The Maribyrnong Boathouse Reviews

This place could easily be a 5 star rating kind of restaurant with the beautiful setting on the river. The prices suggest this place is a top notch restaurant but you have to order your food at a bar, bring your own drinks to your table and collect your own cutlery/condements. Similarly while the food is presented nicely, it lacks flavour. Hope it improves as this place has great potential!

Kids food menu not great and fried rice that we ordered was hardly touched, wouldn t go back

Good location but that's about it. Foods are bad in fact some of the foods you thought were prepared by someone who has never BBQ lamb cutlets before.

Since my last visit over a year ago the menu has since changed and variety is nothing special. Burgers, pizza, salads, minimal seafood and no fresh juices anymore.
Service slow and bland atmosphere.
I wouldn't go again.

Very busy. But is busy because of great tasting food. Family orientated as it has a playground next door.

Service is always slow and the staff make you feel like you are inconveniencing them by being there.

So I just left the boathouse with an empty stomach as I had walked before my food was served and with the taste of burnt coffee, brewed through a dirty machine, at the back of my throat.
The customer service was extremely unpleasent. I was blown away by the fact that I clearly saw my friend and I being purposely ignored but then to make things worse, I watched both wait staff who had ignored me hide behind a wall (which I could see behind) laughing immediately after walking straight passed my table.

There is a amazing chef there her food is always fantastic keep up the good work

A beautiful restaurant alongside great views of the River.

THE BASIC Breakfast was cold.. tasteless and very uninspiring VERY basic indeed! The toilets we're flooded and toilet water and toilet paper coming out of the sewage and not able to be used.. we were asked to cross the oval to use the footy club toilet which had no toilet paper or soap.. Extremely disappointed NEVER again

Such a lovely atmosphere. Sitting close to the water. The staff were friendly and accommodating.
The meals were lovely and very generous in size.
I'd definitely go back. Beautiful summer venue.

Very bad
black bugs came out of the food
public holidays are 15% more expensive

This is a terrific restaur\nt and venue. The owner is a top bloke.

Lovely staff who are attentive to your requirements. We visited for a simple after work get together. The chips and calamari were delicious and great to share.

The Boathouse was Born in some years 1980 ,there was just a small Coffee Shop location on beautiful Highland with Riverside and Today there are a Wonderful Coffee , Restaurant Bar ,,I would says ,You Should makes your Visit to see ,to Taste , Enjoy with The Boathouse ,, Excellent Place for Kids cause Playground are there , Beautiful for Romance, Lovely Staff in Service ...

We used to love coming here (been here 5 times), but mainly for breakfast. This time for lunch though, both the service and food have taken a downgrade. Orders messed up, low - no apology, but was offered a refund. What has happened this place? Possibly the worst burger I've ever had. The bun bigger than the burger and overcooked.

That said, this place has a lovely view and great playground next door. I'm sure the breakfast menu is also still fantastic.

Second time we have been here both times just as terrible as each other. The venue itself is incredible it's just a shame the food is such a let down

Food was good but not great, service was very good but too expensive for what you get needs to be cafe prices not fine dining prices

Paula:)

Great location but the food was not so great. The salad was blend then burger was so so so salty. Service was nice but slow.

Came here on a Saturday and found the place to be full of people. The vibe was amazing with very nice staff and view, amazing. We tried a few of their dishes, from entrees to mains and I have to say, every dish was better than I expected. Just beautiful. After dinner we took the kids ti the play area right next door and the kids had an amazing time. Highly recommend this place.

Great food. We usually order pizzas which are great and the mix grill platter. The service is very friendly and helpful. Great to visit with family

The Boathouse - 01/11/2020
Best margarita pizza I have ever had & the coffee was amazing, sorry I didn't get any photos, staff were also incredibly good considering how busy they were.

Absolutely appalling service. The manager is a racist and will happily accept non ethnicity people with dogs on the terrace, but will not allow a baby and a little puppy from an ethnic mother sit on the terrace with other folks and their dogs. She will call you by pet names such as sweetie if she wants to let you know that she s the manager there. Disgusting human being.

If you go in with expectations that this is a bit rough and ready (more like your closest cafe) you will have a nice time. Don't treat it as a special occasion.

The big let down is the service. It is not that the people aren't trying or aren't nice, I just don't think they have had proper training. We were semi walked to our table and were then ignored for 20 minutes (no offer of a drink). It wasn't busy at all. I then got up to request service and was served once but that was it. No offer of more drinks, or asking if everything was okay. We then asked for the bill, and were given it and left. There was no 'how was it, bye ..or anything'. As a minor note, we booked a table but when we got there we were told we couldn't sit in a certain place because it was booked by someone else. We spent the next few hours looking at that exact table remain empty.

The food came out super fast and was quite nice. I guess after seeing Gary judge other people's food on television for years, it is hard not be a little critical.

The set up is nice and probably great for brunch or lunch if you have kids given there is a play ground outside.

