Cowra Japanese Garden Cafe

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#2 of 10 Quick Bites in Cowra$$ - $$$, Quick Bites, Cafe, Australian

+61 2 6342 5222+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Mon

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tue

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Wed

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thu

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Fri

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sat

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

232 reviews

#2 of 10 Quick Bites in Cowra

There aren't enough food, service, value or atmosphere ratings for Cowra Japanese Garden Cafe yet. Be one of the first to write a review!

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Details

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CUISINES

Cafe, Australian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Drinks

features

Location and contact

1 Ken Nakajima Place, Cowra, New South Wales 2794 Australia

+61 2 6342 5222

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Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?

Yes

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Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

Cafe, Australian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Dog Friendly, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available

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4.0

232 reviews

Excellent

Very good

111

Average

Poor

Terrible

Neville B

Canberra545 contributions

A Pleasant Place to Eat

Nov 2020 • none

We had lunch in this pleasant cafe in the Gardens. It was a lovely day so most tables outside were filled. However, we were given a nice table next to the wide window so were able to take in the wonderful view on offer. The meal was from a limited menu but was very tasty and delivered to us quite quickly.

Written 16 November 2020

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.

StephenR285

Canberra784 contributions

A great place toi eat before vsiiting the gardens.

Nov 2020 • none

We had finished our morning bike ride and decided to eat at the cafe before visiting the gardens. We were glad we did. We got a nice shady spot outside with lovely views. The food was nicely prepared, the coffees were excellent and we finished with delicious milk shakes. Excellent staff and great service completed the experience.

Written 19 November 2020

Malcolm H

11 contributions

Visit to the Japanese Gardens

Jan 2022 • family

We went to the Japanese gardens today. It was very picturesque and the gardens were immaculate. There is a cafe attached to the gardens, so you can have breakfast or lunch there. The food was good and the service was fine. Cost was $18 each, and seniors got a $3 discount. There are also golf carts to hire if you are not comfortable walking. I would definitely recommend going there if you are in Cowra.

Written 12 February 2022

Love_Life_Sydney

2399 contributions

Easter Sunday chaos

Apr 2021 • none

It was an Easter Sunday and it was very popular with visitors. I am sure most of the staff are very nice but with so many diners, I understand the pressure on the staff and kitchen. However, it was very unnecessary for them to be so grouchy and rude. Several of us, standing in line to order food were told to moved out of the doorway to allow for service several times. It was not our intention to block their way. My lime milkshake had a bright green colour but no taste of lime. The chicken schnitzel took almost an hour and tasted frozen. Sit outside if the weather is nice. The Gardens were gorgeous.

Written 13 April 2021

Ilikecheesealot

Sydney238 contributions

Dog-friendly cafe with good food

Jan 2023 • family

Cowra Japanese Gardens Cafe is part of the Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre. The staff are really friendly and it is a good place to have a drink or lunch to break up the visit to the gardens / cultural centre. An adult ticket to the complex is $18 and one can go in and out of the gardens, to the cafe and the cultural centre with the same ticket. The toilets are clean and the gift shop has beautiful origami cards and a good range of socks and Japanese bath salts, etc. The air con in the gift shop was also wonderful on the day I went as it was 36 degrees C. Dogs are allowed in the gift shop and in the gardens (on a leash of course) and on the outdoor terrace of the cafe. They are quite strict about dogs walking through the restaurant to the outdoor area (go through the gift shop). The staff at the ticket desk will help unlock the gate from the gardens to the outdoor terrace area. The cafe has a lovely view of the gardens and does quite nice food. I was pleasantly surprised that the side salad on my chicken, mushroom and bacon crepe was fresh and didn’t look hours old. It had a nice dressing on it too. No insipid tomatoes here! I used the bechamel smell sauce from my crepe dish as a dipping sauce for my chips. My husband had the squid (perfectly cooked not chewey!) with chips and salad. The only thing is the tartare sauce comes from a packet (which is fine, but that was the only weak link). The outdoor area has big umbrellas over the tables and also a small awning. If it is sprinkling it would be ok to sit outside but if it was raining you will probably get wet. The gardens themselves are nicely manicured and there is a bonsai hut. I even saw some small bonsais for sale ($40 each). We fed the koi (buy fish food for $1.20 at the ticket office). We stayed 2.75 hours including lunch. The roads from Murrumbateman via Boorowa and then back to Murrumbateman via Young had some pot holes but a lot had been fixed recently and there were a lot of signs warning drivers of ‘rough surface’. It was a good day out.

Written 25 January 2023

Geddes_7

643 contributions

On a sunny winters day a delightful spot to enjoy coffee

July 2020 • none

With the Japanese Garden this cafe has a backdrop that is extra special. We enjoyed a cup of coffee with a slice of cake whilst soaking up the atmosphere and the gardens. At the end of a very pleasant walk around the gardens this was a excellent way to complete the experience.

