Bryce Airgood|Port Huron Times Herald
For a great experience, just add water.
“Because the water does make a difference,” saidMarci Fogal, president of the Blue Water Area Convention and VisitorsBureau.
The Blue Water Area is home to 140miles of shoreline andshoreline communities like Clay Township, St. Clair, Marysville, Port Huron, Marine City and more. And all these communities, from Lexington to Algonac, offer waterfront dining, Fogal said.
She said the water is a “huge amenity” for the area.
“You can smell that water, hear that water," Fogal said. "It changes the whole atmosphere."
Hereare 23 places to dine on local shores, ranging from Lake Huronto the Pine River.
AJ's Salt Docks
7493 River Road,Cottrellville Township
About:AJ’s Salt Dockssitssouth of Marine City on the St. Clair River. The American restaurant and pub serves seafood baskets, steaks, sandwiches, fresh salads and AJ's gourmet burgers. People can enjoylive music there on the weekends.
For info:(810) 765-2800 orfacebook.com/saltdocks
Algonac Flaming Grill
1065 Saint Clair River Drive, Algonac
About:Algonac Flaming Grillhas an across the street view of the St. Clair River. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, and whether craving seafood, chicken or steak, theAmerican restaurant has something on their menu for it.
For info:(810) 512-5184 andalgonacflaminggrill.net
Andy's Wine Bar
104 Water St., Port Huron
About:Andy's Wine Bar, located at Desmond Landing at the mouth of the Black River reachesthe St. Clair River, opened in September 2020. The bar promotes different varieties of wines and appetizers includeAndy’s Charcuterie Plater, a caprese plate and spinach artichoke dip.
For info:andyswinebar@gmail.com orandyswinebar.net
Anita's Riverfront Grille
341 S. Water St., Marine City
About: Located on the St Clair River in downtown Marine City,Anita's Riverfront Grille offerswaterfront views while eatingAmerican and Mexican cuisinein a family-fun atmosphere.People can enjoy dinner and co*cktails on itsriverfront deck while watchingfreighters float by.
For info:(810) 765-7177 oranitasriverfrontgrille.com
Brown's Bar
6630 Middle Channel Drive, Harsens Island
About:A one-of-a-kind destination located on the Middle Channel off Harsens Island, people can reach Brown's Bar by boat or car to get a meal, cold beverage and memorable experience in a waterfront setting.
For info:(810) 748-3640 orbrownsonharsens.com
CityFloats and Fair Weather Grill
405 WaterSt., Port Huron
About:People looking for a waterfront experience in downtown Port Huron canfind it at CityFlatsHotel, home to both CityFloats and Fair Weather Grill. Fair Weather Grill, open during nice weather, sits on the edge of the Black River while CityFloats, a stationary floating barge, sits in it.
For info:(810) 432-0010orcityflatshotel.com
Drifter's Restaurant and Lounge
201 N.Riverside Ave., St. Clair
About: Located in the St. Clair Riverview Plaza, people can see the St. Clair River from Drifter's Restaurant and Lounge, an American restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Outdoor seating and heaters are available.
For info:(810) 329-4913 orfacebook.com/DriftersRestaurantandLounge
Freighters
800 Harker St., Port Huron
About: Freighters sits at the north end of Port Huron on the St. Clair River, near Lake Huron.Aculinary destinationoverlooking the Blue Water Bridge, menus feature locally sourced options and seating options include a fireplace lounge or the outdoor patio.
For info:(810) 941-6010,fr905@mhgi.net orfreightersph.com
Gar's
142 S. Water St., Marine City
About:A favorite of locals and visitors for big burgers, sandwiches, boombasand cold beverages, Gar's sits near the St. Clair River in Marine City. A small town bar with a big heart and whole lot of fun.
For info: (810) 765-4692 orfacebook.com/garsmarinecity
Junction Buoy
1415 River Road, Marysville
About: Originally established in 1937 as Club Seaway,the now namedJunction Buoystill sits on the St. Clair River in Marysville over 80 years later. The bar offersfresh Great Lakes fish, burgers and more and its deck is great for watching freighters pass by.
For info:(810) 364-5730 or junctionbuoy.com
Marine City Fish Company
240 S. Water St., Marine City
About: Located along the scenic St. Clair River in Marine City, Marine City Fish Company offers an across the street view of the water.The seafood restaurant specializes in local fresh fish, house-smoked ribs, smoked salmon, hand-crafted desserts and more.
For info:(810) 765-5477ormarinecityfishcompany.com
Pepper Joe's
119 Clinton Ave., St. Clair
About: Sitting on the Pine River's shore, Pepper Joe's has been serving the area since 1998. Everything on themenu is made from scratch and people can enjoy relaxing river views from the American restaurant'sindoor and outdoor seating.
