Boathouse at Blackwattle Bay

I went here one night to have a celebratory dinner.
It was absolutely lovely! Beautiful food, really lovely and knowledgable waiters and waitresses, and stunning views of the city skyline. Being out on a mini pier it feels like you’re sitting on top of the water, well, you are! It was a great way to spend the evening. I highly recommend this place for a nice, upmarket dinner.

In a beautiful spot across the water from the famous fish markets, The Boathouse has a great atmosphere and delicious food, it was a wonderful way to celebrate the first sunny Saturday in a long while.
The waitress was very knowledgeable and did a great job with pairing our wines with the meal. For mains, we went for the Jack Mangrove and Swordfish. Both dishes were cooked to perfection, with well balanced and subtle garnishing. The texture of the Swordfish was actually more similar to a soft and tender steak than any fish, with a wonderful grilled flavor — Delicious!
Although we were extremely happy with our main meal, I’d like to make a comment on the thick cut chips — They were far too dry, I wouldn’t recommend them. But hey, we didn’t come for the chips anyway.
Dessert was fantastic. We ordered the Banana soufflé and the Mandarin sorbet. They were the perfect pairing of desserts, the banana soufflé with a more creamy texture and dairy flavors, while the mandarin sorbet had crunchy incorporations, as well as being acidic in flavor.
I would most certainly come again for a spot of lunch, and will be trying their dinner menu next month.

Came here for my birthday.
View was great.
Oysters were exceptional, but very pricey (as expected).
Scallops were very well made, and wonderfully presented.
However, the snapper pie was quite a let down.
As was the other main (beef).

We went here on the recommendation of a friend after he read the Unilocal reviews. We were not really impressed.
The views were spectacular and our waitress was very friendly. However…
1) The prices were astronomical. We are happy to spend $ on a good meal especially when traveling, but 27 AUD for an appetizer is crazy.
2). The food was okay, but not great. I got the snapper pie and it was fine, a bit fishy for my taste, and certainly not worth 48 AUD. My husband’s fish was also «earthy» as the waitress called it. Being raised in Florida, we know good fish when we taste it. This wasn’t quite what we expected.
We wouldn’t recommend or come again. There are too many other good places to eat in Sydney.

Came here for lunch on a sunny Sunday, enjoyed the oysters (try the organic ones if they are on the menu) and a 3 course meal. All the dishes were gorgeous and the service was fantastic, would definitely come here again!

First thing that hits you as you walk in is the lovely and chic interiors, very modern and sleek.
Service was very friendly and professional. Had a great time with close girlfriends soaking in a nice view of the Anzac bridge or the city skyline depending on where you sit.
The oysters are freshly shucked and tasted super fresh with ocean essence. Had the seared kingfish and chorizo entrée, which was okay but the mains and sides are what really shone. The fish pie is super moorish and the hand cut chips with aioli to die for crispy.
Would go back to try other mains over wine. But I’d wait for a special occasion or treat.

Look 4* not 5* … Amazing food, amazing view, friendly staff (probably coz it’s 6pm) … No questions about all those but @$ 4.2 an oyster (12 of these buggers = a damn nice wagyu) and $ 48 for a pie (truly amazing read other Unilocalers’ reviews, they hv better English than I do describing this masterpiece) so I’m walking out of here $ 100 down and don’t even get a dessert and coffee … Mmmm. I would say this… Definitely coming back FOR A DAMN SPECIAL OCCASION… I guess if I’m driving a Ferrari, live up coast, a yacht berthed at darling harbour and maybe a private jet even … 5* for sure… Maybe I need to reflect on my own finance rather than putting this place down a *… My bad

I went to this place with very high expectations and was very disappointed. Food is OK but nothing mind blowing, the view and ambience are stunning but overall definitely not what I was expecting, it’s one of those places that become popular all the sudden and everyone talks about it but just doesn’t live up to the hype.

The food here is delicious and the atmosphere is wonderful for that special night out.
The lobster is well worth every penny — mouth watering.
Unfortunately, on our last visit, my partner paid via EFTPOS. The bill we paid was for the correct amount however we later discovered we had been charged 3 times! We called the restaurant and received a less than friendly response. This was the most disappointing part. Good customer service can make all the difference when these sorts of things happen. We did not receive any sort of explanation nor an apology of any kind AND it took weeks before we received our money back.
We won’t be back.

