Lobster Cave

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  10     

Don't know how anyone can give this place a bad wrap. Cannot get better value for money. The selection of food is endless, the wait staff so attentive and the decor of the room is beautifully presented. I would highly recomend the salt and pepper squid and as a main the whole Lobster Mornay, melted in your mouth. Also we shared the garlic bread as a starter that came with some antipasto. Wonderful to share to get the taste buds really going. If you haven't been would highly recommend.

May 23, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Wish we had taken photos of our food we had last week, so we could show how fabulous everything looked. The lobster bisque and thai calamari salad for starters tasted even better. The sparkling water to begin with was divine. It came with a separate glass of ice with a choice of lime and lemon on the side so I could build my glass of water to my taste, mixing a perfect blend of french sparkling. Yum!

We chose a seafood sensation menu due to the 3 choices for each course so we could add a lobster tail to the main also. (why go to the Lobster Cave and not have lobster). The bisque for me was perfect but may be a bit overpowering if you are not a fan of seafood. It was nice and light, more a reduction than lots of cream. The calamari salad was just wondeful, more Vietnamese than Thai but just glorious. So tender.

I had to have the salt and pepper calamari for the main, a classic seafood dish, while my partner had the rockling fillets with mash and beans. The calamari was melt in your mouth. They obviously make their own salt and pepper mix as it tasted so fresh. The rockling fillets had the perfect amount of creamy mash with perfectly cooked beans, still snap fresh.

Dessert was an effort as the size of the servings were substantial. Even so when there is creme brulee on the menu it has to be tried and it was worth the trouble even if I didn't finish it. Perfectly speckled with vanilla bean flecks. Apparently the sticky date was Bonza! Overall good value for your $. (Whoever put the cushion on my chair - Thankyou!

Apr 25, 2012 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Never been disappointed. Always well taken care of. Food fantastic, service great. Our favourite restaurant. Love going there. We have been dining at the Lobster Cave for 10 years, either as a couple or with family and friends. It was where we went for lunch on our first date. Great for a special occasion, casual lunch or just a good night out. On our last visit, husband had the Sicilian Style Seafood Linguini. Thought he was in heaven...Highly recommend.

Apr 13, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  6      Value  6     

The food was fine but the service was a bit impersonal for the prices that you are paying for their main dishes. I also booked online and when I got there they could not find my booking and did not apologise.

I ordered mussels for entree and three closed mussels were included in the dish which obviously could not be eaten.

The waiter was asked for his opinion on what main was the best from two dishes that we were deciding on and he seemed disinterested and could not really explain the dishes.

They also gave us a form to fill out to be a member of their club at the end of the dinner, not really professional in my opinion.

Apr 11, 2012 

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  1     

Would not recommend this restaurant as I used my entertainment card and they didn't give discount they were supposed to. The waiter made us stay at the door as if we hadn't booked. The lobster tails were brought out with our entrees and then reheated and brought out later. Too pricey $7.50 for a cup of tea. Too dark and couldn't read menu well overall won't return somewhere else is definitely better quality.

Mar 29, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  8     

Great seafood, cooked to perfection. Service was attentive and friendly. We enjoyed the calamari for entree and then the lobster linguini - beautiful.!
A great night out for our anniversary.

Mar 13, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  7     

My bf and I have visited the Lobster Cave twice now. The first time we went I was a little overwhelmed by how 'fancy' it felt but once greeted and seated I relaxed...until I saw the prices! When they offered us mineral water, I knew to decline and asked for still. They asked if we would like a garlic bread for starters so we said yes, as we both love garlic bread. When it came out I was amazed. Yes it may be a $20 garlic bread, but it is also an antipasto plate, with olives, feta, goat curd, tapenade and 2 big slabs of garlic harb bread. It is amazing and soo yummy!

For our mains we ordered a platter ($99.90) which stated it was for 1 person, so we also ordered a bowl of chips and an extra serve of salt and pepper calamari. Well, we could have fed 6 people! The seafood platters may be pricey, but come on, this is seafood we are talking about! If you want fresh seafood cooked correctly, you can't expect to pay small prices!

But back to the platters, they could easily feed up to 3 people! That first time we ended up not even touching the chips (I had a couple, they were amazing!) and didn't even touch the extra calamari. The second time we went we had our order downpat, garlic bread antipasto platter for entree, golden catch platter to share for main. We still walk out full, but our hip pocket doesn't hurt so much! lol

Also, the last time we went there, they unexpectedly gave us a free membership (worth $99) which gives us discounts and bday vouchers. It was totally out of the blue! So that was lovely!

If you are looking to go somewhere for a nice night out, or a special occasion, go here. It is worth saving up for.

Feb 06, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  10     

We have only been here for the lunch special. The service has been excellent and the ambience was good. We thought the courses were delicious. Value at $19.90 was excellent especially as we could bring wine with no corkage charge.

Dec 21, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

My work had organised a lunch here for an end of year Christmas gathering. Not having been to the Lobster Cave before I was impressed by the organisation of the function and the prompt delivery of the food. Restaurants don't always cope well in the "silly season" but I could not fault this place. Service was friendly and the seafood was fresh and tasty. Look forward to taking my wife there another time.

Dec 18, 2011 

3.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  2      Value  3     

Honestly, for the price you pay here, go to one of Melbournes 3 hatted restaurants as it is much better value and you will walk away not feeling like you were just taken. The prices are astronomical, for what you get. I have absolutely no problem paying high prices if the food and service are worth it.

The food was fine, nothing outstanding and certainly nothing adventurous but the waitstaff were woeful and the general feeling I got from this place is their job is to get the tables turned over as quickly as possible for maximum profit. Do yourself a favour and book elsewhere.

Dec 05, 2011