The great stories and recommendations rang true. We had the ahi tuna and stuffed mushrooms - both excellent (and good leftovers). Highly recommend both dishes. Also, really good, casual rnvirn read more

So yes, the fact that you have to have cash as Zac said is a little bit of a pain and the fact that the menu is all on a chalkboard that you can't see from much of the restaurant is also a pain, but the food is SOOOOO good you will completely overlook those 2 issues. I promise. We ate here a month or so ago - both had the pork loin and it was di-vine! Only regret is that I wish one of us had ordered something different so we could sample each others' food. Oh and beware - the portions are HUGE. I'm usually not a good food sharer, but this is one place that really warrants it. read more

For many years, this was THE destination restaurant on the river, and the only real fine dining between Red Wing and LaCrosse. Years (and an ownership change) later, the Harbor View is no longer a pioneer, but is still first in class and well worth a visit. There are some quirks. The place is small, and there are lots of tables. You will be sitting rather near your fellow diners. The menu is posted on two chalkboards, one over the bar and the other in a back dining room. This can lead to some traffic congestion as guests peruse the menus and try to navigate to their tables while trying to avoid the servers running to and fro. These are minor issues. Focus instead on the fresh ingredients, the pleasant and knowledgeable service, and the fairly priced wine list. An excellent meal awaits. On a recent visit, my risotto cakes were perfectly crisp on the outside, tender and filled with cheesy goodness within. They were served with a metric ton of roasted fall vegetables. My dining companion's halibut was perfectly cooked, and served with an increasingly addictive brown butter caper sauce and steamed rice. All meals come with soup or salad (I recommend the Caesar) and bread. Portion sizes are large verging toward the freakishly large. Thus, while the entrees are not inexpensive, they are a good value given the quality of the ingredients and the quantity of food presented. The Harbor View doesn't take reservations, and it can get busy at peak hours. The restaurant tries to soften the blow a bit by providing colorful Adirondack chairs and sun umbrellas for the waiting throngs. I've also had good luck beating the crowds by coming for lunch (same menu as dinner). Cash/check only, as others have noted. read more

Lovely charming location and the waitress was a sweetheart... Food was on the unusual side, with somw unique flavour combinations, though the bread was certainly less than fresh. Overall, quite nice but nothing terribly special read more

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Fill up your car, put the dog in the back yard or with a sitter for a week, and get in your car and drive right here. If you live a long way away, pack accordingly and sleep if you must - but drive. Drive like your life depended on it and get here as fast as the law will allow. And then, eat. Slowly. Take your time. Bring friends and order 1.5 dishes per person and have it family style so that you can taste as many of the dishes as possible. Ask for Linda - she's so lovely. She is knowledgable We had Linguine Papalina - rich and fresh with prosciutto, mushrooms, garlic and red onions. Amazing. Take what's left home or eat it in the car in a couple of hours after you've finished your nap. Entrees: Sautéed Chicken Breasts Hawaiian Swordfish Soup - Cream of Sweet Potato with Chili Lime Peppercorn dressing on salads that was homemade Desserts: Chocolate Buttercream Pie Almond Cake with Lingonberries Strawberry Rhubarb Custard AMAZING. Say it again. Amazing. read more

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Easily the best restaurant I've ever been to. Most quality food you will ever have. I get the sautéed chicken breast every time with their amazing Caesar salad. You just can't go wrong here!!! Everything you get will be good, but you just can't top the chicken breast. The garlic chipotle sauce is unreal! read more

Harbor View Cafe - Sautéed chicken breasts!! Yum - New American Near Me - Pepin, Wisconsin

I grew up in Western Wisconsin and the Harbor View has always been my parents' top choice for a nice dinner out (despite the nearly hour long drive to get there). The food has always been impeccable and the ambience warm and inviting. I can't remember eating anything in the nearly 15 years I have been dining there that I was anything less than thrilled with. Today I emailed them, on a day that they are closed after a busy holiday weekend, requesting their advice on how best to surprise my parents by picking up the check for their anniversary dinner there this coming Saturday. I received a very friendly response from the owner via email almost immediately with a number of suggestions on how best to accomplish this. I have always received fantastic service at the Harbor View, but thought that this prompt response on the owner's day off was above and beyond taking good care of customers. Thanks to her quick attention, my siblings and I will be able to treat our parents' to a special anniversary dinner. Thank you, Harbor View! You always exceed my expectations and I'm so grateful to have such a great restaurant right in my home state. read more

