Waterzooi Belgian Bistro & Oyster Bar

Reviews

• BO

  Brendan O'Connell

  4 days ago
  4.0
  Wonderful Garden City restaurant. Delicious Mussels and fries are a must. Generous portions with a buzzy atmosphere. You might have to wait a minute but its worth it.
• KH

  Katherine He

  Aug 27, 2026
  1.0
  This was our go-to spot for oyster happy hour but after our experience today, we unfortunately won’t be going back. We’ve been here several times over the past month and have always had a great experience. Today was completely different. We were talked down to the host, someone who might've been the manager, and the bartender, over what seemed to be some inconsistencies in how things had been handled during our previous visits. We completely understand that restaurants have policies and are happy to follow them, but the way the situation was handled felt unnecessarily condescending and unwelcoming. What could have been a simple explanation turned into an uncomfortable interaction with multiple people. Being told “now you know for next time!” on our way out really summed up the tone of the experience. Unfortunately, there won’t be a next time. It’s disappointing to stop going somewhere we genuinely enjoyed but how you treat people matters just as much as the food. Waiters are great though.
• MR

  Michael Richer

  Aug 20, 2026
  5.0
  Great mussels and seafood tower. Best selection of Belgian beers around.
• MK

  Monika Kaleniak

  Aug 19, 2026
  5.0
  Great spot. My husband took me beer for my birthday. They had really great food
• DG

  Dave The Truth Grippo

  Jul 21, 2026
  4.0
  Love waterzooi! Grew up in the area in Old Westbury but now live across the country; haven’t eaten here in 15 years and was psyched! A lot of favs were still on the menu and a lot a whole lot of new things that just looked insanely good….wow! But almost immediately our interaction with our server was off. I asked her what’s ‘Nduja (in the spicy pasta) and our servers response was dry, curt and just “sausage” and then leaves the table. We look at one another like “what was that? LOL!” Our server didn’t tell us what type of meat in the sausage, where’s it from (locally sourced or international) how’s it incorporated into the dish, what the presentation of the entire dish is(clearly an opportunity to engage the guest on a Monday night wasn’t happening). Appetizers come out and no less than 10 seconds later asks “how’s everything looking?” I speak first and say “oh well not sure how it tastes yet but it looks good” I get a look from our server. But come on….is that the new check back? How are things LOOKING? What happened to 2 bites or two minutes? Now we’re letting our server know that it looks edible and well presented? Mains come out and nothing, no how’s it looking just nothing. Half way through mains asks if we’d like another round of drinks. We appreciated not having to flag down our server for a drink order (which is sadly becoming common in the US) Finally and this was the straw that for me was the I’ve had enough moment. Paying the check, and within the 20 seconds to pay and select tip our server manages to call me “SIR” 4 times that were completely unnecessary, forced and just ODD. Was such an odd experience and this can’t be normalized. Been in the industry 32 years now, starting as a green bar back to GM to F&B Director to Investor in NYC Miami Vegas and now LA. Had we been at the Old Westbury diner or Cheesecake Factory whatever this goes over the head with a snicker and we move on but not at Waterzooi. Will be back in the new year

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