Always a great place to stop for coffee on our walks around the river

Such a lovely location but each time I've been there has been something wrong with the service. Last time was and will be the last time. Even though there were plenty of seats and tables free we were told there was no available seating. The reasons given were ridiculous. Very inhospitable.

The service was well intentioned and the staff tried hard however there were to few of them and some were poorly trained if trained at all.

In saying that, they were all upbeat and friendly and the food was nice. Eggs Benedict was very good.

Always a great experience coming to the boathouse. Lovely staff with great personality. The food is amazing, especially the pizzas and pasta's with great coffee.
Super friendly with kids, a joy

Beside the fact that the portions are too small and expensive compared to value and quality.. staff wasnt friendly. Telling us to wait for 20 mins for table without taking our names or numbers. Then, when we finally sat they informed us that it will take around 45 mins for the food because it is a busy day. I told them i want the kids meals to come before us, they said every table food should be served at the same time. Then i asked for coke zero, they brought it in a cup and when i asked for the bottle they wouldnt bring it. Food is ok but again not enough portions !
They have Halal options , that is a really good thing !

Food and service good. But a group of friends we ordered individually, are individually but can't pay individually? Not my problem

What a disappointing experience, waited over an hour for starters, again waited an hour for mains. Had better steak at an RSL. Some tables sheared food with strangers because they were forgotten.
Would not recommend

I have been a regular customer at the boathouse. After today I will not be returning. You have dropped your game ! The service was shocking we waited 30 minutes only to find out our food was unavailable after our orders were taken. I then ordered a slow cooked lamb salad, the lamb was dry and hard.. And to top it of there was a 15% surcharge due to public holiday! There was no service! I am so dissapointed!

The homemade icecream tub is $5 which is ok. There were only three flavours which were... honey which was overly sweet. The rock melon was supposed to be a sorbet but it was so icy and sour too. Last but not least was the salted caramel icecream which was full of salt with no caramel. $15 wasted!

Food was average at best. Lots of oil and grease on everything. Dont order the mixed grill. For 39 $ that is not enough on the plate. Long waiting time for food as well, 1hr wait time for a table of 6

Nice setting during this unusual time. Good food and excellent service. Support the local :)

Slow service and hugely overpriced for the serving size. I'm still hungry after my meal.

During these current Melb restrictions, they are operating from a side window for takeaway drinks and snacks. Strangely, they only have large-sized takeaway cups for hot drinks - paid $9.33 via eftpos for 2 half-filled coffee cups. Not worth it. There's better priced options near-by along the river walk - there's the vegan coffee cart, the pirate food truck, or the tram boat cafe.

Great venue good food. Good for adults and children

Amazing food and staff. Always come back with my family.

Great food. Rather pricy but atmosphere and quality makes it worth it.

Great food, great service, amazing view of the river...

Can be crowded but plenty of seating inside and out and the playground outside is nice.

New restaurant management, have a long way to go to get me back there again.

Good location for weekend sit down drink/food on a nice day. Food is ok, and the ice coffee was average for the steep $8 price. Dog and kid friendly.

Slow service, overpriced, and small serves. Often busy, but I can never understand why. I've been here a few times, and always leave disappointed.

A bit sad but this old favourite is dying a slow death. Food is a bit worse for wear, menus have shrunk, staff have taken on a pub mentality... long gone are the days of exceptional food and service. The coffee is also no longer befitting Melbourne-town. #Sadface

Trio of Dips - Basil and Cheese Arancini - Eggplant Chips
What a beautiful location to enjoy lunch! We stopped by after a walk for a few nibbles which all were very good, and also the service was amazing even when the place was bustling! I did notice the cocktails were only $14 so I might have to return to try a proper lunch or dinner meal

Always drive past this place finally got to eat here and it was nice lovely walk along the river also

Great location, this place should be perfect, but it just misses the mark.

Fine if you are taking your time, but not for anyone in a hurry.

Great views, menu definitely needs looking into.
Prices tad on expensive, nothing looked appetising which was a shame.

Have been here several times, it's local. But it's never very good, unfortunately. Slow service, especially with drinks, and the food is always mediocre at best. Could be so much better!

I wouldn t rate this place only good thing is convenient for kids with park outside. It took nearly an hour to get our coffees we had our meals come out first. Not my 1st choice in places

A well deserved coffee during a MTB ride along the Maribyrnong River and getting dirty during CO-VID. Coffee tasted good. Didn't try any food

Enjoying lunch at the Boathouse Restaurant with friends

Unfortunately very inconsistent. My meal was ok, but my wife and sister in law had off Avocado in their breakfast.

confusing ordering system took too long for order while there were issues ahead.

Worst experience. Food took 40 minutes to come out. People that arrived and ordered after us got their food 20 minutes before us.
The dishes we ordered were of poor quality. Definitely not worth the price.
Will never eat here again nor recommend.

I have been coming here to Maribyrnong Park all my life. Also been coming to this restaurant since it became a cafe back in the early 90s. It know longer has the atmosphere or the menu and has a lot more people but the food was nice and the service was friendly.

