f you’re looking to explore the culinary side of the Great Lakes, look no further because we’ve compiled some of the best restaurants you can get to by boat. Whether you’re interested in expanding your cultural palate or discovering historic restaurants with inviting atmospheres, you’ll find your perfect fit with the following options.

Historic Hunger

For a restaurant with deep historical roots, you’ll want to check out Castaways on the Lake. Located on the shore of Lake Ontario, you’ll be able to catch some of the most spectacular lake views and experience some magnificent sunsets.

Their two-tiered lakeside decks give you the perfect setting for outdoor dining and you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy some live acoustic guitar music on weekend evenings in the summer. The menu will have your mouth watering with customer favorites like the Cajun rubbed blackened prime rib or their fresh seafood sampler platters.

Castaways has been around since 1906, always delivering some of the best food, service, and views of Lake Ontario. You’ll find free boat docking available on Irondequoit Bay.

Another great option is Thrasher’s Bear Lake Tavern on Lake Michigan. This restaurant was established in 1929 and is Hoby Thrasher’s 14th owned restaurant since 1975. The Muskegon Chronicle refers to Thrasher as the “Most Prolific Restaurant Entrepreneur in West Michigan” and he was awarded Muskegon County’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2004.

Bear Lake Tavern is one of the oldest restaurants in Muskegon County, and Thrasher has preserved the historic nature of the building while updating the exterior and interior with new signage, color coordination and landscaping. Be sure to stop by to enjoy some of their specialties such as the perch and steak fries.

Edgewater Manor on Lake Ontario is yet another fantastic restaurant with historic significance. The building was originally built in 1920 as a private castle and is now enjoyed as one of Southern Ontario’s finest restaurants.

Edgewater Manor’s delicious food and fantastic location on the shores of Lake Ontario make it the perfect setting for a couple’s night out, private group dining, or even events such as weddings.

Then you won’t want to miss The Strand Dining & Waterfront Wine Bar on Lake Superior. This restaurant is nestled in the Historic Lodge at Lutsen Resort and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In Swedish, strand means “shore,” which gives a nod to one of the dining room’s greatest strengths—the breathtaking views of the Poplar River and Lake Superior. The menu doesn’t disappoint either, featuring both contemporary and traditional North Shore cuisine dishes. Not to mention that the wine cellar holds 1,200 bottles of local and international fine wines if you’re thirsty.

Ambient Eats

If you’re boating on Lake Erie, then you definitely want to check out the Jetty Bar & Grill. This is one of the only restaurants on the north shore of Lake Erie where you can have the pleasure of sitting on the patio next to your boat while chowing down on some great food with ice-cold beverages.

The Jetty Bar & Grill has complimentary daily dockage available for boats right in front of the restaurant. Nothing beats enjoying a meal with views of Lake Erie and your own boat docked right out front.

Grand Superior Grill provides a relaxing setting to get a bite to eat on Lake Superior. This restaurant allows you to enjoy fine dining right at the water’s edge. The Grand Superior Grill is nestled in the Main Lodge at Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors, Minn., and offers dining year-round to both resort and non-resort guests.

You can enjoy sights of Lake Superior from the restaurant, from the lounge and from the outdoor deck overlooking the lake. Plus, their menu offers something for everyone to enjoy.

JP McGuire’s Waterfront is another hotspot you won’t want to miss if you’re ever cruising around on Lake Erie and start to feel hungry. This delightful waterfront bar and grill is found inside the beautiful Humbug Marina of Gibraltar in Michigan. This restaurant has around 45 transient slips for boaters who want to dock and dine.

Then if you’re looking for a table with a view of Lake Superior, the Harbor Haus restaurant has you covered. This restaurant is nestled right on the shore of Lake Superior and has large picture windows, allowing guests to feast their eyes on the lake.

Plus, the extensive menu features seafood, fresh local fish and much more such as ahi tuna flown in from Hawaii. The Harbor Haus also uses local berries and vegetables in their dishes when they’re available.

Fresh & Trendy

For a wholesome family-owned restaurant, pay the Lake Hound on Lake Huron a visit. This restaurant’s roots run five generations deep, ever since Ella and Stanley Martin moved to Grand Bend in Ontario, Canada, to open what was then called Dooley’s Lunch. From there, they bought some land in Bosanquet Township and opened the Bluewater Restaurant.

The property was sold briefly in the `90s but then returned to the family when LeeAnn (Stanley’s great-granddaughter) and Patrick Powers bought it back in 2006. The Lake Hound is the family’s newest rendition of the family’s business legacy, and you can expect to find delicious, fresh food there, accompanied by great service and wonderful views of Lake Huron.

Another great restaurant on the shores of Huron is the Queen’s Bar & Grill. This scrumptious eatery takes great pride in using exclusively fresh ingredients and AAA beef.

Their soups are homemade every day and their vegetables are fresh and never frozen. Plus, their sauces are all their own recipes. If you’re looking for a delicious meal on Lake Huron, the Queen’s Bar & Grill is a fantastic option.

The Snug Harbor also offers some deliciously fresh food. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, this restaurant has been around for over 30 years. Because the management and staff have plenty of experience and passion, their menu enjoys keeping up with the trends in the restaurant world. However, they still love to serve the classics as well. With stunning views of Lake Michigan in the background, it’s hard to beat the sunset from Snug Harbor.

Another restaurant that offers a creative “comfort” style menu is the Farm Restaurant on Lake Huron. Their menu is influenced by seasonal and fresh local produce. The Farm Restaurant prepares all of their dishes from scratch, offering homemade appetizers, soups, breads and desserts alongside their delicious entrees.

Cultural Cuisine

If you have a hankering for Italian food, be sure to catch a bite at Dodie’s Dockside on Lake Erie’s shore. You’ll find this restaurant on the main floor of the Historic Ariel Hotel on Broadway in Lorain, Ohio. Dodie’s was built in 1923 and it takes everything you love about traditional lakeside food and offers it with a contemporary Italian twist.

The restaurant’s remodeling embraces the nautical spirit of Lake Erie while paying tribute to the building’s original architecture. It’s the perfect place to gather for some excellent Italian food and views of Lake Erie and Black River Landing.

Noto’s at the Bil-Mar is another terrific choice if you’re looking to expand your cultural palate. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll find some delicious Sicilian food here. This upbeat and contemporary restaurant gives you the opportunity to enjoy fine dining while witnessing the gorgeous Lake Michigan sunset in their lakefront dining room.

Lastly, if you want to explore Mediterranean cuisine, be sure to check out Zara’s by the Lake on Lake Ontario. Located in Ontario’s village of Bronte in Oakville, their menu offers traditionally Mediterranean food infused with flavors from the Middle East, particularly from Lebanon.

Zara’s by the Lake uses all freshly prepared ingredients and all menu items are made to order. You’ll find this restaurant both cozy and friendly. In short, it’s the perfect stop if you ever find yourself hungry on Lake Ontario.