far the best I've ever had. My only blemish for the evening was the bouillabaisse. The lobster and shrimp were ridiculously over cooked and tough. When I brought this to the attention of our server he said, "no, it's not tough. It's supposed to be that way". I was extremely disappointed that he would presume that I don't know any better. Other than that, it was wonderful. On a side note, if you're coming from out of town and just aren't familiar with this establishment, it's a bit on the dressier side. Business casual would work nicely. read more

We came here NYE looking to spend some time eating and listening to music before the countdown. The food was ok -- it was good, but it's something I won't be craving to eat again. The service on the other had, was ehh. My friend my reservations at 8PM, but we weren't seated until about 8:30. Also, our server seemed a little absent-minded. She took forever to bring over a menu and even longer to take our order. We waited quite awhile for our food, but I guess that makes sense since it was NYE. Another reviewer mentioned that this place was like a retirement home. And yes, we did feel a little out of place, being in our 20s. read more

Dover Straits - Escargot - Seafood Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

We took my 95 year old mother to Thanksgiving dinner and the warmth and kind accommodation was superb! From our entry to our wonderfully located table, to the waitress and all the waitstaff, and to the generous and delicious food made it a most pleasurable experience. The squash soup was outstanding! The Turkey was moist and very generous. The sides were very tasty! We thank you very much for making our day very, very special. read more

Dover Straits is a nice, relaxing seafood restaurant that is much bigger than it appears from the outside off route 45. The service is top notch here and it should be treated as a special evening out. The seafood is good and although not plentiful, it is cooked well and tastes delicious. The accompanying salad cart provides a freshly-made salad at your table and was equally tasty. I happened to catch a night where their seafood combo with the lobster tail was on special. I'm not sure I would have stretched for the $38 price tag at the regular price, but the $10 off made it reasonable to try. All in all, a nice meal at a pleasant restaurant. Seems to appeal to more of an older crowd and not so much younger families who may be on a bit of a budget. If I lived in the area (I'm from Maryland), I'd go back and try some different things...the calimari appetizer was great! Would definitely dine here again. Hope I get a chance to! read more

These guys really know their fish. Love the bouillabaisse. Established fine reputation.

Food is always delicious. Been going there for 25 years. Service is always good. They have a great bar with entertainment. I would definitely recommend making a reservation before going. read more

Great outdoor seating area with heat! The king crab was everything and from the looks of it the scallops were a hit, too! Very nice owner operator and gracious waitstaff make this one to remember! read more

This place were here for a long time, they are known in the area so most folks comes here is from the neighborhood you can tell when you get in. The food is not worth coming back it was a mediocre preparation, it looks appetizing but very bland. The ambience were nice and the salad cart is cute but you have to wait a lot for your turn as only one person is working for that station and the only greens is iceberg lettuce (be careful they put full scoop of dressing and it will become too heavy). They have a special before 6 pm which is nice but if you come after that they charged mostly $25 and up for one meal. I gave 4 stars because of the salad guy who really went above and beyond even if he has to take care everyone - I suggest have two carts during your peak hours. read more

Dover Straits - Jumbo shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

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This place is an institution! It's been around as long as I can remember. I've had some very good meals here. Although other people in our party said their fish was overcooked. I was happy with my prime rib! But if you want to find a place to go to on a weekend that has a decent dinner and a band... This is it! It was fun to go dancing. It's not something you find in every town. Keep in mind the average age is around 60. Although the night we were there it seemed more like 40. Which is great news that there is a new generation supporting this Restaurant! Make reservations! read more

What a great place !!! I had the king crab my husband had a lobster tail ! We had apps and drinks, our waiter was so awesome ! The Owner was a true gentleman Basili and his brothers run a great business with extremely reasonable prices. We will definitely be back thank you for a wonderful evening can't wait to return!! xo Kosta and Notah Karabatsos from Nikkos Grecian Grill and Captain Porkys read more

I had to give one star because there is nothing lower than that. The service was terrible. The soup was cold was sent back and was still cold the second time back. The entree was cold the double bake potatoes was old and taste like rubber. The French fries were not golden cook. The shrimp was over cook. Did not make it to deserve as I was afraid what will be next. Do not recomend at all. Health department should inspect their location read more

I love escargot. Yummy. Atmosphere was awesome before covid. Salad is fresh and delicious. Love seafood.

