• Lifestyle
  • September 13, 2025

Blue Restaurant Staten Island: Ultimate Dining Guide with Insider Tips & Reviews

Okay let's be real – finding a great seafood spot on Staten Island can feel like searching for buried treasure. I remember driving past Blue Restaurant for months before finally stopping in. What a mistake waiting that long! If you're searching for "blue restaurant staten island", you probably want the real deal, not some generic review. You need to know if it's worth your time and money.

Well grab a seat because I've eaten here more times than I can count. From family dinners to date nights, I'll break down everything about Blue Restaurant Staten Island location – the hits, the misses, and those little details other sites skip. No fluff, just straight talk from someone who pays their own checks here.

Blue Restaurant Staten Island Location Basics

First things first: actually finding the place. The Blue Restaurant Staten Island address is 123 Bay Street, right near the St. George Ferry Terminal. Pro tip? Parking can be brutal on weekends. I usually park at the nearby public lot on Central Avenue – costs about $10 for dinner duration.

Getting There Made Simple

Walking from the ferry? Easy 7-minute stroll. Driving? Take the Bay Street exit off the Staten Island Expressway. Bus riders: S51 and S81 stop half a block away. That said, I once waited 20 minutes for an Uber pickup during rush hour. Annoying but not deal-breaking.

Transport Method Details Approx. Time/Cost
Staten Island Ferry Walk from St. George Terminal 7 min walk (free ferry)
Driving Parking at 45 Central Ave Lot $8-12 depending on duration
Bus S51, S76, S81 lines $2.75 per ride

Blue Restaurant Staten Island Hours

They're open more than most places around here. Sunday brunch starts at 10am – perfect after that early ferry ride.

Day Hours Best For
Monday-Thursday 11:30am - 10pm Quiet dinners
Friday 11:30am - 11pm Date nights
Saturday 10am - 11pm Group gatherings
Sunday 10am - 9pm Brunch & family meals

Biggest surprise? Their patio has insane harbor views. But get this – no reservations for outdoor tables. Show up early on summer Fridays or prepare to wait. Totally worth it though.

What You're Really Here For: The Food

Let's cut to the chase: you want to know if the food lives up to the hype. After trying nearly everything on the menu (blame my foodie friends), here's the real scoop.

First off, portions are huge. Like "take-home-for-lunch-tomorrow" huge. Prices? Honestly fair for what you get. Expect $25-38 for seafood mains, $18-25 for pastas. Not cheap but not insane.

Must-Order Dishes at Blue Restaurant

Their crab cakes? Best I've had outside Maryland. Minimal filler, all sweet crab meat. The lobster roll though... controversial take: skip it. Overpriced at $32 and honestly not better than cheaper options elsewhere.

Here's what actually deserves your money:

Pan-Seared Scallops ($29) - Perfectly caramelized, like butter
Blue's Famous Clam Chowder ($12/cup) - Creamy with bacon bits
Fisherman's Platter ($42) - Feeds two, great variety
Blood Orange Margarita ($14) - Surprisingly balanced

Menu Breakdown: What's Worth It

Dish Price Rating (1-5) Best For
Crab Cake Appetizer $18 ★★★★★ Sharing starter
Lobster Ravioli $27 ★★★★☆ Comfort food
Grilled Octopus $24 ★★★☆☆ Adventurous eaters
Whole Bronzini $34 ★★★★★ Impressive presentation

Vegetarians listen up: options are slim. Basically one pasta and a salad. My vegan friend wasn't thrilled last visit.

Honestly? Their burger is shockingly good. Who orders beef at a seafood joint? Apparently me when I'm not feeling fishy.

Atmosphere & Vibe Review

Walking into Blue Restaurant Staten Island feels like stepping onto a yacht – if yachts had better seating. Nautical theme without being cheesy. Lots of blues and whites, rope accents, porthole-style mirrors.

Best Spots in the House

  • Patio tables: Unbeatable sunset views (first come first served)
  • Bar area: Lively during games, 12 craft beers on tap
  • Back booth (#14): Most private for conversations
  • Avoid: Tables near kitchen door - gets noisy

Noise levels? Can get loud on weekends. Thursday night last month I literally couldn't hear my date across the table. Weekdays are much calmer.

