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Outdoor dining | The Boathouse, Kennebunkport, ME - The Boathouse Restaurant, Kennebunkport, ME

The Boathouse Restaurant

4.8
4.8
346 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a booking

2 people
22:30
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for creative cocktails
BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT IS WALK-IN ONLY. Valet parking is available year-round.

Experience the charm of the Boathouse, a stylish hotel, and restaurant perched on the scenic banks of the Kennebunk River. Located in the heart of Kennebunkport, the Boathouse offers stunning waterfront views and embodies a chic seaside ambiance with bright, cheerful decor and nautical touches. Enjoy the culinary creations of local star Chef John Shaw in this vibrant and inviting space adorned with splashes of red and golden yellow.

Surrounded by bustling marinas, the Boathouse is Kennebunkport's ultimate year-round hotspot. Join us for Happy Hour from Monday to Friday, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, and indulge in an unforgettable dining experience where style meets the sea. Visit the Boathouse for a perfect blend of coastal charm and exquisite cuisine.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Burgers
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 12:00–20:00 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–17:00 Sun 12:00–20:00
  • Phone number
    (207) 967-8225
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    John Shaw
  • Area
    Kennebunkport
  • Cross Street
    Ocean Ave Kennebunkport
  • Parking details
    Valet available ($5.00 per car, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day).
  • Additional
    Patio/Outdoor Dining

Experiences

  • Lighthouse Village at the Boathouse

    20 Dec 2024 - 10 Mar 2025
    Step inside our festive and quintessential Coastal Lighthouse Village for an extraordinary dining experience with seaside bites, cozy cocktails, and nautical decor inspired by the beautiful coast of Maine! The custom-built Lighthouse can accommodate either up to 4, 6, or 8 guests depending on the structure. While your Lighthouse Village will be heated, we recommend dressing warmly or bringing a blanket in case of cold weather conditions. There is a 1.5-hour dining limit for your reservation. No Food & Beverage Minimum. Cancellations or no-shows without 24 hours' notice will incur a $25 charge per person. No Food & Beverage Minimum.
    Lighthouse Village at the Boathouse photo

What 346 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Maine

    Innovative

  • Maine

    Hot spot

  • Maine

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Maine

    Romantic

  • Maine

    Great for scenic views

  • Maine

    Good for special occasions

  • Maine

    Lively

  • Southern Coast

    Best Overall

  • Southern Coast

    Best Service

  • Southern Coast

    Best Ambience

  • Southern Coast

    Best Value

  • Southern Coast

    Innovative

  • Southern Coast

    Neighbourhood gem

  • Southern Coast

    Great for fine wines

  • Southern Coast

    Romantic

  • Southern Coast

    Good for special occasions

  • Southern Coast

    Lively

  • Southern Coast

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Boathouse Restaurant offers a unique and charming dining experience in its Lighthouse Village. Guests rave about the "delicious food," "outstanding service," and cozy atmosphere provided by the private lighthouse shacks. The extensive menu, warm drinks, and picturesque setting make it a must-visit in Kennebunkport, especially in winter.

346 Reviews
  1. Claudia

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Magical winter dining experience in the the adorable 'lighthouses' at the Boathouse restaurant. Beautifully decorated and appointed - cushy pillows, low lighting, and warm blankets. We had a wonderful meal. Only suggestion would be to move the heat from the ceiling to the floor. I know this could be difficult but although our bodies were cozy, our feet were very cold. Plus warm air rises so having heat originate on the floor would make sense. Despite the cold, it was a REALLY great experience.

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  2. Elizabeth

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My sisters and I recently enjoyed lunch in one of the Boathouse's little outdoor lighthouse shacks. From our warm cider cocktails (which were not on the menu, but made to order at the request of our server) to our delicious entrees and the quaint atmosphere of the private wooden shack, everything was top-notch! It was hard to decide what to order because the menu at the Boathouse is pretty extensive and so many items appealed to us. We started with the roasted brussels sprouts, which were some of the best we'd had anywhere. Two of us ordered the baked haddock casserole, the other a salmon entree. All served hot and full of flavor. Other menu items I've enjoyed on previous visits include the fried haddock sandwich, their burger, the poke tuna bowl and the steak and noodle salad. Fries at the Boathouse are worth ordering - I'm assuming they're handcut, not frozen, because they always taste fresh and delicious. Visiting the Boathouse's Lighthouse Village should definitely be on your agenda if you're spending some time in Kennebunkport in the winter. In addition to the cozy atmostphere, wonderful food and service, the photo opps ABOUND (especially on a bright, sunny day) and the sounds of a flock of ducks paddling by in the river may add even more Maine charm to your experience. Make sure you're dressed warmly, especially with warm footwear and a coat you may like to sit on, as the shacks are heated from above and the floor and seats can feel a bit chilly!

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  3. Kerrianne

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We ate in one of the little houses they have for the winter. It was very cozy and warm enough for us, but we did dress warm for the occasion. The food was delicious and will definitely be going back.

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  4. Kathleen

    Greater Boston

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 19 February 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    My two friends and I ate lunch in the little lighthouse. It was so adorable. The waitress was top-notch, as was the food. The service was excellent. It was about 25 degrees outside. There was an overhead heater to keep us warm. One suggestion for the restaurant would be to put space heaters under the benches, as our feet did get a bit cold. (Perhaps the Fire Department does not allow this?) I suggest bringing your blanket for the same reason. Overall, I highly recommend The Lighthouse Village at the Boathouse Restaurant. It was a great experience.

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  5. Beth

    Maine

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely atmosphere, delicious food and outstanding service.

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  6. Michele

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 13 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dining in one of the Light Houses was fantastic! So fun and very private. Our server Alrick was excellent - he was on point and made it a special evening

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  7. Kate

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 10 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We ate in one of the lighthouses on the deck. So fun! There were four of us. Great double date night!

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  8. Christine

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on 26 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service were excellent - Will be returning soon

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  9. Emily

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 20 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We loved visiting The Boathouse for the Lighthouse Village dining experience! The food, drinks, service, and ambiance were great! Our server was attentive to all our needs and very friendly! We appreciated the heater and blankets in the lighthouse to make our dining experience warm and cozy! We can’t wait to come back again soon!

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  10. Julie

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a reservation for the Lighthouse Village for a 50th Birthday celebration and it was extraordinary! Such a cute little experience. Food and drinks were spectacular- you made our day!

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FAQs

The Boathouse Restaurant offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (207) 967-8225.

The Boathouse Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 346 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
22:30
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Boathouse Restaurant

21 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME 04046-6003

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Ocean Ave Kennebunkport
  • Area
    Kennebunkport
  • Hours of Operation
    Daily 12:00–20:00 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–17:00 Sun 12:00–20:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Burgers
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet available ($5.00 per car, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day).
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    John Shaw
  • Additional
    Patio/Outdoor Dining
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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