Smugglers' Wharf
A pirate-themed seafood restaurant on Erie's Bayfront, offering stunning water views and a charming atmosphere with unique dishes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Smugglers' Wharf
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A pirate-themed seafood restaurant on Erie's Bayfront, offering stunning water views and a charming atmosphere with unique dishes.
"Enjoy beautiful waterfront dining overlooking Lake Erie with a pirate-themed charm and unique seafood dishes."
Reserve in Advance
Make reservations ahead of time to avoid long waits, especially during peak hours or weekends.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
Visit during less busy times for a more relaxed dining experience and better service.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, New American
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Waterfront Dining
Enjoy beautiful waterfront dining overlooking Lake Erie, perfect for a scenic and relaxing meal.
Pirate-Themed Charm
Experience a historic restaurant with a unique pirate-themed atmosphere and vintage decor elements.
Signature Seafood Dishes
Savor unique dishes like she crab soup, famous langostino-crab cakes, and fresh Great Lakes perch.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve in Advance
Make reservations ahead of time to avoid long waits, especially during peak hours or weekends.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
Visit during less busy times for a more relaxed dining experience and better service.
Dine Outside for Views
Sit outside on the patio for picturesque views of the lake, particularly beautiful at sunset.
Ask About Specials
Inquire about daily specials or chef recommendations for potential hidden gems.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve in Advance
Make reservations ahead of time to avoid long waits, especially during peak hours or weekends.
Consider Off-Peak Hours
Visit during less busy times for a more relaxed dining experience and better service.
Dine Outside for Views
Sit outside on the patio for picturesque views of the lake, particularly beautiful at sunset.
Ask About Specials
Inquire about daily specials or chef recommendations for potential hidden gems.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Smugglers' Wharf offers a unique pirate-themed waterfront dining experience with many praising its beautiful views and fresh seafood, particularly the crab cakes and perch. However, some reviews mention inconsistent service and disappointing food quality, with issues like overcooked fish or sold-out items. The atmosphere is generally loved for its charm and location, but occasional service hiccups and parking challenges can detract from the experience.
"Don't let the negative reviews keep you away. I almost let that happen.
Today I got the crab cakes, cole slaw and veggies of the day. Best crab cakes I've had in a long long time. REAL crab.
The restaurant itself was just perfect. So "ocean" hideaway looking. The mirrors on the walls make it look larger than it is. The outside seats under the covered pergola was so beautiful!
Expensive but really worth it in my opinion."
Casey
"Great night out with the family. The place gets a little crowded at sunset, but for good reason, it's a great place to be near the water watching the sunset. I image it would be a very romantic place to take a date. The food is up scale but not overly priced high, dinners are around $30, sandwichs around $20. The menu consisted of mainly seafood but I did notice the had steak and burgers if that is your preference. I would suggest a cup of the New England Clam Chowder and definitely go for a Crab Cake or catch of the day."
Robert Ference
"Love the location, loved the service, but was disappointed with our food. We ordered both of the fresh catches of the day - halibut (grilled) and sea bass (blackened) with mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes for me and tomato basil rice for my wife. The rice ok, the vegies needed a little lemon to brighten them up and we’re good when we added it, the halibut lacked seasoning and was over-cooked, the sea bass was decent but not memorable. If the proteins would have shined, I would have given them a four but no such luck. 🥲"
Art Fink
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Smugglers' Wharf primarily serves seafood and New American cuisine, with a pirate-themed atmosphere.
Yes, Smugglers' Wharf offers outdoor seating with beautiful views of the lake, ideal for enjoying the ambiance.
Signature dishes include langostino-crab cakes, she crab soup, coconut shrimp, and fresh Great Lakes perch.
Parking can be challenging due to the busy bayfront area, so arriving early or considering alternative transportation is advised.
Yes, it is recommended to make reservations in advance, especially for larger parties or during busy periods.
The price range is generally considered mid-range, with dinners around $30 and sandwiches around $20.
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Discovering the Best Indoor and Outdoor Adventures in Erie, Pennsylvania
**Regardless of the season, dine with a beautiful backdrop at waterfront destinations that include Smugglers Wharf, a pirate-themed seafood restaurant; Bayfront Grille, an upscale hotel eatery featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner with American fare; Sloppy Duck Saloon (sloppyducksaloon.com), an alehouse featuring live bands and pub grub; Shoreline Bar and Grille, a cocktail bar and eatery with dishes made from fresh, regional ingredients; or Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant (bayhousepier6.com), a Sunday brunch hot spot and the city’s only fresh oyster bar and Argentine grill.
Top 10 Restaurants in Downtown Erie
Smugglers’ is a beautiful restaurant located right on Erie’s Bayfront. There is lots of outdoor seating that overlooks the water, which makes it a great place to come in the summer. The building is very pretty to look at, as the entire outside of the building is covered with vines and flowers.
Highest-rated Restaurants for Special Occasions in Erie, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 3.5 / 5 (654 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Bar- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 3 State St, Erie, PA 16507-1418- Read more on Tripadvisor
Fun things to do in Erie, PA
For fresh fish and seafood, there’s no better place to eat in Erie than at Smuggler’s Wharf. Its waterfront location is the perfect setting to enjoy their famous langostino-crab cakes, fresh perch and walleye from the Great Lakes.
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