The Duchess Cafe — Restaurant in Hobart

We've been to The Duchess Cafe a fair few times over the last 3 years though we haven't been in there in over the year so we were so excited to go back!! I couldn't wait we specifically went to Hobart from Launceston to do some light shopping for the day and we had even planned our lovely breakfast at The Duchess a week previous to heading down. We walked from our accommodation down to the Duchess talking about how good breakfast was going to be. As soon as we walked in there were only 5 other people in the Cafe which we thought was odd as it was always flat out and you could never get a seat in there and it was completely empty. Also we noticed a few changes inside so we thought maybe there had been a change in hands and someone else had perhaps taken over. We went on to get a menu and both ordered poached eggs on toast one normal and the other the GF option both with hollandaise (I also asked if the hollandaise was GF just incase) as it should be when its only made out of egg, butter, salt, lemon juice and maybe pepper. They also had on the menu as an option Eggs Benedict with ham and hollandaise (GF) so seeing that you would assume the hollandaise would be GF I'm so glad I asked as the young lady came back out and proceeded to tell us that it wasn't GF. So is there anything else I can get you to have with it, I said do you have a relish or something she can have that is GF she proceeded to say I'll go and ask the chef. 5 minutes later comes back out to say yes the relish is GF so that's fine I said okay well she'll have relish and mine with hollandaise. Both of our plates came out 2 minutes later and both had relish on them the GF plate had 2 pieces of toast with 2 very small poached eggs on it. Mine had one piece of bread that was about 10cm by 10cm very small with 2 very little poached eggs on it we couldn't believe it, my face said it all. Very disappointed with the service and especially the food for 2 lots of poached eggs and 2 coffees with no hollandaise which we were looking so forward too. We were so disappointed and it ended up costing us $48.00 it's not about the money though! You don't mind paying high end prices for good service and an even better food but this was highly disappointing and I can't say we'll be heading back in a hurry which is sad to say as it's hard to find somewhere you love and can't wait to go to.

#Duchess we all know change is as good as a holiday and I love change :) though this definitely isn't a good change and perhaps the owner should review their revenue compared to previous years as I can't see it operating as it used to and it's...

Visited the Duchess Cafe today (Mother's Day) for a high tea. High tea was to be desired, we were advised on the phone that we would have traditional high tea food, ie mini quiches, sausage rolls, party pies, sandwiches, etc. However savoury food was just sandwiches and sausage rolls. At the time when we booked we asked if we could have a table which was a bit more elderly friendly and not as noisy, to this the lady on the phone was more than happy to do this - when we arrived we were seated in front of the coffee machine and kitchen with the wind coming through the front door every time it was opened. We asked nicely if there were somewhere else we could sit as it was too noisy and would not be an enjoyable table to have our coffee/high tea at. We were then moved to a table out the back, here we had a cold room with a wood heater which was not lit and a radio blaring above us. Not enjoyable at all. There were four of us who attended the high tea. For $35 PP we were very disappointed with the quantity of food which was served along with the feeling of the food not being made with love. Atmosphere was average, very loud. Staff seemed unfriendly and rushed. Have had many high teas elsewhere which we have loved, however this one fell...

I'd give it more stars as the garden is pretty, but as I need to use a walking aid, I won't be returning. Not only are the badly-tiled (very uneven) path (and ramp.up to the entrance to the building!) and the awkward step up from the street really difficult to traverse with a knee scooter (or wheelchair, I imagine), I had to scoot inside (another step!) to ask for water. After my coffee was delivered to me outside, I was totally ignored. On two ocasions! Every other table had jugs of water and drinking glasses brought as matter of course. In the second day I tried to attract staff attention several times, to no avail.

But worse, despite giving it another try, on the second day, when I came back outside from.us8ng the toilet, for some reason the staff had put the folding chalkboard with the menu on it across the path near the ramp, and as there were no staff to move it, I had to squeeze past two dining tables while people were eating, bump down a kerb to get to the path to the exit... down the step into the street.

So, shame on you, Duchess Cafe for not...