Reviews The Cottage Balmain

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FrenchieFoodie
+4
The Cottage is beautiful little house transformed in a cute restaurant bar. They selection of wine is really good (From AUS/NZ/FRA..)
Their cheese platter is well served with 4 types of cheese. The atmosphere is really nice, you just feel like home.
Dec 30, 2018
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Anna
+4
The Cottage gives off great vibes, even in the evening when you can't see anything. The fairy lights set the mood to chill, drink some wine, and relax. I can imagine the weekends during the day would be prime time!

My friend tried the scallops and chicken which she enjoyed, and my other friend and I dived into the two vegan options of roasted cauliflower and smoky salad. We also ordered the fun guy pizza without the cheese. 🖒 I have had plenty of cauliflower dishes at many different places, and have to say the Cottage ranks highly! The baba ghanoush it came with was baba ghanoush but supreme. And the pomegranate added a little special something to the dish as well. This is highly recommended.

The salad was simply a salad, but a pleasant salad at that. Perfect to break up any heavier dishes you may be ordering as well. The truffle oil on the pizza was alluring and got my tastebuds all excited, but fell a little flat upon taste. Nothing particular wrong with it although the mushrooms were so stringy and hard to chew and they kept getting stuck in our teeth.

I would love to come back for drinks and great vibes, as the food is also quite good. Hopefully they will add more vegan options to the menu, but as always it is quite easy to veganize existing dishes.
Oct 13, 2017
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Weekendfoodescapes
+4.5
I visit The Cottage Bar and Kitchen in Balmain on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Luckily I had a table booked as it quickly filled up by 12:30pm with a buzzing atmosphere outside and the tables inside being filled up as well. It's a gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon at the Cottage Bar and Kitchen. I feel like a lady of leisure as I sip on my Pomegranate and Lychee Martini ($17) which has bombay sapphire gin, pomegranate liquer, lychee liquer, lemon juice, cranberry and a syrup. Matt sips on some young henrys beer. GO TO BLOG POST FOR FULL REVIEW INCL. PHOTOS
May 07, 2017
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Bianca Honson
+5
Amazing beer garden - best in the Inner West. Great food and love the espresso martinis.  Garden fills up quickly on weekends so must get in early to get a good spot!!!!!!!!!
Apr 05, 2017
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Food Lover33
+5
What a lovely place. We came here for my partners birthday party on Sunday afternoon. We were pleasantly surprised with the live music duo. What a talented duo. The ambience was very comfortable. The share plate menu was quirky and interesting and represented great value.
The staff were friendly and efficient and very professional. We will definitely be coming back, and will recommend to all of our friends! Keep up the great work cottage team!!
Mar 01, 2017
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Sean M
+4.5
I visited The Cottage a few weeks ago for late lunch with family, and overall, I was incredibly satisfied with the experience. After walking all the way from Balmain East wharf in the middle of the day (not our smartest decision!), we were seated promptly and opted to share a few meals. Though we were seated close to the kitchen, the rustic decor was enjoyable throughout the restaurant.

Our meals came out very quickly, and all of them were delicious. The fried spiced chicken was one of the better fried chicken dishes I've had in my life, being crispy, tender, flavoursome, and not overly oily (as far as fried chicken can go). The two pizzas we shared were also delicious. The jamon serrano on the 'De Jamon' was soft and salty, and reminiscent of many of the excellent pizzas I've had in Europe. The 'Hoi Sin Duck' pizza was very unique (more the sort of flavours you would expect in a salad!), but nonetheless, the combination worked and was extremely tasty.

Overall, if you're looking to share a few meals with family and friends, it would be extremely difficult to look past The Cottage!
Jan 23, 2017
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Manali Godbole
+5
I had been wanting to visit this place since a long time due to its sheer chic and cozy ambiance. Finally ended up visiting this place last week for a dinner date. It is located on Darling Street and set in a cottage style bungalow which makes a perfect setting for the restaurant with an outdoor and indoor seating. The food menu is not extensive, however, they do have some really vibrant food on their list. As for the beverage list, their cocktails sound pretty innovative and interesting with a good wine list to back it up. 

