The Rutledge Bar & Eats — Restaurant in Berry

We had a 5:30 booking to get some food, from looking on the website having seen they offered a substantial menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner service.

We arrived at 5:30 and there was one gentleman and another table seated, and ordered about 5:45 after realising it wasn’t table service. Nobody greeted us, advised us the counter service or items that had run out from lunch until the time of ordering. Over one hour later the food (including chicken skewers, fish tacos all cold to barely luke warm and gyozas (which were fridge cold inside) came out. After I raised the issue of the delay and poor service so far after an hour of waiting I raised this to the manager who said she would take that under advisement (not a sorry).

I then had a subsequent staff member come up and say like it should be an excuse - don’t I know how busy they were at lunch? And it was busy now. I had noted that it wasn’t busy when we ordered. The subsequent response was agreeing that only one other table ordered before me, but I shouldn’t expect a greeting as it’s a bar not a restaurant.

Doesn’t make sense to see 5 staff members including a manager setting tables and walking around you rather than saying hello to anyone who arrives waiting to be seated.

We left without waiting for the return of the cold food as we were sure based on it all being cold to room temperature it was likely to do more harm than good.

I would warn customers away from any food service in...

My husband and I went here after catching the special Shoalhaven Express on the Heritage Railway from Sydney. The place was absolutely packed and we learned that no one had TOLD any of the vendors in Berry that they'd have an influx of Sydneysiders swarming their town.

Regardless and despite being absolutely swamped, the staff were absolutely amazing. So friendly, hospitable and apologetic for the slight delays with our food and beverages coming to us.

I've got Coeliac Disease and their fryer is entirely gluten free. As in THEY DON'T FRY GLUTEN IN IT! So the chips, the arancini, the karahe chicken; it's ALL COELIAC SAFE! What cemented this for me was when the chef wasn't sure about the mayonnaise and he came to confirm with me my options. An absolute legend; he knew the difference and it was so appreciated.

The food itself was delicious and we had an excellent experience here; we will 100% be back!

Please take note that I MAY have forgotten to take early photos of some of my food so the guacamole and karaage chicken are already half...

Matthew was so helpful when I made an enquiry, reserving us a table and welcoming us on arrival. He had some great suggestions for the meal, and his knowledge of the menu was a real asset.

Our compliments to the chef/s!! All the food was mouth-wateringly delicious, but the pulled pork tacos (GF) were the stand out 🥳🤤 yet to have any GF dessert options, but other staff assured us it was in the works.

The classic marg was 👌 and even the mojito cocktail was pretty spectacular.

Theresa answered our questions, shared some food suggestions and brought effervescence and personality to everything she did 🥳

Only down sides were the echo-y nature of the venue (would not recommend to anyone with hearing issues or high sensitivity to sound) and a couple of staff with very flat affect.

Overall was very impressed! Keen to return and try more of the GF options on the menu, and perhaps another...