I used to think that Melbourne only had one river running through it – the Yarra – but since heading westward I’ve realised that the Maribyrnong River can be just as scenic and well-served with bike paths, order parks and eateries.
The Boathouse is a sprawling restaurant, bar and cafe owned by Masterchef judge Gary Mehigan situated on the banks of the Maribyrnong River at Maribyrnong Park. The restaurant has an indoor area with lots of pram access and a large wooden deck overlooking the river and parklands.
On weekends it pays to book a table but the outdoor area is strictly for walk-ins so you can take your chances. In winter there are gas heaters which light up the outdoor area but it can still be pretty chilly.
The menu runs a fairly straight and narrow pub-food path, with pizzas, burgers, fish and chips and steaks all featuring. The kids menu contains more standard items all priced at $9.50.
I highly recommend trying one of their pizzas. They were wood-fired with a rustic, bubbly crust and fresh and simple toppings. Their napoli sauce is truly aromatic, not just a backdrop for the rest of the ingredients.
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near The Boathouse, Moonee Ponds
To keep the little ones happy we order a margherita pizza and a large vanilla milkshake (made with ice cream as they couldn’t substitute it for yoghurt at the bar where the drinks are made) which comes out in a hipster jar ($5).
Given how busy the place is our meals come out relatively quickly. The servings are huge, particularly the burger, and the adult meals come padded out with loads of chips (which may or may not be a good thing).
I think our meals are slightly more expensive than I’d expect – $25 for a burger, even if it’s made from wagyu, is pretty steep. However, I think you’re paying for the setting and no doubt they can charge these prices because they know that people will still come.
There’s a reason that The Boathouse is a favourite with local families. There is lots of room for prams, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming for kids, the food is kid-friendly and there’s an awesome council playground right next door. It’s a very pleasant bike ride along the Maribyrnong River too and we’ll be back.
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