We had a great family lunch at The Windlass! The location right on Lake Hopatcong is beautiful, and it was so cool watching people dock their boats and walk right in for a bite. We sat inside but there are tables outside along the dock. They have both an indoor and outdoor bar, including a really unique boat-shaped bar inside. The service was super friendly from start to finish. As for the food, the portions are massive! We tried the wood-fired oven pizza, which had a great crust. A few of our dishes were a bit on the salty side, but overall everything tasted good. It is a fantastic, relaxed spot to bring the family for lunch by the water. read more

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What a beautiful restaurant right next to the lake! Came here on a Friday night with friends. We made a reservation ahead of time, and were seated promptly in the outdoor area. Everything we ordered was excellent! Tara our server was attentive, and all the other staff were friendly and helpful. The price is really reasonable with the location. We thoroughly enjoyed the dinner. Will be back again! read more

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Amazing burger , cooked perfectly with very crispy fries and coleslaw. The view is amazing ! I really enjoy the friendly staff and Great service. I will come back soon Highly recommend stopping in for a great meal and service! read more

The Windlass - Classic burger and fries .. yum! - American Near Me - Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

Great location on the lakeside; the views are magnificent. Loud; not very good acoustics, certainly lively. Limited menu; high prices. We ordered zucchini blossoms (quite good) and calamari (hot sauce overwhelmed with red pepper flakes) for appetizers. My bucatini entree was very good. Our server, Nataly C, was fantastic, answering every request we made with a pleasant tone and manner (you know how some servers can cop an attitude when you ask for a clean fork?). Very enjoyable evening meal. read more

The Windlass - Bucatini - American Near Me - Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

I attended my friend's baby shower at The Windlass in Lake Hopatcong, NJ on a Sunday morning. There is plenty of parking. The event was at The Lake Room with spectacular views of Lake Hopatcong. There was a bubbly bar where guests can make your own mimosas from a display of prosecco, accompanied by assorted juices and a variety of fresh seasonal berries. I enjoyed making my own fruity and tropical pineapple mimosas. The brunch buffet consisted of scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, mixed spring greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette, assorted seasonal fruits, yogurt parfaits, chicken francese, penne a la vodka, and garlic green beans. All the food I had was very good, flavorful, delectable, and filling. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They came around asking if we needed anything and cleared plates. Water, coffee, tea, and soda were included. The Lake Room is very spacious and has high ceilings. read more

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My friends and I came here and the laid back nature of the place and the location right on Lake Hopatcong was really was drew us in. Our waitress was super sweet, and when I was in between drinks and had her surprise me, the drink was delicious. It's a great family spot, there are a lot of tables (inside and out), and they had the cutest little booths outside on a dock that were reserved for patrons only getting drinks. The food was alright for bar food (the wings were the best of what we ordered), but we more came for the view and vibes! Can't wait to come back with all the nice weather we're having. read more

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Nice salads and tasty housemade black bean burgers. Fun sitting at the bar. Friendly service. Make reservations for outdoors at least two days in advance. read more

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! read more

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We stopped by Friday afternoon for some drinks and pizza. It was already packed outside so we sat by the bar for an hour or 2 to kill some time. Service was spotty at first but ended well and we all had a good time. Bonus for a properly poured Guinness. read more

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. They have the best Caesar salad dressing and their pizzas are delicious as well.

