River Jacks Cafe Berri — Restaurant in Berri

When we got there it was busy but we decided to stay. Couldn’t find a clean table whatsoever. We found a table which was still full of dirty dishes and mugs and I went to find a staff to ask if they would be kind to clean the table for us so we can look at the menus. I tell you this place has an absolute Terrible rude staff. We asked for our bench to be cleared. The blonde lady working outside this morning said “we will clean it when we can, we are busy” in the rudest way and walked off. We waited for half hour and sat on a dirty table and it still wasn’t cleared while she was chatting away with the baristas. We ended up cleaning the table ourselves. I’ve worked in hospitality for over a decade and this is never acceptable specially when there is not a clean table for arriving customers. No matter how busy a place can get, table can be cleared when there is couple minutes instead of standing and chatting. The place is dirty and needs a clean.

Food was good however the green juice was warm, I had to ask for ice which is not a big deal. We were happy with it until we ordered coffee! By this time the place had slowed down. The dishes I put aside were still there. How gross.

After ordering coffee I said we’re sitting outside and gave the table number and I asked should I wait inside or go back? He said not to worry so I left to go back to my table. 20 mins later still no coffee. I looked inside and it was just sitting on the counter going cold!! The guy who took the order knew where we were sitting and was outside multiple times. I Went inside and told him that if he had asked us to wait for the coffee I would’ve waited and the coffee would be cold now. He said it’s still hot. We took it and left. It was like drinking lukewarm water! Utterly disappointed for a coffee that isn’t cheap either mind you.

Good thing was that food was nice and tasty and good serves with reasonable pricing. Not everyone was rude. People from the kitchen still smiled and acknowledged you. However, The place needs proper staff training and etiquette. Won’t go back again. If you hate your job so much and can’t do proper work then just look for...

After a three hour drive we pulled in for a needed rest break, stretch of our legs, give the puppy a car break and get a couple of coffees. I went in and ordered two flat whites, (Lg and med), while waiting I was watching the coffee guy spend time and care creating my order., heating milk fresh beans ready.., jeez they looked good., well, so I thought. While I was watching these coffee creations unfold two local paramedics walk in on a break., everyone knows everyone ., all is friendly., all seemed good. Then, while they’re waiting in line the coffee maker calls out to the Ambos and asks them, mid-queue ahead of others in the line, ‘what are you guys having?’. One replies ‘two flat whites, a large and a medium’. My ears registered that as the same as my order... I then watched the coffee guy immediately hand my two steaming hot, well-made lovingly created coffees off to the paramedics (they were not in a hurry, they were on a break with time to spare, I know because they ordered food and ambulance they arrived in sat outside for at least 20 more mins). I then proceeded to watch the coffee guy knock up two fast made coffees, without the care or finesse I’d just seen moments before, he splashed some cold milk on top, lidded them., and called out my name! As he then handed me these sub-par lukewarm brews, I saw the coffee guy look incredibly sheepish because he realised I’d just seen the whole shady coffee-switch affair. It was a choice of local favouritism over a couple of unknown customers, (Who will choose a different coffee shop on the way home). While these to ambos drank my hot-milk well made cups and we stood on the river edge with our pupper drinking the cold average muck., I couldn’t help but think., No disrespect to the Ambos, but that was a crappy crappy move Mr...

We recently revisited River Jacks Café after having a fantastic experience a few years ago—the standout back then was the chicken souvlakia, which was full of flavour, generous in portion, and beautifully cooked. Unfortunately, our return visit didn’t live up to the memory.

We waited over 50 minutes for our meals to arrive, and when they finally did, the quality was noticeably lacking. The chicken souvlakia, once the reason we returned, was underwhelming—small in portion, lacking flavour, and with an odd taste that made it difficult to finish. The Greek bacon and eggs were similarly underseasoned and uninspired.

The crab was particularly concerning—the crab tasted days old, and a few hours after the meal, I began to feel very unwell. I hadn’t eaten anything else that day, and River Jacks was the only place I had dined at—so I’m certain the food poisoning came from this visit. Whether it was the crab or the chicken, neither seemed fresh or properly handled.

On top of that, the service was inattentive and disengaged, and the overall cleanliness of the restaurant left much to be desired. It’s a real shame, given the wonderful experience we once had. Unfortunately, based on this visit, we won’t be returning.

The first picture is from my first visit and the second was...