The Riverview Hotel

What a fabulous pub this is! We have made many visits to The Riverview Hotel on Birchgrove Road and have always enjoyed the experience. Our recent visit was no exception. We received a friendly welcome and I can recommend the fish & chips as being exceptional. Well I am originally from England! The pizza, pear salad and schnitzel did not disappoint either. The range of craft beers included one of my favourites: Newtowner! The wine selection is great too. I recommend The Riverview without exception. Just a great pub!

Nice pub. Had the Sunday roast, to much fat on the brisket. But nice flavours

I recently dined at and had a generally pleasant experience. The roast was a standout—tender beef cooked to perfection, accompanied by a generous portion of potatoes and fresh broccolini The calamari starter was also impressive, cooked just right with a crispy exterior and tender inside However, the pasta dish was disappointing. The texture was mushy, and the flavor was lacking, making it hard to recommend. Overall, while the roast and calamari were highlights, the pasta needs improvement. Adding the service was too-notch the waitstaff were attentive and friendly. On Sunday, the live singer created a warm and great atmosphere

Disappointing Experience Due to Hygiene Concerns I recently dined at the Riverview Hotel, and unfortunately, the experience was marred by serious hygiene issues. Throughout our meal, we noticed several cockroaches crawling around the bar area including into our table which was deeply unsettling and made it impossible to enjoy our food. While the staff was polite and attentive the presence of the crawling pest is a major concern that needs urgent attention. First and last time visiting this place. The food was delayed by 30mins but decent. I hope the management addresses these issues asap but to be honest I think the whole place needs full renovation.

We had a great visit here on a Sunday for the popular Sunday Roast that consisted of Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes, Veggies and Gravy. Just delicious washed down with Excuse my French Rose. For dessert we had the Sticky Date Crumble, Affogatto and this chocolate dessert I can't remember the name of. Great atmosphere and attentive staff. Highly recommended

The Riverview has all the charm of an honest Irish pub warm, welcoming, and no fuss, just good times. The food is hearty, the beers are cold, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want from a local: friendly faces, great banter, and a place you instantly feel at home. Olivia was a standout her service was spot on, and she made sure everything ran smoothly with a genuine smile. You don’t get that everywhere, and it made the whole experience even better. If you’re chasing a proper pub with real character, the Riverview is the place. Already looking forward to the next visit!

Upmarket food at popular pub😋 The secret is out in an upstairs room decked out in sophisticated decor an excellent chef is in residence. Awesome food in taste, presentation on the plate and style. The pub downstairs looks good too very busy. Rate the dining room upstairs from its table settings to its lighting. We had pork belly, pie and fish dishes all excellent. No complaints here. Sides also worth raving about, potatoes and salad. Service good and bathrooms available. Parking a bit tricky mostly 2 hour street parking. Love your local guide - M♥️ If helpful please like or follow me.

Unfortunately we had a really disappointing experience here. We decided to have lunch at 1pm for Father’s Day - 2 adults and 2 kids. It took 30 minutes to order, then another 35 minutes to get one entree for us to share. During that time we asked for tap water for my daughter 3 times, after we’d only been served sparkling water for my husband, son and me. Eventually I grabbed a water jug from the bar and served her myself in front of one of one of the wait staff who didn’t seemed to realise that wasn’t appropriate. No drinks menu was given to us, so we eventually asked for that when we ordered after half an hour, and we got the drink after 40 minutes. At the hour mark, I bought a packet of chips from the bar downstairs to give my 7 year old after who was quietly crying as he was so hungry. After the entree we were still waiting 20 minutes for the mains - it was 2.35pm at this point. Everyone else around us was being fed even the table of 3 who had a 2 pm booking! We ended up talking to the manager and told him we’d leave before any more food arrived. I don’t think our order was even in the kitchen and we just couldn’t wait anymore, or trust we’d get the food. We knew we certainly wouldn’t enjoy it even if the food was good. The manager was apologetic and we didn’t pay for the little we did eat/drink, but I’ve never been so disappointed in a dining experience. We ended up buying sushi for us all in Balmain at 2.50pm. Happy Father’s Day! The place was busy but not crazy so no excuse down the service. There was only 2 wait staff who were polite but had obviously not been trained properly on how to manage time and check on customers regularly. My husband and I had our wedding reception here 10+ years ago and wanted to bring the kids here for a lovely lunch and to reminisce. Father’s Day lunch was ruined and I don’t want to ever go back. I’m just really sad about the whole experience and it tainted our weekend and what was supposed to be a nice family afternoon.

