Restaurant
The Riverview Hotel
29 Birchgrove Rd, Balmain NSW 2041, Australia
Find The Riverview Hotel
29 Birchgrove Rd, Balmain NSW 2041, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout The Riverview Hotel
A classic Balmain corner pub pairing honest counter hospitality with an ambitious dining room upstairs. Downstairs runs on easy neighborhood energy—think cold pints, beef and Guinness pie by the fireplace, and dogs welcome at the bar. Come Friday night, the front room slips into a supper club mood with low-slung live jazz and blues kept at an easy conversational hum. Upstairs, the Birchgrove Restaurant changes gears entirely, serving multi-course wine dinners and delicate plates like Fremantle octopus with chilli oil and tender duck over mash. Weekends pivot to a serious Sunday roast, dished up with crisp Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, and a rich mustard gravy.
- Upstairs Birchgrove Restaurant: A dedicated upstairs dining room running multi-course tasting menus and winemaker dinners away from the bar hum.
- Sunday Roast Tradition: Traditional weekly roast plates piled with roast potatoes, trimmings, rich mustard gravy, and Yorkshire pudding.
- Friday Jazz & Blues: Weekly Friday night jazz and blues trios playing at an easy conversational volume.
What's On at The Riverview Hotel
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Choose The Riverview Hotel
Discover why Balmain locals and visitors head to Birchgrove Road for hearty roasts, live jazz, and refined upstairs dining.
Acclaimed Sunday Roasts with All the Trimmings
Every Sunday, the kitchen delivers a traditional roast packed with meat, vegetables, and crispy Yorkshire pudding that rivals Sydney's finest fine-dining presentations.
Easily one of the best, if not THE best Sunday Roasts we’ve found in Sydney. You can instantly tell the produce is top quality, with no expense spared in creating a truly perfect roast.
JLH Property Services Friday Night Live Jazz & Supper Club Atmosphere
End the week with live acoustic jazz and blues performed at an ideal volume that lets you comfortably converse over dinner and drinks in a cozy lounge.
Had a fabulous night at their Friday night jazz. An amazing vibe and the best beef and Guinness pie I’ve had in years. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a cool supper club atmosphere in a cozy inviting pub.
Lorraine Brookes Refined Upstairs Dining at Birchgrove Restaurant
Located upstairs above the pub, Birchgrove Restaurant presents curated multi-course degustations and winemaker dinners paired thoughtfully with boutique wines.
We went to a wine makers dinner at The Birchgrove Restaurant upstairs at the pub - a great night, beautiful food with paired wines in a great setting.
Robert Dunn Seasonal Degustation & Elevated Plates
Beyond traditional pub fare, the restaurant kitchen crafts dishes like fresh tuna ceviche, Fremantle octopus, and tender duck executed to restaurant standards.
The tuna ceviche was fresh and light and matched well with the Weather craft Pinot Gris. I preferred it without the toasted brioche as I thought the flavours shone through more. The Fremantle octopus was tender with a nice chili oil kick
Denise Kirkpatrick Warm, Unpretentious Neighborhood Welcome
The Riverview delivers genuine neighborhood hospitality where staff know how to make both long-time regulars and first-time guests feel immediately at home.
The Riverview has all the charm of an honest Irish pub warm, welcoming, and no fuss, just good times. The food is hearty, the beers are cold, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want from a local: friendly faces, great banter, and a place you instantly feel at home.
John Goudis Cozy Fireplace Comfort & Chilled Ambiance
Whether settling by the crackling open fireplace on a winter evening or enjoying hearty comfort dishes, guests find a relaxed and comforting sanctuary.
Great pip feed in a chilled atmosphere which was made even better with the fireplace going.
Toby K
Most popular items
Signature pub classics and dining room staples
Sunday Roast
Easily one of the best, if not THE best Sunday Roasts we’ve found in Sydney.
JLH Property Services Beef & Guinness Pie
Popped in for a Wednesday evening meal and had a cracking Beef & Guinness pie with mash potatoes, mushy peas and gravy.
Toby K Pizza
pizzas are so tasty too.
Tina Lopez Barramundi
Sunday roast was amazing and the Barramundi was divine.
Tony Harrison
Other favorites
Entrees, starters, and classic pub desserts
Tuna Ceviche
The tuna ceviche was fresh and light and matched well with the Weather craft Pinot Gris.
Denise Kirkpatrick Vanilla Panna Cotta
The dessert of vanilla panna cotta was light and a perfect finish to the meal.
Denise Kirkpatrick Bread and Butter Pudding
Superb bread and butter pudding.
Robert Kennedy Calamari
The calamari starter was also impressive, cooked just right with a crispy exterior and tender inside
Ana CH
Beyond the menu
Distinctive hospitality details that elevate dining at The Riverview Hotel
Conversational Friday Night Jazz & Blues
Live jazz and blues performances led by American vocalist Dianne Cripps with piano and bass, arranged at a calibrated acoustic volume allowing easy table conversation over dinner and drinks.
Upstairs Winemaker Dinners & Degustations
Dedicated upstairs dining room hosting curated multi-course degustations and winemaker dinners paired with specific regional vintages away from the downstairs pub bar.
Sunday Roast Trimmings & Yorkshire Pudding
Traditional Sunday roasts accompanied by authentic house-made trimmings including crispy Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cabbage, roast beetroot, mustard gravy, and horseradish cream.
Fireside Winter Comfort Dining
A cozy dining environment warmed by a working indoor fireplace during evening service alongside hearty comfort dishes like house-baked Beef & Guinness pie.
Before you head over
Practical planning tips to help you get the best experience across our dining room and pub bar
Time Your Visit for Friday Jazz
Pair hearty pub staples like the beef and Guinness pie with live jazz and blues on Friday nights, where music is played at an acoustic volume that easily permits conversation while dining.
Book Ahead for Sunday Roast
Reserve early for Sunday lunch to secure a traditional roast with Yorkshire pudding and trimmings, and feel free to ask your server for extra gravy to accompany the meal.
Head Upstairs for Degustation Dining
For a formal multi-course tasting menu or paired winemaker dinner distinct from casual bar dining, head upstairs to the dedicated Birchgrove Restaurant.
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