Club Kotara — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

Kotara Bowls Club: A Culinary Journey to the Land of "Meh"

If you're in the mood for a no-frills dining experience, Kotara Bowls Club is the place to be! It's the kind of establishment where the atmosphere screams "local hangout" and the food softly whispers, "You could have just stayed home."

Walking into Kotara is like stepping back in time—a cozy time warp where everything is familiar and unpretentious. The decor? Think classic club vibes, complete with a hint of nostalgia and a sprinkle of desperation to get a ‘good deal’ on Tuesday night meat raffles.

Now, let’s talk about the food. If you’re looking for gourmet cuisine that dazzles your taste buds, you might want to adjust your GPS. The menu features classic pub fare that’s as exciting as watching paint dry. I ordered a meal that was advertised as “hearty,” and let me tell you, it was indeed hearty—like a warm hug from your aunt after she accidentally stepped on your foot.

The chicken schnitzel could have won an award for most golden brown, but it was simultaneously competing for least flavorful. The side of veggies looked like they were making a solemn pact to never be sautéed again. Honestly, I think they were still recovering from 1982.

If you're looking for a good laugh and a budget-friendly meal, Kotara Bowls Club is your spot. Just don’t expect to walk away raving about the food. Honestly, it's the perfect place to grab a drink, reminisce about the good old days, and share a few smiles about how you could have cooked at home but opted for the charm of “nothing flashy” instead.

Rating: 🌟🌟 (2 out of 5—one star for nostalgia and another for the brisket that decided to join the witness...

We had a family dinner at Club Kotara on the weekend. The food was great, as usual, but the same can't be said for the bar service. My husband and daughter went to get drinks. There were no other customers at the bar and there were 3 staff behind the bar within a metre of the customer service area. All three totally ignored us while they chatted. My husband eye balled them and even though they clearly saw him, they continued chatting and didn't acknowledge him. This went on for about 3 minutes before one of the staff bothered turning around to serve, begrudgingly. I understand one of them was the manager and the other two supposedly dedicated to bar service. This was disappointing enough on its own, but then as the night got quieter one of the bar staff started cleaning tables and relocating high chairs. Instead of simply moving the high chairs the few feet to store them against the wall, this woman was almost throwing them. Club Kotara could do with some much needed customer service training. The behaviour of the manager and 2 bar staff was appalling. They wouldn't last five minutes in...

Excellent bowlo for families. Outdoor tables on the green, kids are free to run around, and the cubby house is enormous! Food is fantastic and some nice beers from Good Folk Brewing. They have really modernised the place and given it a nice atmosphere. Any locals who are in doubt about whether it's worth a look, rest assured you won't be disappointed. With a bit of local support, it can definitely rival any of the other modernised bowlos (as good as Carro Bowlo for instance, which is also a favourite of mine). Well done...