Accessible front entrance of Waterfront Grille in New BedfordAfter fishing at Fort Taber Park in New Bedford, my aunt, mom, Jowanna, Tony and I stopped for a late lunch at the Waterfront Grille. We were quite impressed with the wheelchair accessibility of this restaurant located right on the waterfront.
There are two handicap parking spaces located on the side of the restaurant close to the front entrance. The front entrance has steps with a wide wheelchair accessible ramp located to the side that is easy to wheel up. You will need help opening two entry doors for neither door is automatic.
Upon entering we were warmly greeted by a hostess who showed us to our table. The entrance is a wide hallway that leads to the main dining room. There are a few steps located in front of the main dining room but wheelchair access is not a problem because an accessible elevator located to the side takes you to the dining room! The elevator is spacious with plenty of room for my chair and friends.
The dining room has plenty of tables that are of a good wheelchair accessible height and I could comfortably fit. A bar located to the side of the dining area is not wheelchair accessible for it is too high; yet there are wheelchair accessible tables close to the bar where you can view the large screen TV set above the bar. Outdoor dining is available and is very accessible for the door is wide and the tables are all of a perfect height for my chair. From here you have a great view of the water and all the fishing vessels and ships. A function room for special events is located on the second level and is accessible via an elevator. tables of accessible height bar too high view of fishing boats
Our waitress was very kind, courteous and friendly; the service was very good. The items on the menu are pricey so we ordered delicious appetizers. I enjoyed the Crab Avocado Bomb which is slices of avocado on top of lettuce with crabmeat and a spicy sauce. My mom, aunt, Tony and Jowanna had the Lobster Quesadillas and said they were delicious and filling.
A sitting area has two wooden chairs and a table that is carved in the shape of a crab set right in front of a cozy fireplace. The restrooms located near the entrance are spacious, wheelchair accessible and fully ADA compliant.
If you’re in the New Bedford area, I highly recommend stopping at the Waterfront Grille for a drink or an appetizer!
I give Waterfront Grille FOUR STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the Fifth Star they would need to install automatic entry doors so a customer in a wheelchair can enter and exit independently; and lower a section of the bar to a wheelchair accessible height so a customer in a wheelchair can access the bar to enjoy a drink.