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!! read more

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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. read more

The Windlass - American Near Me - Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

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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! read more

The Windlass - Eggplant Caprese Sandwich (as a wrap) - American Near Me - Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

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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! read more

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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! read more

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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! read more

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Beautiful spot! Came here with my family for dinner and the food was amazing. We really enjoyed the garlic shrimp appetizer and the Pasta Trio on Tuesdays is definitely worth it. Our server Joe was very friendly and informative and it was a beautiful night on the water. Definitely would recommend making a reservation especially if you're hoping to sit outside. read more

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Great spot for lunch. That's my particularly favorite meal to have here. Serves consistently good American favorites right on the lake. The view is sensational. I once heard a rumor that Kelsey Grammar has bartended there a few times, I'm not absolutely certain of this but it would be pretty cool if it were true! read more

Food was cold. Waiter didn't check on us until the food was done. Had to ask 3 separate people for a fork and ended up having to grab it off another table. Asked for medium rare steak, got well, well done. Disappointed. We've been here many times, this was not our usual experience. read more

We were at the Windlass for lunch yesterday 7/31. had appetizers at the bar, no alcohol $60, paid it, and left the bar person a cash tip. They were good, then went outside and had lobster rolls @ $34 each, dried pieces of lobsters on a very soft, falling apart egg bread roll,they were terrible, only had H20 with lunch, then requested 2 espresso martinis, tasted like they were made with watery Sanka, we returned them, then ordered 2 espressos. My bill came to (with tax) $89.57, my girlfriend gave the waitress $23.00 in cash. Nothing extra on my receipt. WHEN I checked my Amex online, I was charged an extra TIP of $22.43 total $115. On the reciept there was no line to write tip given in cash, just a list of SUGGESTED TIP AMOUNTS. I did not find out the extra was charged until I looked it up on my Amex account! I plan to go to the Windlass. I suggest this is an on going fraud. PEOPLE BEWARE! RENITA read more

We made a reservation for a casual friends dinner. Requested a dining room table a few days before, knowing the weather was looking sketchy. They called me numerous times in the afternoon (sorry, I was unavailable) and the restaurant eventually cancelled our reservation due to dangerous conditions, letting us know they were closing early. Thank you for your efforts to communicate with me, and for caring about that much about your staff. We'll see you soon! read more

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 read more

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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 read more

The Windlass - Calamari - American Near Me - Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

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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. read more

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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. read more

The Windlass - Beet pita sandwich - American Near Me - Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

I have been to windlass multiple times but this time it just wasn't it. We had reservations however when we went to check in several couples in front us didn't. The hostess stared at the tablet for several minutes trying to figure out where to seat them while everyone else stood in line waiting. It was just uncomfortable. We finally were seated and it took awhile for anyone to take our order. I think they were understaffed with waiters but at one point there was 4 hostesses just hanging out so who knows. They didn't have the seasonal summer drinks out which was disappointing. My wife wanted the NY strip but it was sold out. It was 70 degrees out but they had the overhead heat lamps on making it miserable. I asked 4 times for them to turn it off before they finally did. They never refilled our waters until we asked. They claimed they were completely booked but a third of the tables were empty the entire night. We asked them to box up our leftovers when they gave me the box so I did it. I paid and got up from the table when I realized I mistakenly left my left overs on the table. I returned within 30 seconds and they already threw it out. I was 15 feet away they could have asked me? So just a underwhelming experience. read more

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. read more

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What a great place to sit by the water and have lunch and a drink. Food was quite delicious. Service was great . View was beautiful. read more

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I can't remember the last time I was so disappointed. Not the food, not the service, not the decor or the ambience it was all just no. Took forever to get seated, rudeness and attitude from everyone that works here, terrible food, insane prices, why anyone would come here is beyond me. read more

Wanted to try this spot for quite a while and finally had the opportunity to do so. This is a solid 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Food and service were okay, nothing spectacular. The restaurant ambiance, on the other hand, was great. Situated as close to the water as possible without getting wet, the outdoor terrace is amazing. Same with a few rocking tables along the water line. Chairs could be a bit more comfortable and the service could use a polishing but what's lacking is made up by a beautiful location and practical layout. read more

We made reservations for the windlass this past Saturday to partake in their St Patrick's day menu. My husband ordered the corned beef and cabbage and I had the corned beef Rueben. Both were excellent. We are always looking for a good pizza and their pepperoni with hot honey was divine. Drinks were good too. Service was ok until we were charged more for the Guinness than the menu stated (special) and the server was not coming back with the correct bill. I understand it was probably busier than usual however we went to host stand and they corrected the bill and apologized profusely. This was my 2nd time here and will definitely be back when the weather warms up a bit. read more

