The Spirited Goat ‘The Strand’ — Restaurant in Queensland

A tale of two halves. If this review was solely based on our first visit it would be 5 stars. Delicious food and coffee, great atmosphere and service. This is why we booked again for breakfast for later in our holiday before we left Townsville. Unfortunately our second visit was unsatisfactory. My partner and I arrived at our booking time of 10.30am and ordered our food, a mimosa and a coffee. After not too long the mimosa arrived, but no coffee. 10 minutes later we politely reminded a staff member that we were waiting on a coffee also and received a nod. 15 minutes after that, after seeing several more coffees made and served to diners who’d arrived well after us, my partner went up to the bar and again politely asked about her coffee, to which the barista responded “there’s no ticket for that coffee here” and the waitress next to her gave no response. When my partner returned to our table I asked if she’d got it all sorted and she said she wasn’t actually sure. Another 10 minutes past (40 minutes since arriving) and still no coffee or food, so we signalled to a waitress and asked about this coffee for the third time. She checked her electronic pad, confirmed with us the type of coffee that we’d ordered, then said she’d look into it. She returned shortly after and told us that the coffee had not gone onto the ticket but she’d sorted it out and asked the barista to do it next for us. Feeling like we’d finally sorted out the issue, we kept waiting. Another 15 minutes passed (1 hour after arriving) and still no coffee or food had arrived so we were getting anxious and very confused. When the waitress who had taken our initial order walked passed we gained her attention and told her about our uncomfortable situation with the coffee and that our food hadn’t arrived either. She looked genuinely surprised and said sorry, but by this stage we didn’t even feel like eating and didn’t want to make any kind of scene so we told her that we were just going to leave. We left without paying for the $10 mimosa (we had already paid $20 deposit when booking online) and cut our losses. It was a very unfortunate experience that left us feeling awkward and bemused. Especially after we’d had such a perfect experience just 7 days prior. We learnt later that they’d only been open for a few weeks, so it seems that their operations and communication between staff is not quite cohesive yet and we were the unfortunate recipients. Hopefully this review will shed light on their shortcomings and they can improve on these, because the food and atmosphere is...

I had an extremely unpleasant experience here, and I feel obligated to share it.

During my meal, I bit into a hard object I initially assumed was a crab shell. But when I spit it out, I discovered it was a sharp piece of hard plastic. I was deeply disturbed. When I informed the staff, they checked the object and said it might have come from packaging during preparation. I was already feeling nauseous and unsettled at that point.

The staff member who spoke with me did not initially offer a sincere apology. Instead, I was told that they had “eaten plastic before” and that it would “just pass through the body.” When I continued to express my discomfort and concern, they asked repeatedly, “So do you want a full refund?” and “Anything I can do for you?”—as though they had done all they could and it was now my problem. I found this attitude both defensive and dismissive.

What I truly wanted was a genuine apology and acknowledgment of the seriousness of what had happened—not to be made to feel like I was overreacting. That’s why I stayed and pressed the issue further.

To make things worse, I was also asked personal and unrelated questions, including about my visa, which felt intrusive and completely inappropriate.

In the end, I did receive a full refund, and they also offered me a free drink, which I declined. After this experience, I had no desire to consume anything else from this place.

When I mentioned that I may have ingested a piece of plastic, I was told that if I feel unwell and seek medical attention, I could bring documentation to request compensation for any medical costs. But realistically, how can someone prove they swallowed plastic? It’s nearly impossible, and the burden of proof is unfairly placed on the customer.

I understand that accidents can happen, but how a business handles them makes all the difference. In this case, I felt more blamed than cared for. I hope this feedback leads to serious reflection and better handling of such situations in the future.

Everyone makes mistakes, but how you respond to them is what truly defines good service. In this case, the attitude was careless, condescending, and unprofessional.

Based on my experience, I wouldn’t recommend this place.

친구와 타운즈빌에서의 마지막 식사였는데 완전히 다 망쳤네요. 라자냐에서 플라스틱 조각이 나왔습니다. 그걸 말했더니 별거 아니라는 듯이 대응하고 사과도 성의가 없고 현금으로 일부 환불해주네요. 제가 계속 항의하자 그래서 뭘 원하냐고 해서 어이가 없었네요. 나중엔 저한테 워홀 비자냐 여기 세컨 따러 왔지? 이렇게 단정짓고 말하더군요. 제가 워홀러면 어떻고 관광객이면 뭐가 달라졌을까요? 결국 전액 환불받고 나왔고...

The Spirited Goat, a new establishment in Townsville located on the Strand, is a fantastic addition to the city's culinary landscape. From the moment you step inside, you're welcomed by an ambiance that's both inviting and vibrant, setting the perfect stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

The food at The Spirited Goat is exceptional, thanks to the chef's meticulously designed tasting menu. Every dish is a testament to their culinary expertise and creativity. I was so impressed by the flavors and presentation that I dined there three nights in a row!

What truly sets The Spirited Goat apart, however, is the staff. In an industry where genuine hospitality often feels like a rarity, everyone here is welcoming, friendly, and eager to engage in conversation. This level of personal connection is something that's sorely missing in today's service industry.

A special shout-out to Simone the bartender and Quinton the manager, who made my visits even more enjoyable. Simone friendly demeanor made it feel like I was catching up with an old friend while savoring a chilled beverage.

I highly recommend The Spirited Goat, not just for the amazing food, but for the people who make the experience so special. This place is a great success, and I encourage everyone...