Merewether Surfhouse

Had a relaxed family birthday dinner tonight at the downstairs restaurant, but unfortunately the experience reflected the declining customer service in the hospitality industry. We walked in at 6:20pm and started with drinks. We were advised that the kitchen would be closing at 7pm, which was no problem as we were about to order anyway. In fairness, the food was actually very decent for the portion sizes and price, so I can’t fault that. However, when we went up to get another round of drinks at 7:05pm, the entire restaurant had already closed and the staff member had taken the till out. There was no last drinks call, and food was still coming out of the kitchen. It felt quite odd given that people were still eating at tables, and a few couples were trying to walk in but were being turned away. It’s a prime waterfront location with plenty of foot traffic, yet the venue shut before the sun had even gone down. We ended up sitting at our table for another half hour chatting, with empty plates still in front of us. The staff member prioritised packing up other tables and working their way over to us, rather than checking in about the food, drinks, or overall experience. I’m usually not one to leave a review, but I’m hoping this feedback helps bring back the great hospitality culture that Newcastle has been known for in the past.

We visited Merewether Surfhouse recently and had a brilliant experience. As soon as we walked in, the staff greeted us with such friendly and helpful energy. We originally only went in for a coffee and a hot chocolate, but once we saw the wood-fired pizzas, we couldn't resist—and I’m so glad we didn't! The food was delicious and the view is hard to beat. ​A huge shout-out to Abby for her incredible hospitality; she was so down-to-earth and made us feel right at home. Great food, great vibes, and great staff. We will definitely be back!

This was a very disappointing experience for such a fancy restaurant. The setting was beautiful and we were seated at the window overlooking the ocean which was gorgeous. But the surface of the counter where we were seated was sticky and I had to cover it with my napkin so that I didn’t have to feel the stickiness on my hands and arms. On top of that the service was terrible, and it felt both rushed and slow at the same time. We had to ask for cutlery after our food was delivered. And they forgot my husband‘s drink drinks. And I had to ask For my drink twice before they brought it. The food was decent enough but nothing exceptional. And the base of the pizza was so soggy. For the price, I was expecting a much better experience with the service, and the food to be a lot better. This is our third time visiting and it has gone down every time. And this was a special request by my husband for his birthday lunch, which made it even more disappointing. We will not be going there again.

Beautiful Setting, But Food Falls Short for the Price We recently visited Merewether Surfhouse to celebrate my father’s birthday, and while the experience had some highlights, overall, it left us feeling underwhelmed particularly given the premium prices. There’s no denying that the location and view are absolutely stunning. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the ocean, the atmosphere is hard to beat. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure we were comfortable throughout the evening. Unfortunately, it was the food and portion sizes that really let the experience down. Starters We ordered several starters to share now even though we did share not everyone ate from everything but some of them so little that is being served that the price doesn’t justify it. * Prawn Cocktail ($26.50) – Only four prawns were served, which felt very limited for the price. it didn’t feel like good value for money. * Salt & Pepper Calamari ($24) – Nicely presented but the portion was small, and the calamari itself was quite chewy, making it less enjoyable. * Steamed South Australian Mussels – Although generous in number, many shells were empty, and the sour cream–based sauce didn’t complement the dish. A classic lemon butter or white wine sauce would have paired better, especially with the bread. * Woodfired Octopus & Chorizo Skewer ($28) – The flavours were average, but for the price, one skewer felt a little disappointing. Two or three skewers would make this dish feel more complete. Mains For the mains, we shared: * Lamb for Two ($80) – The lamb itself was beautifully cooked and tender, but the portion was quite small for two people, and the sides (mostly carrots and potatoes) felt a little basic considering the cost. * Saffron Linguine with Mixed Seafood – The pasta was nice, but the seafood portion was minimal 2 prawn tails, 4 mussels 2 of which were empty), and barely any swordfish. For a seafood-focused restaurant, this was disappointing. * Tempura Pumpkin Flowers – Unfortunately, this was the least successful dish of the night. The stuffing didn’t taste of pumpkin and had a strong curry-like flavour instead, while the pearl couscous was undercooked and grainy. The waitress had spoken to the chef he insisted that how it is prepared but honestly it’s not ,the pearl cous cous didn’t even absorb any of the sauce that was placed underneath it. It needed more cooking and then a decent toasting. Desserts Dessert was where the meal redeemed itself slightly. * The Sticky Date Pudding was outstanding — light, rich, and full of flavour. * The Vietnamese Coffee Crème Caramel also received great feedback from our table. Merewether Surfhouse is undeniably a beautiful venue with friendly staff and an amazing view, but when you’re paying premium prices, the food needs to match the setting. Portion sizes and value for money were our biggest concerns, as was the inconsistency in flavour and quality across dishes. If you’re after a spot for drinks or dessert with a view, this is a lovely place to go. But for a special occasion dinner, we left wishing the food experience lived up to the location.

Absolutely terrible food! I had a white hair in my burger, it was sent back the 2nd burger come out with a big black hair in it. The chips were so over cooked, I cut the burger in half and it was partly raw. My husband had a hair in his salad! Absolute worst food! I would have been better off at mc Donald's.