The Gardens Club

Wonderful location surrounded in greenery. Staff are friendly enough and service was timely based on the number of patrons today. That’s the upside. The down, down side: The vegetarian options are a severe let down. The price point was on the higher side for what is offered, but I guess location pricing and that you’d have to walk approx 1 to 2 km walk away to another venue. As I was part of a group booking, that wasn’t possible today. To say an item is vegan/gluten free, it has to be categorically that. You can’t label and offer a food item on your menu and then not have it correct. With so many dietary issues and concerns that people have, it’s basically false advertising. Specifically your zucchini and corn fritters. I asked and was advised that it’s fried on the same hot plate as bacon and then deep fried for crispness in the same oil used for chicken. Unacceptable. Either don’t call it’s vegan/gluten free or just do the right thing. The avo smash was ok, nothing to write home about. I returned here after several years, and the next visit will not be in a hurry.

Lovely location on the edge of the botanic gardens. Kids Fish & chips was small & disappointing. Frappe wasn’t blended well, but tasted nice. Zucchini & corn fritters were tasty, but pricey. Came here again for coffees & banana bread. Cappuccino was warm & not enjoyable. Frappe wasn’t sweet, despite supposedly having ice cream in it & not blended properly. We didn’t enjoy.

Nothing positive to say unfortunately. The service was gruff from the moment we approached and we felt unwelcome, 40 mins out from closing time. We ordered a chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie from the 'cold drinks' menu. We received a room temperature blend of almond/soy milk and a bit of peanut butter - it was not even slightly cold, had the consistency of milk, and we couldn't taste any chocolate or banana. It was clear that the milk had been unrefrigerated, and from the taste and consistency, that there was no banana. Not sure what we paid $9.20 for.