Food excellent and fast service, overall very good. Great stop on the River Road for Brunch. Sorry late in my review and not remembering details of the food. But it was a very good stop to eat, good coffee. read more

Harbor View Cafe - Borsch and bread basket - New American Near Me - Pepin, Wisconsin

I was so excited to be back because it had been years since I had been here. I was just not thrilled with the food this time. For one, the menu was very heavy for a hot summer day. I got the stuffed mushrooms over linguine. Very cheesy, but really nothing else to it. My daughter go the pepperoni pizza (made with local pepperoni). The pizza was good, but there was one little half slice of pepperoni on each piece of pizza. The staff was nice, but for the price I was just ok with it. No outdoor seating for food, but you can sit out in the chairs facing Lake Pepin with a cocktail if you have to wait. read more

Alaskan Halibut was perfect. A must try. All my kids loved their food. Steaks, prawns, braised ribs. You can't go wrong.

Regulars here for 20 years, making the trek down the Mississippi from St. Cloud. There must be a reason: 1. Halibut with black butter and capers. One of the best seafood dinners anyplace. 2. They know how to treat fish. Yet this is NOT a seafood restaurant, over half of the menu is not fish. For example, the garlicky and spicy chicken breasts or as made when available tamed down with champagne grapes. 3. Any fish with the shrimp and curry sauce. 4. Sticky toffee cake. 5. Real lemonade. 6. Unbeatable view like the name implies. 7. Great service. 8. Curiously ordinary white and wheat bread with a salty crust that is great. Prisoner's Last Meal caliber, try it out, but don't tell anyone because the lines can be long, no reservations. read more

This was our first visit and if we are ever in town again, we will be back! Great location by the water, only bad thing is the trains going by every 10 minutes but you get used to them. Large portions, great service, definitely give it a try! read more

Harbor View Cafe - Soft shell crab in a saffron cream sauce over linguine - New American Near Me - Pepin, Wisconsin

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After hearing about this place from the locals, we just had to try it and were really disappointed with their food. I ordered the summer cassoulet and their deconstructed flavorless version was bland bland bland. My husband ordered the Norwegian meatballs with a cardamom sauce. It was good at first, he said, but then the cardamom flavor took over and wasn't well balanced with anything else. I will give them big points for trying to be creative AND for giving me another dish (after I complained about the cassoulet). This time it was the pan fried catfish with a spicy black bean (salsa-like) sauce that tasted better... I gave it 3 stars because the service was really good and the atmosphere was pleasant. The view was a breath of fresh air. I probably won't come back though.... read more

My husband and I were celebrating our 40th anniversary and wanted to eat where we never tried before. We were at the Eagle Center in Wabasha and googled Harbor View Cafe. WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED. It is a cozy atmosphere, delicious food and the service was great. My husband is kind of picky and this morning he is still saying how great it was! Definitely going again! read more

Great food and even better waitress, the lady from red wing as I did not remembered her name. We ordered the trout and wow what a good fish that was. My son had a kids linguini with chicken which was awesome too. Bloody Mary is to die for strong and psych very good. We had the saffron chicken at the table as well and that one was very different but very good that's easy well. Overall a little pricie but excellent choice if you are in Pepin area as we were camping at hok si la across the river. read more

