From the ambiance, to the service, to the food everything was amazing! Came for the chowder, but will always return for the fish and chips! The fish was perfectly crispy and flaky. Can't wait to return to try more item's!

Hands down, by a mile, best clam chowder I have ever ever had. I even used my fish from fish and chips to whipe the bowl clean! Ifnits your first time, do the Chowder! Will be back for more. Also had the fish and chips. They were pretty good. Crispy and plenty of fish. Also recommended.

We always have an amazing meal and a wonderful time at The Chowder Barge! If you don't eat pork they have amazing salads with Swordfish or Salmon!

What a surprise! Great food and atmosphere! I had the salmon salad and it was great. Perfectly prepared and large portions.

Had a late lunch here on a Saturday afternoon and it was so good! We loved the clam chowder burger. The atmosphere is eclectic and the employees here are so friendly!

Must try this gem of a place. Amazing fish and chips. Great beer prices. And the one and only "DOUBLE CHOWDER BURGER" !!SO SO GOOD!! Please have patience with staff, perfection takes time, and it's worth the wait! Cheers

Unique dining. experience on a real barge with great food. Clam chowder dishes.. Burgers and fish-and-chips. Prices are fair.

Food was amazing! It was super busy but the folks working were hustling! We'll be back for sure!

Best clamchower thus side if town! Our server Andrea was as nice as can be. The whole place was a triumph!

A nice little out of the way place. Good seafood if that's what you're looking for. Nice bar inside. Outside seating a nice atmosphere especially at sunset.

+2

I used to love going here after work or even sometimes for lunch for an ice cold beer. And then I discovered their steamed mussels and that was definitely their best menu item. It's unfortunate that they no longer serve them because they say they take too much time to prepare.

I had a serious craving for clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Man, was I satisfied after this meal. I was so stuffed! I ordered the triple clam chowder and it came with fried clams. Yum! Everything was so good. I will definitely be back.

I love this place my 2nd time but I can’t stipe from coming and trying all these yummy food. It’s fresh delicious and everyone is so welcoming. I’m yet to bring more friends ti this wonderful hidden gem .

This place has The Best award winning clam chowder. Plus everything else on the menu is fantastic definitely a lil hidden gem.

+2

Best clam chowder I've ever had. Very peaceful place to have brunch; the weekend rush comes in around 11am so you may want to order before then.

+6

This had to of been hands down the best clam chowder I’ve ever had. And I’m comparing it to world famous Pismo Beach chowder. Not only was it the best clam chowder, the sour bowl bread bowl was to die for. The service was top notch and friendly.

Dining on the water in a nicely decorated restaurant, eating fabulous clam chowder. Complete win! Waited way to long to try this spot, but it lived up to all the good reviews.

Great experience all around. Amazing food, atmosphere is cozy and you feel like you’re at home at the beach. Service is as expected

Quaint place with delicious food, nice staff, and seaside aesthetic. I got the triple chowder with a clam chowder in a bread bowl with fried clam in it. It was thick and savory. He got the burger in clam chowder and it was so flavory with the burger and cheese. It added a nice smoky depth to the chowder.

Great little restaurant in a hard to reach location. Well worth the trip. The chowder bread bowls are delicious. The fish and chips very good. The atmosphere tied it all together. Pretty sure you'll be making your way back often.

Amazing food and awesome service. Our fish & chips came with 3 pieces of fish, serving of steak fries, side of cole slaw, and beer battered onion rings. Shared a bowl of their D-liscious signature clam chowder. Distinctive flavor you just cannot get anywhere! We'll be back to try more items on their menu. Our waitress Mary was the best!!!

+3

The best kept secret of Long Beach. This is a great gem to go to and enjoy the rustic ambiance. Epic chowder topped with fried clams and perfectly paired with a spicy Michelada on a gloomy and cold night.

+6

This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in LB. The food is amazing. Especially the Salmon Chowder Burger. Perfect for a rainy day.

Great place great service love the shrimp basket

Came in with a large party and our server Nina was so lovely! She helped split our huge bill and was very patient and kind, even took a photo of our group outside. Please give Nina a raise!

