The Scarborough Hotel

This was our most disappointing dining experience in the Illawarra. We are locals who have visited many times over the years, and our experience yesterday was unexpectedly terrible. The overzealous security guards/waitstaff who control entry and patrol the outdoor area seem aimless and make the atmosphere uncommonly strange. The outdoor area was tightly controlled and empty, with a reserved sign on every table, and a ridiculously high minimum spend required to actually reserve a table. Food was awful and expensive. We will be recommending people stay away, and won't be returning ourselves. ☹️

Top place to take your overseas or local visitors for a long lunch.
Very professional and friendly staff with eye to detail.
Over of our favourite places to visit as it is handy to the shire ☺️

Just went for lunch as a table of 6. $32 a main and just not worth it. Ordered medium rare steaks. The girl serving said they were tender and recommended them. They were tough as old boots and cooked almost to well done. My mother couldn’t even cut through hers or chew it. My wife ordered the pulled pork burger, again tasteless and soggy. Even my sons simple schnitzel and chips was inedible, the schinitzel so dry. We advised our waitress when she collected lite half eaten meals who basically just shrugged clearing only half the table never to return.

For a meal that cost me $230 I was taken back that I had to get my own cutlery and stand in a queue to order from staff who were obviously bored out of their minds.

Every time we have gone the tables on the grass have been booked but no/one turns up to sit there. Lots of people standing around looking for a place to sit with 80% of tables reserved and empty.

Such a shame as it’s a great location. We will be going to Headland Hotel in Austinmer in future.

Yes it had atmosphere with fire going. Food nice but pricey for what we received. Could do heaps wanted to look at water but couldn't see out windows. Needs complete overhaul would love to come back needs complete overhaul to receive maximum wow factor regarding the tremendous vista you have there not being utilized. Moving shortly to Stanwell Park so would like to come back one day.Regards

Dear Jenny, thank you for comments. As you have posted them on this platform I can only reply to you this way. I am glad to hear that you normally have a pleasant experience when visiting the Scarborough Hotel and thank you for your patronage. I was made aware of this staff members' behaviour on the day it occurred. The instigating member of the team that you observed is no longer in our employment. Our team is made up of young and not so young staff, they all work very hard to ensure customers have a great experience and enjoy themselves at the same time. We like to be known as the " friendly little pub on the cliff" . Hope to see you again soon and feel free to ask for me Best Regards , Paul Anzani - Owner.

Set in the most beautiful scenery cliff edge to the water, but I would avoid on days like Mothers day, had to line up for over 1hr constantly told we had to wait until the next group were seated and had placed their order. Once we were given our table (which would have seated 12 comfortably) only 4 of us, noticed there were quite a few tables vacant to suit 4 people.
Were asked to leave our table at 1.45pm because it was reserved for 2.30pm reservation, noticed it was still vacant at 2.45 pm when we left .
Not sure I would come back.

Gorgeous old pub, that has been renovated sympathetically. Fantastic beer garden out the back that has great ocean views. I did not eat here, but the menu was inviting and reasonably priced. BBQ available. Staff friendly and attentive. I would highly recommend you make a booking if dining, as there were cues out the door on a Saturday 👍

Great location, recommend booking on weekends as it gets busy. Expensive for the quality of food. Last Sunday, took nearly an hour for order to be ready. Ordered steak med-rare and got it well done, fish overcooked as well. I did expect better so overall a disappointing experience.

Nice place to relax for an afternoon. Skip the dip trio. Salmon was cooked well but lacking flavour. Garlic Bread was alright. Overall a bit disappointing.