Boathouse Waterfront Restaurant, The

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  9     

Sunday lunch here is an absolute treat, had a wonderful experience here & didn't leave hungry at all. The staff were attentive & the food was so top notch (we had the 3 courses) & the views are just beautiful, worth going to during the day so you can look out over the water.

Aug 13, 2009 

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  2     

Yes the Brisbane Waters view is wonderful but thats about it. Take a fat wallet and reserve some for a Mac Donalds run on the way home because you will still be hungry.

Jun 13, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Fine dining where you expect to spend your money for great food and excellent service, we weren't disappointed. In fact, the staff were top-notch and knowledgeable with their wine list which helped us greatly while enjoying our meals. The view from the boatshed is so serene. It may look fancy but they certainly don't make you feel like you have to be driving a Rolls to be treated like a VIP.

In fact, we ended up tipping the waiter even though he refused at first until we insisted. We would definitely go back for a special occasion or if invited to share with a group. We couldn't do it all the time though because it is a little pricey for regular dining.

Jan 24, 2009 

3.8 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  2     

I attended a wedding at this venue, where both the ceremony and reception were held. The microphone provided for the ceremony was terrible, the amplifier was shocking, and most of the guests were unable to hear anything. A decent microphone system is just so basic at a wedding!

Also, there were not even enough chairs provided, so for the ceremony, which we couldn't hear, most of the guests had to stand (and it wasn't a particularly large group). Again, just basic wedding requirements! The staff running the boathouse was incredibly grouchy and sharp, even had a gripe at one of the guests for being a vegetarian and not letting them know who she was (although they were notified that she would be attending)! He also was rude to the photographer, who was also a guest at the wedding.

There were not enough wait-staff for the number of guests, so, even though they did as best a job they could, they were absolutely rushed off their feet, and didn't have time to do anything else. I would not recommend this venue to anyone looking for a place to hold their wedding ceremony or reception.

Aug 27, 2008 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

Is there a better view from a table anywhere. Wow! I went to The Boathouse for Mothers' Day with our extended family, all fifteen of us, and had an exceptional day. Between us we tried everything available on the set menu and can say we thought it was all excellent.

The lemon pepper calamari was to die for, so tender it melted in your mouth. I had the lamb with dauphinoise potato, the lamb cooked to a gentle pink, yumm, with a divine carrot puree giving the plate colour and another great flavour. The service was prompt and attentive and the staff were wonderful with the children on ours and surrounding tables.

The new chef is doing great food and I can't wait to go back to try the ala carte menu. Thouroughly recommend this restaurant.

Jun 17, 2008 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  5      Value  4     

My partner and I went for a special night out. Ambience quite nice and it had a great buz about it. The food was nice but not worth the money. We ordered the mud crap, snapper & blue ey Trevalla. The trevalla was outstanding. I wouldn't bother with the snapper as the serving was too small to even recall the taste. The mud crap was beautiful but I have tasted better.

The waitress forgot our drinks order which was disappointing. I would recommend for a nice night out but expect to pay premium prices and walk out still hungry.

Oct 12, 2007 

7.3 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  7     

My partner and I went here for our anniversary and it was lovely. The food was delicious! I am a uni student and like value for money - this was treating myself - but if you had money to spend and like fine dining, this place is great.

Both of us had seafood and it was very fresh and tasted awesome. I think they were in the middle of renovations or something, because the lighting was very bright and reminded me of a canteen bistro (fleuro lights?). I think if that is what they were doing then when it is finished it will look great - though for the price we paid for the food ... it should include the atmosphere so minus points there.

We are actually looking for a place to hold our wedding reception. This place would be nice ... though I would like to see improvement on the atmosphere.

Jul 21, 2007 

4 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  3     

I have to disagree with the only other posting here. I found the food to be very average, or even a bit below and the prices to be way too high. For example, we ordered two salads for something around $9 each. One was a beetroot and fennel salad and the other was the only other normal sounding salad (I think it may have been the Mediterranean salad), with the request for the dressing on the side. The beetroot and fennel salad couldn't be more plain - it was simply four slices of beetroot with some fennel slices on top - left a bit to be desired.... the other salad was completely covered in oil and we also got dressing on the side. When you request dressing on the side it's usually because you don't want your veggies drenched in sauce. It really wasn't the refreshing salad we were expecting.

My wife loves seafood and she got a dish that was not too flash but I can't speak for her. Being a vegetarian, I got a main size of one of the entrees that was described as veggies with some other bits but what they forgot to mention on the menu was that they were all deep-fried and filled with cream. It really wasn't what I was expecting and I have to say the meal left me feeling very heavy with oil and unsatisfied at the taste. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for oil when it adds to the taste or flavour but this didn't at all. To add to this, there's no BYO so you have to buy their wine which isn't too badly priced at $8 or $9 for a glass of house but I'd have rather had our own wine which we much prefer. The ambience was ok. The decor is quite plain and sterile feeling and it just doesn't have a warm feel to it because as I recall the walls were mostly empty and it was just a big open room. However, I'd have to say this is largely offset by the spectacular view of Brisbane Waters.

The waiters and waitresses were very friendly and this made up for a lot. The price was quite high. Including only one glass of wine each, a salad each and one fish and my entree-as-main, we ended up spending just over $100. It not a bad place at all, I just think you ought to get a lot more for your money. This place is worth a try if you live in the area and I'd be keen to go back to give it another go if I heard it improved but until then I'll go elsewhere.

May 22, 2007 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Our favourite restaurant on the Central Coast. Right on the waters edge of Brisbane Water with stunning views over to Gosford and beyond. Some of the best food to match any Sydney restaurant. Local seafood, well presented, excellent and attentive service. Parking at the door or a short walk from Koolewong rail station. Licenced with a good wine list, reasonable prices. Very good value for money. We keep going back.

Apr 09, 2007