The Deck Cafe Lovedale reviews . (Restaurant) in Sydney (New South Wales).

The Deck Cafe Lovedale

0 Reviews

372 Comments

Restaurant

Modern Australian restaurant

701 Lovedale Rd, Rothbury NSW 2320, Australia

Description

Here you'll see all the information of The Deck Cafe Lovedale, Restaurant in Sydney (New South Wales)

The Deck Cafe Lovedale it's a Restaurant and next to this lines you'll see the hours of service, busiest hours, website, phone and real reviews done in Internet

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Situation

Service hours of The Deck Cafe Lovedale

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Comments of The Deck Cafe Lovedale

J. T. W.

Food tasted incredible and the presentation was stellar! Prices were affordable as well. The pond and fountain is a great feature and the staff are all super lovely and friendly. The wait times for some of the dishes horrible. We had finished our dishes before our friend received his dish. Our dessert never came out unfortunately, so I cannot comment on the dessert.

K. A.

Such a beautiful place to eat!! I found this place after googling vegan lunch in the Hunter valley. They have a separate vegetarian menu, and they were very accommodating when I wanted vegan versions of some dishes. The staff were super friendly. The venue is in front of a lake, it is a picturesque spot. The ambiance is great too, they were playing lots of 90’s tunes that day and I loved it. I saw they have bands playing/live music at the weekend too. Food and drinks were delicious!!

J. A.

This place is awesome! Food is so good and customer service is exceptional. We went there for lunch and browsed through their tapas menu. The grill sourdough and baby calamari are highly recommended. The ambiance is so nice and is kid friendly and there is an area that is also pet friendly. There are chickens, pigs, mules and alpacas around the are that will keep the kids entertained. We will definitely come back here again.

A. V.

What a way to finish off our 4-day stay in the Hunter region. This place is a cosy little restaurant tucked away behind a smallish lake with a fountain in the middle . It is very beautifully designed with fantastic views of the grassland across the road to Lovedale. The sound of water is just so soothing! We had a 3-course tapas meal on the menu and finished it off with a prune and almond tart. Awesome service and super friendly staff. Hospitality at it’s best in the Hunter Valley. All in all a fabulous experience!

V. F.

Took the puppies to tapas, really great food and beautiful out look. Lots outdoor seating over looking the same. Tracey our waitress was very helpful with the menu and portion advice.

S. M.

Beautiful location, perfect food and very nice staff. We would definitely come back and recommend it to everyone. Also had a nice farm with pigs, Lama and chickens perfect for families with kids.

J. S.

Ordered: - Grilled sourdough, Hunter Valley olives - bresola, truffled mushroom, goats curd bruschetta - Duck confit, chestnut potato gnocchi - Red wine poached eye fillet beef It was nice that they adjusted the portions and prices to accommodate our table of three. The duck confit was a little on the salty side but all dishes were very tasty and enjoyable. They served our meals in succession, which I loved because we got to enjoy each dish, fresh. We had booked online prior to visiting, however, the inside table reserved for us had been filled. We ended up on the outside tables, it was cold but it had a nice view. I would dine again.

T. Y.

Tapas menu, food great & great atmosphere with big ponds only down side had to wait a long time but maybe cos Easter Sunday

A. C.

The Deck cafe is located on an impeccable location. The food is good too, they have a slightly different menu from what you’d find in a normal cafe. We enjoyed our brunch here. Everything was superb except the Punjabi chicken on menu that day.

G. G.

Great Cafe with nice water views. Food & Coffee was great.Kids had fun with animals( chickens, horses & alpacas) Definitely come back again when I’m the hunter region.

M. S.

My husband and I found this little Cafe through AmazingCo while doing a mystery picnic experience. We loved our breakfast scones so much that we came back the following morning for more! The scones are to die for and the location of the Cafe is beautiful and peaceful. Next time we visit the Hunter region, I know where I'll be having breakfast!

Y. R.

Nice environment so appealing to sit in outside overlooking the lake with floating lotus flowers and fountain and fish ponds, delicious and nice presentation food, friendly staff and centrally located in the heart of Hunter Valley Winery region and nice landscape compound so highly recommended;)

J. F.

Why I nice location and atmosphere. Service was very good and the menu has a wide selection. We had the waffles with bacon and the chorizo beans. The waffles were tasty with a generous serving of bacon. I found the beans to be a bit light on chorizo and not the strong spiced flavour I was expecting from the discription but did have a generous scoop of delicious local feta.

G. Y.

Fantastic lunch, food is delicious, service efficient and friendly. Beautiful location. Highly recommended.

I. H.

Sitting on the water edge for breakfast in the sun was amazing, great coffee and if you have a sweet tooth the French toast is to die for!!! Service was great and they have chickens, turkeys, pigs, miniature horses and alpacas close by for kids to look at! Will be going back for sure.

N. M.

The food was average. Didn’t understand why the ratings were so high. Me and some friends dined in, onefriend ordered a breakfast wrap, which was wrapped in a napkin… which was then garnished with parsley. Random?

J. N.

We were very lucky to get seating at the last minute on a very busy Saturday afternoon. We were served by the lovely Jordan, with excellent service and attention to detail. We thoroughly enjoyed our tapas lunch. Very fresh, tasty and delicious! Lovely views over the dam and grounds. Highly recommended.

N. H.

Very nice place and friendly staff. The food did not live up to the high ratings on Google. The eggs bendict with Hollandaise sauce looked amazing but the sauce needed a lot more vinegar.

B. K.

Live this place! Perfect breakfast / brunch venue to kickstart your morning! Honest food, honest pricing and beautiful location. Customer service can be hit and miss at times …. but, I must say have eaten here several times and their food is at least consistent.

M. N.

A part of Gartelmann's winery. Gorgeous ambience with the sound of the water fountain and seating on the deck beside the late. A little chilly when cold, but beautiful when cool/warm. Attentive, lovely service from all the young staff, they don't miss a beat and know the menu well. Great wines, especially the desserts ones. Had a great brekkie and dinner here and really enjoyed the bresola, haloumi and smoked duck. They have a really good variety of gluten free options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including dessert. They make it very easy to cater for the number of people at the table too. Ample parking and would definitely recommend!

M. B. -. 4. A. (. 4. A.

We came for lunch and were totally blown away by the menu and quality of both food and staff. Was so good we delayed our return home to have breakfast before returning home. Will be back next time we visit The Hunter

G. M.

Awesome spot by the water with amazing food for lunch. Especially enjoyed the blue swimmer crab tapas, delicious

Y. S.

Amazing Tapas menu- keep it going!!! awesome service and the live entertainment! We love the view and the freshness and prompt delivery of each tapas so they dont go cold.

L. P.

The Tapas menu is varied and tasty. We appreciated the food being plated to make sharing easy. The service is naturally friendly and efficient. Each dish arrived in sequence and one dish at a time. Empty dishes were removed promptly. There was no sense of being hurried. The physical setting adds to the pleasure of the dining. Being outside but warmed with heaters helped to keep us feeling safe in this time of COVID.

S. S.

We heard this cafe/winery only reopened the day we arrived in the Hunter Valley after closing due to you know what. We wanted to go and support them after being forced to close during what should be their peak holiday trade. What surprised us when we first arrived, unlike every other restaurant/cafe we went to in the region - it was packed - every table was taken, and this would clearly be their downfall. Most restaurants cafes in the region lacked staff due to covid, and were conservative in their booking numbers and every other place we booked gave us the heads up that there could be longer than usual delays, which we appreciated. Sadly for The Deck Cafe - maybe it was out of desperation to make up for the closure, which was understandable, they clearly bit off more than they could chew. Being tapas we ordered 4 plates. The first took 1 hour to arrive was the Chicken Punjabi, it was bland. 2nd up was the octopus dish and was delicious. 3rd was the lamb and it was shocking - it was backstrap and cant be over cooked, but it was beyond overcooked - grey and dry as anything, we returned it and didnt bother asking for a new one because we had been there for nearly 2 hours. We finished on the Prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin and ir was absolutely spectacular and im glad we got it last as it was a nice way to end what was a very mixed lunch. Another couple 2 tables down had the same thing with the lamb and we exchanged gripes as we waited to pay our bill. Very obviously they tried to make up the numbers, but clearly the kitchen was under too much pressure to keep up. I hope they rethink how they approach their booking system so its less and staggered, like every other restaurant/cafe we visited did. It would even go a long way for even provide a heads up so we arent sitting around wandering what the hell is going on, we wouldve been more understanding. The location overlooking a lake and water fountain was spectacular and reminded us of The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park in New York.

C. P. V.

The place is absolutely gorgeous, it’s perfect for breakfast or lunch, the staff was polite and helpful, the food was great, they have a concept of tapas for lunch, where you can choose different types of small meals and share.

A. S.

Have had breakfast here before with girlfriends which were always lovely but the lunch I had with my family, on Easter Saturday, was such a delightful experience. The tapas menu was affordable and the food served was delicious and presented beautifully. They catered for my request to replace the meat Brushetta and it was delicious. All the staff were friendly and accommodated any requests we had and were prompt, even on such a very busy day. Cocktails were also great. Lovely set up of tables overlooking the water.