My wife and I were visiting Sydney for a few weeks, and our host insisted that our visit would not be complete without a visit to the Boathouse and a taste of their famous snapper pie.
Off we headed to the edge of the water, pausing to take in the amazing view. This is not the grand Sydney Harbor view, mind you: it’s a quieter Bay, with the span of the Anzac Bridge soaring over your head. I liken it to the difference between a Seattle restaurant on the Harbor and one on Lake Union. It’s more peaceful, more intimate. And yet the skyline is still the decoration of the day. The Boathouse is all windows, stretching across the entire second floor, so there is an uninterrupted view.
I noted that on several of the previous reviews, there were some complaints about the service. We faced no such problem. In fact, we had impeccable service — always available, and never intrusive.
But oh! The food! We knew our meal would center on the snapper pie, but we wanted a touch of everything, particularly fish that we would not eat back in the U.S. The waiter suggested a special — school prawns, dusted with rice flower and fried whole, served with a side of aoli butter. Our host insisted we should also indulge in the caviar — which in this case, is sustainable Macquarie Harbour Ocean Trout Roe, with wasabi and crème freche on the side with the potato blinis. And I ordered the Seared Hiramasa Kingfish, with Saffron, Red Peppers, Almonds & Chorizo.
Now, any of these tastings would have been perfect in themselves. But they were one incredible tasting experience on top of another. It’s hard to believe, but the Kingfish actually came in a sad third, but only because the caviar and the prawns were so amazing!
And then came the snapper pie. A deceptively simple dish, the fish pie is just chunks of lovely pink snapper, with browned onions, loads of butter and a bit of white truffle oil. The shell is a pastry shell that tasted quite like a good croissant.
I have no idea how those combinations turn into such a masterful work. The pie was rich, creamy, and laid cheerfully across the tongue with the promise of satisfaction. It was heavenly. No wonder Sydney raves about this snapper pie — it is truly one of the best meals I have ever had.
Overall, I found the Boathouse to be a wonderful reflection of Sydney itself: beautiful from any angle, friendly, and while full of surprise, utterly without pretension. I would absolutely say this is a once-​in-​a-​lifetime meal that anyone traveling to the City should have. Especially the snapper pie.

My third time here, but the first time I managed to try the legendary snapper pie.
It is indeed legendary, although the mashed potatoes may not be to everyones liking as they are creamed. Full of chunky bits of snapper with a lovely pastry crust — they must churn out a ton of these.
The oysters were lovely, we had a chef’s mixture for the table, and a good mix it was — who would have thought the slimey little buggers could taste so different!
The seared kingfish entrée I had was lovely, beautiful flavours. One of the diners had jewfish, and his was the envy of the table (I think everyone else had pie) as it looked wonderful.
The problem we had was we arrived at the appointed time, a special occasion with a party of 8 arriving by water taxi, but our table was not ready. So we were ushered to the bar for a drink — fair enough — which we all duly selected. Seems like they must have had to send out for them, because they took forever, and our table was ready before the drinks were, in fact they were still a long time coming after we sat down. By then we really didn’t need or want them. O well, drink if we must!
Alongside of this I am afraid to say the service was pretty awful. Our waiter, I think he was French, was tragic. Maybe they were just too busy, I don’t know, but no excuse for such a swanky place.
Other wise would have been 4 stars. So 4 for the food, but sadly a 2 for service.
However, we will no doubt go again. Eventually. Probably.
Don’t let me put you off — the food is great.

Excellent in almost every way.
The presentation is beautiful. Most dishes were perfection.
I had the local ocean jacket, It looked beautiful, perfect grill marks, mushrooms, and diakon floating above a delicious broth. The one flaw was the overpowering flavor of the grill marks on the fish. A pity to have the taste of burn marks compete with the delicate flavors of the dish.
i will definitely return.

Been here a couple of times, lovely venue on Blackwattle bay. Has a snapper pie for a signature dish which is lovely. Dishes have been well presented and the wait staff are good and attentive without being in-​your-​face. The wine list is great. It is expensive, so come cashed up. Good for a dinner for two, but they can cater for larger parties — been in both situations and they work the tables well. Mostly seafood menu, but can cater for the land dwelling eaters too.

called in here for the first time last night as a walk in with another guest and even though the place was busy we were lucky enough to get seated at the end of the restaurant facing out to the water.
Stunning in the evening so I suggest asking for these tables if booking ahead.
The menu is all about seafood so I would not recommend it to anyone with an aversion to it.
The Oyster Menu for starters is fantastic and you can’t go past the coffin Bay’s which I found were the best of what was on offer.
I had their famed Snapper Pie for the main and it absolutely lived up to its hype — the aroma of the truffles infused into the snapper as they cracked open the freshly baked pastry is incredible!
Depending on your appetite or budget this is definitely big enough to be shared between two, it was no problem at all to have it all to myself though!
cannot wait to go back here!