Amazing food and service! This place is located on a little dock on the water front. The inside decor is a boat daydream extravaganza. I ordered the bread bowl chowder with an appetizer of calamari rings. The calamari was perfectly breaded. I recommend using the lime provided and mixing the tartar sauce with the cocktail sauce. The bread bowl chowder is worth the hour drive. So perfectly hearty and savory. I'm lactose intolerant and gluten sensitive but this was worth every consequence after. Recommend this place to everyone.

Awesome place. Great vibe. Double clam chowder is my go to here

+ Best chowder soup I’ve ever had!! + Coffee and Orange Juice!🥰 + Breakfast 111 - the must-have!!😍 + Pancakes💕 + Clean restrooms! +/- Service is ok.

+6

Originally came down to Long Beach to go to the san pedro fish market but it ended up being so packed. I came to this little hole in the wall spot and man their clam chowder is killer! It is loaded and the fried fish just pairs perfectly with it. I definitely reccomend this seafood spot if you're looking for a hole in the wall spot

+2

My 5 yo niece had space to color while I sucked down a delicious, two-handed Michelada, and then we shared a bread bowl of the most delicious clam chowder I think I’ve ever had. It was during the busy lunch rush, so we waited about 25 mins for our table, but that was expected and the staff was extremely kind. Also, bonus, cats! DO IT.

I was pleasantly surprised. My brother and future sister in law brought me here for a late lunch. I ordered the Clam Chowder and it was super delicious. Very interesting location tucked in a small marina, the refinaries and the ports of L.A. We will definitely be back real soon..

+2

I went there because of the good reviews. 5 Stars for the special location next to the harbor within a marina, something you don't see every day. 5 Stars for the very good service, had a short talk to the people before getting a seat. Was there for the fish & chips because of the community. But you really should try the Chowder. As a German, I didn't know what it is. Got a spoon full to taste -> ordered it without hesitation. I was a little bit cold and this was the perfect food to warm up (5 stars). However, because I had the Chowder before I'll not rate the fish & chips.

Delicious food and great prices! Seat yourself when we went. Family friendly location. Bar seating also. View of the water and all the boats. Would highly recommend to try this off the path location. Triple clam chowder, pastrami sandwich and salad with ranch was all delicious

Nice little place. My food was a lil burned but, over all good.

Chowder slapped. I don't even like chowder. Fried shrimp is a must-have. Service and atmosphere are good vibes. Captain’s mug? It could sink a ship. The servers are absolute units carrying four of those mugs. 💪 Parking is ample including for your dinghy.

Was my first time here, people recommend me to try the clam chowder so I order the Double one, comes with fried clams. It was really delicious, fresh clams, dish was like done in same day. Just watch for prices, are around 20% more than the ones showed here. Totally recommend it.

Seems like diners at the Chowder Barge love it there. I saw people sit down and visibly decompress. It is a wonderful thing to know you will be treated well and have something wonderful to eat. It was my first time and I enjoyed every minute. I ordered a cup of Clam Chowder and the fried fish and shrimp. Both were fried perfectly and had just the right amount of crispness. The fries were big and crisp and soft inside. The tarter sauce was great, but what really got me was I could taste the perfect amount of fresh horseradish in the cocktail sauce for the shrimp. Lastly, the Clam Chowder was full of clams. The Chowder was seasoned well and had full bodied creaminess with potatoes and celery. It was a big cup of chowder. I was so impressed,

Wow! This place is amazing! Pulled up parking lot then was like ..” let’s go somewhere else cause I don’t know about this place “ But let me tell you don’t skip it! Food great! Atmosphere great! Beer-cold! Location-cool!

Chowder definitely brought my memory back from Pike Place, Seattle. Their chowder was on point. Burger + Chowder was definitely interesting combo. But I wouldn’t eat it everyday haha I think it was just too heavy (duh). We also got the fisherman’s platter, which was definitely worth it!!! Overall vibe was very chill and relaxing even when the whole place is not as big. All people working there are super duper kind!!! I would definitely recommend ordering a side of salad though.

+6

Whats a great stop was taken to this restaurant by my co workers . Looks like a fun place large 24oz mugs frozen to perfection ready at lunch time. Had wings and fries pretty damn good order them spicy.