Lovely pub that is pet friendly and has multiple sections including a fine dining restaurant and bar and outdoor area with pub food and Sunday roast. The menu unfortunately lacked vegetarian choices but the rest of the food menu was quite inviting and tasty. The share plate and arancini balls were delicious and service was friendly. Also some nice craft beers on tap. Live band on the weekend and the atmosphere was cosy.

This is another one of those quaint pubs that happens to be hidden away down the back streets. Well, sort of, considering that it is also near the harbour, but not really that close so that you get any good views. In a way it has that nice homely touch to it that makes it a really great place for the locals, and is pretty quiet as well. Okay, I can't say that it is one of my favourites, but it is still quite nice.

Never made it past my drink (See photo). Basically here's the deal. My mom loves Australia so much. Like to the point that she's annoying about how much better it is than the USA. I tell her to move there all the time. Well mom, let me tell you something. Nowhere in my life have I experienced someone serving me a drink in a damn moldy glass. You'd think the bartender might notice when prepping? Nope. Maybe the server when waking it over to me? Nope. Was it just a tiny speck? Nope (see photo again). I was too grossed out to continue on. Didn't care if they offered me free meal, free drinks, and free desert here (btw they didn't - I just got a "sorry about that mate"). This was unacceptable. I felt nauseous when everyone else was ordering food. So I walked out and strutted into the very next restaurant I saw and ate alone (yes, sad I know). You broke up a family meal and literally could have killed me. Not kidding. I am also coming to Australia directly from India so I can't believe I am going to have to say the least hygienic meal of my trip happened in Australia and not India. I know not to many local Aussies reside on yelp. So this is likely going to be helpful for tourists. Hopefully you are able to make an informed decision before risking your personal health and safety. I also know there is good food in Australia. This is just nasty. I'm seriously repulsed. Time to stick to highly rated sushi and seafood. Ahh. Still can't believe this. Sorry for the rant.

Always a lovely place and usually tables available during the week. Service is positive and friendly.

OHHH Riverview Hotel .. where have you been all my life ?? I was umming and ahhing on whether to review this place or not but then thought it would be HIGHLY selfish of me not to. Where do I start? Set on a corner position in a backstreet of Balmain, the hotel seems to blend in with neighbouring terrace homes. Large red doors welcome you into such a beautiful space - a fusion of eclectic (bordering bizarre) and contemporary fit out smacks you in the face. Pull up a seat at the bar or laze about on one of the many couches and be prepared to remain there for hours on end. The bar menu although not the largest I've seen covers even the fussiest of eaters. The wine menu again not the longest consists of some good quality local and international wines. We started off with the Catena Alamos Malbec from Argentina - what an assault on your senses - sight, smell and taste !! Full bodied, rich and fruity !! We moved on from the ground floor bar and decided to dine in the restaurant upstairs - the food up there consists of mainly the bar food with additional appetizers and mains. We were lucky enough to be the only group outside in the terrace area - a sweet intimate space that fits about 16. The price of the food upstairs is on average about $10 more expensive however given the service provided by the staff is on par with some fine dining restaurants, totally worth it. White napkin service, top up of table water and wine to name just a few extras. Finally onto the food - WOW. I had the barramundi with fennel puree and salsa vierge. I cannot fault this dish. Fish was cooked to absolute perfection - the skin was crisp and gave a much needed texture to the flesh of the fish and the puree. My friends ordered the gnocchi with mushrooms, ricotta and salsa verde - in their words "dear lord, do not disturb for the next half hr" - clearly huge fans of this dish. I highly recommend as a side, the green beans with macadamia pesto !!! I can't praise this place enough. This is now officially my favourite "go to" hotel in Balmain - sorry Town Hall and The London, but I don't think we're working out - see ya !!!