This is a favourite haunt. Our family always marks a special occasion with a meal at Boathouse.
If there’s one thing you should do in this lifetime, it’s have the Snapper pie. It comes laced with truffle oil and a smoked tomato; your culinary life will finally be complete.
Also, the seafood is always fresh and succulent — just expect to pay for such good quality.
The view is magnificent and I always like how low-​key this place is. You go for the food and the view, not to see or be seen.
My only criticism is the last time I went three months ago, we took the 8.30 sitting and they rushed the meal, which completely ruined the experience. It’s operational stuff-​ups like this, that can really ruin the experience — particularly when you’re paying top dollar.

From the moment you step into the Boathouse, the stunning views across the Bay, of the Anzac Bridge, the Fish Markets and the Sydney city skyline, will blow you away. Floor to ceiling glass windows to really celebrate the view, making this a truly spectacular and memorable location.
If you love gazing at lights reflecting on water by night as much as me, dinner here is a must. The array of the different coloured, sparkling lights, from the Bridge and Skyline, dancing across the water are simply gorgeous. The colours are so rich and vibrant I’d probably remain mesmerised if I were in boring company… Ideal for a cosy, romantic evening for two.
A nice intimate setting, the converted boat house keeps with the ship theme, with a classic décor of wooden floors, simple white linen and china, and keeps the focus on the two stars of the Boathouse — the view and of course the food — Super fresh, top quality seasonal seafood.
My picks to start are the Tartare of Yellowfin Tuna, Seared Cuttlefish, Radish, Ginger & Soy ($ 27), or the Oysters ($ 4.20−6) from various regions around the country, served with mignonette & dark rye bread.
For mains, Roast Coffs Harbour Bar Cod Spanner Crab, Bisque, Peas & Lettuce ($ 41), or the Roast Cone Bay Barramundi Beetroot, Cavalo Nero & Braised Beef Cheek ($ 41). The Snapper Pie is their signature dish and I’ve heard it’s worth a try, is served with Smoked Tomato & Mashed Potato (48).
The restaurant has been awarded a number of Chef’s Hats from the renowned ‘Good Food Guide’ that along with the location do make this a restaurant to try.

Boathouse at Black Wattle Bay showcases seafood which is a consistent theme of cuisine for my husband and I. The weather isn’t that good for our anniversary lunch but it still has one of the best city views in Sydney looking across to the Fish Markets and the Anzac Bridge as the backdrop. The Boathouse is a converted rowing shed in a very quiet back street of Glebe. The ambience inside is perfect as the restaurant has nice wooden floors, lots of glass window and our table feels like it’s over the water.
The fact that you start and can get a choice from 10 different types of oysters says something in itself as we order the Coffin Bay Angassi. I love that the oysters come in a bowl of chilled ice with a tin bowl to dispense the oyster shells. And there it is my anticipation met with a big salty silkiness and a sprinkle of lemon sitting on my palate.
Even though we have come for our anniversary I’m not feeling that sentimental today as I am asked whether I want to share my Snapper Pie by my loved one. When the pie comes I peel the top crust back from one side then put my fork clean through the middle and one of my favourite aromas and tastes rise from the pie — that musty ‘forest floor’ mushroom smell. The smell and taste of truffle that intensifies any flavours in the food it is combined with. It will take me hours to savour each morsel. A serving of smoked tomato and mashed potato just makes it even better. I am unashamed to say I did not share one piece of my pie; he has had it before so the only thing I’m guilty of is gluttony but I paid for it as I went to eat it so quickly I burnt my tongue. Be warned the Snapper pie is served boiling hot.
As much as I want too I can’t bring myself to have dessert it cannot be had I haven’t even taken note of what my husband ordered or taken my usual tourist roll of photos. Boathouse at Black Wattle is considered pricey but I think for its location, service and quality of food its worth every cent and more.

This restaurant is located right by the water with a nice view. The décor inside with quite nice with timber floor throughout. It feels like stepping into a beach cabin. Had the fresh hand-​shucked oysters as an entrée. As for the main, the snapper pie was very delicious (this is one of the signature dish of the restaurant). All the other seafood dishes was scrumptious. Service was good.