Over the weekend a small group of girlfriends and I went to Rick's Boatyard to enjoy the nice weather. I was fortunate enough to make a last minute reservation on open table (yay!) and we had an excellent table on the patio overlooking the water! It had been a couple of years since my last visit, and was sad to see some of my usual favorites no longer on the menu (I'm looking at you chicken cordon bleu fingers!!!). The vibes were incredible! Unfortunately our cocktails and food were average and honestly lacked a lot of flavor, but I will keep returning for the patio! I will say, parking can also be a nightmare depending on the time of day. They do have a rather big lot, so you may just be driving around for a while. If you happen to park further out, I appreciate they have a golf cart shuttle to the main entrance! read more

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Rick's used to be one of my favorite spots for a date night or dinner with friends, but after today's visit, that changed. The service was great, and our server did everything he could to make our experience enjoyable. Unfortunately, I was heartbroken to learn that a new chef has taken over, completely revamped the menu, and STOPPED SERVING THE BEST APPETIZER IN ALL OF INDIANA: the Chicken Cordon Bleu Fingers. I genuinely have no idea why they would make this decision. These have been on the menu for well over a decade, have a cult following, and are one of the main reasons many people visit Rick's in the first place. Thankfully, our server went above and beyond and found a way to make it happen since they still prepare them for banquets and special events. That alone should tell you how beloved they are. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal didn't fare as well. The risotto was a major disappointment. It was bland, overcooked, and lacked the rich flavor it used to have. The gumbo was also underwhelming, tasting overly tomato-heavy and missing the depth and seasoning you'd expect. Overall, the food quality has noticeably declined. Between the menu changes and the disappointing execution, it's no longer worth the drive or the price point for me. It's disappointing to see a restaurant I once loved move in this direction. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Celebrated a coworker's retirement here with Sunday brunch, and I didn't even realize they offered brunch until this visit. It ended up being such a nice experience! We sat on the patio, and although the shades were closed earlier in the day, they opened them later once the weather warmed up, which made the vibe even better. Our server was very nice and attentive, especially with our large group. We ordered a half mimosa tower, and I really enjoyed it. I also tried Rico's Coffee from the brunch menu, which was so good and paired perfectly with the brunch vibe. I ordered the French toast platter, which came with four pieces of French toast, scrambled eggs, brunch potatoes, and bacon. It was delicious and so filling that I had to get a to-go box. The yogurt parfait was also really good, and everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their food and drinks, including the Bloody Mary options and tea. We ordered liquid marijuana shots as a group and these were great. One thing to note: we brought a cake for our friend and didn't know there was a $25 outside cake fee, so be aware of that if you plan to bring your own dessert. After brunch, we walked around the beautiful grounds, and a few of us stayed longer on the patio. The high-top seating wasn't the most comfortable, but the drinks and appetizers made up for it. The whiskey sour was good, and we enjoyed the crab cakes, calamari, shrimp, and Rico's dip. This turned into an all-day affair with good food, drinks, beautiful weather, and great company. A really nice spot for brunch, celebrations, and patio time. read more

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Food was really good, service was a bit slow but could have been due to Father's Day. The view of the lake was nice and relaxing. The Parmesan Branzino was great! Flakey, and Parmesan crusted seasoning with green beans and rice. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Parmesan Branzino Fish - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This was my second visit to Rick's, and probably my first time in ten years. I made reservations online for a group of 8 and it was super easy. Day of, the staff called to confirm numbers and where we'd like to sit. Check in was easy, but our seating request hadn't been transferred over, no big deal thankfully. Our waitress was super friendly, and kept well organized. She automatically provided separate checks without even asking. I ordered the roll basket and bacon jam burger. The rolls were fine, but nothing special. The bacon jam burger was super delicious. Overflowing with bacon. My only complaint is I ordered it medium and it came out more medium well to well done. We all agreed we enjoyed our experience and would have to come back again. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Rick's is a very popular restaurant because of the water views and abundance of seafood. I went with a group of my husband's colleagues since they were here from out of town. Everyone enjoyed the libations as well as their dinner. It was a pricey meal but well worth it. read more

