Boat Basin Café

Drinks were okay, location was nice but food was awful. Soggy fries, nachos that were chips with non melted cheese on top, turkey burger was cold as if not fully cooked, and chicken fingers tasted worse than what 99 cent mc Donald’s would have to offer. This place is fun if you stick to drinking and avoid food, I realized I made a mistake ordering food when I looked around and realized our party was the only party eating.

This is a nice spot to just unwind and have some drinks.
It’s outdoor space where you can get a nice view of the sunset. The drinks are not too expensive and the crowd is pretty varied. Many people are in their mid-​20s and as this place is a bit off the beaten path, not too many tourists know it.
It does get pretty packed tho, especially on Friday nights and weekends. The music is nice and there’s plenty of sitting space. I love this place on a cool summer night.
I definitely recommend checking it out! And bring your friends — plenty of room for big groups. I’ve brought work groups for happy hour here! :)

Great food and cold beers as we watch the sunset over the Hudson…10 stars!! Service, atmosphere and views are awesome!

This place is so beautiful and relaxing! Came here for some Sunday afternoon drink. Most beers and drinks are around $ 7 – 9. It also offers some Abe food and even brunch items. Cute waiters and pretty view. Can’t beat it.

La comida no es nada del otro mundo, este lugar se destaca por su ambientación y ubicación. La vista al río le da un toque extra, y la atención la quinta estrella.
A una de nosotras se le cayó un vaso de cerveza y no dudaron en darle uno nuevo sin cargo. También nos dejaron tomarnos nuestro tiempo para elegir la comida, y no dudaron en ofrecerse a tomarnos una foto grupal cuando nos vieron muy entretenidas con las cámaras.
Es medio difícil llegar si no conocés la zona, hay que pasar por un puente y bajar por un camino medio dudoso pero cuando llegás a destino vale la pena.
El baño definitivamente no se lleva ningún premio, es el del parque así que vayan solamente si lo necesitan de verdad.

Beautiful place to eat in the summertime. Outdoor seating, BBQ and good American food.

I had the regular cheeseburger and it wasn’t anything special but also not bad. The place is awesome though, you have an amazing view of the river and it’s usually empty for lunch. sorry i didn’t take a picture before I chomped on it!

The Boat Basin Café, located in Riverside Park, is a casual outdoor restaurant which has three sections to dine. An Open air patio that overlooks the Marina and the Hudson River, Covered Rotunda section in the middle of the restaurant that has limestone arches overlooking the open air patio, and a Circular open air area where most of their bar parties occur. We sat in the Open air patio overlooking the Hudson and New Jersey. We had a Pina Coloda, «Wow» that was good; Veggie burger, Caesar Salad, and Chicken Sandwich. All were good, but the food was not why we were there. It was a great afternoon to be outside on the river enjoying the view, and the beautiful day in the sun.

More like 2.5 stars. The view and atmosphere is great, prices are great. But the food is bad. Just plain horrible. Saddest nachos I’ve ever seen, my friend said the chicken fingers were too chewy, and my other friend had this weird slimy noodle salad thing? I would definitely come back for the drinks, just won’t be ordering food next time.

If I could give Boat Basin 10 stars I would! The location and the atmosphere provides for a good time no matter what the occasion.
I’ve been here twice recently, once for a friends birthday and once just to hang out during a beautiful day with friends. They have an indoor area that is really nice and keeps you cool in the summer and you can still see the water. If you are looking to have just drinks, you have to stay in the bar area but if you have drinks and food you can get a pretty decent table. The atmosphere is very chill, no one is too sloppy or loud. Its a little hard for people who don’t know where it is to find because you have to walk through a path to get to the water. But it’s worth it. It’s a really fun spot and great for families too!

Good lunch spot! I was seated outside on the deck, the views were nice over looking the river. Food was good not great. It was a bit crowded, but I believe there was some sort event going on. I would come back if I am in the area

Came here for a friend’s birthday on a recent weekend day. It’s a tucked away spot on the UWS and fun for a large group to hang outdoors. The crowd can be a little fraternity-​like, but it’s plenty spacious so you should be able to find some room to hang. Also, there are some fun games around, and occasionally live music. We split some food and it was surprisingly pretty good.
Make sure to double check your card once it’s been charged, though – the bartender collected my card and another patron’s at the same time, and I noticed a few days later that I was charged for something that was not my purchase there, on top of the charge for my drink, which I have to dispute with my bank!

never eaten here, so I can’t comment on the food.
Atmosphere is A+. Awesome views of the Hudson. Big enough that it never feels too crowded.

