The Lagoon Restaurant — Restaurant in Area A (Egmont/Pender Harbour)

The Painted Boat is resort is wonderful and our favorite place to visit for the last 10yrs+.

This is the second time we have eaten at the Lagoon Restaurant. My first experience was a 7/10, but with all the 10/10 reviews lately, we decided to try it again. We did not have a reservation this time and thought to have a drink at the bar and hope for a table to open up, if anything to enjoy the beautiful view.

We were immediately informed of the service being full for the evening and that even a drink a the bar would not be able to be accommodated for a group of 4. We were advised that the kitchen was full and no food could be ordered. Several rules and reasons were presented to us, the patio being closed because of a chance of rain, unable to sit or stand out there with a drink. It did not rain the rest of the evening and cleared up quite lovely. I was turned off immediately and ready to leave. The group I was with wanted to have a drink, so I stayed. There were about 5 empty tables from the time we walked in until we were about to leave 20min later. Most of the staff were friendly and attempted to be accommodating, however appeared apprehensive to around the main staff member Esther, who was very off putting and unwelcoming.

Regardless, as we were walking out, we were informed that a table was a no show and we could have their table. Throughout the night those 4 other tables remained empty. We ordered our drinks which were all amazing and delicious. The food looked great, plates were neat and appeared appetizing. I ordered the chicken with chimichurri sauce, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

The vegetables were delicious, perfectly cooked and tasty. While cutting into my first bite of chicken, I immediately noticed the children was pink and undercooked. This is a huge food safety issue. I advised the waitstaff Esther and she agreed it could be sent back to the kitchen. I assumed for that caliber of restaurant, it would be cooked perfectly. Instead it came back after a quick fry. It was still uncooked and I did not eat it. When the plates were being cleared, I told Esther that the chicken was still undercooked, and showed her how raw it was in the center and how red it was close to the bone. Her response was: "well sometimes there is redness next to the bone and our chef knows best." My friends and I were shocked!! I have my Foodsafe certification, and cook for large groups often. It's beef where you have the option of it being medium rare... not chicken, hello salmonella much?

I have eaten in 5 star restaurants locally and abroad, and even in little hole in the wall places, and if there was a food safety issue like this, my entire plate would be replaced and meal comped with an apology. That was not the case here. Neither was received. Furthermore, I was made to feel like it was a "me" issue. Esther did not apologize, my meal was not replaced nor was I compensated with a drink, dessert or anything. And I would've settled for an apology.

Absolutely disgusting! While we will continue to visit the Paint Boat Resort and Spa as we have regularly over the years, we will never return to this low budget mediocre restaurant again and neither will any of our...

🌅 A Memorable Culinary Experience at The Lagoon Restaurant We had an unforgettable dinner at The Lagoon Restaurant at the Painted Boat Resort in the Sunshine Coast. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, making it a true feast for both the eyes and the palate. 🍣 Avocado and Tuna Tartar – Stunning presentation with a perfect blend of creamy avocado and fresh tuna, accented by a subtle spicy kick and refreshing cucumber slices. 🍲 Seafood Chowder – Rich and flavorful, packed with fresh seafood and served with warm, garlicky bread that was perfect for dipping. 🦐 Shrimp and Scallop Cake – A delightful surprise! Generously filled with finely chopped shrimp and scallops. A must-try for any seafood lover. 🍔 Lagoon Certified Angus Beef Burger – Juicy Angus beef layered with crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese. The grilled bun added a lovely touch of texture and presentation. 🧄 Mussels and Frites – Exceptionally fresh and meaty mussels in a unique curry-infused creamy white wine sauce. Bold and delicious. 🥩 Braised Beef Short Ribs – Fall-off-the-bone tender with deep, savory flavor. Comfort food elevated. 🍨 Profiteroles – The perfect ending: crisp pastry filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with warm chocolate sauce. Pure indulgence. 🌅 The sunset view from the private pier and harbour was absolutely breathtaking—an ideal backdrop for a special evening. 💫 The service was outstanding. The staff went above and beyond to help us celebrate our daughter’s birthday, even setting up a special dessert with candles and adjusting the umbrellas to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

We’re already looking forward to coming back next year. Highly recommend this gem for anyone visiting the...

I phoned the day before for reservations. My friend was moving off coast and this was supposed to be a special dinner. Our food arrived cold, my meal the chicken.....puréed sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes swimming in a gravy that resulted in a cream soup texture, with a limp, cold bok choi and chicken sitting in the middle of this mess. My friend ordered halibut which also arrived cold. We ate our meal, waitress asked if we wanted dessert, which we declined. We were just discussing ordering a coffe before driving home when the waitress came up and told us the manager wanted us to leave as there were other people coming. We were appalled, we were seated on the deck but the whole dining room was empty. It was extremely rude and embarrassing. We had driven a long way to have what we had expected to be a great dining experience. I could have forgiven the poor food quality, but to be treated so rudely and asked to leave as soon as we finished eating was too much. I have never experienced this lack of hospitality before.

You can be sure I will be passing on our negative experience at this restaurant to...