Gilgai Tavern — Restaurant in Kalbarri

Some of the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced. Went in for lunch we said hello to the seedy old grumpy man behind the bar and got ignored totally. Sat down and started to pick our food and once we went to order our lunch we were told that the kitchen was closed and wouldn’t be open for 2 hours. We were shocked as there is no signed anywhere to disclose that information and it doesn’t even say anything on the Facebook. We said no worries we will be back for dinner and he just walked away without telling us if we needed to book or not. We saw a sign that’s said bookings recommend. We went to book for 2 for dinner and there was no option to book for 2 could only book for 6 people. So we thought booking must just be for 6+ people as it only said booking recommended. We went back at 6 on the dot so we could make sure we got a table. We pulled up and there was about 6 cars out the front and about 80% of the tables were empty and saw only 3-4 tables saying reserved so we walked in and waited in line to order and once we got the the front we were told to wait by once again a grumpy old lady trying to throw her weight around. We wait for her to return to serve us for about 10 minutes. When she return she was rude and didn’t seem like she wanted anyone to be eating there. We told her we didn’t have a booking but it’s only the 2 of us and she told us that we had to book if we wanted to eat other wise we could wait for a table. Once again we were shocked as the place was empty, she asked if We would like to wait for a table. We told her no Thankyou we will just got try the other pub in town. She was rude and angry with her reply as if we were the ones in the wrong for not wanting to wait for a table. All the other staff we’re constantly staring and didn’t see a single smile and any of the staff meme we faces one of the least welcoming pubs I’ve ever been to especially since the other pub we went to instead the staff where happy, friendly and bubbly. I understand why GilGai tavern is trying to sell and they must be losing all of their business to the other pub in town and it couldn’t make me happier that people are choosing anywhere...

Don't come here, just avoid it completely. No comprehension of customer service or speaking nicely. Came here on a Friday night, didn't have a booking and were told by bar staff we could just grab a table where it wasn't reserved. So we did outside. We got drinks only as we were told we couldn't order meals until 6, that was fine only 10 mins to wait.

Anyway went back in at 6 to order meals you can't order at bar there is a meal station. Went to place my order and cannot get over how rude and belittling the woman was. She gave me the 3rd degree for not having a booking. And then said non bookings couldn't order until 630pm. Because we were meant to know. I said we weren't told that when we got drinks just told we had to wait until 6 to order. Well we're not a pub we're a restaurant and of course you can order drinks she goes. So you don't have a booking. No we don't we're just out the front, I can see that she goes but there are other people infront of you, how many of you, two. The other big tables are here first. You'll have to wait and I'll see if we can squeeze you in. I'll go ask them if they're ready to order. They're not ready to order so we can quickly do your meals now.

I didn't end up ordering a meal she put me off she was that rude. Plus being coeliac I couldnt be bothered trying to relay with her what I can have.

We werent the only non booking and I seen another table treated just as poorly. My partner got his parmy and we left. I was just in such shock the way she spoke down to me like we were inconveniencing her wanting to give our custom.

The pub across the road is 100 times...

Been to kalbarri for quite a few years now. Always do the pub circuit for drinks and meals, so started with the Gilgai tavern on first day back. Called in on last year's trip and had a meal which was average at best. Asked for garlic sauce on a surf and turf. Did not come with said sauce. Asked for sauce again and told the prawns are cooked in garlic. This time around called in for meal again. Went to order and young lad said kitchen's closed. That's it, nothing to add like when it might open or what we could do in the mean time until it opens, eg bar snacks, crisps. Then went to bar to ask for water and older lady, possibly owner, snapped the response, in the drinks fridge. Again, no direction of where said fridge may be located and a scowling look to boot. Located water and headed back to table to finish beer where same lady stared me down like I had done something wrong or perhaps grabbed the wrong water this place has deteriorated severely the last few years that we have visited, and is a shadow of the pub it was 10 to 20 years ago. Save yourself a poor experience both in food and service, and head 50m north to the kalbarri hotel where we have had nothing but continuous but good service with a smile, great food and good times. And garlic sauce on surf and turf is not a problem. Unfortunately the Gilgai seems to be busy most nights which gives no motivation for them to impress, even though with the kalbarri hotel next door kicking goals, they should be competing. Poor staff. Poor...