Bulli Beach Cafe

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#2 of 4 Quick Bites in BulliQuick Bites, Cafe, $$ - $$$

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Bulli Beach Cafe

Review

At a glance

Closed now

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Website

+61 2 4284 8808Improve this listing

About

Local cafe with beautiful views over the South side of Bulli Beach, NSW. Serving brekkie, lunch, dinner and drinks. Come dine in or take-away!

Features

CUISINES

Cafe, Australian

Meal types

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Takeout

Visa

Waterfront

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

68 Trinity Row Bulli Beach Reserve, Bulli, Wollongong, New South Wales 2516 Australia

Parking Available, Street Parking

Does this restaurant accept bookings?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Closed now

• Opens at 7:00 AM

Sunday

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Monday

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tuesday

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Wednesday

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thursday

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Friday

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Saturday

7:00 am - 4:00 pm

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3.8

343 reviews

Excellent

108

Very good

138

Average

Poor

Terrible

krystalcrane

Toronto25 contributions

Poor table organisation and rude staff.

Dec 2020 • friends

Poor table organisation. Attempted to book a table for 6 people, were advised walk ins only. Upon arrival we were told there were no tables available, looking around the restaurant we saw multiple tables available to which we were told were reservations only? One table seated 8 people and had one man sitting and eating by himself. We asked if we could wait 15 minutes for a table to pop up and passed on our phone number so they could call it did. We sat outside and saw multiple people leave during this time. We also saw multiple people enter who were given tables immediately! We decided to get takeaway instead, while waiting I went to use their bathroom. On the way through the restaurant I saw at least 3 tables that would seat 6 or more with reservation signs on them displaying “Booking - 2:30pm”. We had entered at 12:30! When we ordered our hot chips to takeaway we also asked if we could pay for some bread rolls to have with them. The staff could not have been more awkward about the situation, fortunately one staff member treated us like normal people and ended up allowing us to purchase them with ease. Sounds petty but would not return, much easier to go to Ruby’s cafe around the corner.

Written 28 December 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.

Brayden R

3 contributions

Outing with my friend

Sept 2021 • friends

I came here on a Tuesday morning on my push bike and I ordered my friend a normal banana bread and I had a caramel milkshake. Some places should tell you if there is a surcharge if you don’t pay with cash well you can’t pay by cash because of COVID-19. I was a bit annoyed because I got charged 20 cents more on the order. At least me and my friend are enjoyed what we got

Written 27 September 2021

TBPandBBC

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback. We do charge a small processing fee for credit / tap transactions, which helps keep our small business afloat. This is noted on all menus, on signage at the register and is also displayed on the eftpos terminal for you to read when making payment. Under our NSW COVID Safe Plan, we do have signage at the register stating that payment by card is preferred, however you are still most welcome to pay with cash. Please accept our apologies for any confusion caused. We do hope you enjoyed your meals and will return again soon - B

Written 30 September 2021

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

ChristopherK001

Sydney3 contributions

Overcooked leather

Jan 2021 • friends

Ordered the surf and turf takeaway to sit by the water. The steak was over cooked, ordered medium rare and was cooked medium well done. In addition to the steak tasting like something from Woolworths.

Written 25 January 2021

Michelle D

Wollongong29 contributions

Lunch with a view

Sept 2024 • couples

Called in for lunch and they had a special for September that was burger, chips and can of drink for $19. We ordered 2 of the beef burgers in the deal and they came out quick considering it was fairly busy. The burgers and fries were hot and fresh and drinks were icy cold. Service from the staff was great Looking forward to visiting again

Written 5 September 2024

Ta T

1 contribution

Poor value

Dec 2024 • family

Definitely not value for money. Dry piece of fish, nice salad but no dressing, over cooked chips. Burger was not a classic, what is that curry sauce? You pay extra for chips, about 50c per chip and the whole thing looks like a small kids meal. Burger rates as very bad. If I’d paid half price for the fish I’d have been disappointed. 6 people, $200 for poor overcooked food. Clearly the view is valuable to some but you can sit in the park next to it for free. If value for money is important, stay away.

