The Boathouse Cafe and Bar in Barking and Dagenham

Stopped off for a coffee and a pint, arrived just as they opened, had a lovely chat with the owner (Del Boy). I wish you all the success in your business, you deserve it. Very chilled out vibe, worth a visit

This is the trendiest place in Barking.Staff is always polite and friendly.Nice view of River Roding from the terrace,plus they have my favorite cider which is very hard to find.

Great little place to visit with a good atmosphere... Didn't eat here, but the food looked delicious

Found myself stranded here alone one Friday night. Couldn't get a cab (all busy)and didn't feel safe walking home. Was quite anxious. Derrick very kindly gave me a lift home as I live locally. Very thankful to Derrick

My first time coming here, visiting my friend and she took me here, was so nice, lovely atmosphere, where you can sit outside and just enjoy the view, beautiful at night time! the cocktails were amazing and worth the money, the owner was very welcoming and lovely, I would 100% come back again.

Came here whilst working away, a very nice atmosphere and the bar tender was awesome made us feel at home.

Just had a couple of drinks on a hot day. Great to sit in the sun and have a different view than just the street - would recommend for a stop.

Lovely place to spend evening's

Best chips in Barking by a landslide 😉 Popped in for a mid walk coffee with my pup but HAD to call my partner to have lunch here because of the smell of the chicken and the array of beers on tap that I knew he’d love. Team was so lovely and thoughtful as the rain poured, but nothing overly stuffy. We felt like regulars despite only going for the 2nd time in the year we’ve been in Barking, but we’ll definitely be back more!

Everyone calling it a hidden gem is not lying. One of my favourite bars in London. Lovely chilled atmosphere with friendly staff and a good crowd. Nice selection of draft beers, cocktails are also ace. Would recommend

Friendly staff, fantastic views on the canal, good selection of draft beer.

Such a hidden gem! The owner was super lovely and had great vibes. We during the day time and bought some delicious iced coffees and a baked good. Highly recommended!

Phoned on a Friday to book a table for 5 for the Saturday. Derek was more than obliging and had a BBQ banquet prepared for when we arrived. Lovely place, great staff and owner and we had a great time. Many thanks!!

Great spot … terrible service as of 2020… just felt so unwelcomed by the owner yet again. I am a local resident and there are not many places in the area so after years avoiding the place, for the same reasons, thought I would give it a chance. Nope! Still the same pretentious condescending attitude (in case you wondering - never been rude, demanding or disorderly, visited the place with my children, on a date and with friends) - minus 10 if I could on the vibes!

Excellent service in a place with a nice view and vibe.

Great place to have a drink or a snack, very friendly staff and good views.

Great little bar with tasty drinks and cozy atmosphere. Only issue is the drinks prices are super high... spent almost £40 on 2 cocktails and a beer 😅

An uncut gem of a place this bar is. This quaint cafe and bar is off the beaten path as it is too far away from the hustle and bustle of the main Barking town area. Considering the location, this cafe serves the artistic community nearby and therefore has a character of its own. We had a coffee and a glass of wine that we enjoyed sitting outside while taking in the view of the canal. The lady and gentleman who were managing the place are laidback and polite. They were playing uno while the customers were chilling at the place, and that was a nice thing to see. This is a place just to chill and unwind. So if you happen to stumble upon this place, I would recommend grabbing a drink and just relax for a bit. It's worth it.

I come here often as I'm a local, usually with company but recently on my own. Such a cosy atmosphere day or night to relax and either get on with work or enjoy with loved ones. The owner is particularly friendly and will always go the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable, even offering charging ports for my device when it ran out. Also super informative about all of his drinks, where they came from etc. The bar feels so homely which I genuinely don't feel often when visiting other chain bars/restaurants. Definitely a hidden gem! And blessed to live so close by. Thankyou :)

Very nice location loads of cocktails perfect for a relaxing chilled vibe. The music was good with a variety of playlist. Not expensive either

Love this place. Great music, great drinks, great prices. Lovely owner. I’ll be coming back

Lovely place to watch the world go around with beautiful views.