G. O.

Pigs, mini horses, alpacas, ducks here to see and if animals want you to you can pat them. Lovely food. Great service, lovely setting and wine cellar on site.

B. d.

The service was amazing, the staff were really lovely and accommodating to changing things in my order. The food was exceptional! Best breakky I’ve had in a very long time! We really enjoyed the beautiful view over the water and listening to the fountain. We are already planning on coming back to try more from the delicious menu!

J. M.

Really lovely setting overlooking gardens and pond. Easy to book online. Food was really great - lots of variety to choose from for the breakfast menu. Coffee was good and hot. The orange juice was rather huge and also wasn’t the “freshly squeezed” type of juice but that was the only slight letdown for me. Overall this is a great place for a fabulous breakfast!

J. H.

We came here for some Tapas with some friends. The food was very tasty and the tapas was a fun way to share. The location was really nice as well, creating a great atmosphere. It is a bit on the cold side though (much of the cafe seating is outside) so be sure to bring a nice warm jacket if the weather is cold.

C. A.

Great little find for a Pitt stop, lots of area to explore, unfortunately didn't eat, but menu looked great, will try again soon

S. s.

Initial table was in the sun and very hot but the staff kindly moved us after we requested another table we saw become available in the shade. The food and service was amazing considering it was a busy easter weekend. Loved being outdoors and the setting is lush. We had two dogs with us that loved their fresh bowl of water and a walk around to see all the animals. Our salmon and lamb was unfortunately over cooked but still very tasty . Our favourite dishes included the crab and avocado and the zucchini flowers. Can’t wait to return with family and friends. All 6 of us would return. Thanks for a great lunch.

P. A.

The staff at The Deck Cafe couldn’t have been more accommodating! I booked a big group of 20 people a couple weeks in advance and last minute a few friends of ours wanted to join us and they somehow managed to squeeze us all in. Beautiful atmosphere out on the deck, everyone found the breakfast super delicious and the fresh juices were a massive hit! Big thanks to Karen for coordinating everything and dealing with what I’m sure was a very painful group haha. Thank you so much for your patience and for delivering amazing food and service!!

R. S.

Great view with a nice outdoor seating area. The breakfast food is the best in the hunter especially the pancakes! The service was also great! It was really busy and our food came out in a timely manner. The Deck Cafe is a must while you’re in the Hunter.

R. B.

Lovely setting, really friendly staff and the service was great! The food however is not quite up to what you might expect. Super high volume churn out breakfasts with little taste unfortunately. Go instead for a coffee, or a yummy juice with a view and a pastry!

F. s.

Great place. Sit back and enjoy. The outlook is calm and relaxing. A pleasant way to have lunch. Enjoy the afternoon. The staff are friendly and welcoming and anticipate your needs. The menu has a great selection. Nice to share fantastic food with friends. The food is great. Excellent food. Great company. Nice location. What more can you ask for.

C. J.

We had a really nice time having lunch at The Deck Cafe. The atmosphere next to the pond and fountain was good, although can be a little warm when it's a hot day. The food was nice, however we found it wasn't quite worth the price tag. Overall a decent experience 🙂

B. L.

Had a lovely experience today. Lovely setting and excellent coffee, great food and very friendly staff. My 2-1/2 yo grandson delighted with the chickens, pigs, and ponies. Delightful and will certainly make a return visit. Put it on your Hunter Valley tour.

J. M.

Great food set across a beautiful leafy backdrop. The selections are amazing, however the food is slow to arrive so allow extra time if you're doing a wine tour. Parking is more than ample with lots of spaces available. Wheelchair access can be tight in places.

C. T.

Excellent all round experience today for lunch at an outdoor table. The four of us had 5 double size tapas and fries to share and the standout for me is the smoked duck breast. The zucchini flowers deserve a mention for its perfectly done light batter. Even the humble fries with aioli could not be faulted. Jordan served us and she deserves a medal for friendly service.

P. 1.

My wife and we’re driving home back to Sydney after a nice getaway in the Hunter. Unfortunately I forgot to make a reservation for breakfast. We drove to the deck cafe and the elderly lady behind the front counter was very polite and cleared a table for us despite the place being flat out. Firstly you got 5 stars because of the service - the staff were so efficient and polite. And the food was amazing… great breakfast and reasonable prices. Thank you

S. B.

Food is 👌🏼 and the experience was equally as amazing. Fantastic operator and owner. Very impressive and definitely recommend a visit!

M. B.

We have been to The Deck a few times and have always enjoyed it. It was very busy today (Saturday 7th May) but nothing was too much trouble for the very attentive and helpful staff. Service was great and timely. Well done to everyone at The Deck. By the way, the food tapas style was good and fun.

M. S.

We had a delightful lunch at The Deck Cafe. The tapas style menu gives the opportunity to try a variety of their dishes. The zucchini flowers and the pork fillet were the standouts for us. They young staff were very attentive. We were blessed with a lovely sunny day after all the rain so eating on the deck overlooking the water was a pleasure.

P. R.

What an epic 21st birthday lunch we had! Thank you to everyone for your hospitality, wonderful food and great drinks.

S. H.

Great food and atmosphere. Great for families, friends or just couples

B.

The food was delicious and the service good We had a breakfast booking for 6 of us at 8:30 am and were seated out by the pond along a ridge built for the tables. Very pretty and we'll maintained garden's but it was SO cold and they had no outdoor heaters and had originally run out of rugs ( later provided 2 ) I think that they really need outdoor heaters through the colder months if they are planning to continue to put customers out on their exposed site.

C. S.

We visited The Deck Cafe yesterday for lunch. One of our friends is on a salt free diet and we were really impressed with how they went out of their way to accommodate his needs. The menu and service was outstanding and we felt very relaxed in the lovely setting. We will be back Cheryl & Greg Skene

s. o.

The environment was awesome, food was delightful, good portion size and excellent food presentation. The staff was so accomodating cause i came in an hour early. I will come back to there again, for sure. Well done👍🏻👍🏻

M. C.

Absolutely gorgeous brunch here. Highly recommend.

G. L.

Lovely setting and very organised with our table (and requested highchair) set and ready when we arrived. Coffee was great and food was good. A mix of experienced and some clearly newer staff which is the world we live in today! Would definitely go back...

C.

Great food. Great wine. Great selection of cakes. Good coffee. Relaxing location. Gets busy very quickly around lunchtime. Highly recommended. Check out the animals, shetland ponies, Llamas at the rear also.

D. M.

Great location. Had breakfast at the Cafe. Lots of options. Great staff and reasonable pricing.

H. T.

Customer service, excellent. Food, lovely. Sadly we booked to be a part of the live music as advertised. Was to begin at 6pm. The musician arrived at around 6:50 after car trouble. Understandable. Didn’t hear anything from him until around 7:15, when he played around 4 songs, stopping in between to hold a conversation with, what appeared to be, some friends at one of the tables. When we left after his 4/5 song set, he was sitting with his friends eating dinner. Very disappointing…….

D. T.

Great location and pleasant professional staff, the menu is pretty good but unfortunately let down by quite poor execution.

T. M.

Its taken a while to actually get a table here after many attempts ..... so we had Breakfast. Honestly our wait wasn’t backed up with a great impression. Good quality food & coffee yes ... but we think its a pay for location one here ! The prices are not cheap & we aren’t cheap skates however for the portions etc its the expensive Pokolbin pricing unfortunately. My Eggs Benedict was $22 ... pretty basic 2 muffins, bacon 🥓 2 poached eggs 🍳 & the Benny sauce. I have had a lot better Eggs Benny for example at local coffee/cafes in Newcastle for $14 My partners French Toast was also $22 ..... that was way to expensive for her serve. Good spot great freshness etc but not compelled to rush back here. Honest outlook here.

N. W.

Service was friendly, amazing and well informed. The food came out super quick considering it was the first day open in 2 weeks and it was packed. So impressed again. So consistent. Never disappointed.

A. M.

We've been to Deck 3 times now. Twice for dinner and once for breakfast and doesn't disappoint. Friendly, helpful staff, beautiful food and our dogs love it too! Highly recommend!

B. B.

Food was lovely, however the place was extremely busy meaning the staff were flat out and service wasn't the best. Some of the staff were extremely accommodating when they got to our table but could tell they were very flustered/stressed. When our orders arrived, they kept getting sent to the wrong table near us and had to ask many times for a water glass.

S. &. L. J. (.

The service from staff was very professional and accommodating for a large group, with children. The food was high quality and came out quickly. The children loved exploring the grounds and visiting the animals. Thank you!

G. S.

Not bad. A little hectic as they deal with staff and Covid challenges. Went for the $58pp tapas menu which for 6 meals I felt was a little over priced. The pace the first 3 meals come out was incredible and couldn’t eat quick enough and then the last 3 I felt we were forgotten. Would have enjoyed another drink but I felt the staff were more interested in cleaning my away plates than selling more drinks. Not a big fan of people bringing their dogs to have lunch around the same tables either. I’ve enjoyed many of their degustation to the door during Covid and happy to support the tourism industry locally but probably not in a rush to go back.

