The Boathouse Restaurant

The Boathouse sits right on the water in Kennebunkport, a hotel restaurant that draws both tourists and locals who don't mind the crowds. They do upscale seafood and American dishes, and the kitchen knows what it's doing. Waits can run long without reservations, but you can track your spot online, and the staff tends to step up when things get busy.

• Water views and outdoor seating right on the docks.
• Valet parking solves Kennebunkport's brutal parking crunch.
• Lobster and seafood prepped with care and freshness.
• Cocktails like Take Me to Miami and Veni Vedi Lychee.

The lobster dinner is the anchor, cooked to perfection. Steak and noodles salad wins crowds, especially paired with Brussels sprouts or lobster fried rice. Seared shrimp and scallops work well shared. The clam chowder is thick and creamy, though you might want extra seasoning. Seafood Tom Yum noodles bring a spicy kick. Street corn, when it's on the specials board, is worth ordering.

Spacious indoor and outdoor seating with water views and passing boats. Busy and lively on weekends, especially at sunset, with a pleasant noise level that picks up when the place fills.

The kitchen leans into seafood: lobster done right, shrimp and scallops that don't get overcooked, fresh catches. They also swing at things like steak with noodles and Tom Yum broths that have real spice. The wine and cocktail list gives you reasons to linger. Service varies by who you get, but your waiter might surprise you.

Guests rave about the waterfront setting and the freshness of the food, especially the lobster. Service is a mixed bag: some diners had waiters like Xavier and Kali who went above and beyond, while others found their server less warm. One recent visitor called it a 10/10 and praised the valet parking as a lifesaver during peak season.