I am so happy we took a little pit stop at the Boathouse during our day trip to Kennebunkport. We sat on a high top right on a deck overlooking the water. The view was incredible and they had lots of umbrellas to keep the hot sun off you while you are dining. We originally stopped to get a quick snack but our baby ended up getting hungry, so our quick stop turned into a full blown stop. The staff were super understanding and showed my husband a private corner near the entrance where he could change our baby's diaper. They also were very chill about me taking an extra moment to feed our baby. It was truly the best (and most scenic) place to regroup and take an hour to get a snack and care for the baby. We ended up ordering oysters and a poke bowl. The oysters were super tasty and fresh. The poke bowl was loaded with fish and veggies, but the rice was obviously a day old and was a bit hard and clumpy. The sauce on the poke bowl was also a bit salty. I ordered an Aperol spritz, which was perfect and complimented the sunny beach vibes well. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Tuna Poke - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

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Well, the biggest pros about this place is obvious. There's a parking lot out front, it's located right by the water, it has big windows on pretty much 3/4 of the walls in the dining area and during the winter months, they have cute heated cottages on the deck area where you can reserve to eat with your larger groups. The servers were extremely friendly, fast, and professional. Food? Solid, but nothing to specifically come to this place for. It's your typical, upscale American cuisine, with a tiny portion of the menu dedicated to Asian-fusion esque food. I came up on a day trip so I was satisfied with my general go-to dish when coming to restaurants like this, which is a fish sandwich or fish n'chips. We also got an order of crab cakes because I wanted to eat something that was locally sourced and well, it was fine. Again, I wasn't blown away, but I wasn't offended by it either. Are there probably better restaurants in the area that has better food for your buck? Most definitely. Is this a bit of tourist trap that actually has decent food? Absolutely. read more

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Visited on our first night in town and snagged a beautiful table on the porch. Service was so friendly and the oyster selection was great and they were very good. My husband had a lobster fried rice with shrimp and scallops for dinner which he really liked and I had a whole lobster which was very enjoyable. Very nice way to start off our trip. read more

This is our favorite restaurant In Kennebunkport. Great view of the river. Love the outdoor seating. Meals are always good. They will always have new specials. Valet parking. $5.00. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

Highly recommend the taste of summer cocktail - tasted like Hawaii. We also enjoyed the lobster fried rice and lobster spring roll.

Typical restaurant by water. Food was ok. Staff, some friendly some weren't. Atmosphere- ok

Great experience at the bar, very efficient and friendly staff. Food was good although we just had a couple of appys so not sure about the entrees. Prices are fairly typical for good places in Kennebunkport I suppose $$$. Great views of the river and harbor. read more

We ordered sparingly but it was all good. Although the staff was very presentable there was not much positive personality. They did get the job done but it wasn't a warm fuzzy I want to race back. We loved sitting on the patio looking out on the harbor. read more

Sat at the bar.... Great view... excellent service... fresh lobster spring roll and a quinoa salad! Perfection. The hostess was not so friendly... The bar staff made up for it... read more

1st time here. Tourists to Kennepunkport. Valet parking is reasonable. If not crowded ask if you can leave your car to walk around. Ordered the clam chowder and house salad. House salad is large enough to share. The dressing was wonderful . It complement the salad greens, a slightly sweet and tart dressing. The clam chowder was filled with corn and potatoes and lots of clams. In the restaurant you have great views of the marina and can watch tourists walk around. read more

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The Boathouse Restaurant is a beautiful waterfront location with delicious food and great staff. We came as a party of 7 and had to wait ~1 hour to be seated. No reservations but you're able to track your wait online. Our waiter, Xavier, was super kind, funny, and great at his job. He even went above and beyond, surprising us with a round of prosecco as we were celebrating a bachelorette party. The steak & noodles salad was the stand out favorite among the group with the Brussels sprouts and lobster fried rice also being crowd pleasers. We'd all definitely recommend this absolutely stunning restaurant!! read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

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Great location. Beautiful views. Restaurant is stunning. We got one drink each and the lettuce wraps. Food and drink were perfect, but the lack of service was astounding. We were sitting in the bar, but male bartender walked past us several times. Never checking in to see if we needed anything. Almost ignoring us. Would never go back to be treated so less than. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Pork Korean Lettuce Wraps - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

