Marina Cafe
“I decided to visit Marina Cafe, Tiki Bar again since last years' negative experiences.”
“It overlooks the marina (which was recently rebuilt due to Hurricane Sandy).”
“and the dessert I get during the prix fixe is the sorbet I always wanted to try the crem brulee but I am always too full tanyway to try anything that isn't light…”
Marina Cafe
Delivery: Yes
Accepts Bitcoin: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Smoking: Yes
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I have been to the restaurant several times and have to say the food is good. Whether it was just dinner or a party, they deliver. I haven't been to eat since the storm, but have been to their outside Tiki section. It's nice to go on a sumemr night because you're right on the water, so it's comfortable. They have tables set up outside, so you can get wait service or high cocktail tables to hang out. They have bathrooms, which I found pretty decent for an outside space. Staff is friendly and constantly coming around to clean up. The crowd is mixed, so you will definitely get the young mixed in with the old. The music is good and a good place to hang out. Parking can be a pain, bu usually a spot opens up.
Pri-fixed Menu
$25
Appetizer:
-Mussels: in tomato sauce – a big portion and pretty good! I enjoyed the tomato based broth
Entree:
-Stuffed chicken with spaghetti – chicken was stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, and other cheese over a plate of spaghetti – it was OK. the spaghetti was really bland.
Dessert:
-Tiramisu – the presentation looked better than it tasted – lacking in coffee taste
Tea/Coffee
The people who ordered the blackened mahi mahi with coconut rice raved about it, so this must be the good dish! I guess it was my fault for ordering a chicken dish at a seafood restaurant. My bad…
Service: slow! .. needs improvement..
On a positive note, you get a beautiful view of the marina!
The Marina Cafe is a beautiful restaurant, located in a beautiful spot right on the water. I've been here twice and my first experience was better than the last.
My husband recently made dinner reservations for us and when we arrived, they did not have a table which was a little disappointing. We waited for about 15-20 minutes by the bar until we were seated. The amount of time we waited would be more appropriate for someone who did not call ahead to make a reservation.
The bar area seems nice, except that they had live music which was overwhelmingly loud and not that good. My husband and I are young and we don't mind loud music but this was a little over the top for a restaurant (we could barely hear each other).
Once we were seated, I think we had to ask for water or silverware. There was something pretty basic missing I just can't recall what it was. Our waiter was a little hard to get a hold of since it was busy but we were able to get what we needed after a little wait.
The food itself, is very good. We both enjoyed our appetizer and entrees. I believe we both had penne with vodka sauce and shrimp. I was a little disappointed though when our entrees were brought out while we were still eating the appetizer. It was probably about 2-3 minutes after we started. My plate was taken from me while I was still chewing. Overall, we felt very rushed and uncomfortable. I feel bad because my first experience here was definitely better than this one. The last thing anyone wants is to feel rushed out the door while they are trying to enjoy a night out.
We may come back again, we may not. The food is great but keep in mind that reservations don't necessarily mean you'll be seated right away and you might be rushed to finish your food.
After reading the reviews I was very hesitant , ended up going here anyway.
At first we saw the outside patio seating facing the water I was thrilled we got a table and ordered drinks.
Looking at the menu I didn't see the full list featured on their site! I asked the server about that, he said for the full menu you'd have to sit inside. Well that is not what I expected. We decided to go inside.
Beautiful decor modern and welcoming.
We were seated after a few brief minutes. Greeted by 2 lovely servers.
We started out with drinks forgot the names, one was called cheesecake! It was just horrible, the other drink was delicious dark chocolate with rum.
Main dish
Filet minion was well done the way I asked, they can definitely improve on the taste maybe add pepper crust to add to the taste buds. Presentation wasn't impressive. The mashed potatoes was tasty.
Here's the bottom line
(1)Love the patio view of the water!
(2) you should offer the same menue inside or outside.
(3)food can use a 360 degree makeover, from the presentation to taste.
(4)prices do not match the quality of the food. Mediocre not impressed.
You guys have the potential to change and deserve a second chance.
The servers did an excellent job wouldn't change a thing.
I hope you read the reviews on here and hire a new Chef who actually changes the way things are done.
Would come back if invited and looking forward to a better experience.
After our evening at Medieval Times with a quick jaunt to Barcade in Jersey City, we dropped off one of our friends on Staten Island. Mike had the idea to call his cousin, an SI native, to see if he was around for a quick visit. As it turned out, Joe was a few blocks away at The Marina Cafe and invited us to join him and his friends. While we only popped by for a little, I always enjoy being on the water, DJs playing good music, and summer nights with family and friends, and Marina Cafe was a great place for those things.
I definitely would like to return and have dinner there, and take in the view of the waterfront and the boats once again.
did you say outdoor drinking?
did you say waterfront outdoor drinking?
did you say "Mike, you're probably related to most of the people here"?
yes, these are all relevant to my interests and true.
the DJ was playing great tunes and there was a good vibe going on a warm Saturday night. bar service was fast and friendly. the crowd was a mix of ages, and the dress code is casual. was I out of place in my Star Wars / Iron Maiden mashup t-shirt and khaki shorts? only slightly.
I was only there for about an hour – it had been a long day – but from what I saw, yeah, I'd go back to Marina Cafe. fist pump it up!
The marina cafe is always leaving my belly very happy. I experienced a great dinner inside the restaurant and outside at the tiki. Inside is more of a dressy type scene. There is a glass window inside all over so you are able to see outside and the marina while you eat. I had penne vodka and it was delicious. The peach sangria was amazing as well.
Although inside is nice, on a beautiful spring or summer day/ night I prefer to eat outside. There is a raised patio in the tiki area that over looks all the boats and water while you eat. I have ordered many things from fish to chicken and was never disappointed. Their new pizza is amazing as well. ESP to share as an app.
After sandy the outside area was redone. The bar is now a wrap around bar rather than the little tiki it used to be. You can be on all sides of the bar to have the bartenders attention. The bathrooms are the most changed thing. Previously it used to be in a trailer mobile thing. Now there is an actual house in the main entrance that has bathrooms.
If your Looking for a quiet dinner I suggest you come on a weeknight. There is a DJ on the weekends and he plays for the loud music but he does not come until later. All in all you will love this place. Oder the watermelon sangria. Pretty delicious !
I enjoyed a nice summer afternoon at the Tiki Bar this weekend. The view is beautiful and it's always nice to be able to sit right on the water during the warmer weather. There was a nice breeze coming in off the water, which made the heat tolerable. Marina Cafe was badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy, and right now only the Tiki Bar has re-opened. The restaurant will be opening in August. The drink selection was limited because they are still getting back on their feet. They have a small menu of food available. My husband had the shrimp po boy and he said it was really good. I had the surf and turf salad, which came with grilled steak and shrimp. It was delicious. We also had some sangria, which was tasty, but at $28/pitcher is a bit on the expensive side. All in all, the ambiance here is what really makes the experience enjoyable & memorable. I have heard that the Tiki Bar draws a questionable crowd, but that wasn't my experience coming here on a weekend afternoon.