R. S.

Location/atmosphere 5/5 - As soon as you pull up it's impressive beautiful scenery lovely outdoor areas. Cafe/outdoor area 4/5 - As the cafe name suggests really lovely outdoor deck area which overlooks small lake and garden/ landscape area. Cafe/interior 2/5 - Its very cramped inside and noisy. It's even worse when raining as they shut all windows doors and cover the exterior deck with non see through blinds it's really depressing and suffocating. Food/coffee 3/5 - Presentation needs work. my roll was extra burnt even though I didn't ask for it this way. French toast also extra burned on one side, only noticed when i flipped it over im sure it wasnt on purpose to hide it. Big breakfast platter also just felt lacking compared to price of meal .Taste not terrible or outstanding just average nothing really stood out. Coffee was good though. Price as it's more a tourist area expect to pay premium. Service 4/5 - Staff well presented, always available good attitudes. Overall wasn't a bad experience, but i wouldn't go out of the way to visit again, nice atmosphere but nothing really special to warrant another visit once was enough for me.

N. P.

Nice setting. You can see why it's so popular. There is something about sitting next to a pond whilst having brunch. We ordered the pancakes and the breaky burrito 🌯. Highly recommended. Bit $$$ for some other menu items yet still nice all the same.

B. S.

Great, ever changing selection of tapas with a few favourites as staple menu items. Good coffee and wine selection. Awesome location with views of their lake. And when you're finished eating stroll over to Gartelmann's wine next door for a tasting.

K.

Delicious food, lovely cafe with nice deck though we sat inside as it was cold day! Food was good portion and tasty too! Even the kids meals were quite big.

D. H.

Most tapas was fabulous. Smoked duck was heavily smoked and dry.

M. J.

A fantastic Tapas experience, every item we ordered was well presented and very tasty, in particular the Moroccan spiced prawns and calamari dish as was the Chocolate Soufflé (gluten free). The staff were very attentive and happy which topped it all!!!

C.

Had such a brilliant experience here last Saturday morning! Breakfast was deliscious, views were amazing ✨ and the staff were so friendly especially Jordan and just couldn’t do enough for us to facilitate us making our tour time. Thank you!

G. B.

Lovely atmosphere with great food - tapas style. Reasonably priced. Good venue for couples or families. Situated by the side of a small dam. Very relaxing. Gartleman wines compliment the food.

M. M.

Had a lovely lunch here on Saturday for the first time. The setting was lovely and peaceful and the waiting staff were very attentive. We chose 5 dishes to share between the 2 of us and there was plenty….The octopus was my favourite. Very tender and delicious. Will definitely come back when the weather picks up 👍🏻😊

L. D.

Our morning was made after one of your staff who also has dietary requirements thought outside the box for a dairy free breakfast. The problem people with dietary requirements are faced with is that we always basically have to have a big breakfast or similar if we eat out. Could you please educate your staff (as I said I was dairy free and a few staff over the many times we have attended has offered me lactose free milk as a dairy free alternative. I won’t have an anaphylactic reaction if I am accidentally given dairy, however, a red flag should be raised when staff do not understand their ingredients and what the terms actually mean. Someone might be anaphylactic and this mistake could easily be made if your staff are not educated. Lactose milk is of course dairy milk with the lactose taken out of it. The dairy cannot be taken out of the dairy milk. Dairy free people would love to enjoy pancakes etc as we never get to experience anything other than a big breakfast when out. Please help us indulge and feel super welcomed by adding these options to your menu. Anyway, we were so grateful as the first lady offered me lactose free milk and just didn’t understand the difference. Thank you :-)

H. W.

Wonderful evening, delicious food and good friends. Matt Dillon is an amazing host and a true Food Showman. We are looking forward to returning very soon

A. B.

Although the food and environment was lovely. A server by the name of Kristy was very disrespectful and passive aggressive on our hens weekend away. When Jane came to serve us she was so lovely and such a sweet pleasure. Our trip here was kind of a disappointment with Kirsty’s service

A. R.

We had dinner at The Deck and just loved the tapas menu! The aranchini in particular was just a stand out. The service we received from Jane was outstanding and made our night very enjoyable.

A. B.

Great food. Gorgeous location. Relaxing afternoon

N. D.

The food was fresh and delicious. Would return in a heart beat. Only advice would be improving on service as service was slow and we weren't even given a drinks menu

E. A.

Came here for brunch... food was lovely and filling. Setting is great as it is a deck on the edge of a small pond. Quick and friendly service.. coffee is quite expensive for Vittoria.

M. S.

Lovely cafe with a set menu that caters for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. I had the veggo delight with haloumi which was delicious, coffee was okay and staff were very friendly. Has a beautiful view over looking a pond and the misters were a great addition for the hot day.

J. C.

Great location and interesting, reasonably priced food.

K. A.

We recently had lunch here and were really disappointed. Their move to a tapas style menu doesn’t really work for a casual lunch setting, but more than that, it was poorly executed. We ordered the bruschetta (was ok), the Jammon & manchego (again ok, but over thunk with the addition of a crumbed/deep fried egg), the croquettes (flavour balance totally off, didn’t hold their shape, fell apart before we could scoop them up, and drowning in sauce), and the smoked duck (the most enjoyable of the dishes). While it wasn’t a busy day - no more than 6 tables taken - the timing of food to table was totally off. Waited 30min for the first dish to come out, with lunch lasting just on 2hrs. To be honest, we were ready to leave after the third plate had been delivered. If you’ve had good tapas before, I wouldn’t recommend eating here for lunch or dinner. That being said, we’ve had breakfast here before and their menu is great, well worth booking ahead to get a table.

A. R.

Amazing setting sitting by the lake. Great to have the animals nearby for the kids to look at. Food a ok. Chocolate sauce on the waffles way too rich especially for the kids. And need more Jam for the scones. only really has enough for one.

C. L.

Lovely food, great service, worth a visit when in the area.

J. D.

The Cafe was very pretty. You get to sit along a deck with a view of a pond. The food was good and the portions were solid. Partner ordered the French toast and I had the breakfast burrito. We also shared the scones (they were very big) and didn't finish everything. Pricing was typical for brunch. Not on the cheap side though but not super expensive. Only complaint was $5.50 for a regular flat white.. And they serve Vittoria beans so nothing special to serve such a ridiculous price for coffee

m. b.

Beautiful tapa style food and lovely setting ! Zuchini flowers were amazing as was the lamb , both our favourites ! The duck,eye fillet and chorizio tapas were also delicious .Unfortunately we had no room for dessert so we will have to come again 😂👌

S. S.

Food was unreal, best tapas we’ve eaten in Aus. Must try the Duck parfait and Jamon. The team of staff are very friendly and were very accomodating for the dog too. Will definitely be back next time we are in the Hunter!

P. V.

Edited: I am rating tapas lunch 2* and breakfast 4* = overall 3*. I recommend this place for breakfast but not for lunch. Lunch Is overpriced mediocre food. The duck dish saved the day, otherwise this would have been a 1 star rating. The lamb dish was a true disaster. For $22 we got two larger pieces of poorly cooked, tasteless potatoes with two very small pieces of utterly overcooked lamb a little bit of feta and beetroot. For $15 we got 2 reasonably sized pieces of Halloumi with not enough rhubarb and one small-ish deep fried green leave to share between two people. The $22 duck breast was nice, pink, with fresh greens but nothing special and still overpriced. Breakfast is a bit pricey but if you get a seat by the water it compensates. The $30 smoked salmon, bacon, avo, enoki mushroom and duck egg breakfast is something would comeback for. Homemade muesli with yoghurt and fresh fruit for $14 was very good. Breakfast portions are fairly generous compared to lunch (and I do understand the concept of tapas).

M. D.

Wonderful little hidden cafe perched on a pond in Lovedale, that has amazing food, well worth the visit if you want to explore the Hunter Valley and the many great food venues.

P. B.

Amazing and fresh food. Beautiful location. Beautiful scenery and atmosphere. Basic cafe food but extremely fresh and well done. The seating was spacious and decently comfortable. The view from inside is nice depending on where you sit. The service was very nice and attentive and knowledgeable. The drinks and coffees were okay. There aren't specifically any vegan or vegetarian options but they were more than happy to create a dish based on the many side selections and it ended up being pretty amazing. Definitely the most satisfying and tasty breakfast I've had on my trip here (note: I am vegan and non-vegan opinions will probably be different). My companions enjoyed their food selections and loved the taste and freshness of the food. Overall a nice cafe restaurant with a very inviting and outdoorsy feel to it with lots of sculptures and artworks outdoors and nature and animals all around. Definitely worth a visit for some good food and a good time.

M. B.

Great place for breakfast Jane has an awesome personality and bubbly way. Kristy may want to learn a thing or too from her Food is very well presented and tastes great

J. C.

Tapas, had 5 tapas. Some were great like the fried egg with jamon, and the duck liver parfait. Some fell short like the crab and salmon dumplings, crab wasn't fresh. Enjoyable experience with friendly staff. Lunch would be more enjoyable with the frog pond on the deck. Sticky table dampened the ambiance.

