Payneham Tavern — Restaurant in Adelaide

Visited The Payneham a couple weeks ago with seven friends to celebrate my late friends birthday. We chose the venue based on the fact it was recently renovated but the experience was average and at times uncomfortable.

Before dinner, my friend attempted to purchase a beer for himself, when the beer arrived he decided to purchase a whole round of drinks for the group as well, the lady at the bar hesitated to take the order and insisted my friend pay for his own drink first upfront. It was a confusing and unnecessarily hostile interaction during what should've been a standard transaction. While we tried to joke about it to lighten the mood, it highlighted a lack of customer service awareness.

I ordered the scotch fillet, which was the most expensive steak on the menu. The quality was very average, and when the waitress asked for feedback, I was honest about my disappointment. She acknowledged they’d received multiple negative reviews about the cut before joking that I must be giving negqtive feedback just to get a free meal. It was an unusual way to handle an awkward conversation.

To the pubs credit, the lamb pies ordered by my friends were well received, but for a pub that wasn't even busy (it was a Wednesday night), I expected better service and higher quality for a premium cut.

I wouldn’t rush back, especially not for the...

Came here so the kids could have a quick play and a bite. Ordered the $16 kids chicken nugget and chips meal — five nuggets and a small handful of chips, hardly rocket science. The pub was basically empty, so you’d think it would be out in no time.

Instead, after 47 minutes of nothing, I had to go and ask where it was. At 54 minutes, the “meal” finally arrived. The excuse? “The order didn’t go through to the kitchen.” Right — because following up on a kids meal after nearly an hour is apparently too hard. When I asked why nobody bothered to check, I got silence.

And then there’s the manager, Amber. Fully aware of the situation, but instead of apologising or even acknowledging it, she busied herself clearing a table right next to me. Classy leadership — ignore the customer, pretend nothing happened, and carry on like it’s all fine.

So for $16, you get five nuggets, a few chips, and a free lesson in how little this pub values its patrons’ time or money. If you’re looking for slow service, zero accountability, and management that couldn’t care less, this is your place. Otherwise, avoid it.

One of the most embarrassing pub experiences...

Update: meals were a lot better this time compared to last but I still think they can do better than this as well the service I rate at a perfect 5 stars staff couldn't be any better than what they were the meal quality I give a 3 out of 5 this time I ordered the roast of the day which was a pork roast and while it was nice it was still a bit lacking in flavour it was about the quality you can expect from a fish and chip shop roast not quite restaurant quality but it is a major improvement over last time at this point I still can't say I fully recommend the place other than going there for the great service provided by the staff

7/4/2022 Food quality was quite poor and not very well done had to send the chips back as they were cold when they came out and the person taking them back was very displeased about having to take the plate back to the kitchen service was quite poor except for the guy serving the alcohol was very polite and spoke to you in a friendly manner If I come back again it won't be for a very long time if ever as I was sorely disappointed in the place I don't recommend going here if your after...