Boater’s Grill

Nice view. Convenient. Food is ok, large potions but it’s pricey and it’s just not savory. It’s not bad. It just has no oomph. I’ve been here several times now and every time I say, eh. I could’ve made that more delicious. The ceviche is definitely flavorful. We got the fish ceviche and it was fresh and delicious. Service is always hit or miss with this place. I either get a really great server who suggests and treats us like family or we get a complete pompous a-​hole who makes us feel like a burden. In any case, I recommend it, at least for its convenience while at Bill Baggs.

Recommended by our snorkeling guide. And if a local suggests it, it’s gotta be good right? Yes indeed! My friend and I are in miami visitng and we love to explore food. This place is a hidden gem! We had the fried whole snapper and the Florida grilled lobster. Amazing! And a very friendly staff to go along with the beautiful view. Great place off the beaten path! I’d definitely return.

A nice place for view of the cove & good service however if you are looking for value in food this is the wrong place. I order a grouper filet $ 19.99 & was told by waitress the snapper or mahi were better so i said the snapper what a rip off it was the childrens tiny baby size i was served stay away if your trying to get a full stomach & overpriced big time.

After spending time at the beach in Bill Baggs State Park had a late lunch at Boater’s Grill. We ordered the House Sangria to drink and the Conch Fritters as an appetizer. I ordered the Grilled Fillet of Snapper with a side of Maduros as my meal.
Quality
The first thing that we got was the House Sangria as we were hot from the day at the beach and some Sangria seemed like the perfect remedy. Although not terrible, the Sangria was lacking in terms of fruit as it merely had two orange slices in my cup. The Conch Fritters were definitely the highlight of the meal. They were some of the best I have ever had as they were not chewy at all. For my meal I had the Grilled Fillet of Snapper, which was just lacking in flavor and unfortunately freshness. Our table didn’t have any sort of condiments and I ended up asking for hot sauce to help me eat it. I also did not love that they cooked the fish with the skin still very much on it because of the extra work it caused in eating it. I know you can eat it, but I just don’t enjoy it. The Maduros were nothing special and had too crispy a texture.
Quantity
The Conch Fritters portion was extremely tiny, which I was surprised at considering the cost. I can’t complain about the Snapper because you literally could reconstruct the fish on the plate.
Value
Absolutely overpriced. When I took a look at the menu I was absolutely shocked at the prices of nearly everything. This alone would dissuade me from returning.
Ambiance
Boater’s Grill is located right off a small bay in Bill Baggs State Park. Instead of going straight and hitting the beaches you take a turn and end up in a parking lot adjacent to a body of water filled with docked boats. The restaurant is on the second floor porch of a building right off the water. There is a weird small indoor area, but almost all of the seats are on the covered deck outside. From most of the seats is a good view of the bay and the boats, but it fails in comparison to many of the other waterfront views you can find in Miami. The seats are lawn chairs and I can’t speak for all the tables, but mine was wobbly and dirty. I had heard that there was live music and many we were too early because there was nothing when we were there, not even background music. I struggled greatly in understanding what this place wanted to be. In the end it felt like a place that wants it be serving regulars and folks who spent all day on the boat, but realized it could not pay its rent so upped all the prices.
Crowd
The crowd was almost entirely made up of people who clearly had spent the early afternoon at the beach. No one appeared to be there just for the restaurant, but were already at the park and figured why not. It was absolutely packed, which was a bit surprising, but a line was there the entire time.
Service
The service was absolutely atrocious. The real reason that there is a line is no one is really seating people so even though open tables exist no one is helping customers to their seats. And with the insane amount of people working there you would think someone could have that job. Instead most of the staff is just standing around looking out at the water. The waitress I had was terrible. Not only did she disappear for long blocks of time she spoke just enough broken English to not be able to explain anything. I had no idea I was entitled to two sides and she did not even attempt to explain it so I ended up with just Maduros. She also failed to bring out salt, pepper, and condiments to our table for a meal that desperately needed extra flavor.
Parking
There is a good sized lot right by the restaurant, but if you see it filled up expect quite a wait.
Extra
Boater’s Grill is nothing but an overpriced tourist trap. It is not a hidden gem or true fresh seafood restaurant as it would attempt to make you to believe, but a below average restaurant with horrendous service. You are much better off exiting the park and finding somewhere else to eat.

