Sheoak Shack Gallery Cafe — Restaurant in New South Wales

Wow. My friend and I just visited Sheoak with my dog, as we have done many times over the previous years. We took a seat, ordered drinks, perused the menu and started to relax.

A few café customers approached us to ask if they could pat my dog. He's a beautiful, blue great dane with a calm temperament. As always, I explained that he is very friendly but shy with people he doesn't know, so if anything he might just back away from you. A mother and young daughter respectfully approached him, and he let them pat him. Another lady repeated the same experience. All good.

There were 4/5 people discussing how they'd have to rearrange tables later, as they were playing in a band and wanted a suitable position. They had a loud, protracted conversation, right behind us, about how they'd have to move our table. It was a little uncomfortable. Finally a lady asked us if we'd mind moving - to which I immediately agreed. I was just glad they finally asked us. At that point, the musicians interjected, saying there was no need to move us as they weren't starting for a few hours.

My dog had his lead on, but I let him have a wander around as he has done on previous occasions. He wasn't near people particularly and eventually came back to sit with us. He's an impeccably behaved dog and I had my eye on him the whole time. The café wasn't very busy.

Then the same lady, the owner I believe, came up to us to explain that "sometimes, some people" aren't comfortable around dogs.. and eventually made it understood that I should keep hold of his lead, rather than just keep him by my side. It seemed a bit over the top, but ok, that's what we did.

The same lady approached us a second time. Pretty much repeated what she said the first time. My friend had his lead around her foot at the time, which we pointed out.

Then she started passive-aggressively talking about how small children might run around and want to pat him - as if that would be an issue. I've spent every day of the past 6 years with this dog. Not once has he ever bit anyone, let alone a kid. I know his behaviour and trust him more than most people.

But no. This lady suggested that we might be better to go sit in a corner. By this time I'm feeling pretty upset and unwelcome.

I said that if that's the case, I'd rather leave.

My friend went to get a refund for the food we'd ordered, but not yet received. The girl at the counter was about to process the refund when this woman stopped her, barking "Don't give them a refund!". I had already left with my dog. My friend left too.

When I was told there was no refund, I went up to the counter. The lady continued her condascending, passive-aggressive spiel about, essentially, my dog potentially harming children. It's been a long time since I was that upset.

The other staff helpfully offered me our food as take-away, with the lady clearly not understanding the situation. "You can still have the food here!" - yeah righto. "Well if you want to be upset..." Yes. That's precisely what I set out to do. Go to a café, be humiliated, made to feel unwelcome, then patronised and feel upset. The nerve of the woman.

Needless to say, we'll never come here again.

I'm not a religious man, but the way that lady is conducting herself, she has a lot of bad karma heading back in her direction.

The photo is from a previous, happy visit to Sheoak. A visit where this woman, thankfully, didn't...

Brilliant and Original!! The cafe has held its ground just like Fingal itself. When you zip off the highway to the left at the Fingal turn, Hello The winding Road and then turn right down to Fingal, it’s not far off the road and not far to find on the right.

It has live music and very much its own style.

Dogs are frequent visitors there so if you don’t like Dogs don’t go, but they are welcome control and gorgeous and make it feel better to be there.

The food is interesting and I didn’t have enough choice on the pizzas for me though a lot of people would’ve liked the menu. I’m just really fussy, so I made my own combo and it was just fantastic.

The parking is so easy, just park across the road. The water is directly across the road.

I went there yesterday and had pizza and gorgeous carrot coconut cake

The coffee was only just hot but great coffee. I asked for extra hot for the next one and it was divine.

This is a little piece of AUSTRALIA which is unique and somebody started their own business along time ago and it’s a roaring success. I have been going to the Sheoak for a very long time and they never...

Give this place a miss!!! Somehow my previous review was removed. The “manager” is exceptionally rude and condescending. They have the monopoly unfortunately as there is no other place to eat close by, but Kingscliff just a short drive away, has WAY better places to eat. Service is non existent and lax! Not surprised at all that staff turnover is so high. Read other sites reviews before visiting and save yourself the frustration, we should have done just that! DO NOT VISIT THIS SO CALLED RESTAURANT!!! From the other (NON Gallery Cafe friends) bad reviews it seems as if everyone has the exact same response from the Owner .... Try and blame it on the Customer!!! Lady not ALL the people leaving bad reviews can be blamed for your VERY unprofessional and down right RUDE MANNER. Don't trust this place and definitely not the Owner! There's a reason this place is...