Thanksgiving carry out meal was amazing. Delicious and complete. Lots of food. I'll be eating for a couple of days. Perfect for we folks that do holidays solo. read more

The food here is good, but that's about it. Maybe it's just me, but when I'm shelling out big bucks for a seafood dinner I like the environment to be enjoyable. The interior is supposed to be decorated in a nautical/boat theme, but it just looks cheesy and in my opinion it drops the rating on this restaurant. The bar is really dark, but on the other hand the dining room is super bright as if the lighting is florescent. Another thing to note would be the median age of the diners here. I'd guess we were the only patrons under the age of 55. I know this restaurant has been here a long time so I got the sense that it was filled with regulars and the owner or manager (not sure who he was) was shaking customers' hands and asking about their families. So that's a nice touch. I also enjoyed the spun salad done at the table from the salad cart. I can't knock the food; all of it was fresh and tasty. The decor on the other hand, could use a bit of an update. read more

Went here with a bigger group and they accommodated us with no problem. The staff has always been more than pleasant and attentive. I ordered the Bouillabaisse Marseillaise. It was brought to me in a nice old kettle with a ladle and a side bowl for the shells. The soup was nice and the broth was on the peppery side (Which I like). The scallops were perfect as were the mussels and clams. The shrimp and lobster may have poached a little long in the hot broth but were still tasty. The ambiance is very pleasant inside although the decor could use an update. The place seemed a little too much like a 70's night club and the live band specialized in that music. It was still neat and a nice throwback. Everyone else enjoyed their fish (Tilapia, Flounder, Whitefish). I will be back to try the Atlantic Flounder Wellington as it sounded great. read more

Yea Early Bird noEarly Bird IEarly BirdLobster Lobster BisqueLobster Tails sweet BisqueSea BassBob ChinnBob Chinn I'm Early Bird

I made reservation 4 weeks in advance for our wedding annivesary celebration. Also requested to be seated near the stage since after finding our friend is performing that night. Started he night off with the farthest booth from the stage next to the kitchen entrance. Then came the drinks in which my scotch was served in a water tumbler glass. The salad was rather mundane and boring. I had the Bouillabaisse Marseillaise and was suppose to be a stew when I asked. It came in a liquidy soup broth form instead. I've never ever had scallop that tasted like that! My wife had the Captain's Selection and both of our scallop was soft and mushy. The rest of the accompaniments was mediocre at best. Even our server had a dissappearing act so we had to deal with busboy. Extremely disappointed to say the least, Think we will be back??? read more

It took me a minute to figure out how many stars I wanted to give Dover's. On one hand, it's a dose of nostalgia every time you step foot through those captain windowed doors. On the other the food has a sense of nostalgia... that's not a good thing. The food is ok. Just ok. They come tableside with the salad "boat" and make your salads for you. But it's nothing incredible. It's disappointing that even the seafood is subpar and usually overcooked. What makes this nostalgic is it's the food of yesterday. Before there were spectacular restaurants popping up all over. But there are some upsides. The live music on the weekends sets the tone for a fun night out. And although pricey, the Mai Tai's are to die for. Come here. But just knowy what you're walking in to. The service is great. Drinks are strong. And the entertainment is worthwhile. read more

Millennials will not appreciate the atmosphere at Dover Straits. They complain its "old". Well ya! Its a replica of what a lot of old New England seafood restaurants are like. Lots of nick nacs and nautical themed items on the walls. Most of the food is reasonably priced, for seafood flown in from the east & west coast. Nice white table cloth dining rooms and plenty of tables & booths in the bar area that feature Oldies but Goodies type bands. Dance music, but not disco! We often eat at the bar as others do. They usually have specials particularly if you go for early dinner. The parking lot can be full and the restaurant half full. Keep that in mind. The crowd is generally older and professionals from local corps but friendly. Great bar tenders and wait staff. Owners very friendly as well (3 Greek Bros who all work every day bartending, bussing, hosting, cleaning up whatever needs to be done) The owners also learn your name (if you want) if you frequent the place. Prices have risen lately but whose haven't. We think its the best seafood and after dinner place in lake county. Helps it 10 minutes from our home. Enjoy! read more

Wow. Incredibly impressed. For years I've wanted to go here, but never did. Went for a late lunch/early bird special, and it was really amazing. Pricy but worth it. I went with my parents. Sourdough bread and butter Made to order salad at the table. I had the shrimp with linguini My mother had the captains selection My father had the Dover sole, which the waiter deboned at our table. The food was very fresh and absolutely delicious. We had the oysters Rockefeller, which I did not partake in, as I dislike oysters. Probably the best waiter I've ever had. With such a large menu, he was extremely knowledgeable, and descriptive. The rest of the staff was great too. The host showed us the aquariums and new what each fish was and where it was from. Will definitely be a restaurant we visit regularly. I'm originally from Galveston TX and much of the menu I've never eaten before. Next I will try the sole, then maybe the orange roughy. read more

BEST RESTAURANT!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! They treated us like everyone else... being an interracial couple, we get looked at a lot going to high end dining. This restaurant didn't look at color, they didn't look at us as a paycheck. They looked at us like people and gave us the best dining experience! read more