Amazing warm, friendly place with fantastic beers and a lovely setting.

our new local as moved next door great little place open 12 noon till 10pm right on the river Roding Barking with a lovely outdoor area for drinks the owner makes you feel so welcome ask for the parking code if needed was a great Soul music evening being held which was good fun see you again soon thanks again

We came across this wonderful cafe/bar on a walk by the river. It’s so lovely! The outside terrace looks out over houseboats moored opposite and the inside is beautifully decorated with boats, pictures, etc. The owner was lovely, very welcoming and friendly, and the whole vibe was great. We will definitely return!

A perfect evening with exemplary staff and a brilliant atmosphere. Thank you so much to the staff ♥️ they couldn’t have done more for us. This is the best place in Barking

An amazing hidden gem in Barking with very nice bar, food accompanied with a friendly service.

By far the best bar in the area.

Great place for after work drinks. Fantastic selection

They did not have food despite a menu

Greatly enjoyable peaceful place by the side of the river under the sky . This wonderful place welcomes each and everyone of the diverse 🌎 world. Nearby busy roads with various bus routes and Barking Underground Railway Station where you can board national rail too. Don't miss this Environment-friendly place to enjoy ❤️😊👍💓🙏

Great little spot by the river .: love the setting and the decor unfortunately owner Derrick makes you feel like you bother rather than welcome your custom. Very condescending and pretentious - a shame as such a small community. Been there a few time as the only decent sort of place for a drink and every time … same experience.. so won’t be coming back … such a shame as barking has no social scene and was hoping this could be one … see the Anchor on barking park got à makeover :)

The best place in Barking area to have a nice drink with a nice view. You should go and give it a try

Very disappointing. We had seen this place on Instagram and thought it looked lovely so decided to venture out of Walthamstow with our newborn to try it. When we we arrived we were told there was no food available at all, which was annoying but ok. As we were super hungry, we decided we’d just grab a sandwich from Nisa next door so we could still enjoy a pint but were abruptly told we couldn’t bring in any food…which meant we had no option but to leave. We would have thought that under the circumstances they’d have made an exception. It’s a shame as it looked like a nice place but not reliable enough for us to return.

I can only really comment on the drinks rather than the food but I'm mixing both in the same category. Everyone I have brought to this place loves it. Del behind the bar knows how to make a very good cocktail (all fresh, not premade), a good selection of wines, beers both on tap and bottled. the music was lovely and on a hot day there isn't a better beer garden to sit in and watch the sun set.

Lovely little café and bar bext to the river, with super friendly and welcoming staff, a great vibe, and really nice drinks.

As soon as I entered got a very unwelcoming vibe as the owner talks over you with a high unpolite tone.

I came in for a late night drink and was one of the last customers of the evening. Owner was the best. Gave some samples of local brews before I put in an order. Super accommodating and personable. Highly recommend.

Amazing cafe-bar by the river! The ower is a fantastic man, very polite and helpful! We'll be back soon!

Hidden gem on the Riverside. With an owner who cant do enough for you. Great atmosphere and excellent music.

Add jerk chicken and drinks with this place friendly customer service nice place to chill by the river relaxing vibe

Such a lovely place in Barking that I didn't even know that exist. I am glad I found it. Great cocktails, very kind staff. Definitely will come again!

The coffee was amazing with breakfast. Recommend to go and have drinks and food at any time of the day.

Nice cosy place with good drinks and a friendly staff!

Very warm welcome by cafe hosts, lively atmosphere, windy open terrace by Riverside, lovely views of creek and boathouses, vintage feel, limited food options now, jerk chicken and mire coming very soon.

Visited with family and 2 dogs on wet Tuesday afternoon. Del the owner is the loveliest welcoming man, amazing at mixing cocktails with his own unique twist, Mojitos will not taste as good anywhere else. A must visit if your in the area

Not a big fan of the lagers they serve here but the Lilley's Mango Cider is unbeatable. The owner will definitely make sure you'll come back to this place.

I love this place. The location, atmosphere, friendly staff and proprietor give an amazing understated welcome to all. I return to it like coming home. Good variety of snacks and eats as well as dessert. Large range of cocktails and beers on tap as well as bottled. Highly recommend.

