Tearoom Gunners' Barracks, The

4.2 Below Average

Food  7      Drinks  4      Ambience  6      Service  2      Value  2     

The food was nice enough, however, the service was very poor. The table was missing cutlery and the linens weren't clean. The tea was served warm instead of hot, probably because the staff members weren't interested and seemed be talking to each other instead of serving their customers. We were very disappointed and felt we had wasted money and quality time, we will go else where in future.

May 13, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  10      Service  10     

The Tearoom is located in a historic sandstone building surrounded by Sydney Harbour National Park. The covered verandah has commanding views over Sydney Harbour and Sydney CBD skyline. Watch the seaplanes take off from Rose Bay. Amazing outlook over the widest part of the harbour!

Now the food: Good Modern Australian.

I had the Prawn and Squid Ink Ravioli with tomato, ginger and coriander sauce. This was well-cooked and the seafood was fresh. Others had the Grilled Mackerel with beetroot puree and the Baked Barramundi with homemade gnocchi. They enjoyed their meals.

This restaurant is more well known for their High Teas and are doing a roaring trade! The staff were very accommodating, we turned up without a booking and they squeezed us onto the verandah with stunning views!

Go for a walk after lunch up the winding road and discover the fantastic lookout. Drive around the National Park and enjoy the spectacular views. This whole area is a secret hideaway tucked in a quiet corner of the harbour. This restaurant is for special occasions with prices to match.

Apr 29, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  10      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

Booked here on a Thursday and was able to secure a booking for the Saturday. Prompt and polite emails while making booking.

Our waitress was lovely, explained everything very well and offered friendly suggestions about the different teas. Tea and food arrived quickly. Towards the end of our 2 hour session the staff seemed to be preparing for the next session (changing linens etc) and stopped regularly refilling the water glasses and making the rounds but were very prompt and apologetic when we specifically asked.

The view is Spectacular. It was a little chilly on the verandah, a few more outdoor heaters would have been good. The vibe was lovely and very civilised without being overly stuffy or pompous. I wish they sold their teas to take home with you! I'll definitely be coming back here.

Mar 25, 2012 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

It takes something special for me to give a perfect score but here it is. We'd previously stumbled across the restaurant whilst walking around from Clifton Gardens but had not eaten there until last Monday. By coincidence, our son and his fiancee have only just booked their wedding here for next year so my wife and I decided to arrange morning tea at a cost of $33 each and spend some time having a good look around.

In my opinion this is the best harbourside venue in Sydney for outlook, food and service. It was a beautiful day so we sat out on the verandah looking straight across to Point Piper and Rose Bay. Morning tea comprised hot finger food, sandwiches and sweets on a 3 tier servery together with coffee or tea of our choice. We did not have any alcohol. I couldn't fault anything and our waiter appeared genuinely happy to be there.

The concierge was most obliging when learning of the impending wedding and arranged some photo albums for us to go through in the drawing room so that we could get a feel for the place when the big day arrives. In all, a very pleasant experience and rates my highest review.

Mar 12, 2012 

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Totally impressed with service and the gluten free afternoon tea is amazing and dare I say stunning. Sparkly wine, excellent tea and view. What more could one ask?

Jan 31, 2012 

8.2 Recommended

Food  8      Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  8     

My husband booked High Tea at the Barracks for my birthday last year wanting to surprise me and knowing how much I love my tea.

Firstly, I agree with many reviewers that this venue has the one-up on many others due to its gorgeous location, views and historical site. However, my husband and I had a really great time regardless! We were seated at the very edge of the veranda with amazing views of the city and our orders for drinks were taken a few minutes after sitting down. I didn't really understand the need to charge an extra $3 for connoisseur tea but ordered anyway since I was feeling particularly special.

The food and tea arrived less than 15 minutes later with our waitress describing all the items. The scones were delectable, the sandwiches and curry puff a good break from the sweets, and by the time I actually reached the cakes, I was so full I could barely move!

I did not expect to be so full from afternoon tea! I thought the service was attentive with the floor manager scanning the room for anyone needing attention. We did have to ask for a hot water refill twice but it came with no delays and with no hesitation.

I will definitely be going back!

Jan 12, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  5      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  5     

My bf took me here after my graduation so we were dressed nicely and probably received better service as a result. We ordered the traditional high tea and were delighted by the yummy cool moist sandwiches and the scones were a stand out too-great cream and jam. The view was amazing and the service was probably the best I've seen in a long time. Its such a shame everyone around us were dressed very shabby it takes away much of the tradition and appeal. We hardly ever tip but we did leave a tip when we received the bill just to show our appreciation. The only downside is I wasn't overly thrilled about the teas they smelt better than they tasted and it took us a while 2 find the place due to lack of signage.

Nov 17, 2011 

6 Average

Food  6      Drinks  9      Ambience  8      Service  3      Value  4     

I'm so surprised reading these reviews that the restaurant has not taken heed! I too found the staff run off their feet, and the head waiter (hey dude, you are a waiter, not the president) not caring about us at all. Obviously another snooty north shore restaurant blessed with a great view knowing it will always be busy and abusing this by delivering sub standard service (I'm talking about you, Ripples Milsons Point!). The scones were big and generous. I asked for no mayo on my sandwiches and isntead got vego ones. Very rough cut - even leaving some of the end crust bit on the sandwiches, And not enough jam and cream. Don't get why connoisseur teas cost $3pp more for the high tea when they are only $2pp more on the menu? Interesting. I was disappointed, I expected too much of this place.

Jul 31, 2011 

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  1      Value  8     

I was massively disappointed with the service. I booked 2.5 months ago and didn't know to ask for the verandah. Upon arriving I mentioned to the waiter that I would've preferred to be given that option on booking and he pretty much dismissed me or my comments straight away. We have to wait a long time for service, was promised more vegetarian sandwiches because our friends were vegetarian and pregnant and these didn't arrive.

We were given a glass of bubbles as a 'sorry' because we weren't sat on the verandah which was nice until they tried to charge us for it at the end on our bill at the end. We didn't receive our tea order or the actual tea for about 30 minutes into our sitting and then it arrive more or less at the end of our high tea. Water was rarely refilled, no one to be seen when the small portion of cream and jam ran out. I use to be in the industry and to be honest any wedding service is a much easier occasion, putting pre chosen food plates infront of people and refilling glasses.

The on the positive side, the pastry chef is fantastic hot delicious scones and a nice selection of petite fours. I have been to many high teas across Sydney and I think the selection and portion side is on the generous side. Luckily my friends were all too busy chatting and catching up to notice the complete lack of service and follow up. The food was tasty and pretty much what you would expect from a high end place such as this.

Nov 15, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

I've eaten at this restaurant on quite a few occasions, especially when friends/ family from overseas come to visit as the view is amazing. The food has always been of really high standard, for me it is probably one of the best lunch venues on the north shore.

The afternoon teas are a highlight for a girly afternoon, great selection of bites, teas and my friend was impressed with the gluten free option as she has lots of trouble finding eateries that cater for her dietary requirement.

I'll be going back soon for the seared tuna with finger lime - yum!

Jul 05, 2010