Water Street Kitchen — Restaurant in Queensland

What a great find in rural Bundaberg. A quaint, dainty little corner store tuned into a quaint, dainty little corner restaurant. Relatives (3 chef brothers) had attended previously and raved about it and I dislike intensely them having one over me so I did a solo lunch here after the staff kindly accepted a very late booking which I very much appreciated. Beautifully appointed interior with wood, brass, mirrors, soft subtle paintings and flowers abound with a lovely little outdoor area for relaxed sunny dining. Not a large restaurant but three sections with plenty of dining space. It was not crowded when I arrived on a Friday at 1pm but, I would imagine, that nights and weekends have a much higher turnover. The food is spectacular, well plated fresh and beautifully prepared by a kitchen crew that obviously take pride in their end result. Front of house staff are friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and obviously happy to be working in such a stylish environment. A broad lunch menu with a combination of flavours that are precise and well thought out. I don’t usually eat a large lunch but, for your sake dear readers, I went “the whole hog”. Having heard those relative’s reviews, I already had a good idea of what I would order. I started with 3 fresh Coffin Bay oysters. Obs fresh and icy cold, served simply on a bed of rock salt with a granita topping they gave me a memory taste of the salty ocean at Eyre Peninsula where I have swum many times. My only request here would be to add a wedge of lemon to the dish. I always like to “tang” my live oysters. Main meal was the pork belly with maple glazed cabbage, pickled apple slaw, palm caramel and walnuts. What a delicious combination of flavours. Wonderful, thick and crispy crackling with delightfully “fall off the bone” meat and a light crispy salad which complimented the pork perfectly. I’m not too sure what some of these other reviewers are on about in saying they have small sized dishes. They obviously didn’t order the pork. This is a big chunk o’ pig my friends! Continuing on [on your behalf] I finished up with a delightful Mille-Feuille with fresh raspberries, curd and a dribble of crème anglaise. Again, a perfectly prepared dish with a combination of sweetness and berry tartness with a light creaminess. A strong and tasty flat white to finish topped off a perfect lunch which included a glass of SA Sauvignon Blanc and a James Squire beer from the broad drinks list. I think this is possibly the “crispiest” lunch I’ve ever had. Granita on the oysters, volcanically crispy crackling on the pork and light as air pastry on the mille-feuille made for a delightful experience in an establishment that is well worth the visit anytime you are in the Wide Bay. It ain’t cheap but it’s worth every cent for something a little bit special. This is a place to be with someone you really care about on a special occasion,...

Water St. Kitchen is the kind of dining experience that redefines what it means to be truly exceptional. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted not just with warmth, but with an undeniable sense of quality and attention to detail that permeates every aspect of the meal. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance of sophisticated yet approachable, inviting you to settle in and enjoy the journey that the culinary team has meticulously crafted.

The food here is in a league of its own. Every dish is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to innovation and flavor. The ingredients are clearly of the highest quality, and the chefs use them in such a thoughtful, inventive way that it feels like you're experiencing the best of both local and global cuisine all at once. There's a seamless fusion of textures, tastes, and aromas that take you on an unexpected yet delightful journey, with each course standing as a highlight in its own right.

What truly sets Water St. Kitchen apart is the level of care that goes into every element of the experience. The staff is not only knowledgeable but genuinely passionate about what they're serving. Their enthusiasm for the food is infectious, and it elevates the entire experience, making you feel like you’re part of something truly special. Whether they’re guiding you through the menu or recommending the perfect pairing, you can tell they’re deeply invested in your enjoyment.

Each bite is a reminder of just how much thought, skill, and love goes into the craft here. It’s the kind of place where you find yourself savoring every morsel and wishing you could stay forever. And when dessert comes—prepare to be blown away. It’s not just the finishing touch, but a grand finale to an evening of culinary perfection.

In short, Water St. Kitchen isn’t just a meal; it’s an event. It’s a place that doesn't just meet your expectations—it exceeds them in ways you didn’t even know were possible. For anyone seeking not just food, but an unforgettable culinary adventure, this is the destination. Simply put: there’s nowhere else...

It was our intention to have a great night at a special restaurant with our son and daughter-in-law, visiting from Mackay. We booked a table for four at a the Water Street Kitchen, a local restaurant with very good reviews and online pictures of beautifully presented dishes. If appearances are anything to go by, this was going to be a 5 star experience with 5 star prices.

The only part of our experience that matched our expectations was the 5 star prices.

We went there for pleasant dinner and wine. When ordering from the menu, we were confronted with a requirement where we were obliged to order at least two courses. That's not what we wanted to do but chose to proceed with ordering two courses each.

The meals we ordered included an entre, a main and a glass of wine to go with the meal. One entre consisted of 2 smallish spring rolls. My entre included 3 prawns with a small dob of pasta. At this time I can't recall the other two entres. These small dishes were quite enjoyable entres The mains included two mains of pork belly and two mains of risotto. The pork belly dishes were modest in size but tasty and reasonably tender, quite good dishes. My wife and I had the risotto dishes. They were without doubt, the worst rissoto we have ever had. The rice was white in colour with no other ingredients visible. The texture was like a thick paste that had been spread out and flattened onto the bottom of the plate. The only thing that we could taste was an overpowering flavour of lemon juice. This was memorable for the wrong reasons. The wine came at $17 or more per glass and the quality was quite good.

To sum up, In general, the food was mostly OK to good, except for the rissoto which was very poor. In my view, this restaurant promises more than it can deliver, sorry to say. I'd be happy to pay the advertised prices if the meals matched the quality expected at those prices. $395...