Harbor View Cafe - New American Near Me - Pepin, Wisconsin

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My husband and I have been coming to the Harbor View Cafe for many years now. When I read recent reviews that were slightly negative I felt compelled to write a review on our recent visit. We brought a couple of friends with us this time, drove in from the Twin Cities. I have to say my meal was probably one of the best meals I've ever had. Our friends were impressed as well. I ordered the seared ahi tuna. The flavors were so complex, it tasted like an authentic japanese dish. We also shared the morel mushroom appetizer, which was delicious. The service was perfect. The Harborview Cafe never fails. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Never leave disappointed! Absolutely delicious food! Food: seriously you won't find better food, anywhere! Now every time I eat in Minneapolis I leave disappointed b/c the restaurant will charge you 2-3x more than the HVC for food that cant possibly compare. With a fresh seasonal menu there are amazing unique dishes. Favorites included the sauteed chicken breast, halibut and the mushrooms. YUMMY! For dessert I recommend the Kahlua cheesecake. Atmosphere: Just a wonderful restaurant filled with great people. Plus you get to enjoy the great drive down the river if you are traveling from the cities. Uniqueness: They have their menu on a chalk board and they don't take reservations so be prepared to enjoy a nice glass of wine while over looking the marina (can't beat it!) . Great way to unwind and escape the hurry of the city. Love it! Plus remember to bring cash or your check book as they don't accept plastic, I love that they are uniquer in every aspect from the wonderful food and location! AWESOME! Service: Amazingly sweet service! Price: Average price of $25/plate which includes bread, soup/salad, and a very generous entree! AMAZING!!! read more

Food was amazing. We got the swordfish, halibut and pesce. Only problem we had was the wait. We got in at 6.05 pm, got seated at and had our food served at 8.10. So wait was too long and that would be my only complain. read more

I went there on a Saturday night with my wife and another couple knowing that there would be a long wait (no reservations accepted, weekend night, and one of the last days this place would be open for the season). It was well worth the wait. First, there's a cozy bar across the street and we chatted up locals and tourists alike. When it was time for our table, we took in the ambiance (small interior, book lined walls, etc.). It was very warm and inviting. For those dismayed by the chalkboard menu, they post the menus on Facebook. I had the salmon and it was delicious. My wife ordered the scallops (which I sampled). Again, delicious. We all had desserts. Mouth watering-all of them. The owner/maitre d sat down and chatted with us during dessert as we were the last ones in the restaurant. Service was attentive and efficient. This was one of my favorite restaurant experiences. read more

Excellent food, albeit bit on the expensive side. Lunch dishes ranged from $14 (grilled chicken breast salad) to $33 (Alaskan halibut). Each entree includes your choice of soup or salad and bread. On our visit they were serving either chilled gazpacho or corn chowder. Given the setting, ambiance and location - tiny Peppin, Wisconsin - it all seemed a bit pretentious. It might serve the area best at a 8 to 12 price point for lunch. However, we overheard that they've been in business for over 30 years... so, maybe I'm wrong. Certainly worth a stop; just be prepared for a higher tab. read more

Harbor View Cafe - Saffron Braised Chicken with green olives, roasted tomatoes and new potatoes. - New American Near Me - Pepin, Wisconsin

The Harbor View Cafe remains our most favorite restaurant in the Midwest. OK, we have a favorite in New York, Montreal, and in San Francisco, but they are in most excellent company! The hardest thing about eating at the Harbor View is deciding between our favorites or something new! Despite the challenge, over more than a dozen years, we have never, ever, been disappointed by the food or the experience. The atmosphere is exciting and quiet, yeah, who knew you could do both?! The food is excellent, and the service is prompt and friendly. They continue to keep some perennial favorites, the Frickadiller (Swedish meatballs), Soft Shell Crab (seasonal), Pesce, Cardamom cake, Bittersweet Chocolate Torte (flourless and decadent), Georgia Walnut Pie, and Harborview Coffee from Great River Coffee Roasters in Pepin, WI. You will not be disappointed! read more

One of our best meals anywhere. Awesome food and service at reasonable prices. A gourmet food gem on the upper Mississippi. Definitely recommended!! Too bad it's 300 miles from home. We'd be here every weekend. Yummy! read more

Three of us ate there last night, a Saturday night in November, nearing the time of year when they close for the season. We checked in at 4:15, were seated at a window table upon their reopening at 4:45, and were served by the owner herself. Food was very good, one of us with the pork loin, the other with bacon-wrapped scallops, and I with frikkadeller, pork-veal meatball dumplings in a cream sauce. The only thing that bothered me was that our owner/server seemed rushed, tight-lipped, annoyed that we had not made up our minds immediately, chuckled at my hard of hearing friend's inability to hear her explanations, left in the middle of her asking questions, and then tried to explain away a large bug in my salad, saying, "Well, you know, we get our lettuce locally." I'm tough about things that cause others to be disgusted, and I tried to ignore it, but she was ridiculous. I have cooked and then waited tables for five years, both casual and formal dining, and I would have been horrified at that, stopped, taken the plate away, apologized profusely, and comped a meal without question, but instead, I had to ask her if we were getting anything off for this large dead aphid the size of a Japanese beetle. She said, "I'll take off the dessert, but you led me to believe you were okay with it." We were flabbergasted at her behavior, the owner herself. You might call my behavior slightly MN-accommodating, but not -- no. Next time we go there, we'll need someone else serving besides the owner. read more

