They knew our big party was coming. Our waitress seemed to have too many tables plus us. Way too much time to get drinks, take our orders, and get our food. Dinner turned out to be a 2+hour ordeal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Homemade Rolls and Honey Butter
Mar S.
I understand that Blackwater Cafe is under new management, now. During my visit it was not. The food was very good( I had the burger and fries). The service was fast and customer service was good. The only complaint that I would have is the operational hours are odd and need to be reconsidered.
Mike Wright
Excellent dining experience tonight - food (salmon & mahi mahi) delicious; great service by Ashley - attentive, unobtrusive, friendly....best restaurant on the lake over the past 2 decades...hopefully the new owners-to-be retain John and his team to continue the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
karen hughes
We went to Blackwater Cafe with 2 other couples for Valentine's Day. We got there early to beat the crowd. I liked our booth location, set in an alcove. I ordered shrimp scampi, and I regret my choice. The shrimp (what there were of them) were tasteless. The sauce just tasted like oil. Service was slow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Kimberly Rohr
We love The Blackwater! Sitting at the bar and chatting with Nick is always a good time. The burgers, chicken tenders, and salmon salad are always delicious and perfectly cooked.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bradley Benner
This is the best restaurant in the SML area. Great food and outstanding service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken and Waffles
Fran Dyer
Very quiet. Surroundings calming. The staff are efficient and friendly.. Their priority is whatever their guest need to make the meal enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paige Ward
Friendly service. Good food. Support local
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak and Scalloped Potatoes
Robert M.
Found my way here with family on their recommendation. Ambience is cool. I very much enjoyed the crisp pours of the beers poured here. It might be strange to some, but the lines are clean here, which in general, is somewhat rare. The food is good, hardy American food. The service is also very good, with the owner involved with the experience. (Even more rare) I'm definitely coming back.
RJ
I have had the opportunity to return to The Blackwater Cafe twice, and both times had a wonderful meal. From the moment you walk through the door you are met with smiles and warmth. The food is delicious. We had some fun laughs with our servers and I cant wait to go back. Thank you and see you soon. Cheers!
The food was good, though my stepdaughter did not care for the salmon, I think that was just because she’s not used to it—it looked like it was cooked well. I had the chicken and waffles. I thought the chicken (tenders) were good but the waffle was just so-so. The butter was good and the bread that comes as a free appetizer was also good. We tried the chef’s flatbread. It was just ok. The fried pickles were good.The server and hostess were very friendly and helpful. I’d probably eat there again if in the area but I don’t think I’d make a longer drive just to eat there, again, as I did this time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Tony S.
The food was excellent: salmon and chicken fettuccine. Serving staff very attentive. (Bread served while you're waiting for your order.) Our place was nearby, and we decided to return for the last night. Salads were very good. Ambiance-nice.
Carlie Devericks
The truffle fries were delicious then our entrees came out and there was little to no seasoning at all. Very bland and not good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Patrick G.
We love this place..!!! Always good..!!! The staff are always so nice and friendly and the food is always delicious and on point..!!! Our favorite restaurant..!!!
Ken Powers
Still one of the best restaurants on Smith Mountain Lake. Good food choices and the service is always good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Prime Rib Dinner, Shrimp and Grits, Prime Rib Sandwich, Chicken and Waffles
They knew our big party was coming. Our waitress seemed to have too many tables plus us. Way too much time to get drinks, take our orders, and get our food. Dinner turned out to be a 2+hour ordeal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Homemade Rolls and Honey Butter
I understand that Blackwater Cafe is under new management, now. During my visit it was not. The food was very good( I had the burger and fries). The service was fast and customer service was good. The only complaint that I would have is the operational hours are odd and need to be reconsidered.
Excellent dining experience tonight - food (salmon & mahi mahi) delicious; great service by Ashley - attentive, unobtrusive, friendly....best restaurant on the lake over the past 2 decades...hopefully the new owners-to-be retain John and his team to continue the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went to Blackwater Cafe with 2 other couples for Valentine's Day. We got there early to beat the crowd. I liked our booth location, set in an alcove. I ordered shrimp scampi, and I regret my choice. The shrimp (what there were of them) were tasteless. The sauce just tasted like oil. Service was slow.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
We love The Blackwater! Sitting at the bar and chatting with Nick is always a good time. The burgers, chicken tenders, and salmon salad are always delicious and perfectly cooked.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the best restaurant in the SML area. Great food and outstanding service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken and Waffles
Very quiet. Surroundings calming. The staff are efficient and friendly.. Their priority is whatever their guest need to make the meal enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Friendly service. Good food. Support local
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak and Scalloped Potatoes
Found my way here with family on their recommendation. Ambience is cool. I very much enjoyed the crisp pours of the beers poured here. It might be strange to some, but the lines are clean here, which in general, is somewhat rare. The food is good, hardy American food. The service is also very good, with the owner involved with the experience. (Even more rare) I'm definitely coming back.
I have had the opportunity to return to The Blackwater Cafe twice, and both times had a wonderful meal. From the moment you walk through the door you are met with smiles and warmth. The food is delicious. We had some fun laughs with our servers and I cant wait to go back. Thank you and see you soon. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The food was good, though my stepdaughter did not care for the salmon, I think that was just because she’s not used to it—it looked like it was cooked well. I had the chicken and waffles. I thought the chicken (tenders) were good but the waffle was just so-so. The butter was good and the bread that comes as a free appetizer was also good. We tried the chef’s flatbread. It was just ok. The fried pickles were good.The server and hostess were very friendly and helpful. I’d probably eat there again if in the area but I don’t think I’d make a longer drive just to eat there, again, as I did this time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
The food was excellent: salmon and chicken fettuccine. Serving staff very attentive. (Bread served while you're waiting for your order.) Our place was nearby, and we decided to return for the last night. Salads were very good. Ambiance-nice.
The truffle fries were delicious then our entrees came out and there was little to no seasoning at all. Very bland and not good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
We love this place..!!! Always good..!!! The staff are always so nice and friendly and the food is always delicious and on point..!!! Our favorite restaurant..!!!
Still one of the best restaurants on Smith Mountain Lake. Good food choices and the service is always good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Prime Rib Dinner, Shrimp and Grits, Prime Rib Sandwich, Chicken and Waffles