Baxter’s Boathouse

Pop quiz, hotshot! You’re running late for the ferry, you’re starving, you know the offerings on the boat won’t be overly appetizing but you only have a few minutes to grab something before you need to get in that queue for boarding. What do you do?!
Well, since Keanu Reeves isn’t around to answer that question, I will. You run around the corner from the Steamship Authority parking lot to Baxter’s and grab some fish and chips or a sandwich to go. They’ll have you out in under ten minutes with a styrofoam container of your standard Cape fare, deep fried or grilled, and on the boat no trouble. This time I went with a cheeseburger and fries, nothing exotic but it really hit the spot. The burger was happily medium-​rare, if just a little charred on the outside, with plenty of gooey cheese on a hearty bun, and the fries have that magical flavor and crispiness that only fish shacks can impart, probably from there being so much seafood detritus in the fryer, but don’t think about that.
If you’re a little behind schedule or just want more variety than the on-​board premade sandwiches, for quick take-​out Baxter’s wont disappoint.

Great spot, nice views of the harbor, even from inside, a delicious lunch of Chicken Salad sandwich, ice cold beers and friendly service. Definitely recommend.

I have been coming to Baxter’s for decades. Came for late lunch today. Just wanted a small plate (normally I like their lobster salad with green salad or their fried fish or fried whole belly clams). First time ordering their scallops wrapped in bacon with rice. Well done! 6 big scallops! With nice Chardonnay, nice outside seat overlooking the harbor, and nice server – happy to have gone back again. Will return next year too!

Interesting place… the bartender was incredibly rude and looked through us for about five minutes before he decided he was ready to take our drink orders. He literally stared at us and didn’t acknowledge us. We did the takeout food option to sit in the bar area and my grilled swordfish was good, if basic. Beer was fine but pricey and not a great selection. Very average. Skip the view and get great food elsewhere.

Come here every time were on the Cape for the past 10 years. I understand most of the poor reviews, but note they are mostly about the service. They are short of rude but the subtly different way the treat non-cod’rs makes you feel JUST a little less that welcome but I do find this in many places in this «greater Boston area». For us visitors the food and the setting is definitely the main reason to go!
A can’t say enough about the bisque. You order a bowl and get what would be a cup everywhere else BUT this soup is NOTHING like what you get everywhere else! I’ve never experienced 2 full lobster claws AND 2 full size scallops AND a clam or 2 in a bowl of soup! They don’t even chop up the fish before or goes in the soup, come on, where have you EVER seen that? It’s sort of like Penn & Teller just pulling more handkerchiefs out of the hat! They don’t just do it once in a while, they do it constantly. There was a review that called it «guey» but that’s because we all expect the stuff you get everywhere else. The clams & calamari were delicious, the serving was huge, and the drinks are just enough of a pour to satisfy.
I actually don’t mind everything being served on and in paper plates but serving the wedge salad with a packet of dressing was definitely unnecessary and the bacon was spongy.
The staff actually seems nice but it seemed like Boat shoes (with dark ankle socks) and a fabric belt w fish printed on it seems to help get better service. I’m sure just «being from around hee-​ah» actually does the trick. I expect they could garner another half star or so if they treated us tourists a bit better, but I also expect they don’t really care. Being from NJ helps not let their attitude bother us. holds a special place in my heart, my second wife said yes to my successfuly surprise marriage proposal here. We’ll continue to go back as long as they don’t start chopping up the fish in the bisque!

Beachy post, windows with lots of light and let breeze in. They fry right, not greasy, light coating. Place is clean, but awkward to move around. Great chowder!

DAN-​O is spot-​on!!! I just wrote a similar review on another site. With all this place has going for it, it’s too bad that one employee can bring it down…
Long story short, enjoy the great food, enjoy the company of the always-​pleasant wait and door staff, but check the bartender’s name on his tag before you pull up a stool!!!

Overpriced for the quality of food prepared. The wait staff is very friendly. However, you may seem quite out of place if you aren’t into boating, golfing, or came in off a boat from Boston as that is mostly what this place is about. It seems like a tourist trap from people thinking a higher price = better food. It is also very very loud for no reason. In my opinion, head across the bay for something more spanky…

The best waterfront restaurants in Hyannis and Cape Cod. Wonderful views of Hyannis harbor and all the ferries coming and going. Onion rings to die for. Fried shrimp is excellent. Lobster roll is full of fresh lobster meat. All the fried food is freshly battered and fried. Fast friendly service in a clean restaurant. Seating right on the harbor inside and out. A must stop destination.

Decided to try this place and very disappointed. Prices are fine for a place on the water but food was cold. French fries definitely was old. Poor food quality

If your up for really fresh seafood in a no frills environment that feels more like a large family gathering than a table for two, Baxter’s is for you. NO RESERVATION’s means grab the first open table. A kind local helped educate us on the rules. The locals are as helpful as the wait staff and they both are wonderful. Needless to say the bar drinks were spot on, and the Fish and Chips received high praise from my wife — the best since England. The Haddock was fresh and flaky while the slaw had the crunch I love. Really recommend if you like a casual environment and great seafood.