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

Our Windlass experience was A+. The food was well-prepared with high quality ingredients. Our server was great - fun and very attentive. It helped that it was the perfect spring day sitting out on the lake. read more

The dining area is very nice as is the bar seating area. The restaurant is on Lake Coac on so the views are also very nice. The service is good. I wouldn't say exceptional but good. The food is also above average. I eat here for dinner and I went here once for the brunch. I found a dinner to be far superior to the brunch, but to be fair generally speaking, I don't like brunches. read more

Only have heard good things, but definitely very overrated. It smelt like straight fish and a sweaty meat sack outside. Nauseating. Thank god we were sat inside. Had a reservation for 7:15 for 2 and didn't get seated until after 7:30. Dining area feels like a high school cafeteria. Service was mediocre. Food took about 25-30 minutes to come out. It's below average food they make look premium. Overall, find a better place to plan your date night. read more

Food isn't great, but the vibe makes up for it. Go for drinks and views, not the food. We stopped by Windlass for a bite and while the setting is absolutely beautiful, the food didn't quite deliver. I ordered the calamari, skirt steak with shrimp, and garlic bread. The calamari was actually a pleasant surprise....crispy and well-seasoned, with sauces that complemented it nicely. Unfortunately, the rest fell short. The garlic bread was chewy instead of crispy, and missed that buttery-garlicky punch you'd expect. The skirt steak and shrimp were underwhelming. Both lacked the bold, savory flavor you'd usually want, especially from a grilled steak dish. The steak should've had some seasoning, or at least a marinade to bring it to life (maybe chimichurri?). Same for the shrimp...bland, no hint of garlic, lemon, or herbs. That said, the drinks were solid and the views of the lake are hard to beat. It's a great spot to hang out and unwind, just don't come hungry expecting a memorable meal. read more

every time we come here it seems like our food is two hours late, but our waiter was nice and gave us a free dessert. Great place to sit on the water for the view. The buffalo chicken pizza was nothing crazy a little on the dry side. The eggplant caprese sandwich was really good. read more

The Windlass - Buffalo Chicken Pizza - American Near Me - Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

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We always enjoy the beautiful lake ambiance when going to Windlass. The service had gotten better. Once we weee there and the waitress , perhaps because of inexperience , took my order and walked away without getting my husband's order?! Food is mostly satisfactory, we had complained once because the pizza served was burnt. They took it off the bill. read more

The location is why people return here. The food is 3.5 stars at best Ingredients seem fresh and the presentation is good, but most importantly--the flavors and preparation--are sub par for a restaurant of this size and (supposed) caliber. We started with the Garlic Shrimp and Truffle fries. Both were very tasty, and served in reasonable time, but also weren't what I would describe as "hot," temp wise. Staff was attentive and responsive. Mains were Chicken Burrata Salad (CBS) and Linguine with Clam Sauce (they offered both red and white, we went with white garlic and oil). The CBS was a huge portion and the burrata was decent. However, the delicate cheese arrived on two overly breaded and fried chicken breasts that dominated the plate. They were like mini nerf footballs. Don't get me wrong, the portion-to-price ratio was great, it just didn't feel like the summer salad it was described to be. Just a thought--pound out ONE chicken breast to a thinner, more elegant and approachable island for the burrata to lay upon. The linguine with clam sauce areived looking like something on Cook's Illustrated. Simple yet refined, lots of clam meat all around. Pasta was cooked perfectly. NO SEASONING WHATSOVER. It was a crime to have those ingredients so well-presented but without flavor. Also, there was no offer of fresh pepper. Last but not least, the drinks are an extremely weak pour. Wasn't actually sure they had any. All in all, decent experience. Prob wont be back soon. read more

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.