+3

Wonderful experience sitting outside on the patio on a windy day looking at boats and passing clouds. Service was warm and friendly. Fish and chips were piping hot and crispy. The triple chowder burger had a well toasted bun, perfectly slightly pink charred patty, flavorful chowder and tasty fried clams. On another day I'll have to enjoy a well priced beer Total hidden gem tucked into the marina. Great wood heating inside

It’s a barge on the water They have chowder. You could stop right there and have a 3 star meal. But Chowder Barge goes further. First, the chowder is great. Just the right consistency, the chunks are just right. Add a touch of Tabasco and it’s nearly perfect. The platter of fried stuff was all perfectly fried goodness. But the main even , no doubt, is the Chowder Burger. It seems like it’s going to be an insane plate of decadence but my friend and I each had no problem devouring one. The burger is well charred and maybe even has bacon in the patty? The bun is just right to stand up to but still soak up the chowder the burger is swimming in. The decor is exactly what you imagine it should be and hits the mark dead on, especially the fireplace of human skulls. Argh. Our waitress was great and kept our coffee and ice tea refilled without being asked. I hope the barge gets to stay where it is. It’s a singular place and experience.

+6

Don't come here expecting something it's not. It's an old Barge, and has a lot of aged character. Food is good, though the Fish and chips could have been lighter in color rather than dark. Good beer good food and good service, our server RAQUEL thank you.

Great place, located on the water in a rather run down marina. Parking was free, the food was amazing! Had the double chowder, it was a meal in itself! Would definitely return!

I can't rave about this place enough! Let's start with the service. My wife and I were accompanied by our toddler, who had a less than ideal attitude. (She was losing her stuff) Cari did everything she could to make her happy. She gave my daughter crackers and was very patient with us when it came to us ordering our food and dealing with our toddler. She went above and beyond for us and my wife and I could not have been happier. Raquel was also amazing checking in on us and making sure all was well. Thank you ladies! Now the food. 10/10 if you like clam chowder, shrimp, fries and onion rings, you're in for a real treat! The food is made to order and is well worth any wait you may encounter. I ordered the double chowder burger (chefs kiss) and boy o' boy, the simplicity of this entre can not be overrated. It's extremely messy and just packed with flavor you wouldn't expect. The shrimp, fries and onion rings were cooked exactly how I like them, hot, crunchy and well seasoned. I wanted to complain about the path to get to this place, but looking back now, if you can't figure out how to here you don't deserve to eat here, haha!

This place is awesome. What I liked was its chill, funky atmosphere. We went for an early dinner on a rainy evening, so it was not too crowded, but I could see how it could get crowded because it is not that big. If you really like clams get the "triple bowl" which is the "chowder bowl" w fried clams on top. The Chowder was great as was the sour dough bowl. Nice and fresh! Can't wait to go back!

Omg.... I love me some good food and price was very reasonable. I had the clam chowder burger and tuna melt. Both very flavorful hands down. I will definitely be back

Ordered clam chowder, than got fish and chips shrimp, onion rings, fries. All of it is great food. Great ambience. You won't be disappointed. We will be coming back.

+1

Amazing food the clam chowder is the best ever! Great vibes definitely feels like a cool getaway from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles

+3

One of the greatest Little secret places in the Long Beach Harbor area. Absolutely fabulous spot.

+3

Ben Park

Lots of sauces. Great unique location (a barge). Can be a bit heavy but they have lots of sauces. The tiki bar vibes is nice. I liked their house-made michelada.

+4

Lucia Kim

There are about 10 tables and chairs at the bar, so you can sit on them. The bathroom is small but clean. The clam chowder is a bit thicker than other places, and it contains a lot of contents such as clams and potatoes. It was fun to dip the hamburger in the soup and eat it, and it was better than I thought. The salmon salad was worth the price and the quantity was good, and I enjoyed it.

+2

Nicole Haskell

The Chowder Barge is literally in the middle of nowhere in Long Beach at the port. To go there is either of full intention or you arrived in a boat at the docks. Is cozy and quirky and reminds me a ton of New England. The chowder was excellent. The wings were tasty. Seems to be a consistent 10-20 minute wait and always busy. But if you want to get out of LA and try something different, check it out.