We had a girls lunch here on Saturday, the restaurant seemed really busy for a winter weekend but our service and food was excellent. I'd highly recommend the bang bang shrimp appetizer. read more

Service was great! Our mussels were some of the best I've had and the soup hit the spot on a rainy day! Our bill for 2 chowders, 2 drinks and the mussels was around 85 so a hair pricey but overall a great experience. The views of the restaurant is a great addition as well. We'd go back! read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Clam chowder and mussels ! - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

I was initially skeptical to come here because of the "lower" reviews. After trying all the other restaurants in town, this was the last on the list. The only thing I'm disappointed was that I didn't start here, because it was my favorite! The ambiance is amazing. The right balance of classy and casual. The views on the water are just what you're looking for. The service and food were delicious. We sat at the back bar this evening to have espresso martini and blueberry crisp. Both exceptional! Including our bartenders. I'm sorry I didn't get their name, but thank you. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Maine Blueberry Crisp & espresso martini - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

We went to this restaurant two nights in a row. First night we just sat at the bar and had martinis. Drinks were great and loved our bar tender Taylor. We came back the second night for dinner and sat on the patio. It was very picturesque. We had the pan seared shrimp and scallops with lobster fried rice. Fabulous! Our waiter was attentive and patient, Two of us split an entree. Bonus points for the kitchen splitting our order before it was brought to the table. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Pan seared scallops and shrimp with lobster fried rice. - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

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Dined here on a busy Monday night and our first evening in Kennebunkport. While it took awhile to seat our group of 6 it was worth a bit of a wait as the service and food were excellent. Cocktails, beer and wine orders were taken quickly. Suggestions and questions about the menu items were expertly handled by our waiter who is from Jamaica. All of us ordered the clam chowder or salads as starters. Great and tasty choices. Entrees selected were buffalo fried shrimp, maine crab cakes, steak & noodle salad, and big fish sandwich. A great first night in town with fantastic service from our waiter. Thanks to all of the staff and owners for this well designed environment. read more

Middle of our birthday celebration. We had finished our morning sail and the group wanted to stay in town for lunch. Having a large group can always be a challenge but we were able to walk in and have great table. The staff was super friendly and attentive. They managed our group nicely and everyone was impressed. The menu offered a variety of option for the group of 11 and it was delicious. From seafood to the turkey club it was presented well and delicious. The space had a nice flow allowing for all seats to participate in the incredible views of the Bay Area. Inside and outside seating options and valet parking. You cannot go wrong there. Plus after the meal we were able to take walk and let lunch settle. Worth the stop for sure. Cheers read more

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Everything was lovely. Excellent waitress. Friendly and efficient valet person. Delicious tuna poke.

We stopped by around 12:30pm on a Saturday and had about a 45-minute wait for outdoor seating for a party of two. We filled up on appetizers and beer and everything was delicious. We had mussels, shrimp cocktail and crab cakes. It was a beautiful day and the scenery was wonderful. read more

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Pretty average for the prices in my option. The burger was nothing special at all and the cheese was barely melted, the lobster rolls were good but not a lot of lobster meat for what we paid for them. The chowder and French onion soup were good as well! read more

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Went here for dinner and was very pleasantly surprised! We weren't sure because of the reviews if it would be good but the food was delicious, service was great, and view is amazing! Had the fish sandwich and chicken sandwich which was recommended by our server. Both were very good. The fish had a great texture and was perfectly cooked. Glad we stopped in! read more

Too many visits here -- and too much money spent -- to be treated like an inconvenience the second we walk in. Back bar: one open seat (we're two people -- my wife and I) with a wide empty gap between chairs. Before even saying hello, the bartender barks, "We don't let people stand, so you'll have to find somewhere else to sit." No welcome, no attempt to help. Before she could finish, a kind guest across from us offered to move over so we could sit together. But instead of embracing the easy fix, she doubled down, lecturing us on which "configurations" were acceptable -- still no greeting, no smile, nothing resembling hospitality. We've stayed here multiple times. We've come for drinks multiple times. And nearly every time, the staff is cold, dismissive, and just plain rude. That's not a bad night -- that's a pattern. We're avid foodies and hospitality lovers. Our standards aren't outrageous -- we just expect basic courtesy. The Boathouse Kennebunk can't seem to manage that. Avoid if you value being treated like a guest instead of a problem. read more