We started dining at Harbor View so many years ago I can't even remember. It's probably been 10 years since that first memorable meal since we've been back. I have to admit, this was our last trip. The ambiance and the gracious waitstaff remain but I don't know what happened to the food. The bread and salads I could get anywhere. Lettuce on a plate with 1 cuke slice,olive and 1/2 pepperoncini on the side with 2 little dabs of dressing. My husband ordered our all time favorite- the halibut. It now comes with a black butter caper sauce instead of browned butter caper sauce so good you were tempted to lick your plate. This sauce was so thick, so black and so unattractive and basically tasteless. My memory has the halibut beautifully seared. This looked deep fried. I ordered the pork tenderloin with rhubarb sauce fully expecting some grilled pork with a beautiful pink, tart rhubarb sauce. Instead I got baked pork tenderloin smothered (and not artfully) with a thick, brown gravy like sauce. I think there was rhubarb in there, but I could not taste it nor see it. The bright spot on my plate was the red cabbage. We have always loved the drive to Pepin and stopping in the little towns along the way. I guess we need to find something new to love. read more

This place has a great vibe and great food. I had the mac and cheese burger and it was good. The fried pickles app was extra good. We ordered the 1/2 which would work for 2-4 people. The Bloody Mary was great and tasted like their own recipe. Highly recommend for lunch and looks like a fun bar to hang out in after hours. read more

If you go on a weekend, especially in the fall, go right at opening and eat early or you will wait 3 hours for a table. Atmosphere is cozy, the staff was friendly despite how busy it was and the food was good. Probably more enjoyable if you don't have a 3 hour wait. read more

Extremely long wait time to get food, that is quite average. Even though the place is busy, taking 1 hour to bring your food is too long! It kills most of your excitement. One server was serving for 11 tables on our side! read more

Fantastic food, amazing service! One of the best restaurants I've ever been in. I look forward to making the drive over again as soon as possible. I just wish I didn't live 2 hours away!! read more

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This was our second time trying it out, I have to say it was more disappointing than the first time. The waitress was super rude, the food was not more than the regular local diner you can find in every single little town while this cafe was way over-priced. Go check out some other restaurants nearby, a lot more choices and more reasonably priced as well. read more

I'll start this review by stating we ate at the Harbor View Cafe 5 weeks prior to this and it was outstanding. We ordered the same entrees on both occasions, the Alaskan Halibut for two of us and the swordfish for a third person. On our first visit, the Halibut was outstanding, a large, fresh, moist, perfectly cooked filet, thick and unbreaded. Likewise, the swordfish was excellent. Flash forward to yesterday when we ordered the halibut, as a couple. When the waitress brought out our entrees my first reaction was, what is this? This is not what we ordered. Except for the black butter caper sauce, it was completely unrecognizable. It was about one half the size of what we received 5 weeks prior, and is best described as a small, breaded, lump of fish. We were disappointed further once we began eating. The fish was overcooked and dry. I'm not sure if the resurgence of Covid is disrupting their supply chain, but it's almost as if they're now sourcing their halibut from Costco.....large bags of frozen, dry, breaded halibut. If that is the case, they need to either drop the halibut from their menu, or decrease the entree cost substantially. In any event, we would not order the halibut again, at any price. We were further disappointed in the side of rice, luke warm, as if it had been sitting under a heat lamp for a couple of hours. To say that we were very disappointed is an understatement. The difference between our two visits was unbelievable. Almost like two different restaurants, two different chefs, two completely different meals. read more

SUPERB!!!!!!! What a little jewel along the Mississippi River. Gourmet food, well trained staff (very attractive women staff), superbly cooked food, and in a bookstore atmosphere!?!? Seriusly, the food was amazing. The owners selected the right chef. Their house caesar salad was the best I ever had. It took me by suprize when I found anchovy mash at the bottom. I have been longing for that flavor in a salad ever since. I had veal dumplings, which closely resembled meatballs, but were full of amazing flavor and the most tender dish with meat that I've ever had. Absolutely outstanding! The spicy bloody mairy is worth the trip alone. I'll go back every time I'm in the area. BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