Brittany Bennett

The food was excellent and the prices are fair but the reason I had to write a review was to rave about how incredibly fresh everything was. The clam chowder and fish and chips were made with seafood that was obviously very fresh, even the veggie sticks that came with the buffalo wings were fresh and delicious. When food is served that you can taste the freshness in it brings the flavor to a different level, we will definitely be returning for dinner soon.

Rob Frederick

Got to visit this old gem. Love the staff: Nina & Laura ;) are always the best. Food is great! Atmosphere is very unique and feels like home. I visit weekly while working on or taking my sailboat out to sea. Their dinghy dock is perfect for traveling via the channel!. The Chowder is incredible. I personally live the Patty Melt! Cheers!

Inda Nile

definitely one of the better barges ive been on. it’s basically like the Bosforus of the Pacific, where east meets west, harbor meets port (of LA), sky meets water, barge meets shipping container meets wannabe yacht. calamari meets coffee. chowder meets soju mojito. im there for all of it.

+1

MARVIN Sanchez

Well well well what i am about to tell you should be iilegal because anyone who shares a place soo special and soo delicious is a criminal! I almost thought twice about writing this review hahaha well here it is i came down ready for some clam chowder we waited for about 10 minutes the place is literally a small barge not many tables. We grabbed the cheese burger and clam chowder on the side we could dip the burger in the chowder and i never thought it would go well together but it did! The clam chowder is soo flavorful it had tons of flavor and it was the perfect consistency of thickness. I asked for a big mug of beer and WOW i got a huge mug ice cold mug. My wife got a basket of a variety of Fried fish and shrimp the batter is soo delicious and perfectly crispy. We had a nice time and didnt spend much $60 i believe.

+4

Tony

Solid Waterfront Spot for a Quick Bite We stopped by on a Friday evening around 7:00 p.m., just an hour before closing, looking for a quick bite. The location is great—right on the water—which adds a nice touch to the atmosphere. Just note that it’s in the Wilmington area, so the surroundings are more industrial with cargo and trucking activity nearby. There was plenty of parking, and surprisingly, it wasn’t too crowded. Service was okay—not overly attentive, but it was close to closing time, so we understood. The food was the highlight. The chili was hearty, meaty, and full of flavor. Unfortunately, they were out of clam chowder. The burger and BLT were both fresh and clearly made from scratch—delicious and satisfying. Overall, it’s a casual spot with good prices, tasty food, and a relaxed vibe. We’ll definitely be back.

Dan Plegel

Love me some clam chowder! I decided to check out the Chowder Barge with my wife. We both loved it! The chowder burger is a must! New favorite food spot!

+1

Armand

If you find yourself in Wilmington, definitely check this spot out. It's been here for quite some time, and time has only improved this place. The exterior and interior are nothing but awesome, and the location has a nautical theme. The people and service are nothing but amazing. Definitely try the clam chowder, of course, which is made fresh daily. All of the food options offered are good. Enjoy a cold beer with your meal, kick back, and enjoy an awesome setting, good people, and good food! You definitely have to visit this spot!!!

+12

Julie Marquez

Have had this place on my list of “want to go” for a long time. We were finally in the right place at the right time. No wait! $8 for a pint of Modelo made me happy right away. We had a bowl of the chowder which came in a mug and the double chowder with a bread bowl topped with fried clams. Both were yummy! Truthfully when we saw the place we had second thoughts but decided to stay. So glad we did!!!

