The Boathouse is a casual waterfront dining spot along the shores of Lake Mendota that serves up hot fare and cold craft beers every day from 11am-10pm. The long-standing tradition of waterfront dining in Wisconsin is not lost here, in fact, it is very much at the forefront of this restaurant. Our chef takes casual classics like burgers and cheese curds and puts his modern spin on them to make lakeside life even better, all while being right in the heart of downtown Madison.
When Bill and Betty Von Rutenberg opened The Mariner’s Inn in 1966, they set out to provide a steak and seafood dining experience like none other. Mouth watering, delicious steaks aged to perfection and an assortment of seafood from lobster to the famous Friday Fish Fry.Bill and Betty’s sons, Bill, Jack, and Robert, along with their crew, now carry on the tradition of outstanding hospitality of von Rutenberg Ventures. Waterfront dining on the patio and a sunset over the marina make dinner at Mariner’s an evening to remember. We offer five options for dining. Dine-in, expanded outdoor seating, carryout, curbside, and dockside. Try our monthly summer Lobster Boil. You can now enjoy the lobster boils by dine-in or takeout! Advance reservations required.To make a reservation that is larger then 8 people please call us.