Boat Basin Cafe

(212) 496-5542

W 79th St
New York, NY 10024 40.7862 -73.9847

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Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

Hours:

Monday To Sunday From 12:00 PM To 11:00 PM Saturday From 11:00 PM To 11:30 PM Sunday From 11:00 PM To 10:00 PM

Last updated 6.23.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Clubs, Certified Green Restaurant(R), Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Water View

Restaurant Special Features:

Outdoor Dining

Cuisine:

New American

Bar & Club Special Features:

Outdoor Seating, Live Music

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Boat Basin Cafe

Featured Review

Karen Hudes

Contributor

The Scene – Climb down the stone steps of the 79th Street Boat Basin to grab a bite at one of the Upper West Side's true finds. An open circle of cafe tables leads to more tables and a bar--next to open barbecue grills and stacks of burger buns--beneath a vaulted stone ceiling, and finally to open-air seating overlooking the bobbing boats on the Hudson River. The dog-friendly, boardwalk-reminiscent scene attracts laid-back friends and families from the neighborhood. – – The Draw – Respectable burgers, ribs and salads are joined on the menu by salmon and tuna, as well…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
During happy hour, Mon through Fri (4pm-7pm) get any drink for $2 less than the regular price.
ambiance
93.75% positive
  1. “loved the Boat Basin Cafe not only because of the hip and untraditional ambiance, but also because it's comfotably laid-back at the same time.”
  2. “As nice as the location is- beautiful sunset, next to the river.”
  3. “get seated with a view of the water and ask for a nice big bucket of coronas and you'll be all smiles here.”
  4. “The only reason to go here is for the beautiful view, which is specially gorgeous at sunset.”
  5. “It really could be such a great place but the service stinks, the food is awful, the decor doesn't take advantage of the spot.”
  6. “like the picnic-like atmosphere that takes us away from the city's hub-bub.”
  7. “The food is OK but the atmosphere is really great.”
  8. “Once there you will dine on very ordinary food, but again you are there for the cool breeze and sick view of the Hudson.”
  9. “Yes, you'll pay $6-$8 for a beer, well drink or margarita, but it's worth it to experience an outdoor bar with amazing views of New Jersey and sunsets over the Hudson River.”
  10. “Horrible Food, overpriced, all for a nice view”
  11. “This review is a little skewed since we did not eat here and we only stayed about 2 hours, but the views (particularly the sunset), ambiance, and drinks were quite enjoyable.”
  12. “The view is INCREDIBLE and I will definitely go back with friends.”
  13. “enjoyed the view but will not return to this restaurant.”
  14. “We went there on an off day, so we ended up with a nice table and great view.”
  15. “Yes, there's a good view, but the neon lights outside are horrid.”
  16. “The only thing this palce has going for it is that it is one of the few outdoor bars in the city and practically the only one with a really decent view.”
drinks
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “The drinks are watered down and also overpriced.”
  2. “Being a dog momma, I was ecstatic with my reception - bar people were super nice.”
  3. “But, when you want to just be outside with good drinks or bottle of wine for the afternoon, the sun is shining, the boats are sailing, and love is in the air -- where else are you gonna go?”
  4. “great place for drinks and a famously grilled hot dog.”
  5. “This review is a little skewed since we did not eat here and we only stayed about 2 hours, but the views (particularly the sunset), ambiance, and drinks were quite enjoyable.”
  6. “Yes, you'll pay $6-$8 for a beer, well drink or margarita, but it's worth it to experience an outdoor bar with amazing views of New Jersey and sunsets over the Hudson River.”
  7. “it's a great spot to sit with friends, have a few snacks and drinks, and be swept into the world far away from NYC.”
food quality
45.83000183105469% positive
  1. “Once there you will dine on very ordinary food, but again you are there for the cool breeze and sick view of the Hudson.”
  2. “The Boat Basin Cafe is a great outdoor space with decent, but not great, food.”
  3. “The caesar salad was terrible.”
  4. “What a marvelous locale for the cafe, too bad the service and food are so pathetic.”
  5. “love the burgers, ribs, salads, etc.”
  6. “It really could be such a great place but the service stinks, the food is awful, the decor doesn't take advantage of the spot.”
  7. “It is extremely casual and the food is pretty awful and served on plastic plates so don't come looking for a good meal.”
  8. “Stick with the sandwiches to be safe - salads are disappointing as is the tuna spring roll app - but there's a great grilled chicken sandwich!”
  9. “The food is OK but the atmosphere is really great.”
  10. “So the food's not great - but the VIEW”
  11. “Honestly some of the worst food I've ever had, and overpriced to boot.”
  12. “The food is not good- bitter salad, cold burgers.”
overall
87.5% positive
  1. “It is definitely a good place for groups.”
  2. “The Boat Basin Cafe is a great place to go with friends or a significant other to relax and enjoy each other's company.”
  3. “It really could be such a great place but the service stinks, the food is awful, the decor doesn't take advantage of the spot.”
  4. “great place for drinks and a famously grilled hot dog.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “will never go back again or recommend this place to anyone.”
  2. “enjoyed the view but will not return to this restaurant.”
  3. “The view is INCREDIBLE and I will definitely go back with friends.”
service
55.0% positive
  1. “The service was fast and the people were very, very nice.”
  2. “What a marvelous locale for the cafe, too bad the service and food are so pathetic.”
  3. “It really could be such a great place but the service stinks, the food is awful, the decor doesn't take advantage of the spot.”
  4. “Our particular server was very attentive and brought everything out in a timely manner.”
  5. “bad service cafe”
  6. “The wait staff is terrible, you have to jump up and down to get their attention.”
  7. “Being a dog momma, I was ecstatic with my reception - bar people were super nice.”
  8. “Friend of mine had a wedding here and I have to say the venue is great for those looking to have 150 or so people at the wedding.”
  9. “It took almost 2 hours for the waitress to come over to us and when she did, the service was unbelievably bad.”
  10. “The bartenders have always been friendly and the scene plays to an upscale crowd without coming off overly chic.”
value
60.0% positive
  1. “Honestly some of the worst food I've ever had, and overpriced to boot.”
  2. “The drinks are watered down and also overpriced.”
  3. “Horrible Food, overpriced, all for a nice view”
  4. “The prices are also surprisingly reasonable for Manhattan.”
  5. “Yes, you'll pay $6-$8 for a beer, well drink or margarita, but it's worth it to experience an outdoor bar with amazing views of New Jersey and sunsets over the Hudson River.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

