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    The Windlass

    3.9 (442 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    The Windlass Photos

    THE WINDLASS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Windlass

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    Honeybee Martini
    Nicole M.

    Finally made it to the Windlass! We attempted to come earlier this summer without a reservation and learned the hard way. Fast forward to October and getting a reservation on a Sunday afternoon is east street :) We sat outside which is covered but the big garage doors can be opened when it's warm out. I had the honeybee martini along with the chargrilled oysters and caprese salad. It was perfect! Forgot to mention they serve you bread and oil when you sit down which is rare these days. It was so good that our server Colleen packed it up for us to take home. We really wanted to sit in the booths that are on the dock and learned that it's first come, first serve and for drinks only. No food service. So, after eating we sat out there with some drinks and watched the sunset. The experience was well worth coming back. I'm already thinking about coming back next summer!

    Elsie C.

    Came here twice. Once for dinner and once for drinks at the bar. Food was very good. Portions generous. Drinks at the bar were ok. We went at the tail end of the night on Valentine's Day . I think the bar staff was tired from a long day bc there was zero inviting atmosphere at the bar.

    Evita N.

    If you're visiting Lake Hopatcong, The Windlass is one of those must-stop spots that really delivers the full lakeside experience. We came on a warm summer afternoon and scored a table right on the deck, with gorgeous views of the water, boats drifting by, and a nice breeze keeping things comfortable. The menu has something for everyone, from wood-fired pizzas to hearty pastas and fresh seafood. We went with the Crispy Buffalo Chicken pizza, and it was perfect.. just the right balance of heat and creamy drizzle on a crisp, flavorful crust. The drinks were just as impressive; my cocktail not only tasted fantastic but came garnished with a fresh orchid, which felt like a little tropical getaway in a glass. Service was friendly and quick, even though the place was busy. You can tell they know how to keep things moving without making you feel rushed. Between the great food, beautiful setting, and welcoming atmosphere, The Windlass makes you want to linger a little longer, order one more drink, and just soak in the view. Definitely a place we'll be returning to!!

    Eggplant Caprese Sandwich (as a wrap)
    Mary K.

    Came in for a late lunch on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. They have a large covered outside patio that was really nice. They had a limited Red, White, and Bkue menu but it still had a ton of food choices. I got the Eggplant Caprese as a wrap instead of sandwich and my husband got the Hot Honey Chicken sandwich. Portions were solid. We are very hungry and eat everything. The fries were delicious!

    First time here!
    Pat M.

    The first time we ate at Windlass was when restaurants just started reopening at the end of Covid. Since then, we've been back to the Windlass a few times and it's always been very nice. Whether it's drinks at the bar, dining outside, or inside like this past Monday night, we've had good experiences. On this occasion, my wife and stepsons enjoyed a nice casual dinner. My cheesesteak sandwich was excellent and everyone enjoyed their meals. The cannoli cake for dessert was delicious! Service here is excellent! The staff does a great job taking care of the patrons!

    Marcela L.

    First let's talk location: beautiful lakefront view! Dining outdoors was the best! Booked a reservation online and they accommodated us when we were running a bit late. The view is absolutely amazing! Lots of parking! Service was also good. Ryan was our waiter and did an awesome job making sure we were okay throughout the whole dining experience. Our food did take a bit long to come out but it was worth the wait! Calamari and mussels came out quick and both were absolutely delicious. Calamari was perfectly fried and they gave both chipotle and marinara sauce. The chipotle sauce was yummy! I only tried the sauce from the mussels but it was so good! Next were the entrees. I ordered the shrimp scampi and it was by far one of the best I have had. It was so flavorful. Hubby let me try his pork chop and it was juicy! Everyone said the food was delicious. Dessert was just what we needed to end the evening. Had the lava cake and Reese's cake at the waiter's suggestions and he did not disappoint. Drinks were good too but the food was the highlight as well as the views. Will come back!

    Angela L.

    Come for the sunset, but definitely stay for the food -- lol! This place blew me away from start to finish: the views, the service, and the food were all top-tier. We started with the calamari and mussels -- both fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. For my main, I had the chicken parm, and it was a standout. Crispy, well-seasoned, and portioned just right -- I even had leftovers to enjoy later (bonus!). Dessert-wise, the lava cake was okay, but if you're choosing between sweets, run to the Reese's dessert -- absolutely worth it. Our server? A+ across the board. Friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. Can't wait to come back!

    Kasia C.

    We came here for lunch on a Sunday afternoon as a party of 7. Reservation was made ahead of time for 1pm. This place has a 90 minute seating limit but it wasn't super busy. We were seated outside on near the lake which was very nice. For appetizers, we ordered garlic shrimp, cheesy bread, mussels fra diavolo and zucchini flowers. All the apps were delicious but the zucchini flowers with the ricotta were spectacular! For mains, my husband ordered the lobster roll, I got a chicken focaccia sandwich with truffle fries and the kids split a shrimp scampi. This is a very cute spot and their bucket drinks are delicious

    Calamari
    Terri-Ann M.

    They have a parking lot, great views of the lake, and the aesthetic of the restaurant has nautical vibes. The staff is cordial and attentive. The food needs some work, we had the calamari (the best thing we ate), the carne asada could have been better (too much oil, lacked flavor), garlic bread was chewy, as for the cocktails they were alright (had a Sangria). Highly suggest getting a sandwich or burger for food. To my we are either 1 or none

    Casey S.

