I want to give this one more stars and maybe I should start this by saying the facility itself and most of the staff would be about a 4 star at least. The place is always clean and the staff are genuinely friendly when you order. Unfortunately this is overshadowed by one particular staff member by the name of Leny who is rude, abrasive and shouldn’t be in the role she is in. On three separate occasions we have been into this Dome and ordered food. The first time I was told by Leny “you have to leave. Or get shoes. Shoes have to be worn in here.” A fair comment no doubt, and given the Dome sits right on the River it makes sense to stop sand etc being tracked in. I could’ve even forgiven her rude tone (the above is essentially word for word what she said) given it was school holidays and she’d probably said it 100 times that day; but sitting in the seats not ten metres from me were a family who were all barefoot. As well as the man at the front of the line ordering food who was also barefoot. Second time we ordered drinks. Nothing came out for about 20 minutes. Others who came in after us got served their stuff and ours was yet to be seen. So I asked. To which I was told “it’s busy. They get made when they get made”. And today. Perhaps the tipping point of our “maybe she’s just having a bad day” attitude. We ordered food, the girl who served us was lovely. We were sitting out by the playground which we pointed out and were told that the food would be brought out. We confirmed where we were sitting and were told without a doubt the food would be brought out. Nothing. Twenty minutes. We go check. Different staff member. Lovely. Asks where we’re sitting. We confirm. It’s all good she says we’re happy to bring it out. We take the drinks out as they’re waiting there. No problem. We take the tray back... and there she is. Leny... abrasive as ever. “We don’t serve people on the other side of that table.” (She pointed to a paved area out front of the restaurant) We politely explain we were told it was fine. Not once but twice. “Doesn’t matter. We don’t bring food out to anyone on the other side of that table.” All politeness went out the door. We matched her tone and told her in no uncertain terms we were told it was fine and want our food. Eventually it comes out and she has another rude “we don’t serve out here. You won’t get food brought out again if you’re sitting out here.”
So to recap.
Dome restaurant and staff (mostly) great. Fresh tasty food. Clean facilities. Friendly service staff. Leny. Rude. Should maybe consider a...
Read moreDecided to take my overseas family to check out this popular & scenic Dome cafe for lunch, and we were not disappointed! It was our first time there & I had my toddler in tow too. The location is what sets it apart from other Dome cafe, and it was set in an amazingly spacious building with both inside and outside seating. We went for lunch, and the services were surprisingly prompt as compared to some other reviews. Our order of all day Big Breakfast, and a pulled pork sliders with chips were serviced within 15 min of ordering, and our mocha drinks were served shortly after that, much to our delights. I chose poached eggs for the big breakfast, and they were done just right. Bacons were also crispy and not burnt, while the sausage, harsh brown and mushroom were all delicious. My overseas relative enjoyed her sliders too while my toddler loved his chips! It was a busy cafe but thankfully our first impression was a good one. The reason why i drop one star was because I felt one waitperson didn’t try hard enough when I asked for tobaccos sauce for my meal, as he said there weren’t any. However I was able to find a bottle in the sauce station in the quieter space near the restroom when washing my hands. Tips 1: Try to get one of the booth tables if you can find one that’s free Tips 2: for outside tables dining, beware of pesky sea gulls who are all waiting like vultures for your leftover food Tips 3: if you can’t find your preferred condiments at one station, look for the other station in the quieter corner near the restrooms Tips 4: The parking machine has 2 hrs free ticket parking that you can take...
Read moreDome Cafe by the river offers a mixed experience for those seeking a relaxed spot with a scenic view. Starting with the positives, the customer service was notably good. The staff were friendly, attentive, and quick to assist, which made the visit pleasant on that front. They were efficient without feeling rushed, ensuring that the overall experience was smooth.
However, the food didn’t quite live up to expectations. For the price, the quality was somewhat underwhelming. The portions were reasonable, but the flavors and presentation weren’t anything extraordinary, especially considering the cost. It felt overpriced for what you actually get, and it left me feeling like the food wasn’t the highlight of the visit.
Where Dome Cafe truly shines is its atmosphere. The riverside setting provides a calm and relaxing environment that’s perfect for taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you’re sitting indoors or enjoying the outdoor seating, the view of the river adds a peaceful vibe that makes it a great spot to unwind. It’s this atmosphere that makes Dome Cafe worth visiting, especially if you’re just looking for a quiet place to have a coffee and enjoy the view.
Overall, while the food could use some improvement in terms of value for money, the excellent customer service and lovely riverside setting make Dome Cafe a good place to relax. The atmosphere is the real standout, making it a decent choice if you prioritize the ambiance...
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