The food is always amazing. The staff is very helpful and friendly. Definitely wish we lived closer to come more often

The food is always amazing. The staff is very helpful and friendly. Definitely wish we lived closer to come more often

The food is always amazing. The staff is very helpful and friendly. Definitely wish we lived closer to come more often

The best clam chowder i have ever had, I got the chowder in the bread bowl. The bread was fresh and the como with awesome. Had a beer too

The best clam chowder i have ever had, I got the chowder in the bread bowl. The bread was fresh and the como with awesome. Had a beer too

The best clam chowder i have ever had, I got the chowder in the bread bowl. The bread was fresh and the como with awesome. Had a beer too

The best clam chowder i have ever had, I got the chowder in the bread bowl. The bread was fresh and the como with awesome. Had a beer too

Wait was long 1.5 hours however the food and experience made up for the wait. They used to have surf and turf but now, not anymore. Only on special occasions or specific days. Enjoyable would recomme…

Wait was long 1.5 hours however the food and experience made up for the wait. They used to have surf and turf but now, not anymore. Only on special occasions or specific days. Enjoyable would recom…

wait was long 1.5 hours however the food and experience made up for the wait. They used to have surf and turf but now, not anymore. Only on special occasions or specific days. Enjoyable would rec…

Accidentally found this spot when we got lost and it was a nice find. Great little spot tucked in next to the Port. We had fried combo plate with shrimp, cod, and clams. It was what you'd expect …

The service was great and the food was excellent! We will definitely go again! It was also very comfortable - excellent ambiance...

Im so thankfully that the chowder barge had a chance to enjoy a long needed vacation. It was much appreciated that they notified everyone of the closure. Can't wait to go back and enjoy my meal

OMG\nHis is what you dream of when you think about your local spot! So much fun!\nTasty food and drinks. The chowder was amazing! Had the chowder burger, ridiculous!\nMy wife had chowder and chili …

Amazing Chowder and Fish and Chips.. we were saying mmmmm, after every bite!! lol..we absolutely loved it .. great atmosphere too

Amazing Chowder and Fish and chips.. we were saying mmmmm, after every bite!! lol..we absolutely loved it .. great atmosphere too

Had the cup of clam chowder and chili with the seafood appetizer all was very good service was very good too!\nThe ambiance was exceptional that one would expect from a sinking barge I will definit…

This place is special and uniquely wonderful. It's a rather eclectic bar and restaurant on an old barge tied up in a rather backwater marina in Los Angeles Harbor. Access in down the plank to the flo…

An absolutely perfect restaurant located in a picturesque harbor between yachts and other sailing vessels. But most importantly .. Tasty food and an interesting decor give this restaurant a lot of importance. One note about the service ... they could have been a little more polite to the customers.

2/7/2022 = 5 Star = Add additional star coz i enjoyed being here with my adopted brother, we had a mug of beer , pretty good size of mugs. 1/19/2022 = 4 Star = food are good, waiter are awesome, just a bit small place . We still coming back .

An out of the way spot that is well worth checking out. Will definitely be going back to check out some of the other food options

+6

The chowder is thick and meaty. I did not like the burger chowder, but will definitely be coming back for chowder 2 (with fried oysters). We got fish and chips as well, the pieces were big and tasted fresh. The batter was crunchy and not too thick (besides the very ends)

It was good food, got the clam chowder and some fried calamari rings. The service was slow, but they were short some staff, so I wasn't upset. Atmosphere was very niche, very fun for the nautical enthusiasts or anyone looking for a fun little diner spot.

Went back to try the cheeseburger in chowder, super heavy and delicious! Also got the chili cheese fries which was also delicious.

Good service. Great chowder with nice bacon flavor. Breading was a little heavy on the clams. I would definitely go back for another round.

The place was in the middle of I don't know. The food was good the service was the best and everything was good. Also the clam chowder was good on the photo.

This is a great place to enjoy a bowl of chowder. We joined friends here and really enjoyed it. I downgraded it to a 4 ⭐️ just due to the chowder being only warm. Chowder should be hot. This place is clean and decorated nicely. It is kind of hidden here and not an easy find unless you are in the marina for some reason. If your in the area don’t hesitate. Lots of meal choices and most should find something they will like. The chowder was great just not hot enough. Hopefully next time cuz we will be back.