The food is delicious here!! Hidden in the corner off the main road, this local pub/hotel is worth the visit. Very friendly service and a general relaxed vibe

Dropped in here on Sunday arvo & 3pm on 4th December for more than a few rounds of drinks to toast my friend Gab's birthday . Firstly this has the best Christmas decorations of any hotel in Sydney which adds to a festive ambience. The patrons are well healed and well dressed jovial locals . The bar serves a comprehensive list of on tap beers , not just the standards but a wide range of boutiques plus ciders . The house wines are of superb quality not battery acid which some pubs are proud to serve. A duo performed some classic pop songs and had the crowd cheering and clapping for more. I noted they were serving a Sunday roast of the day for $28 which looked superb. If you wants som Christmas cheer this is the place to be.

Went here on a Friday lunch catchup with girlfriends and kids. An out of the way pub that blends nicely with the surrounding houses. Eclectic and cozy interior. Staff were friendly and efficient with their service. The wagyu burger is to die for! Thick beef pattie , well cooked yet still tender and juicy, followed by layers of crispy bacon, caramelised onions, lettuce, beetroot and topped with a special sauce with a hint of spiciness . All this deliciousness sandwiched between fresh and crispy bun. The fries were just how I like it crispy and salty . Next time will try the restaurant upstairs.

Excellent high quality pub with fancy food. Kids friendly and nice environment. Recommendable for everyone on a Sunday that enjoys good for, company, and drinks.

Looking for a restaurant in Balmain that wouldn't be full of kids, scene peeps or bogans. They delivered. They also have fantastic food which I was very impressed at. The service was great with friendly faces and a really good ambience to the place. And specials too. For something located above a pub, I was impressed and it feels like a place I want to go back to. The only thing I'd criticise is the wine list which I didn't find very inspired - but that can be improved upon. And perhaps a reminder to ask the waiter to suggest something if you don't recognise any of the labels. Quirky bits and pieces to the decor as well. Recommended.

Everyone wants a Riverview in their neighbourhood but lucky Balmain has this one! Great vibe, food, wind and service - I love this place and will make the trip any time to get there! It's casual but high quality. It's one of Sydney's best "gastro pubs" and if you like that kind of thing - gotta try it!

It's hard to find a bargain in Sydney when it comes to having a meal out, in Balmain especially. But when you find one, you kinda want it to keep it to yourself (hence me not writing a review until now.) And the Riverview has an amazing deal every Tuesday: two-for-one pizzas! Two crispy-crusted, good-sized, interesting-topping-ed pizzas for twenty bucks. Totally awesome. The ambiance is great, with comfy seating and a cozy bar. The beers are priced around $7 for a schooner, standard for Balmain. The only reason they get dinged a star is because I've had chips there twice and both times they have been on the soggy side (sorry, I'm a tough customer when it comes to crispy chips!) I've heard the other food on the menu is pretty amazing, but I'm sticking to pizza Tuesdays. Try the Pepperoni Pig, the Hawaiian, and the Rock Chick. Delish!

This place has a true to God, legitimate happy hour. $5 for a pint of anything on tap (including little creatures) from 5-7!! How good is that? Have only eaten here once and the good was quite good but not amazing. A little pricey (~$25 for a burger) but did I mention they do 5 buck happy hour pints of every single beer they have on tap?

My wife and I were invited for dinner at the Riverview Hotel and we had to write something... We dined on a tasting plate that heightened the senses with an array of textures and flavours ranging from the humble olive to a mouth watering beef tartare. Berkshire pork & cider pie with leeks, bacon & morel jus just tantalised our tastebuds. Oh, it would be remiss of me to forget the absolutely delicious hand cut chips and aioli. With a great blend of ye olde english charm and the modern twist on australian tucker we had a great time and even our 3 month old loved it :p Good food, good company, good wine... what more could you ask for? Dan & Kobe

We ordered 5 chicken wings received 3 burnt wings. Food was over priced and average. The staff didn't want to be there. Not worth seeing twice. Don't bother there's plenty more pubs around