We sat next to window overlooking the marina, beautiful. Food and service were outstanding. Our server Donette was very friendly, had a great smile and personality. Swordfish plate was amazing. read more

We stopped in specifically for oysters and a drink, so we can't speak to the rest of the menu -- but the oysters were absolutely fantastic. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented -- definitely the highlight and worth coming back for. The bar was busy when we arrived, and we had to wait about 15 minutes before snagging two seats. Once seated, service was a bit lackluster. Our bartender didn't seem interested in engaging at all, which felt a little off considering the lively atmosphere around us. Parking in the area is tricky, especially during peak times. If you're nearby, walking or biking is your best bet. Otherwise, valet is available and might save you the headache. read more

We were in MA visiting family and our Marine son mentioned a desire for Maine lobster so my sister-in-law found a place for us to visit right on the water. The area was pretty busy being New Years Eve and there was a 75 min wait at 1pm for a group of four. We decided to wait and they would text us when the table was ready so we walked the stores near the restaurant. It sounds like they're shorthanded as they had tables in the bar area that we asked if we could order at the bar and use the table to sit at and were told no. So out in the cold we went. About 45 mins later we received the text. They offer valet parking and the gentleman parking cars was very courteous and friendly which we appreciated. Upon checking in, the hostess walked us out the back door and I started to think, geez it's cold out here to be eating on the deck. However, she escorted us to one of about four little houses with heaters they have setup on the deck with a table, pillows, blankets, etc inside. We were wowed by the experience. There was a little chill in the air, especially on the feet but everyone seemed fine with the blankets provided over our laps and praised the experience. There was even a bluetooth speaker on the table that you could connect a phone to and play music. I don't eat fish/seafood and had the fried chicken sandwich which I thought was delicious to be honest. My family members had the clam chowder, lobster roll, and spinach dip. The spinach dip came with homemade chips which we requested a second serving of as they were so delicious. The clam chowder had corn in it which my wife thought was odd but understands everyone has their own recipe. My son and brother-in-law had the lobster rolls (one warm, one cold) and thought they were good. We also tried the Whoville drink, a spinoff off a margarita, which we thought was delicious. A great visit that is worthy of a repeat visit. read more

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Xavier was such an awesome waiter. Food was fabulous. Loved sitting on patio with the view of the bay. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

Had a great lunch with friends who live here. Ordered a dozen local oysters which were amazing. Then tried the Tuna Kialwin ceviche from the raw bar which was pretty good, but needed more flavor. The buffalo fried shrimp w/ blue cheese crema was out of this world! So unique and tasty. Then we shared 2 entrees between the 4 of us: the Seafood Tom Yum noodles which had great spicy flavor, and the Seared Shrimp & Scallops w/ lobster fried rice, sesame egg and bok choy. A wonderful bottle of Chablis. A lovely lunch. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Steamed Maine Mussels in delicious broth of lemongrass, tomatoes, ginger and garlic and more oysters! - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

We went for appetizers and dessert. We had a lovely view and great service! The spinach dip was amazing and so were the crab cakes! Of course, we enjoyed the brownie sundae (which is gluten free) but still delicious!! read more

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Great food and great atmosphere. Our server was friendly and helpful. We went there on a whim and there was a 30 minute wait - and it was not a big issue. The food was very good and I will be back read more

Fun restaurant on the water, great view. Very busy and a little loud but able to talk. We were sat right away, got a great seat, our waitress, Margerie, was perfect, attentive and knowledgeable, good bar, great food, menu had a good Asian/New England fusion. My steak chili was perfect for a cold snowy day. Not rushed. Would go back. Vallet "Andy" was super friendly and professional. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant uses my favorite lighting during Christmas which steered us toward the entrance of this waterfront restaurant. I love the bruding dark ambiance & we love the warm low lit bar. This is always a welcome site!! read more