For info:(810) 326-1710 orpepperjoes.net
PortOCall
1999 Pointe Tremble Road, Algonac
About:Port OCall is an American restaurant and waterfront getaway experience within theAlgonac Harbour Club marina. The restaurant's open to the public and people can enjoy food and drinksat itsbeautiful tiki bar with live entertainment Fridays and Saturdays.
For info:(810) 794-5515orfacebook.com/portocallahc
River Crab
1337 River Road, St. Clair Township
About: People who visit this seafood restaurant experience fine dining in a casual atmosphere right on the water’s edge. After a day on the water, River Crab guestscan dock their boat right at the restaurant or at the St. Clair Boat Harbor and climb aboard acomplementary shuttle.
For info:(810) 329-2261,rivc@ldry.com orrivercrabbluewaterinn.com
Riviera Restaurant
475 S.Water Street, Marine City
About:Being right alongside the St. Clair River, Riviera Restaurantcustomers can eat a meal while enjoying fine St. Clair County scenery. For over 40 years the restaurant has served people in Marine City and the bar offers famous fish and chips, pizza, breakfast, Italian flavors and more.
For info:(810) 765-9030orthe-riv.com
TAP Cafe
201 N. Riverside Ave.,St Clair
About: Located in the St. Clair Riverview Plaza across the street from theSt. Clair River, TAP Cafe opened in April and offersfast-casual fare likesalads, muffins, crepes,sliders and more.
For info:(810) 328-4551 ortap_cafe@yahoo.com
The Anchor Point Bistro
201 N. Riverside Ave., St. Clair
About: Also located in the St. Clair Riverview Plaza, The Anchor Point Bistroopened in fall 2019 andis an artisan style restaurant. It offers a variety of fresh, made-to-order items in a relaxed environment.
For info:(810) 637-8914ortapbistro@yahoo.com
The Raft
7707 Dyke Road, Fair Haven
About:Established in1976, The Raft is a quaint bar and grill on the shore of Anchor Bay on the west side of the Blue Water Area. Home of the famous raft burger, it also offers The Raft's homemade chili, Raft special chili, munchies and Raft sandwiches.
For info:(586) 725-9100 ortheraftbar.com/site/
The Voyageur
525 S. Riverside Ave., St. Clair
About:Whether people are comingfor lunch, dinner or a drink with friends, they'll enjoy a breathtaking view as freighters glide by yards from the table. Inside diners also get the views too, thanks toThe Voyageur's large picturewindows.
For info:(810) 329-3331ormike@thevoyageur.com
Vintage Tavern
103 Michigan St., Port Huron
About: People looking for water viewsin downtown Port Huron can find it sitting on the roof deck of Vintage Tavern.The St. Clair River can be seen from thiscovered upstairs patio and the American restaurant offersupscale dining in a casual atmosphere.
For Info:(810) 982-1866orvintagetavern.net
War Water Brewery
201 N. Riverside Ave., St. Clair
About: Sitting in the St. Clair Riverview Plaza across from the St. Clair River, War Water Brewery is named for military struggles in the Great Lakes regionfrom 1754 to 1814. In present day, the brewery offers a variety of beer and sushi, tacos, bowls, shareables and wraps.
For info:(810) 289-3921 orandrea.paul@warwaterbrewery.com
Windjammer Bar & Grill
7420 Huron Ave., Lexington
About:The Windjammer Bar and Grill provides a casual waterfront dining experience overlooking the Lexington Harbor and Marina on beautiful Lake Huron. The bar reopened in June and the menufocuseson fresh steak and seafood, with asushi bar expected to be added down the road.
For info:(810) 377-0927 orinfo@thejammer.com
Wings Etc.
330 Quay St., Port Huron
About: Located on the Black River in downtown Port Huron,Wings Etc. is a laid-back, family-friendly sports bar. Thediverse menu featuresaward-winning Buffalo chicken wings, burgers, wraps, salads andover 40 beer options in bottles and on tap.
For info:(810) 479-9606 orwingsofporthuron@gmail.com
Zebra Lounge
522 Quay St., Port Huron
About: The Zebra Lounge& Bowl-O-Drome is a restaurant and bar on the Black River in downtown Port Huron. It has an 18-lane bowling alley, trivia on Thursdays, daily food specials and boat dockage with ladders.
For info:(810) 984-5006 orzebraloungeph@gmail.com
Note: The Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce,St. Clair Chamber of Commerce, Marine City Area Chamber of Commerceand Clay Township SupervisorArtie Bryson contributed to thislist.
Do you know of a business that should be added this list? Let business reporter BryceAirgoodknow by emailing bairgood@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @bairgood123.
