Coachman on the Bay — Restaurant in Eastern Cape

Short Review: 2/5 - Disappointed, not really value for money. Great view, however spoiled by smoke Long Review: Wife and I have previously gone to Coachman a few years ago and were blown away by the food and service. With us returning to the area we decided to revisit the restaurant on a special occasion. So we decided to go for our anniversary. Man was that a bad decision... Our waitress really needed to be trained better and the fact that she was assigned multiple large tables also did not help. We decided to start with a coffee milkshake and lime milkshake. The coffee one was perfect, but the lime was nothing but colored milk. The starters of Jalapeño Poppers and Camembert was up next. The poppers were large and filled generously with a creamed cheese filling, a little bit of salt rounded it off perfectly. The Camembert starter was disappointing - 3x pieces width of a R5,00 coin, height of a 50c piece. Skip this a definitely not worth R65,00. Next up main meal with a Surf and Turf Fillet (Medium to Well) with BAKED POTATO ordered for me, and a Roquefort Burger ordered for the wife. Let's start with the burger. The burger sauce was very strong (strongest ever had) and the patty did not taste meaty at all and had a orange reddish tint that at first you think it is raw, but it's not... Maybe they are experimenting with natural fillers in the patty by substituting meat for carrots, but it was definitely not worth R95 at all, and no amount of salt or pepper could save it. Wife battled to eat half of it, and then left it. Now onto my main of the Surf and Turf Fillet... There were exactly 3 pieces of calamari covered under cheese sauce on top of the fillet. Longest piece must have been 10cm long. The fillet was VERY WELL done with no hint of pink anywhere. And the baked potato that I ordered was magically replaced with chips. A portion of creamed spinach and butternut completed the plate. Definitely not worth R200! Now it must be stated that the waitress did a marvelous case of drop and run, not to be seen for 20 minutes... No following up if we happy with the meal or if we need any condiments. Eventually managed to flag her down and get tomato sauce 10 minutes later. At this point my better half needed the bathroom and on returning commented that for such an establishment it was utterly disgusting. There was even blood on the toilet seat. After this we decided to call it a day. Now if you want a beautiful view of the Bay, this spot is definitely a good place, however as they share the balcony with Ocean Basket you can dine there cheaper and enjoy the same view. Also be warned if you are not a smoker, the smoking area is right there and the fumes blow into the restaurant area - they may want to consider addressing this... The final cherry on top was the bill where it was WRITTEN in that a 10% tip has not been included in the total. I gave the tip but can assure you now we will not be returning anytime soon. I wrote the above on the back of the bill and handed it to hostess as we walked out... Disappointed and can definitely not recommend it as a place for a special occasion and...

Its a very sad day when a restaurant of this caliber cannot handle what should be seen as constructive criticism! If the management of this restaurant think that by being rude and aggressive to customer who dare to speak the truth, that they are doing the correct thing, they won't last long. My sole purpose for posting my initial post was because I really thought the owners were not there - hence the bad/ total lack of service we got as well as the burned steak and getting the wrong food. Imagine my surprise when I spoke to one of the owners, when she requested that I phone her, only to find that she was in the kitchen that day! Then on top of that to put up with rudeness and aggression from her. Totally unacceptable! If you think I phoned to get a free meal out of you lady - I will never set foot in your restaurant again.....WHAT A TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT! WE WAITED OVER AN HOUR FOR A MAIN COURSE. THEN I ASKED FOR IT TO BE A TAKE-AWAY AS I NEEDED TO LEAVE. THE RESTAURANT WASN'T EVEN HALF FULL. AFTER ANOTHER 30 MINS I WENT AND STOOD AT THE KITCHEN DOOR AND AGAIN ASKED FOR MY TAKE-AWAY. WHEN I FINALLY GOT HOME THEY HAD GIVEN ME THE INCORRECT FOOD!!! DEFINATELY NOT THE KIND OF SERVICE ONE EXPECTS WHEN PAYING...

A wunderful Evening at The Coachman

In the heart of Port Elizabeth, I discovered The Coachman, a restaurant that impresses with both its ambiance and culinary creations. The decor is elegant and manages to create a cozy atmosphere, despite missing the chance to enjoy the famed ocean view at dusk.

Special praise is due to our young waiter, whose professionalism and passion for his job were remarkable. His profound knowledge of food and wines, along with his ability to engage in sophisticated conversations, significantly enriched our dining experience.

The culinary highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the Oxtail Curry. A dish that stood out for its deep flavors and masterful preparation. The Coachman proves to be a place of exceptional quality in Port Elizabeth, where every detail matters.

A visit to The Coachman promises not just excellent gastronomy but also a service that is second to none. A true insider tip for anyone in Port Elizabeth craving an unforgettable...