Parkdale Beach Cafe & Kiosk — Restaurant in Melbourne

1 Star. I don’t usually leave reviews but I feel compelled to because the service here is SO bad. Every time I come I swear I won’t be back but it’s such a great location on the beach that I always give it another chance. Appalling customer service, customers milling around the till waiting to be seated or pay and being completely ignored. We were told to sit wherever we liked and given menus. We waited patiently to be served at our table and eventually went to the counter to ask if we can order a drink because we knew they closed soon. Told to return to our tables and someone would come. Table was dirty. Eventually I spot a waitress who ignored me so I follow her and asked if we could order. Was told rudely ‘can ya just give me a second’, followed abruptly by ‘we close in 15 minutes so you have to finish your drink and pay and leave by then. Can you finish your drink in the next 15 minutes?’ To which I replied yes I think so. Then asked my table number, I gestured to the section out the back and was told they aren’t licensed to serve alcohol there so ‘if you want alcohol you need to move’. Why did they not tell us that when we arrived? I packed up my pram and moved everything over. Again was told we had to be out by 4 - why even seat us if you don’t want to serve us? Finally had my order taken - ‘What do you want to drink, babe’ 🤮 Another couple next to me were treated the same and said they should have just left. Eventually the wine arrives and the waitress says ‘Sorry about before, babe’. We were turfed out at 4 as promised. I can’t believe that wait staff would speak to customers like that. I have had similar experiences before with the rest of the staff. Will not be returning! Ps don’t call...

We ordered the cheese and tomato croissants, which were served with an excessive amount of unmelted cheese. Since we were both quite hungry, we began eating them but quickly noticed a distinct ham-like taste. Given that my friend is vegetarian and I’m currently pregnant, I asked the staff for clarification, hoping to ease our concerns.

We were then informed that the croissants were pre-made and the ham had simply been removed before serving. This was extremely concerning—especially due to the potential risk of listeria during pregnancy. I mentioned that a disclosure about the original contents would have been helpful, as we would have chosen something else. I was told not to worry because “it was cooked,” but the croissant was cold in the center and clearly not fully heated. More importantly, that response missed the point entirely—what if a customer had a food allergy? I know the risk of listeria is low, but the fact remains that it's still a risk. My friend is also vegetarian, so if you order something vegetarian you would expect it has not been touching meat for hours.

Unfortunately, the first staff member I spoke to responded dismissively, saying, “I don’t know what you want me to do about it.” This was both unhelpful and unprofessional. The second staff member was more understanding and kindly offered to waive the charge, which I appreciated. However, by that point, I felt my concerns had not been taken seriously.

I won’t be returning. If something as basic as a croissant is mishandled and there's such a casual attitude toward cross-contamination, it raises serious questions about overall food safety and...

We have not been here for a couple of years so thought we would return to see how it was. Unfortunately not great, while it is a spectacular location there are several things that do not match this.

Customer service, there was one super friendly waitress who took our order the others did not match her helpfulness and instead choose to spend chatting with friends or regulars to the detriment of other customers.

The wait, being patient clearly isn’t rewarded here . We waited to the side and watched 2 other parties (walk ups not bookings) be seated before having to ask again Twice for a table. The 25 minutes wait for a table should have prompted the alarm bells.

The outside area, I would question if it is ‘COVID safe’ with tables crammed together and unfortunately in the shade and cold! Sitting outside on a sunny day was not a warm affair.

Food quality, the breakfast roll was always a favourite of mine but both had massive cores of lettuce and hardly any bacon and additions (avocado) was forgotten, the other parts of the banana bread never came. Instead the waitress chose to socially chat to the the table next door as per point 1

Kids menu, they simply don’t cater for kids. Admittedly the waitress was helpful and polite in deconstructing the $15 banana bread to make it more kid friendly but it’s not great for kids.

Value for money, it’s expensive for what it is, when you pay more you expect more and I do not think this provides more in comparison to what else is in Mentone/Parkdale/Mordy

Overall I would not recommend this place and think it is still very...