Step into a Jimmy Buffet Song

By Cindy Hemper

In this week’s Sidewalk Series, we take a look at one of Erie’s favorite out of the way lakefront restaurants nestled at the foot of State St. on Dobbins Landing. Smugglers Wharf located at 3 State Street, is a nautical style bar and restaurant with a relaxing laid-back atmosphere and lakeside scenery that can easily give you the feel of being tossed into the middle of a Jimmy Buffet song.

Smugglers Wharf offers indoor & outdoor seating with the interior walls being lined with large, well-maintained fish tanks and an outside dining area, perfect for eating in the Erie heat, with well-groomed climbing vines shade the deck. For the cooler season, the inside has a lovely radiant fireplace by the window that could be perfect for a romantic dinner while watching a beautiful sunset.

The outstanding ambience of the restaurant is surpassed only by the service that I received. My server was very attentive and quick, almost immediately appearing to bring my menu and to take my order.

The menu had a nice balance of local dishes and typical fare while the beer selection had a nice blend of local brews and popular brands although the wine list was a bit limited.

Served quickly, the seafood dishes and sides I ordered were very good and well prepared and the Crab Cakes alone made my visit worth the stop.

Smugglers Wharf is an excellent choice for business or casual meals and the ambiance, food, service & prices come together for a truly wonderful dining experience that I strongly recommend to anyone looking for a great meal at a fair price with a simply fantastic menu.