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Kulata Academy Cafe
Review
About
The Kulata Academy café menu includes a wide range of freshly prepared sandwiches along with salads and breakfast classics like fresh yoghurt, smoothies and fruit options. An array of cakes and pastries from the Resort bakery are complemented by Grinders espresso coffee and a selection of T2 tea. Located in the Resort Town Square.The café is run by the trainees of Ayers Rock Resort's National Indigenous Training Academy under the guidance of supervisory trainers and offers trainees a comprehensive food and beverage training facility empowering them in a safe learning environment.
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, Australian
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Seating
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
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4.2
1,662 reviews
Excellent
708
Very good
664
Average
200
Poor
51
Terrible
39
jeannine
Nigel1 contribution
Jan 2025 • friends
This was a gem we found on day 2. Sails in the Desert breakfast are extremely expensive and there is no other option at the hotel to eat breakfast. Kulata was in the town square and a good place for good food at reasonable prices. The food was fresh and delicious. The cappuccino was also good. Yes the service was a bit slow but it is a training academy and since you are on holiday and stuck in a resort for a few days. Breathe and enjoy the experience. The young manageress, I think Ella was her name, is a credit to the resort and the cafe
Written 8 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ayers Rock Resort Manager
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and for your kind words about Kulata. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the food and cappuccino, and we are glad that you found the venue a good alternative for a satisfying meal during your stay at Ayers Rock Resort.
We truly appreciate your understanding regarding the service speed, and we agree that the relaxed holiday pace can be part of the experience. It is wonderful to hear that Ella, our young manager, made a positive impression. We will be sure to pass on your compliments to her.
Thank you once again for your review, and we hope to welcome you back.
Best regards
Written 9 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
travelqueenNi
United Kingdom438 contributions
July 2023 • family
A great little cafe in Town Square - the queue gets very long so give yourself enough time to grab a snack. I recommened the BBQ pork pies as well as the toasted banana bread- delicious!! Everything in the resort is on the pricey side but prices here were decent at $11.50 for a pie and $6 for banana bread.
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonderwomantravels
Grovedale34 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
What a great training academy initiative, we had morning coffee and lunch here, each day of our 5 night stay. Best to get in reasonably early as it is extremely popular.
Good coffee, food prepared off site, so limited to what they have provided, but a good range pies, sandwiches, cakes etc and everything was tasty and fresh. Coffee & food served as take-away, however there are tables and chairs outside or inside to enable you to sit and enjoy.
Staff were amazing, happy and friendly, good to see the young members so eager to learn a worthwhile trade, to make a difference to their lives.
Can’t speak highly enough of the staff and management, but also the person/people responsible for setting this great initiative.
Written 1 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nick164
Sydney2372 contributions
July 2024 • friends
Casual dining options in Ayer’s Rock Resort are limited. Whilst I would anticipate from the name this cafe is partially staffed by catering students, I would have expected a higher standard than we experienced. Service was slow and, to be frank, the food was awful - a dried out pastie and a slimy undercooked toasty. Not recommended.
Written 24 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ayers Rock Resort Manager
Thank you for sharing your feedback, Nick.
We are sorry to hear that your experience at Kulata Café didn’t meet expectations. Kulata is indeed staffed by trainees from our National Indigenous Training Academy, where they take their first steps in the hospitality industry, learning valuable skills in a supportive environment. We truly appreciate your understanding as they build their careers.
As part of our Indigenous Employment Program, we’ve been proud to support and grow our Indigenous workforce since 2011. We continue to offer training opportunities that foster cultural engagement and eco-tourism.
We will certainly review your comments to ensure an improved dining experience moving forward. Thank you again for your feedback.
Written 30 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rachel H
300 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
Wonderful small cafe in Yulara Resort. Great choices for food and drinks (both hot and cold) served by local youths who are friendly and very helpful. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch only.
I found this cafe the best choice in all of Yulara resort - food quality, food value, staff were knowledge and friendly and knowing that the money went to the academy to help train the local youths. I visited many times during my 6 day stay and loved it each time. Highly recommend!!
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FEH
Cheshire14 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
Great little cafe with friendly helpful staff. My husband loved his pie and my chocolate milkshake, made by one of the young members of staff, was the best I’ve had since being in Australia. Thank you!
Written 17 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ayers Rock Resort Manager
Dear 107franh,
We are delighted to read your review!
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us. We are so happy to hear that your husband enjoyed his pie and that your chocolate milkshake was the best you’ve had since being in Australia. We will be sure to pass along your kind words to our team.