Lovely building, toasties are nice and a great view of the lake.

Little bar at the river with amazing atmosphere and perfectly nice service!

we found this lovely place as we had walked along the river. They were having a party for volunteers but still made us feel welcome and even though they didn't know us. It was a lovely spot by the river and I felt chilled and will be going back there again when we stop at the travel lodge. the owners were really nice

Friendly welcome,great food, and certainly knowledgeable about his beer. I'll be back

Best place in barking for a pint in the sun

This place is such a fantastic hidden gem, I almost don't want to review it! But it would be criminal not to because the Boathouse is just so good. It really comes into its own in the summer as the outside space is so lovely, but even on a cold day there's a surprising amount of seating inside, and you can book a table if you call. The cocktails are not cheap but that reflects the quality of the ingredients, and the craft involved. The Long Island Iced Tea blew my socks off and I have had my fair share of LIITs, and made my own. For a drink that strong, the balance is very important. The selection of beers is great, and changes regularly. We haven't ever eaten but I have noticed that the food isn't always available at the times advertised- in the evening, at least- so if you're going and intending to have a snack, might be worth getting in touch with them first. Friendly place and great drinks, simple as that.

Amazing bar and restaurant on the Riverside. The staff are the friendliest! The cafe has a community feeling. Great atmosphere! Dog friendly too.

Extraordinary view! Friendly service, just a nice chill vibe. Great selection of drinks, even herbal teas which is my forte. Video attached captures the gorgeous view 😍

Friendly and welcoming atmosphere! We really enjoyed our time here!

Nice interior and atmosphere! Friendly staff, delicious kitchen!

Stayed locally and found this little gem for a quick drink.. as we entered the owner greeting us with a smile and friendly chat.. offering sample of local ales and snacks.. I can definitely see how this place could become a dangerous place to stop for a quick drink!! A great place and clearly a meeting place for the locals. Thanks for the welcome.. The three northern amigos!

What a better way of spending a sunny Easter afternoon than the Boathouse. A wonderful setting along with a fantastic carvery. What makes it really special are the lovely, friendly staff. You are always made to feel so welcome plus a lovely atmosphere. ❤️

Good craft beers, great whiskies, and great host

Great service by the owner! Very nice and service is fantastic this place will remain and regular for us. Also great service from the young guy on Friday!

The best place for a drink in barking. The owner is lovely. Only visited once, came back a few months later and he remembered our faces and our drink order. So friendly and welcoming. The views are beaut 10/10

Great place with an amazing owner. Always feel welcomed!

The best place in this part of London! The owner is amazing, very open and welcoming! Always stops by for a few words. The drinks and food are great, so is the atmosphere! Highly recommend!

The Boathouse Café & Bar is a hidden gem on the River Roding in Barking. The place has a lot of character and the owner Derrick is proper sound. The place has a wide range of drinks, both alcohol and soft, and a nice selection of snacks. It has an outdoor seating area to enjoy when the weather is good. I'd highly recommend it and looking forward to visiting again.

It's an excellent bar, owner is the sweetest man who will always entertain you with a conversation and the selection is exquisite.

Lovely place. Derrick is a brilliant host. Great British beers. It’s a little gem to find. We came for 1 beer, but stayed for more than we needed…. Happy days. Such a great place.

It's just been more than a pleasant night for us! The place has a lot of character, it's on the River Roding. The owner is amazingly friendly and it's there to make you feel like at home! Fantastic place!

Amazing food and service from Derek, a real Barking gem!!

A nice boss. Good beer, nice place.

Great atmosphere, enjoyed music quiz night, DJ vety good with wide selection of music. I highly recommend the Boathouse.

Fantastisk god mad og god service. Venlig, høflig og imødekommende betjening. Fantastisk velsmagende mad og deres hummus er i verdensklasse

What a brilliant hidden gem,l. Just what barking needs. We popped in about 2pm ish on a Saturday, the staff were polite and well mannered. The clientele was just how i like it which was people who appreciate a nice local business and enjoy the trouble free socialising. There are plenty of drinks to choose from. We went for a few different types of Ales. They do a bit of hot food too. You can sit inside or out. The toilet was clean. They do quiz nights and some live music i believe on certain nights. Definitely worth a visit.