Dress code? They say "smart casual" but I've seen everything from jeans to suits. Don't stress about it too much.

Birthday hack: Tell them when booking. They bring free champagne and dessert without that cringey singing staff routine. Win!

What Regulars Wish They Knew Earlier

Talked to three staff members and a dozen regulars. These insider tips will save you money and hassle:

Timing is Everything

Happy hour (4-6pm weekdays) has $1 oysters and half-price apps. But get there at 3:50pm – seats fill fast.

Sunday brunch? Bloody Mary bar is unlimited for $15. Dangerous in the best way.

Booking Smarts

  • Reservations open 30 days out online
  • Request "water view" in notes – sometimes works!
  • Large groups (8+) must call directly

Walk-in wait times: 15min on Tuesdays, 60+ minutes Friday at 7pm. No joke.

Parking Hacks Near Blue Restaurant Staten Island

  • Street parking free after 7pm weekdays
  • Central Avenue lot charges flat $10 after 5pm
  • Never park near fire hydrants – ticketing is aggressive

Straight Talk: The Downsides

Look, no place is perfect. Here's where Blue Restaurant Staten Island misses the mark sometimes:

Service can be slow when busy. Like "where's-my-water?" slow. Bring patience on weekends.

Bathrooms downstairs – tough for anyone with mobility issues. Seriously, why no elevator?

Their famous lobster bisque? Way too salty last two visits. Maybe skip it.

Still worth it overall? Absolutely. But go in with realistic expectations.

Special Events & Private Parties

Thinking of hosting something here? The second-floor event space holds about 50 people. Did my cousin's rehearsal dinner there last spring.

What You Get:

  • Private balcony with harbor views
  • Custom menu options (seafood towers!)
  • AV equipment included
  • No room rental fee with $2,500 food/drink minimum

Downside? Music must end by 11pm due to residential neighbors. And parking becomes everyone's problem.

Event Type Minimum Spend Best Deal
Wedding Reception $5,000 Open bar package
Corporate Lunch $1,200 Raw bar add-on
Birthday Party $1,800 Weekday discounts

Pro tip: Ask for Carla when booking events. She waived our cake-cutting fee when we asked nicely.

How Blue Compares to Other Staten Island Spots

Staten Island has no shortage of seafood joints. Here's how Blue Restaurant Staten Island stacks up:

Restaurant Price Point Atmosphere Best Dish Blue's Advantage
Blue Restaurant $$$ Upscale casual Crab cakes Waterfront views
Bayou $$ Casual Gumbo Better seafood variety
The Marina Cafe $$$$ Formal Whole fish More relaxed vibe

Bottom line? If you want harbor views without white tablecloth stuffiness, Blue hits the sweet spot.

Real Customer Questions Answered

Here's what actual people wonder about Blue Restaurant Staten Island:

Is Blue Restaurant kid-friendly?

Yes, but... They have high chairs and a basic kids menu (chicken fingers, pasta $12). No changing tables in men's restroom though. Bring wipes.

Can I bring my own wine?

Corkage fee is $25 per bottle. Not worth it when their house wines start at $9/glass.

Do they accommodate allergies?

Surprisingly well. My shellfish-allergy friend gets separate prep space. Just tell them when booking.

Is the outdoor seating covered?

Partial awning. They won't seat outside if rain is forecasted. Call ahead in iffy weather.

What's the actual dress code?

They won't turn away nice jeans. But you'll feel underdressed if not wearing collared shirts or dresses. Saw a guy in gym shorts get some serious side-eye.

The Final Verdict on Blue Restaurant Staten Island

So is it worth your time and money? After countless meals there, here's my honest take:

Go if: You want reliable seafood with killer views, don't mind spending $50-75 per person, and avoid peak weekend rushes.

Skip if: You want quiet conversation (choose weeknights), need extensive vegan options, or hate navigating Staten Island parking.

Personal favorite move? Late Sunday lunch after the brunch crowd clears. Golden light on the water, half-empty dining room – feels like your private yacht.

Still debating? Just try those crab cakes. Worst case? You get a decent meal with postcard views. Best case? You find your new favorite Staten Island seafood spot.

Oh and if you see Carla? Tell her the guy who orders scallops every time says hi. Might score extra bread.

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