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This is the first time I've been to Rick's in a while and it didn't disappoint. We met our two friends and their young daughter for dinner. They were so nice and brought out a 'fancy' drink for her to enjoy. (Sprite, grenadine and a cherry) The waitress was so nice and the food came out quickly. So good! read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Rico Burger - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Met a group of friends for dinner, a party of 20. Our server was great getting our drinks and food orders going, she was quick and attentive for us all. We ordered the Calamari appetizer which is a 5 star always, so tender, and good. The rest of the food was not great for me. I ordered the crab stuffed Orange Roughy. It was very strong and I had a hard time eating it. The mashed potatoes and asparagus were ok, so I focused on that. I really have a hard time with Ricks as the food can be a hit or miss. Hubs liked his grilled tenderloin sandwich. read more

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always a great view while enjoying great food with great company - our server this past weekend was wonderful and attentive. our seven-year-old craves their Caesar salad and we crave the cocktails as her parents :) great family dining spot anytime time of the year read more

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Went on Mother's Day and got seated immediately. Server was attentive and provided good recommendations from the menu. The salmon on the risotto was flavorful and well cooked but the risotto lacked flavor. The lobster portions were large and was so buttery and tender. read more

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Food is always pretty good. We come here often for after-work drinks and appetizers! With a big group, we got to try a lot of things. Service was pretty good, especially with the size of our group! read more

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Excellent food. Beautiful dining room and view. Wonderful service. We went over Valentines weekend. Love the decor and photo opp. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Photo opportunity - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The food, drinks have been consistently good. However, we made a reservation and they had some issues with OpenTable that night. We waited at least 45 minutes to get our table. The host told us that we can get a free appetizer, which they do follow through with. We were just disappointed for the wait since we had made a reservation. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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This place never disappoints and it's such a great location to meet up with friends and family. Our server Katie was attentive and friendly. I tried something new tonight and ordered the short rib grilled cheese and a side of collard greens. Both were delicious and I brought home enough for lunch the next day. My espresso martini was prepared just right and good to the last drop. We always order a Rico's dip for the table and it was good as usual and plenty enough for six people to share. We also had an appetizer special that was yummy. It was crab balls with some other seasonings and remoulade sauce. We're hoping they'll add it to the regular menu. Be sure to save enough room for one of their fantastic desserts. read more

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I went to Rick's for lunch. We were seated rather quickly. Our server was pleasant and took our orders promptly. Everything came out as ordered but the Lobster was cooked so poorly that I could no longer eat it after 2 bites. I let the server know and he literally had no response, awkwardly stood there, and then walked away. It's disappointing to only be able to enjoy the sides from the meal and not the entire entree. It felt very wasteful from a cost & time perspective. Please listen to your consumers concerns when they share them as it's impactful to the dining experience. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Grilled Lobster Tail Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes Grilled Asparagus - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

what a disappointment, went there to celebrate my daughters college graduation, party of seven. Waited over 30 minutes for our drinks, sever said the bar was behind. When we did get our drinks the ice had melted and the beer was not cold. Ordered apps, they came out cold. Food was not hot either. Because we were a large group there was an 20 % gratuity added. 425.00 dollars for poor service and cold food. Never again. read more

