Maxwell's Beach Cafe

The service at Maxwells beach cafe was beyond amazing. This was the best restaurant I have ever ate at. Cameron was my server and she was very attentive and was always checking in to make sure our experience was great. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for an amazing dining experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Came to Maxwell’s for the 1st time and loved it there! Was ready to review it 5/5 after the Caesar salad, but was even more blown away the scallop pasta. Server Liz was incredibly sweet and welcoming. Wish I could come back & try the whole menu!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had an amazing experience at Maxwell’s tonight. I ordered the Prime Rib and it had incredible flavor. Our server was fantastic and very communicative and attentive. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

TERRIBLE customer service!!! Was not offered the complimentary soup or salad with my meal, but allowed to pay $6 for 1/2 a salad. I only found out when I was placing a new order the next day. When questioning the manager, she requested I leave as she has never seen such a thing in her 7 years there.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Great and amazing food. The service was amazing, but food could have been served quicker. Server was professional and respectful. Great employees and amazing food. Well worth the wait!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Rack of Lamb

Definitely call ahead for a reservation if you can. We arrived a little after 6 on a Thursday and the patio was full and the inside had reservations arriving soon, but we were able to eat at the bar. Staff was friendly and food was fantastic! We got the calamari and hummus plate to start, and then the Chicken BraVura and the Tomahawk Pork Chop for mains and both were delicious! To full for dessert but the choices looked good. Please note that the porkchop pictured is from a shared plate, so this is a half portion.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had been looking forward to this meal for 3 years. Unfortunately, I was not impressed. We were a party of 6 with a reservation inside as it was rainy. We were seated promptly. Drink orders were taken without issue but the server was noticeably awkward. (Totally not trying to fault someone for being shy but they simply seemed uninterested in their duties). We ordered the pistachio crusted brie appetizer which was actually quite delicious. Entrée orders were next, three of our party ordered the prime rib as they are not exactly adventurous eaters. My wife ordered the salmon And I chose the tomahawk pork chop. The last of our party gave in to the description of the daily special from the waiter for a squash stuffed ravioli with shrimp and salmon.

Overall, the food came out and was delivered to the table in a timely manner. The prime rib meals actually looked very good. My pork chop was fantastic. My only issue with this meal was there was literally nothing green on the plate. My wife Described her salmon as having great texture, but no crispness from being “pan seared”. The main issue she found with her meal was that it was to come with seasonal vegetables. It was served with zucchini slices, one sliver of red pepper, and one sliver on an onion. (Small details matter when in this level of dining space) and her dinner salad was extremely overdressed, absolutely drenched and dressing. (She’s and Iowa girl, loves ranch but not that much!) Finally, we have to talk about the ravioli, The way the waiter described the daily special, every person in our party thought about ordering that meal. We expected a bed of the stuffed ravioli with perhaps some shrimp tossed in and a decent piece of salmon on top. Instead, a small plate with five or six raviolis in sauce was delivered. I watched my friend digging around in his food to try and decipher what was shrimp and what was salmon. This meal was $50. Most of us wondered if there was a second plate that never came.

I actually had to get up and go find our waiter to order another cocktail as he had walked past our table multiple times and never stopped. My wife’s drink sat empty the entire meal until I went and found the waiter. At this time, I also let him know that one of the members of our party was celebrating birthday to which his immediate response was, we don’t give away free desserts. This was not at all what I was looking for. I trying to ask for something simple yet special we could do for him during our meal such as a candle for cake that I would be happy to pay for. He told me he would bring the dessert menu. I still had to flag him down yet again to try and order a piece of cheesecake for my friend.

Overall the atmosphere inside is a bit lacking and dated, it seemed as though our waiter was rushing us at the end of the meal. I agree with a few of the lower end reviews about prices being a bit elevated for the overall dining experience we were offered.

We have dined at the other upscale establishments in town and have had much better experiences than our night at maxwells.

I’m not saying don’t go because most people love it. Check it out for yourself. But please hold our lakes area establishments accountable to offering great dining experiences that align with their marketing and prices.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

My wife and I were approached with a "last minute" opportunity to take a date night as our relatives offered to watch our kids while we were visiting the area. We dressed well and picked Maxwell's based on some research. We arrived at 6 p.m. Upon walking in, the hostess asked if we had a reservation. We said we did not. She then replied that she would not be able to seat us until 7:30 (1.5 hours later) as reservations would be arriving soon. We looked around...and...were quite shocked as the patio and restaurant were MAYBE 15% full. Also it was MONDAY. Lastly, traffic in Arnold's Park was VERY SLOW at the time. They must be doing well! In my humble opinion, if you value spending your special moments at reputable businesses that provides great customer service, avoid this place. We won't be back.

Service: 1

No wonder they’ve been open so long! Great food, great service. Impeccable all around. Make a reservation and enjoy the patio or indoor dining experience that is Maxwells.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

25th wedding anniversary dinner and Maxwell's was outstanding! Great service, food, drinks, you name it!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Maxwell's is simply the best place to eat. Mule menu unrivaled, filet always fantastic, and specials keep you on your toes for fresh seafood or steak specials. Love love love this place. Every time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent meal, great service, best view in Iowa.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

No better service, food or drinks anywhere in the lakes! I'd die here if i could!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious food, huge burgers, but small portions. Rigatoni entre was served on an 8" plate that was not full and left me very hungry, though the cream sauce and local sausage in the dish were delicious. There were very few fries with the burgers. Again, really tasty though.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Wife had the scallops and pasta... excellent...the crab cake appetizers were good...my prime rib was mediocre....our server Brady was attentive and nice...baked potato was okay....salad above average....with a bottle of wine...$200...had fun....good music

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4