10/08/10

Service and attitude there is disappointing

Contributor

I walked my dog from East 80th and 2nd Ave to wait 10 after being seated to order a beer then another 10 to get the beer. Placed my lunch order a burger, after 40 minutes waiting for the burger, I asked what was going on, after another 7 minute wait I left. It was not a busy afternoon may a dozen tables seated. I found this to be a very disappointing afternoon and nobody there seemed to care. I would not recommend this place after what happened today. Walking home to the eastside I stopped at another dog friendly spot the boat house cafe in central park. I ordered a burger, friesand beer for the cost of a buger at the boat basin. The buger was actually good and fries what you expect. Best of all no 45 minute wait with out even an apology.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/08/10

Good for out of town visitors

by tommyboy66

Great option when you have guests.. Well at least in the spring or fall time.. I don't think I would go there again in the summer or the winter.. but I still recommend going there in the winter.. it's very nice atmosphare plus if you can get the tables that are overwatching the Hudson you are in luck!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/17/08

Great Wedding Place

by jackryan

I wasn't here for the normal food/rest piece of it. Friend of mine had a wedding here and I have to say the venue is great for those looking to have 150 or so people at the wedding. Views of the pond and skyline in the back can't be beat on a early summer nite.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/12/07

Great Bar To Relax, Enjoy The Sunset, And Have A Drink

by cobraman332

Perfect for late spring, summer, or early fall drinks, The Boat Basin is a real treat for New Yorkers. As a bar, this place has more space than most and offers drinks that don't burn through the wallet (more than other bars, that is). Yes, you'll pay $6-$8 for a beer, well drink or margarita, but it's worth it to experience an outdoor bar with amazing views of New Jersey and sunsets over the Hudson River. I strongly recommend the margaritas, which are frozen and actually contain a pretty decent amount of tequila... hooray! Our group ordered shrimp cocktail and a few other appetizers to nosh on while we hung out here -- beware, the shrimp (which were delicious, by the way) are served with the tails still on! I've been here a few times and I have never felt overwhelmed by a crowd (big plus), nor have I had a bad experience. The bartenders have always been friendly and the scene plays to an upscale crowd without coming off overly chic. Try Boat Basin for lunch on a weekend... it can be tough to get a table but the wait is usually pretty short and totally worth it for the view you'll have while eating. A crosstown bus drops off passenger only a few blocks away... you won't wait long for the bus after you leave The Boat Basin, though, since it closes by 11:30pm. What a shame!

  • Pros: Sunsets, Great Space, Never Too Crowded, Good Drinks
  • Cons: Very Far West, Closes Early
1 Star Rating: Poor

06/17/07

Horrible Food, overpriced, all for a nice view

by dosita

Honestly some of the worst food I've ever had, and overpriced to boot. The drinks are watered down and also overpriced. The only reason to go here is for the beautiful view, which is specially gorgeous at sunset. It is a place that family visiting from out of town would love, if you are willing to spend way too much money on bland food. If I am going to say anyting positive, it's the staff. The service was fast and the people were very, very nice.

  • Pros: A beautiful view
  • Cons: Bad food, watered down drinks, drunken frat guys and their girlfriends

Green Restaurant All Certified Green Restaurants® meet the minimum certification criteria of the science-based standards of the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non profit dedicated to Greening Restaurants since 1990. Certified Green Restaurants® implement transparent and verified environmental steps in seven environmental categories: Energy, Water, Chemicals, Food, Packaging, Waste, and Building. Learn more about the GRA's standards and how to Dine Green.

The Details on Boat Basin Cafe

Place Categories:

  • great view
  • too bad food
  • great place
  • overpriced drinks
  • too bad service
  • bitter caesar salad
  • great outdoor space
  • very nice bar people
  • nice big bucket
  • fantastic 79th street boat basin
  • cold burgers
  • loved boat basin cafe
  • really great picniclike atmosphere
  • friendly bartenders
  • good meal
  • bad management
  • quite enjoyable ambiance
  • great live music
  • great spot
  • big plus
  • cool breeze
  • disgusting smell
  • very attentive particular server
  • beautiful sunset
  • terrible wait staff
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