Great place to go for the night. good cocktail menu and bourbon options. The food is definitely hit or miss. Sometimes it is really good and other times it's just ok. Either way it is a pretty place to go and have a drink. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Funny mug - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Very good salad! Basic steak but the rest was really nice. Friendly service. It was a nice day so liked being able to sit outside. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Bleu Cheese Steak Salad - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Great food and great water views on the patio. We ordered grilled fisherman's catch - which had grilled salmon, scallops, shrimp and half lobster tail with coconut rice, and also ordered Mahi Mahi on soba noodles - both dishes were unique, well-presented and delicious! In dessert we had the Mudd pie which was unexpectedly a huge piece, can easily serve more than 2 people! The food was delicious and the serving sizes are huge! I recommend this place if you want to eat with a waterfront view and a little away from the hustle of Indy! read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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This Mahi Mahi was to die for! Definitely the best I have ever had in Indiana! It sat on a bed of soba noodles and had Asian sauce and vegetables. Delicious ! My boyfriend had the five pepper Alfredo. It was also good but not as good as the Mahi. There is a reason that dish had the restaurant favorite sign on it. This restaurant sat on a beautiful lake with a nice view. The biggest downside is we sat on the patio and it was VERY loud. Lots of background noise. You couldn't hear everyone at your table. This would've downgraded my review except my meal was that good! read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Five Pepper Chicken Fettuccini - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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My wife and I have noticed in recent months the high caliber of service received at area restaurants. It seems to be a trend that we most definitely welcome. Such was the case Sunday evening at Rick's Cafe Boatyard with our Gold Medal server, Katie. Our party of six could not have been taken better care of. From cocktails, appetizers, and entrees, the party members were constantly whose bill would be charged for what. THAT HAPPENS SHEN FAMILIES GET TOGETHER. She did not miss a single item. Her personality and knowledge was exceptional. Specifically, Katie suggested an appetizer special of the night that was absolutely amazing. The food is always great but a new chef had noticeably tweaked the recipe for the shrimp and scallop linguine that is easily one of the most enjoyable seafood/pasta dishes I have ever tasted. LORDY, it was so so good. The manager graciously came by and made sure our experience was great and thanked us for dining with them. Of course, we had to brag about Katie and her excellent service. The cocktails were great, the appetizers were amazing and the service was top notch. It made a three hour evening with family memorable. Thank you. read more

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I love the atmosphere and the view BUTthe past view times it seem to be slipping, this has Been the worse yet I came and my steak was charred my bake potato came out hard as a rock, when they brought me a new one it was microwaved so bad that I Burt my tongue on the fork because I had left it stuck in the potato, I did a Rico style and all the asparagus was Burnt and WELL over cooked My date had pork chops and they was pretty charred on one side and her green beans seemed to have been more overcooked then the pork chops the waiter messed a few things up but still not one manager showed up to atleast pretend to be worried about the issues terrible for the money I spent on the night I guess it's time to check this place off the list what a shame but I can find better for the price.... So beware it's not the same as it use to be read more

Labor Day weekend we celebrated our friend's birthday at Rick's Boatyard and had such a different experience than we have on past visits! He requested a table on the water and previously we always dined inside, but never again! Such a better experience! This can be a casual meet up spot or romantic date, ours seemed to be both! Our waiter was fantastic and kept our drinks filled as well as food arrived promptly. I got the Shrimp Taco Dinner, which comes with three tacos, basmati rice and a bowl of black beans. It was delicious!! My husband got the smoked pork chop and loved it as much as he loves his steaks which is saying a lot coming from him! I also got the Hula Dreams Sangria and loved it! For dessert both couples got the key lime pie. Our friend's pie was free since it was his birthday. When the check came we snatched it up as a gift to him. My husband even thanked him for including us in his day because we had such a great time with both dinner and the before meal boat rental. Going to Rick's and dining outside you feel as if you aren't located in Indiana anymore which was a small nice getaway! read more

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This is a review of your website, specifically the menu as we do love the outside patio. The menu on the site is just pictures of various pages. Take the time to list it out so people dont have to look at and read a picture. Your restaurant is too nice to cut corners. read more

