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Boater's Grill
Rating Details »
1200 Crandon Blvd
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
(305) 361-0080
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
(305) 361-0080
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
14 reviews for Boater's Grill
Not bad but don't expect much. Simplicity is the name of the game here.
Basically a nice shack on the water inside the harbor. Great for boaters passing by. I expected more of a view though but since it's in the back of the harbor, you don't get much other than the harbor itself.
For the food, just keep on going if you don't like seafood. Seriously. And I don't mean fancy dishes. I mean a whole fish - head and tail included - grilled, fried, etc. and served on a platter.
The service was decent but not impressive.
The prices were hefty, and don't forget to add the $8 park entry fee.
I probably wouldn't go here again but if you're in the park and you're hungry, there's only two choices (other than joining someone's bbq, which I considered) so it's worth going to once. A nice, relaxing over-priced meal with a peaceful view. Next time I'm in the park, I'll probably go to the lighthouse cafe.
This place could be a microcosm of the good and bad of Miami.
The words location, location, location have never meant more than when describing this place. It's situated on No Name Harbour inside Bill Baggs Park. More of a locals spot this hidden, picturesque place is well off the beaten path but right on the boated path. As boats drop anchor and hold up here for lunch and beers.
The beers, I can see but the food isn't exactly fantastic think Cuban cafeteria on the water. It's clear that seafood is more their specialty and freshness isn't a problem here but overall this is not a foodie destination. Stick to the seafood and come with low expectations. You've been warned.
Still, the service isn't great, the menu is anything but sophisticated, and overall, this place has so much untapped potential, yes it's Miami. Pretty but unrefined easy to like, difficult to love, frustrating cause it could be so much more and so much better, sad because you know it might never happen...
This was a tough call between 2.5 and 3 but 3 won the day because we deserve more waterfront bars were you don't have to go through hoops, ropes, or doormen. You also don't have to worry about having to waste an hour of your life looking for parking or trading your first born in for the cost of a few drinks. Having said that this place could be cheaper.
came for the whole local catch fish -- shared a fried snapper bigger than my arm. goes well with an ice cold Presidente.
service not the best, and you don't come for the ambiance despite being by the water, but you do come for a plain deep fried fish with lime and simple sides.
(it's inside the park to the right, $5 car entrance fee)
I give this place three for the food, but I would give it five for the view at Sunset. This might be the only place in Miami where you can watch the sun fall over the water.
I went here after an afternoon of the beach and Jimbo's. The fresh fish is delicious, and this is a fun little place to take out of towners. It is really off the beaten path, and perfect for a sunset dinner. Just make sure they like seafood!
I would have given this place 2 stars if it wasn't for the fact that this place's overall rating on here is WAY too high. Is it possible that I'm the only person that had a table full of smelly menus, felt instantly poor when I first checked out the menu, had the waiter that didn't want to be there nor knew how to speak English and had overcooked fish?
I went with a group of 5 on what's been the most beautiful day of the year, so far. The day was sunny, the sun started setting while we were there, and the breeze was crisp. But nothing about my surroundings could distract me from the overpriced menu selections and shotty service. Perhaps my expectations threw me off but remember, I wasn't alone. I had seen this place while at Bill Baggs recently but hadn't heard much about it and now I know why. Our friends gathered to enjoy a casual meal outside in the perfect weather. The plastic chairs, worn wood floors, plastic window coverings, and plastic water cups screamed casual. I wanted to have crab cakes and the best grouper sandwich ever but instead was faced with $10 conch fritters and $30 paella, and $17 fish dishes.
Others on Yelp describe this as a Cuban cafeteria on the water. Let's just say that I've been to cafeterias much better than this. When the most popular dish in the joint is the fried fish you might stop to think that almost anything tastes great fried and so, it might be the only thing edible here. They've learned to overcook everything - scallops, tilapia, sea bass, and mahi-mahi. Apparently, the salmon wasn't so bad. Even the maduros were overcooked! Not fried-at-the-tips overcooked, chewy-hard-and-inedible overcooked. I never thought I'd meet a maduro I didn't like.
