The independently run, riverside restaurant, The Boathouse Cafe, has recently introduced its autumn menu, skillfully crafted by their new Head Chef, Rafal Milarski. With its picturesque location by the river, it serves as an ideal choice for theatre goers in search of a delectable post-work meal. Notably, the independently run restaurant is proudly managed and operated by sisters Jessica and Charlotte Meins.
In line with the restaurant’s mission to offer a unique spin on locally sourced British cuisine, guests can enjoy a delightful and refreshing menu featuring British cuisine with a unique twist while immersing themselves in the ambiance of the restaurant’s terrace by the riverside.
The menu, draws inspiration from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and presents a tempting selection of dishes, including crab and prawn plates, cod ‘schnitzel’, poke bowl, primavera tagliatelle, and premium ‘Surrey Hills’ ribeye steak.
In addition, the winter and Christmas menus as well as their event calendar for the festive period are now available. Whether you are looking for a specially curated Christmas menus, join for a carol singing, taking part in seasonal workshops or planning an unforgettable Christmas party, the team at this award winning venue is ready to help.
The Chef
With a career spanning top-tier establishments across Europe, new Head Chef, Rafal Milarski, brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the chic riverside restaurant. Having discovered his love for cooking at the young age of eight, when at home watching his mother in the kitchen.
Rafal was educated in Poland with certificates in Culinary Arts, Professional Cooking and Baking. He was previously Head Chef at The Harbour Hotel Guildford and The Drummond at Albury, and is known for his creativity, leadership, and dedication to quality.
The Boathouse Creative Director, Jessica Meins says: “We are delighted to announce Rafal Milarski has joined The Boathouse Cafe, working alongside our talented team – led by The Boathouse Cafe General Manager, Justyna Cichocka. Rafal’s impressive background and shared vision for seasonal British food makes him an exciting culinary leader to take our independent, destination restaurant into the next chapter. We look forward to welcoming all our guests dining with us this summer!”
Having opened its doors in July 2023, The Boathouse Cafe is set in an award-winning building, Raw Clay, and has been described as a “hidden foodie gem upon Guildford’s River Wey”. Located at the bottom of Guildford high street, the former 1960’s Boat House has been meticulously reimagined by the Meins family and now provides the perfect location for meeting friends and enjoying alfresco, riverside dining.
It is also close proximity to the renowned Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and offers an amazing Set Pre-Theatre menu, available from Thursday to Saturday between 5.30 and 7pm.
The Boathouse Cafe maintains a unique position as one of a handful of Guildford’s remaining independent restaurants and is open for dinner Thursdays – Saturdays, as well as Tuesdays – Sundays for breakfast and lunch.
More information can be found on The Boathouse Cafe website and on social media @theboathousecafeguildford.
About The Boathouse Cafe
The Meins family, sisters Jessica and Charlotte Meins, together with their father, Richard, purchased the former 1960s Guildford Boat House in 2015 and officially opened doors in June 2023.
The independent Boathouse Cafe restaurant is open to the public from morning to night, and provides a perfect backdrop for meeting friends and enjoying morning coffees, nourishing lunches, and celebratory dinners.
The interior design for the Boathouse Cafe was achieved by East Horsley Interior Design Agency, Raw Clay, and features beautiful, sustainable design that uses natural materials and responsible sourcing. The building won the Guildford Design Awards 2023 for Small Commercial Building.
Soulspace
The Boathouse Cafe sits alongside the independent members club and co-working space, Soulspace, a distinctive new place for people to work, gather, network and grow and embodies a synergetic relationship that fosters collaboration within the local area.
The family deeply values the larger space, the surrounding environment, and the planet as a whole, demonstrating their commitment to being considerate.
At the core of the establishment, the community, growth, and purpose is prioritised, providing members with an antidote to a disconnected, divided, and insincere world.
Raw Clay
Raw Clay, a leading creative studio renowned for its innovative and sustainable approach to commercial interior design, was recently awarded a sort after accolade from the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) for its exemplary work on The Boathouse, Guildford. The venue is a multi-functional space housing The Boathouse Cafe and the members club Soulspace.
The interior of the building, which was opened by Jessica and Charlotte in the summer of 2023, combines thoughtful design, sustainability, and a strong sense of place, embodying Raw Clay’s ethos of crafting hospitality locations that reflect both environmental and social values.
The BIID award highlights The Boathouse project’s exceptional blend of natural materials, local craftsmanship, and sustainable practices, and the client’s commitment to creating a building that will patina and age beautifully, meaning it will last for years to come. The judges praised the project, noting “Raw Clay’s work truly stood out among a field of exceptional entries. The project is a beautiful example of how thoughtful design can connect a space to its natural surroundings.”
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