+6

Wanted to try this place because of a reel video on Facebook. It's located in an old marina in Wilmington. Be aware it is very close to the docks so it's not unusual for freight trains to be present blocking the entrance to the parking lot. We waited about 10 minutes so a train could pass before entering the parking lot. On our way out there was another train so we waited for it to pass before we could leave. Once parked you are on your way down the gang plank that is a steep walk way down to the docks. The barge is just a boat converted to a restaurant so be aware there isn't much space. It's not tiny but but at capacity I could see a problem moving around. When we visited there were people waiting but the bar seating iwas available. I asked if the bar seating was open and was informed that if I take a spot at the bar that's where I would be served my entire stay. "You put your butt down and that is where we serve you drinks and dinner." We ordered the sampler appetizer and I had the chowder burger. My wife ordered a bowl of chowder and that was a lot of food for the two of us. There was one server and she seemed a bit overwhelmed but you could tell she was doing her best. They had open tables but since they only had her serving they limited the number of people they seated. Which is smart because she could only handle so many orders at a time. Now for the food. The fried sampler had shrimp, clams and calamari rings and cocktail sauce. It's fried food not much to say about it. It wasn't greasy and tasted ok. The chowder burger was decent, the chowder was good and thick. Not your run of the mill clam chowder. This is a hearty chowder. One of the customers sitting at the bar recommended a few dashes of Tabasco sauce and it did add to the flavor of the chowder. In all the food was good. Make sure you check out the menu online, there are several sources, to figure out how much you want to spend here. This is not a 5 star restaurant so set your expectations. This is more like your local bar that serves food. Also please be nice to the server she is just trying to do her job and a nice pleasant attitude from customers can go a long way In all it is definitely a place to try.

Gina P

Not your typical chowder in a bread bowl! I was surprised when my order came and the boule was floating in the middle of a bowl of soup with a knife stuck in the middle of it and served with a fork as well. Bonus points for flair, I guess! This was not my preferred way to eat clam chowder with bread, as the bread got super soggy, which was kind of a bummer. It also did not have a strong sourdough flavor to cut through the chowder. The chowder itself is extremely thick, almost gelatinous, and has lots of clams, so if that is how you like it, this is your place. The ambiance is great, service was a little on the slower side. Worth checking out at least once.

Pedrin Garcia

The food is good service good take a while if they're busy atmosphere it's okay but there's a strange smell if you ever been or ever knew someone that lives aboard on a boat has that weird boat smell That's what it's most like in there it's a must if you're in the area Great place for breakfast or lunch sit next to the fireplace Best seat in the house.

Lilly M

This little gem is a must-visit! The clam chowder was absolutely delicious. However, I’m giving it four stars instead of five because the service was a bit slow, and our beer mugs had a faint odor.

Joe Becerra

The Chowder Barge is always a good place to eat or have a cold beer. I took a couple of coworkers from out of town and they were very surprised at an actual floating restaurant. Once inside they were very content with the menu. The two ladies working at the time were very nice and polite. The place has a lot of vintage nautical equipment enhancing that feel of being on the water. The Chowder Barge is located in a small marina and sits on the water. At the end my colleagues were happy and enjoyed their meals.

+4

angie san.

The clam chowder was delicious! I was so surprised to find and love a burger right in the middle of it – what a wonderful surprise! The kids' fish and chips were great, and the shrimp was good too. Unfortunately, the customer service was lacking.

+19

Jennifer T

A fun experience at this hidden gem. The food and service were terrific. I really enjoyed the fried clams! Everyone loved their food.

Brie jolie

Food was great! We got the fried clam and burger chowder, both were delicious in their own ways and we agreed that this is the BEST chowder here in Long Beach (Wilmington I know)! Atmosphere is nice too, love that we’re on an actual boat, adds to the vibe. Staff were cool, service took awhile and most times we had to call the waiter multiple times to try and get her attention. Parking is decent, you’re sure to find a spot and it’s not that busy when we went!

betty moey

A unique dining experience. This is an oldest floating restaurant in LA area. The clams chowder is their famous dish and it’s a must try. Ordered the chowder burger with fries. The combinations were very interesting. The clams chowder was so good. Taste the clams in every single spoon. The service is impeccable. The entire restaurant has a unique decoration. Love it.

+8

The service was great and the food was very good. We had the seafood sampler appetizer with clams, calamari and shrimp and then a bread bowl of chowder, which was a lot of food.