Went to the music quiz at the Boathouse, Sat 15th October. Great night, good choice of beer the Hammerton 'TINT' Nitro stout is worth the visit alone. Good Quiz, thanks to DJ Mike Starr, be nice to go back again when he is spinning some tunes. Great staff, friendly and good service, Keep up the good work Derrick and all the guys and girls! Hope to be back soon!

I was at a music quiz at The Boathouse last night. DJ Mike ran the quiz. We had a great time with nice drinks and helpful staff.

Went to the Boathouse for a music quiz night with the resident DJ MIKE. It was a really fun night and very good atmosphere. The DJ was very good and the service staff were friendly.

Just had a lovely lunch here and will definitely be back ! Friendly and helpful staff and the local area are lucky to have this gem on their doorstep 👍

Fab hidden gem with craft beers and ciders and the best chips in Barking! Owner/ Manager was very friendly and really took an interest in his customers and made sure were well looked after, will definitely return.

Good drinks and fantastic service very clean also!!

A secret gem! Absolutely the best staff and service you could possibly ask for, very friendly and accommodating from the moment you walk in. The view is fantastic and the atmosphere is great all round. Cocktails are made with 'real' alcohol and hits the spot nicely. Didn't get to get the food this time, but I'm sure I will be going back again and again. If your still deciding where to go, definitely recommend you end up here.

Hidden Gem is a pretty fitting description, Derrick runs a damn fine establishment and definitely one the classiest drinking spots in town. Popped in for a few cocktails today and enjoyed sitting by the river and relaxing to the great tunes. Will definitely head back soon.

Attended a 60th Birthday celebration here, staff and owner absolutely wonderful. Great food and staff could not be more helpful and polite. Especially Derek the owner. Well worth a visit

Nice little restaurant by the canal. Clean and friendly staff

We went to try it out and was surprised, great vibes on the music, food and drink were good, standard prices for nowadays…Service was good as well , the owner came over to our table and had a chat to welcome us and took us through the menu. Really quite pleasant sitting next to Barking Reach, it’s about time for Barking to get some decent restaurants, bars and pubs back and this is one of them - keep up the great work we will be back!

Great meeting place, nice river views

Always a lovely space at which to chill out. Good drinks selection too.

What a great place to spend a lunch break, drinks with friends or similar... Gorgeous views, right by the canal, gorgeous people, very sweet, attentive and kind. I would totally recommend this place, but try not to drive here, parking is very scarce, walk or cycle if you can you won't regret it.

Excellent place for a good catch up and drink

I love this place. Service is so good and cocktails are perfect! Carrot cake is also SO GOOD! Aaand vegan. Love it. Will come back for sure! :) Also, a nice view next to the canal!

Nice beer nice food good views. Not a large venue but nice and tucked away with good views.

The owner Derek is the rudest person I have ever had the misfortune of coming across. He does not know how to treat his customers. Food and drinks are overpriced for the location, I WILL NEVER GO BACK NOR WOULD I RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE !!

Went there for a Saturday brunch with friends and everything was good until we received a terrible behaviour from the owner. We had a kid with us and since they don’t have anything for kids on the menu we brought some sandwiches for her to have. We have ordered drink and food for ourselves and we were the only customers in the restaurant. At some point the so calls owner comes and starts shouting at us and telling us off that he doesn’t want to see that food on the table as it’s not purchased from them. We tried to explain is for the child but his attitude was just awful. He said he doesn’t care he doesn’t want this on the table and to remove it straight away. This is not a customer service! We would definitely not come back there after we’ve been treated like this. Terrible experience and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

Glorious place with glorious people. Cheers.

Good place to eat service was nice

Lovely place with very welcoming people. A bit pricy but definitely the best place in Barking.

Great place by the river. Good people, good menu, nice atmosphere.

This bar just keeps getting better the food is now spot on and the beer is great!

Great chilled out place , great service with a smile , chilled out music , lovely food

Milo was an absolute legend! Give this man a pay rise