Written 6 December 2024

Darrin C

2 contributions

Delay

Jan 2023 • solo

Visited this cafe on Australia Day and ordered a cold breakfast . I noticed that other people after me started receiving their meals so I enquired after 30 minutes waiting . I was told that there is a 30 minute delay on meals coming from the cold section of the kitchen. They advises that it should receive my meal in 10 minutes 20 minutes past which I asked again when could I expect my breakfast which they said won’t be long. I said that I was not advised if the delay when I ordered, and I knew b would have ordered something else. So I asked for a refund which the male staff member seemed unimpressed by my request. I received no apology nor communication from the staff until I asked about my meal. Communication guys amongst your staff and to customers needs work

Written 25 January 2023

Helen G

1 contribution

Rude staff and unpleasant experience

Sept 2023 • friends

After a walk on the cycleway/walk along the beach, decided to go for coffee and a late breakfast at the cafe. Arrived at 12.30pm and tried to order eggs on toast (fried sunny side up) and the other (scrambled eggs on toast). I was advised that breakfast finished at 11am so I had to order from the lunch menu. While she was explaining, what I wanted to order was being taken to someones table. I asked why that order had been taken so long after the 11am cut-off and she said (quite rudely and seemed annoyed having to explain) that was the last of the breakfast orders. That would have meant those customers would have been waiting 1 and a half hours for eggs on toast. I decided to just order coffee as there was nothing on the lunch menu that appealed to me for breakfast. The coffees arrived and they were so awful, we couldn't drink them. We decided to leave and go for a longer walk. On the way back, we went to Ruby's. They were so nice and the food and drinks were really nice. Definitiely go back to Ruby's and give Bulli Beach Cafe a miss. Such a shame as it was a lovely place to eat and relax previously.

Written 22 September 2023

Lesley M

Woonona66 contributions

What a rip-off

Dec 2022 • friends

This is the first time in a while that I have been back to the Bulli Beach Cafe and I doubt I’ll return. The food is overpriced with so many things added in as extras! For example, pay more for fries which used to come with a burger or $7 for an extra piece of toast. I had a cheeseburger which arrived very quickly and no wonder. All it was was a fairly ordinary burger with a pickle, two slices of pre sliced cheese and a bit of tomato sauce. It was rather ordinary.

Written 29 December 2022

Zak667

Sydney4 contributions

Dreadful, only the food will be coming back

Oct 2022 • none

I have been coming here for years, it was one of my favourites. However the kitchen staff and managers have changed and it is dreadful. I just ate there an hour ago, and expect to see the food again in another. My mean (chicken burger) was dry and awful, my partners meal (pork dim sims) was inedible, and didn't come even with the sauce, when we asked for the sauce the wait staff have no idea and after about 2 attempts just dumped any sauce on the table. I did try speaking with the manager, not to ask for a refund, but just to ask what had happened, and he did not care less, told me as much. Wont be getting my money again.

Written 21 October 2022

Maria P

Sydney93 contributions

The Best Thing About This Place is the View!

Apr 2021 • none

The staff here are all of the new breed of young people - indifferent and not customer focused at all. The tables were dirty and in general the whole place felt like a playground for germs - so good if you want to boost your immune system! I ordered smashed avo on 'sourdough' bread which was NOT sourdough but a cheap bakery's white bread. The tomatoes on top were meant to be slow roasted but were basically raw and without flavour. The coffee was pretty good.

