Published:
July 19, 2024
About Zebu Bar & Restaurant
Cool, Modern Australian waterside restaurant with a brekkie cafe, plus a bar with DJs and cocktails.
Dine in
Takeout
Delivery
Service Options
Highlights
Fireplace
Great cocktails
Live music
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Private dining room
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine
Amenities
Restroom
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
Parking
Free street parking
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Dining_options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Upscale
Planning
Accepts reservations
Children
High chairs
Kids' menu
Pets
Dogs allowed
Map
Zebu Bar & Restaurant Reviews
Zebu Bar and Restaurant in Port Macquarie offers a dining experience that seamlessly marries culinary excellence with stunning waterfront views. My recent visit left me thoroughly impressed with its vibrant ambiance, delectable cuisine, and impeccable service.
The moment I stepped into Zebu, the modern and chic decor caught my eye. The restaurant's open layout and expansive windows provided unobstructed views of the picturesque Hastings River. The combination of sleek design and the soothing sight of water created a truly inviting atmosphere.
The menu, a testament to creativity and quality, featured a diverse array of dishes that catered to a variety of tastes. From fresh seafood to sumptuous steaks, each plate was a masterpiece that celebrated local produce. The attention to flavors and presentation was evident in every bite.
The standout moment was undoubtedly the seafood offerings. The freshness of the oysters and the succulence of the prawns were a testament to the restaurant's commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients. The fusion of international and local flavors was a delightful journey for the taste buds.
Equally remarkable was the service. The staff's attentiveness and knowledge of the menu were exceptional. They guided me through the options with enthusiasm, ensuring my preferences were met and any dietary concerns were addressed.
What truly elevated my dining experience was the waterfront view. As the sun began to set, the golden hues danced on the river's surface, creating a tranquil and magical ambiance. It's a setting that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary memory.
Zebu Bar and Restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it's a destination that captures the essence of Port Macquarie's coastal charm. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a romantic dinner, or simply seeking a memorable culinary experience, Zebu offers an exquisite blend of flavors, views, and hospitality.
My visit to Zebu Bar and Restaurant was an exploration of taste and aesthetics. It's a place where impeccable cuisine and waterfront elegance converge, leaving a lasting impression that beckons me to return for another remarkable dining adventure.
- David Glover
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Worst steak sandwich I have ever eaten, and most expensive for what was served up. For $32 I was expecting a nice tender scotchy and some effort but instead recieved a small dried out bit of minute steak and minimal effort. No real service and seats were stained with spill marks and table was unbalanced enough to spill your drinks.Very disappointed.
- kylie hibbert
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Worst breakfast I’ve ever had and the most expensive. The 4 of us left it and walked out. Coffee was ok. Waste of $132. Much better places around port - I won’t be back ever.
- Massie B
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
We ordered a dozen Kill Patric oysters, a garlic-cheese flatbread, beer and a Elderflower Spritz. Was $142 😳
The oysters were equivalent to $30 worth at a bowling club. Very small and mostly bacon and thick BBQ sauce. The cheese-garlic flatbread was good, but nothing special. My Sprits just tasted watery…
The girls were nice, but forgot my drink…
It’s a lovely place/location, maybe ok for a drink… But way too expensive for what you get.
- Nathan Killick
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
We had dinner here recently. Atmosphere was nice but I did not feel it delivered on the expectation. The service was good but not really relational - the staff did not seem happy but just doing their duty. At one point a waiter came and said our meals were taking longer than expected and asked if we wanted garlic bread. We didn’t think it had taken that long but with the prospect of it taking longer we said yes to the bread. I did feel this was more a marketing ploy to sell more because we got the bread and the meals came almost straight after. The meals we had were pretty unremarkable. Nice, but nothing ‘restaurant special’. The fact I happily paid $45 for a steak and it came very small and not especially tasty was disappointing. Really felt we could have had better at home. So just three stars from me - I usually give 5 but just didn’t feel this was honest for this one.
- Dewi H
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Waterfront restaurant with beautiful views. We had the scallops dishes - the risotto was delicious, the scallops were perfectly cooked and the aioli with the chips were amazing. Staff were friendly, quick & helpful. One of the best dining place in the area.