Short wait for a table. Great service — thanks Manuel!!! The food was phenomenal! We got ceviche, tostones, snapper, chicken fingers, fish fingers, and rice and black beans — it was all amazing! They had great live music. This is an amazing place to enjoy the sunset! We will soon become regulars!

Food was good, as well the scenery. Not happy with the noise, we were practically shouting to hear each other.

Our server was great but it seemed like he was attending the whole restaurant by himself. Food was very average with above avarage price. The only thing that made it a better experience was the view and our waiter’s concern to get to us quickly. The beer selection can REALLY use more variety since not every customer drinks wine which is plentiful there.

The food i had was not good. Off tasting scallops with a side of old cold fries. For the price I expect a lot better. The 2 stars are for the location and cold beer.

0.5 stars for the view. 0.5 stars for the five conch fritters.
Little more detail. The view is a bit of a tease but still nice. You know the ocean is near and nice. But you can only see this tiny harbor with sailboats and small yachts that you’ll never be able to afford.
The conch fritters met the standard bar. Shrimp creole — shrimp cooked in canned enchilada sauce? Avocado salad — literally, a whole avocado sliced in half.
Enough said?

Serviceis terrible. They need a hostess to manage the line waiting to be seated while there are 10 dirty tables.
Seems like the locals just put up w it.
I waited 45 min to be seated. Until a local tripped out and made it happen for ppl to get seated.

Completely underwhelmed. I am being polite by saying that the food is «rustic». What I really mean is that the chef is too damn lazy to properly filet and de-​bone the fish they are going to serve.
I ordered the bacalao a la vizcaina. Once I removed the copious amount of bones I was stuck with a small amount of overcooked fish. No bueno.
Although the outlook over the harbour is quite nice, the ambiance of the restaurant is not. Really janky plastic chairs give it a cheap feel. They get a second star because the service, although perfunctory, was fast. My dining companions didn’t hate their meals.

Great view. The food was pretty good — we had grilled mahi and tuna. The mahi was much better. Black beans needed seasoning. The main issue we had was it seemed they were out of many menu items and we weren’t able to get our preferred options. People have complained of the service on here but we had no issues with our server.

Came here to eat after a photo shoot at the Key Biscayne Lighthouse. Ordered calamari and conch fritters appetizers, calamari was good but the conch fritters were not cooked through (soggy center) sent them back only to receive the second batch exactly the same way. Staff was very uninspired and lacked any sense of customer appreciation. I won’t be coming back with massively overpriced menu and this lack of customer service.

A star for the view! The service? Terrible. Nonexistent. In fact a few minutes after sitting down I wondered whether this was table service or whether I was supposed to walk up to the register and order from one of the fifteen servers standing around looking pretty.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a «manager» or whatever his title, ARGUE with a customer over an erroneous item on her bill. Having worked in the industry, I was SHOCKED by his response, and his refusal to remove a $ 6.95 salad from the bill, a salad which was never ordered in the first place.
If you’re hurting for business, don’t FIGHT WITH A CUSTOMER OVER A FEW DOLLARS but rather, ensure an experience which will make a customer want to return. At this, Boater’s Grill has failed miserably.
Of course this was due to a miscommunication with the server, who we barely saw, other than from a distance, standing, staring.
Oh and can we sit at those picnic tables on the lower deck where there’s not a wall in the way of our view? No, those are for parties of six. Well there were 4 of us. and we were the only ones in the restaurant at this point. but okay?
As for the food. plain. Drink options. scarce.
Such a beautiful location. for such a crappy establishment.

This was my first time visiting and it was by far one of the worst experiences as service goes in a restaurant.
Waiter came once at the begginning and never more saw him for any kind of refills until food was ready, which took more than 45 minutes.
After food arrived, we ate, never came back to offer drink refills, again, and when check finally arrived I realized they charged me for something I did not order. I thought I had ordered a side salad dish but instead they brought me the main dish. I could not tell the difference because I had never eaten there and the salad had nothing but iceberg lettuce and a 2 slices of tomatoes. So I ate it thinking it was the side dish I had originally ordered.
I complained for the extra charge on my tab and that it is NOT my fault that the server missunderstood me. The person in charge came over to tell me I HAD to pay it. He was so rude that even asked me if I had eaten at a Miami restaurant before because I should have known that I cannot order a side dish if I wasn’t ordering a main dish!!! I was in SHOCK!!! The fact was that I did order a main dish! A terrible tasting burger!
At the end of the day I paid for everything because the person in charge wouldnt yield. But I have promised myself to NEVER go back again.

