Channel Marker 243 — Restaurant in Town of Cape Vincent

We decided to try the Channel Marker while seasonal vacationing in A Bay as we do every year. The Woodboat Brewery is one of our favorite places to go to in the area.

We were very impressed with the atmosphere of this restaurant, the bar is beautifully done, warm and welcoming, surrounded with booths and high tops, large outdoor patio, nice dining room; however note the noise level in the dining room is extremely high.

The staff were all friendly and welcoming. We chose to sit in a booth in bar area. Waitress took our order for drinks and dinner. Another person delivered the food. There wasn't any salt or pepper on the table. We did not see our waitress again until we were almost done with our meal. No checkin, no water offered or offer if we'd care for another drink.

Although they do have nice menu choices, my husband and I were not impressed at all with our food. I ordered the fisherman's basket and my husband ordered a special; chicken Marsala over Linguini. The fish basket came in chunks, had a few bones, the beer batter was not light and fluffy and tasteless. The chicken Marsala had way too much Marsala wine in the sauce, which was overpowering and served over beans, NO inguini. The waitress did try to accommodate by sending us home with the linguini however we were practically finished with our meal before she checked in.

I know the owner well manages his businesses considering what is a reflection of the Wood Boat. Maybe this place needs to still get...

Tucked away just off the main road in Cape Vincent, Channel Marker 243 is a standout dining spot that delivers big on flavor, service, and atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or a visitor exploring the Thousand Islands region, this place should be on your list.

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with excellent service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, creating an easygoing and enjoyable dining experience from start to finish.

The ambiance strikes a perfect balance—warm and inviting with a clean, modern rustic charm. It’s casual enough to relax in after a day of exploring but polished enough for a nice dinner out. You can tell this place takes pride in both its food and its presentation.

And the food? Absolutely top-notch. The star of the show is the T.I. Burger—easily one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, and cooked just right, it’s layered with fresh toppings that elevate it without overpowering the flavor of the beef. Every bite is a reminder of how good a burger can truly be when it’s done right.

Channel Marker 243 isn’t on the water, but it doesn’t need to be. The quality of the food, the welcoming service, and the relaxed, well-crafted setting make it a destination in its own right. Highly recommended—you won’t leave...

Where should I begin??? Well I knew our party of four was in trouble when I saw all the flies on the dining room windows, one even rested for a while on my friends head who was seated across the table from me. When trying to select a wine from their very limited list, the waitress could offer no assistance because she didn't even know what brand the "House Wine" was, nor could she even serve it to the right person. When my boyfriend's meal was brought to the table, the waitress knocked the steak knife off the plate, which landed on his lap and stained his shirt before hitting the floor, and he sat waiting to eat for a long time before receiving a new one. The FIRST meal I received was a pork chop and sides that looked great but the smell was absolutely repulsive! When cut into, it was raw. I have never in my life sent anything back and have worked in the industry for many years, but this had to go back! My second meal was equally disappointing. The Prime rib was cooked beautifully, but had a rub on it that contained sugar, the mashed potatoes were thin and tasteless, and the green beans were soggy and tasteless as well. A very disappointing and expensive experience...