Cafe MONAKA Mona Vale — Restaurant in Sydney

I was really excited to visit Monaka however after today I won’t be coming back.

My partner and I ordered the teriyaki salmon bowl w/miso soup (mine with the optional egg). Although the other bowls on the menu sounded fantastic they all came with rice so we both went with this one instead which only listed nori and leafy greens as sides for the salmon.

On receiving both of our bowls we were surprised to see that our bowls came with huge portions of rice that made up about half the main bowl.

I talked to the waiter and he said “everything comes with rice”. We then pointed out to him that other bowls served on rice mention it and there was a reasonable expectation if rice wasn’t mentioned it wouldn’t be part of what we were ordering, using other menu items not mentioning rice as examples. He eventually accepted this and agreed to “remake” our meals.

Even though this was disappointing we were both happy and surprised when the chef came out a few minutes later. He was nice and asked us what we would like instead before leaving to “remake” our meals.

About 15 minutes later our “new” meals arrived and we were disappointed to see that they likely had reused our old miso soups, my egg and perhaps the salmon. The miso was cold, the egg, colder than it should have been and the salmon was not hot...just a limp luke warm. Also, no Nori.

This was such a huge shame and I needed to go and ask for new soups and egg. At this stage I didn’t bother even talking about the salmon.

This was careless of them and indicates they most likely didn’t care about our money or our experience at the venue. Any reasonable person focused on providing a satisfying experience would have made sure the meal was not thrown together out of, now cold, left over items from a returned meal.

The ingredients themselves, despite being cold were prepared well and of a good quality and complimented each other well but sadly none of this can make up for how they were served (incorrectly then cold and lazily) and the overall experience. No apologies, no one asked if we were happy. We were left to just finish what we had ordered and leave. There were also a few other things that I won’t bother to mention.

As I said...

Stepping into Café MONAKA in Mona Vale feels like a warm embrace from a cherished aunt, whose culinary skills are unmatched. This hidden gem, nestled in Sydney’s northern beaches, is a celebration of Japanese culture and gastronomy, all thanks to its passionate family owners. It’s not just a café; it’s a journey to Japan without the flight. The menu caters to all, with traditional flavors and dietary-friendly options like gluten-free delights. Their standout? Gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate cookies, a testament to a mother’s love, offering crispy, chewy, chocolatey joy. The staff’s friendliness amplifies the experience, making every visit memorable with their prompt and warm service. Whether for a date, family outing, or business meeting, Café MONAKA’s vibe is perfect. Missing out on this spot would be like skipping dessert – a regrettable decision. Dive into this culinary treasure, and let those chocolate cookies...

This has become our favourite weekend brunch spot on the Northern Beaches. The food is Japanese inspired has been spot-on every time we’ve come here - the Monaka Soba salad with added tofu being my favourite dish. Coffee and tea is served in individually unique hand-made ceramic ware (some of which you can buy from their retail section.) There is seating inside and outside and they provide water bowls for your furry friends. The chef is originally from Japan and has had training in other high-end Sydney Japanese restaurants before deciding to open this cafe. My husband and I love this ‘worst kept secret’ in Mona Vale and don’t want to tell anyone about how good the matcha and white chocolate...