The Alley — Restaurant in Yeppoon

We sat outside in the alley because inside was dark. The place normally gets good ratings on google and wasn't too busy. Chairs were hard and narrow, and tabletop wobbled significantly. We ordered the bacon egg wrap and the granola and two coffees in takeaway cups. The wrap had less bacon than most, but no one had removed the rind, so every now and then a bit of rind would have to ejected along with a big stretch of floppy unrendered fat. Overly cheesy, with mashed avo, it was dripping with oil, and with a creamy sauce rather then something chutney-like or smoky, it made for a very slimy, heavy mouthfeel. I predicted this somewhat and asked for the sauce on the side (the waitress said "extra sauce" rather than "sauce on the side" and I was scared she meant a double helping of sauce in the wrap...) but even adding a small bit of sauce here and there was too much. After the wrap arrived and was finished, I decided to chase up the coffees and the granola. My granola was dripping with honey, low on yoghurt and overly sweet, so I was left with a half bowl of yoghurt-less granola swimming in a thin honey that I didn't want to eat after the yoghurt was gone. Coffees were fine. Staff were polite. Bathrooms were clean. Wait for wrap was also fine; it was pretty clear they just forgot my granola. Some work to do on this menu and standard serving rules (both meals out together, drinks before food) before...

I’ve been here multiple times and the food and drinks are always excellent — close to some of the best food in CQ. Unfortunately, the service experience consistently lets the place down.

They’ve moved to a QR code ordering system, which is fine in theory, but it seems to have encouraged the staff to avoid interacting with customers. Each time I’ve visited, it’s like the team has been trained to avoid eye contact at all costs. On my last visit, I had to wave someone down just to clean a table because there were no other seats available — meanwhile, staff were standing behind the bar chatting instead of scanning the room for customers who might need help.

What’s missing is genuine hospitality. No one ever comes over to check on your meals or ask how things are going. That’s a shame, because I’ve never once had an issue with the food — in fact, the kitchen deserves praise. If the front-of-house team asked for feedback, they’d hear nothing but positives, which could lift morale and make the whole experience better.

Great food, great drinks — but the service feels cold and disconnected, which keeps this place from being as good as...

We absolutely loved our visit to The Alley — easily one of the best spots we found on our trip!

We tried a range of dishes including the fish and chips, pork cutlet, Betty burger, fried chicken, and the baked brie — and every single one was absolutely delicious. The food was packed with flavour, beautifully presented, and clearly made with care. It’s rare to find a place where every dish is a winner, but The Alley delivered on all fronts.

The location is fantastic, and the atmosphere has a great coastal vibe — relaxed, vibrant, and welcoming. It’s the kind of place where you instantly feel at ease.

We were also lucky enough to strike up a conversation with the owner, who was incredibly friendly and passionate about the café scene. That personal connection really added to the experience and made it even more memorable.

If you’re ever in Yeppoon, The Alley is a must-visit. Great food, great people, and a place we’ll...