The Waterfront Cafe — Restaurant in Merimbula

On holidays for the weekend, I saw the Cafe had a 4.3 ⭐️ Rating so came down for breakfast. My partner had an iced chocolate with Lactose Free milk as she has a dairy allergy (which we didn't state because usually they would ask) I asked for a chocolate milkshake with almond milk because again like my partner I have a diary allergy. For food I asked for a bacon egg roll with egg whites which they couldn't do which was odd so I just had the egg normal (the reason for just egg whites is because sometimes I have an allergic reaction to them and prefer to avoid it but at the same time I'll have it if they can't take the yolks out which never usually happens) I also asked for it toasted. My partner ordered the pancakes.

My bacon and egg roll, wasn't toasted and the egg was runny still solid for anyone wanting a bacon egg burger. For me though i got a reaction from the egg which I thought might happen And My partner had a reaction to pancakes too but after tasting them I realised they had buttermilk in them and I confirmed with the staff too so that made her react to the pancakes due to her allergy ( because again the staff would usually ask when hearing a different type of milk for the morning drinks)

Overall the food was subpar, okay but not great, the pancakes were fluffy but lacked in flavour, the bacon was crispy and the egg runny but the bun fluffy and not crispy so all I could taste was bacon and yolk. The milkshake & ice chocolate was more milk then chocolate and the price overall was a bit steep then what I would've thought for 3 drinks and 2 meals.

However the views were great, the speed & service of the staff was very well done but a little attention to detail and curiosity of people's allergies due to a lack or replacement of something in meals or drinks wouldn't hurt to be asked and then can be noted to save for any...

This review is solely about the poor service we received from a person that we shall call Precious. Precious was a young girl with an olive complexion with long fair hair worn in a plat and her job was to handout menus and take orders. We arrived at the cafe, and we could not see any wait staff and there was no “Wait to be Seated” sign so we just sat at one of the many empty tables inside. We waited and waited for Precious to hand us a menu, but she deliberately avoided us despite us looking in her direction, and her walking past close to our table on a couple of occasions. After about 6 or 7 minutes (felt like half an hour), my blood was boiling, and I was about to walk out when a young lady with short dark hair appeared and provided us with the warm and friendly service that you would normally expect. We were in the Café for about 40 minutes and Precious did not attempt to engage with us in any way which was a good thing as I may have said something I could have later regretted. My wife and I dine out regularly and we have been fortunate over the years that our over-whelming experience has been to be served by enthusiastic and polite wait staff that we love engaging with. Unfortunately, every now again you are going to encounter the odd smug and entitled upstart who is in desperate need of an attitude realignment. People like Precious...

There’s a secret which the proprietors of this place very likely don’t know:

On any given weekend lunch shift when the weather on the South Coast is nice, maybe half a dozen tables are occupied by groups of customers who arrived as airborne day trippers from Wollongong, Sydney or sometimes Melbourne in single engine light airplanes.

Merimbula Airport is only 20 mins walk from the centre of town. The flight from Sydney takes about an hour and a half — quicker than a drive to Katoomba.

When we get there, the Waterfront Cafe is a reliably-open lunch stop with great food, good hospitality, and a pleasant setting overlooking the Harbour. The menu has plenty of cuisine options, catering for vegetarian and gluten free diners as well as people who want seafood or something from the paddock. The drinks list is well assembled (but the pilots will settle for a Coke or a coffee, thanks)

It’s all well prepared and served with a holiday smile. Which is one of the reasons we keep coming back.

Tip: On busy weekends, arrive a bit early. It’s better to find a nice sunny table at 11:50am and chat until you’re ready to order lunch than it is to show up at 12 and...