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Interior - Boathouse Restaurant, Traverse City, MI

Boathouse Restaurant

4.9 (2419)
$50 and over
European
14039 Peninsula Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686

Make a reservation

A photo of Boathouse Restaurant restaurant

Boathouse Restaurant

4.9
$50 and over
European
Traverse City

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
  • Charming
The cuisine of the Boathouse, created with distinctive flair is refined and contemporary, with an underlying element that echoes the classical French tradition of Escoffier.

The Boathouse experience begins with a drive along the shores of beautiful West Grand Traverse Bay and its sparkling blue waters.

When you dine with us, you get the best of both worlds: We are both locavores and connoisseurs of what the rest of the world has to offer, so you get the freshest, finest ingredients from near and far. Owner Doug Kosch adheres to the "farm to table" concept.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    European
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Executive chef
    Samuel Plamondon
  • Neighborhood
    Traverse City
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Boathouse Restaurant.

4.9

4.9
(2419)
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Food

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Service

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Ambiance

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Great for fine wines

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Romantic

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Great for scenic views

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Good for special occasions

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Most Booked

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Food

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Service

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Ambiance

  • Northern Michigan

    Great for fine wines

  • Northern Michigan

    Romantic

  • Northern Michigan

    Great for scenic views

  • Northern Michigan

    Good for special occasions

  • Northern Michigan

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Boathouse Restaurant offers "amazing food" and "beautiful views" over Great Traverse Bay, making it a prime spot for special occasions. Guests praise the "attentive and knowledgeable staff" and the "fantastic service." The ambiance is enhanced by stunning sunsets, with standout dishes including halibut and lobster bisque. Reservations recommended.
2,419 Reviews
  1. Claire

    Northern MI9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Still our favorite TC restaurant. Everything from drinks to appetizers , main course and dessert was delicious. Levi, our waiter, was exceptional throughout - attentive, perceptive, very knowledgeable about the food, personable and gracious. Pricey but competitive and worth it if you want casual yet upscale dining at its best. Extra bonus - low noise level compared to everything else in town!

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  2. Carol

    Detroit1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This has become our new favorite restaurant! Outstanding food, service and view. Every course is different from anything you have ever had and tastes amazing!! We can’t wait to go again!

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  3. Chelsey

    Alabama5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dining at the boathouse never disappoints! We had a perfect fall day and were able to eat out on the patio in late October with a sunset. The staff here is the best and the food is always delicious. Such a treat!

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  4. Sandi

    Grand Rapids2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 27, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Brad was very attentive to our needs. The the fillet was perfect and the Pinot Noir smooth.

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  5. Kent

    Northern MI21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 20, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server Mary was excellent!! Our dinner was excellent as usual. We will be back soon.

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  6. Tammy

    Phoenix2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 20, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I treated my friends and they had never been to your place. They loved it so much as did I. Our server, Ryan was patient and attentive. All of the food was wonderful.

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  7. Jim

    Detroit6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always a joy to eat at the Boathouse. The Morel Bisque was even more awesome than usual.

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  8. Darrel

    Chicago3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Thanks Boathouse staff for another incredible milestone event dinner! My mom turned 70 and we traveled 6 hours to celebrate there, very much worth the trip!! We had multiple appetizers and tried both bisques. Even the kale salad was great! Everyone loved the entrées and drinks; service was excellent as always! Thanks for accommodating my stepfather's disability access. You gave us another memorable evening, looking forward to the next visit!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Cutty

    Greater Boston3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 17, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another perfect night at The Boathouse! Great food, great service, great view.

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  10. Tiffany Gold

    Detroit36 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 17, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a memorable experience at the boathouse . The food quality is always consistent and so delicious. The morel mushroom soup was the best my husband ever had. Sunset time there is pretty magical too. Save room for dessert can’t be missed

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    European
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Resort Casual
  • Executive chef
    Samuel Plamondon
  • Neighborhood
    Traverse City
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Yes, the Boathouse offers patio seating, and guests frequently mention dining on the patio to enjoy sunset and marina views.

Resort casual is the guide, think neat, comfortable attire rather than formalwear; many guests visit for anniversaries and special occasions where a slightly dressier look is common.

Certain seafood entrées can be generous, one guest described a 2 lb lobster-tail special as "massive."

Yes, the Boathouse is a lovely pick for date night, with many guests celebrating anniversaries and enjoying lakeside sunset views and attentive service.

The Boathouse pairs waterfront views of West Grand Traverse Bay with a warm, refined dining room, guests describe a cozy space (with a large fireplace) that's well suited to special occasions and sunset dinners.

Yes, families dine here; guests report being seated promptly with a child and that both adults and children enjoyed the meal.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula
  4. Northern Michigan
  5. Traverse City

Make a reservation

A photo of Boathouse Restaurant restaurant

Boathouse Restaurant

4.9
$50 and over
European
Traverse City

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 17 times today
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