J. M.

Wonderful, attentive, knowledgeable staff. It was a pleasure eating at The Deck Cafe. My breakfast was great. Nice atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

N. H.

Had a really nice tapas lunch here, up until the last dish which was the chicken punjabi. This was badly described and pretty awful (essentially a weird chicken sausage). Which was a shame as every other dishes were amazing, especially the octopus. When we told the server we didn't like it she said its probably because we were full up and that what happens...LOL!

N. K.

It's an awesome place with great food.The garnishing and plating of food is totally awesome, the food looks handsome. Its a touch expensive but ultimately worth it. If you want a foodgasm, this is the place. Also, it's child and dog friendly simply entices me to go there everytime I visit Hunter Valley!

S. B.

Best ambience, great customer service, splendid variety of food, Italian delicacy, Aranchino is our fav. Great wine, plenty of parking, toilets are available. Alpaca , pony are also at this wineyard. Must visit and highly recommend

G. K.

Once again the food was fantastic, came very promptly, was fresh, presented well and tasted great. So nice to sit, relax and enjoy lunch by the fountain.

J. M.

Fantastic, love this place! They have put in a lot of effort here, looks amazing, great food, coffee , lovely ambience, lake views, animals.... Very welcoming staff, Well done everyone🙌🙌🙌

E. H.

This was our second visit for breakfast and once again the service, location, layout of tables and quality of food was perfect. Even when fully booked the service was exemplary. Thankyou

C. R.

We had the pleasure of celebrating my fathers 70th at The deck Cafe. The service was fantastic and the food was Impeccable. Thank you to Matt and his amazing staff for making a great day for all.

J. E.

Loved the deck setting by the water. We had tapas... a lot of thought put into the dishes . Delicious every plate 💖

S. P.

Disappointed - GF breakfast (smashed avo) was ordered with bacon - initially came out as a regular serve, had to check (before starting) on suspicion that it wasn’t indeed GF, sent it back - GF option came out WITHOUT bacon & the GF “toast” wasn’t toasted sufficiently & tasted a little stale. Other Big Breakkie was fine. On checkout & payment, looked after with compensation of our wines club membership discount being upped to 20%.

C. P.

This is one of our favourite restaurants. The tapas give you great choice. Beautiful food, great wine and friendly efficient service.

C. D.

Gorgeous cafe in the Hunter Valley. Perfect location to enjoy a meal on a nice day. We had a lunch at the Deck Cafe and enjoyed five different tapas options (the Halloumi with rhubarb was a highlight). The Semillon recommended by the wait staff was delicious and complemented the food well. Good availablity of parking and easy to find.

J. P.

This cafe is top notch. Service and food quality was impeccable. We had the duck liver parfait and truffle risotto. These were cooked perfectly and the flavours were balanced very well. Location and vibe is top notch also, I would consider this fine dining breakfast/lunch. On par with some hatted restaurant experiences I've had!

E. W.

Had brunch here for a friends birthday and was going to give 3/5 stars as my hubby’s meal came when the rest of us were nearly finished (ordered at the same time) the staff were really apologetic and took off the price of the Big Brekkie he had so it’s lovely to see a business go above and beyond! 5/5 😊

D. S.

Great lunch, awesome staff, the wine is pretty tasty too!

C. G.

Beautiful breakfast by the water! Caitlin made sure our son had a super special birthday. We will be back!

R. C.

The perfect spot on a sunny autumn afternoon. Delicious food and scrumptious wines. What more could you ask for? Oh friendly attentive staff. Tick again :)

K. C.

Great food and friendly staff. Very busy but staff was attentive to our large group and making sure none of our order was missing.

j. t.

Enjoyed tapas menu selection and pleasant sitting outside on the deck overlooking lake. Great to enjoy Gartleman wines with the meal.

C. J.

Gartlemans is one of our favorites.Wine tasting staff are very knowledgeable. The food on the deck was fabulous, happy to recommend

M. M.

Highly recommeng…….The food was Delicious, The Staff were Very friendly & Professional, and The settings was just perfect. WE have a wonderful brunch.

a. s.

Food was nice, waited an hour for our food to arrive, once brought to their attention they gave us a free extra dish. Atmosphere is nice

L. H.

We celebrated my daughter's 21st Birthday here with a family lunch. Previously visiting twice before we were confident to bring our family here. So far 3 out of 3 great 5 star visits for food and service. Love that the menu has food that is refreshing for the Wine Valley country. Most restaurants have overly concocted dishes which i find unappealing. If you want fresh dishes that suit many taste palettes give The Deck a shot. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Great onsite parking the stretch limo we used had no problem parking...so you can turn up in style for a special occasion.

m. m.

Very tranquil , and serene . Covid safe , tentative staff . Popular little spot, for breakfast. Food was well priced and plentiful . Would recommend Will go back ....

R. E.

As always a very enjoyable time with good food at a lovely venue. We found each of the staff very hospitable.

N. H.

The staff were very lovely and helpful at such a busy time. Good was great and the outdoors was really nice and great atmosphere for breakfast

R. W.

Beautiful location overlooking water with warm friendly staff. Coffee is amazing, served a little hotter than usual as it was the middle of winter and is on the strong side. The avocado with heirloom tomatoes with a side of feta was so tasty, and perfect portion size. The “Hangover Roll” was a burger with everything and was huge, ask for runny eggs for more flavour. Our puppy was made to feel very welcome in the outdoor dining area, which was drenched in sun!

K. J.

This amazing cafe has to have the best breakfast in the Hunter Valley. We loved the food and atmosphere so much we came back twice. The food is delicious and the views are gorgeous. I highly recommend this Cafe as the service and food was amazing.

D. Y.

Fantastic food, atmosphere and service! Could easily chill and spend the day here.. Staff were polite, professional and took the time and effort to sanitize tables and chairs before we were seated..

p. m.

Great location. Staff were very helpful and the food was fantastic. Highly recommend. Take a moment to check out the animals as well

L. M.

Sensational food in a relaxed setting. Very friendly and helpful staff. Will certainly be back!

C. T.

Wonderful cafe for a tasty lunch. We had 5 courses of the tapas that was perfect for 2 adults. A touch on the pricey side, but worth it!

M. D.

Very nice scenery with a very nice deck. Funny that. Food was good and service ok. Priced well and very popular so book ahead. Even if it is off season and it's just the two of you!

S. R.

Busy place, make sure to book ahead. Came here twice over the weekend we liked the breakfast so much.

K. M.

Myself and my partner dined here in April last year and we couldn't fault a thing. We were so looking forward to a similar experience today. Unfortunately the standard was nowhere near as good. The service was a little slow (possibly understaffed due to covid, understandable) and the food was ok, not great and lacked flavour and seasoning. To start with the positives, the Blue Swimmer Crab and Avocado Timbale was great and my partner really enjoyed the calamari. On the flip side, the stuffed zucchini flowers seemed to be missing the feta in the pumpkin and feta filling (or it was so minute that I couldn't detect it). The lamb back strap looked unappealing because there was little colouration. It looked grey and not an enticing brown that occurs when meat is sealed. Also it was cooked well done which is not how lamb is usually served. My Chicken Punjabi just wasn't good. I thought I would be looking at appetising juicy pieces of chicken but this didn't resemble chicken in any way. Perhaps it was chicken mince, yet it was very bland and very dry, the spiced pumpkin puree was also bland, as was the coconut & coriander dressing (just coconut cream and coriander perhaps...). Maybe we just chose a bad day to dine here. It's unfortunate because it's a lovely place with a lovely outlook and the last time we were there, we honestly couldn't complain about a thing. Unfortunately, today was very different and we expect better quality for what we paid. Despite the service being a little slow, all staff were very polite and friendly.

C. O.

Stopped off for a late-ish breakfast on a weekday and found the place buzzing. Great food and service

L. M.

Beautiful setting and the food was delicious. We keep meaning to explore more of the Hunter Valley but just can't go past the Deck. Never disappoints.

D. M.

Small menu but delicious food. The views are great, enjoy a spot outdoors on the deck

F. C.

Had the most amazing time dining with family at the deck cafe. Food and service were amazing, so was the view! Definitely worth checking out. Pets and children friendly which was a bonus!

F. E.

Great place for breakfast! The food is beautifully prepared with loads of flavour and very generous serve. The outlook over the pond is relaxing and the service is casual but efficient.

H. W.

Staff great, breakfast delicious. long queue when paying bill, due to five young ladies wanting to split their bill. Time consuming for staff and annoying for customers waiting to pay. Suggest you do not encourage split bills.

T. S.

Wow, dog friendly, great atmosphere and food along with amazing booze

E. S.

Beautiful atmosphere, lovely sitting by the water.. nice can go to a place and bring our groodle along too, very thoughtful to have dog bowls full of water for them. The table water filter needs looking at, I notice it wasn't just us at our table not drinking it. The food was Devine, and nice to find gluten free vegetarian options on the menu, I was full all day.. coming back again.. recommend to book as gets busy even on a Friday.