To maintain this level of quality in a remote town deserves TEN stars! Have been coming for years and the service and food are top notch. Bravo! read more

Fresh. The food is so fresh. I believe their menu changes daily. Oh, there is a plethora of menu items, and don't be shy. They will prepare it exactly the way you want it. Phenomenal choice of wines and knowledgeable and friendly servers. Seldom have I eaten such delicious food so thoughtfully prepared. On a shivery, rainy day in May we headed here because I knew their food was fab. I had forgotten how genuinely nice everyone is. The joint was packed. We waited at the bar while the manager called in more help so everyone would get served faster. I asked the bartender for a recommendation on a glass of red wine. She gave me 3, yes 3 to taste. We were seated shortly thereafter. I wish I could remember what I ordered, but I can't. I can tell you that is was moan worthy. I'd go back in a flash. read more

The quality of the food has been declining since the ownership change. The service has never been great. A rude waitress ruined a family dinner for us and the restaurant proceeded to block me on facebook after I left a negative review on their page. Extreme lack of professionalism. read more

The food here is unbelievable. You won't have a bad dish and the menu changes everyday. My favorites include sauteed chicken breasts with tons of garlic and chipotle sauce over linguine, halibut with black butter, caesar salads with their homemade incredibly flavorful dressing, stuffed mushrooms, garlic prawns, and the chocolate buttercream pie. The fact that you have to make a trip of it makes it much more than a meal but a wonderful experience. The drive down is gorgeous as you wind between Lake Pepin and the bluffs. By the time you arrive you are in another world of relaxation, indulgence, and relationships rule the day. Not to mention the small town staff all treat you like you're a friend they haven't seen in ages. If you like rich flavorful food from across the culinary spectrum this is a great place. read more

I love all the rules! I love that you have to think ahead to bring cash, that the hours are crazy strange and you have to just hope that you hit it at a good time without a wait, and you can't plan ahead with a reservation....I love that you have to go up and look at the chalkboard and chitchat with the cool bartender that says, "bye Kids!" to everyone leaving the door. It makes you feel part of this lucky club that was there at the right place and the right time, and now will be rewarded....Most of all I love that the entire place is lined with books. This is my kind of scene!! Went on a little road trip today to RedWing, but missed our turn-off and ended up in Pepin, which seriously wasn't an issue. As we were were heading on, spontaneous road trip girl that am, I saw a sign for the "Bumblebee Inn and Campground" and asked my husband to drive down and investigate for further escapades. We never found it, but we saw a bunch of cute shops, and then I saw the Harbor View Cafe and thought....Oh my goodness...this is the place I keep hearing about...that is so good, but is never ever open and you can never get in!! So in we went at 2:45 on a Sunday afternoon. It was half-filled, and everyone just seemed so so happy to be there!! So cute with blue gingham and yellow flowers and a fantastic Spring day...halleluia praise Jesus kind of a day...Timothy and I dutifully trekked to the chalkboard and pondered on what to get. We decided to share an entree, and I let him pick this time, although the fish cakes wrapped in smoked salmon and topped with shrimp served with asparagus WOULD have been my pick...:) Anyway, we had swordfish with new potatoes, and I had a sublime salad with peppercorn dressing that tasted like REAL FOOD...seriously like food from the garden or something. The sweetest red onions I have ever had. I'm not even a salad fan and I will be thinking about this salad for months...I'm not a huge fish fan either, but Tim believes that when you on the water you always go with the fish, so we did. Hawaiian island harpooned swordfish with sides of homemade tomato chutney and tampenade. Tomato chutney rocked! We had some incredible cream of asparagus soup topped with dill and it came with two types of bread...white and honey wheat. They sat us next to the window so we could watch the water and be grateful for the good things in life. It has this contagious kind of atmosphere where even introverts like me chat up neighbor diners and it feels more like a dinner party than anything else. The group next to us was from Rochester. Both Tim and I have Rochester roots...so we had things (restaurants, and lack thereof to discuss). Apparently he is a chef that has been in San Diego and Colorado and has now come back to Rochester. We chatted about the new Punch-like restaurant he's thinking of opening in Rochester, and talked of all things California. Seriously, I talked to people I didn't know. I must have been in a good mood...usually I'm the person who pretends that even though I am sitting eight inches away from someone in a restaurant, we each have our very important invisible bubbles. Serendipity Sunday and the birthplace of the BEST GIRL EVER....my Laura Ingalls Wilder...I love Spring and daytrips!!!:) read more

