The Boatbuilders Yard — Restaurant in Melbourne

Dear Owner, management team,

I am writing to provide feedback on an unfortunate experience my friends and I had at The Boatbuilders Yard last night before a concert at the convention centre.

I’ve been to your venue many times in the past and have always enjoyed the service and location, which is why I suggested it to my group. Initially, our group of 6–7 ordered beers and cocktails. The service was a little slow, but we understood it might be due to a busy Sunday evening.

The problems began when we ordered tequila shots for 5 people. The bartender seemed unsure about how to serve them and had to be asked for salt and lime wedges. When we requested a second round, we were abruptly told “no” without any explanation, despite the fact we were clearly not intoxicated and were all in our mid-40s. We respected the refusal and returned about 30 minutes later as advised.

When we came back, we paid for 5 shots. Before we could leave, 4 more friends joined us, and we ordered another 4 shots for them. The bartender initially refused again, but eventually agreed after we explained they were for the newly arrived guests. After pouring two shots, the bottle ran out and we waited another 15 minutes for a replacement. When she resumed, she claimed we had only paid for 2 shots, despite our bank transaction clearly showing payment for 4.

Even after we showed proof, she insisted she had already given us an extra drink. I pointed out that there were cameras that could confirm the truth, and stressed that we wouldn’t dispute something over a single shot when we had already spent a few hundred dollars. She reluctantly checked with the line manager, who eventually approved pouring the missing shot.

Unfortunately, instead of resolving the matter professionally, the manager (Unfortunately I don't remember the name, but she had Indian background) was dismissive, defensive, and treated us as though we were at fault. At no point did we receive an apology for the error or the poor service.

This experience left us feeling disrespected, as if we were being treated like unruly teenagers rather than valued paying customers. As a result, I don't think any of us will return to the Bar in the future and will go to another place that treat us with respect and professionalism.

I hope you take this feedback seriously and address the training and professionalism of your team. Melbourne hospitality is known for its warmth and quality — unfortunately, last night’s experience fell far short of...

The Boatbuilders Yard is the perfect spot to soak up the Melbourne sun with beautiful waterfront views and a relaxed, vibrant vibe. Tucked right on the edge of the Yarra at South Wharf, it’s easily one of the most scenic venues to enjoy a casual meal or drinks with friends.

We visited on a sunny Saturday afternoon for lunch and drinks, and it couldn’t have been more ideal. The outdoor area is spacious and well laid out — perfect for groups, celebrations, or just a laid-back weekend catch-up. With the water glistening nearby and the buzz of the crowd around us, the setting was truly unmatched.

I started with the Iron Barque cocktail, a smooth and balanced mix of whiskey and marmalade — refreshing with just the right kick. For food, we went for two share plates: the Charred Baby Octopus and Spiced Lamb Ribs. The octopus was the standout for me — perfectly charred, tender, and served with crispy potatoes that took the flavour up a notch. The lamb ribs were equally satisfying, rich in flavour and beautifully seasoned.

For mains, we shared the Fish Burger, which came with a side of hot chips. The fish fillet was moist, crispy on the outside, and full of flavour — a well-executed classic that hit the spot.

Service was excellent throughout — friendly, prompt, and attentive without being intrusive. The staff really added to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Overall, The Boatbuilders Yard is a place I’ll definitely be returning to. Great food, top-notch service, and a stunning location that’s...

Came to this stunning venue for a breakfast date with my partner, but we unfortunately left unsatisfied.

We made a booking for 9am the night prior to coming in and arrived at the venue on time. Upon arrival we were unsure whether we were supposed to seat ourselves or find our own table. We weren’t greeted by any staff and the outdoor area seemed empty, so we sat ourselves at an empty table.

For breakfast we ordered a big breakfast with a side of halloumi, and the poached eggs on toast with a side of smashed avocado and halloumi. We each ordered a coffee, but were notified of a 30 minute backlog for hot drinks.

The food and presentation looked amazing and so did tables surrounding us however, the food was not flavourful and was quite lack lustre. The food didn’t even taste seasoned. For food that looked so delicious it was shockingly bland. The bacon was strangely cooked, so crispy it shattered like glass when cutting parts of it and others were barely cooked.

The most disappointing part was that both of the halloumi sides looked and felt as if they had never touched the pan. They were both cold and had no colour whatsoever.

Despite being aware of the backlog for hot drinks, we did not anticipate to finish our meals before the coffees eventually showed.

What interactions we had with staff were positive and genuine, which helped to redeem the experience. Unfortunately the food was a let down and I doubt we’ll be back to try again in the...