1. Restaurant Overview: What Is Nolan’s?

Nolan’s on Canandaigua Lake isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a destination dining experience anchored by lake views, warm hospitality, and a culinary philosophy built around Certified Angus Beef®, sustainably sourced seafood, and locally produced beverages. Located at 726 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY, the restaurant sits right on the northern shores of Canandaigua Lake, offering patio dining with unobstructed water views that are genuinely hard to beat anywhere in the Finger Lakes region.

The restaurant occupies a fascinating culinary niche: it’s been publicly voted “Best Fine Dining” in the Finger Lakes, yet its owners deliberately cultivate what they call an “upscale-casual” atmosphere. You’ll see that tension play out beautifully across the menu — Gorgonzola-sauced Cowboy Cut ribeyes alongside humble Pub Burgers, lobster rolls sharing space with loaded potato puffs. It works, and it works exceptionally well.

The menu rotates seasonally, but maintains a core structure of appetizers, soups, salads, steakhouse entrées, seafood specialties, pasta dishes, pub fare, and a kids’ section. Drink offerings lean heavily into Finger Lakes wines, locally brewed craft beers, and locally roasted coffees — a smart decision that pairs regional pride with genuine quality.

Hours of Operation

If you love exploring menus from established restaurant brands with consistent quality, you might also enjoy browsing the Greggs Bakery Menu for a very different (but equally beloved) approach to accessible, quality food, or the famously curated Shake Shack Menu for premium casual American dining.

2. Appetizers & Starters: The Best Way to Begin

The appetizer section at Nolan’s is where you discover that the kitchen isn’t playing it safe. Every starter here has been designed with thoughtful ingredient layering, and several are substantial enough to function as light meals on their own. Whether you’re setting the stage for a steakhouse splurge or keeping it casual with bar bites, these starters hit well above their weight.

Appetizer Strategy: How to Order

For a table of two, the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops paired with the Stuffed Mushroom Caps is the classic opener — you get a surf element and a rich land element that complement rather than compete. For a group of four sharing starters before a steakhouse splurge, add the Calamari and Garlic Bread for textural variety. The Loaded Potato Puffs are the go-to for the table member who wants something hearty and unpretentious.

3. Soups & Greens: Light Starts Done Right

Nolan’s soups are a serious part of the dining experience, not an afterthought. The chowder in particular has earned a loyal following among regular diners who come specifically for a bowl on cold Finger Lakes evenings. The salad section (“Greens & Grains” on the dinner menu) is equally impressive, offering an extensive add-on program that lets you build a substantial entrée-salad hybrid.

Soups

Greens & Grain Salads

The salad section at Nolan’s is genuinely versatile. Four base salads — each thoughtfully constructed — can be dramatically enhanced with a wide range of premium protein additions. This makes the salad section one of the most flexible parts of the entire menu.

Premium Salad Add-Ons

4. Steakhouse Entrées: The Heart of the Nolan’s Menu

This is what Nolan’s is truly celebrated for. The steakhouse section builds its entire identity around Certified Angus Beef® — a designation that isn’t just branding, but a rigorous quality standard that means each cut comes from cattle that meet strict genetic, quality, and marbling criteria. All dinner entrées in this section are served with a choice of one side and a wheat roll with housemade honey maple butter.

The sheer range here is impressive: from an elegant 8 oz. filet mignon designed for refined palates to the thunderous 20 oz. bone-in “Cowboy Cut” ribeye designed to make a statement. There’s also a beautifully executed pork chop for those who love premium proteins beyond beef, and a slow-roasted prime rib that takes twelve full hours to reach its fork-tender perfection.

The Steakhouse Lineup

Side Dish Options (Included with Entrées)

Every steakhouse entrée includes your choice of one side. The options strike a balance between classic comfort and modern healthfulness:

• Seasonal Vegetable — changes based on availability; ask your server for the day’s selection
• French Fries — the reliable classic, always crisp
• Sweet Potato Fries — slightly sweet, excellent with the filet
• Smashed Red Potatoes — hearty and rustic; excellent with the Cowboy Cut
• Baked Potato — available with all the classic accompaniments on request

A side salad upgrade is available: Garden Salad (+$6), Caesar (+$6), or Wedge (+$8).

Steakhouse Comparison: Which Cut Should You Order?

5. Seafood & Lobster: When the Lake Inspires the Kitchen

Nolan’s geographic situation — right on Canandaigua Lake — isn’t just scenery. It informs a culinary identity that takes seafood as seriously as its steakhouse credentials. The kitchen sources North Atlantic seafood and elevates it with the same care given to its Certified Angus Beef® cuts. Whether you’re a devoted seafood enthusiast or simply want something lighter than a 20 oz. ribeye, the fish and shellfish offerings here are genuinely excellent.

