McLoone's Boathouse

9 Cherry Ln, West Orange, NJ 07052, United States
+1 862-252-7108
$$$ American restaurant
(3404 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Welcome to McLoone's Boathouse, a delightful American restaurant nestled at the edge of the scenic West Orange Reservoir, offering not just a meal, but an entire experience. With its stunning lakeside views and an ambiance that captures the essence of outdoor dining, this place is a hidden gem for anyone looking to indulge in delicious fare after a visit to the nearby zoo or simply seeking a peaceful retreat.

McLoone's menu encapsulates the vibrant flavors of American cuisine, featuring a variety of starters, entrées, and tacos that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Kick off your dining experience with mouthwatering appetizers like the Guacamole & Chips with housemade guacamole and crispy corn tortilla chips ($16), or dive into the spicy indulgence of Firecracker Shrimp accompanied by a delectable Thai chili sauce ($17). For an exciting twist on traditional fare, don’t miss the Buffalo Chicken Wontons, crispy packages filled with cheddar jack and scallion ($18).

When it comes to entrées, McLoone's shines with highlights like the Signature Crab Cakes, flawlessly cooked and served with asparagus and housemade tartar sauce ($39), or the truly satisfying Prime Black Angus Burger, juicy and topped with cheddar and fresh veggies on a toasted brioche bun ($23). And if you're in the mood for a culinary adventure, their Tacos are something special, featuring choices like Blackened Shrimp Taco with avocado and pineapple salsa ($18) or the hearty Barbacoa Taco ($17).

The inviting atmosphere, especially on the patio where you can savor your meal while looking over the water, sets the stage for memorable gatherings with family and friends. As one customer, Volodymyr Gelias, raved, “The tacos were packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. The burger was juicy, and everything hit the spot.” And it’s not just the food that receives praise; the attentive service adds a personal touch that enhances the overall experience. As Priya noted, the staff is attentive and friendly, making guests feel right at home.

While the restaurant can get busy - especially on weekends - the quality of food and picturesque views more than make up for occasional delays. Customers like John McDermott have highlighted their fantastic experiences, raving about the flavors of the shrimp appetizer and the delicious entrees enjoyed on the patio.

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a lovely spot to unwind after exploring the reservoir trails, McLoone's Boathouse offers a combination of great food, scenic views, and a welcoming atmosphere that you'll want to return to time and again. So come and experience all that McLoone's has to offer – your taste buds will thank you!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has fireplace
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Has great wine list
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

10:30 AM - 9:00 PM

3404 Reviews
Volodymyr Gelias

18 Sep 2025

Absolutely loved this place! The tacos were packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. The burger was juicy, cooked just right, and came with some amazing toppings. Great beer selection too—ice cold and plenty of options to choose from. Everything hit the spot. Definitely coming back!

Priya

01 Sep 2025

We stopped by for some drinks after walking around the reservoir with our dog. Amanda provided us some awesome service, offering to get our dog his own water bowl. Definitely recommend if you’re already stopping by the reservoir, the patio is great and feels like you’re on someone’s patio. Great drinks and great service. We didn’t get food but it looked great as well.

Ankita Sunilkumar

01 Sep 2025

Conveniently located near the zoo, so you can grab a very scenic bite after the day visit. The food, views and service alwas good. Ambiance didn't match the vibe of the place but they made up with good music and nice service

John McDermott

04 Aug 2025

My wife and I went for dinner. Sat on the patio overlooking the reservoir. Waitress was friendly, fun, and checked on us diligently. Shrimp appetizer was delicious, entrees were excellent (skirt steak and salmon), dessert was perfect end to outstanding overall experience (incredible carrot cake and chocolate peanut butter cake). Prices were very much aligned with the quality of the food and experience (good value). Walked around the reservoir after dinner.

Doris Yu

22 Jul 2025

McLoone’s Boathouse offers stunning lakeside views and a tasty American menu with seafood, steaks, and burgers. It’s perfect for special occasions and scenic dining after the zoo. Service and food quality can be hit-or-miss on busy days, but when it’s good, it’s great!

Iza Ribeiro

05 Jul 2025

We dined at McLoone’s Boathouse on a Saturday after visiting the zoo, and I must say, the ambiance is stunning. We opted for an outdoor table with beautiful lake views, which truly enhanced our experience. While the restaurant wasn’t overly busy, I did notice that two sections were closed for private events, which unfortunately slowed down the service. Our server was friendly, but she didn’t take notes on part of our order, resulting in a few mix-ups with our dishes. The burger was decent but didn’t leave a lasting impression. However, the fries were a hit, as were the chicken fingers, which the kids loved. My standout dish was the steak with burrata salad—both beautiful and delicious. We also tried the bucket drink, and it was amazing! Overall, while there were a few hiccups, the lovely view and some standout dishes made our visit enjoyable.

Damaris Grossmann DNP FNP-C

29 May 2025

Our recent visit followed an outing to the park and zoo. We found the menu and overall ambiance to be quite pleasant. We particularly enjoyed the lobster roll and the chicken Betty salad, and we also sampled the buffalo chicken wontons as a starter. Our son was pleased with the grilled chicken from the children's menu. An especially noteworthy detail was the provision of a secret dog menu, featuring chicken and rice, for a canine companion at a nearby table. We were very impressed.

Daniel Roberts

28 May 2025

I loved the building and the setup inside. I'm surprised at how many seats there were and how different they can be set up. The food was incredible even though I ordered a burger it was still great, the artisan bread was so GOOD. I wanted to order a drink but since I'm not from here didn't wanna go in drinking, especially daytime drinking , but what made this place even more amazing is that there is a lake right there and it's gorgeous. Thank you again for the amazing food after my hike.

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