Talking about the food and drinks we ordered, to start off we decided to try the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini and the Chamomile Sour both of which blew us to bits and we were so impressed with the concoctions. The Espresso Martini was by far one of the best ones I have had so far and The Cottage is actually pretty known for them. To start off, with the drinks we also ordered the Cured Salmon which was a riot of flavour and textures on your palette with the crunchiness of the black rice, the freshness of the cucumber and mint and the slightly sweet Elderflower dressing that paired so perfectly well with the Salmon. 
We also tried the Chicken Pate, which was pretty decent but a tad too overloaded with blue cheese for our taste but that was a personal preference and if you're a blue cheese lover you must definitely have a go at it. 
Post this we ordered a bottle of Rose which was again a pretty lovely wine they have on their list along with the Arancini and the Warm Goat's Cheese Dip served with Croutons. Both the dishes were beautiful and we loved the meal. 
Being a sweet-toothed person, a meal without a dessert is a meal incomplete for me. We decided on the Strawberries and Cream as it seemed to be a lighter option though the Bananarama also sounded too tempting. The dessert choice turned out to be the most perfect one for us as I've never had something so beautiful in quite a while now. It was the right amount of sweet, lightness and whole lotta love on one plate and we couldn't have asked for more. As we were so fascinated by their Salted Caramel Espresso Martini we ended up ordering two more rounds along with the dessert to end this fabulous meal on this evening spent well. And I must say, each of the 3 rounds of Martini I consumed tasted exactly the same to the last bit even though it was prepared by different people. Hats off for achieving such consistency.

We gobbled up the Salmon and the Goat's Cheese Dip too soon only to later realize that we hadn't taken pictures, but we're not guilty!

Also, I must MUST make a special mention to James who is the manager at The Cottage for the wonderful hospitality extended to us and looking after us. We thank you for making our evening so lovely and being so attentive from the beginning right through the end. It's this kind of service and hospitality that makes anyone want to go back to the same place again and we will definitely be returning to The Cottage not just for its food and drinks but for the hospitality.

All in all, the total meal cost for the two of us was about $180 and worth every cent!

Take a bow James and Team The Cottage.Naman Kumat
Nov 29, 2016
Zomato
Coffeebrunchanddinner
+4.5
Perfect weekend spot - especially on a sunny day if you are lucky enough to grab a table in the garden area and listen to some live music. Good for groups but also the ultimate date spot. The cocktail selection is on point and the menu has a great selection of share plates - my recommendation is the hand cut chips and the hoi sin duck pizza and there is always the cheese platter. They are also accommodating for group bookings - with plenty of options inside and out.
Sep 19, 2016
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Lien Nguyen
+4
I really like the ambiance of this place! The array of miscellaneous decorations laid around the cottage really give it a homey and relaxed vibe. The food was also great. Ordered a  few dishes including the winter salad, lamb shanks, scallops and arancini. All were delicious !
Jun 28, 2016
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Eatwithmyfoodsafari
+4.5
Located on Darling Street, The Cottage is set back from the main road and as its name suggests, is a restaurant set inside a cottage. Urban oasis meets country chic.

There is lovely little courtyard inside; bringing the outdoors in, it's the perfect spot to share a meal with a group of friends.

