You recently asked readers to share the locations of their favorite waterfront restaurants (“Best Dock & Dines,” July).
If you ask me, there’s no better place than Sam’s in Tiburon, California. The restaurant has a long and interesting history, an outstanding menu and plenty of beverage options when it’s time to wet your whistle. Moreover, the transit from San Francisco or other areas within the San Francisco Bay to the restaurant and back is about as much fun as you can have standing up. I’m sure there are many other fine dock-and-dines in warmer locales and no shortage of feed bags, but having tied up at scores of on-the-water joints, Sam’s is my favorite. Thanks for posing the question in the first place. It provided a fun hour or so on the porch with family and friends as we reminisced about fun times on the water. – Everard Ashworth
As a professional captain in the Chesapeake, I take my family to visit a couple of great restaurants throughout the boating season and during the crazy-cold Maryland winters. That includes Bridges in Kent Narrows, Maryland. Docking can be a challenge because of swift currents in the narrows, but the location is fantastic. We try to arrive early and set up for an amazing sunset. It never disappoints. Neither do the lump crab cakes. – Capt. Brett Sause
In North Carolina, Lake Norman’s 512 miles of shoreline include a few good waterfront restaurants. One of them, Hello Sailor, is nationally renowned for its cuisine. It’s our favorite for the unique menu, good docks, scenic deck and indoor dining room. – John Gillette
The Boat Shed Restaurant is our favorite dock-and-dine in Bremerton, Washington.
It has a great view and dockage that belongs to the restaurant. If we’re not here in cruising season, then we’re a bit farther south at The Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor.
– Greg Peterson
This article was originally published in the August 2022 issue.
