The Tropic — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

I don’t usually give bad reviews to establishments because an honest mistake can be made by anyone, but this time, The Tropic and Burleigh Pavilion deserve less than 1 star.

My mother-in-law loves The Tropic Restaurant, and she was always adamant to show us the place. So, a couple of years ago she took us to the Pavilion for lunch and drinks. She didn't know about the tattoo policy as they don't have any (I do), so we went there and, of course, we were refused entry point blank because I have one (only one) visible tattoo on my neck. The security guard at the time was very rude, so my mother-in-law asked him to talk to the manager, so he called a lady who was a much ruder person. It was clear that we were not threatening people or neither belonged to any gangs, and we were immaculate dressed for the occasion.

I swore to not go back there ever again, and my in-laws promised not to do it either. But earlier this year they were in the area and popped in the Pavilion and asked again about the tattoo policies, and the management people said it is now a bit more relaxed and of course they would consider some tattoos depending on the visitors.

So, we gave it another go, and we went to The Tropic for my mother in law's birthday on 29th July 2024. It all went well (except for the terrible service the waitress gave, as they acted all the time as if they couldn't be bothered to be there and were quite rude and condescending all afternoon). We also went with another female friend to the sister restaurant of The Tropic for some food and drinks in September 2024; no issues at all.

Then, last Friday 18th October, a friend of ours was visiting from Sydney and my husband wanted to show him the Pavilion, to have some lunch and drinks there. We dressed for the occasion, and we went to ask if they would have a table for 4 people at The Tropic. It was already 3:45pm when we arrived. We encountered our first issue at the main door of the Pavilion when the security guard asked me if I had any more neck tattoos than the 'one', and I showed him that wasn't the case, so he let us in a bit reluctantly.

Once we were in, we asked the guy/host at The Tropic if they'd have a table for 4 (they were not busy at that time), but he said he could not give us a table because of my tattoo. He also was very rude while saying this and not even looking at us while shuffling menus at the door. I explained to him that we've been there before and that their policy was more relaxed about it; but he kept insisting he could not do anything, and his manager could fire him, but his tone was very condescending, and he seemed annoyed with us.

After this last incident, me, my family and friends, we are NOT going back to any of the Burleigh Pavilion venues ever again. It is very disrespectful and quite backwards that in this day and age they still have that policy in place. Also, reading more reviews in Google, they mention other venues have this policy, but this isn’t the case. Maybe other venues from the same group, but not other licensed respectable venues in the Gold Coast.

The thing is they keep changing their policies depending on who's at the door working for them. Their personnel lack training and personal skills. A tattoo on the neck is not offensive or won't allow other guests to enjoy a meal or the venue; that is the most ridiculous assumption the Pavilion is making. Spend your money and enjoy a truly good meal somewhere...

After my first visit to this restaurant today (26th Dec) for a work party and I wanted to read the reviews on this place and NOT to my surprise, many were about the service and I can confirm it's quite unwelcoming... Some notes:

Music way too loud as if it's a club. Literally could lose your voice screaming at everyone. Food took a while but I understand you try and bring it all at once

My husband asked me to order both of us drinks whilst he had to step out. During this time the waitress came to take drink orders and after she left another colleague had just arrived at our table and sat next to me on the other side from where my husband sat. When the waitress came back and he of course wanted to order a drink and she replied to him "you already ordered one" and proceeded to ignore him. She had mistook my husband who had already returned at this point for him. I don't think he would try and order a drink if he already "ordered" which he didn't...strange and unnecessary.

The waitress mistook another person's order of the prawn pasta for the 3 king prawn dish and BOTH dishes were added to the tab. Even though she took those prawns away and brought the correct dish back. Our boss had to drive back to the restaurant to sort that out. Idk if that was an accident but at this point in the experience it's not surprising.

My husband had told me this. He had to step out for a call. And when he took it he had their cloth that was served on the plate in his hand and happened to walk out with it whilst on the phone. As he was about to exit outside the guard lady had tried to YANK it out of his hand. He is confused and she tells him he is not allowed to walk out with that cloth. He said he would just be outside in their view and she said it was still not allowed. He proceeded to take a few steps back into that entrance with cloth in hand. Sure you're not allowed to take their property out, fair enough. He could've made a run for it :) but basic human manners was just absent here. Can't you use words to express that is not allowed before your try to RIP something out of a guests hands??? Appalling. Learn to human please :) it's not hard.

Also another colleague was ordering a few dishes for her to share with another person and the waitress was telling her it was too much. The food came and they literally ate it all. The portions were normal if not, smaller than usual. And she also said the steaks (that were small) were for sharing. The prices for this food is wack. Do the farm all this themselves for it to cost this much?? Shocking.

Overall I've never experienced something like this before. So unfortunate because the restaurant itself is gorgeous and the view just lovely but everything that happened just tarnishes the memory...do...

The Tropic restaurant is undoubtedly a beautiful place, with food that just meets the minimum requirements of quality and flavor relative to its price ($40 for pasta with pepper sauce, $46 for half a roasted chicken without sides, $17 for a side of potatoes, $19 for green asparagus, and $13 for a bottled Asahi that costs them less than $2). No bread offered, of course—just abusively overpriced, but no surprise there. You’re paying for the location, and a location is what you’re getting.

Where The Tropic restaurant truly excels at disappointing, even by Australian standards, is its staff. While it's common knowledge that Australia doesn't demand hospitality school credentials—since such institutions don't exist here—you’d expect, given the premium prices, that employees could at least manage the basics of working in hospitality, like, I don’t know, being hospitable. Instead, you’re graced with the classic young Australian waitress, probably balancing shifts with her influencer career, who exudes the attitude that customers are a nuisance and should apologise for existing. That is, of course, if one of them happens to accidentally make eye contact with a customer in need while expertly dodging any interaction that might involve actual service. No kidding—I witnessed three tables calling out to waitresses passing by with a respectful "sorry" and a smile, only to be met with condescending, cringy looks, coupled with a "sorry, but I’m busy carrying this one glass of water and can’t stop my feet for you" expression on their gracious faces.

I know that working in hospitality isn’t a vocation but more of a summer job for most Australians. Still, it’s always disappointing to see what could be a great establishment failing to raise those standards. Won’t be coming back.

PS: Response to the Response from the Owner (who definitely isn’t the owner):

Thank you for sharing your valuable and generic answer. The Tropic indeed enjoys a stunning setting, but sadly, the venue itself doesn’t live up to its remarkable surroundings. Claiming that prices are "relative to other restaurants on the Gold Coast" is one of the least customer-oriented philosophies an establishment could adopt. Sometimes, pricing should reflect fairness rather than simply chasing maximum profitability. Alternatively, if matching the highest prices is a necessity, perhaps ensure that the quality of the food, its flavours, and the level of service meet and even exceed those premium expectations—which, in this case, they do not. While the prices undoubtedly reflect this prime location, they certainly don’t reflect the standards of hospitality your staff provide, no matter what you pride yourself on. Won’t be...