The food here is delicious and generous, with shared platters designed to share. A favourite dish is the roast cauliflower with raisins, vinaigrette, baba ghanoush, pistachios and pomegranate.
Jun 09, 2016
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HurryDaFoodup
+4
Highly recommend this place for food and ambience! Upstairs is beautiful;my friends and I sat there comfortably for hours. For a catch up between two - downstairs outside was really nice.
Service is a bit slow though and they aren't very attentive but food is quick so that's good!
Apr 30, 2016
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Lawrence Wisdom
+3.5
Lovely outdoor area for afternoon drinks on the Main Street of Balmain. We only stopped off for a couple of drinks but the food looked great!
Feb 23, 2016
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David Washington
+4.5
I spent an hour or two here on a lazy Sunday afternoon around Christmas time. I can recommend this place. The service is fantastic and they have live musicians to provide the musical accompaniment. The drinks cost a few dollars more than a pub but they are high quality and the cocktails are excellent. We shared two pizzas which were smaller than expected but very very delicious. I'll be going back at least once a year, if not more.
Jan 06, 2016
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Hungry Minion
+4.5
What a fantastic little nook of Balmain! Food was spectacular. We had the banquet but my favourite by far was the cauliflower in a eggplant tahini with pomegranate, pistachio and sultanas. Was so delicious. I will be back here in no time.
Nov 21, 2015
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Eat Drink Play
+4
Stepping in to The Cottage Balmain is like being invited into the rustic home of an eccentric artist. There’s mismatched furniture and eclectic artwork, including one of Salvador Dali holding his cat, scattered around the place. Downstairs is all hustle and bustle, full of grandmotherly tea sets, tall stools and pots and pans hanging on the walls. Settle in upstairs on one of the cosy leather armchairs or get some fresh air outside amongst the tall hedges draped in twinkling fairy lights.
Sep 23, 2015
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Those Who Love To Eat
+4
Love this converted terrace, turn bar and restaurant! Truly a place to be on a balmy afternoon. This is just a fantastic place to hangout with your dinner date or friends.
Just recently they have introduced esspresso martinis every Thursday nights for $10! A great way to ring in the weekend. Tried one of them tonight and it was quite tasty, and had it not been a public holiday, loads of police on the road, and double demerits, it just was not worth the risk. Otherwise... I think I would have ordered quite a few more.
We also ordered food to share. Fun boy pizza, quite delicious, a mashroom pizza. We also had fried spiced chicken with a side of slaw. The chicken wax tender and crunchy, an excellent combination.
This place is a favorite of mine in the Balmain area, and I find myself coming back here a number of times. The service is always consistent, the times that I've been there and so is the food. This place should be on your to try list!!
Aug 23, 2015
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Monica Gianfrancesco
+4
Lovely food, great staff, the cocktails were amazing. We had a private room upstairs which fit about 30 people. Was great for an intimate dinner.
Aug 18, 2015
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Richard Conway
+4
The Cottage was great for dinner and drinks. The staff were friendly, helpful and quick. The waitress recommended some dishes for us to try. The prawn cakes, which were delicious. The lamb and cauliflower dish, which was also great (and surprisingly filling). And lastly, the pepperoni pizza (had a fancier name than that) which was very nice and quite chilli. We couldn't finish the food between two of us and the price was reasonable. Overall, very pleasant and worth a try.
Jul 22, 2015
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ChocChip
+4.5
Atmosphere and service is great, even on busy Saturday nights. It can get noisy and crowded in the front areas, but it still maintains an intimate and homely feel.

Dishes are made for sharing and from previous visits, the menu changes seasonally. The menu always sounds enticing, that we want to order so many things. They also have pizzas, which is quite popular. The waiter recommends about 3 dishes between 2 people, and we usually find that sufficient, depending on the dish.

Drinks list is very extensive, good if you like having a variety to choose from. I always have a nice meal here over some good wine and would definitely return to try the other dishes. Great place for catch up drinks and sharing some food.
May 24, 2015
Zomato
Facebook User
+4.5
Superb food, beautiful space, great staff.. I came in to The Cottage with a coeliac friend last Saturday night for a drink while we were waiting for a table at another restaurant in Balmain. We loved the feel of the place so much that we cancelled our reservations and stayed for dinner! The Cottage has a great vibe, busy without being too noisy, and a beautiful space that makes you want to stay.

We shared the smokey kale salad, stuffed mushrooms and a pizza, and it was all absolutely gorgeous - fresh, tasty and great mixes of flavours.