A. G.

Quite a good breakfast place. Luckily they had tables when we called last minutes for reservations. The location is a little out of the way, unless you happen to be heading to the wineries in Lovedale. But s lovely place.

P. T.

We love coming here when we are at Hunter. The food, staff and view never fails. The portion for tapas menu is decent and fills you up easily.

J. P.

We did the French Cooking Class and Wine Education - it was fabulous!!! We highly recommend this experience to anyone who simply loves food and wine. It was fun, interactive, informative, delicious and memorable. Matt and his team are truly dedicated to what they do.

M. J.

Food and service was amazing. I'd recommend the big breakfast and avocado vego delight - add scrambled eggs. The food came In generous portions, the coffee was great too. It's a must visit while in the Hunter.

D. B.

Great Tapas menu for our evening meal here. The size of each dish was available for 2 or 4 and each one had great presentation and flavours. A great setting overlooking water and listening to some live music. We’ll be back.

A. S.

Brilliant tapas…. Very well priced & lovely views

B. E.

We always enjoy visiting the Deck Cafe. Matt has a great team of valued staff who are focused on making the experience great! Food is delicious and very reasonably priced. Wines are lovely. Highly recommended.

M. N.

Great cafe, very peaceful, awesome views and good food. The breakfast in the place where we were staying wasn't good so we went exploring and found this place. Highly recommended.

H. N.

It is very difficult to find a restaurant that caters to cealiacs, but The Deck does and does it well. The variety and choice was amazing, not just one or two dishes, but a whole menu. The portions are generous and the setting is just lovely.

H. S.

Had the brekky power plate. Fantastic experience

t.

Tapas to share. All very tasty. Indoor and outdoor seating. Service was fast. Nice place for lunch between wine tastings

G. S.

Great relaxing atmosphere in the heart of Lovedale. It’s a share plate experience with amazing food to discuss after each dish. We loved it so much we went back for breakfast the following day.

A. B.

Thank you ! We had a Great time as usual. Staff are friendly efficient and polite. Food is good and the atmosphere if always buzzing. Well worth a visit !

R. J.

We live in Tea Gardens and come to the Valley as much as possible, yesterday we invited local friends for lunch at your wonderful restaurant, we haven’t been able to return since May this year and again the tapas menu is without peer and we’ve tried a few in the area. Matt’s selection is varied tasty and reasonably priced, oh and the seating next to the little lake is most appreciated Regards Bob

E. T.

An absolute gem! Great location, friendly service, delicious menu and affordable. Highly recommend French Toast and The Big Breakfast.

S. S.

Good food, good coffee, great for kids as there is place n animals for entertainment, just the bill took forever to arrive ( no complaints apart from that. Will definitely come again

P. L.

Lovely spot,friendly staff and good food

D. P.

Lovely breakfast. Very busy but prompt service. Large portions sizes. Great coffee

I. P.

Lovely lunch. Big, delicious portions, great service, beautiful lake facing veranda. Definitely worth a visit

V. A.

Love the atmosphere of this cafe. Perfect place for a cute breakfast/brunch. One star has been reduced because the scones weren't too great

J. T.

Came here with a group of friends and the food was simply delicious. I had the bean cassoulet and it was hearty and homey.

K. F.

Food was amazing. Staff were attentive and friendly. I’ll definitely be going back.

T. R.

Quite nice food - Decks salad is good, the grilled zucchini flowers with it are great. Dodd can be matched with wines from the vineyard. Nice atmosphere, dog friendly at the outside seating area.

G. M.

Awesome location, heaps of staff who were super friendly. Juices were refreshing and lots of breakfast options.

J. L.

Great breakfast, beautiful area to sit looking over the pond, enjoyed walking over to look at the animals after eating too.

j. r.

Our favourite place in the Hunter Valley for breakfast. The staff are lovely, food is sensational and the location is perfect.

J. S.

Amazing experience. Great food and staff were very accomodating to dietary requirements.

C. K.

What a lovely place to be on a sunny day with family. The food was yummy too. Will definitely be back. See my pics.

G. D.

We had the most amazing Tapas lunch. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was incredible. So tasty & filling! The backdrop is so serene. Lots of space for kids to run around too. Highly recommend!

N. T.

Amazing food and ambiance with lovely staff.

J. R.

Very nice location and the food and wine was excellent. Service was good as well. Definitely recommend going here if you are in the region.

M. B.

Would highly recommend booking as it is busy on the weekend. Delicious and filling big breakfast with a beautiful view.

T. S.

Amazing friendly staff, nothing was a problem. Food was amazing and quick service. Highly recommended a visit !

L. S.

The food was amazing. Friendly atmosphere and very pretty location.

M. B.

Great food and service. Lovely setting.

R. H.

Excellent service, the staff very friendly. Food was delicious and good sized meals. Beautiful view

T. B.

The meals were reasonably tasty and service friendly, but the meal portions were a bit on the small size to share given meals were to be a 2 person share. Pet friendly for animal lovers.

G. A.

Good food overall and would have awarded 5 stars if it wasn't for the Punjabi Chicken which was bland and ordinary.

P.

A great place to eat and chill out the morning after ! Very clean and well kept, the food is exceptional

J. F.

I love The Deck it never fails to impress. Even if its raining you wont be disappointed and you wont get wet !

C. S.

Great location with all tables having a water view. Good service and a friendly team. Food was tasty.

G. D.

Great cuisine for all occasions! A wonderful culinary experience enjoyed by all.

M. H.

Do yourself a favour and PRE BOOK it’s definitely worth a trip there for a very peaceful breaky. Great service, staff are friendly and quick.

K. E.

Great food. Peaceful atmoshere. Great friendly staff. I will be going back

G. L.

Food is really good and staff were really nice.

J. D.

Great food. Service was quick and prices very reasonable.

G. C.

Wonderful morning. Great food. The young lad should be better paid.

B. D.

This was a truly special meal. The hosts were incredibly lovely and the view over the pond was really relaxing. Definitely worth stopping by and worth every cent.

M. C.

Nice atmosphere and pet allowed. Food and drink were good. Staff are friendly.

R. S.

Amazing place to have breakfast.. one of the best breakfast places in Hunter valley. Their Big Breakfast platter is too good, must try.

D. N.

Great food, has a small collection of animals so the kids don't get bored and a cellar door for the adults.

l. h.

food was so yummy and the service was amazing only fault is the seating is so close my chair was only a couple cms from theirs when both were out.

L. K.

A decent place, but it misses the mark on the experience they are trying to offer. We came in for lunch yesterday. A higher end price for the menu and the experience does not fit the bill unfortunately. Small tapas portions at full price menu. We ordered sides. 2 x chips and a salad and they didn't bring them out at all. When asked about them, they said, we always bring sides at the end. Well, they should be called finishers..Why order a side of greek salad with your tapas to have it served at the end? We did not feel full by the end and you would need to spend more than its worth to leave satisfied. Staff were super friendly and nice but seemed to lack coherence and structure. Management needs to improve.

s. p.

Such an amazing place to refresh your mind!!! Their food & service were exceptional!!! 😊

T. S.

Awesome food and service. Wine menu could be expanded/improved.

C. M.

Lovely place very nice breakfast relaxing surroundings 🤘👍

M. T.

Great big breakfast Coffee followed by Gartelmann Wine tasting next door. Luke great knowledge and host.

K. O.

The atmosphere and food was amazing! Will definitely be back 😊

P. P.

Have been to The Deck twice now, once for lunch and once for breakfast, and both have been great experiences. The food is delicious, the staff are very friendly and the location and outlook are lovely. The chickens, ponies and pigs in the nearby paddocks are a bonus if you have kids 😊

L. C.

Food and atmosphere were lovely. Female wait staff were very polite and attentive. Brunch on a busy Sunday morning arrived in a reasonable amount of time. 1 star removed for gentleman on the till. I advised him we had not been charged for a coffee we had had and I was happy for it to be added to the bill. He did so without even acknowledging our honesty or a word of thanks. Appreciation can go a long way to ensure return customers.

R. B.

The food was delicious and the service was fantastic......we are never disappointed after a visiting.

B. J.

Delicious, large meals and well priced, surroundings are beautiful .

P. B.

Our experience at the deck cafe was awesome they accommodate to our special dietary need as we had a lady with us that had to be very careful what she could eat and they did that we were very pleased so thank you the deck cafe

M. S.

Every dish was a taste sensation, you cannot go wrong with anything you choose on this tapas menu...We will definitely be back, highly recommend. Also, great service and lovely staff.

S. O.

High quality food!!! Fresh ingredients and friendly staff. We definitely recommend it

d. h.

Such an amazing view and location for a Cafe. We came on the perfect overcast day, but we are here for the food. 1 latte and 1 long black both delicious. Scones to share with the misses. Delicious! The homemade jam was a bit sour for our liking but it was saved by the best cream we have ever tasted. It was so good we asked for a serving to take home for our romantic night alone. We were jealous of the food everyone else was getting so we will be back tomorrow morning to try something else on our getaway. 100% recommend.

B. G.

Lovely brunch we enjoyed it so much we came back every day of our stay highly recommended. Great to pat the ponies, and pigs too!