I wanted to love my dinner at Rick's Café Boatyard, but the experience was extremely disappointing and concerning. While dining, a large animal, possibly a rat or opossum, ran across the dining room floor. Guests were screaming, scrambling, and standing on chairs. It was shocking, unsettling, and honestly not something anyone expects to witness inside a restaurant. Unfortunately, that was not the only issue. My food, as well as others at the table, arrived lukewarm to cold. After I raised the issue with our server, a replacement dish was brought out, though it appeared it may have simply been reheated. The service also lacked attention to basic details. I had to repeatedly ask for finished plates and used glasses to be removed from the table, rather than having them cleared automatically. This experience raised serious concerns about cleanliness, food quality, and service standards. I hope management takes immediate action to address what happened and ensure guests do not have this kind of experience again. read more

We had decent service this time around and the view was amazing. It was my first time trying the stir fry. It was more watery than I anticipated but it had a kick to it. The mocktail was also good. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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We arrived around 3pm on a Sunday with a party of 6. We were seated immediately out by the water which was what we wanted without asking. The waitress was amazing, prompt with drinks, and answered all of our questions. We ordered a round of appetizers. The crab cakes, crab stuffed mushrooms, and the short rib taquitos. The crab cakes had a weird taste to me but the others enjoyed it. The taquitos were as big as egg rolls, and were delicious with the sauce it comes with. For our entrees, the table ordered the sticky ribs, catfish dinner, one of the pizzas, the salmon dinner, Korean chicken sandwich, and the Cajun chicken pasta. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the portions were large. read more

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What an Incredible night!!! I enjoyed my food, Orange Roughy stuffed with crab, mashed potatoes, and of course an adult beverage (2). I came to see the Christmas singers, and they did not disappoint!! My server Travis was OUTSTANDING!!! I really hope he is there the next time I come in. I highly recommend him. This was the 1st time I visited for such a festive night, and between the amazing decorations and the lively crowd....I give an A+++++++ Parking was pretty full, but I found a good spot, and I was impressed that there was security in the lot upon leaving, since it was late. To say I had a fun night is an understatement.....BRAVO RICK'S CAFE & BOATYARD read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Great outdoor dining area. I had lunch at Rick's today. We had outstanding service and good food. Admittedly, I almost always have the fried catfish. Growing up in the South, I find it hard to find fried fish that is flavorable and fried just right in Indiana. I can name only a handful of restaurants in Indianapolis that fries catfish the way I like it. The chef at Rick's never disappoints me! read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - View from the patio - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Big place, and we were able to walk in and get seated immediately on thanksgiving day. Plus we ordered and it was out so quick, was very helpful as we had a plane to catch. service was fantastic and friendly. The view is great. The food was not bad. The bread and butter to start was good. Ordered the shrimp scallop linguini and was good just needed quite a bit of salt and pepper which was on the table. Good portion. Kids had pizza and fries. Both good. The bacon wrapped scallops were overcooked but still not bad. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Enjoying the view and the heaters - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Fantastic location overlooking the lake. Service was spot on and portions were huge. The short ribs were even delish the following day. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Staff are professional and food is delicious. Sometimes the quality is not consistent. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Calamari starter - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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The salmon and coconut rice were amazing! We were lucky to be able to sit outside, and overall had a great time.

It's always tough to rate a place when you have 13 family and friends at the table but Rick's Cafe Boatyard pulled it off. It started with Krista our waitress. She was phenomenal in that she was very patient, very informative and EXTREMELY nice. I'd like to nominate her for employee of the month to be able to put up with 13 folks with lots of different tastes and lots of questions. She handled it all with a smile and most friendly manner. The food was phenomenal. A wide variety of options. Most went with a seafood dish. I had the Grilled Fisherman's Catch...Mesquite grilled Atlantic salmon, half lobster tail, jumbo shrimp and scallops, and coconut rice. The majority went with the seafood but a few went with pork and chicken. NOBODY was disappointed. So, long and short is you must check it out. Also, if you get a chance, ask to go out on the deck with a very nice view of the Eagle Creek Reservoir. Just a beautiful location with beautiful food and beautiful service!!! Oh yeah, by the way you ABSOLUTELY MUST TRY THE CARROT CAKE! The BEST! read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

First time here, the food and restaurant was amazing! Met family there and we were not rushed as we caught up.

