For the price I honestly thought it was mediocre. I had a pasta dish with italian sausage, tried the short rib as well as the cod fish fry. The short rib was overcooked and low on flavor. The Cod was awesome and worth it so maybe that is what you gotta come here for. Ambiance is chill the server was nice enough but not super engaged. Place definitely busy on fridays so nice that they fit our table in but we are not leaving particularly impressed.. read more

Food, service and ambiance were awesome! We sat outside and the staff was very attentive, especially when it started to rain, they immediately covered our seating. Our server was awesome. Super personable and knowledgable with making food choices that accommodated allergies. Food was outstanding. We all wish we lived closer but will be here every time in town! read more

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Went there for our anniversary. The restaurant was so great. Covered outdoor seating. Very comfortable. The service was perfect. Very nice. Friendly. The food was as good as it gets. I had the NY Steak. My wife had the braised ribs which she loved. We will for sure come back again many times. The service and food was as good as it gets!! read more

PIER 290 - Covered outdoor seating - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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Similar to every review, this place is incredibly overpriced and I wouldn't recommend eating here. I've eaten here on few occasions and always left feeling ripped off for the price and portion sizes. The food is very average but the ambience, view, and location are incredible. I'd highly recommend making this a spot to go for drinks and a view and skip the meal. The staff is friendly too! read more

The Place is Memorable. The View, The Atmosphere, The Ambience. Definitely will be back with Family & Friends! Thank you!

Great Service, Beautiful Fun Atmosphere, Gave Me Movie Restaurant by the lake vibes. One To Remember for sure

Atmosphere and service is great! The food is mediocre and way over priced! We struggle with wanting to come to Pier 290 only because the food sucks! Even the sangria is cheaply made -for $17 they don't even put fruit in it. While I love the patio and lakefront vibe- the food and price is no longer worth it. Don't think we will come back again! read more

Such a beautiful place for lunch or dinner. If you like the lake, this is a spectacular place to come on a nice summer day. The food was great and the price was pretty reasonable. read more

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Group of 11 for a bday celebration! Service was fantastic! We asked for separate checks and they obliged w no problem. Food was excellent. I ordered pork chop. Portion was generous sauce was delicious. Second time visiting from Texas! Love the beautiful view. read more

Given the high price tag, the food was just okay. Beef Carpaccio -- just a heads up that the thinly sliced meat is raw (was not mentioned in the menu at all). I was surprised by it being raw and was also surprised by how little crackers came with it (see the couple pieces of brown). The waiter was extremely kind and did allow me to return it for something else, which is why I also got the ahi tuna. Ahi Tuna -- This tasted a lot better, was fresh, and more in line with its price. I would order this again but I don't think I'll be coming back. Cheese Curds -- very overpriced but the best cheese curd I had in Lake Geneva! The main reason I gave this place 3 stars instead of 2! I think this restaurant wasn't for people on a budget like me. The typical person coming here probably knows they are going to spend big tonight! Most entrees are $40+ read more

PIER 290 - Ahi Tuna Tartare - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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Very beautiful view! This is right next to a public pier, so very busy with lots of boats coming and going, but great for photos! Make sure to get a reservation because without one it's unlikely to get a table on weekends. The food was great, but took a little while. It was also a little wait to be seated outside even with a reservation. Service was great! read more

PIER 290 - Steak salad - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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The food is a bit pricy, but you're paying for quality fish and the lakeside atmosphere. There's also often live music which you can hear throughout the entire restaurant - the music is subtle in most of the dining area and doesn't distract from conversation like live music often can do. Our waitress was phenomenal, extremely friendly and eager to make suggestions and we decided between items on the menu. I ordered the salmon and swapped the wilted greens (still unsure what these are) for green beans which would fabulous. The salmon was cooked well and very tasty - it was not very seasoned which I personally enjoyed, but I could easily see others being disappointed in the lack of flavor there. We got a mousse dessert that was wildly underwhelming. I'd say stick to the seafood when ordering here and grab dessert on your way home! read more

