Boatmans Rest in Barnsley

Food excellent, big portions very good

Absolutely amazing friendly staff Food is amazing Great price lovely little pub xx

Went here for a birthday meal with family. Absolutely amazing carvery and more than that two people in the party were vegan and I asked if they could accommodate them. Spoke to the chef and they got vegan sausage which apparently were really good and they did vegan roast potatoes and cauliflower without sauce and vegan gravy. Amazing they went above and beyond and I would like to say a big thank you. Would highly recommend 👌

Good place to eat, slightly small an crowded for my liking but the staff an the food was superb 👌🏼

Really wish I'd taken pics but we had Rump & Pot pie and Steak and Onion baguette. I can't tell you how lovely the food was, absolutely beautiful. Lovely staff and fairly priced too. It was a really lovely afternoon out.

Went for Lunch here yesterday and I chose O. A. P Yorkshire filled Pudding with Braising Steak, mashed potato, carrots and mushy peas, gravy. A dessert was included in the price of this meal. When the main meal came I was gobsmacked. It was huge. I have a really good appetite but even I struggled to eat it all. There was loads of meat that was absolutely delicious, as was all of the meal. Ended up taking the dessert home. The food, staff and the place itself was brilliant. Would definitely recommend this place. Booking is recommended.

Amazing food great portions would recommend this place to anyone . Best place I’ve been to

All I can add to the Gemini summary of reviews is it is accurate, and in no way exaggerates customers positive comments. As a fairly regular visitor to eat at the Boatman’s Rest at least monthly, often more, I can only repeat that the food, service, ale and staff are exceptional. Went yesterday (12/2) and they managed to find us a table at very short notice (always better to book in advance it’s that popular) and treat like royalty. Needless to say we’ll be back again soon.

Great night out .Food was fabulous 19 of us and all food was hot ..service and staff was excellent Would highly recommend

Brilliant place. Good value for the money.

Delicious Sunday lunch, very generous portions and the roast's were well cooked. Nice atmosphere and staff are friendly and very helpful.

All I can say is this place is a must . Food is amazing all proper home made food and the portion size us huge You will not be disappointed 🥰

Best pub in Barnsley. Food is top notch .

Food amazing staff brilliant no need to go anywhere else

Had a fantastic day for my 70th party of 25 well looked after thankyou for making my day so special

Good old fashioned home cooking

We go often. Really beautiful food best carvery we’ve had.

Best Place. Would Highly Recommend.

Excellent Sunday dinner very good value. Hot and tasty .Good service and atmosphere very good choice of drinks and great staff

34 people thoroughly enjoyed Christmas lunch Friendly staff. Amazing food Looking forward to next April

Food was ok. Abit bland. Love the vintage nostalgic decorations. Coke was flat and tasteless. Other than that’s it’s pretty unclean. Staff weren’t too interested in customer service. Coal fire was smoking and stinking up the place. “Baby changing” is ridiculous. You can’t change your baby in peace. Without someone needing you to stop so they can access toilet: I wouldn’t rush to go back. Maybe nice for a few chilled drinks and a catch up.

Best carvery Hot delicious food served with a smile Quick bar service even though busy

Great lovely pub add a 18 th birthday party

Beautiful food service very good will be going again.

Absolutely brilliant it's a "must visit" carvery I wouldn't eat anywhere else now the staff are excellent, nothing is too much trouble

Amazing food and service. Always busy, book early. Wished we lived nearer.

Gorgeous food and friendly staff. Our 1st visit today , wint be our last , booked in for next week . Warm n cosy with brilliant atmosphere.

Aw normal great carvery,pleasant staff

Still best pub/restaurant around here, real food real prices.... And still

Food (carvery) was world class. Tha ambient would have been really nice if it wasn't too full, which made it too loud and the air too pressing for my humble opinion. Otherwise nothing at all to complain about, everything clean, friendly staff, all in all very good.

