The Windlass

The Windlass in Lake Hopatcong

Before it served a single plate of pasta, this building was part of an amusement park, and after that, a roller rink. It became a restaurant in 1963. That history has not been painted over. The Windlass sits at Nolan’s Point, a stretch of shoreline that has been pulling in crowds since the 1800s, when rail lines dropped day-trippers at the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey. Old photographs hang throughout the dining rooms, and the ceiling above the bar is a collage of vintage postcards: steamboats, bathers, the rides that once stood a few steps from where you are sitting.

The bar itself is shaped like a boat. It is the kind of detail that sounds gimmicky until you see it done well, and this one is done well. The Windlass also stays open year-round rather than shutting down after Labor Day, which is worth knowing in February when most of the lake has gone quiet.

Where to Sit

There is no bad answer here, only different moods. The dining room is bright and busy. The waterfront pavilion and the tables out on the docks put you close enough to hear the water, with awnings overhead for shade on a hot afternoon. There is dock space for boaters, so you can pull up, tie off and come in for dinner or a round of cocktails without ever touching a parking lot. The outdoor gliders are the move when you just want a drink and a view. On summer nights, Music Under the Stars runs right on the water.

Food and Drink

The menu runs American and Italian, with a wood-burning oven turning out crisp-crusted pizzas, a raw bar, seafood, burgers and a kids’ menu that makes this an easy call with family in tow. Executive chef Eduardo “Eddie” Santos, who built the current menu back in 2015, is back in the kitchen. Holidays are a production: Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day all get all-day buffets, and they book up fast.

Getting There from Sussex County

The Windlass sits on the Morris County side of Lake Hopatcong, a short drive from Byram, Stanhope and Sparta. It is part of the Live the Lake NJ family, so mini golf, the Lake Hopatcong cruise boat and the adventure company are all within walking distance, which makes it easy to build a whole day around lunch. If you are mapping out more lakeside dining in and around Sussex County, start here.

The Windlass is at 45 Nolan’s Point Park Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849, open daily except Wednesdays. Visit thewindlass.com or call 973-663-3190 for current hours, reservations and the live music schedule.