PIER 290 - Scottish Salmon - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Our first experience at Pier290 in late summer 2024 was outstanding - Food recommendation by wait staff was exceptional (we had already decided, but asked their opinion before ordering). Service was timely and efficient. Unfortunately, the experience on March 1, 2026 was disappointing. Host staff seated us quickly. There were 5 or 6 tables already occupied and at various stages of their visit - so not terribly busy. We (wife and I) sat for 10 minutes before bus person brought water. No wait staff stopped by the table. Two more tables were seated after us, drink orders taken/received, food orders taken (one table received food) - and still NO wait staff to our table. Wait staff attended to tables adjacent to our table, yet no acknowledgement or check on people at a table with menus. We tried to grab attention of any wait staff but they seemed disinterested. After about 25 minutes, we left and the host staff didn't seem to even realize that we were there for a short time. We did let host staff know that no wait staff even approached the table. So, without being able to evaluate the quality of the food for ourselves, I could only base perception from RECENT reviews - appears we made a good decision to seek a different establishment. Will not be returning, nor recommending. read more

Pier 290 has a genuinely strong atmosphere and interior character. The restaurant leans into Lake Geneva history in a way that's really well done--photos, cruise captains, and memorabilia throughout. I especially enjoyed the Lake Geneva Playboy Club items. That said, the overall experience didn't match the price point. We went today around 2:00 PM as a party of two, and service was slow despite only about five other occupied tables. The biggest issue: we were initially brought the wrong bill (another table's), and after about 15 minutes, we ended up having to find someone to correct it. Food was average for the cost. The fish tacos were fine but nothing special. The meatloaf was a single slice with less than a cup of potatoes--felt sparse on the plate and could have used another side or component to make it feel like a complete entrée. With one glass of wine, we were around $60, which would be easier to justify if the service and food execution were sharper. One note: while it's "on the lake," the views are fairly limited at lake level--you mostly see piers and the cruise boats--so for us the main draw was the ambiance inside. Unfortunately, the ambiance couldn't make up for average, overpriced food and a service miss. If you go, go for the atmosphere--just set expectations accordingly on value and service. read more

This is a beautiful place on the water. Dion gave us great service as a bartender, very friendly and made our girls retirement celebration even better. read more

Ambiance was what we needed and Zak was awesome with his service. Great get away in Wisconsin even when you live here jus a few cities over. The food was EVERYTHING! Our first time here but definitely coming back. read more

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Great views of the lake and marina are matched by extensive menu of appetizers (loved the chicken soup!), entrees (grilled salmon salad was superb), and desserts (carrot cake was among the best I have ever had! Friendly yet professional waitstaff. We will be back! read more

Amazing atmosphere. The drinks on the patio in the summer are great. Some of the food is not good enough tor the pricing. The ceviche is a total rip off. The shrimp in a salad are the smallest you can buy. Really disappointing. read more

Pricey dinner options but very delicious. We sat outside and enjoyed the night views. Can recommend for a nice meal. read more

PIER 290 - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Visited for my significant other's birthday. We had an absolutely beautiful time at Pier 290 The service was decent. Meals were spaced out or seemingly timed as one would expect in an upscale establishment. Perhaps our server was newer. We received water sparingly and were not asked about drink refills often. The ceviche we ordered came with freshly baked chips that were not fresh. The first ones cup of chips we received happed to be stale. The replacements had likely been out of the oven for at least an hour. The steak stack was pretty good. The lobster roll was pretty good. The crabcakes were. And the Martini was strong. read more

PIER 290 - Crabcakes and Seafood Ceviche - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Absolutely terrible. The halibut was so dry and tasted like airplane food. The shrimp undercooked and took over an hour to get our food. Do not recommend. read more