Decent for sure. Good proximity to kids playground and river views.

Nice place to eat alongside the river. Food rating 3

Pricey for very basic food, but the views of the river are amazing

Really unfortunate. Great location and potential but that's about where it ends. Chilli scrambled eggs soaked in oil. Doors don't open till 9. Manager disinterested. Coffee average. Great view of the river though.

Good food and service .Very pleasant sitting out on the deck.Cosy atmosphere I inside.

Spacious outdoor dinning area. Delicious beef burger! Restaurant overlooking the Maribyrnong river.

Lovely atmosphere and passable customer service- it was quite busy. Food was delicious however a friend did get food poisoning from the panna cotta.

Fabulous...first visit to The Boathouse...staff were friendly & helpful, helped lunch partner & I with our details for QR tracing in these Covid times...food was delicious, service prompt, the weather was perfect & dining on the terrace just the place to be...highly recommended.

I' am a regular customer at The Boat House, I must go 2-3 times a month as I really enjoy the atmosphere, view and most importantly the tasty food!!!!

However I've decided to write and rate a bad review today as everytime I visit The Boat House and is served by 'Reena' I feel like my day is ruined.
I don't know is it just me or she never greet us nicely or even say Hi before she takes our order. She walks up to us with a pen and paper and expect us to know what she is here for. I remember exactly that day as I took my friends from interstate to the restaurant and have told them how much I enjoyed the food here, however after 'Reena' poor customer service skills I feel embarrassed for taking my friends here as it the first time they visit Melbourne.

Today; Tuesday 31/1/17
I've made another visit to the Restaurant to celebrate as this week is our Lunar New Year! I once again meet Reena at the counter. No smile, no greetings... All I got from her was the total cost of our meal. After I paid she left my change on the side of the till and turned her back away. I was not even given or asked if I needed a receipt, so I have to grab it myself from the machine. Wow!!!

The reason why I keep coming back to your restaurant is because Not only myself but my family really enjoy the food here and also the great view. However customer service is also very important and ALWAYS is especially nowadays as there is so many options out there. After today lunch I will need to consider if I should ever go back again as this ONE person/ staff customer service is so poor and may need more training. If I'm not wrong she is also the manager as she is the only one wearing a red shirt compare to all the other staff members.

Once again very disappointed!

Thanks for reading.

Soy hot chocolate was nice and served fast. I would give a 5 but they could not fix the wifi and they reserved all the seats inside so it was hard to read my tablet in the sun.

It was our first time here as we've moved to the area, great location but too bad for the service. We had to wait for an hour for our food, also the staff wont helpful as we kept asking them to refill water bottles, cutlery and to clean the tables. Disappointed.

Best thing about the place was the view and the artist they hired to sing at the venue. Prawn pizza was bland and margarita was the worst... oily af. Pork belly entree was decent. Beef burger was ok, fish & chips were ok.

Service was quick, staff friendly. Food was well priced and very good. Will return

How great is this place...fantasic, friendly service, sitting on the deck having coffee and enjoying the Maribrnong River. Families enjoying the attached park and facilities...great coffee...wheather it's a coffeevto go from kiosk or coffee inside or on the deck..great atmosphere...

Dreadful. Just dreadful. The only good thing about this place is the location. The views to the river are lovely, especially on a Saturday morning. But seriously, the service is beyond amateur and the food is beyond average. I am sure my "fruit toast board" was simply Tip Top raisin bread from the supermarket. It is "cafeteria style" service - i.e. you have to go in to order and pay yourself, and eventually your order will be delivered by a grumpy disinterested waiter/waitress. Overpriced for cafeteria style and for the "quality" of the food. This place is seriously resting on it's laurels and the location.
We waited a ridiculous amount of time for our order (toast and some eggs) and it was not busy. Then we were told we had to go and collect our cutlery ourselves (ummm wait staff why couldn't you bring that with the food?) Then in contrast to how long it took to get our order, it felt like they were trying to rush us out...coming to clear the table very rapidly, despite us clearly not being finished. They tried to take my "fruit toast board" away even though there was still a slice of toast on it, and they didn't even ask if I had finished - so I had to tell them to stop! Then when they did come to clear it, the unprofessional waitress, picked up the board and turned it on its side, shaking all of the crumbs and residual toast etc directly into my lap!! No apologies, nothing. Absolutely unacceptable.
Go somewhere else, this place does not deserve your patronage. It's only because it has the location that it still survives.

Top restaurants top food and ambient good location by the river great staff great service any time

Great place and great food as well. The Eye Fillet steak is highly recommended. Very cosy setting for larger groups as well.

Great Pizza, but the wait for food to be served is too long

DO NOT COME HERE. WAITED 2,HOURS FOR FOOD TO COME ON TABLE. POOR SERVICE!!!

A lovely spot for a post Parkrun coffee and breakfast. I headed over to the Boathouse a few times after finishing the Parkrun which is just over the river. The views are great here of the river and the post run buzz really set it off. Staff were warm and friendly.