Lobster Roll (The Nolan’s Icon)

If one dish can be said to define Nolan’s beyond its steaks, it’s the Nolan’s Lobster Roll. A generous portion of North Atlantic lobster meat is poached in warm butter — the Connecticut-style preparation — and piled onto a toasted roll. Served with french fries and coleslaw. At $32, it’s exceptional value for what amounts to a premium, butter-drenched lobster experience far from the New England coast.

The lobster roll appears on both the lunch and dinner menus, making it accessible regardless of when you visit. It also appears as a salad add-on option (butter-poached lobster, +$20), demonstrating just how versatile this ingredient is across the Nolan’s kitchen.

Captain Pete’s Fish & Chips

Using North Atlantic Cod, Nolan’s Fish & Chips offers three preparation styles: battered (classic pub style), broiled (lighter, for those who want the fish to speak for itself), or blackened (Cajun-spiced, with a crust of char and heat). The half portion ($22) is smart value for lunch; the full portion ($27) is a substantial dinner plate. French fries and coleslaw complete the dish.

Seafood on the Salad Menu

The salad add-on program makes Nolan’s one of the more flexible restaurants in the region for seafood lovers who want a lighter format. The full seafood add-on spectrum includes:

• Blackened Salmon in two portion sizes ($8 or $14 added to any salad)
• Grilled or Crispy Shrimp (+$9)
• Butter-Poached Lobster (+$20)
• Maryland Crab Cake (+$17) — a particular highlight, because a quality crab cake is harder to find than lobster
• Bacon-Wrapped Scallops (+$15)

Seafood Chowder: A Standalone Star

Don’t overlook Nolan’s Seafood Chowder ($13) as a seafood centerpiece in its own right. The sherry-cream broth is loaded with bay scallops, baby clams, shrimp, and langostinos — a combination that delivers oceanic depth in a velvety, warming base. On a cool Finger Lakes evening with a glass of local white wine, it’s one of the most satisfying things the kitchen produces.

6. Pasta & Pub Fare: The Approachable Side of Nolan’s

One of the most interesting aspects of Nolan’s menu philosophy is the deliberate inclusion of a “Pub Fare” section alongside fine dining entrées. This isn’t compromise — it’s accessibility. Not everyone at the table wants a $46 filet mignon, and Nolan’s has thoughtfully built a pub section that delivers genuine quality at lower price points.

Pub Fare Highlights

Note that all pub fare items offer a gluten-free UDI roll as a substitute (add $1) — thoughtful for gluten-sensitive guests who want to enjoy the sandwich offerings without compromise.

Pasta Connection

While Nolan’s doesn’t operate a dedicated pasta section per se, pasta integrates throughout the menu in clever ways. The most notable is the Nolan’s Meatballs served over linguine (+$5 on the standard $20 appetizer price), turning a starter into a full pasta-style entrée. The kitchen also leans Italian in its flavor profiles — béarnaise on mushrooms, ricotta in the meatballs, Gorgonzola on the ribeye — suggesting a kitchen comfortable with Italian-American techniques.

7. The Lunch Menu: Daytime Nolan’s Experience

The lunch menu at Nolan’s is a thoughtfully pared-down version of the full dinner experience, offering many of the restaurant’s signature items at lunch-appropriate portions and prices. It’s an excellent way to experience the kitchen’s cooking without the full dinner price tag — particularly smart for visitors exploring Canandaigua during the day who want a quality midday meal with that lake view.

Lunch Menu Highlights

The lunch hour also provides access to the full salad add-on program, meaning a lunchtime Caesar Salad with Butter-Poached Lobster is very much on the table. For business lunches, the Fish & Chips at either size is a reliably impressive choice that photographs well and eats even better.

For those who enjoy exploring top-quality casual lunch menus across different restaurant traditions, the Tim Hortons Menu offers a fascinating counterpoint — a beloved Canadian institution with its own devoted following for accessible, quality everyday dining.

8. Kids’ Menu: Family-Friendly Without Compromise

Nolan’s is unambiguously family-friendly, and its Kids’ Menu reflects a kitchen that doesn’t condescend to younger diners. Multiple OpenTable reviewers specifically note that the restaurant accommodates children well, with roomy booths, flexible seating, and a staff trained to handle family celebrations with warmth and attention.

The kids’ section features age-appropriate classics executed at the same quality level as the adult menu. This means kids get Certified Angus Beef® in their burger, and the chicken isn’t a frozen nugget — it’s a preparation of the same kitchen proteins available on the adult menu. Exact kids’ pricing isn’t listed on the public online menu (as it’s typically distributed in-house), so ask your server for current specifics.

Typical Kids’ Menu Offerings at Nolan’s

• Kids’ Burger (smaller portion, Certified Angus Beef®)
• Grilled Chicken Tenders
• Pasta with Marinara
• Mac & Cheese
• Fish portion (kid-size, usually the same North Atlantic Cod)
• All kids’ meals typically include a side (fries or similar)

9. Cocktails, Wine & Drinks: A Finger Lakes Pour

The beverage program at Nolan’s is one of its most compelling regional differentiators. Rather than stocking a generic national wine list, the restaurant has committed to a drinks menu anchored by Finger Lakes wines, locally brewed craft beers, and locally roasted coffees — an approach that creates a genuinely sense-of-place drinking experience that pairs beautifully with the food.