I finally came to try this place on 10/13/25. Very cute restaurant experience right on the water! I was excited to try the clam chowder and it DID NOT disappoint. It's definitely on the creamier si…

We stopped in here after finding this as a spot to go get chowder and thought it had to be good as a barge serving chowder for over 40 years. It did not disappoint. The place is like a floating dou…

We stopped in here after finding this as a spot to go get chowder and thought it had to be good as a barge serving chowder for over 40 years. It did not disappoint. The place is like a floating…

We headed here for lunch after touring the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum (see separate review) on a cold Thursday. After parking in the lot above, we walked down the gangplank along the pier to the…

We headed here for lunch after touring the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum (see separate review) on a cold Thursday. After parking in the lot above, we walked down the gangplank along the pier to t…

I didn't see it posted on their website, at the entrance of the restaurant, or on the menu, but they charge you a 3.5% service fee if you use a credit/debit card. You're only notified about it when the bill comes. Bad look to not disclose something like this up front.

Most food looked pre-made: onion rings, fries, fried shrimp, chicken wings, etc... but they claim the clam chowder was made by the establishment. I asked for no bacon, but they can't do that because it's all mixed in during cooking. Service was lacking as they never checked on us for anything else other than bringing the food, so that was disappointing. They could have asked us if we needed water or ice tea refills,

+1

Rounding up from 2.75. Two of us got chowder and you see the other two meals. G Forgot to snap a pic of the fries - they are steak fries and more flaccid potatoes do not exist on earth. Plus, I had to salt them as they had none. I planned to dip them in my cup of soup. Just made both items worse. My partner liked the fried clams sprinkled ions top of his “double” chowder. I didn’t get those on the single. The chowder lacks seasoning. The friends were less dissatisfied- I guess they tasted flavors. So maybe bad ordering, but we were of the “when in Rome” mode. Good decor. Very iconic place. Server perfunctory- had to ask for set ups. Lots of patrons on a Sunday, so I guess they’re safe. It’s a well established place. Once is plenty.

Cool atmosphere, pretty bad service. Attitude, slow, and and topping it off: my food order was taken down, but never came (was in a large party). At least it wasn't on the bill either ...ate a few onion rings from someone else and those were decent.

Oh, how I wanted to rate this place higher but, there's good and bad. I always start with bad news first so, here goes...\n\nI ordered a bowl of clam chowder, and fish and chips. The "bowl" of clam…

I truly don't know what all the HYPE is. Fish and chips overcooked. And way too greasy . Clam chowder soup I've had way better. This was just a TikTok thing I decided to pop up. But I won't be back…

I give it two stars because it's over priced. The food is good though, but for example yesterday I ordered a bowl of clam chowder, and it is actually a regular sized cup of coffee for like $8. That's misleading if you ask any one. How is a bowl a cup? Very little food for almost a ten dollar plate.

Great location but who care about the location when the food is sub par and the service is the worst you'll experience in your life. We came for my brother's birthday dinner, we were a bit confused…

This place was a major dissapointment. Went here for for my birthday with the family. We were all seated immediatly by a very nice gentleman, but that's were customer service ends. We ended up sitt…

I love supporting local restaurants in my community. But after today just absolutely horrified expression every in my life. Got told to seat anywhere and waited 5 minutes to receive a menu as anoth…

I have been a loyal customer of this restaurant for 18 years, but my experience today, August 10, 2025, was incredibly disappointing. At 16:55, I arrived at the guest dock on my boat and walked over to the barge restaurant to order a cheeseburger with fries to go. To my surprise, an older waitress approached and informed me that she couldn't take my order because it was for takeout, stating they were too busy. However, when I looked around, I saw only one person at the bar and just a few tables occupied inside and outside. I don't understand why she would say that. I suggested that she treat my order as if I were dining in, and after some back and forth, she allowed me to pack my food to take to my boat. When I paid in cash and requested a receipt, she told me that no receipt was available for cash payments. This is something I've never encountered in nearly two decades of visiting. The only reason I'm leaving one star is that I want management to take notice of this review. I would like to speak to a supervisor or anyone who can address my concerns, as there was no manager available at the time.

