Moored on the River Lee in Hackney Wick, the historic 118 year old Dutch barge has been breathtakingly transformed from its former life as a cargo barge in Holland into a truly stunning floating restaurant and bar in East London. Proudly awarded the coveted Newcomer Award at the 2021 Catey Awards, the equivalent to an Oscar in the restaurant world, other accolades for this unique dining experience in East London include London’s #1 Restaurant 2019 - 2020 and Travellers' Choice 2020 and 2021 by Tripadvisor.
Ordering from a variety of set menus developed by Head Chef, Stefano Camplone, who uses readily available seasonal produce and ingredients from Barge East's on-site gardens, guests can enjoy dining on board a multitude of magical spaces on the barge, the most popular of which includes their rustic yet ambient lower deck and main dining room. Tables are topped with vases of hand picked, riverside wild flowers and ambient candles to set the mood, while restaurant surroundings include views of the chefs cooking away in the galley and their floating bar.
Upstairs, the barges Top Deck boasts a beautifully bright space with 360 degree riverside views of London's skyline, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium and their homegrown gardens. Dining off of a beautiful set of weathered Lee Boards (A form of pivoting keel, mounted underneath a sailboat) with overhead heaters for chilly evenings, the Top Deck is a truly unique, no other dining space.
The Captains Cabin is a perfect choice for groups of 6 to 10 guests after a more exclusive dining experience. A quaint, fairy lit space located behind the Captains wheel, guests can play their own music and decorate the cabin to help theme their occasion.
The barge also has a variety of heated and covered outdoor spaces for guests to dine. The front deck has a range of tables to suit groups of up to 3 guests, with an exclusive table seating 8 at the barges bow. The middle deck, located at the centre of the barge seats 6 guests in a more semi-private space. All outdoor spaces are perfect for admiring the breathtaking views and suit any occasion.
If you're looking for something more casual, Barge East also have an adjacent riverside gardens that serves a street food menu and selection of drinks sourced from local suppliers and brewers.