Finger Lakes Wine: Why It Matters Here

The Finger Lakes is one of America’s most underrated wine regions. The deep, glacially carved lakes create a unique microclimate that’s particularly hospitable to aromatic varieties. Riesling is the undisputed king — both dry and off-dry versions — but the region also produces excellent Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. Paired alongside Nolan’s menu:

• Dry Finger Lakes Riesling → Best with the Seafood Chowder, Lobster Roll, or Fish & Chips
• Off-dry Riesling → Excellent with the Calamari (balances the Calabrian heat)
• Finger Lakes Pinot Noir → Ideal with the Filet Mignon or Prime Rib
• Cabernet Franc → The natural partner for the Cowboy Cut

Cocktail Program

Nolan’s cocktail menu rotates seasonally. The cocktail list typically features classics elevated with local spirits and seasonal ingredients, alongside signature house creations. The bar is fully stocked and staffed by knowledgeable bartenders who can guide spirit-forward drink choices — particularly important for the single malt and bourbon enthusiasts who often pair these with the steakhouse cuts.

Local Craft Beer

The restaurant sources from regional New York State craft breweries, with the draft selection rotating based on seasonal availability. Finger Lakes craft brewing has matured significantly over the past decade, and Nolan’s beer selection reflects that growth — expect IPAs, session lagers, and seasonal ales from producers within driving distance of the restaurant.

10. Full Price Comparison: Nolan’s Menu Prices at a Glance

Nolan’s positions itself as “fine dining food in an approachable way” — and the pricing reflects that. It’s definitively not cheap, but it delivers considerable value relative to the quality of ingredients, the generosity of portions, and the setting. Here’s a complete price reference across all major menu categories.

Starters & Soups

Salads & Greens

Pub Fare & Flatbreads

Steakhouse & Seafood Entrées

How Does Nolan’s Compare?

11. Ordering Tips, Insider Advice & What to Skip

After analyzing hundreds of guest reviews, the restaurant’s stated culinary philosophy, and the full menu structure, we’ve compiled a practical guide to help you get the most from every visit to Nolan’s — regardless of budget, group size, or dietary preference.

The Top Picks for Every Type of Diner

Pros & Cons of Dining at Nolan’s

Specific Ordering Strategies

For the steakhouse-first visitor: Start with the Seafood Chowder, order the Bacon-Wrapped Scallops as a shared starter, and commit to either the Filet Mignon (if you want elegance) or the Cowboy Cut (if you want a spectacle). Choose Smashed Red Potatoes as your side — they pair exceptionally well with both cuts.

For the budget-conscious diner: The pub fare section is not a consolation prize. The Sheridan ($25) uses the same prime rib from the steakhouse section, just in sandwich form with au jus. Add a cup of the Seafood Chowder ($13) and you have a $38 meal that punches well above its weight class.

For the group celebration: Order several appetizers for the table — the Stuffed Mushroom Caps, Calamari, and Bacon-Wrapped Scallops work beautifully together. Then let each guest order their preferred entrée. The kitchen handles large-group tables well.

For dietary restrictions: Call ahead and speak to the kitchen. Nolan’s has a strong history of accommodation, and their GF flatbread, Impossible Burger, and grain bowl options show genuine commitment to inclusive menu design. The Mediterranean Grain Bowl is a genuinely excellent vegetarian option.

12. Final Verdict: Is the Nolan’s Menu Worth It?

After dissecting every section of the Nolan’s menu — from the $8 Soup du Jour to the $64 Cowboy Cut — the answer is unambiguously yes, with appropriate context. Nolan’s isn’t for every occasion or every budget. It’s a considered splurge, a celebration destination, or a regular treat for those who value quality proteins, genuine regional wine, and the kind of waterfront setting that makes an evening feel special.

What makes Nolan’s menu genuinely impressive isn’t any single dish — though several are outstanding. It’s the internal coherence of the offering: the same Certified Angus Beef® philosophy that elevates the $64 Cowboy Cut also shows up in the $22 Pub Burger. The same kitchen producing the Seafood Chowder is also dressing the lobster for the $32 roll. The quality doesn’t drop when the price point drops.

The menu has evolved significantly since 2011, when Nolan’s earned “Best New Restaurant” in Ontario County. Today it commands multiple regional awards, an expanded catering operation, and a growing reputation among Finger Lakes food enthusiasts who know that the waterfront setting is matched by equally impressive cooking. For steakhouse dining with genuine regional character — and a wine list that actually reflects the terroir surrounding the restaurant — Nolan’s represents exceptional value within its price range.

Overall Ratings Breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions About the Nolan’s Menu