Written 2 April 2021

TBPandBBC

Hi Maria thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback. Our fantastic team work hard to ensure all of our customers are greeted with a smile. Please accept our sincerest apologies if you received anything less than exceptional customer service. We pride ourselves on being one of the most COVID Safe venues in the Illawarra with strict sign in procedures and table sanitisation. All tables are cleaned thoroughly between use to ensure customer safety. Please in future if there is ever anything less than perfect with your meals, do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of our friendly team. We hate for our customers to leave dissatisfied and appreciate our customers speaking with us directly so that any issues can be rectified on the spot. Thank you again for your feedback. This will be discussed with your kitchen and wait staff teams for future training purposes. We hope you will choose to dine with us again - B

Written 5 April 2021

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

Shuni

Canberra1 contribution

Disappointing community service

Nov 2021 • solo

Bulli beach café does not have its own private toilets, customers use the public toilets downstairs. Therefore the bulli beach café should partially maintain the public toilets. I used the public toilets and used the last piece of loo paper leaving none in the stall. I went to a member of staff at the café and asked them to replenish the loo paper at the downstairs public toilets to which the staff member replied that the café was not responsible for the public toilets. So unfortunately the next person to use the public toilets after me will have no loo paper that’s not a good position to be in. I think if the Bulli beach café is going to make use of the public toilets for its very popular café that they have a duty of care to ensure that the public toilets are usable by their paying customers. My trip to wollongong and the beach area was was great even on a rainy Friday afternoon but my trip was marred the inconsiderate selfish nature of the popular Bulli beach café and the cafes attitude to sharing the use of the public toilets.

Written 6 November 2021

TBPandBBC

Thank you for providing us with your valuable feedback. We are sorry to hear your recent visit to the venue was marred by the public amenities. There is a bathroom located inside the venue, which our customers are welcome to use and our team member service regularly. We have passed along your feedback to Wollongong City Council who service the facilities. Thank you again for the feedback. We hope you will choose to dine with us again.

Written 14 November 2021

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

855lesley

Australia8 contributions

Could be better

Apr 2021 • family

Lovely views. Sadly the breakfast was lukewarm though for both myself and partner. My hollandaise sauce was very rich and too much which made the muffin soggy. You feel more of a number here rather than a valued customer. I would say it’s overpriced and overrated. Shame as it’s a great spot by the beach. Would not rush back as was disappointed.

Written 10 April 2021

TBPandBBC

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback. We are so disappointed to hear you did not enjoy your recent visit to the Cafe. As a family owned and operated small business, we definitely value each and every one of our customers who choose to dine with us. We want all of our customers to have the best beachside experience, so please in future, if there is ever anything less than perfect with your meals or beverages, do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of our friendly team who would be more than happy to rectify the issue on the spot. We do hope you will choose to dine with us again. Breakfast by the beach is particularly delightful midweek when there are less crowds at our beautiful beachside location.

Written 12 April 2021

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

Christine Lily

Sydney1251 contributions

Quick lunch

Mar 2021 • couples

A beautiful sunny day on the beachfront. We ordered a bacon and egg roll, mango smoothie, avocado on toast and tea. Both dishes freshly cooked and delicious. My avocado with cherry tomatoes, ricotta and almonds was great.

Written 26 March 2021

Diana

Bulli2 contributions

Beautiful location, good food

Feb 2020 • family

Lovely local spot that we always come back to. They have a great selection of food but be warned it is very pricey for a family and the kids meals are not huge. Great views and the staff are wonderful.

Written 5 March 2020

Sue H

Engadine13 contributions

Not the best

Mar 2020 • couples

The flies were especially bad and we felt it was pricey for non table service. The pumpkin in the gnocci wasnt roasted and it was raw and hard as a rock. Nobody wiping tables...quite dirty. We wont be going again.

Written 1 March 2020

TBPandBBC

Hi Sue, thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback. As an open air venue we try our very hardest to discourage flies from sticking around so we apologies for their annoyance. Our chefs put a lot of love into each and every one of their dishes, so we are disappointed to hear you did not enjoy your meal. Please in future if there is every anything less than perfect with your meals, do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of our friendly team would be more than happy to rectify the issue on the spot so you can continue to enjoy your experience at the venue. In regards to the tables, please know this is not the level of service we aim to provide and we will personally be speaking with our staff members to ensure our strict cleaning rules are upheld. Thank you again for your feedback and we do hope you will choose to dine with us again - B

Written 4 March 2020

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