Review The Barge - Saugatuck

My wife, a friend, my daughter, & I stopped here for some appetizers for a summertime lunch. We were sat a table somewhat inside but this area was open to the outside with a comfortable breeze and shaded from the sun. The view was also ideal being right on the water with a variety of boats passing by. We started with the chicken wings. Even though ordered them with mild sauce so we could share with our young daughter, they still had a lot of flavor and had a good, crispy consistency. The Ahi Tuna Poke was too spicy for our daughter from the wasabi but the rest of us really enjoyed them.

We sat at the upstairs bar. Helpful wait staff, but had to wait a bit for our food. I had the Crab Cakes Sandwich with truffle fries. Crab cakes didn't taste very crabby & we're over powered by the sauce. Fries were good. One daughter got the Shrimp Cobb salad. It was delicious, as I snuck some. The other daughter got the Ahi salad & it was good too.

Perfect place for afternoon cocktails and seafood. We sat upstairs and watched the boats and action on the water. Service was perfect, drinks cold, Sun hot, waiter friendly and attentive. Perch crab cakes fries rum punch. Could not have been better.

Visiting a friend in Michigan and he brought me to The BARge the atmosphere is awesome, especially to sit outside and water front. The food is a bit pricey and small portions for the price, but good. Other than that a great experience.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Barge in Saugatuck, Michigan, and I cannot recommend it highly enough! From start to finish, my experience at this restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. First and foremost, the atmosphere at The Barge is warm, inviting, and perfectly captures the essence of Saugatuck's charming coastal vibe. The restaurant's location right on the water offers breathtaking views, especially during sunset. It truly sets the stage for a memorable dining experience. The staff at The Barge deserves special recognition for their impeccable service. From the moment I walked in, their friendly and attentive demeanor made me feel welcomed and valued. They were knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent recommendations, accommodating any dietary preferences or allergies without hesitation. The menu at The Barge showcases a diverse range of dishes that cater to every palate. I was delighted by the selection of fresh seafood options and the creative twists on classic favorites. Each dish was beautifully presented, and the flavors were exquisite. It was evident that the chefs at The Barge take great pride in sourcing high-quality ingredients and creating culinary masterpieces.

Great service. Upbeat, fun vibe. Best wings I've ever had! They're so crispy and juicy.

It reminds me of island vibes, got that lake breeze with birds around. Beautiful views. Great service. Every one was so welcoming 😊 I got the island punch rum felt like I was not in Michigan haha it was delicious. I got the A1 burger it was on point. Crunchy onions on top oozing with A1 sauce, the burger has good grill marks. Definitely will be coming back.

Spent the weekend in Saugatuck, came to the BARge not once, but twice. Really enjoyed the chicken and avocado sandwich I had. (I also got that both times) Best of all is the location, loved feeling the breeze from the water, and it gave you the lake town feel.

Fun friendly service, great atmosphere, pretty views(more so in summer), but for now it's fun watching crazy kayakers paddle by in the cold. The food is good, and I really enjoy the bloody mary mix they use here. Though I'll come by for a couple drinks, I don't eat here regularly because it is definitely on the pricier side, so keep that in mind if you plan on visiting. I know I'll be back.

Came here for lunch. Place was quite busy. The restaurant is right on lake. Everything we ordered was very good especially the Fried Perch sandwich. Service was good. Dogs are allowed which is a plus. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.

The BARge is a nice mostly outdoor place to grab a bite and drink. The food is average, though we did really like the C.B.A. sandwich. Definitely upgrade to the tots, they are much better than the fries! The cocktails are good, again nothing special but good enough for sure. The only true knock is the service speed, it was very slow considering it was not busy at all. A nice perk is the view, it's nice watching the boats flow while eating.

Food was good. The fried perch tasted great. The crabcake burger was good as well. Nice spice to it. Fries were done perfect. Nice location on the water, sat at and outside high top right at the waters edge. No complaints. Service was good as well.

Stopped to grab a bite after going to the Tulip Festival in Holland, MI in early May. Per others’ reviews we expected to wait for a table, so that wasn’t a problem at all. The food was absolutely amazing, and serving were BIG. We were seated inside which was no problem as even indoor seating was primarily next to big, open windows. Those on the outdoor patio could enjoy the waterfront view! Going back to the food- there is not one negative thing to say because everything we ordered was delicious, flavorful, and plating matched the aesthetic of the restaurant. The reason I did not give this place five stars is because after being seated, we were not approached by our waitress for a good ten to fifteen minutes. Unfortunately that did not get much better throughout the meal as we had to hunt her down for the check, boxes, drinks, etc. I understand that the restaurant was busy (I’m glad they are getting business now that everything had opened back up), but I do wish we were served (or at least greeted) a bit sooner than we ended up being approached. Overall, I would definitely go back to The BARge for the food, but I think I will consider the slower hours of the day.

Beautiful spot on the water. Food was very good, had the ahi tuna salad and my partner had the burger (which he liked a lot). Cocktails are solid, and the vibe is friendly and fun. Come for the view and atmosphere! Food and drink are good.

This is a cute place on the water. Street parking. The alligator appetizer was absolutely amazing. Get that. Perfectly cooked. The lake perch basket wasn't as good. The fish pieces were very thin which made the breading ratio suck. The fries were delicious. The views were good too. The server was nice. I will return for the gator bites.

What should you expect? If your expectations are high be prepared for disappointment. I started w/ two ‘watery’ Tanqueray & Tonics & less than full pours of wine for my wife. Waited a full hour for food that was plane at worst & lack luster at best. The fries were good, but burger joints can do that well enough. I will pay & I will wait for quality, unfortunately that was in short supply. Except.....for the effort of the wait staff. Sterling service cannot however make up for slow, medium quality food & diluted spirits. The ambiance & scenery are great by the way, but if that is the only selling point I gotta say not worth the price.

LOVED the vibe and decor ! Service was good . The spicy Bloody Mary was wonderful . The Bue Crab appetizer was very good . However ..... the French fries were undercooked and soggy . The mushroom burger was pretty good but a little over done. The bun just didn't work as it didn't hold up and was kind of soggy . I can't recommend the fish and chips as the batter was heavy and didn't stick to the fish --- just kind of slid off. With all that being said we will try it again as we think this place has potential if they work out some of the food issues .

Went for lunch today, and the view is amazing. I love the design, the brick and the blues... the food was incredible. We had the spinach artichoke dip, wild mushroom burger, fish and chips, and crab cake burgers. I took my almost 2 year old, and the restaurant is great for families and/or to go out with friends for a few dinner or drinks on the water! A MUST if you are in Saugutuck!