Shells N Rocks Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

Atmosphere was nice and staff were friendly but food and service definitely needs some work.

Entree of "Lightly Crumbed Calamari" was just regular frozen box calamari rings (heavily crumbed, chewy and bland) and served on a bed of very unappetizing clumpy rice with no dipping sauce whatsoever (a first for us).

"Matt Moran Style BBQ Bugs" for $55 were tiny, overcooked (dry) and served on the same clumpy rice as the calamari and sadly presented again without any side butter or sauce (which was desperately needed). When asked if they could provide some of the "Garlic and Herb Glaze" listed with the dish on the menu, they requested an additional $5 which was ultimately quite off-putting. The side salad was literally 7 shreds of wilted lettuce and a tiny bit of garnish and the dish honestly would've been better off without it. The chips however, were done nicely (crispy and hot).

Caeser Salad tasted and appeared to be made with pre-packaged croutons and bacon bits, oversized chunks of onion and Parmesan and a far cry from a restaurant quality salad.

We had planned on dessert but decided against given the disappointing quality of entree and mains provided.

That said, we're glad to hear it's a relatively new business because they're in the perfect position to turn this around and make the place something special. We understand restaurants are EXCEPTIONALLY hard to get off the ground and while feedback like we're giving isn't easy to hear, the success of the business relies on it.

I came away with the distinct impression the business is overselling lower pricepoint ingredients via an upscaled menu and it really isn't coming together well... we'd have much rather paid an extra 20-30% to have higher quality ingredients and dishes complete with dipping sauces. The location, atmosphere and staff clearly show promise... the food quality just need to align better...

A Hidden Gem: Shells and Rocks Restaurant & Bar

From the moment I stepped into Shells and Rocks, I knew I was in for something special. This charming spot feels less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. The warm, inviting atmosphere is just the beginning.

The food is nothing short of extraordinary. Every dish tastes like it’s been prepared with genuine love and care—the kind of soul-warming, home-cooked quality that’s hard to find these days. Whether it’s the hearty mains or the carefully crafted sides, each bite bursts with flavor and feels thoughtfully put together.

What truly sets Shells and Rocks apart, though, is the service. The staff are genuinely kind, attentive, and make you feel like part of the family. They go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels valued and looked after, adding to the overall welcoming vibe.

To top it all off, the prices are refreshingly reasonable, especially considering the quality of both the food and the experience. It’s rare to find a place where you leave not just satisfied but genuinely happy.

If you’re looking for a meal that feels like a warm hug—delicious, comforting, and made with love—Shells and Rocks is the place to go. I can’t...

Worsts service not even water …if there was a zero I would leave it we ordered the chefs selection as an entree and clearly stated this at least 3 times…the restaurant only had 3 tables so you can’t blame it on being busy . We waited as all the other tables who were seated after us got their food and we were left …. An hour later our food arrived mains first steak and lobster ( not cheap ) we clearly stated why are our mains coming before our entree ? Oh I’m Spanish this is a main ….. we then had all our food arrive at once …. omg I was so upset and said no I don’t want this it was supposed to be entree then main …. Oh I don’t understand I’m Spanish …. it’s all seafood lobster prawn etc we said no this is not how we wanted it … oh is the only response…..we didn’t even get water no sorry I’ll fix this nothing or is everything ok nothing $250 bill we will never return we should of made a fuss but will never return or tell anybody...