After a year of increased home-cooked meals, Western Mass. residents might be looking for a change of scenery for their lunch or evening meals. Outdoor dining is in full swing – Reminder Publishing took a look at some of the waterfront dining locations in our area that offer expansive views and mouth watering meals.

Below is a listing of several restaurants that feature lakeside or riverside views with the restaurants listed alphabetically by town.

308 Lakeside
East Brookfield

Located on Lake Lashaway in East Brookfield, 308 Lakeside offers copious seating – both inside, outside on a covered deck, on a lower-level covered patio and on picnic tables along the waterside –  to enjoy their delicious American fare.

The restaurant property – formerly the Lashaway Inn – was purchased in 2013 by a group of local families. “Fourteen months of weekly meetings around a kitchen table, along with many discussions with architects, builders and local and state boards alike, have resulted in the 308 Lakeside you see today,” the restaurant’s website, https://308lakeside.com/about/, states. “From the colors to the equipment, the flooring to the lighting and yes, even to the rowboat that adorns the foyer, each decision was made in response to the following question: How can we create an environment where visitors to 308 Lakeside enjoy the company of family and friends as much as we all do?”

308 Lakeside features nautical decor, coupled with fresh seafood, unique drinks and stunning lakefront views. 308 Lakeside is hosting Acoustic Fridays from 7 p.m. 10 p.m. Upcoming performers are Tim Kay on June 18, Jeff Anderson on June 25 and Ryleigh Modig from The Voice on July 2.

According to their Facebook page, reservations are required. Reservations can be made at 308lakeside.com or by calling 774-449-8333. Current hours, as listed on their website, are Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 308 Lakeside is located at 308 East Main St. in East Brookfield.

The Rapids Bar and Grill
Huntington

Outdoor dining is always open at the iconic Rapids Bar and Grill at 200 Worthington Rd. (Route 112) in Huntington. Reservations are recommended but not required if an outdoor seat overlooking the scenic Westfield River is desired, especially on the weekends.

Restaurant chef-manager Matt Lynch said they have doubled the number of outdoor tables and can now seat 50 on two decks and on the grass, where an outdoor stage has been set up. Musicians are booked every Sunday afternoon throughout the summer, and there are two other stages upstairs and down in the restaurant.

A screened-in porch and indoor dining room also have a view of the river and the outdoor stage.  Or you could sit at the full service bar as you enter, or the famous cave bar built out of stone downstairs. A banquet room is also available for parties of up to 75 people.

“So far, the season’s been great. We’re very busy,” Lynch said.  

The Rapids remained open last season for outdoor dining, takeout and curbside, although the numbers were off. Lynch said being one of the only open restaurants around helped them to survive COVID-19.

The Rapids serves American fare, or what Lynch calls “comfort food;” burgers, steaks and seafood, in a casual atmosphere. Appetizers, wings, big salads, pizza and sandwiches are also available. Dinner entrees range from the low teens to mid-twenties, depending on the market price of strip steak. Desserts are fan favorites, NY-style cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, brownie sundaes and chocolate mousse cake.

Lynch’s weekly specials, which recently included Shepherd’s Pie, Beef Braciole and Shrimp Scampi, are posted on The Rapids Bar & Grill Facebook page.

The Rapids used to be a motel, with little cottages and a gas pump.  There are photos from the early days of diners eating at tables in the river.  This is not permitted, although Lynch said during the recent heat wave a customer sat down in the river and did ask if he could be served there. He could not.

The Rapids Bar & Grill is open Wednesdays to Fridays, 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 9 p.m. The bar is open later. Reservations for outdoor dining may be made at 667-3300.

Russo’s Lakeside Seafood & Steakhouse
Palmer

Russo’s Lakeside Seafood & Steakhouse is a small restaurant that overlooks Forest Lake, a popular location for swimming, boating and fishing in Palmer. Patrons of the eatery have their meals inside or choose to sit under umbrellas on the deck or patio.

The menu consists of seafood, meat and pasta entrees, as well as burgers and sandwiches. There is a lunch menu served Monday through Saturday, until 3 p.m. A children’s menu is also available. Russo’s serves cocktails, beer and wine for adults.

The restaurant offered family-size meals to-go throughout the pandemic and have continued that practice into the warm weather months of 2021. Russo’s offers military and first responders discounts, as well as a Senior Day discount.

The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from noon to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about Russo’s Lakeside Seafood & Steakhouse, call Lakeside Seafood & Steakhouse or visit https://www.facebook.com/RussosLakeside.

The Boathouse
South Hadley

The Boathouse sits on the Connecticut River next to the Mt. Holyoke Community Boathouse on Alvord Street in South Hadley. There is indoor and patio dining available with live music performances. One does not need a reservation unless they are in a party of eight or more.

Like many restaurants, The Boathouse has opted to work under the CDC guidelines allowing fully vaccinated persons to go without a mask.