G. W.

Great food and friendly staff. There are lots of gluten free options as well.

R. H.

We LOVE going to the Deck Cafe and our last visit for dinner was as enjoyable as always! The food was delicious and the service excellent as always! We will continue to spread the word!!

G. D.

Food was very good, cod a bit over done but beef cheek you could eat with a spoon it was so tender. The $68 tapas menu is one of the best value for money high quality meals you can get anywhere. Be aware animals are allowed in parts of the restaurant.

J. D.

Fantastic food - each time we try to rank the dishes most of them are all placed equal first. A lovely setting and great wines.

P. M.

This place is so lovely. Gorgeous environment and the food is to die for

M. L.

Breakfast in the bush was such a treat we did it again the next day and the Gartelmann wine tasting on the same property was a friendly and fruitful experience.

A. I.

Lovely location, Breakfast was yum and the service was great. We will be back.

R. J.

Tapas lunch was very good, lots of different flavours. And the service was impeccable.

S. I.

Gorgeous venue, Incredible food We will be back!

M. C.

Fresh outdoor dining matches with delicious menu choices, great little spot within the hunter valley

C. G.

Delicious food, stunning atmosphere and friendly and professional staff. We'll be back!

T. d. W.

My group really enjoyed lunch on the deck. The service was quick and friendly. Nice coffee thank you.

A. S.

Thank you Matt,Karen,Bree and all the staff at The Deck Cafe for the picturesque venue in which we celebrated our sons 18th birthday on Sunday 🥳locals eating locally 🤗it was amazing food,the service was great and the views around the dam are beautiful I would thoroughly recommend this tapas style cafe for a delicious breakfast, long lunch or that next special event you won’t be disappointed 😍it was lovely to see them so busy after the COVID lockdown 😩thanks for a wonderful afternoon 👏see you again soon 🍻

G. P.

A very pleasant outdoor setting with pond. A solid tapas menu with something for everyone. Service was friendly and efficient and the food came quickly. Wine menu is surprisingly limited but a nice selection. A lovely dining experience. I'll be back.

R. d.

Delious food delightful staff a great place for breakfast

K. C.

We made the mistake of ordering too many bacon dishes. Otherwise a lovely place to eat.

B. F.

Great location and very nice food. Had only previously visited with Lovedale Long Lunch and very much enjoyed The Deck. Can recommend the Middle Eastern Lamb.

T. N.

Went to The Deck last Sunday for lunch. Best Arancini we have had, and we've had a lot of experience! We also had a 'special' lamb back strap which was melt in the mouth, and calamari, just lovely. The service was fabulous. We can't wait to return!

M. S.

Watching the animals whilst sipping banana smoothies 😍 very relaxing.

E. G.

If it wasnt for such a bad customer service due to being so busy it would have been 10 stars. I was so looking forward to this place. The setting is absolutely gorgeous, nothing can fault it. We got a table straight away even without booking. So many people working like bees. But the whole idea when you go to these places is food AND drinks. Somewhere in the busy atmosphere drinks were forgotten. Food arrived..amazing! No drinks...others are being served..complained once twice for the drinks. My husband wanted to leave. Third time complain only to take our drink order again and yes, you guessed it...we got charged twice for the drinks. None of this is intentional and I understand it (we got the bill fixed asap after i noticed) however, for the price they are charging especially for wine (14$ a glass), service should be impeccable and being busy should not be an excuse.

G.

Beautiful place.... even in Winter. Great food and service. Even provide blankets and heaters to sit outside and enjoy the views.

S. A.

This was our second visit. Delicious food, love the tapas! Friendly, efficient staff. A very enjoyable outing for my husband and I in these tricky times. Will definitely return!

M.

Absolutely enjoyed The Decks Mezze...so good with a glass of sparkling shiraz...highly recommended as a share platter.

R. G.

A cosy outdoor cafe with one of the best tasting breakfast spread. The vibe of the place is warm and welcoming

J. P.

Service and food were wonderful and the location was so picturesque. Look forward to visiting again.

J. T.

Beautiful spot, nice staff and quality food. Bit pricey but well worth it for the ambience.

N. L.

It was a very relaxing atmosphere. Tables outside overlooking a big fountain and a lotus pond. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We came as 3 adults and they were flexible with the prices charging as 3 people rather than 4 on the menu prices. We did come expecting to order single dishes for each person but actually enjoyed the tapas style dishes. It's definitely a unique experience. Everybody was able to try their share of each dish and we were very full after. Highly recommend the grilled haloumi and the dumplings!

D. M.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch with friends - the staff were great and very obliging. I would definitely recommend The Deck Cafe.

n. s.

great food great service from the staff highly recommend. recommend you book early as very popular

A. S.

Great coffee and breakfast with a nice view.

k. t.

One of the best things I did Eating there 😋

L. B.

Great venue, gorgeous food, excellent service

N. K.

Wonderful tapas dinner experience. Lovely staff!!

S. B.

Being so close the Hunter Valley wineries we sometimes forget how relaxing it can be having a nice Sunday lunch out there. The Deck Cafe was welcoming and the tapas selection extensive. This was rounded off with a nice selection of the Gartelmann wines.

I. R.

Great spot! Great cafe! Awesome menu with everything for everyone. Make sure you book because they get super busy. I’m a sucker for scones and theirs is pretty good! There is also a crazy burger called the hangover burger with just about everything in it, breakfast wise, anyone could want.

C. W.

I went there for my 22nd birthday with a group of 14. I booked & paid in advance for their tapas menu and everything we were served was delicious, especially the fish! One of my friends is vegetarian and she felt very looked after as they made alternative dishes for her which were very flavourful. The owner of the cafe then came out and thanked us, saying we were wonderful to serve. Amazing staff, amazing location and amazing food / cocktails - their cosmo is yummy as!! 10/10 recommend to anyone visiting the hunter!!

T. W.

Hi service was great, people are nice and it’s great to be able to bring your dog but I think you should check your prices in regards to smashed avo - very overpriced and the mushrooms should be on the side. The big breaky also needs some butter or at least a choice on the sourdough. Also more heaters needed to cover everyone not just the selected few.

H. M.

We were lucky enough to get a booking with less than 24 hours notice, in a very busy time of the year. We got the calamari, pork belly and lamb, with a side of fries, and it was the perfect amount for 4 people. Friendly staff. Can't wait to get out there again and try some different dishes on the tapas menu. Must try

D. D.

Incredible food and service at a very fair price!

K. N.

Excellent food. Great service and great location.

A. N.

Great ambience, both food and the wines were excellent

N. K.

The food comes out fast and the service is fantastic- we went for a wine tasting at gartlemans winery with my mum (which was just a brilliant experience for the both of us)before hitting the deck for some tapas, there was a QR at the front which was good to see, the staff seated us, explained the menu and and answered all mums questions, the food was perfect as always, and the view is just as good. Just an amazing experience 10/10

P. J.

Fantastic food and service. 2 x very happy customers!

J.

Nice place with nice view Food was okay not special :)

B. S.

Went here for lunch, it's such a gorgeous spot...Was a little windy, we sat outside because we brought our dog along....The food was amazing! They got one of our entree dishes wrong, so to make up for it, they offered us two free desserts....Which was SUPER generous....and then i got a bug in my coke...and they took both cokes off the bill!! Food was fresh and delicious! Pork belly was my fav! Melt in your mouth :) Arancini were amazing too YUM!!

N. V.

Great cafe and restaurant, was just one issue with the coffee making process it took way too long, maybe suggest to add more coffee machines and people to make the coffee.

L. B.

Great location and fantastic food. The Staff are always friendly and helpful. My number one go to place for breakfast whenever I visit the Hunter Valley. If you dine at the Cafe, you also get a 10% discount if you purchase wine from Gartelmann's next door.

A. B.

Lovely food, relaxing location, great service. Coffee was superb. Certainly a perfect start to the morning.

B. B.

Sensational food and terrific service. Well worth a visit

J.

It was OK. The coffee was Luke warm. The pancakes were very dry. I had the veggiedelite, it was supposed to be avo on toast with field mushrooms and tomato and halomi.. it had maybe a quarter of an avocado at most, a huge mushroom on it and slabs of haloumi.. it just was not lite and fresh- very heavy handed. A bit expensive, over $100 for 2x adults and 2 kids.

M. P.

Great location for a hearty breakfast just what you need if you've had a winery weekend. Service is friendly and helpful. The coffees/smoothies are slow and coffees are overpriced at $6.50 for a regular sized flat white (not large) $7 for regular soy mocha. Parking is easy around the back. Recommend booking ahead during COVID to ensure they have space for you.

S. C.

Amazing food and service, great variety

l. f.

Beautiful food, awesome staff and delicious cocktails ❤️

S. M.

Lovely breakfast, beautiful setting, great coffee. The only negative was the staff asking for a tip when paying with a card.

D. E.

Perfect in every sense. Beautiful outlook, beautiful service, backed up by delicious food!

