Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  3      Value  3     

Firstly – the view is spectacular. However, this isn’t enough to make up for the incredibly slow service, the tatty furniture and the average food at ridiculous prices.

We were seated along a couch on one side of the table and although it was stuffed with cushions you could see all the wear and tear on it, making it look like furniture from a youth hostel rather than a nice restaurant. Similarly the metal surfaces needed polishing and there were crumbs on the chairs.

We arrived at 12pm for our lunch booking and didn’t get our entrees until 1.30pm. It then took another hour for mains. We had asked repeatedly about the delay and in the end we wanted to leave before the mains even came. When they did arrive they were really average and somehow things which should have been flavour-packed were bland. The only mains that some of our group enjoyed were the simple grilled fish, although again the sauces served with them were nothing special. And for $35+ dishes you feel ripped off.

I wouldn’t come back here, there are far better places around.

May 30, 2012 

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  3     

I had lunch here with my partner on the 6th of March and was very disappointed. I had been there a couple of years prior with a work group and enjoyed it, but the service now is a real let down.

We arrived right on time for our booking and even tho all the tables were set and ready, we were told to wait in the bar. I know this is a ploy, and I like a drink so I generally don't mind when this happens in restaurants. However, no-one handed us a drinks menu, and I had to ask 3 times for a drink which then took forever to come.

The decor in the bar area is the same as it has always been, which is now somewhat outdated, but worse still, is in tatters and falling apart. The view of course is amazing. We had to ask twice if our table was ready before being seated, even tho the place was empty.

The menu is rather disappointing as none of the seafood was actually from Sydney. Entree plates were not taken away, it seemed the staff were too busy looking bored, or chatting up other staff members (within earshot!), so we had to ask them to be removed from the table.

When staff were bothered to top up our wines or our waters it was spilled on the table, and I also ended up with water splashed up my arm (thank god it wasn't the wine!).

We were presented with dessert menus after our mains, and could only laugh that we actually had 2 completely different menus! All in all, I won't be back here, next time I will try the Club Bistro downstairs, same view, no attitude from the staff!

Mar 29, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  6     

Just went with a party of 4 and shared all the food (love sharing as I get to try a bit of everything - even though most going here don't)- Overall a pretty good experience. You can expect it to be a little pricey, but it's kind of expected with such a gorgeous view.

Entree: the fresh crab was tasty but not a fan of the polenta (a touch too sour & plain). The spaghetti with clams & zucchini was not very special(wouldn't order again), however the raw fish served at your table was fantastic. Not really sure it was necessary to serve at the table, but the combination of the chilli, basil oil, jelly & flowers with the scampi, tuna & salmon was sensational (check the photo!). We also had the squid ink risotto which was great - would eat this anyday!

Mains: the ox beef was cooked as desired and very tasty(the bone marrow was a bit too much for me, but I'm sure others would like it). Scallops were fantastic - cooked just right and still tender & moist. We also had a pork cutlet which was perhaps a touch dry but was well complimented with the garnish which I can't recall what was in it. The highlight was the whole baby snapper which was cooked to perfection and the meat easily fell of the bone (though not a dish if you don't like bones!).

Dessert: The hot chocolate pudding was delicious though really the ice-cream/gelato was way too sour for my liking.

Service was decent, perhaps a touch slow for me, as I'm no romantic and really after some great food and efficient service. It's probably the right pace for most romantic people who go there.

Ambience I would give higher except that it does get a bit dark to eat with only candles (though I'm sure all the couples love it!)

Value - well you know what to expect, we spent just over $100 / head. Probably could get better value for food elsewhere, but very hard to compete with it's view!

Will go back for special occasions.

Feb 12, 2012 

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

How does place have two hats? When we were sat the table wasn't even set. No cutlery, glasses or even napkins. Our table was set whilst we were at the table. Bread was placed before us but not once were we given side plates and yet other tables had them.

My spanner of crab dish was very nice but my skate was very overcooked and not edible. My partner's steak was very average and very undercooked. The waitress didn't come to us during our mains to ask if our food was ok so to rectify any problems with our food. On my way to the bathroom and the waitsaff do not give way to you in the narrow aisles. No way an iceberg more of a soggy lettuce.

Feb 07, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  5     

Bondi Icebergs bistro: On their last night in Sydney, my fiance and I dined with my parents at Icebergs Bistro and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Aside from the gorgeous view and particularly spectacular weather we experienced, the food and service was also great. Unfortunately, I did not catch our waiter's name, however, my parent's have asked me to make special mention of the 'lovely, patient gentleman' who afforded us wonderful service all evening.

Feb 06, 2012 

3.8 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  9      Service  1      Value  2     

The waiters looked like they had been told off by the chef constantly. They did not look happy. What a waste of zucchini flowers in soup. They should've fried it and served it separately with the soup instead of chopping it up and killing such a delicate ingredient in the soup. The toast in the anti pasti was burnt and we were the first ones there,so they had lots of time to take the care in food preparation. The white jackets of the waiters were stained and one was chatting up the female bartender for twenty minutes instead of working. They dissected the fish at the table. By the time it was served, it was cold. Maybe they should serve baked fillets instead.

Jan 09, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  5     

It's definitely mostly about the view, and the vibe. Having grown up with Bondi Beach in my backyard, so to speak, the view doesn't do it for me, despite the sunny afternoon and perfect weather. Which left the food and service to carry the day, or rather our Saturday lunch.

As a group of 9, we managed to try out several of the items from the menu and do a little bit of sampling of each other's meals. Happy to say the food didn't disappoint, although it wasn't especially memorable in the way one expects from a 2-hatted restaurant. But service was really a shambles. We booked for 1:30, and were all present by 1:45. Orders were eventually taken, and starters arrived somewhere between 2:30 and 3:00.

Mains followed around 4pm, and desserts were received well after 5pm. That sets a personal record for the most leisurely service ever received in 40+ years of dining out. There were other lapses which betrayed a general attitude problem with the majority of the staff we encountered. Enough said: we won't be going back. Definitely a oncer.

Dec 18, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  2     

I went there recently for a friends 40th birthday. There were 9 of us. 3 people ordered the steaks, and all 3 were cooked rare as per order but were smothered in salt, which was not explained, one actually did specify on menu, however, the other two were not. They were all returned and re-cooked, this time all came our black.

The staff were notably rude, and untrained. One waitress even took one of our guests glass in her hand, put it up to her nose and sniffed it. We questioned why would she do that and its unhygienic, we were told it was so she could tell if it was wine or water. Totally inappropriate behaviour. The wine waiters were constantly spilling wine when pouring, and not being attentive. It was the worst fine dining experience I have ever had.
November 2011

Nov 14, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

Mesmerizing view of the bondi beach I can just stare at the beach for the whole day and I will be pleased. The deco really do match with the beach very well so it does feel like the restarent blend itself with the beach. The only down thing about it was full of people I was there until 4pm for lunch on sunday and it was still packed with people feel like im in a yum cha place. The food was great I had the squid ink pasta which was faultless & dessert to share again it was divine (to be honest I didn't really focus on the food as the view was too amazing I couldn't stop looking at the view). Non of us ordered the the steak even though suppose to be famous n all but we all think its too over priced and it not a steakhouse so that why. Actually its so weird I grew up in near the beach and still I'm so drawn to the view.

Oct 22, 2011 

3.3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  1     

Really average experience. Food is no better than North Bondi Italian yet twice the price. The waitress added a bottle of wine to the bill. Another waitress ungratiously poured affogato coffee and liqueur without asking.

Aug 27, 2011