Bistro at The Boathouse

The bonanza breakfast was good and big but pricey. 2 breakfasts with tea came to £40. The featured sausage was ok, nothing special. The fried eggs were very good, as was the mushroom. The rest was fine. We had a table by the full length window overlooking the outside tables and the Thames. This is what pushes it up to 4 stars. The interior is nicely decorated.

We came here for a birthday lunch by the river and were pleasantly surprised! The setting was beautiful with lovely views, perfect for a relaxed afternoon. The food really impressed us, especially the poke bowls, which were fresh and flavorful. Service was a little slow at times, but the staff were friendly and we appreciated the cute little birthday dessert they brought out to share. All in all, a lovely spot for a special occasion.

We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Bistro at The Boathouse in Henley-on-Thames. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and a genuinely friendly atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of our visit. The staff were incredible — professional, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do. Everyone was attentive, thoughtful, and worked together seamlessly to ensure guests were well looked after. There was a real sense of teamwork, and it made the whole dining experience feel smooth, relaxed, and enjoyable. Service was not only friendly but also impressively efficient — our food arrived quickly, piping hot and presented well. Now to the food — the Sunday roast was faultless. All the dishes were perfectly cooked and well presented. You could tell a lot of care and skill had gone into every element. Even though the restaurant was busy (as you’d expect on a Sunday), the atmosphere remained calm and pleasant. The staff remained attentive throughout, topping up drinks, checking in at just the right moments, and making us feel completely at ease. It’s also worth saying how genuinely welcoming the place felt. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, solo or with a group, the team makes everyone feel like a valued guest. It’s a rare quality and made a big impression on us. In short, this was one of the best Sunday lunches we've had in a long time. Delicious food, fast and flawless service, and some of the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet. We left full, happy, and already planning our return visit. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a proper roast and outstanding hospitality. A brilliant spot in a lovely location — we’ll definitely be back soon!

Excellent location, on the banks of the river at Henley. Located between the Long Stay Car park and the town center. Really delicious Sunday Lunch here, Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pud, delicious veges, including Cauliflower Cheese, great gravy. Dog friendly outside on the deck, water bowls provided. Awesome table service, very professional. Great choice of food, my Partner had the fish and chips and they were delicious! Great coffees too. Clean loos.

Really nice first experience here. Very professional, very friendly staff, nicely decorated dining room and well-executed food during relaxed Sunday lunch by the patio window overlooking the river. We had a yearning for a burger and they even had gluten free bun. Topped with caramelised onion, cheese and plenty of quality bacon and despite the (admittedly large!) patty being more dense than we’d prefer, the quality of ingredients and preparation was excellent enough for us to want to return soon.

Years ago, we used to visit the Boathouse quite often. We'll always remember a fantastic New Year's Eve meal and party there. But when Shaun concluded that the fine dining business model wasn't working and moved to a bistro menu we stopped going. After a few years of not bothering to consider it as where we might eat in Henley, I checked their menu and found more than just gourmet burgers and decided to give it a go. Our Tartiflettes were excellent- Shaun is a first class chef. The place was busy, but the service was still attentive and efficient. We had their craft cider with the Tartiflette which worked well, though we didn't need the three thick pieces of bread. I think we'll be back.

We visited the Bistro at The Boathouse as a group of 7. We had called and pre-booked before hand for 13:30. We arrived at 13:30 and our table was given to another group so we had to wait a little longer to sit down. The restaurant is small but had a good atmosphere and was nicely decorated. There is only 1 toilet for male, 1 for female so there was sometimes a queue. Some of our group ordered from the main menu with others having the roast dinner as it was a Sunday. The started options were limited so we had bread which was nice. We had wine and soft drinks. The service was prompt and staff were friendly. The food itself was delicious, a really tasty roast beef. We ordered extra vegetables but didn't need to as the roast came with plenty. The veggie option was lovely too. We were too full for dessert as the portions are very generous which is great. Totally worth the higher prices than some surrounding restaurants. We chose to sit indoors as the wasps this summer are crazy and we wanted to avoid them, however there was a few wasps that had flown indoors. Nothing the restaurant can do I suppose but it just was a little annoying during the meal and put a few group members on edge.

Probably the best fish & chip in the area. Sunday roast is super good as well.