Great bar venue with a lot of character and decent pricing (mostly.) Had a lot of good times, but recently came here with friend and we started out with their nachos… well, they told us point-​blank after we ordered them that their $ 14 nachoes were simply pico, sour cream, chile, and cheese (unmelted.) I get it, they can do what they want at a location like this but WOW. That’s a lot of money for a dish a bar-​back can make. Avoid the dish.

Boat basin is a great upper west spot! Being on 79^th you are close to the 1 train and they have awesome outdoor seating to get that perfect tan while sitting by the water. I really enjoyed my time here. The beer selection is great with a lot to chose from. The staff serves you super quick keeping the lines down. Tweet frequently have live music which is great for the summer!

Good view, good selection of beer on tap and good food. The Boat Basin is located right on the banks of the Hudson River near Riverside Park, offering great views of Jersey and the river. They have indoor as well as outdoor seating, but no one would want to be indoors on a great summer’s day. It gets a bit crowded at times but never too bad. Seemed quite kid and dog friendly from the crowd. Always a nice place to get a drink and catch a view of the sunset.

My roommate told me about this place. I think it definitely has potential, but it’s not quite there yet. It’s right next to the Hudson, so there’s a pretty relaxing vibe. At night, they turn on fairy lights outside, which adds to the romantic effect. However, the patio furniture they use outside completely throws off the whole ambience. Also, you have to order food to sit down, which, in my opinion, is a bit greedy. If we just ordered drinks, would you make us hover over the other customers? Food was edible, only because I was hungry, but not great. If you’re going to strong-​arm us into ordering food, you should at least provide better food.
The inside of the café was too open. It felt like a cafeteria with smaller tables. Not a nice atmosphere to be in if you’re older than 10.

Good view by the river. Better go there in summer n chill with friend at tables by River

Great atmosphere, amazing view, service is very good considering how busy it is. Props to the servers! Drinks and food are cheap which makes it even a more amazing place and you see the sunset what can be better in the hustle & bustle of NYC. Dog friendly too!!! 2 paws up

Very cautious to give this place three stars because it seemed more like a 2.5 experience here, but the outdoor space and view were all right.
This café has a prime location in Riverside Park, near a traffic circle and three sloping blocks from the 79^th St station. We came here while staying in the Upper West Side wanting to watch the sunset over the Hudson with a couple of drinks. Unfortunately if you aren’t dining with a full menu, the tables with the best view are not available, but you can still order at the bar, bring your drinks over, and manually park their plastic chairs along the steps to sit in.
While the patio hosts were helpful with the information, the bar staff seemed very unhelpful. Besides not having a lot of tap options, the bartender did not know the difference between a filtered and unfiltered beer/​cider, so my companion ended up getting an order that was unfavored. I drank both pints.
By the time we left the inner portion of the space was still completely empty while people flocked to the patio. Though the bar service was questionable, the view was pretty much all that seemed good about the place.

A cool place on the water if you’re looking to get out and not feel like you’re in the heart of a city. Feels like an urban yacht club almost. Personally though, not sure what all the hype is…
Good place in the summer to hang out with friends and get a bucket of beers, but the food is nothing special. Feels like a picnic, which is sort of what it is.

I love the atmosphere of this place. I’m reviewing it as a bar, not restaurant because I don’t really think I have ever eaten here.
It’s a nice outdoor spot for during the summer, fantastic views of the Hudson, good drinks and relatively reasonable prices.
Their downfall is that the place gets PACKED and you have to wait tons of time just to get a drink.
It’s a relaxed and casual atmosphere, picture picnic style seating (plastic tables and table clothes made of vinyl)
One other thing I don’t like is that it feels very young and «bro-​ey» as a woman in my 30s I sometimes feel like I’m too old to hang here.
But, check it out! Sit out by the water and enjoy. It’s a good time.