E. M.

Absolutely divine!! Food amazing and staff are friendly

C. N.

Fantastic. Great atmosphere. Great service well priced, highly recommend the Deck has gone to another level

C. H.

Great spot, bookings would be essential, as it does fill up quite quickly, though there are many tables around the dam. If you really want to indulge for breakfast you must try the pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and crackle dust. These would have to be the fluffiest pancakes that I have ever had anywhere and the staff are so friendly and inviting. If you aren't sure where to go for breakfast, this should be the place.

R. B.

Pleasant place to spend an afternoon with friends. The main event is drinks and chatting in the shade around a pond. There is a selection of neo Australian tapas on offer to nibble through. This is not a place to come expressly for the food, even though it is very good. I would say this is for the ambiance.

J. M.

Amazing, fresh, tasty food. Service was outstanding and location is fantastic.

J. M.

Wine tasting was good. The staff were very knowledgeable. The tapas were great. Recommend the aranchini balls and halloumi and rhubarb. Pork belly was a bit dry when we tried. Book ahead as it was very busy but as it was tapas food was brought out fast

P. H.

Had big breakfast. Good view. Big portion of brekkie but below average quality and presentation for a $28 breakfast. Toast was burnt and not well taken care of. Texture of scrambled eggs was more like fried eggs scrambled. Overeasy egg was a bit well done.Also need to improve on quality for coffee. Make it local blend. Vittoria is below average for Australian standard coffee.

P. T. B.

A big thanks to the amazing staff who gave our teams big dogs TONS of cuddles today. They also got our coffee in just before they shut for the day. Lovely staff. Lovely service

D.

Incredible breakfast and view. Great price and staff, a must.

C. C.

Fabulous lunch. Food, service, setting and company all to be highly commended.

C. L.

Staff were nice and the place was in a good location. Food was delicious and we got a 10% discount on the wine next door. We also got to feed the alpacas for $1. We overall had a great experience and definitely recommend this place👌🏻

M. C.

Best food. Great service. We will be back.

R. P. S.

Curious as to why we and other guests ahead of us were not asked for ID showing their home location. It is times like these we all must remain vigilant to identify noncompliant rule breakers and report them promptly to the authorities. Come on people! These rules are in place to make us ALL safe during the pandemic.

G. L.

Good food and the service was good. If you are in this part of the world well worth a visit. Be warned it's popular so if you are wandering about this neck of the woods on a weekend, public holiday or school holidays, best to book ahead and early.

E. R.

Food very well priced and excellent quality. A glass of wine very overpriced. Inexperienced staff but that could be anywhere. Music was terrible. Sounded like top 20 from 1988. Something more laid back while looking over the fountain would be good. Would go back.

M. A.

The battered fish and chips and salmon avo roll are good. Large portion and suitable for families looking for a hearty meal.

N. T.

Totally recommend! Coffee is to die for and breakfast is hearty as they come. Service is excellent ensuring our water is filled and always at hand when in need. Great atmosphere with awesome views to relax and enjoy the company of family n friends. Booked in to go back for breakfast with family 😊 5 stars

P. D.

Sizeable food, but average quality. Chai latte was 6/10. Service was 6/10. Great location.

S. B.

Lovely setting for breakfast. Had a great breakfast burger and good coffee (although at $6.50 it is the most expensive coffee I have ever had in Australia). Still, it was a good experience overall. Very friendly service.

S. I.

Good menu. Lovely place for a breakfast

B. R.

Such a lovely place for lunch. Thank you so much for a great meal, service was excellent

J. A.

We have been here many times for breakfast and always enjoyed it, the view is great if you are on the deck. The food is yummy and the serving sizes are good, the tea and coffee is good. The location is convenient and on a nice property. The staff are friendly and the service is great. The food is a little on the expensive side, but that is like most of the Hunter Valley.

T.

Really appreciate you are Dog friendly

A. D.

Great food and great coffee. Worth calling in if you're in the Hunter.

J. V.

Good variety and tasty food! The terrace is ideal for summer days =)

N. M.

Always a pleasure to come here... its a must visit whenever visiting Hunter Valley!

P. K.

The quality of the food, the friendly and professional staff are all things that make us come back every time

V. T.

Wonderful spot for breakfast or lunch. Lovely staff

D. L.

Lovely place, beautiful scenery. Nice staff but was neglected a bit, they were probably understaffed but we arrived early with a booking and there wasn't many customers. Food was good but portions were a touch small for my liking.

L. W.

Amazing food and fabulous service. Highly recommended!

D. K.

Pleasant outlook over the gartleman winery dam but food was average and a bit disappointing. Cereal bowl was huge and sickly sweet and the scones were as big as small loaves of bread. Pricey for what was served up.

D. F.

Dropped in for a late Sunday breakfast, and was pleasantly surprised, for an off the cuff decision. Good selection of tasty breakfast treats on the menu to suit all eaters and dietary requirements. I chose the big breakfast with the wife taking on the French toast. Both meals were excellent portions very tasty and delivered ultra quick. This was surprising as "The Deck" was busy with a steady flow of customers. The kitchen and wait staff were well drilled and pleasant, and as a customer we never felt rushed to order or eat, making the late Sunday breakfast even better in the relaxed atmosphere. Thank you.

S. S.

Great location, food and service was awesome

M. W.

Nice lunch selection and relaxed atmosphere. The deck so gorgeous on a sunny day and inside is not too loud even with big crowds. Food and wine was amazing. Prices are what you expect in wine country but servings are generous. Staff are very friendly. I will definitely return here again

J. S.

Amazing food and atmosphere. We will be returning soon!

K. L.

Such a beautiful setting. We went here for a work breakfast on a Friday morning with a group of 12. We were given a group menu to order from. Coffee and breakfast orders were taken promptly and cooked promptly. Everyone seemed happy with their meals, and they all looked good, and were a generous size. The coffee was great. They had almond milk. They were able to cater to celiac very carefully. We ate overlooking a beautiful pond with water lilies and the sound of the bubbling fountain. We felt like we were a million miles from anywhere.

K. P.

Brekky was awesome. I had a veggie delight which was avocado, halloumi, spinach and tomato. Coffee was amazing

S. C.

Great place for a bite to eat with your family and friends

S. P.

A lovely relaxing breakfast with a gorgeous view. The animals, of course, were a hit with our daughter.

R. S.

Waffles were really nice and portions quite big. Nice atmosphere by the lake!

G.

The Customer service and food at The deck cafe was amazing and only 1 min away from our accomodation! We chose to sit outside, embracing the spring weather and beautiful landscapes. We definitely will be back.

F. M.

Great spot for a coffee, breakfast or lunch. We booked online and had quick service and a great view

S. K.

Went here with the wife and kids for breakfast. We have now found a place we will always come back to when here! The food was fantastic and the service was amazing. The staff are amazingly friendly and really do go that extra mile. The location is picturesque and sitting out on the deck is very relaxing. I highly recommend a visit to the Deck Cafe Lovedale.

S. H.

Breakfast was very enjoyable at this fabulous location!

P. V. (.

Went there yesterday for the tapas lunch, food was well presented and the various dishes great, excellent wine list and at meal end the dessert and coffee really good. Staff went out of their way to look out for us, overall could not fault...loved it, great spot to stop for a while and enjoy

t. s.

Great place and atmosphere. Friendly staff and excellent food. Our favourite place for brunch. Thank you, will be back soon. Therese Smith Farley.

N. D.

Lovely place, nice view and great food

I. M. K.

Had a great breakfast here. Staff were very nice. Great menu with something for every taste, and great executions of the dishes. It is located in the beautiful wine country. The cafe looks nice and they have cooling water spraying over where you sit ☺

T. M.

Absolutely amazing Cafe. One of the best I've ever been to in terms of menu choices. A good mix of "bloke friendly" options but also brilliant options for those a little more health conscious. Pet friendly too! My Border Collie loves to come along!

S. H.

Had a great breakfast, the staff were genuine friendly, no put on act , view & settings was very good , would go back any day, we walked around the grounds chooks , bucks, pigs & ponys & a dam.

K. M.

Beautiful setting, friendly staff and great food, wine and coffee. A great venue for families with children as you can visit the miniature ponies, alpacas and chickens between courses.

J. V.

Totally recommend this cafe situated in a beautiful site and location. Food was amazing! and Vittoria coffee also! Big portions, hollandaise sauce super tasty, the best one I've ever had. Wanna come back again on my next visit, hopefully soon!

J. B.

Lovely setting. It was a little chaotic when we were here during the holiday period, but food was good and we were able to get a table without booking. Will go back next time we are in the area

O. T.

Location is great and peaceful, with great views. Food was delicious and fresh! I had slow cooked lamb and partner had spiced calamari. Wine was great too, good choice. Service was absolutely amazing. Fast service always happy and quick to respond. Food came out fast too. Didn't rush us to leave when we finished, which I find rare these days. Will be back for sure :)

J. S.

An excellent big breakfast, higher rating if music in cafe is better but overall excellent location, view, food and service

M. H.

Just loved the Big breakfast. Definitely could not eat it all.

J. B.

Excellent choices. A gem in lovedale.

