Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

3 Below Average

Food  1      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  3     

I have been a big fan of Max Brenners so it's a shame for me to take my friend there for some chocolate delicacies and find out that the famous "Belgium Waffle" is what is easily available from Coles supermarket. It wasn't like that before. So without even looking at other options, I chose this only to be highly disappointed by the large sugar crystals in it. Please get back to your original waffle, else I will have to stop going to the Newtown store. The new man in charge is a pain to deal with and just hope the store gets back its previous charm.

Mar 12, 2013 

2 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  3     

In the past I have enjoyed Max Brenner at the Blacktown store, which I have reviewed on here. Since March though I have moved into the Newtown area and needless to say from my score this store is nothing short of absolutely diabolical.

I have been in twice, and both times I have been disgusted by the service and the unkempt condition of the place.

The first time I went in, which was on a quiet Tuesday evening was noticing any table that had people previously on it were not cleared with their plates at all, yet there were four people behind the counter chatting and laughing amongst themselves while two girls appeared to be doing all the food prep and drink making.

I approached the counter and waited. None of the four approached for several minutes to acknowledge or even serve me. I ordered the Italian Thick Choc, I didn't even bother with having it there, I just got it take-away.

Second time, was one guy there who just grunted his way through my order of another thick hot choc. No hello, no questions, just quiet. We all have bad days at work, but judging by his appearance (unkempt) I am wondering how he got hired.

With so much competition in the area, how do you let standards slip so badly!
The only saving grace for this place is that people recognise the Max Brenner name, or it would be shut down I feel. Avoid!

Sep 10, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

I can only comment on getting takeaway here. It is all about chocolate and you do pay premium price for drinks and food. Having said that, the hot chocolates do taste quite nice and are well made, getting the right temperature being a critical factor. They have always managed to get this right in visits so far.

It's also interesting to look around the shop at what is really quite overpriced chocolate. Those looking for cheaper options, should go elsewhere.

Aug 02, 2012 

3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  5      Value  1     

Thought as a treat we would try Max Brenner. What a huge disappointment. Very over the top restaurant and extremely overpriced. I had two banana crepes with a drizzle of chocolate and a scoop of ice cream and they charged $15.50 and my husband had the waffles which were about as big as his hand with two little dishes of fruit and a scoop of ice cream and they charged him $18.50. The chocolate did not taste nice and neither did the hot drinks as well. Don't waste your money going here.

Aug 12, 2011 

4 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  2     

Don't bother with this place, ques, wait for service and seating need improvement. Not staff's fault mgt seems to be scrimping on hiring more staff. Chocolate is ok, overpriced and small portions. There are other places worth going to.

Jul 29, 2011 

5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Service took forever and the hot dark chocolate drink I had didn't taste particularly dark or rich to me. The choc dome was Ok though.

Apr 22, 2011 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  4     

I enjoyed the decor of the place, which gave the cafe a nice warmth and feel. We sat next to the melted chocolate vats, watching the melted white and milk chocolate churn.

I had a White chocolate Chai, which I have to say was the most deliciously creamy chai I've ever had! Plus the way you had to pour the chai, which was in a bazarre strainer, into your cup was hilariously fun. The waitress was helpful enough to demonstrate how it worked.

We both had the chocolate fondue for 2. The milk chocolate and dark chocolate fondues, came in small cermamic fondue sets gently heated by a tea candle. They were accompanied by 2 meager bowls of fruit and marshmallows and big chunks of banana bread. I thought was lovely, although, I wasn't a fan of the dark chocolate, and would have much preferred the white chocolate. If I knew I would've asked for the change.

One thing I noticed is that The tables lacked serviettes. Once our fondue arrived we had to go on the napkin hunt... because when dealing with melted chococate + fun, it will = plenty of spills.

After our dessert and drink we browsed through the chocolate sections. It all looked so tasty, though I thought a bit too overpriced. And there was also a fly inside the glass cabinet filled with truffles and chocolate pieces which turned me off.

But otherwise, it was a very enjoyable experience.

Mar 08, 2011 

3.8 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  1     

Do not waste your money at this place. Hard to justify the amount of money they charge for melted chocolate.

Jan 07, 2011 

4.5 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  3      Value  4     

I had European hot chocolates and chocolate strawberry dips here with my partner on a recent weekday afternoon. The products were average, if generally a little too sweet in relationship to the intensity of the chocolate flavours. However, the service was absolutely awful. At first we had the impression that the kitchen hands had been "press-ganged" into waiting tables, but no it couldn't have been the case because both the waiters were providing similar service.

One of them didn't even seem to understand the products that he was serving (such as the Chai teapot he was serving to an adjacent table). Additionally one would think a restaurant which is based on food and sweet snacks would know to provide serviettes to all customers, but apparently not at Max Brenner Newtown. Average products with indifferent service. We won't be back.

May 31, 2010 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Shockingly bad customer service, have emailed management and don't seem to give a rats. Chocolate at $50kg and was full of burnt bits. Young staff who are rude, unable to comprehend orders and get it wrong all the time, then blame the customer. Should boycott at all costs.

May 31, 2010