Great place .lovely food and lots of it.Friendly staff .🥰

Guest at Private Birthday Party. Disco & Artist and good wholesome food. We'll organised, Good Venue. Steak Pie Chips and Mushy Peas, Amazing !!! If the rest of the menu is as good then it's well worth a visit. Regrettably 2hr trip for us.

The staff are very polite and the food is fantastic it's still the same best food

Highly recommend this place. Attended a birthday party here, must say the food was amazing, portion sizes that definitely wouldn't leave you feeling like you were on rations. Service ws just as good. Will definitely return.

We came with friends and the first time we had been for Sunday lunch there was so much veg to choose from, everything was hot well , and the meat was plentiful ,the staff were very friendly and helpful even though they were very busy .We will be back 😊

Really interesting pub with great real ale

All is always excellent. Traditional pub with proper home cooked food

Went for 1st time today with my wife’s grandma! Wow! Wow! Wow! I had filled Yorkshire pudding, it was huge! Wife had steak pie which was best steak pie ever! Grandma had fish and chips and it’s most I’ve seen her eat in ages. Lad had nuggets kids meal and chocolate sponge dessert! Definitely recommend it! 🥰

13 for Sunday Carvery birthday celebration excellent thank you will be back soon

Excellent Food and value for money. All the usual pub classics on the menu but also traditional meals you just don't see in most pubs these days. My husband and I both had Braising steak and it was absolutely perfectly cooked, hot and delicious.

We aren’t local and found the pub on trip advisor after we’d been swimming to the metrodome! Wow the portions and food were amazing and great value for money! We will be back

Food always good and staff are helpful

Nice friendly pub. Staff were helpful and pleasant despite being busy at times. Nice surroundings. Large car park. They allow camper vans to stay overnight if you have a meal at the pub.

Get food ,good value for money x

Daughters wedding reception. Excellent meal and service. Can't thank management and staff enough for making it a perfect day.

We go every or most weeks. Brilliant

Boatmans rest is a brill place to go ....good food ....friendly .. In a little hidden away place .. See if you can find it ....you will enjoy .......

Fabulous food. Excellent service. Already booked again x

First time at this place heard good reviews about it so was looking forward to it . wow..... was not disappointed ..Great atmosphere lovely cosy pub great staff was always checking to see if everything was OK. food was generous portions and absolutely gorgeous...had the mini mixed Grill...Great value for money and couldn't quite finish as there was too much ...defo recommend to any body to try you won't be disappointed...see you again soon

Only managed to have one meal here and I have to say it was very good, but on THREE subsequent occasions when we called or tried to book a table they were having a funeral party in for two occasions and a wedding reception for another. "Should've gone to Specsavers" at least we might have had more chance of a meal!!

We stayed here in our large motorhome for a Saturday night, along with our friends in their motorhome. We arrived mid afternoon and the car park was fairly busy, but we both managed to park for the night. We spent a couple of hours just having some drinks and returned later for a meal. I must say that the food was amazing and everything was cooked from fresh - including the mushy peas 🤣 Portions are excellent sizes too - couldn’t fault that. The next highlight was the service we received from the extremely friendly staff. Nothing was too much trouble and thank you for making us so welcome. In the morning we were told that the car park gets very busy before the pub opens again, people queuing for a Sunday Carvery. I can imagine that it’s excellent too. We took the opportunity to leave just before 11 whilst the car park was empty and easy to manoeuvre out. Highly recommended for Motorhomers - and like always, ring ahead and make sure it’s ok to stay

