Cuckoo Restaurant

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

The world famous Cuckoo Restaurant is an Australian icon located in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges just a short drive from Melbourne. Beginning in 1914 as the Quamby, a refreshment stop famous for its strawberry and cream teas, it was extended in 1935 to operate as a restaurant and bed and breakfast.

In 1958 the restaurant was purchased by a young German couple who named it the Cuckoo after hearing the call of a Cuckoo in the bush at night. This marked the beginning of an era that has continued on into the 21st century under the constant guidance of Karin Koeppen.

The restaurant is situated in Olinda, one of the pretty villages of the Dandenong Ranges, surrounded by beautiful Mountain Ash forest. The decor is in Bavarian style with the staff wearing colourful traditional costume. Being the first restaurant in Australia to offer a smorgasbord, it has become world renowned and constantly receives visitors from around the globe.

Lunching at the restaurant we enjoyed choices from an amazing smorgasbord. We began with Soup of the Day followed by an entrée selection of seafood and European delicacies. The main buffet included Roast of the Day, various meat dishes, German sausages, traditional dishes, vegetarian selections, cold platters, salad bar and much more. There was a delectable dessert buffet with continental cakes and pastries, fresh fruit and Pancakes with a choice of toppings. A comprehensive wine list is available, filtered coffee and tea are included.

With our fellow diners we enjoyed a unique Bavarian floor show which included cowbells, yodeling and traditional songs. Special events run throughout the year with the Oktoberfest a highlight. The visit was an experience we will never forget. Inquiries are welcome and bookings are advisable.

Feb 19, 2012 

2.3 Not Recommended

Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

Terrible food, over priced, I asked what ingredients were in a beer they served and the response was "Ah, beer? I don't get what you mean." And you're in the hospitality industry? Absolutely disgusted with the high cost and bland food. Beautiful location though.

Feb 11, 2012 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

I was there Christmas Eve with my family, food was beautiful, atmosphere was great, entertainment excellent. My family and I had not been to the Cuckoo for a very long time it was a memorable experience, I hope we can do it all again. Thanks to all the staff who made it special.

Dec 27, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Loved this place. Went there for Sunday lunch. Soup delivered to your table and then Smorgasbord. Plenty of high quality food to eat. You can go back for seconds, thirds etc. Thirty minute session of entertainment which is quite amusing. Also plenty of time just to talk. Cost, excluding drinks, about 44 dollars per person.

Nov 11, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  2      Value  1     

Went last night for dinner and it was appalling. There was no variety in the main meals, there was plenty of salads and dessert varieties but the hot food was disguisting. It was 99% potato based meals from steamed potatoes to potato pancakes. There was a couple and I literally mean only a couple of different dishes but even those weren't great. We ate mainly hot chips, battered fish and potato salad. If I knew this I would have gone to our local fish and chip shop instead. At least it would have tasted better and a whole lot cheaper. There was no way in the world did we eat $65.00 worth of food. It would have been worth the money if there was a lot of variety without potatoes but this was completely disgusting in price for what we got. So if you still decide to go my suggestion is to call and ask them what dishes they will be serving in the main dishes and the costs. We learnt our lesson the hard way so you have been warned. Good luck.

Oct 16, 2011 

7.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Had a great fun experience! We were sat at the corner with nice view and surround with beautiful music (thank you Valeri!). The dessert were very nice although I don't have sweet teeth.

Sep 20, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  5     

We've been going to the Cuckoo for years (at least once a year), birthdays etc. They've lifted their game over the last couple of years. We went on Saturday night, 13/8/11, and had a great night. The seafood was fresh (cooked and raw) and we enjoyed most other meals. The pancakes were a hit with the kids and my husband. They had vegetarian meals, I suppose you would mention being vegetarian when you book.

Everyone has different tastes and likes. (I suppose that's the beauty about this smorgasbord there's something for everyone but you don't have to like everything you try.) When you walk in the door, leave the world behind and just have fun, let your guard down and enjoy. The show is the same but always enjoyable.

As for the price it's a bit steep but if you don't like something you can try something else. If you want a romantic dining experience, with quiet etc, do not come here, think of a beehive of activity, laughter, chatter, song, etc, large groups, families and kids.

Aug 17, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  7     

Being from the German Culture ourselves the 6 of us went to the Cuckoo for some Fun for a Sunday Luncheon. It has been 5 years since our last visit. It is obviously not as good as we cook @ home but we expected that. We opted of not having the soup so we could eat away Ha Ha.

Overall the food is ok but not over the top. The hit was the Veal Roulden = Veal beef olives with spaetzle = black forest area nudels were delish with the champignon sauce. The cabbage rolls were tasty with rösti = pan fried potatoes. The seafood was not bad with smallish frozen fresh prawns. There was also fresh mussels, rollmops and fish salad.

I agree with Katt72 the potato salad was delish and I got 2 servings on that one! The salads consisted of apple waldorf, beetroot salad, coleslaw. There was chicken with honey and sesame seeds and fried rice, obviously for the asian clients that was tender, then hungarian gloulash melted in the mouth and german dumplings were cooked to perfection. Sauerkraut was also a huge hit cooked with speck. The aussie roast was tender and gravy was yummy.

The fresh salads were tasty with a huge variety. The desserts were a hit too, that catered for all palates, from german pfannkuchen, apfel strudel, black forest cake, jelly, choc mousse, fresh fruits and pavlova. They were all yummy. The entertainment was fun lots of people laughing, with Pete the austrain yodel man and the Dutchman on the Accordian they also had german cow bells and were interactive with the patrons. Was alot of fun as they pete sang many different cultural songs from Japan, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Slovainen, Croation, German, Austrian, Australian, New Zealand, Italian, Greek and many more. Well done.

Jun 28, 2010 

4 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  1     

I went here for dinner on a weekend away with my fiance. It is an open buffet type dining experience, with mediocre food (think Smorgys - but worse) and lots of tacky paraphenalia covering the walls. The service was decent but the restaurant was loud, obnoxious just looked cheap, with cheap utensils and paper table cloths. For 2 people with 2 drinks, it was $102.50, which, for the quality of the food (as above - terrible) is absurd. An absolute rip off, do not go.

Jun 15, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  4     

Great costumes and decor! We could even see a flock of cockatoos perched on the trees just outside the windows! The food wasn't fantastic, just okay. The pumpkin soup served upon arrival was a good start, but the buffet itself wasn't all that great. I found myself nibbling bits here and there, but wasting most of what I put on my plate.

Skipping to dessert, the selection wasn't much better. Mostly jelly and creamy, puffy cakes, nothing great. The portion of blue-veined cheese sitting by the crackers was the highlight of the entire meal, but even that disappeared long before half-time. Yet, the Cuckoo had a fantastic atmosphere and appearance, right down to the red and white checkered table cloth. Something quite different from the typical dining venue, I'd bring visiting friends and family there for the entertainment value.

Mar 25, 2010