H. B.

We booked for lunch one Saturday afternoon and had a lovely time as usual. Very consistent cafe in the Hunter with pretty grounds, lovely service and tasty food. We had the fish and chips, pulled pork pie, chicken burger and lamb gnocchi and everyone was very pleased with their meals. Lunch for 4 plus wine was about $40ish per head.

S. B.

I called in late today and ordered a take away fish and chips, very taste All ways good, the staff are always pleasant, and effective. Appreciate the late notice Steve & Linda at Bluebush

A. F.

Enjoyed the meal, had the pumpkin quiche and the lamb with pita bread for lunch. Cozy little spot with a nice pond and greenery to look at. Food was a little overpriced for such a small quiche, it was $27. The lamb was beautiful I would recommend it all day long. The main issue we had was our service. We had a young waitress with long brown hair who barley spoke other than to take our order. We first arrived and I walked inside unsure if it was table service, I asked her if I could grab a menu and she responded with "sit down", that was all she said. Nearly walked out at that point but decided to give the place a go. Thankfully she went on a break shortly after bringing us our order (we tried hard to strike up a short conversation but it felt like she was borderline ignoring us) the older lady that served us as we were leaving was wonderful though she appeared happy to speak to us and made the experience much better. All in a good place to eat with a peaceful atmosphere and good food. Shame about the service :(.

j. g.

Absolutely beautiful place, and even better food. The staff were so lovely and spoilt my dog with treats and pats, we will be back again :)

N. B.

Wonderful, friendly And great brunch

W. V. M.

Great place for brunch. Gr8 food

R. V.

A fantastic place for breakfast or a meal.

M. H.

It was superb Great service Excellent venue

D. O.

Beautiful location, fabulous food & company

D. W.

Great food and atmosphere. If flies bother you, then choose another place.

A. B.

Great location for something to eat - either a quick bite or something longer. Sit in front of a peaceful lake and enjoy. Food was delicious and service friendly. Have been here a few times on visits to the Hunter Valley and have never been disappointed. Great for both breakfast and lunch.

b. d.

Really good yummy food. Size of food is small for the price. Service was good drinks took a while to come out. Also seats were right next to another table.

S. L.

The environment and ambience here has a perfect setting for groups and couples. The food was excellent, especially the beer-battered snapper and chips which was perfectly prepared and cooked. However, the downside of eating here is that the air conditioning doesn't seem to work well, and I was dripping all over while seated indoors. My suggestion is only to visit here for dinner.

A. S.

Great atmosphere, wonderful staff and awesome food.

R. g.

We came because the view was supposed to be good, it’s okey. The outside area is nice. Food was DELICIOUS!! Really good. I was the only not enjoying the coffee, I felt like it was burnt, but as I said, from a group of 4, I was the only one. Amazing customer service, nice and quick service. Nice place to try.

C.

This Cafe is a great place to enjoy lunch after a roam around the Hunter Valley. This place is not cheap but you do pay for good quality fresh food. The service is good and the staff are friendly. We particularly enjoyed the mist that cooled us off during our lunch on the deck.

J. B.

Great cafe delicious lunch and great atmosphere 😃

I. A.

Excellent food, excellent coffee. We had the big breakfast and an Eggs Benedict. Both were excellent. They were accommodating to changes I requested to the big breakfast (removed the meat, was provided with extra eggs and hallumi instead). Service was quick as well. Coffee was served shortly after orderin. The food followed less than 5 minutes later.

K. W.

Highly recommend the house-made scones.

G. W.

Great setting brilliant tapas and good wine list.

K. M.

Beautiful outlook, gorgeous food, friendly staff. An experience to take away the stresses of 2021! :)

R. “. O.

Our third visit to the Deck Cafe confirmed our earlier visits - a comfortable, casual and friendly licenced place in the Hunter to relax. No airs and graces, just old fashioned service. The Deck Cafe serves great food for breakfast or lunch. Indoors or out on the deck the outlook is pleasant. A meal gets you a discount voucher for the adjacent winery. No problem with parking and the toilets are clean.

M. M.

The food was lovely, but the serve size was slightly too big. I had the eggs benedict with mushrooms which was nice, the only complaint I had was that the eggs weren't runny at all. Granted, it was busy that morning, but I would still expect at least runny eggs on the eggs benedict. Overall, not a bad experience, the staff were lovely and helpful, and I'd definitely come here again.

S. C.

Beautiful place for breakfast looking out over the water lilies. The water brings a calming influence to the morning. Beautiful food and friendly staff. If you sit outside, bring the Aeroguard if flies trouble you. It is the country after all.

S. A.

Location Location Location...centre of wine country. Went for breakfast meal was good coffee was great but the herbs on the mushroom and tomato was a little to much

R. G.

Lovely place! Wonderful wine and the tapas menu is sublime. Well worth the drive out.

R. F.

Dog and baby friendly with awesome food, drinks and exceptional service

J. E.

The food was out of this world! Thanks Matt for accommodating us at the last minute without a booking. We’ll be back! Maybe for a cooking class so I can lift my culinary game!

D. L.

Really nice food great location

M. S.

Very good food, excelent service

S. B.

Lovely location. The food was a bit dissapointing considering the price. Maybe this was just beacuase it was tapas. We had the $60 set menu and it missed the mark. Sevice was ok. The wine was good.

R. A.

Persentation i will give 5 And customer service 5 Taste was awesome

J. R.

The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The coffee was great and the food was amazing. Will definitely be returning.

N. N.

Beautiful setting and amazing food. Took the pooch and had a very leisurely afternoon eating delicious food and drinking local wine by the water. Highly recommended.

A. B.

Not terribly well set up for wet weather but the staff were happy and welcoming. A little disappointed at the portion sizes but enjoyed the flavours and selection.

L. J. G.

I absolutely loved this place. From the service as soon as you were greeted to paying the bill. Great little spot will be back

N. G.

Loved it cant wait to take family and other friends there

M.

This is a lovely spot if you want to bring your furry friend! We brought our dog and she was warmly welcomed. The service and staff are very accommodating, we were seated under a heater and were given blankets. It was such a peaceful breakfast down by the pond. The food was superb, and the coffee, perfectly brewed! Dined there twice for breakfast, and will definitely return on our next visit to Pokolbin

T. y.

Fabulous location & fabulous food, highly recommend.

M. R.

The food,setting and staff were all fantastic . Merry Christmas to all

A. P.

Quick service from pleasant staff but water glasses still had last customers lipstick marks. Wrong meal delivered (but still tasty).

S. C.

Great little place over looking a pond. We had a really nice time here for Sunday lunch. Good selection of food and drinks and meals were enjoyed by all. It was pretty cold sitting in the undercover part of the veranda, so if you can't get a table in the sun, sit inside.

E. R.

A lovely surprise as we hadn’t been here before, very busy but staff were easily managing, great coffee, very good food, and a great selection of local jams, loved it will be back next time we are near Pokolbin

R. L.

Wonderful eggs Benedict's and good coffee

C. C.

What a wonderful place to visit post lockdown. Staff were welcoming and food was absolutely delicious, will definitely be coming back again 🥰💜

M. P.

Beautiful and peaceful location..the manager was very friendly and attentive to our needs! The menu was displayed on the verandah, and he directed our attention to all the specials of the day which made my mouth water. We decided to sit outside even though there was a piercing chill in the air. There were warm blankets provided, which I thought was a nice touch. Food was delicious and will definitely be back there again!!

C. C.

Service and food were fantastic. Great atmospheric

L. W.

Lovely atmosphere and service, but the food was hit and miss. Avocado was unripe. Duck egg was lovely. The Spanish omelette was a dry frittata. It was very windy and we were provided with blankets, however no inside seating. Side note: There were bones in the trout Tip: Rug up, it was windy outside!

E. M.

Fantastic!!! Amazing food and amazing service

N. M.

We had kids with us, it seemed the wait staff weren't overly interested in serving us. Maybe just having a bad day. Food and coffee very nice although slightly over done. Beautiful location. Cellar door very nice, staff in there were fantastic.

K. w.

Great food really good variety and price. Excellent staff. Very friendly. Nice atmosphere

K. F.

This is a great place for breakfast or lunch. They have a good variety of options to eat and drink and the service was fast and friendly. The food was delicious. We had breakfast and it was really yummy. The view is beautiful and the atmosphere was relaxed.

K. O.

Good breakfast basics and loved meeting the alpacas. Our group tried everything on the set menu and all agreed the vego breakfast was the best.

R. R.

Food was delicious, service was great and location was perfect.

N. S.

Amazing lunch at a beautiful spot in Lovedale. Highly recommend The Deck.

P. E.

Lovely environment and scenery with a nice menu. Located next to a wine tasting cellar so the visit for food here can be combined with wine tasting and make it a worthwhile visit. Staff here were delightful and made us feel welcomed.

R. H.

Love their truffle rice risotto, with crispy bacon 🥓 It’s my favourite. The cafe overlooks a lovely setting and you can do some wine tasting before or after lunch. Great weekend escape!

K. M.

All of our dishes were delicious. A very enjoyable evening. Thank you.

K. M.

The food was very nice. Our 3 young waitresses were very friendly and helpful. Beautiful setting

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