Summary:
One of the best spots in the city to have a drink, have a bite, and watch the sunset.
The Food:
Standard American fare. I had a cheeseburger and a beer.
The Drinks:
A great selection of season beers in both draft and bottle form. Did not try cocktails.
The Atmosphere:
The vaulted ceilings are awesome. Great spot that seems to draw a lot of females.
The Service:
Pretty good. Friendly. Fast.
Tips:
Ride your bike down or up the west side, park, and watch a great sunset.

So the reason I am giving this spot 4 stars is for the view, otherwise it would get three. The view from the patio is gorgeous. I highly recommend going as the sun is about to set and then watch it set. It’s very beautiful. The patio has tables with umbrellas that are strung up with string lights that go on once the sun sets. The menu is very limited and the food is just Ok. Know if you sit on the patio, you must order food. You also do not get happy hour prices on the patio. The inside of the café is cool too. You are located inside the arches under the highway. There are string lights lining the vaulted ceilings inside. The prices are actually reasonable, which I was pretty surprised about.

For those who ask themselves the question of Frying Pan or Boat Basin — trust me, Boat Basin every time. This is also coming from a 29 year old who has become a big baby among large crowds. ANYWAY, I loved Boat Basin as a 25 year old so it really is a place for all ages, and I mean all (there are even a ton of kids here). In terms of the scene, there’s really the bar area then the outdoor seating. The bar area usually isn’t THAT packed. I rarely go and don’t eat, not that the food is amazing because it’s not, but because being outside there is truly awesome — phenom views of the Hudson. I mentioned the food — super super basic, really not an extensive menu, but you don’t go to BB for the food. In a few words, this place is a staple.

So I am basing this review off of the following situation. Myself and a group of other 22 – 25 year olds are looking for a pretty rowdy atmosphere on a beautiful summer day to enjoy each others company and have a great day drinking sesh. Don’t really care about the food, just the selection of drinks, venue and the location.
This place definitely fits the bill for that, especially versus our other options (including but not limited to the Frying Pan). Huge venue with outdoor seating right on the water.
It was pretty crowded the day we went but not overwhelming and didn’t have a line to get in.
I had one of my better days this past summer here, and even though it’s a bit of an uptown trek, if you can rally the troops this is a pretty awesome spot.

Four stars for ambiance. Couldn’t be any more beautiful to sit at the boat basin patio and watch the sunset over the sunset while drinking our overpriced drinks.
The food is average to below average. Seems everything was frozen once. And the prices are just stupid. Like WOW THATS RIDICULOUS $$$ FOR A SALAD WITH NO PROTEIN. So don’t come hungry. But please go, the drinks on the water experience is really breathtaking.

After kayaking, my friend brought me here for brunch.
I had never heard of this spot but it’s the perfect day drinking spot. Lot’s of table space, indulgent and sugary frozen drinks and a simple menu.
We were able to get a seat right by the river and had a great view. The food here isn’t anything inventive. Simple burgers and sandwiches. Sometimes that’s a good thing.

2.5 stars for the A+ location and another .5 star for the decent frozen margaritas.
Here’s a tip on how to snag a spot outside by the water without actually dining there. Don’t tell the servers you are only there for drinks, get seated, order your drinks as well as a small appetizer or dessert so that you are still technically «dining», sit back, and enjoy the gorgeous sunset.
Apart from the physical location of Boat Basin Café, the place is nothing too remarkable. The café overall isn’t well-​maintained, which is unfortunate considering how much potential this place has. Outdoor seating comprised of cheap plastic chairs and tables. Bathrooms were poorly lit, damp, and dirty. Despite the run-​down state of the place, I would still come back because it really is a solid spot to hang out with friends on a warm summer evening.

Very pleasant setting and views, good service, and surprisingly good food. We had salmon, steak, a salad, and lemon mascarpone cake, all good.
Because we sat closest to the Hudson River, the noise wasn’t too bad.

Love this place! Came here for the first time a month ago when my company hosted our summer social here. Great place to watch the sunset, try to snag a table overlooking the Hudson. It can be hard to find, if my entire company hadn’t been walking over in hoards, I’m not sure I would have found it. Keep walking west on 79^th towards the Hudson and as you walk under the bridge you’ll see stone steps on your left that lead down to the Boat Basin. Came back with a friend the other week and got piña coladas, Fire Island Beer Company Sea Salt Ales, and the old bay fries, all of which I recommend. It’s a good escape from the city when you need it.

