Salt House — Restaurant in Cairns City

Absolutely appalling- would never recommend nor return

I dined at Salt House on the 28/10/23.

Overall the experience was extremely disappointing; the food, customer service, atmosphere and the cleanliness of the facilities (bathroom).

In terms of the food, for entree we ordered the tiger prawns. The meat was over cooked and dry.

We could not eat the miso salmon belly skewers because the salmon was so underdone and had a smily texture, I think we would have gotten sick if we ate it.

The Kilpatrick sauce served with the oysters was watery, causing a lack of flavour.

We had the tomahawk steak which was the only well prepared meal. However, the kale which it was served with was so greasy that it was genuinely inedible. It was like eating a teaspoon of oil with each piece of kale.

We also ordered a side of the onion rings which had been sitting for too long, making the batter rock hard and really unpleasant. The flavours would have been nice though, which is a shame.

We had 3 different alcohol drinks, all of which were weak, including the cocktails.

Probably only 50 percent of staff even smiled, greeted, made eye contact etc throughout the night.

The bathroom facilities had not been cleaned, there was black mold growing on the sink and the mirrors were covered in old water grime, there were also multiple piles of toilet paper left of the bathroom floor.

From where we were seated in the restaurant, the smoke from the kitchen filled the inside dining area and reached out to our table outside. The smoke was so intense at times that it contributed to us leaving the restaurant shortly after food service. I also note that we did ask to be seated elsewhere but all tables were booked.

Our waitress was lovely but did not ask us how the meals were. This is specifically noted as an absence when she removed food from the table which was not eaten.

We also watched another tables food be returned to the kitchen that night (in the short time we were present). Two staff members spoke quite loudly about it.

After our experience, I contacted Salt House management directly through email. From online complaints/reviews there seems to be a generic response to all complaints; an apology, them stating that “it’s not the usual service” and passed feedback onto the kitchen.

Unfortunately through further discussion with Salt House they have no other alternative solution other than to invite us back. For us, we were travelling and live interstate, making this option not viable, still leaving us extremely disappointed.

When we communicated this to the restaurant, blame tactics then begun; saying we should have made them aware on the night (again a response I’ve seen on multiple replies to customer feedback online).

Management also believe we were offered to remove or replace the onion rings due to being “too vinegary” which is completely false/lie and never occurred. I believe this is just another complaint they have received but can’t keep track of them all.

From our experience we would never return, we paid over $300 for the worst fine dining experience we have ever encountered.

Sal house also refused any sort of refund on the inedible, disgusting food and drinks.

Salt House management responses to online reviews are often sarcastic and attempt to blame the customer. Really appalling and completely unprofessional.

The location is beautiful, such a shame Salt House restaurant is...

I recently celebrated my birthday at Salt House Cairns, and it was an unforgettable experience! Let me share the highlights and my thoughts on this fantastic waterfront venue.

Salt House Cairns boasts a perfect location with stunning views of the waterfront. The ambiance is elegant and inviting, making it an ideal spot for a special occasion. The staff were well-organized and promptly arranged a table for us, although due to the venue's size, we opted for a more casual setting near the bar. Nevertheless, they ensured we had a good spot, creating a romantic atmosphere that we truly appreciated.

Now, let's talk about the food! The menu at Salt House Cairns offers a wide array of choices, and we were delighted with the variety available. I highly recommend trying the Tempura Fried Barramundi wings; they were absolutely amazing and became an instant favorite of mine! The crispy texture and flavorful seasoning made them a standout dish.

We also ordered the Korean Fried Chicken Burger, which was bursting with flavor and packed with delicious ingredients. The combination of tender chicken, zesty sauce, and fresh toppings created a mouthwatering experience. Additionally, we indulged in the Pollo Pizza, which was a perfect blend of flavors and featured quality ingredients. Each bite was truly enjoyable.

To cap off our meal, we treated ourselves to some Banana Bread with Passion Fruit Ice Cream. It was a heavenly combination of moist banana bread and the refreshing tang of passion fruit ice cream. The balance of sweetness and tropical flavors was delightful, providing a satisfying end to our dining experience.

Throughout the evening, the attentive staff ensured that we had a great time. Despite our choice to dine in the bar area, they made us feel special and attended to our needs with care and professionalism. Their efforts in organizing the evening were truly appreciated.

In conclusion, Salt House Cairns exceeded my expectations and made my birthday celebration unforgettable. The superb waterfront location, attentive staff, and a diverse menu with delectable dishes make it a must-visit dining destination in Cairns.

I highly recommend trying the Tempura Fried Barramundi wings and exploring the menu to discover your own favorites. Whether you choose to dine in the restaurant or opt for a more casual setting near the bar, Salt House Cairns will provide you with an exceptional dining experience.

Thank you, Salt House Cairns, for making my birthday celebration truly special! I look forward to returning and creating more wonderful memories at your...

Salt House

Yellow Fin Tuna Sashimi - Yellowfin sashimi grade tuna Heirloom tomato, dashi ice, chilli kanzuri (fermented chilli), shaved onion Glass Cloudy Bay Chardonnay Hurrah Excellent Quality of Tuna. Big chunks to delicious Look at the big chunks of delectable juicy Tuna wow. Dam bit of sinew stuck in my teeth about 3cm long. Come on good restaurants would check for that. So basically it’s raw fish with a salad of: Cherry tomatoes, cucumber and olives. It actually works very well together. There’s a hint of spicy heat from the fermented chilli it does last on the palate. The basil for me was too much for the fish. The aroma of it is very nice. Dish is missing the shaved onion Very good dish with excellent Tuna.

Local Caught Coral Trout cooked over coals.

Local reef fish cooked over coals Crispy de sautéed collard greens, béarnaise sarce, peanut cream, smashed pratine With a delicious French Chablis. It is sublime. Sorry forgot its name. Not sure about this one. I am hoping the sauce is on the side. In my view a creamy sauce destroys good fish. Nope had to scrape it off. So basically it’s fish with a ratatouille style vegetables then béarnaise and peanut sauce on top. So the sauce was scraped off, my taste others may love it. The vegetables are very good they add some sweetness and texture. The cooking no the care and treatment by the chef of the fish is so STUNNING Extremely CRUNCHY SKIN I mean it’s like crackling. Then the flesh is so soft delicious you can taste the flavours of the fish. The chef has treated the fish as it deserves. Beautifully presented beautifully cooked. Just sensational I have eaten a lot of coral trout and this is among the best. Just SUPER superb. What a great night. Tuna prepared with care and in large chunks not that annoying slices or tiny squares. Fish that tasted amazing. I mean the sauce on top was not for me, I scraped it off. The dish was still amazing. I would recommend Salt House to anyone who asked. I would recommend the reef fish dish mainly because the chef knows how to treat fish. Thank you Chef. Wonderful. THANKS also to my attendee (I don’t like waiter it’s demeaning). Juliano he was very engaging knowledgeable and just a great...