The staff were friendly and helpful and the gluten free offering was really impressive - the kitchen really understood what was necessary for coeliacs. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more of the menu (and cocktail list).
May 13, 2015
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Emma
+4.5
AMAZING!!! We went out for dinner at The Cottage, and loved every mouthful! The service was really friendly and helpful but not interfering, and the dishes were fresh and flavoursome! You have to try the salmon carpaccio! Loved every minute!
Apr 07, 2015
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DroolWorthyWorld
+4.5
This was definitely LeeLee’s favourite. It was so mushy inside, with a crispy coating. More importantly, it was warm and not served cold as LeeLoo doesn’t like her vegetables cold. Although not a typical fan of cheese
Jun 08, 2014
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Bunnybloggers
+4.5
Yes, yum! Zucchini fries is a must try. Something different and because it's a vegetable it's healthy right!? Ahahahha sorry I was trying to sound like someone on a diet. Anyway, if someone says that to you, just hit them back with a *you know potatoes are vegetables too right?* BOOM!
Feb 09, 2014
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Sir And Mlady Dine Out
+4.5
The Cottage is almost like a little bit of Surry Hills but transported into Balmain. The place isn't big yet it uses its space so well to create a multitude of different areas to accommodate quite a few customers - and it's charm, drinks and food are attracting plenty of regulars. 
Jun 18, 2014
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Tinkabellez
+4.5
Beautiful ambience, delicious & refreshing mocktail. Service not bad. Food is alright. Best dish is the scallops with sweet corn purée
Jan 09, 2015
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Nancy Wu
+4.5
AMAZING. I love everything about this establishment -- the food, the ambiance, the soundtrack, the service, the cocktail and wine list... There's seriously nothing to fault here! My friend and I shared a pizza (with gluten free crust, which was nice and crispy without feeling like a 'fake' pizza), the cauliflower (studded with jumbo raisins and pistachios on a bed of baba ganoush), and the beef brisket. The cauliflower was a clear winner, and my friend and I both agreed that we would return just for that!

You *must* try this place. Hands down one of my new favorite spots!!!
Aug 18, 2014
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Lisa Saggers
+4.5
Cutest place, has such a nice atmosphere, great service and food was awesome. Good selection of wine and cocktails, their pâté was soooo delicious :)
Jul 20, 2014
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Jo
+4.5
Had a private function dinner here upstairs and it was perfect! Staff are so so lovely, a reflection of the great management. Will definately be back, food was good, but for me the outstanding part was the service and professionalism of the team here - keep up the good work!
Apr 27, 2014
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Mae.
+4.5
Had a really good dinner last night with my boyfriend. It was really noisy inside due to a birthday or girls nights and the staff were really accommodating in moving us to a more suitable table outside. They brought us our menus and water and put the heater on for us. Our waiter was Seb he was excellent and made us feel very comfortable and helped us with our meals and drinks, couldn't of asked for a better waiter. The Zucchini fries were incredible! And we really enjoyed our Pepperoni Pizza and for desert we got The Flowerpot which was a trifle. All in all, we had a great experience and we'd go back again for sure!
Sep 14, 2013
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Natalie
+4.5
I went last week to the cottage and loved it! We sat outside in the sun and had lunch and enjoyed the live music. Can't believe anyone would have anything negative to say about this place. Yummy food, best espresso martinis I have ever had and the staff are friendly.
Sep 05, 2013
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French_roberta
+4.5
Atmosphere with amazing food. Have just found my new local bar! , with friendly faces and a warm atmosphere I can see myself spending alot more time here.

The mulled cider was a hit with all my friends and the food was equally amazing. Looking forward to coming back
Aug 02, 2013
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Hungry Vixen
+4.5
The vibe. The food. The nick nacks. Loved it! Will be back, definitely a place for a nice relaxed dinner party
Mar 31, 2013
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Nicole Doughty
+4.5
Awesome place. Friends recommended it to us so we tried the "fun guy" pizza, meatballs, cheese plate and the flower pot dessert. Everything was delicious and the staff were great.
Jan 19, 2013
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Peter
+4.5
Lovely decor and service, had a relaxing afternoon in the front garden
Dec 23, 2012
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Daniel Grigg
+4.5
Appealing food, good selection of drinks inside a lovely venue but lethargic service.

