LOCATION
Parramatta is 20 k's from Sydney CBD. Barnabys is located a short walk from the River Cat Wharf (available from Circular Quay). A special Sydney experience is to get the Rivercat from Circular Quay upriver, explore Colonial Parramatta (our earlier centre of Government) and then lunch on the deck at Barnaby's overlooking the park and river.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
There is plenty of history woven within the walls of Barnaby’s Restaurant. Originally constructed by convicts in 1826, the sandstone cottage was used to house soldiers attached to the Government House in Parramatta Park, which is Australia’s oldest public building. Perched upon the banks of the Parramatta River, most would agree that Barnaby’s makes a fine spot for a restaurant. My parents don’t mind the odd dinner at Barnaby’s – it was the restaurant they chose to celebrate the arrival of their first darling daughter (that would be me). Barnaby’s casual elegance and consistently pleasing food makes it the sort of restaurant that’s as suitable for a special occasion dinner as it is for a leisurely lunch for two.
The menu offers a satisfying blend of seafood and grilled dishes with a modern Australian touch. Steamed scallops on the half shell with ginger, shallots and a sesame and soy dressing makes for a light start to your meal. Elsewhere are oysters, Tasmanian mussels in a chilli, tomato, garlic and basil broth and beef carpaccio topped with shaved padano cheese and drizzled with lemon and extra virgin olive oil. Mains include chargrilled rosemary lamb cutlets on a bed of sauteed spinach and creamy mash or choose one of the seafood dishes; the seafood platter is impressive with its array of hot and cold morsels. The wandering magician and children’s menu makes Barnaby’s a hit with the kids during the week, while on weekends the tinkling tunes from the piano adds an extra touch of class.
Amy Looker, March 2008
DETAILS
This rustic old colonial building in which Barnaby's Riverside is now housed, first came to fame during the early part of the nineteenth century as the hiding place of the infamous Barnaby Templeton - the first prisoner to have escaped from Parramatta.
The convict-built cottage was in fact one of the first houses built in the farming district of Rouse Hill. Restored and rebuilt in 1976, Barnaby's Riverside Parramatta now enjoys a reputation based more on its modern Australian cuisine than its somewhat colourful past. Step into Barnaby's Riverside and you step into a great chapter of Australian history. Live music, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Barnaby's Riverside's imaginative a-la-carte contemporary Australian cuisine or daily special blackboard provides excellent variety and value. The menu changes seasonally to take advantage of the freshest and highest quality ingredients.
FUNCTIONS
Barnaby's is perfect for celebrating a Wedding, Birthday, Christmas Party or Retirement function.
WEDDING RECEPTIONS
A Barnaby’s wedding reception is a very special occasion where all the planning os done for you. In association with other service providers, Barnaby's is able to help organise all the neccessary components for a great event such as a photographer, vintage car hire, a marriage celebrant, a cake maker and decorator, a printer, a band or disco.