Went because it was recommended. Where to begin. Once again, there was dining at the bar. I dont understand it. We had reservations for 730. Showed up at 720, was told it would be a 5 to 10 minute wait, not a problem. There was no room to grab a drink at the bar, so we stood near the door, after about 20 minutes, we slid into a spot someone left at a table in the bar area. Were sat about 5 minutes after that. Ww were sat out on the covered deck, which is whatever. We ordered some drinks, they werent great. Watered down. Not flavorful as stated on menu. The prices are INSANE for what you are getting. We were not offered bread, we saw other tables had some. The menu is VERY limited. Most entrees do not come with salad or potato choice. I got the scallops pasta dish. $44 for tiny bay scallops in a milky bland sauce. My boyfriend got the braised short ribs. $41 for a little pot roast over some blabd mashed potatos and a couple of burnt carrots. My boyfriend mom got the strip steak. $51 Ordered medium rare, but was more medium. Her green beans were good. Her potatos were dry and tasteless. The whole time we were dining there were workers stacking the outdoor furniture. It was loud to say the least. When i made the reservations online, i was asked if it was a special occasion, to which i put that it was my boyfriends moms 80th birthday. They never brought it up or said anything. Overall it just felt like they didnt really care who was there, they just wanted to be done with work. We come from a tourist town, and have been in the supper club/fine dining industry for many years and do not mind paying money for great food and service, this place does not have that. You can tell when a place does not take pride in what they are doing. This place would be a great sports bar! read more

Beautiful views on the lake. Menu was good but would not go out of my way for it. Healthy options in the menu are a big plus. Really good service. read more

Cute little bistro on the shores of Lake Geneva. Our waitress Hailey was prompt, professional, and had a good understanding of the menu. She explained the Friday fish fry special, which was one of the items we ended up ordering. In addition to the fish fry, we also got the fish tacos and the double stack burger. All of the food was really good. The pricing here was a little on the high end, but the food was good, our server Hailey was awesome, and the views are really great. The people making the price gouging comments probably don't have experience running a seasonal business on a lake front property. The comments about Michelin star restaurants having better prices??? Simply untrue. read more

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Stopped in during the holiday time. Had a large party but service was decent! The lobster BLT was my favorite dish read more

PIER 290 - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Pier 290 has good food and service, our family enjoys dining here! The only downside is if you arrive by boat, even with a reservation.. there's no guarantee of a parking spot at the dock. We've had to cancel a few times because of this. It's definitely not the restaurant's fault, but something to keep in mind. If possible, it might be easier to drive instead read more

4.5* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 3* Service: 5* 07/31/2022 Our friends set us up for dinner here one day during our visit and what a great place! For starters, we ordered the Ceviche with chips (see picture) - and it was oh, so delicious! For our meal, I ordered Atlantic Salmon (see picture) and my wife ordered the Chilean Sea Bass (see picture). As per the usual, we both shared with each other and both of us absolutely loved both dishes. The fish was cooked to perfection, the couscous quinoa was light and clean and the flavors were fantastic! If you follow my posts, you also know that I love ending the meal with dessert, so we couldn't pass up sharing the Cobler of the Week (see picture) with the group at our table. Warm, crumbly cobbler and cold creamy ice cream - what a way to finish a fantastic meal! While it is admittedly pricey, the view of the lake, atmosphere and service are fantastic! Not something most of us can afford on a regular basis, but highly recommended to try on your next special occasion. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. read more

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food was horrible. drove over an hour to this place but was not worth it and too expensiv.

Pier 290 is just eh and very expensive for what you get. It wasn't terrible but not worth the price you pay. $14.00 for deviled eggs......they should be magical not the same thing I make at home. The service was good and quick getting our food and the live music was nice. Would not return due to cost. read more

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Pier 290 is a nice spot for lunch on the lake however, the food we had was dry and overcooked. We started with the artichoke spinach dip. There were too many breadcrumbs and the texture was like paste. The broiled chicken sandwich was dry and forgettable. Our French fries were cold . I wouldn't go for food again maybe just a cocktail. Very disappointed. read more