Kitch, old school, and just ok. My Mahi Mahi was so overcooked it could have been shoe leather. The trout looked beautiful on the plate and the filet was generous but it was mediocre. The crab cakes were good but the sauce was boring. The shrimp de Jonge was burned and my dad was just being polite by refusing my attempt to send it back. He did finally complain to the manager sent us dessert gratis (the key lime was really good). But for dinner for 5 for $130 with no apps or drinks, I could think of places to spend that much and have a much better meal. read more

Dover Straits - The salad boat was the Titanic! I should have known dinnert would be a sinking ship after that. - Seafood Near Me - Mundelein, Illinois

Gluten-Free Review -- Arrived on an overcast March Saturday at 5:15 pm with no reservations and were seated immediately on the bar side in a booth. It was about a half hour before the place would be packed. We had been here quite a few times, in the old days, but it's been almost a decade since last visit. Just so many other more modern places to go since then. Gone are the old dark wooden walls with portholes and rope -- replaced by off-white walls with steel blue-gray painted wainscoting and framed old ship illustrations. The lighting was kept overly dim, so much so, it was a struggle to read our menus (by the Mayflower). They have no table lamps or candles, so cell phone flashlights will come in handy. Not much else has changed here, since our last Dover's dinner. It still seems pretty much like walking into a time capsule. Menu items are similar, though I remember being able to get wild Alaskan salmon. Now I see Atlantic (farmed) salmon. They still don't have a GF menu or markings on their main menu or specials printout; and, don't appear to go out of their way with GF offerings, substitutes, or frills (i.e., GF before-meal bread). So be specific in ordering. Our waiter was familiar with GF issues, so it made it a bit easier this time. After cocktails, my wife ordered the scallops, but I was hungrier, so I got the surf & turf scallops with beef filet that comes with a small baked potato. I accompanied it with a decent house Malbec. Our meals came with salads from the same old salad boat that they've had from day one. I don't think anything has changed about in all these years. It still has iceberg lettuce, salad beans, green pepper, cherry tomato, onion, etc -- no updates -- straight out of the 70s. I got mine with everything but peppers and croutons, but didn't eat the onions. Take note of the server though. Every bin seems to have its own serving utensil, but if they don't switch, the croutons could contaminate -- also, if croutons or their crumbs are dropped when crossing over other bins. . The unadorned scallops were fresh and not overlooked, but the beef quality was nothing to write home about -- just okay. I know, ordering beef in a seafood joint... but I needed more than seafood for my hunger on this day. Going forward, even if they don't want to leave their time warp, they could still do a lot to make the GF experience easier and more pleasurable. We didn't stick around for the band, so I can't review them. All in all, we may come back at some point if we have a nostalgic craving, but with so many other GF full and modern dining experiences to have elsewhere, it might be a while. read more

Awesome atmosphere late night live band and dancing. Food is great. Fried calamari, oysters, mussels, scallops over rice and salads.

I haven't been to Dover Straits in many years as it is not convenient for us. We had some extra time last night and decided to make the drive. It was a very good decision. It hasn't changed at all. Good food, great service and a nice atmosphere. We had a Captain's Platter to start which had calamari, crab, shrimp and oysters Rockefeller. Delicious. For soup, we had the lobster bisque and it was just okay. I had the Halibut, my wife the Mediterranean pasta and my daughter did blackened mahi-mahi. Everything was great. Unfortunately we had no room left to try dessert. As we were leaving, the live entertainment started. I wish we could have stayed!! read more

Went here with my mom and my boyfriend. Probably wouldn't recommend again unless you just order something REALLY simple or if you just like bland stuff. We ended up putting loads of pepper on pretty much everything we got... my general opinion was the rice pilaf was bland, scallops were nicely cooked but nothing special, crab legs were fine and simple, surf and turf steak and salmon was alright. Salmon was over cooked and already had some of the white fat coming out, kind of yucky looking. It honestly all tastes like something you could buy at the grocery store and take home and cook yourself. Also, they put loads of dressing on the salads... too damn much... they're probably following a strict guideline (the waiters) but it kind of ruined it. Wasn't expecting it but the salad ship was cute! However, the music was nice, the ambiance was cool, and the servers were really nice. The food is just lackluster so for 120$ for 3 people for just mediocre seafood, I wouldn't come back. read more

Old school awesome! If you want trendy, fusion cuisine this is not the place. If you want old school, delicious, hometown steaks and seafood, this is the place to be. The steaks and filet mignon are wonderful. The crab cakes are terrific. For those who have kids, the kids menu has adult portions. The kids ribs are a winner. Great food and excellent service. read more