I’m disappointed with my experience at claim chowder barge. The service were slow, and the showder lacked flavor and warmth. The waitress was very rude and so unhappy and seems like she really had a bad Sunday.. Not sure what we did wrong, but she was ignoring us the whole time.. We waited for this waitress to take our order in about 30 minutes. She was so busy talking to her Coworkers… In conclusion, I cannot recommend this restaurant based on my experience, I urge potential customers to exercise and considering other options, Where is more satisfactory experience. We’re going to bring our business to Marine Café, which is located across the Bay….

I have frequented this establishment for many years, both with my family and colleagues. However, I have recently noticed a decline in the quality of service that is quite concerning. The waitstaff, particularly on weekends, have exhibited uncharacteristically unfriendly behavior and a dismissive attitude. One waitress, in particular, who appears to be somewhat older, has been notably rude during my visits. While I do not wish to speculate on personal circumstances, her demeanor has been quite off-putting. I sincerely hope that management addresses these issues, whether through retraining or staff changes, as the current experience tarnishes the reputation of what has been a beloved historical restaurant. It's essential to maintain the welcoming atmosphere that has made this place a staple in our community.

So I’m gonna keep it a 100 with everybody that wants to go here look please just take my review to consideration. I’m gonna be completely honest this place really isn’t worth your time. You’re better off. Going to Burger King. I waited 45 minutes for a bland burned cheeseburger. I will never come here again And I sleep good at night knowing that this place isn’t worth your time don’t go.

We were a party of 7, waited less than 5 min for a table. They were busy, but it was a Friday, so we expected as much. After we were seated & were ordering we were told by our waitress they were out of fish. A seafood restaurant was out of fish, on a Friday night. So 1/2 of us changed our orders to something else, rather than go somewhere else. I watched as 2 other tables that came in after us ordered and received their food before us. Perhaps it was because another waitress took their order, I don’t know. We waited over an hour, and still had no food. Our waitress never came over to address this, or even bring our appetizers. The lack of service recovery was appalling, and extremely disappointing considering the reviews this restaurant has. We paid for the drinks we did receive & left. The kids we had could not wait any longer, and neither could we. I’ve worked in the service industry for over a decade & I can’t imagine treating any customer like this, it’s just awful. Unfortunately I couldn’t rate the food, because we never got any.

I was very disappointed with my experience at Chowder Barge. I visited with a group of seven and waited over an hour for our food. During that time, multiple tables with smaller parties (3–5 guests) who ordered after us were served and finished their meals while we continued to wait with no updates. We were never given a clear explanation or an accurate timeline, and after more than an hour, our group ultimately had to leave without being served. I understand that restaurants can get busy, but the lack of communication and the apparent disregard for our order was frustrating and unprofessional. Unfortunately, this experience has made me hesitant to return or recommend this restaurant.

Eddie P

Really sucks that I'm writing this , as I was literally raving to my friend about how good this place was. The I came to be met with a complete 180 experience today. I've come to the Chowder Barge twice prior , and this made it my third and last time. The last two times were also on the weekend around the afternoon , and they were 5/5 for both service and food. Their chowder was delicious and fresh , and not stingy at all with the clams . Seafood platter portions were very hearty portions, made to order hot , and very tasty . The service before was nice and a warm atmosphere. It was a gem of Wilmington to me and and something I looked forward to getting whenever I was in the area. This time ? Server sat us right away since there were three vacant tables. Forgot about us for like the next <15 mins when she said she'd come for our drink orders. Then didn't check up on us the whole time , only to drop off our food. Of which 2/3 clam chowder bowls came COLD . I don't tip on cold soup and there was no service to justify any tip. Server asked in like literally less than a minute of my paying if I no-tipped. Isaid yeah , you gave us two cold bowls of soup and ran off without giving us the chance to ask about it. And even denied that they were cold and did not sit on a counter . Like you're quick to check back on us after a bill , but not at all the time prior ? And your the custom tip option started at $20 ? Come on , like that just irks me and several others when you fail at the food and service. How you gonna expect me to tip if you literally failed at both the reasons anyone goes out to sit down and dine ? And try to shame me into tipping like that ? No , I'm not coming back and that's a damn shame . I really thought of this place as a gem in Wilmington .