Boatwerks Holland Competing for Best in the Nation

With miles and miles of Great Lakes coastline, Michigan has no shortage of great waterfront restaurants. And honestly… is there anything better than sitting on a patio on a warm summer evening, eating something delicious with a Lake Michigan breeze rolling in? I’d argue no.

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So when I saw a West Michigan spot getting some national attention, I was all in. One local waterfront restaurant is currently in the running to be named the best in the country. And sure, with all the water we’ve got here, I could easily make a case for a few more making the list. I mean, I’ll always have a soft spot for places like The Idler in my hometown of South Haven or The Butler in Saugatuck.

👇BELOW: VOTE FOR WEST MICHIGAN WATERFRONT RESTAURNT TO BE THE BEST IN THE U.S.👇

But if you keep heading north, you’ll land on the one that did make the cut. It’s one of 20 finalists in USA Today’s 10Best poll for Top Waterfront Restaurants, and I’ve actually been there. We can vote to help get it to No. 1!

Boatwerks via Facebook

It’s Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant in Holland, sitting right on beautiful Lake Macatawa. And yeah, it seriously wowed me.

Boatwerks has been around for about 20 years and was purchased by RedWater Restaurant Group in 2018. They also own Cork Wine & Food in Grand Rapids, among others. The patio alone is massive, honestly one of the biggest I’ve seen, and the views are just unreal. Add in solid food, and it’s easy to see why it’s getting attention.

Boatwerks via Facebook

The menu leans into seafood, with things like shrimp tacos, walleye, crab cakes, salmon, and lake perch, but there’s plenty more too, steaks, burgers, soups, salads, pasta, a little bit of everything.

👇KEEP READING: LOOKING FOR MORE WATERFRONT DINING? LOCALS SAYS THESE SPOTS AROUND GRAND RAPIDS ARE THE BEST👇

Here’s part of what USA Today had to say about it:

Boatwerks has been serving up lakeside views and good times in western Michigan since 2006. A spacious covered patio and bar overlook Lake Macatawa, offering a front-row seat to the water… The menu features regional seafood favorites like Great Lakes walleye and lake perch, making it an easy choice for a laid-back meal by the water.

If you want to back a West Michigan favorite, you can vote for Boatwerks once per day through April 13 here.