Gather Cafe & Catering — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

Food: 3/5 Coffee: 2/5 Service: 1/5 Venue: 3/5

TL;DR: OK for food if not busy, otherwise avoid.

Pretty poor experience. They were very busy and didn't seem to be tracking the tables well. We identified an open table to the wait staff that just needed cleaning. They made us stand in the doorway in the rain for 10 mins before we cleaned it ourselves. The same waiter walked past it several times.

After that, we waited another 10 to be brought menus and served. Another moment when I just got up and grabbed myself menus. We figured out what we wanted quickly and wait for staff to take our order, but yet again after 10 mins I ended up calling out for the same woman that just seemed to aimlessly run about the place achieving very little. She was totally oblivious so I put my arm in her path as I continued to call for her attention.

She took our order and said she would bring cutlery and water out. 20 mins later, no cutlery, no water, no coffee and still she had been past us a number of times, often attempting to take the order of people she had spoken to minutes prior. And she wasn't the only one that just looked completely lost at all times, it was a shemozzle.

When the food and coffee came out, we were famished. The food was decent but honestly not worth waiting for. The coffee looked the part but was weak and lacklustre.

I also noticed that when we went to pay, the area the barista worked in was very untidy and cluttered. The grinder was mostly covered in loose grind, which really illustrated the chaotic and ineffective way of working employed by the staff minus the kitchen.

It is my sincere hope that this is not the experience of others, but unfortunately it has left us not...

We waited for 45 minutes before the table we were assigned was actually half cleared- (not cleaned) I had to source a baby highchair myself after 30 minutes. We were understanding of the busyness of a Sunday however we waited 1hour before our coffees arrived. The server let our table and the table next to us that they had beans that were expiring the next day and must of turned as they coffees were undrinkable. It took another 30 minute (1.5 hours at this point) before we given coffees, with incorrect milk substitutes so I decided not to consume mine so I didn’t become ill. Two orders of French toast was supposed to be ordered however they noted they ran out so only at the 1.5 hour mark, we adapted it order. We still hadn’t recieved table water despite asking 3 times to be provided with some so I could clean the table infront of my infant for hygiene. Food was very poor. We had to ask for cutlery when we recieved our food at the 1hour 45 minute mark. Fruit toast was soaked and soggy from the marscapone cheese. Breakfast quesadilla was burnt on the bottom. And Bircher muesli was basic but tasted ok. In total, I ate 1/4 of my meal, customer service was definitely sub par and it cost $89.00 for three basic meals and I drinkable coffees.

In visiting Canberra, we wanted to have a great food experience at our only restaurant out and warning to all other visitors to Canberra, don’t get fooled by this cafes online photos and presence.

😐It was generously 1star. 😐Not kid friendly 😐Not supportive of dietary requirements or allergies 😐Not hygienic

For context, My nuggets and experience at Cowra maccas on the trip home were notably better than my...

After having a not so great experience, we appreciate the cafe taking the time to hear us and listen to our concerns

No one came over to greet us etc, had to walk in because we weren't even sure if they did table service. They finally took our order, never checked on us, refilled water etc. We paid and they charged us for a dish we didn't eat. We had to call and get a refund and they were very rude about it. Waitress seemed a bit annoyed as we had dietary requirements (gluten free/halal)

Noticeably two people who came after us were looked after well, served food promptly etc

Not gonna come back here at all, and will tell others to avoid.

UPDATE: After posting this review, there are two other POC groups that have posted around the same time as us. I recall this as well as they weren't being served as either, and they also refer to the couple I mentioned above that received their food before any of us, noticeably they were not POC.

It seems they are appropriating aspects of Asian food but reluctant to serve them when they come to their cafe.

UPDATE UPDATE: just wanted to follow up and say that we got a call back to personally apologise for the experience we had here. Its very commendable for them to want to reach out and fix the situation and we really appreciate them taking the time to understand our feedback. Sometimes in service bad days and interactions can happen and what we perceive can be different to people's intentions. Thank you...