Published:
June 29, 2024
About Forest Lake Tavern
A relaxed, light-filled hotel eatery with a kid-friendly vibe, for pub grub and wood-fired pizzas.
Dine in
Takeout
Delivery
Service Options
Highlights
Bar games
Great bar food
Great cocktails
Live music
Sports
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Food
Food at bar
Hard liquor
Wine
Amenities
Restroom
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Dining_options
Seating
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Planning
Accepts reservations
Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Plenty of parking
Map
Forest Lake Tavern Reviews
We were absolutely delighted by the super friendly staff, great service, and awesome food at the Forest Lake Tavern. They were excellent in accommodating our large group of 20 people for a family members birthday party. The playground and game room was perfect for entertaining the kids. Another big thanks to the wonderful ladies that served us, being extremely patient with our group and exceeding expectations. We will definitely be visiting again.
- Tiana Taua
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We've been dining here for a few years now & every time it doesn't disappointment. Great food, service & atmosphere. Awesome area for the kiddo's while you dine.
- Ian Brougham
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We used to live in the area some time ago and the steaks and food was awesome, sadly we revisited for nostalgic moments and found the steaks to be like boot leather ever the better cuts? We’re not better cuts. How times have changed, and may explain why the place was mostly empty. Certainly no longer a place to go for a steak.
Staff were lovely though.
- Karlee Moore
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We received exceptional service from the venue manager Liam and also the bartender Sharni. Both were super attentive and had exceptional knowledge of the food and beverages served within the venue. Would highly recommend
- Bec
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We haven't had a bad meal at this venue! Can't fault the food at all. Always generous portions, cooked exceptionally well and taste is amazing. Last night we had the pork cutlets, chicken schnitzel (my daughter added king avo ingredients) and the black angus rump special. So good!
Service is always prompt and friendly.
- Shelley Hand
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We had Jay as our event manager, and I will say, I have never had such exceptional service. This young man was the perfect example of hospitality, he was so kind and went above and beyond. Forest lake tavern you are truly blessed to have him. We live on the Sunshine Coast, however would have an event here due to him. Thank you Jay and Forest Lake tavern xx
- debra hunter
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We had a very nice lunch,of barra and chips ,shanks and steak burger,there was a slight hiccup with the order,for one person having to wait for their meal.However it was addressed promptly,all staff were welcoming and very happy to help.We later had desserts and it was all lovely,mind you we were well and truly stuffed. Thankyou .
- Treaci Lynn
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We came to the Family Fun Day. What a great free event for families. There were so many things to do for the children and a variety of activities and services. What you provided to the community was fabulous. It was our first time visiting your venue and we will be back.
Some pointers for the future. An hour+ line up for the children for face painting and then again for a cute balloon animal is very stressful for young kids, we spent more time in line than doing fun stuff. My suggestion is having 2 face painters and 2 balloon artists.
The other thing, the animals were a great touch, but communicate with the owners of the animal van, that they leave themselves enough time between venues. They wouldn't let my daughter or granddaughter wash their hands because they had to leave at 3pm. That's disgusting. They told us to go back into the venue to wash out hands. When even on their bus rules it states to wash your hands. I just felt that bit was rushed and could of been handled better.
Thank you so much for the event.
- John Righton
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We booked in for a Mother’s Day dinner with a party of 6 + one toddler.
Staff had gone all out decorating the restaurant for the day, balloons and table decorations.
Tables were well separated from other groups leaving us room to enjoy each others company.
Ordering food and drink was painless both effort-wise and painless on the wallet.
Forest Lake Tavern is a consistent crowd pleaser with our family.
Special mention to staff who went out of their way to make sure the toddler in the group was well looked after. Thanks guys!
- Christie Dennis
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
We attended the family fun day & Considering the volume of people who attended the function, the service was awesome. All the staff were super friendly & helpful. The food was fresh, well cooked & brought out in a timely manner.
- La Tofete
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Travelling from NZ on holiday and despite the short staff, they managed to still serve us with high standards, professionalism. They all had it under control, the meals were very delicious the quality of service was well respective, waiters were very polite, kind with a warm smile. Making sure we were all taken care of. Thank you to staff that stayed behind due to the amount of staff absent. 😀
- Malaki SFL
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
TOP TIP: ask how long your meal will be before you order. Just to set expectations correctly
A mixed experience. More disappointed than dislike. 6 of us and my bubba son, each other person commented how good their meal was. Mine was 5/10 (reef platter). The batter wasn't fully fried and the fish wasn't quite fresh. The chips were on the oldish side which tells me they haven't changed the oil in their deep fryer for a while or the chips were defrosted a couple of weeks ago and only being used now. If the food was better, this would be a 3 star review.
The main reason this is a 2 star review is becuase the longer than usual wait time. We ordered just after 7:30 (I know because my wife sent me the digital menu at 7:24 and our food came out at 8:35. I get it, it was a busy night but I know for sure there were more than 5 orders after ours (I knew because the line behind us after we ordered) and our meal was the second last of the night to come out. I feel like standard waiting time for a meal is 25-45 mins and even then at least if they know its running late, maybe just let us know say 45 mins into the wait time. Just to help with our expectations and overall experience.
We usually don't eat at pubs so maybe this is normal. If the food was at least 8/10 or higher we would consider going back and just know to ask them about the wait time prior to ordering. But the combo of not so great food and long wait time, makes us heavily rethink coming back here.
