Living in Upstate New York has its advantages. One of my favorite advantages is being so close to one of the most scenic spots in the country, Niagara Falls. It's one of my favorite getaway spots for many reasons. There is always something fun to do, the sights are breathtaking, and there are a multitude of dining options. A restaurant that had been on my bucket list for a long time was the Table Rock House Restaurant, which is located at the Table Rock visitor's center, which overlooks the Horseshoe Falls, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. When my best friend was turning 40, I decided that was a great opportunity to cross this one off my list!
Getting to the restaurant
As I mentioned before, the restaurant is located inside the Table Rock Visitor's center. This building has a food court area, some shopping options, and restrooms available for the convenience of the hundreds of thousands of visitors that flock from all over the world to experience the incredible views. I tend to go at least once a year, and I generally try to stay in the same location, it's an area known as Fallsview, which is the closest area to the Canadian side of the Horseshoe Falls. It's basically this giant hill that overlooks the falls, and is full of hotels, restaurants, etc. Table Rock Visitor's center is located at the bottom of the hill in the Fallsview area. You can access it by driving (there is a parking lot to the left of the building if you're facing it) , by walking down the hill (but it's a HUGE hill so that's a big old hell no for me!) or, you can take the incline railway from the top of the hill, down the street from the Fallsview Casino. Once inside, the restaurant is right on the second floor...which is the same floor that you end up on if you take the railway. While they do technically take walk ins, it is definitely worth making a reservation so that you don't miss out. Depending on the season, you may not get a seat if you don't book in advance. It's also important to note that they are only open for lunch or dinner, so if you want breakfast with a view there are other options!
Inside the restaurant
The restaurant itself is beautiful. There is lots of seating, and the lights are dimmed so you can really appreciate the view outside. The windows are huge and you can see the falls from just about any seat in the house. I will say that there were very few tables right near the windows, and you don't get a choice as to where you are seated, but you still get a view no matter where you are sitting, you just may not get as close a view as you'd like. The staff was very pleasant, and the table settings and decor were quite elegant. The menu is simple but refined, and the food was good, although definitely on the pricier end (which is to be expected in this type of mid level restaurant. The meat was cooked perfectly to my liking, the potatoes were light and fluffy, and the vegetables were crisp and flavorful. They had a nice selection of adult beverages, as well as non-alcoholic options. There was also a Prix Fixe option, which we didn't take advantage of (I'm not really a desert person), but is a great option if you'd like to try something from each part of their menu, as you get an appetizer, entrée and desert for one price. Either way, plan on spending close to, if not at least $100 per person, after drinks, taxes, and things like that. Payment was easy, they have the same card readers that a lot of other restaurants do in Niagara Falls, so I could see what the price was in Canadian dollars and also what the price was in US Dollars, so I didn't have to try to do the conversion in my head.
Hits and Misses
Hits:
Beautiful view
Good steakhouse food
Easy access to the falls when you leave the restaurant
Misses:
No ability to choose your seat, so you may not end up with a completely unobscured view
Can be pricey depending on what you order
Closing thoughts
I definitely would recommend this to anyone who wants a special dining experience at one of the country's most scenic locations. Even if it's a one and done kind of thing, because really, you're paying more for the experience than anything else, and once you've experienced it, it will be the same the next time you go. It's a great option for people staying right in the Fallsview area because it's close to all of the hotels, and makes it easy to access, and with the incline railway being there, it is super simple. Would I go again? Yeah, I would go again, especially if I was going with someone who had never experienced it. Overall, this restaurant is definitely a hit.
Table Rock Restaurant is a definite hit and receives a Kariviewed rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars
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