The food was fine.. ordered a couple of appetizers. It was not busy and service was incredibly slow. - 10 mins to get seated... OK - Waited 15 mins before a server came to take drink order. Not good. - Waited 20 mins before drinks arrived. - Was promised water waited 20 mins for that - Ordered second cocktail and waited 41 mins for that... beer came to the table warm. Very disappointing. Long waits and high prices.. It will be quite some time before I go back. read more

I had read a few reviews and was very surprised when we arrived. Not what I expected, but good... in a different way. This place is massive and I would guess there were 500 people dining this Saturday night. They handle it very well. It was a beautiful night so we requested outside. Lovely view, but very casual. The patio tables are folding tables. (Why not upgrade?) No tablecloths. Food and service were outstanding. Wait staff very young and urban... no formality. It feels more like a waterfront bar, but the huge menu runs from sandwiches to seafood to steak. 3 out of 4 had seafood. Very good. Hubby had pork chops.. very over cooked. I've had people recommend it for a special occasion... no. Lots of groups, a bit rowdy. All that said.. I can't wait to go back. I'll sit at the bar and enjoy the view. read more

Menu has changed and they removed my favorite - chicken cordon bleu fingers. Left very disappointed.

Rick's Boatyard continues to be one of my go-to spots in Indy for a solid mix of great food, a gorgeous view, and a vibe that can flex between casual and celebratory. My husband and I came here on Friday, May 16th around 7 PM to celebrate our anniversary. Even though it was graduation weekend and very crowded, we were seated right away thanks to his reservation. Pro tip: make a reservation, especially during busy seasons. Food & Drink: I ordered the Five Pepper Chicken Fettuccine, but swapped the chicken for six jumbo grilled shrimp and WOW. The shrimp were grilled to perfection with this slightly charred finish that paired beautifully with the creamy pasta. Hands down the highlight of the meal. I also had the Peach Bellini Mocktini, which was refreshing, fruity, and just the right touch of fancy without the alcohol. My husband tried the Bee Sting cocktail and said it was solid. I tasted it too. If you're into strong tequila-forward drinks, this one won't disappoint. Rick's is not shy with their pours. Atmosphere & Service: We sat indoors but still had a beautiful view of the lake. The indoor space is cozy but elevated, and it feels like a place where you could come in jeans or dress up for a birthday dinner. Despite how packed it was, our service was attentive and kind. Everyone seemed to be moving fast but still making space for care, which I appreciated. Note: The weather was wild with severe thunderstorms, but they had valet service available, which was a nice touch. My husband didn't use it, but it was great to know it was an option. Parking can be a little tight, but honestly, it's always worth it for the food and experience. Final Thoughts: Rick's is just a reliable fave. I've done date nights, girls' nights, birthdays, and casual meetups here and it always delivers. The location, the food, the drinks, the versatility. It's a staple. read more

Rick's Café Boatyard - Top: Chicken Parmesan Bottom: Five Pepper Chicken Fettuccini with 6 Jumbo Shrimp - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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We visited Rick's on Saturday, and it was a great dining experience! Our meal started with the gumbo which was perfect for my husband since it didn't have shrimp or any shellfish in it because he's allergic. For our main entrees, my husband ordered the catfish, while I opted for the beef short ribs with a loaded baked potato. Both dishes were absolutely delicious--perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. Finally for dessert, my husband ordered and took home a 4 tired carrot cake with cream cheese icing and it was also delicious. Where we sat, although freezing outside the sun reflecting off the water was the perfect backdrop for the ambiance. The service was outstanding, with our waiter going above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. We had a table of 10 and we felt truly welcomed and well taken care of. If you're looking for great food and great service, Rick's is definitely the place to go. We'll be back for sure! read more

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