We went to Boaters Grill and I was checking the reviews. Many people were saying it was a not so great place so I was suspicious. We got a table after a little while and sat down. I order an orange juice and it turned out to be freshly squeezed. We ordered the red snapper and ceviche. We also ordered the tostones and pork chunks. Every thing was great except the wait. The fish was very fresh. The ceviche was a little to lemony but other wise fine. We got plantain as well. Definite go to if you are in the area but don’t go out of your way to find it.

Food is good (nothing too fancy) but the view is great. The view and No Name Harbor are just worth it. The place is a bit noisey, but if you get a table outside should be just fine.

First time at this place. Love the location, love the view! But had to wait a while for a table, then almost as long to be served even though there were about 6 servers right behind my table just enjoying the view. I had to ask one of them who was in charge or our table. Had the pitcher of sangria to start along with the fish spread with crackers. nothing special, just okay! Ordered the grilled mahi mahi with mash potatoes and salad. The fish seemed a little dry and the mash potatoes still had chunks of hard potatoes in it. A tad overpriced I think. It wasn’t spectacular food. But I will go back to try the whole fried fish. It looked appetizing. Plus I do love the location and the relaxing view

Service terrible it took us 2 hours to get out food but food was good they gave us free sangria which was amazing and worth the visit. I would have given it 1 star but the paella pasta scallops and shrimps were good

Terrible service… Waiting in line for 20 minutes when there are tables vacant! I decided to head to the other restaurant on the island.

Great spot for the weekend after going to the beach! The staff is very friendly, the ambiance is laid back and relaxing. Nice views and best fried fish I’ve had in Miami! Yummm

Horrible Experience, our waitress was an old fat lady with a military hair cut.
1– she got mad when we told her to give us a minute; told us to hurry up
2– she brought the food, and when asked for sauce, she got annoyed.
3– Bill, she asked for her tip, and came to table before we signed receipt to make sure she got tip!
Lady was out of hand in many levels!

The food just amaizing !!
Super super good
Seafood pasta. Just perfect
Conch fitter. Delicius
Salmon grille. There is nothing better
The guava chesse cake. Is heaven !!!

This is one of my favorite places to kick back and relax after building an appetite by renting a four seater bike and peddling around Key Biscayne with friends and visiting the lighthouse that is close by and climbing all the way to the top it.
Sooo… back to the restaurant review.
As soon as you walk up to the restaurant you see the bay and all the boats docked around the restaurant and some anchored a little further out.
Every time we come here it is packed. We have to walk up a ramp and wait in line for about twenty minutes. It’s worth the wait. Since we usually always visit this restaurant mid summer when it is scorching hot, once we sit down, the first thing to order is an ice cold beverage. Keep in mind this is mostly an outdoor restaurant with a very small indoor area. Yup this is the part where I kick back and relax and enjoy the view together with my lovely wife.
The waiters are very busy and don’t come around the table too often but who cares, we’re not in a hurry so when we catch them, we order a round of drinks with an appetizer and kick back.
My recommendation when you are ready to order your main entrée, order the 2−½ to 3lb whole fried snapper. It might seem pricy but two people can easily share so that compensates for the price.
Keep in mind the months of June, July and August are extremely hot weather so you might not enjoy going when it’s not 98° outside.
Ps. one time we went there were mosquitos so you might want to ask the waiter for bug spray or take your own spray.

After a long day on the beach, we were starving. We had never been so far south on key biscayne before. Upon arrival, we fell in love with the view! The sun was setting so it was so beautiful and peaceful.
I ordered the scallops in garlic sauce expecting it to be bigger scallop pieces but instead was the smaller kind. They were okay, but nothing special to be honest. Definitely would not come back to pay $ 20 for that.
If I ever do come back, it would be to just enjoy the view.