Best regards
Written 7 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Samiya7
Deerfield Beach1203 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
We stopped in to grab a quick bite before our day tour. We were told they were short staffed so no table service. We ordered a bacon, Brie and egg sandwich and a blueberry muffin, tea and a cappuccino. The food was good but not customizable - if you wanted crispy bacon for example. The coffee was good and prepared to my specifications. While we were eating, we watched the line grow to 20+ and our the door and stay that way. Probably because it’s the most affordable of the places to eat at Ayers Rock, but still not that inexpensive.
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyages Travel Centre
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We appreciate your understanding regarding the temporary limitation in table service due to staffing challenges. We hope you had a great day tour, and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back for an even more satisfying experience!
Written 13 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Graeme H
Adelaide323 contributions
Sept 2021 • friends
What a disappointment this place is.
It had so much to offer but such a terrible rip off and a “don’t care” attitude.
I asked for a bacon, egg and salad roll, which I was asked if I wanted it toasted. I said yes but asked if they could please take out the tomato and lettuce before they toast it as beside these getting as hot as lava, they go all limp and soggy.
So the server calls over Liam, the cook who was doing this and was told by the server, and he confirmed it to us TWICE.
So what happened, nothing was removed and the lettuce made it too hot to eat and a soggy, wet mess!!
When I complained, it was met with a lack of empathy ‘sorry’….
Besides shocking service and a disgusting roll, the prices are outrageous especially when the service is appalling. Example here is a standard bland meat pie is $10.50, but if you go to the Shell petrol station, about 60 seconds drive away, more ‘gourmet’ pies are available for $3.99!!
Seriously give Kulata Cafe a big kiss and just visit Geko’s cafe across from them for better service abs a big selection of food.
I wish we did..
Written 6 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scrivscriv
Bairnsdale164 contributions
May 2022 • none
You will need patience as breakfast is hectic and busy, standing room only.
Quite expensive one of the pies was $10.50, cannot remember the flavour of it, but it was exotic.
Coffee was good and our breakfast wraps were piping hot and tasty.
Staff are friendly, well mannered, welcoming and accommodating.
Written 19 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trina L
61 contributions
Dec 2023 • solo
Excellent service and a great choice of beverages and cafe style food. Iced black coffee with a dash of hazelnut syrup delicious on a hot summers day. Rice paper rolls mmm. I wish I could eat more! Very good hot coffees too. All the milk choices. This cafe would surely rival the hipsters of Sydney and Melbourne. The airport cafe is also linked to this indigenous hospitality training academy. #awesome Open 7-2 pm I think.
Written 19 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyages Travel Centre
Thanks for your positive feedback! Delighted you enjoyed our service and diverse menu. Your appreciation for our iced black coffee and hazelnut syrup, as well as the rice paper rolls, is fantastic. Your review is greatly appreciated.
Written 2 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Margar550
Barossa Valley74 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
We had breakfast on one day and were so impressed with the service as well as the quality of the coffee and pastries. The young people were enthusiastic, engaging and very helpful. We had actually read about this training organization for young indigenous men and women to help them gain hospitality and management skills. Give them a go!
Written 12 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanya C
Sydney64 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
I should mention that one of the photos in the listing here is actually from the Walpa bar at Sails in the Desert, not from the Kulata cafe.
The staff at Kulata are delightful and the food is good. I wouldn't say that either the food or coffee are amazing, but they are still good and consistent. As the food options, especially economical ones, are in short supply at the resort, Kulata is a good option for bacon and egg rolls, nice panini, salad bowls and cakes/pastries. Prices are pretty reasonable as well. (FYI they also have a take away outlet at the local airport, again staffed by lovely staff.)
I love that Kulata has been set up to train the local indigenous youth. The more support we can give these people the better because they deserve it.
Written 29 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claaaare
Melbourne10 contributions
July 2024 • couples
Fabulous! Delicious, fresh & filling. The 'pumpkin & hummus sandwich' was a toasted Turkish roll also with grilled capsicum, onion & fresh spinach - actually so much nicer than the menu suggested. As a nervous travelling vegan, I was thrilled. (They should update the menu to reflect its full deliciousness). Coffee also excellent and great value for money.
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsP
Korumburra43 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
We had breakfast and lunch at the Cafe during our stay.
The coffee was OK a small coffee with a double shot was a better option that a large coffee that should be a double shot. I had a carrot and pineapple muffin that didn't have any pineapple and could have done with a bit of something to take away the blandness.
The mushroom pie was overall pretty good but thecpadtry was a bit thick.
Lunch was chicken ceaser salad. No croutons just bread cut up, hard dry bacon, beautifully cooked eggs.
Written 12 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John L
Dodoma25 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
Awesome find in Yulara Town Square among all the resort hotels. Really delicious food at an affordable price, served with efficiency and a welcoming smile. The cafe is run by the trainees of the indigenous training academy. Highly recommended! Brilliant!
Written 5 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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