There is no better feeling in the world than having a cool drink while looking over the water. Throw in a screened-in porch, and you have the perfect recipe for a relaxing dining experience. Located on the north side of the Illinois River between Starved Rock Nature Preserve and Buffalo Rock State Park, Captain's Cove Bar & Grill at Starved Rock Marina is your typical dockside wateringhole. I am hoping to visit this family-owned restaurant in Ottawa, IL later this year to soak up the peaceful environment around Starved Rock and the Illinois River.

Captain's Cove Bar And Grill At Starved Rock Marina is located on the second floor just above the marina store and office.

With boats and recreational vehicles constantly going in an out of the water, this is a great stop to engage with the Illinois River— even if just for people watching.

Captain's Cove Bar And Grill is located in a serene spot.

All around the restaurant there are picnic benches for people to take a seat and enjoy the area with their toes in the grass.

The real draw of Captain's Cove Bar And Grill is the screened-in patio with sweeping views of the Illinois River.

This is a fan-favorite spot to dine at Captain's Cover Bar & Grill. Large shipping vessels often pass by along the river, making this a great spot for dinner (or lunch) and a show!

The interior dining room also has great views, but the focus in here is on the great food and service.

Fans of Captain's Cove Bar & Grill love their frozen margaritas. I recommend giving The Illinois River cocktail a try.

In truth, you can't go wrong with any beer, mule or soda with this kind of view.

Being surrounded by nature preserves and parks, Captain's Cove Bar & Grill has a laid-back atmosphere. Here, you won't be pressured to rush through your meal.

Captain’s Cove Bar & Grill are well-known for their seafood dishes.

The grouper is pretty popular as are the oysters. There are some locally-loved shareable plates like the jumbo mushrooms and jalapeño poppers that I think I'd would want to try.

If seafood isn't your thing, Captain's Cove Bar & Grill has lots of 'turf' options to complement their 'surf'.

The ribeye steak is a hearty meal that is sure to fill you up. The restaurant's four burgers are known for being quite large and worth every penny.

Whether you are looking for an affordable meal or for a relaxing spot to have a drink, Captain's Cove Bar And Grill At Starved Rock Marina is the place to be.

If you stop by in the late afternoon, be sure to ask to sit on the patio. Even if its a little warm out there, temperatures will dip. This is an ideal spot to catch the sun setting over the Illinois River, and I promise you won't want to miss it.

There is so much to explore all across Starved Rock State Park. There are plenty of trails and walking paths to explore the park's biodiversity, but I would suggest scheduling a guided kayak tour ahead of time with Kayak Morris— you can even bring your dog in you kayak while paddling around! Are there any peaceful waterfront restaurants in your town? Tell us your favorite spot!