Centennial Parklands Cafe

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

Weekday lunch here was very pleasant sitting looking out on the green park. Apprehensively ordered the duck confit, as I didn't want something heavy, but it turned out to be delicious with an interesting creamy but light textured sauce. Well, all the food was beautifully presented especially the desserts and delicious. We sat indoors and were surprised to find we had the room almost to ourselves. The service was unobtrusive and well executed. The only discordant note was the lack of cloth or even paper on the slightly shabby and marked white table. With the high price of dining in Sydney these days I thought getting out for under $50 each including wine and coffee was good.

Sep 20, 2011 

5.3 Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  5     

Overall pretty ordinary meal here. Setting is obviously nice, beautiful Centennial Park is spread all around you. I had the Mezze Plate. The Lamb meatballs were slightly undercooked and tasteless. The Tziki or whatever dip it was was watery. The fritata was under cooked. The 'homemade' Turkish bread was ok! I might go back for breakfast and trust them with bacon and eggs but that's about it.

Aug 28, 2011 

3.8 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  8      Service  1      Value  3     

We arrived early for breakfast and with half the tables empty outside chose one. We had a dog and thought this was perfect. A waitress promptly arrived and announced rudely that this table was booked and we'd have to go to the front of the restaurant and see the person there to get a table (there was no reserved sign on the table).

We did this and went back to the same table we had first chosen which was booked but not for two hours time. Not a great start so far. We ordered breakfast and then the same waitress announced we couldn't have a dog within ten metres of the outside dining.

This was odd since we were in a park with many dogs yet every other cafe we've been to in Sydney that have outdoor dining areas has never been an issue.
Our dog, a well behaved standard poodle has separation anxieties and to tie him up away from us is very distressing for him and other diners to endure his whimpering.

If they had politely mentioned this beforehand we could have left. Instead we rushed to eat to save other diners from the disturbance. The breakfast I ordered was also very ordinary and at $16.50 for two poached eggs and one slice of bacon on a single slice of toast was expensive. This cafe, like others I've had the unfortunate experience of dining at is all about location, average food and very poor service.

The location is the draw card so don't go for the food and don't bring your dog.
Better still go somewhere else where dogs are welcomed.

May 22, 2011 

1.3 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

The word has got around that this place is child friendly, and by that I mean screaming children running around at birthday parties in a noisy room, throwing food, paper, pillow sand anything they can get their hands on. If you have kids, then I'm sure this place is for you. If you don't, forget about it! It's noisy, service is very slow, and the food is below average.

Mar 27, 2011 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  9      Value  10     

Love coming here with the family! We usually sit outdoors and always enjoy a relaxed, tasty meal in the most perfect space for a slow weekend lunch. The menu has a lot of variety, and I've found it very suitable for the kids. No complaints at all, my husband and I think the coffee is great and have had a great experience every time with the wait staff.

Feb 14, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  5     

I have been to the cafe a number of times and the service has been absolutely shocking with every visit. Unfortunately, it's the only venue in the entire park so they have a monopoly, which is, perhaps, why the place is run so badly, the staff seem to have such disdain for customers. A few weeks ago when asked if he could move 2 tables together to accommodate us a waiter actually rolled his eyes and sighed.

Noteworthy is the senior staff who is particularly rude. Even though I visit the park a lot will not be going to the cafe again!

Jan 04, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  9     

We had a family 40th celebration at the cafe yesterday from ages of 9 months to a 90 y.o. Not only were we surprised that they would accommodate us for a group of 20 including high chairs; they let us play in the playground until we were ready and situated us in the breezy shade where the kids can also run where we can keep an eye on them. Food was above average and the dessert we brought with us being a croquembouche (a request form the birthday boy)- they plated this for us after they saw us struggling without asking for help. Congrats to the team for making it a day to remember. Our family will be back for other celebrations. Cheers.

Dec 20, 2010 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

A friend of mine suggested that I take my 2 children to the Café on a Tuesday as there is free activities for kids. I am so glad I did! Last Tuesday I popped down for brunch and my 2 children were entertained by smiley (the clown). What a fabulous idea. Kids calendar in hand, kids faces painted, we left very happy indeed! I even took another coffee away with me as they were so good! I will be back.

Aug 05, 2010 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

Seriously who runs this place. The food was average but my problem was with the staff. You are in this amazing setting but the cafe and the kiosk is staffed by people who are clueless to hospitality. It's not just that they are rude to you it is more the fact that majority of the time they basically ignore you. Centennial park is renowned for having incredibly rude staff. My question is Why?

Jun 21, 2010 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Bad service is all I can say. Disinterested staff. I could have walked out of there without paying and no one would have noticed. Will not be back even if I was dying of thirst and hunger!

Jun 20, 2010