Anchors Wharf Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in Urunga

Due to my friend and her husband’s disgraceful treatment at Anchors Wharf Urunga, also have had a terrible experience with the owner and waitress/ wife of the Chef/daughter in law of the owner as she likes to tell every man and his dog!

I phoned Anchors Wharf to speak to the owner Steve regarding the terrible service my friends received on 16th June 2023. I phoned because later in the year I have a large booking of what would have been 22 people for an event in October and my concern of what one would say of a rude waitress and her terrible service and a quite a few of my friends attending this event have not been to Anchors Wharf previously. Let me say that I to have been going to Anchors Wharf for 20 years, not only for a meal but also for special family functions. This has always been my most favourite restaurants. However, not anymore after how I have been treated by the owner, Steve. I did phone Steve on 22/6/23 regarding my friend’s experience and Steve said he would look into the situation. Neither myself or my friend have had any response from my first enquire. Not an apology, nothing. I phoned this afternoon, 24/6/23, to cancel my group booking for October as I did not want to be responsible for this happening again to all my friends who were attending the event. My friend and her husband were included in this group event in October. The waitress who was extremely rude to my friends answered the phone when I called and I told her I wished to cancel my booking for 20 people in October due to her treatment and behaviour. During my conversation with the waitress she lied to me as to what actually happened on 16/6/23. I told her that what she was saying was untrue. To both my friend and myself, the waitress insisted that she was the Chef’s wife and daughter-in-law of the owner. I do not know what that has to do with her role as a waitress. I told her to cancel my booking in October and that I would never go to Anchors Wharf ever again. After hanging up, I then received a call from Steve the owner who was screaming at me down the phone for upsetting his daughter-in-law. He continued screaming at me and would not listen, calm down and was arrogant and so rude. Is this how customers are suppose to be treated? Steve would not let me explain why I was involved he just kept screaming down the phone at me. I just had to hang up. Think twice about ever going to Anchors Wharf because if something is not right and you question any of the staff or owner, particularly his daughter in law/Chef’s wife, you will be berated. They just are not interested. I might add that I have written many positive comments over the years regarding this restaurant and have recommended it to all and sundry as it really was once one of my favourite places on the Mid North Coast. I would rather praise and rarely complain but the owner of this restaurant is as rude as his staff, unless you are related to him! Obviously, the owner Steve, has no respect for his customers and could not careless. This could have been easily fixed with an apology...

Staff service was friendly and prompt. We made a booking the night before and we were seated immediately with our orders taken for coffee. The coffee was delicious and strong.

I ordered the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, my wife had the smashed avo and added bacon and eggs. We asked for the poached eggs to be a little on the firmer side, just making sure they came out with all the white cooked through. They came out perfect with a runny yolk and the rest well cooked. We ordered raisin toast for our son to come out with our coffees, the toast with thick and delicious served with soft whipped butter that was easy to spread.

If you’re bring kids make sure you bring some stale bread. The fish must be fed in a regular basis as they wait at the edge of the wharf and wait. There were a couple of families with kids who had a great time feeding the fish while they waited for their food.

The set up of this restaurant is lovely. However our experience was heavily tainted by the pungent smell of rotting garbage that surrounded the far side of the building. My wife and I strongly considered eating elsewhere due to the overwhelming stench that assaulted our noses. We aren’t sure if this is usually how they keep the outside of their building or if it was from the crazy Christmas period; but it was disgusting either way.

All in all, 10/10 food, 10/10 coffee, 10/10 service, and 6/10 atmosphere (due to the garbage). We will be returning to Anchors...

The experience and food was sub ordinary. We were a group of 8 diners, the wait staff were pleasant and the drinks cold.

Unfortunately a member of our group was lucky enough to receive the first entire tray of drinks in his lap. He "wore" it well and we moved on with the dining experience.

The food to 50% of the table was edible and somewhat enjoyable. I myself experienced the standard $29 fish and chips. The chips, were underdone and inedible, cold potato as was all of the other fries on the table...

Remarkably, the thai style red emperor and Jewfish special were the most enjoyable meals.

There were also 2 schnitzels amongst the meals, served with gravy on top and presented to the table soggy. Ruining the snitzel experience.

At the completion of our meals and drinks we happily paid and were not offered any retribution for the initial indiscretion. Really disappointing and poor form from a venue such as this.

The experience for the gentleman who wore the tray of drinks and smashed glasses was less than ideal. We thought it would may have been nice for the venue to pick up at least the affected persons meal or a drink at a minimum.

I'd reccommend choosing...