Written 1 August 2020

Elicia

Wollongong212 contributions

Tasty treats and dietary friendly

Dec 2020 • family

Nice to find a cafe in a country town with staff knowledgeable about food intolerance and openly offering alternatives. Very friendly and efficient service, and great range of delicious options for morning tea. Only disappointment was no Japanese food (at a cafe in a Japanese Garden 🤷‍♀️)

Written 29 December 2020

Lorraine L

Tarwin Lower3581 contributions

An interesting visit

Nov 2022 • none

We had walked around the gardens and timed our visit to the gardens so that we could have brunch at the cafe because the Devonshire Tea had been recommended to us. You can imagine my surprise when Devonshire Tea was not on the menu. Not to be daunted I asked one of the staff if they served Devonshire Teas and was told no. I noticed scones in the cabinet and asked what they came with and was told jam and cream. I asked if I could get a pot of tea and was told I could so I ordered 2 x scones and 2 x pots of tea. We ddi spend a bit of time laughing at our table before the Devonshire Teas came out. The scones were excellent and the jam tasty but it was the artificial cream which was a bit disappointing.

Written 4 November 2022

Geoff7752

Banksia Beach164 contributions

A great place in a quiet location - car park can accommodate caravans and Campervans.

Apr 2023 • family

Great food at a Cafe in a relaxed atmosphere with the Garden’s as a backdrop. We noticed there was a bus in the rather full car park - we selected a table outside and placed our order. We expected a long wait - we’re pleasantly surprised that our meals and coffee came out in a very timely manner. My melt was very yummy and my wife selected prepared sandwiches- all the food was very nicely presented and very yummy.

Written 13 April 2023

Katena M

Melbourne8 contributions

Expectations deflated.

Apr 2021 • none

Why do they serve frozen food? Enquired whether fish was frozen so ordered schnitzel. Should have had a salad. Deep fried to rock hard, meat dry - so this was also frozen food! Is it too hard to cook using fresh ingredients????

Written 26 April 2021

Japanese Garden... C

Hello. Sorry you did not enjoy your meal. We now have changed our schnitzel to homemade which now costs more. Our fish is frozen as it is expensive to get fresh in the country towns. If you return to the cafe please let us know if you didn't enjoy your time and we can try to change for the future.

Written 27 March 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Roe k

101 contributions

Thumbs down for gluten free

Apr 2021 • couples

It was Sunday and my husband and I visited for our first trip. We started at the cafe as I was breaking my fast (intermittent fasting). The gf options were minimal - a ham cheese melt, steak sandwich or blt. Nothing healthy and full of carbs. Nothing I was feeling like so I had banana bread. I won't be returning and would advise gluten-free to find elsewhere. I sit here writing this review from a 4.6-star cafe in Bathurst where I was torn between 5 delicious healthy yummy options. It can be done.

Written 20 April 2021

Japanese Garden... C

Hello, sorry you and your husband didn't enjoy your meals. Our gluten free options mostly are bread items as it is hard to keep gluten free options available. If you asked a staff member they would of offered a poach chicken salad or a garden salad. We try our best to have gluten free options.

Written 27 March 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

DawnMarg

Aspendale197 contributions

Loved our scones with real cream

Apr 2021 • none

Loved our light scones with real cream; two medium to a serve. Cappuccino was nice and my pot of tea was a good size. The view from outside was glorious, The staff were great and actually checked we had used the QR code. We will return daily, whilst in Cowra. Just a lovely morning tea. (The lunches were in a higher range of cost.)

Written 28 April 2021

Annie B

3 contributions

an international embarrassment

Jan 2023 • none

Went there because we were told it had (appropriately) some good Japanese food. What we found was the worst kind of 1960s era Australian food. Changed hands.- Nothing on the lunch menu without chips. My husband had the top of the range prawn "twists" - prawns coated in some deepfried cardboard. I had what sounded like an edible option - crepe with spinach, bacon and chicken. Lumps of tasteless chicken, tiny amounts of bacon, almost invisible spinach, floating in a sea of some white sauce over disintegrated crepe. This beautiful garden and Cowra's 2ndWW history are international tourist destinations. This cafe food is a disgrace. What a waste of a wonderful opportunity . At least the customised iced coffee was nice!

Written 29 January 2023

Japanese Garden... C

Sorry you had a bad experience at the cafe; however, we have not sold Japanese food for 6 years or more. I am truly sorry you and your husband did not enjoy your meals. If you do come back, please let us know if you are unhappy with the service and we will try our best to fix it.

Written 27 March 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Susan (Sue) G

Sydney187 contributions

Good place for Breakfast and Lunch

Feb 2021 • none

I have visited now a couple of times and it has been very good. Beautiful outlook now the area has had some rain. The Gardens are peaceful, the café has indoor or outdoor eating options. Food is fresh and tasty. COVID safe venue.

Written 13 February 2021

Les B

New South Wales1033 contributions

Some Good, Some Bad

Sept 2023 • couples

Stopped here for lunch and had to sit inside as outside was full. Menu is varied and quite a lot to choose from. We both had Ham, Pineapple and Cheese melt with chips and 1 with salad. The chips were great. Best part of the meal. The salad was acceptable but small. The melts were disappointing. The ham and pineapple was still cold and the cheese was only just melted. Service was good and value was fair.