The Boat House

Gregory Long

a year ago

Wow! Let me repeat that… wow! This is a truly beautiful place at a truly beautiful location. So I came here for a function, so I’m reviewing it in that context. As you you see from my photos it is gorgeous. The view across the lake is spectacular. People were doing dragon boating out there! And we just relaxed with wine before the meal. The food was everything that you would expect from a high class place like this, in other words tasty and well presented. And the staff… again, brilliant. I felt spoilt. If I were to find fault, it would be that the rooms do not sufficiently subdue the noise of a crowd. Over dinner the general hubbub was so loud I couldn’t converse. Love music playing (in this case a harp) makes it worse. But other that that, superb.

Rendall Wagner

a year ago

This restaurant is a fine dining experience on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the view is directly opposite Kingston Foreshore. The view is quite beautiful, the spacing of the tables is generous so that there is a sense of privacy at your table. Due to the flat surfaces within the building, there is a lot of sound reverberation so that it's not as quiet as I would like, but still were were able to have a lovely conversation. Which leads into my next point, the waiter asked us if we were there for a special occasion and we explained that we were recently married and had a voucher from work colleagues; you will see he misunderstood and we ended up with a "Happy Anniversary" message. In terms of service, you will be greeted at the door with friendly staff. My only criticism of the service is 'constructive' - please slow down your speech when presenting the food, speaking too quickly makes it difficult to hear/understand the information you are conveying (which is appreciated). The food was extremely well-presented, fresh and mostly excellent. The duck dish could have been cooked slightly more as the duck was 'chewy'. Every other dish was without fault, most notably the desserts are spectacular. Meals are expensive here, so do not expect much change out of $300 for a 4 course meal for 2.

Vincent Thomson

4 months ago

We had our wedding at The Boat House late last year and could not speak more highly of the staff and venue. The location is absolutely amazing, the food incredible and the team are so friendly, warm and knowledgeable. Laura was our event organiser, and from our first meeting with her, we knew that The Boat House was the right venue for our special day. She made us feel excited about the day and that everything would be managed with precision and professionalism. It is clear that the team at The Boat House are passionate about putting on a great event, and care deeply about helping to achieve your vision. Laura was amazing to work with through the year, she was really responsive to all of our questions and we have no doubt that things went as smoothly as they did thanks to all of her planning and working through all the small details with us. On the day, the team were really attentive and made it all seamless and stress free. We appreciated their considerate approach to adjusting the timing for bringing out our (the bride and groom’s) courses, as they worked it around when we were ready between mingling with guests. We had so many people tell us how much they loved the venue, food and hospitality of the staff. Thank you again to Laura and the whole team at The Boat House for helping to make our wedding day so special!

Judy Cunningham

a year ago

What a lovely restaurant located overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Greeted with a smile at the door and shown to a lovely table with a prime window spot. Being a week day, there were few patrons making for a quiet intimate lunch. Our group of 4 decided to order 4 of each of the 3 courses to share. Not really a share menu restaurant but our request was accommodated. We decided on a serve of bread each and a side of potatoes and greens. Plates were bought to the table and we divided each into 4 portions. Can’t fault any of the dishes-all delicious. A small taste of each was a great way to go. Coffee to finish and we left feeling well fed. A wonderful way to spend a Friday, staff were all very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Will definitely be back.

Stephen Doyle

a year ago

We booked The Boathouse for Valentines Day lunch, and were not disappointed! The food, wine and service couldn’t have been better and the view really compliments the decor - inside and out. The staff were friendly, informative and attentive. Even though the restaurant was fully booked, they were always there when we needed something to make our lunch memorable - but otherwise allowed us to enjoy the experience. Definitely a restaurant we want to visit again next time we are in Canberra. It is perfect.

H

10 months ago

From the setting by the lake, interior design, elevated cuisine featuring fresh Aussie produces to well trained staffs, everything is designed to please. The seasonal menu is well designed and prepared. Fine dining at a price, but reasonable as a complete package. The only one slight negative was the sauce for the pork main, it was very strong. Oh, and the noise level did rise over time as more vino were consumed. That's just me nitpicking. ;) I would not hesitate to recommend this establishment for a date night or a celebration dinner for a small group.

Tara (petitechefdiary)

10 months ago

Just had the set menu with wine pairing, and wow, every dish was absolutely delicious! The staff were incredibly knowledgeable, explaining each course with great detail. We left feeling so satisfied and happy with the whole experience. A chef’s kiss to the chef!

Mike Quan

3 months ago

First time dining at The Boat House and it was very impressive. Sophia provided first-class service at our table, supported by an equally attentive and professional team. We chose the Chef’s Menu, with a few delightful surprise additions that truly elevated the experience. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavour. The view across Lake Burley Griffin toward Kingston was stunning and added to the overall atmosphere. The restaurant is easy to get to, with convenient parking right out front. Highly recommended.

Elizabeth Lord

7 months ago

The Boat House is a beautifully presented fine dining restaurant with a very professional yet relaxed feel to it. The food was exceptional, and the service excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to those wanting a very special dining experience.

Robert and Kimia Shaeri Walker

6 months ago

Choosing The Boat House as our wedding venue was hands down one of the best decisions we made. From the very first visit, Laura was nothing short of exceptional - organised, warm, deeply knowledgeable, and incredibly accommodating. Her experience in service and events was obvious from the start, and she guided us with so much care. Throughout the planning process, she was unbelievably responsive, proactive with suggestions, and always offered thoughtful, practical feedback that made everything feel effortless. Our wedding day ran perfectly. The staff were polished and attentive, the service was seamless, and the food outstanding. Our guests are still talking about how delicious every dish was. Beyond the flawless execution, the venue itself is breathtaking. The lakeside setting created the most dreamy atmosphere and made every moment feel extra special.The private jetty allowed us to make a grand entrance by boat, which our guests absolutely loved. Such a fun and unique touch! The Boat House didn’t just meet our expectations - it exceeded them in every possible way. It is, without question, the most exceptional venue we could have chosen, and we would recommend it a thousand times over to any couple looking for a truly unforgettable wedding experience.