I was in town for a business meeting, and a local friend insisted I check out this spot, especially for the seafood and its riverside views.

I showed up around 6:30 pm on a weekday, just as the place was starting to fill up. Scored an outdoor table right away (had to enjoy the view, of course), and I’m glad I did.

The view was stunning. As the sun set, the river turned gold and the city skyline lit up in the background — it set the perfect mood. The whole vibe was relaxed, yet lively enough to feel special.

Food & Drinks (thanks to Grace B., my fantastic waitress, for the recommendations):
• Oyster Ale – A local draft that hit all the right notes. Light, refreshing, with just enough crispness to keep me reaching for another sip. Absolutely my kind of beer.
• Seared Flounder – Cooked to perfection. The center was tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft, while the edges had a crisp bite. It came with corn, grilled zucchini, and roasted grape tomatoes, which added sweetness and texture. The lemon-thyme butter tied everything together beautifully — bright, light, and not at all greasy. A perfect dish if you’re in the mood for something flavorful but not heavy.

Overall, the evening was excellent. Between the food, the service, and that riverside sunset, this place is a gem. I’d highly recommend it, especially if you’re looking for a romantic dinner spot. The view alone has its own kind of magic.

– Zacks Chris

While planning our small, intimate elopement, we wanted an equally as intimate but beautiful setting for our reception. That's how we found the Boathouse for our magical dinner on the top floor. We rented the Harbormaster Suite for our private dinner, which comfortably held 25 guests. The service was fantastic and the food was delicious of course. Alli and Laura helped us with each step of our planning. We had so many options to choose from, including a signature drink for us, great appetizers, entrees, desserts, and a wonderful open bar with a great drink selection. Though the space is too small for a DJ, we were able to attach our own music to the speakers for a small fee. The view of the skyline was gorgeous, even on the cloudy day. My only critique is that the Harbormaster room itself could use some updating. The Boathouse's main restaurant has beautiful decor and we feel that the Harbormaster room should reflect an equally as beautiful aesthetic upstairs. Overall, a wonderful experience and we truly wish we could do it again!

– Markia Anderson

To start, the restaurant is situated inside of an elevated building along the James River. There is a lot of people walking in area and the river provides a nice view with crew teams practicing from the local universities. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the bar area is vibrant. You can sit outside on the balcony overlooking the river or inside with a view of the river. The seafood tray was a tasty option, providing shrimp, mussels, oysters, clams and smoked salmon. We also tried the shrimp tacos, crab cakes and filet. All were tasty and well received. The cocktails were refreshing and well made. Our server was very friendly and did not leave us wanting for anything. They also have a sister restaurant next door, Island Shrimp Co. We will be returning and also will try their sister restaurant since our experience was so favorable.

– Clint Harding