    Came here tonight with my wife to enjoy a quiet evening at a recommended restaurant. Food; our choice of food was well worth it. For an appetizer we got the fried calamari which was pretty lightly breaded and not super heavy. For dinner I picked a chicken saltimbocca which I REALLY enjoyed and my wife got a Crazy Tuna roll which was very flavorful. I also got a mocktail called a cherry bomb that I enjoyed, albeit drank a bit fast. Service: because we sat away outside the service was a little slow but it was a bit of a busy night and our waiter Ryan was honestly stellar. Super nice and was checking on us frequently enough. Also our hostess whose name I never received was so kind. Aesthetic: beautiful bar along a small marina on Lake Hopatcong. I assume this place is packed during the summer but it made for a very nice night otherwise.

    Beet pita sandwich
    Stacey G.

    Came here for lunch. The food and service were great! To start we ordered the garlic shrimp. It's a large portion and everyone really enjoys it - they always order the garlic shrimp appetizer. I ordered the red beet pita which was delicious - wish it came with onion that is listed on the menu. All year outdoor seating on the lake is key! I'm not sure if they had specials - we weren't told of any specials and I didn't see a separate menu insert.

    Natty C.

    I love this place when the weather is nice. Beautiful views and right on the water. I sat at the bar and it wasn't too crowded. Very good food.

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Food and vibe are always excellent. We love the small plates and appetizers. Love their fresh take on cocktails.

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    3 months ago

    Have been to the Windlass a few times and love the decor overlooking the lake. The food is always good and you get a lot for your money.

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - The Windlass

    Is it dog friendly?

    The Windlass is a restaurant serving food. For that reason we must follow health code requirements - one of which is not allowing pets/dogs on premises. This includes, inside the main dining room, the outdoor pavilion, docks, and porch. We… Read more

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    Portofino

    Portofino

    4.1
    (174 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    I was there on an invite by a fantastic friend. The place was in far flung Jefferson Township…read more Never been there but the drive was pleasant on a weekend, getting there was a winding vista of woods and lake then the clearing... Portofino. There is ample parking and it was packed that afternoon. I was met by the friendliest staff. One in particular was wearing a chef's uniform who was dashingly handsome. The entire place's ambiance is classy, warm and cozy, busy with locals who knows each other Riesling was good. The Bruschetta was delicately flavored and fresh. I'm not usually crazy with it but this has been the best I've ever tasted...so far. Lobster ravioli was phenomenal. Nuanced flavor (definitely not store bought) perfectly balanced ingredients that meld in to one delectable tasting meal. The pièce de résistance was dessert- Almond cake. Light as air. Not too sweet, just heavenly cloud like consistency that melts in your mouth. I'm definitely going back and take that 50mile drive over again. Oh yeah! I was totally enthralled by my company as well.

    I came back here for another party. I did have some different foods. Once again, the service was…read moretop-notch and friendly. We were served bruschetta first. I had this on a prior visit, and it was better. The bread was too soft and did not hold up well with the actual bruschetta, which was tasty once again, tons of freshness. The antipasto had fresh meats and cheeses, which were appetizing. I also tried the clams, mussels, stuffed mushrooms, and calamari. The clams and mussels appeared fresh and were pleasant while the stuffed mushrooms were small but packed with flavor. I am not usually a fan of them, but I really enjoyed these. The calamari was solid too, nice breading to fish ratio on most of them. The second course was penne vodka (similar thoughts from prior review apply). The next course was the house salad, which was better than I remember. For my main course this time, I had the salmon in a white wine garlic sauce with some vegetables. The salmon was a good-sized portion with plenty of the sauce. The sauce was a good balance and paired well with the appropriately sized salmon. For dessert, there was a white cake with a strawberry filling. They provided the cake, but not sure where it came from. It was not bad. The cake and strawberry filling was good, but the frosting as well as the icing was too sweet and had too thick of a layer.

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    Location
    Shrimp scampi
    Shrimp scampi
    Kicking off the weekend!

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    Kicking off the weekend!
    Little Nicki's

    Little Nicki's

    3.8
    (162 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    It's a family style restaurant with some great food, casual atmosphere and some very friendly and…read moreattentive staff! They treat you like family! We've never been disappointed with a meal!!

    After spending the morning enjoying some water sports, my family and I (a party of 7) stopped by…read moreLittle Nicki's for lunch--and it was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. The service was truly top-notch. The staff was friendly, attentive, and went out of their way to make sure we were well taken care of. It's not easy accommodating a large group, but they handled it with warmth and ease. We ordered a variety of dishes, and everything was delicious: Two fresh, crisp salads Perfectly fried calamari Flavor-packed arancini balls Comforting and indulgent buffalo chicken mac and cheese A grandma pie with vodka sauce (a must-try!) Decadent desserts: classic cannoli and cannoli cheesecake Refreshing drinks including a homemade lemonade (so good!), iced coffee, cappuccino, and a macchiato. The portions were extremely generous--we left with plenty of leftovers--and the prices were surprisingly reasonable for the amount and quality of food we received. I wish I took more photos of the food before it was eaten. I only wish we lived closer so we could return more often. This place is a hidden gem, and I would highly recommend Little Nicki's to anyone looking for amazing Italian food, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere.

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    Little Nicki's
    Garlic Bread
    Garlic Bread
    Wine & cheese night event

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    Wine & cheese night event

    The Windlass - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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