The pancit canton dish was delicious! The noodles were similar to lo mein and there were lots of vegetables in the dish with char sui and chicken. Our waiter was attentive and made sure we were content with everything. read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Pancit Canton - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

Came here for dinner, the food was delicious! We got Oysters (10/10), the Crab Cakes (100/10), the lobster friend rice (9/10) and the clam chowder (9/10)! We would definitely come back! Service was quick, professional and friendly. Ambiance was east coast casual and had a beautiful view of the bay! I was a little nervous when I saw the previous reviews but I think this place was great and would recommend it to anyone in the area! read more

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Texan here!! Excellent food!! Best shrimp taco I have Ever had!! Libby greeted us with a warm smile and seated us quickly. Bernadette our server was so gracious, warm and friendly. We loved the beautiful views. This restaurant is on e of the best in Kennebunkport!! read more

3/5 experience This spot was recommended by a local purely because we can get a nice view of the water but because it was windy that day and a low tide we decided to sit inside. We were seated by the open door however which led to a big draft from both outside and the ceiling fan above us. Okay, no worries! When the food came out we all got a chance to sample everything family style. Clam chowder (3/5): the bacon bits were a nice touch but I found it a bit bland. I am a New Englander and am from Boston so I have had a fair chance to try a lot of chowder in my lifetime and I would have to say this was subpar. Crab cakes (4/5): the green goddess dressing and greens that came with this dish was an excellent touch! Only thing I wished was the crab cake had more flavor and didn't need the sauce to supplement it so much. Shrimp tacos (3/5): I didn't eat the tortilla but I did enjoy the veggies included. It's spicy, tangy, and bites back! However the shrimp did taste a bit chewy and overcooked. Grilled chicken (4/5): did not eat the bun! But I really liked the chicken and fried that came with it. Well seasoned/salted! I'll be thinking about this one for my ride back home. Overall, I was expecting a bit more from this restaurant considering it was the only restaurant I went to sit down and eat at for my day trip. Nevertheless, I will hang on for more hope in the future that my mind will be blown soon. Thank you for a great time, Maine! read more

The Boathouse Restaurant - Blackened Shrimp Tacos Grilled Chicken New England Clam Chowder Maine Crab Cakes - Seafood Near Me - Kennebunkport, Maine

Love Kennebunkport during the summer, lots of cool shops & restaurants to check out. This was my 1st time at The Boathouse and the experience was quite enjoyable! The atmosphere is upscale & comfortable with a nice view of the Kennebunk River. Our bartender (Christian, hope I got the name right) was friendly and professional. My gin & tonic and my wife's espresso martini were spot on. For appetizers, we shared the Tuna Poke Bowl and the Monkfish Stew, both were excellent! Price wise this is a very affordable restaurant considering the high quality you get. Great 1st impression and we will definitely come back so give The Boathouse a try and Enjoy! read more

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Really beautiful place for lunch! They don't take reservations so make sure you get there to wait in line as they open if you want any hope of getting a table; especially if you're with a large group. Mo' Money Mo' Problems drink was good but a bit sweet for me. Rose Prosecco- dry with a hint of sweet on the end. Brussels sprouts were delicious. Perfectly crispy while still being tender. Buffalo fried shrimp was the same as the sprouts; crispy but still tender inside. The flavor was great and wasn't overwhelming with buffalo flavor. You still taste the shrimp. Lobster fried rice- was meh but I wouldn't order it again. Rice doesn't have much flavor. There were two chunks of lobster but the lobster has no seasoning or flavor. Just a bowl of rice with minimal egg and toppings. Very little flavor. Needed soy sauce. Highly recommend the fish and chips. It was so flavorful but not overly fishy. Breading is light and fluffy with good crunch. Fish is flavorful and melt in mouth. read more

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The lobster rolls came with nothing on them. No mayo. The ambiance. Was no ambiance. Our waitress. Was fun. read more

Amazing experience. * Service = 5 stars. Bar staff is top notch. * Appetizer = Muscles - 4.5 stars. Amazing flavor. * Lobster roll - 4 star. * Dessert = Coconut Cheesecake = 10 stars. read more

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