My boyfriend and I went to the pub restaurant for the first time, it had been recommended to us and as it was my boyfriend’s birthday it was a good opportunity to try it out. When I booked the table on the previous Wednesday I mentioned I was disabled in a mobility scooter I was assured this wasn’t a problem. We got there in plenty of time to navigate the place first problem was a step at the front door my boyfriend managed to get me, we had a nice chat with the bartender before our meal, then we were seated at our table and chose our food which was delicious I had the lamb shank which literally fell of the bone with mash and vegetables my boyfriend had lasagne with veg and chips we decided to try the desserts I had ginger bread cheesecake I’d never had that flavour before but it was very nice my boyfriend had ginger sponge and custard, all the food was delicious. But then I needed the toilet and this is where I became really disappointed because where the toilets were men and women’s there was a pile of baby chairs so I couldn’t even try to get in in my opinion there was plenty of places the baby chairs could have been put where a .parent would easily be able to get one themselves, we asked if there was a disabled toilet and was told there was a bigger toilet near the front door but this was almost impossible to get in I wouldn’t have managed if my boyfriend wasn’t with me. The disappointing thing is on here (Tripadvisor) the pub is advertised as wheelchair accessible whip it is not. I hope the people at the Boatmans rest see this review and take on board what I have said. To recap the food and staff were excellent the building needs some small tweaks. Disabled people like to eat out too

Booked in, food ordered weeks ago, been waiting an hour and still no food, won't be coming here again.

BEST PUB MEAL FRIENDLY STAFF VALUE FOR MONEY TOP PLACE

Never disappoints food 😍 friendly staff lovely atmosphere 👌

Excellent food best carvery in barnsley

Nice little local pub very well presented

You need to book for this place, great tasting food presented well and friendly staff

Good pub grub, big portions and really good prices. The steak pie is absolutely the best around.

We go weekly! Food is always perfect! Staff are fantastic! 5*

Big portion sizes very nice homemade food

Top place goof staff value for money meals and great service

Superb!! Reasonably priced food, carvery is fantastic and the trifle is to die for!!!!

Excellent food friendly staff cudnt do more fer you

Great Sunday lunch. I'm looking forward to trying the food during the week.

The food and service for our takeaway carvery were excellent. Whilst this means I cannot comment on the atmosphere, I can honestly say that I was struck by how busy the venue was, especially as it was teatime on a Wednesday.

Called in, staff managed to get us a table, lucky should book really, all ways busy, really nice food I was as full as a butchers dog, had to take doggy bag home. Thank you Boatmans rest.

We booked for Wednesdays carvery we are never disappointed with it, don't just turn up or you won't get served it is that popular. In my opinion it is by far the best carvery.

Great food and good service, plenty of parking too

Absolutely fantastic food and service at very low prices. Can't recommend this place enough. Proper pub with proper pub food

We stayed here in a motorhome at the Bank Holiday Weekend. First night went in for a few drinks and a game of pool. Lovely welcoming bar staff. The next day we decided to try the carvery. You can choose to eat in or order a take out. Very popular, judging by the number of people turning up to collect their meals. The food was delicious, huge servings, all served by friendly staff. Very reasonable too. The pub is situated minutes away from peaceful country walks. Lovely place for a visit. Thank you so much Boatmen's Rest for your hospitality. We had a great time.

Pubs like this are a rarity these days. Proper traditional pub with plenty of character. Very good home cooked food that is outstanding value. No nonsense what-you-see-is-what-you-get staff, and I absolutely love it. Nothing pretentious here….real pub, real food, real people, brilliant.

Great local pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, a massive glowing coal fire in the centre of the bar with mouthwatering home cooked food and a popular Sunday carvery. The boatmans' rest is also very popular with its functions, Weddings, birthday, wakes an the likes. Try it and see it.

nice pub with lots of space and good food, massive portions of food at a reasonable price

It's almost 30 years ago since I last visited this pub due to moving from the area. The pub feels exactly the same as it always did. I received a friendly greeting from the person behind the bar and I've no complaints about my pint. I will definitely be back!

Lovely food, generous portions. Lovely staff and excellent service.

The food was great, unfortunately the atmosphere didn't match it.

Well there's a Sunday lunch !! Amazing carvery with good old fashioned cooking with a chouce second to none all served fresh and Hot .. Staff on the ball polite and friendly .. I had the steak pie OMG !! Yummeee would deffo go every Sunday possible ..forever 😃 booking a necessity I think !! Cost £40 for 3 adults with drinks .. beat that if you can !!

The meat was very disappointing. We didn't eat while 3pm and the meat was over cooked. The vegetables were very nice.

