Waves Cafe, Bar, Restaurant Port Campbell — Restaurant in Port Campbell

We walked in at 9 and asked if they were still serving food to which they replied “only fish and chips or garlic bread” they then seated us and gave us menus when they had already said there was only 3 things available. I began to order immediately as we knew what we wanted and the waitress ignored me and walked away. She didn’t even ask if we wanted drinks. She came back 10 minutes later to take our order which was chips and garlic bread. We waited an hour for food as we watched others who ordered after us receive their take away orders. When a couple who ordered 20 minutes after us received their order I asked the staff member serving them why they had received their food before we had and I was ignored. I had to collect our drinks from the bar myself as they were sitting there for 10 minutes. When we finally received our food I mentioned that we wished we had of been told it was such a long wait to which the waitress snapped rudely back at me that there were things going on out of her control. When we went to pay the same staff member who had been rude to us took us aside because she had “checked the dockets” and confirmed I was correct. So she to apologised for our food taking so long. She said it was a technical issue and completely out of her control. I am writing this review for educational purposes bc I happen to be a pretty great waitress who was absolutely appalled by the lack of accountability or communication. Do not blame your poor service on technical issues or things that were “out of your control” We were seated directly in front of the bar, you watched us waiting there with no food for an hour without checking up with us or kitchen. And as for not giving us a warning that there was a wait for food, that is hospo 101. So please, please, do better. Because the food wasn’t actually bad it’s just unfortunate for your chef that they have such a bad front of house. Also when after being extremely rude she did in fact confirm that we were waiting there a ridiculous amount of time she asked if there was anything she could do to amend it (to her credit) to which we asked for a discount and she said “oh we can’t do a discount” …. Of course you can Every register in existence has a way to process a discount. And if you don’t know how then you should have opened a new table to undercharge us and sorted it out with your manager the next day. Where is the common sense?? The cake they gave us instead was pretty...

Where Culinary Dreams Go to Die

If you're searching for a dining experience that'll make you yearn for a home-cooked meal, look no further than Waves Cafe in Port Campbell. This establishment is about as beachy as a landlocked suburb, and just as disappointing when you get up close.

Let's start with the salmon, shall we? It arrived accompanied by mashed potatoes so ghastly, I reckon they were leftover from the Cold War era. The menu selection was about as diverse as a private school in Toorak, and for some baffling reason, this seaside "restaurant" seems to have a vendetta against seafood. It's like opening a café in Melbourne that doesn't serve coffee – you've got to wonder if they're having a laugh.

Now, I'll give credit where it's due – the service was decent. But let's be honest, when the food's this mediocre, good service is like putting a silk hat on a pig. It doesn't make the experience any less disheartening.

After finishing my meal (and by 'finishing', I mean pushing it around my plate like a toddler avoiding their vegetables), I found myself with a considerably lighter wallet and a stomach still grumbling louder than a V8 with a faulty exhaust. I left wondering if the local petrol station might have some better food...

In summary, Waves is about as satisfying as a lukewarm beer on a scorching summer day. If this is what passes for a beach restaurant in Port Campbell, I'd hate to see what they consider fine dining. Perhaps next time, they could try actually serving food that reminds you you're by the ocean!

If you're after a true taste of the coast, you're better off nibbling on seaweed than dining here. Save your hard-earned money for literally anywhere else. Even a sausage sizzle at the local hardware store would be a...

Review of Waves, Port Campbell

We stopped by Waves in Port Campbell for a meal and tried a variety of dishes. While some were fantastic, others were just average.

What We Ordered: • Oysters – They tasted fine, but the smell was unusual, which made me hesitant to finish them. Normally, oysters don’t have this kind of aroma, so I hope they were fresh enough. • Smoked Salmon & Shrimp on Bread – Absolutely delicious! The smoked salmon was excellent, and overall, the dish was very enjoyable. The shrimp on top were fresh and flavorful. The only thing I didn’t love was the Hollandaise-like sauce they drizzled over it—I personally don’t enjoy that, so I just scraped it off. • Kid’s Spaghetti Bolognese – Absolutely beautiful! Our child devoured the entire plate, which is always a great sign. • Potato, Leek & Bacon Soup – It was okay, but not particularly rich or flavorful—just a standard, mild soup. • Desserts: • Rhubarb Crumble – Absolutely amazing! Nicely tart, with a great balance of flavors. • Orange Cake – Also very tasty, with a spiced, fragrant flavor. • Both desserts were served with creamy ice cream and a fresh strawberry, making for a delicious, not overly sweet finish to the meal. • Coffee (Latte) – Smooth and mild, with no bitterness—a solid choice.

Final Verdict:

A mixed experience—while the Bolognese, smoked salmon dish, and desserts were outstanding, the oysters were questionable, and the soup was underwhelming. If you visit, go for the pasta, seafood, and desserts—but maybe skip...