Came in for lunch, nice atmosphere but not worth the price. Paid $39 for a flavorless Lobster Roll. Not much flavor. Tried my friends Mediterranean bowl that was also very bland. Another friend ordered a fruit cup on the side which was an additional $4 for 4 pieces of watermelon. Service was alright. read more

PIER 290 - Lobster Roll - American Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Tyler and our food were amazing. Great service and ambiance. Highly recommend the crab cakes (so good) spinach, artichoke dip, and walleye. Thank you for making my mom's birthday special! read more

Only redeeming quality of this restaurant is the phenomenal view and building. The food is not worth the exorbitant prices they charge. The food place would be out of business in any other building in Williams Bay. The service is nice and I like supporting the local high school and college kids in the area. But they need to fix their pricing model or fix their menu because the food here is really really dreadful. read more

We had sandwiches. Just wanted to check it out . The view was everything . Very loud. Lots of drunk women sadly. 4 pm We sat by the sand away from everyone trying to just enjoy the lake and have a bite. Service needs a serious attitude adjustment. The manager of the bar / restaurant outside has a very rough attitude. My husband and I don't go to places for just eat. . We go for the whole experience. Unfortunately this restaurant disappointed. Maybe if they offer little bites in between all the drinks that they allowed their customers to have. The environment wouldn't be so unfriendly. Honestly the view is such a privilege!!! read more

The drinks, service, and atmosphere were great. As for the food, it was way overpriced for what you get. Out of everything we tried the chicken pot pie was the only good thing. The vodka pasta is $30 for some spaghetti-o sauce. read more

We dined at Pier 290 on a busy Saturday night and had a fantastic experience with a group of 7. We loved the spinach and artichoke dip, chips and dip, and cheese curds as appetizers and then had the lobster roll, veggie pasta, and steak stack as entrees. Everyone was very happy with their choices and our service was phenomenal. Pam and Quin went above and beyond to take care of us all and ensure we had a great dining experience. We will certainly return when back in the area! read more

Always the cream of the crop when in the Lake Geneva area. Food and drinks are always outstanding. Service can get a bit slow depending on the time of day and where you are seated. Food and drinks are a bit pricey but for a higher upscale restaurant it is to be expected! Be sure to wonder out onto the patio's and soak up the views of the lake and even find a chair in the sand to sit and relax by a fire pits! A must stop if you have never been when you are in the area! read more

You can never go wrong with Pier 290! Their drinks and food are always great if you want to get out of the downtown Lake Geneva area.

When it's Friday night in Wisconsin, it means 3 things. Fish Fry, Old Fashions and cheese curds! So our group headed over to Pier 290 on Williamson Bay on the famous Lake Geneva. We got in relatively early so the crowds weren't to bad. To give you and idea how popular Old Fashions are, most places have just one with different bourbons. Pier 290 has 3 different Old Fashions. Lol So many delicious looking entrees but we all came for the fish fry, so I'll have to wait till next time to try some of their other dishes. I had the Blue Gill (or Brim if you're from the South) lol, all you can eat fry. It was amazing. With small fish you have to be very careful not to over cook or they will come out like potato chips. Not the case here. A very tasty breading with an excellent crunch followed by a tender moist piece of fish. And the potato pancakes were amazing. Golden brown on the out side and soft and tender on the inside. The servers were amazing. Telling us all bout the history of the restaurant and Lake Geneva. Always filling the water glasses and clearing empty plates quickly. A+ plus job. A delicious meal and delightful time had by all. read more

We hiked the Lake Shore Path (a 26 mile path around the lake) and around the 15 mile mark we hit Williams Bay. We thought we wanted something quick for lunch, but we are glad we opted for Pier 290. It gave us extra time to relax our feet, the food and service were excellent, and we had a great view of the water. We started with cheese curds. I was extra hungry so they tasted extra good but they deserve the hype regardless. They were so crispy and the cheese pull was unmatched. I also got the white bean chicken chili and split a chicken pot pie with my boyfriend. Both were so warm and flavorful. It is on the pricier end and not sure I would eat here regularly, but after hiking 15 miles, it was the perfect reward! read more

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