- Jo Lovell
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
The pizza here has always been amazing but not tonight's very little topping and under cooked hope this is a 1 of. Love going there to enjoy pizza and beer. 2 pics 1st tonight's compared with usual amazing pizza
I have been dining here weekly for about 2yrs and had very few complaints, loved the pizzas 🍕 and the menu was fantastic, however the new menu is terrible. Pizzas are dry a boring. May as well have stayed home for cheese on toast, won't be returning while this new menu is in place. Such a shame.
- june woodward
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
The hotel is under staffed. The staff although, run off their feet, can't cope with the volume of patrons, especially when their is a function to cater to. There is also poor communication between staff members, which led to my meal being given to someone else, I waited over an hour for my meal. I felt for the staff, as they tried very hard to complete each task in a timely matter, there is just not enough of them. Management need to increase their staff, or risk lack of further business.
- Kelli Brockman
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
The food has improved with the new menu and chef. The staff are always friendly. Could be a more interesting menu. The popcorn prawns were lovely. Steak was well cooked but had no flavour. The mushroom gravy is always a hit.
- Michelle B
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Lovely food and excellent friendly service from all the staff. After a mistake with our order we were offered a free round of drinks which was very much appreciated. Will definitely come back.
- Christine gibbons
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
I have to say the waitress there is so lovely.. her kindness and knowledge is wasted there..
We ordered garlic bread with cheese, it was so anemic and hardly toasted, it was so doughy.. we couldn’t eat it ..
I ordered a pizza, as I recalled the pizzas were amazing there.. it was tasteless, I couldn’t eat it.. my partner asked why I didn’t eat it, he too tried it and couldn’t finish it.
My partner had the lamb shank.. presentation was good, but the gravy it came with was totally alien to the lamb.
The best part of the meal was the bowl of chips we ordered.
I recall forest lake tavern food always being great ..
Please guys sort the chefs out..
We were so looking forward to our evening with you and left totally disappointed..
We are certainly not ones to complain but we left feeling very unsatisfied..
- Tiarne Nunn
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
I have returned to this beautiful establishment an gotta say it does not disappoint food comes out perfectly on time an the presentation is beautiful an omg just melts in your mouth an the staff are so friendly an definitely can have a joke or 2 with them abby was perfect delivering an Laura the chef fantastic our meals for the night sensational.
- Dr. PoopyClap
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
I haven't been to Forest Lake Tavern before and have just been in and picked a 3 meal course from their Valentine's Day Menu.
I had 6 oysters for starters, both presented amazingly and tasted as good as they looked.
After being quickly and efficiently served, I then had the Grilled Salmon which again tasted as good as it looked.
Lastly I had The Chocolate Brownie and that again was delicious. Can't really go wrong with a Brownie!
Food and service was top,top notch!
Please send my regards to Laura the Chef, fantastic as always guys!
- Belinda T
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
I have nothing but praise for Jay and his staff at the Forest Lake Tavern who provided the venue for my daughter's surprise 50th birthday party. From the room setup to the courteous and friendly service we continually recieved throughout the evening, it could not have been any better. Thankyou so much Jay! I've recieved many compliments from guests who all enjoyed themselves and who couldn't applaud you enough for the wonderful job you did.We'll certainly be hosting our next event there. Thankyou. Belinda
- Forke You
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
I absolutely loved Visiting this place.
I had the wood smoked Steak and it was incredibly delicious melted in my mouth.
I didn't catch my hosts name she had an accent&really made my experience a positive experience Not only was she friendly, she took the extra steps to help me find a suitable table and had my drink out to me fast 😁
Thankyou
I will be back
- Iesha M
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Food was delicious. Steak cooked exactly how I liked and what I ordered.
Bar staff and restaurant staff were friendly, personable, easy to approach, helpful and were understanding when I misread my order when placing through the app.
Definitely recommend as a family venue as well as an after work catch up.
I wish I knew names of those I interacted with to compliment them on their service.
- ruby tanaka
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
food came very quickly, no complaints at all. absolutely loved our meals for mother’s day and great service. will come back again!
- Alissa Innes
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Enjoyed our family dinner tonight, service was fast and friendly.
Food was amazing ! Thanks to the chefs and all the staff. Big thanks to Liam the manager. Your venue is one to be proud of. We will come again 😊
- dayle nixon
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Been here a few times now and have not been disappointed. Great steaks seafood and salads. Great for families
atmosphere is friendly. Nice cold beer and our families loved it and we will keep coming back, love it.
Even had the manager Liam come up to make sure that was going well. Liam is a very nice respectful young man and makes you feel like your talking to a friend. The staff are always friendly and helpful as well.
Thank you Liam and Staff for making us feel welcome and great meals. Recommend to give it a try and you'll love it to.
- Kerrod Hughes
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Been here a couple of times and always leave pretty happy. But recently met a new Manager named Belinda who is amazing. Really friendly, excellent customer service and always smiling.
- Hassan Ghyasiyan
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Beautiful Calamari dish and amazing steak,sauce chips everything was cooked to perfection, great service by staff
Thank you
Visited again today and very disappointed ☹️ steak was over cooked asked for medium rare and I told the girl who did a very great job and professional she took the dish to replace
Dish come back and this time was under cooked 😏I was in rush and really couldn’t waste more time eat it but I don’t think I am coming back anymore spending almost $60 on meal shouldn’t go through this
- Erin Williamson
5 Fri 2024 at 11.54 pm
Absolutely amazing experience. The staff were super helpful and kind, and involved every step of the way. Very much appreciated their support and help while planning this event.
The food was amazing and everyone loved it!
- Dominic Taylor