Nook & Co. Cafe — Restaurant in Wangara

Shocking ignorance around food allergies and an even worse attitude.

Someone working in a café, especially in food service, should understand what lactose intolerance means. When I asked about ordering a wrap without cheese due to my partner’s lactose intolerance, the staff suggested just removing the cheese. I explained that wasn’t safe because even small traces of lactose can cause her a reaction due to cross-contamination.

At that point, they asked, “Oh, so she’s allergic?” I confirmed: yes, she’s allergic, which is what lactose intolerance means.

When the wrap arrived, it looked very creamy. Before eating, my partner double-checked with staff if there was any dairy in it. Only then were we told that the scrambled eggs contained cream. She explained again that she cannot eat dairy, to which the manager responded by shifting the blame back to us, claiming we had only said she was allergic to cheese and that we should have read the ingredients more carefully.

We asked where it was written that the scrambled eggs contained cream, and were told, in an incredibly condescending tone, “It’s just common sense that scrambled eggs have cream in them.”

We were then asked if we wanted to buy anything else, as if we hadn’t just explained the seriousness of the issue. When we said no, clearly shocked and uncomfortable, the manager returned later offering eggs on toast “on the house.” By that point, the damage was done.

The fact that people working in a food establishment don’t know what lactose intolerance is, and worse, respond to a serious dietary issue with blame and attitude, is extremely concerning.

I also saw the way they answer low comments/reviews as well and can clearly see how blaming and victimizing of...

Visit Date: Saturday 18th October, ~11:40am

A small but crowded cafe serving great food, which was worth the wait 😀

Car parking is available outside and around the Nook & Co. Cafe premises 🚗 A toilet is also available inside 🚻

On arrival, there were very few available tables, which were all outside and not inside Nook & Co. Cafe.

The outdoor table we sat had dirty mugs/glasses left over. As a result of Nook & Co. Cafe being busy, I requested one of the wait staff to clear the table, who apologised and said they should have noticed the dirty mugs/glasses (which I was grateful for 🙏)

Orders are made at the front counter (there is also cafe food on display to purchase). We ordered the Fiery Udon with a lower spice level ($27) 🍜 and Rice Royale ($26) 🍚 + $0.85 surcharge 💳 (Total Paid: $53.85). Wait time for food was ~30 minutes 🕡

Both dishes' flavours blended together, tasted fresh and were cooked really well.

Fiery Udon: The best dish; a fusion udon likened to a great creamy carbonara. Broccoli was crunchy 🥦 Spicy level was not too strong 🌶

Rice Royale: Egg fried rice did not taste dry nor too moist 🍳🍚 Fried chicken thighs had crispy skin and were soft on the inside 🍗

A great cafe recommendation for anyone north of the...

Nook & Co is hands down one of the best brunch spots I've ever been to! The vibe is always so welcoming, and the staff are incredibly friendly. They genuinely make the experience feel special, going above and beyond to meet your preferences. For example, I don’t eat prawns in my fiery udon, so they always swap it out for chicken without hesitation. It’s those little touches that keep us coming back.

My boyfriend and I first visited on a whim, and since then, it’s become our go-to spot. The consistency in both service and quality is remarkable. Whether it's the drinks, the food, or the atmosphere, they always hit the mark. But if there’s one dish that stands out above all others, it’s their Chilli Scrambled Eggs. Honestly, I’ve never had anything like it anywhere else. Whenever we try other places, nothing compares. The flavors are perfectly balanced, and it’s clear the staff genuinely care about giving you the best possible experience.

Nook & Co is a place where you can always expect something exceptional, and it’s the perfect spot for a cozy,...