Ordered a margarita pizza and a couple of beers. The pizza was probably the best I've eaten outside of Italy. Waiting for the lone waiter's attention can be trying though.
Dec 08, 2012
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Fliss
+4.5
Awesome!!. New menu is great! The staff are so friendly and helpful... Been here a few times lately and it just gets better and better.
Sep 16, 2012
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Nm28
+4.5
The cottage!. Celebrated my birthday here with some girlfirends last week. We shared woodfired pizzas and selected some of the meats and cheeses, all the food came out looking and tasting great!, we got stuck into some of the cocktails later on and ended up staying until they closed, it was great atmosphere. ill be back for sure.
Sep 12, 2012
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Ella
+4.5
Great atmosphere and set out. Top service, staff always asking to make sure everything is okay. Food is average. Is it normal for sardines to have bones? Would have enjoyed it more if it was boneless. Lamb cutlets were to perfection! Wine menu fantastic. Would go back for wine, atmosphere and maybe to try out the pizzas. Great set out for private group dinners.
Jul 28, 2012
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Ange
+4.5
Fantastic wine bar!!. Had a great experience at The Cottage- my partner and I went on a Monday evening and shared a selection of meats and cheese as well as the pork belly. We found the staff to be very friendly and attentive- we were served promptly and our orders arrived without delay. So pleasing I don't have to travel into the city anymore to find a good wine bar. I loved one of the wines so much I went out and bought a bottle of it today!!
Jun 27, 2012
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Food Force
+4.5
Amazing! Awesome atmosphere, friendly staff, great food, wine and beer and good value! Love this place!!
May 12, 2012
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Skye
+4.5
Enjoyed Every Minute!!!. I recently went to The Cottage and enjoyed every minute, it has a great décor, delicious food and really cool vibe. The menu is very reasonable and they have a great selection of wines. Our group shared a number of dishes which were all great, decent serving sizes and made from high quality produce. It was a great night and I look forward to many return visits!
May 04, 2012
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Manelle
+4.5
First time at the cottage last saturday night. Wow... It was amazing. Great atmosphere, great food, excellent service!! Well done to all the staff there. You are all doing a fantastic job! Keep up the brilliant work! Definately will go again! So pleased :)
May 02, 2012
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Dan
+4.5
Unique and homely. I've been once and absolutely loved it, such a unique experience compared to what other small bars in Sydney have to offer. Great service, great food and delicious cocktails not to mention the homely "cottage" experience. I cannot recommend this new little gem any higher. i'll be back in the coming weeks for sure!
May 01, 2012
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Charlotte
+4.5
The Cottage! What a great find!. I'm not one to normally write a review, however this place was so great I must give credit where credit is due! Great service, Sensational menu, Great value for money and the wines were some of the nicest wines we've had in a long time. The prices are very reasonable. Loved the theme of the place also! It really had a cosy, warm and welcoming feel to it. My partner and I felt right at home. We loved everything about this place. We will be back for sure! Thankyou for opening!
Apr 30, 2012
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Dealseeker
+4.5
Simply the Best!!!. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience here last night.
We were greeted by friendly staff who were professional and attentive.
Food was served in timely manner and was beautifully presented.
This place is great and we are definately coming back!!!!
Apr 30, 2012
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Annie
+4.5
I Love the Cottage. What a fun family Birthday night we had here. I couldn't fault it. We were meet by Os and instantly felt at home. It is out there cottagy. Oz showed us around and every room was wow I love this. We so enjoyed the delicious tastings and the lamb was to die for. The cocktails were a highlight and my husband liked his beer! We finished the night with the BEST deserts served so nicely. It has a a lovely fresh feel about the place and this put everyone in a good mood. One of my daughters said it was very Melbourne. I think Balmain is very lucky to have such a fine wine bar and should feel very proud. These young guys have done such a good reno and deserve credit as well. We will be back!
Apr 29, 2012
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Emma
+4.5
My new 'little secret'. What a find! A deliciously cosy bar and restaurant with just the right amount of warmth and electric energy to make it my new 'little secret' place to take friends and family. The Riesling I shared was super, the cocktails great fun and the prices very reasonable which is refreshing! Thanks for a great night, I will certainly be back to try the lamb and some of the reds!
Apr 29, 2012
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Emily
+4.5
I had my birthday party at the cottage bar and kitchen last night and could not have asked for better service. The staff were incredibly attentive, friendly, welcoming and the food arrived promptly and tasted delicious. I loved the presentation of it also. The atmosphere was comfortable and cosy and the ambience to my liking. I will definitely be going back there again for dinner and some fabulous cocktails! Thankyou for making my birthday a night to remember for not only myself, but for all my friends and family.
Apr 29, 2012
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