Came here last year and loved it. Decided to come again this year. Unless you are dressed in all Vineyard Vines attire or straight off the boat, don’t expect the same service.
We came and sat down. Watched 3 other tables come and sit down, greeted, given menus and even put in drink orders before we even got greeted. Waitress came over about 20 minutes later and took our drink orders and walked away. Was served the wrong drink and the waitress tried to argue that it wasn’t wrong. (Pomegranate vodka and Blue Curaçao are very different). Finally the bartender came over and apologized. The waitress didn’t come back for another 15 minutes to take our orders. Food was great, service sucked.

I thought the food was great. My 7yo, who is a fish and chips connoisseur, loved it. My wife and I, who have eaten fried clams at the best places and tourist traps on the North Shore (i.e Farnham’s and Woodman’s) thought they were excellent as well. The bar tender was a pro salesman… beware. Great Bloody Mary, and the view of course. Can’t wait to go back.

Good service. Tried a coug for the first time. Got the lobster bisque which was heavy, but good. The tea was perfect for the weather and my hubby got the shake and veggie burger. I know they are known for the fish and chips. The shake was huge!

I’ve been here twice in the last two years and the most recent time was one week ago while waiting for a ferry over to Nantucket. The seafood bisque and clam chowder are outstanding, the views of the active marina inlet/​outlet are very nice and the service was friendly and prompt both times.
But I agree with many of the other negative reviews in that, while a cute and appealing nautical theme, the director-​style dining chairs are too bulky for the little dining area and take up so much room that you can barely move about the dining room, should you wish to get up to use the restrooms. I found myself having to wait for others to pass by before I could move and I found it necessary to slide some empty chairs out of the way in order for me to be able to make a pathway back to my table. Once the dining room starts to fill up, though, you can’t move the chairs with other people sitting in them!
Also, all of the other food that I have had there was pretty bad and VERY expensive for what you get. And the paper plates and soup bowls/​cups? Very unappealing, especially with the high-​end prices attached to the meals. Not to mention ultra WASTEFUL in this single-​use, throw-​away society that we live in. I thought we’re supposed to be shifting toward more ecological, conservative ways of living and doing business?
And yes, most of the food is fried and caked with too much batter making the various dishes boring and heart-​burn inducing like I’ve never experienced before!

I usually like old style seafood shacks, but this place is just awful. Okay. The lobster meat was good. The location should be turned over to someone who would appreciate it. In the Boathouse area the canvas deck chairs are too close together and two low for the tables. The salt and pepper were hardened InTheir shakers.
The self service side has picnic tables. I can’t comment on that.
The waitress was hopeless.
The calamari and fried smelts were overdone and tasted of less than fresh oil. The dipping sauce for the calamari was sweet and bland. The French fries geasy. Coleslaw was a tiny paper cup of finely chopped cabbage with tons of celery seed.
All was served on paper plates. Okay for rustic, but the prices match a good restaurant. Beer and wine prices were high too.
If you want those prices you have to step it up.
Hyannis and the Cape can provide a better dinning experience.

This is the best seafood I’ve ever had! If you’re in Cape near osterville, it’s expected that you try this place. I had the fish and chips along with clam chowder and some calamari.
The haddock I got was caught within the last day and it really does make a difference in the taste. It was really soft and light but doesn’t fall apart as you eat it.
The clam chowder was also the best I’ve ever had. I don’t even really care for clam chowder but now I know that it’s only because I’m from Illinois lol. It’s one of the best soups I’ve ever had.
I’ve tried calamari at probably 6 different places since moving to New York. This place has the best because it’s incredibly tender. The other places I’ve had are really good but a little rubbery.
All in all, amazing restaurant, amazing seafood, great view!

Cool Spot fresh seafood! Lobster roll was amazing!
If you go with your kids or minors you will not be allowed in the sit down restaurant area. You have to order your food at the register and then sit.

I have been to Baxters many many times & honestly it’s not one of my favs for several reasons:
Overrated food
Expensive for what you get
Touristy
There’s the take-​out informal side but that’s even less appealing. Most everything is fried & you end up paying $ 25+ for a ¼ lb baked cod, fries & a Dixie cup of slaw & you end up eating on picnic tables on a uncovered deck with hovering seagulls.
Of the two, I opt for the inside bar area. It’s not too bad. Alot of old timers 50−60+ yrs olds go to Baxters for their G&T’s but that’s not my age group or scene. It’s a bit cheesy & a bit of a pickup joint for that age group.
If you go during the Summer, avoid the weekends.
I HIGHLY encourage people to go buy a cheap BBQ grill & cooler at CVS, pick up some groceries at Whole Foods & Grill at ANY of the local beaches early (5 – 6 pm). The AMBIANCE & VIEW will be a GADZILLION times better & the FOOD will be too (unless u r a crappy cook. If u r, invite a good friend that loves to cook & entrust him to the BBQ. U can mind the ice & libations… HAVE FUN!

Beautiful view, but the food is all hype and super overpriced for what you get. Probably should have gotten drunk with my aunts on the boathouse side first.
Tried to get a fork and one of the managing servers gave me a dirty look, took his time and said nothing after I yielded and apologized for being in the way (all in politeness). Totally rude dude whoever he was… totally dirty bathrooms.