Based off my one meal at Harbor View Cafe, I have to give it five stars. Open only seasonally, my grandma decided to make a drive by the other weekend while I was visiting her in Wabasha. To our luck, it was open. Not only is the restaurant only open during Wisconsin's warm months, they're also only open Thursday - Sunday (add Monday after Memorial Day). We arrived at the restaurant during a lull and hardly had to wait for a table. There are two separated sides of the restaurant, and we sat on the cozy, cabin library-like bar side (highly recommended) tucked in an awkward corner. The only "complaint" I have of Harbor View Cafe is that their menu, which is written on a chalkboard behind the bar, is difficult to read unless you're literally sitting in front of it at the bar. So, my grandma and I both had to stand up and walk over to the menu. Their entree selection changes frequently, hence the chalkboard, and boasts an impressive selection of surf and turf. I went all out and splurged on a large haddock fillet in a creamy tomato heaven sauce, steamed asparagus, roasted tomatoes, and lentils. Oh, sweetness. Just typing that meal makes me tear up. Fresh, light, richly flavorful, and plenty to eat and spare. My favorite unexpected find were the lentils, which are not commonly served as entree side dishes. I did have to wait about 45 minutes after ordering, but it was worth the wait. A diet coke with lime and some quality chat time with grandma was all I needed to hold me over until the food arrived. The staff seemed frantically busy at times, as the restaurant bar side is small and cramped, but they were completely friendly and attentive nonetheless. I can't wait to return to Harbor View Cafe. If you go, you can expect a selection of fresh and savory meals, longer waits for table and food, and an overall fabulous experience at a Wisconsin river restaurant retreat. read more

We were spending the weekend in the area and saw this place had high reviews so decided to try it out. The ambience is quaint and the service was good, and they were hospitable to our children, but the food was overpriced for how normal it was. I expected the dishes to be as creative as high rating reviews suggested, but a floret of steamed broccoli alongside a bowl of fettuccine Alfredo with a fancy description is not worth what they charged (plus an extra charge for splitting it). They boast locality of their food sources, which I appreciate, and may be the reason for inflated prices, or it may be that the dishes are swimming in butter and cheese, but it's not because it's gourmet. read more

I'm still craving my dinner from eight nights ago. Four of us took the scenic drive down to Lake Pepin, arriving just before the restaurant opened. I was surprised that there was already a line to get in, but after the experience, I understand completely. Of course, a glass of wine makes everything better. (If you like wine, ask for the long wine list, after all, you'll have time to enjoy it). I ordered the Halibut with Black Butter Caper sauce. It was absolutely mouth-watering perfect. The Chicken with roasted Garlic Chipolte sauce is like gourmet comfort food. The salmon with fresh dill cooked in parchment looked beautiful. Order the Ahi Tuna Rare. They have really fresh fish, it must be from Coastal. Loved the spicy lentil soup. Everything is super fresh from scratch, and you can tell. I usually eat dessert, but I was honestly too full, and too happy. My mouth is salivating just writing about that dinner. Hanging out with foodies, you can get spoiled. I know the difference between an outstanding meal, and merely adequate food with great atmosphere and dramatic presentation. Fortunately, the Harbor View food is fantastic, comparable to other five-star restaurants. Their service is warm, friendy, and attentive, not a drop of arrogance or artifice, which makes it even better, all considered They deserve to be busy. It's just a pleasure to have a place that good. Highly Recommended. We can't wait to go back again. read more

Any restaurant gets to operation how it wants and you as a customer have to either not go or accept how they operate. Harbor View has wonderful food with local ingredients and great service, but does not take reservations. I guess they found too many people canceling at the last minute. The desserts are equally as good as the food. It is a local gem and is the reason we go down to Pepin and stay for a few days per year. BTW the wine list has excellent price performance! One other note. Cash or check only read more