The Boathouse, formerly known as Dockside, offers classic New England seafood, including clam chowder, blackened salmon, and sea scallops. On tap they have 20 different draughts, cocktails and wine pairings to go with seasonal menu offerings.

The Boathouse is located at 1 Alvord St. in South Hadley, and can be reached at 536-2342. To view their website, interested
parties can go to https://www.boathousedining.
com/. According to their website, the Boathouse is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Patio and indoor dining is available on a first come, first serve basis.

Wok on Water
Southwick

Wok on Water offers unique American cuisine inspired by the Asian Wok, directly on Congamond Lake in Southwick. The lakefront restaurant has officially kicked off their summer season with live music every weekend and fresh, seasonal specials.

Wok on Water focuses on Wok dishes while also offering a variety of salads, seafood, sandwiches and appetizers. Their menu changes weekly and all updates are posted on their website and Facebook page.

“In order to offer the freshest ingredients, we do change our menu weekly. There’s staple ingredients that are always on there, but you will find varying specials every week online,” said Event Coordinator Kasie Provencal.

Currently, Wok on Water is only open on the weekends. They offer indoor dining, takeout and outdoor dining. They feature live music on their deck each night, with a full schedule of performers listed on their website.

According to President Jennifer Nolasco, they hope to open Wok on Water during the week once they hire more staff.

“Right now we’re just so short-staffed that we can’t even open during the week,” she said.
With COVID-19 capacity limits recently lifting, Provencal said that they have seen an increase in customers.

“I have to say, it has been wonderful the last couple weekends,” she said. “To the point where we’re really encouraging people, because of our lakeside deck, to make reservations on the weekends because there’s times where we can sell out.”

In order to serve as many customers as possible, Nolasco said that they are still enforcing their 90 minute table limit.

Wok on Water has also kept many COVID-19 precautions due to positive feedback. During events, they have buffets where none of the plates, handles or food are touched by workers. At the restaurant, a majority of the tables are still six feet apart, they offer paper menus and they work to diligently clean and sanitize all surfaces.

"The feedback that we got from our guests were these are things they really liked and I think these are trends that we’re going to continue because this is what the guests like,” said Provencal.

Wok on Water also owns the restaurant across the street, The Brass Rail. Provencal said that The Brass Rail has a waterfront deck where brunch is served every Sunday.

After a difficult year due to the pandemic, Provencal said she is excited to see people reunite over food, music and a good time.
“Last year was really, really difficult, but it is a pleasure to see people come in. First of all, to see their faces and see them smiling, but also laughing, having a good time and listening to the music. I have to say, last weekend I saw people dancing and it just really makes me feel like we’re going back to normal. It feels really good,” she said.

Those interested in learning more about Wok on Water are encouraged to visit their website at https://wokonwater.com/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wokonwatersouthwickma. Wok on Water is located at 101 Point Grove Rd. in Southwick.

The Launch
Southwick

The Launch, on the Congamond Lakes in Southwick, offers breakfast all day as well as lunch. In addition to its food, The Launch is known for its water views and outdoor dining. Indoor dining is offered, but when the sun is out, so are diners at The Launch, who can watch boats launch while they eat.

When the pandemic hit, The Launch was able to accommodate customers on its deck and created even more outdoor dining space, which helped them stay afloat. Restaurants with breakfast all day are coveted by many diners, but combine breakfast all day while looking out on the Congamond Lakes, and it could be the perfect breakfast combo.

The Launch is known for its scramblers and omelets. The scramblers are $8.95 or $9.95 and come with home fries and toast. The Lakeside Scrambler includes spinach, feta, red pepper and artichokes while the Herby includes Boursin, bacon, mushrooms and scallions.

There are several options for omelets, including numerous additions to make your own. Pancakes, waffles, French toast and more make it difficult for the undecided.

Although The Launch is known for its breakfast, there are many options for those seeking traditional lunch fare.

The half-sandwich and soup for $7.95 is a great option for those who want lighter fare, as are the salads. The Fall at the Launch salad is a favorite among guests and includes apples, candied walnuts, Brie and honey balsamic over mesclun mix. The quesadillas are another hit and include buffalo chicken, vegetable garden, Cajun shrimp and Philly cheesesteak options ranging from $7.95-$9.95. Crab cakes, Reubens, melts, clubs and sides round out the menu.

For more information, visit thelaunchcongamond.com. The Launch is located at 81 Point Grove Rd. Their current hours are listed as Monday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. Monday - Saturday and at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Samuel Slater’s Restaurant
Webster

Samuel Slater’s Restaurant at 200 Gore Rd. in Webster offers “modern American cuisine.” The restaurant sits on the shores of Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg and offers guests a view of Webster Lake. Both indoor and outdoor dining is offered to guests. Additionally, the restaurant is owned by Indian Lake which offers concerts, a campground and a riverboat which can be booked for public cruises and private events.

Guests can order both takeout and delivery from the restaurant. Samuel Slater’s is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and is closed on Monday through Wednesday. Reservations can be made and a full menu can be found online at https://www.samuelslaters.com.