The Boatmans Rest — Restaurant in Barnsley

Stop the press.. this gem, 'is unbelievable jeff' 😍 My wife and me visited this absolute gem of a place for the first time last Friday, I had heard some good reviews and figured it was time to try it out.. so what really impressed my wife and me? Well... we were met by a very friendly team at the bar.. who were quick to help and seat us in the garden/sun room.. we sat at our table following a quick purchase at the bar.. my first impression was.. wow, they keep this place spick and span... we were greeted by the really friendly waitress.. who took our order and couldn't be more courteous.. At this point, we were both very happy with the service.. We ordered a starter and a main.. the place was buzzing... We ordered creamy garlic mushrooms for starters.. well, they were perfect in every way.. but I did comment to my wife, we may have made a mistake here, the portion size was huge!! But we both managed it.. My wife ordered Chicken polla creme, I went for the 10oz fillet... Now this blew our minds.. I ordered the fillet rare, because I like it that way.. what can I say.. exceptional.. the best fillet I've had for a long time? Most definitely... My wife was also astounded at the quality of the chicken dish she ordered.. nice succulent chicken breast in a creamy sauce.. 😋 why the hell had we not been here before?? Well, all I can say is this.. just go and experience it for yourself. Fantastic team of people that work really hard and many compliments to the kitchen team on what I would say was the best food we've eaten in a long time.. and exceptionally good pricing... what a breath of fresh air.. well done all, we applaud...

I’m absolutely kicking myself! I’ve lived within 10 mins of The Boatman’s Rest for the last 19 years, driven past the road it’s on hundreds of times and never known about it. I’ve truly been missing out.

I like food- let’s get that out there to start off with! I like all types of food but some of my favourite has to be good old British pub classics and this place hit the nail on the head.

I wasn’t expecting any fine dining, Michelin star food but I did receive some absolutely delicious British pub grub cooked to perfection for me.

I had the steak pie, chips and veg - beautiful! Nice, home cooked chips, steady on the peas and carrots that actually tasted of carrots- instead of nothing. The pie contained plenty of chunks of steak in gravy with a nice pastry lid- a little bit gooey underneath from the heaping of steak and gravy within and a nice crusty lid 😋

My wife had a beautifully cooked piece of salmon with veg, new potatoes and a hollandais sauce which went down a treat.

Only went in for a small bite and ended up having to be rolled out because of the portion size. Definitely gonna become a regular for us...

Top pub food experience. Forgot a portion of chips but quickly remedied. All food cooked fresh. You could tell the items were made on site and not bought in. Steak pie which left my fat Welsh son in law bloated. Cheeseburger that had actual cheese on and not a plastic cheese slice, that i devoured. Salad with the cheeseburger freshly chopped and not brown or soggy. Chips which I think had been fried in beef fat and then cooked again, amazing and home cut as odd shapes (a good thing as not frozen and precut) our lass had the mixed mini grill that all looked well cooked. Daughter who is a big eater despite being a tiny lass had the ribs. She donated her salad and some of her chips to her old dad as the meat on the ribs filled her up and she is like a bottomless bucket to fill.

All for about 60 quid including drinks.

Highly recommend, decor in the bar is nice and rustic. Location decent. Customers and bar staff salt of the earth type working class people with manners.

Will be back liked it a lot. Worth visiting for decent pub food.

Didn't take any pics as was starving and just ate the food...