Service is AWFUL. These people are annoyed to serve you.
Items are OVERPRICED.
Despite being ignored for a good while, we asked –ALL SMILES– for waters and a diet coke. But no luck, this was going to be a rough ride.
Although the I pointed at the soda fountain when I ask for it, the waiter returned with a canned soda. I politley asked again for fountain, and he got pisssed! He snatched the can away and –much– later returned with the fountain soda… which was terrible! The syrup to CO2 mix was off so it tasted like soda water. But no way were we going to say anything. While we waited, we noticed the outragoues prices (for what we suspected would be diner-​quality food) and decided just to have something small to hold us off and go to a real restaurant later. We waited so long to order that I finally moved the menus to the complete other side of the table hoping it’d be evident to the waiter that we were waiting on him to place our order. Nope, he didn’t care. Walked by us a good five times before stopping to ask us if we were ready. Maybe he was hoping we would leave? We really should have.
I opted for the smoked fish dip. The waiter scooped TWO TABLESPOONS out of a tub. $ 5 and the flavor was off. My boyfriend ordered something completely unmemorable but pricey. I do remember however that it was served with pizza sauce. Fish, with pizza sauce. Not cocktail sauce. Hello? Not all tomato sauces are alike people!
The food took a very long time to come out. When it did, the waiter said NOTHING to us. Then he NEVER came by again. We couldn’t even make eye contact with him because he would look away. After about 30 minutes of trying to flag him down for the bill, we walked over to him and asked for it. Then it took 15 minutes before he brought it over to us. Again, he said NOTHING to us. He just had shit face the entire time. What a miserable human being.
Here’s something that really peeved me too. They have a sign on the back of the soda fountain machine that says «Tap Water Cup $ 0.25 Vaso con Agua $ 0.25» I’m certain it is illegal to do so. Any establishment serving food for dine-​in guests must 1) Offer free tap water and 2) Offer restrooms.
What a great location gone to waste with this God-​awful tourist trap.

It was ok. I agree with some of the Unilocalers when they said service is not that great. Waiter didn’t ask if we needed anything else after food came. We had to ask a couple of times to pls have our water pitcher refilled. We were 6 and it was really hot outside. Inside was all taken.
I ordered the grilled snapper with a side house salad. The fish was a little bland like others have said. I squeezed lots of lime juice on it and added salt. The salad was blah.
My bf said his asopado de camarones was good. We also ordered frituritas de bacalao. They were ok. And flan for dessert which I didn’t try.
Parking into the park which leads you into the restaurant is $ 8. Total for 6 adults was about $ 180. No drinks.
Not sure if we’ll return although the view is nice. Maybe during winter. During miami winter that is when it’s a freezing 68 degrees!!!

I have been coming to this place for more than 10 years and is still amazing. The fried fish is one of the many reasons I come back but specially the location and view.
Every friend I bring are amazed by the experience. This is the best hideout place in Miami.

This place is great! Good food and people. Muy tranquilo para pasar una linda tarde de verano. La vista super bella. La comida caliente fresca, los precios de almuerzo modicos y razonables. Recomiendo a todos una linda tarde en esta marina.

Service is terrible in this place, there was a sign to wait to be seated, no one came for about 20minutes and they knew we were there waiting, finally got seated waiters do not care about you unless you call them repeatedly. food was average nothing to die for…
The only amazing thing about this place is the view!! which is the only reason I can think people would come here…

Subsequent two more visits — personal-​size seafood paella was good. Crispy snapper was delicious. Seafood soup not as much. Seafoods are consistently fresh and not overcooked. Probably best off ordering what they’re good at: simple seafoods like grilled lobster, fried whole fish etc.
Service is generally good esp if you don’t sit way out in the corner. Prices can be slightly lower for this hole-​in-​the-​wall place though, but then there’s the premium for the harbor view.

Stopped in for lunch on lazy Saturday…
Long story short, view was good, food was overpriced shit! Service was also extremely slow.

We just love this place, the ambience by the water and the cool music makes dining outdoors a truly relaxing experience. The food is always wonderful and the whole fried fish is AMAZING always!
Bad experiences: cold sides and really slow/​bad service. This has been something that we overlook because of wanting to enjoy the experience of coming all the way here but it would definitely make a HUGE change in staying longer and having drinks after dinner, etc.

Restaurante informal localizado en una marina con ambiente muy agradable. La mayor parte de las mesas esta en la calle, por lo que mejor no vayas en verano (mucho calor). La especialidad es el pescado, recomiendo el snapper, calamares fritos (si están calientes) y los mussels al ajo. No recomiendo la bolitas de bacalao ni la sangría