You can’t get eat any closer to the water in Mosman than at the Boathouse Balmoral, a cruisy café which sits next to the iconic jetty with all tables out on the deck.
The Boathouse is one of the original eateries in The Boathouse Group (BHG) family, with the hospitality empire taking over in 2013.
With winter well upon us, it’s a gorgeous feeling to get the full sun on your face while eating breakfast or lunch at The Boathouse while taking in the magnificent harbour view.
“We’re trying to create a casual coastal vibe for locals and visitors alike,” says BHG marketing head Ben Collis. “Somewhere all ages can come to enjoy the beautiful surrounds with friends and family. Ultimately, we want to ensure our offering compliments the iconic destination that is Balmoral.”
Small plates – a feature of other BHG venues – such as taramasalata with a salmon roe mountain, and tuna tartare paired with cucumber, sesame and ginger, are available for sharing, perhaps over a refreshing glass of wine. For hungry teen boys like mine who were my lunch guests, the peri-peri chicken burger was a huge hit, topped with generous portions of slaw and pickles, and the obligatory crispy fries on the side.
A popular favourite is the Boathouse seafood platter, which is a complete marine feast – with Queensland prawns, Sydney rock oysters, salt and pepper squid, and more!
Seafood is always the ‘go to’ in BHG venues, given so many like Manly Pavilion are on the waterfront, Ben says.
Breakfast starts at 7am, and with plenty of options for the kids like eggs, avo and bacon on toast, and beautiful fresh juices, it’s a lovely start to the day. And there is plenty of action for the kids everywhere they look. They can watch the fish under the jetty, the boats bobbing in the water and even have a paddle under the watchful eye of mum or dad.
And there is a fabulous dessert they will love – the aptly named Balmoral Pav, a fluffiness of Chantilly cream layered on the lightest meringue, with a montage of strawberries piled high in a cocktail glass. My boys demolished it in about 30 seconds flat.
An exciting return to the menu in July will be the signature Boathouse crab toast, along with new breakfast and lunch items which are ‘perfect’ for beautiful Sydney winter days, Ben adds. So get down to see what surprises are in store this July at The Boathouse.
The Boathouse Balmoral 2 The Esplanade, Mosman Walk-ins only, closes 4pm theboathousebb.com.au