Coogee Wine Room - Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Sydney

Deceiving T&C's. For "Birthday Offer" supposed to get a free $70 value bottle of wine, with a booking of 4 people, and minimum 2 people buying from the Share Menu. Well that's not what you then get. Manager claims if only 2 people buy from Share Menu and share the meal, then the wine is NOT free. Seems he can't understand his own T&C's as written. DON'T BOTHER.

Response to the “owner” ( a few days later)

You always respond to negative reviews surreptitiously blaming the complainant. Check FACTS be HONEST.

FACT, booking was not a “repeat customer”. None of the group have been before. FACT, never will again.

FACT, I was not a diner, but a GUEST of the Birthday Person. I left because of your refusal to honour Birthday Promotion, and finally because of your rude interruption to our conversation. I won’t reward deception and rudeness, and I knew a rip-off was coming.

FACT, I’m not the “first” person to complain about your deceptive Birthday Promotion. A PREVIOUS complainant stated,: “… misleading Birthday promotion. When we booked for my birthday gift promotion, it wasn't mentioned that ALL diners need to eat the feed the menu (sic). This isn't an information (sic) that should be just assumed but mentioned clearly when booking.”

FACT, your Birthday Promotion & T&C’s state: “ .. as our gift to you, we're offering you a complimentary Feed Me menu on us!" and "Book for 4 or more guests and you will receive a complimentary bottle of wine!” and "Minimum two adults must dine from the Feed Me menu. Limit one bottle of Managers Selection Wine per table of four or more guests.”

NOTE, “four or more GUESTS”… NOT diners. Specifically states ONLY 2 ADULTS MUST DINE. Absolutely no confusion, plain and clear!! Yet you steadfastly asserted that if 4 adults didn't dine ie not 2 adults as stated... NO free bottle of wine. DECEPTION !

Your Booking Confirmation email only states "Terms & Conditions Apply.", no specific details. Your response to organiser's query about "..a marketing rip=off ploy..." states "The CWR birthday offer.....birthday person eats for free.Yes, the other diners need to pay for their meals,..." CONTRADICTS T&C's, only 2 must dine.

FACT, your responses to complainants include: ”… we also understand your point of view, so will look at how we can improve the wording of our emails to avoid any confusion.” and "…we welcome all feedback, positive and negative, that can help us grow as a venue …”. FACT. You DON’T PRACTISE WHAT YOU PREACH !

FACT, in your haste to have a disparaging dig at me for leaving, you presumptuously comment that the other 3 were enjoying their meal. FOOT in MOUTH !!!

FACT, 1) the others HAD to stay because the Birthday Person had been committed by a “booking fee” of $120 which you would have charged. Who does that ?? …. charges a hefty booking fee for a wine bar !! 2) 4 serves of food not served from the Feed Me menu - on 2 occasions, including main meal they shared one plate between three, and one course did not appear at all, 3) the ”free?” bottle of wine and a second purchased bottle were taken from the table with wine left, and not returned, 4) 4 glasses of pre-food wine cost over $70, 5) the Birthday Promotion bill was overcharged by almost $100, including a charge for the Birthday Person's “free meal”, deducted only after she complained, 6) the Birthday person didn't receive an itemised Bill. Next day she requested it, but received many days later. 7) they were changed from Birthday/Feed Me promotion without being told, hence higher charges.

MORE FACTs. There are numerous complaints about your overcharging on bills, not fulfilling bottomless drinks promotions, terrible value for money on menus claiming “they just wanted to be cheap”, running promotions to get tripped up on fine print, the compulsory flat charge for menus not being worth it, and so on, and on.

A final FACT from a complainant:- “Restaurants that try to pull the wool over your eyes and then ask you for a lot of money really annoy me. Do you think we're stupid? Doesn't matter. Won't go back....

Went on 28/4 and 29/4. Same pathetic service and quality both times. Seven different wines they did not stock on the menu. Staff were horrific. No knowledge of cellar, terminally slow. None of the 6 Wynn vintages were in stock so I asked if they’d sell the Yalumba Signature 2018 for the same price, they had no idea what to do. It was embarrassing. Save your dough and go for a schooner across the road at the Coogee bay hotel.

Response to Tom below:

Tom, don’t shoot the messenger irrespective of language. And you’ve missed the point entirely. You’d be right if I chose to write this review after our first night, but because of the issues you raise and I totally understand (staffing etc) we thought we give it another go which I think is fair and reasonable. Surely it couldn’t be worse second time around…

Then to receive worse service on night two, as a business owner myself, I would want to know so I could jump in there on the busiest of nights and get my hands dirty training the crew and making them great, rather than lamenting life and how tough it is. Tom, it’s tough for everyone, “don’t get bitter, get better”. Drop the sob story and own it, which I think you are except in an overly emotional way.

I’m really glad you’ve taken the criticism on board and you’re going to work hard improving what should be a first class, thriving establishment. In a few months we’ll head back for a Wynns.

By the way, if you can’t find the Wynns, all 5 vintages on your menu (a bit like a milk bar that can’t locate the kit kats, snickers and mars bars) , then I’d suggest you start sorting out and training the crew in the cellar and work your way up to the front of house staff, who all performed well short of par but at least had a smile on their...

From the moment I stepped into Coogee Wine Room, I knew I was in for something special, but nothing could have prepared me for the absolute culinary masterclass that Chef Victor delivered. This wasn’t just a meal—it was a symphony of flavors, a showcase of refined technique, and an experience that left me speechless.

Every dish that came out of Victor’s kitchen was impeccable, each bite a testament to his deep understanding of ingredients, balance, and artistry. The precision, the creativity, the sheer passion that he pours into his cooking is nothing short of extraordinary. I’ve dined in many places, but the execution here was on another level—Michelin-star quality, no exaggeration.

The flavors were bold yet elegant, complex yet effortless. The textures were masterfully balanced, and every plate was a visual masterpiece. But what truly sets Victor apart is his ability to create food that evokes emotion. His dishes don’t just taste good—they resonate. They tell a story, and they linger in your mind long after the meal is over.

If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience, one where passion and precision come together in perfect harmony, Coogee Wine Room is the place. And if you have the privilege of enjoying a meal crafted by Victor, consider yourself lucky. Chefs like him are rare, and talent like his deserves all the recognition in the world.

Bravo, Chef Victor—your work is pure magic. I’ll be back, and I’ll be bringing...