People& service top drawer food & price to die for thanks xx

What a lovely pub/restaurant. We had the OAP 2 course lunch £10.95 and it was fabulous. I had the 8oz gamon and my sister had the steak pie. Both dishes were hot freshly made and so tasty. All we both could manage for sweet was ice cream, which was lovely. The staff were so pleasant and helpful, we will be back very soon.

We went last week for a party night celebrating the owners Birthday. It was spectacular.

We have been a few times over the past few months. The food is amazing and value for money. The staff are welcoming and attentive. We went for our lunch yesterday. My Grandsons said it was 5 stars. Looking forward to our next visit.

Great Sunday Carvery, very very busy

Really lovely food menu, so much choice, then when I finally managed to decide, I then had to decide if I wanted chips or potatoes with salad or vegetables. We chose the steak pie in an individual dish with a separate plate full of home made chips and mushy peas and we chose the lasagne with a separate plate of home made chips and full amazing salad. Wow.

Really lovely food, very good portions and all freshly cooked. Good service. Really would recommend

Popped in for a friday lunch. Was told a table number and waitress gave is the menus. The food we ordered was of a huge portion and had quality to match. Great price for 2 mains and 2 drinks. Would defo go back and try something else.

Wow,Great food,friendly staff, good atmosphere, we will definitely come here again. Superb

Food was really good, however there can be quite a long cue at times Sometimes cue can be 15/20 people deep Half hour later it can be empty Sunday carvery 10 pound per head Big tasty portions

Friendly atmosphere, gorgeous food, lovely staff nothing is too much trouble

Brilliant food and massive portions for a good price

Great food, excellent value for money.

Cannot recommend this pub/eatery highly enough. The food was delicious and excellent value. The staff went above and beyond. Will definitely be back

Excellent quirky little pub, with additional dining areas in the restaurant and conservatory. Excellent menu, so much choice if you enjoy traditional good pub grub. Definitely value for money. Lovely staff, always willing to help. There is an on-site car park, and outdoor seating available. Definitely recommend , carvery on Wednesday and Sunday, normal menu rest of week. Always busy, as it dosent get much better so booking before turning up would be recommend to enusre you get a table

Brilliant food, great value for money. Would fully recommend

Went with my grandparents, they ordered a starter and this was a big mistake. Everyone thought they were big enough to be the main meal, next time we’ll stick to main meals. Had to tactically only eat half of my giant Yorkshire so I could fit my main in. Bang for you buck, but a lot of food waste especially when visiting with elderly family. (See the fat ass Yorkshire pudding which was my starter. Gravy was lovely and Yorkshire was fresh)

Sunday lunch is always a winner (carvery),plenty to pick from and a choice of 3 meats ,beer a good price too .Bar staff pleasant and friendly ,always a smile 😃 or two .

Well worth the visit. Would recommend

Being a customer of the boatmans rest for many years It actually does pain me to leave a less than 5 star review but on this occasion I feel I need to say something. Tonight we had takeaway carvery x3. I had the pie. My wife had beef and turkey and my daughter had turkey and gammon. I have no idea what was going off tonight but the lady on the carvery clearly had forgotten how to slice meat. My wifes meal in particular was made up of beef bits scraped off the joint rather than cut and the attempt to 'slice' gammon was equally uninspiring. The veg was essentially tasteless too. If you want to leave feeling full then the portions will do this but if you expect a tastefull and well presented meal then perhaps this is not a go to place. At £10 for the takeaway I expected better quality than what I was given.

What a hidden gem here in Barnsley, every time we’ve been here we’ve been more than happy with our food, everything fleshly made, great portion sizes and an attractive price too, had carvery tonight, 4 meats with a choice of 2, freshly cooked veg and homemade Yorkshire puds for just £8.50 (I think), where would you get Food that good from at that price?!, infact their meat it that tender it falls apart when being carved, wonderful staff and service, lovely atmosphere and although strangers to this pub were always made welcome by regulars. Keep up the great work guys, your always chocka-block, so you must be doing something right.