In sum, we all left with empty wallets and half hungry from the uneaten food. I'm not quite sure how wealthy Key Biscayne residents enjoy it here. Even with money to spare, I'd want to go elsewhere. For the many views this area offers, it's not worth it. If you go to find out for yourself, remember to tell them you're going to the restaurant at the guard gate. It'll save you $8. And I'll let you all know if I open up affordable top-notch fish sandwich shack on the other side of the inlet. Guaranteed it won't be hard to steal all their business.
If you ever go there just make sure its during the week and not on a weekend. I will give it 3 stars when the weather cools down since boaters is located at no name harbour and happens to attract lots of mosquitoes and Miami's boating riffraff on weekends. The food is typical Miami Cuban cafeteria with fresh fish when available. I recommend Hog Snapper whole fried. One of a few places that its actually done right in Miami.
Like i said before, if you want to have a good time there, go around sunset on a cool weekday.
How I actually ate at this place is beyond me. I think this was my 3rd or 4th meal in a span of 2-3 hours. I ordered tostones stuffed with shrimp. Unfortunately it was tostones with a side of shrimp creole. Menu advertising fail. However the sangria was good and it was hot out so it was win. I would definitely come back for lobster or other seafood and when I haven't eaten 4 times in one day. The location is really nice as it overlooks No Name Harbour. After lunch you can go for walk around the park to help your digestion. :)
Love this place... except on weekends when it's packed. It's a simple place but the food is good, the portions are big and the staff is friendly.
Go on a weekday and look out for dolphins in No Name Harbor.
This is a great place for Lunch or Dinner if you are on Key Biscayne. The staff was extremely friendly.
We went for lunch and didn't want to try the humongous fried snapper. So my wife opted for the Adobo de Pescado, which were fried fish chunks.
I had the Ropa Vieja, which I have to say is the best Ropa Vieja I've tried in Miami. Who would have thought it?
It's obviously more expensive than what you'll see in the mainland, but you know not excessive.
I read maria a's review on this place and decided to give it a try, i agreed on one thing with her da service was horrible, the food was good i had shrimp the prices were ok. Being that it was waterfront it was good i dont see that many waterfront places, the parking was 5.00 fee.After the food we all decided to go to the park to chill and talk. I would come back to this place but i heard its good to come on weekdays cause weekends get pack, overall i give this place a 3.
So, admittedly I know the owners at Boater's Grill. I know the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this place so if you're looking for an unbiased review of this place, you're not going to find one here. Having said that, there are plenty of ways to maximize your chances at a great experience.
For example, if you visit the restaurant on a saturday or a sunday, at say, 2:30 or 3 pm, be ready to wait, in the sun, for at least an hour at times (that's gotta say something about the food, no?) before sitting down. The staff will be surly and the kitchen will be doing it's best to just keep up with the orders flying in.
So, when's the best time to go to Boater's Grill? Weekdays. Yup. Weekdays. Head down right after work, say 6-ish and experience one of the most killer sunsets Miami has to offer. The restaurant won't be very busy and you'll have the staff's undivided attention. If you absolutely must go on a weekend, I'd probably say that yeah, you're best bet would be to still go somewhere around sunset. There will be a lull in the crowd and the second shift of waiters will be coming in.
Also, and this is the biggest thing to keep in mind. Order seafood. Order one of their six different paellas (for as many people as you need!). Order the whole fried snapper. Order the grilled lobster. I've taken a trillion people here and never once has the seafood disappointed. Why anyone would go to a Cuban seafood restaurant and order say, the pasta, is beyond me. That shits only there to placate vegetarians and children (no offense to either). What do Cubans know about making pasta? Just order a beer, some fish croquettes (made in-house, super amazing), maybe a shrimp ceviche and enjoy the vibe.
My wife and I went for a sunset drink. The place was packed and the staff was overwhelmed. We only had beers and calamari. The beer was warm and the calamari tasted like rubber bands. This was our worst experience here in the twenty or so times we have visited.
Maybe if it was less crowded it would have been better??
Located on the water in the No Name Harbour on the bay side of Bill Baggs State park. The food sure beats the concession stands at the park. Cold beer and the frog legs are excellent. Nice place to stop if you are out boating on the bay.
Really good fried fish, super casual place. It is right next to a marina and inside a park. The "tostones" are the best. Don't miss the key lime pie. After lunch / brunch go for a walk around the mangroves.