Bistro at the Boathouse | Brunch at the River in Henley-on-Thames

I love trying new places in Henley-on-Thames, especially brunch places in the town! We had heard incredible things about Bistro at the Boathouse and I had to see for myself what all the fuss was about. It all starts one morning, featuring a rather hungry Victoria…

Getting There

The Bistro at the Boathouse is, as you may have guessed, on the riverbank. I personally think that it has the best location of any place where you can have brunch in Henley. If you are driving into the town, park in either the Waitrose or Greys Road car park. These are relatively far away, but are the easiest ones. From there, it is a 5 minute walk to the river. Continue towards Hobbs (you can’t miss it!) and the Bistro is just on the corner.

If you are getting the train, it is even easier! The restaurant is just a minute walk from the station. Just head out of the station road, turn right and continue towards the river. You will then see it on the corner.

The Venue

The venue itself is really clean, fresh and really plays to the riverbank theme well. On the wall were boating souvenirs and other pictures and paintings. I also got a homely vibe from the place; it could have easily been somebody’s large lounge.

Perhaps the best feature though has to be the view of the river. We arrived at opening time and were able to choose any table. There are three that are right by large bay windows that look out onto the Thames, which in winter is the best you can get. However, there is also a large balcony which I can’t wait to experience in the summer!

If you are looking for a quintessentially Henley venue that shows off the town’s best feature, then this is the place for you.

The Food in Bistro at the Boathouse

There is a big menu choice for both brunch and lunch and it was hard to choose from. There are your classic full-English, including the Boathouse Bonanza, an extra large meal for the hungry tourist. If you are not too hungry, smaller cooked options are available! If like me you have a sweet tooth, then the American Waffles are the way to go. Chocolate, fruits.. There really are some incredible options.

I went for the peanut butter and banana waffles and Jack went for the Bonanza. Whilst we waited, we enjoyed a coffee and watched the river go by. Within 15 minutes or so, our food came out of the kitchen. The portion sizes were excellent; they were not unbearably massive, but they were generous. The Bonanza featured everything that you would expect of a Full English. The ingredient quality was really good and my husband really enjoyed it. My waffles were also incredibly tasty. I just love peanut butter and the combination with banana and mixed berries worked so well. All in all, the Bistro at the Boathouse set us up perfectly for the day.

Final Thoughts on Bistro at the Boathouse

I would strongly recommend the Bistro at the Boathouse. In the summer I imagine that this place gets busy, but I genuinely can’t imagine a better venue to enjoy brunch in Henley. The food is top quality and you won’t be disappointed. I am a big believer in supporting local independent businesses and this is certainly one of my current favourites. Well done, team!

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