Came here for drinks with my family before our dinner reservation on a hot day. They only seat you in the dining area overlooking the basin if you’re eating, so we were told we could either sit at the bar or grab some plastic chairs and sit on the slope right next to the dining area. We chose the latter, but we were lucky that it wasn’t too crowded because that area only fits about two or three parties. The view was awesome, the vibe was casual and fun, and the breeze off the river was perfect on a hot summer day. I’d love to come back to try their food (and sit at an actual table!) but our experience was really nice.

Amazing!!! I like this place! Great service And the view. I really like that views. Local muito descontraído e ainda temos à disposição uma vista linda!

My bf took me here. I love the corn. They are so delicious. Tea is not sweet at all which I appreciate. We spent the whole afternoon here next to river watching sunset and eat. Feeling loved :)

In doing a search of past reviews, I’m shocked that only 3 have mentioned the cockroaches.
On a mild summer night, my friends and I came here for dinner and were in awe at just how many cockroaches were running around out in the open! We saw several centipedes, too, but the cockroaches were much more prominent. It’s truly hard to enjoy a meal and conversation when you’re constantly checking over your shoulder to make sure a cockroach has not climbed onto the back of your chair. Absolutely disgusting, is all I can say.
The reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is because the view of the Hudson is pretty and the drinks were decent. But, man, those cockroaches… It’s a damn shame, too, because this establishment is actually a great place to come have a drink or two and kick back to enjoy the warmer weather.
I will never, ever come back.

I may be the only one, but i’ve always felt the Boat Basin just does an OK job compared to its competitors.
If you sit in the center circle, prepare to melt. there’s no breeze and just stagnant air especially on a hot day (and no view of the boats/​water)
Sitting inside means you’re out of the sun, which isn’t necessarily why i’d be going to a pricey outdoor water venue
if you can snag the coveted 2 person seats on the back patio, thats a must, but otherwise i’d direct you to PIer I just a few blocks down on the water with a great breeze, food and drinks

Great place! The location they have is an absolute gem. I’m glad I discovered it. I only have three wishes;
1. I wished they extended/​expanded their happy hour. I don’t think I’ve ever been somewhere in which happy hour ends at 6pm. Really? People are just getting back from work at that time. Also, just $ 2 off drinks is not really a bargain. No wonder the crowd is not as large as it could be.
2. My second wish is that they change the horrid décor. Are those cheap checkered table cloths really necessary? It completely cheapens the look of this place. If they upgrade, so will the crowd.
3. My third wish is that happy hour was not limited to the bar area. I mean it’s only until 6pm, the place is not crowded yet. Can we just enjoy our drinks at a table :/​…
However, aside from my three wishes they had a variety of beers, wines and cocktails. The margarita ($ 8) was strong. Although frozen, it had a kick and $ 6 during happy hour. I’m probably coming back but hope they make the improvements that’ll draw a larger crowd. The location is awesome and should not go to waste.

Came here for drinks with some friends. Nice location by the water and good atmosphere. We didn’t eat but some friends did and the food looked (and apparently tasted) vey average but it’s not the kind of place you go to for good food.
It’s a great spot for a few beers and maybe some nachos/​fries for the table, nothing more, nothing less. The cocktails were also good but pricey. Personally I prefer Pier I a few blocks down and right on the water

Boat Basin gets a generous 4 stars given I went on an amazingly beautiful day. My crew and I were able to score a table at the waterfront and were planted nicely in the shade. The waterfront table view allows you to watch boats sail on the Hudson while you overlook New Jersey.
The food is very much bar food, absolutely not restaurant quality. We ordered several items off the menu to share. Old Bay fries, hot wings, hummus, kale salad, nachos, chicken fingers and pitchers of beer. Everything we ordered had its rightful delicious flavor and not greasy.
The space is ginormous and great for events. A downside is that you are served on plastic plates and utensils like you are at a campground. The menu is photocopied paper. There is a bit of a frat boy type of vibe and 90’s Rock streams the sound system. Overall Boat Basin is a must visit for the spring and summers season.

C’est une pizzeria tranquille et au bord de l’Hudson. L’endroit reste sympathique, le restaurant a une forme hexagonale avec des colonne en pierre taillé. Les pizzas sont corrects et les serveurs sont sympa et rapides.