- Jeff Micallef
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
This was a tricky one to review as there were so many variants.
The initial greeting was amazing.
The location was fantastic.
The staff were all amazing, some were pretty green as they seemed to be in training, but the experienced staff made you feel welcome.
That side of the service was great.
The service wasn’t quite right in the sense that everything took so long, even getting a drink brought to the table took over 25 minutes.
It was hard to get upset as the staff were so nice.
We came here for an easy dining experience as it’s part of the Rydges Hotel we were staying at.
I hope they get some training into their staff as this has great potential to be an amazing place for a great dining experience, however, it’s not quite there yet. They did a knowledge that things took a little long. It’s possible they were understaffed this day.
I’d go there for a drink and a chat with the waitstaff as they were great to chat to 10 out of 10 to them.
- Harry B McDouall Stuart
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
The menu was very good, with a variety of food and drinks that should suit most people. The oysters I had were divine (6 x Natural and 6 x Kilpatrick).
Friendly staff and good service made the night very relaxing.
- Shannon McNamara
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
The food was very average and not worth it. Very disappointed. They also tried to add on dessert and said the wine we wanted wasn’t in stock. So they got us another bottle and charged us more. Total rip off place.
- Judy white
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
The bar staff were brilliant, however the restaurant staff were lacking, lots of talk but no action. No napkins had to find ourselves, water poured but then couldn’t get a refill. Ordered food ok but they kept forgetting our drinks and we reminded them twice.
Husband had a good main mine was bland. Dessert yummy…. The view is what is special.
Disappointed as we don’t eat out much, but this was a special occasion.
Very disappointed, but as locals we do have other choices of great places
- Tim Owen
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Summary - not very good value, food or service.
We went for a conference dinner at $90 a head - for this you would expect some good food and some wine on the table. We got one drink each and then had to purchase - which was not cheap.
The food was not very good - overcooked and quite plain, with small serves. There were no sides or salads on the table. The service was poor - to the effect that the wait staff didn’t pay attention to how they served and provided those on our table with chicken for entree and chicken for a main - good if you like chicken.
Dessert was poor too - they obviously didn’t have enough brownies and therefore smashed what they had into the base of bowls - so you had two small bits below some ice cream.
Port Macquarie is expensive and this dining experience was poor too. My views were reiterated by 6 others I asked - so it wasn’t just me.
2 stars cause the food was prompt and the view was good.
- Georgia Hutchinson
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Stayed at the Rydges Hotel above the restaurant and ordered dinner in our room from Zebu. I am vegan and my mother is omnivorous. Both of our food was absolutely spectacular. Flavourful and delicious. Our night was made perfect because of the dining experience. Thanks to the beautiful cooks are service people.
- ML Ho
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Services was great. i think they are under staff for serving, i guess it could be everywhere due to covid iso. Food was great, baramundi is good with enough sauce, lamb shank is very well seasoning, meat easy to pull of from the bone, the steak is good. I am happy with the food amd would recommend to visit
- J C
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Overpriced food that is very average. One of the kitchen staff who was supposed to be washing dishes kept staring at me and made me feel very uncomfortable. I won’t be back.
- Mahen De Silva
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
On the last Saturday of January, we dined at Zebu to mark the end of our holiday. Evening started off as usual, greeted at reception. Ordered drinks (which were great) to start off, and the waitress took our orders for food after that. That's where things started to go downhill. Ordered entrees, mains, and a bottle of wine with table water. She didn't repeat the order as what we expected from past dining experiences all around to start off. Entrees came after a reasonable time (15ish mins). After finishing, the main course came after 25 or so mins. However, between finishing entrees and mains being served, the entree plates and some finished cocktail glasses were not taken away despite the staff being active in welcoming other guests and walking around, we felt a bit disregarded relative to other guests. Mains came, and only then did another staff member - who was stationed at the front the whole time - come with the main plates and then made the effort to take our starter plates and glasses. Mains were very good, no issues there. Throughout this, the wine originally ordered never came. After our plates from mains were taken, another waitress (who didn't take our order) asked if there was anything else needed, where then I brought up the wine issue and said for that to be cancelled. Our water throughout this whole evening was never topped up until the very end when I asked. Even then, my own empty glass wasn't filled, only my wife's. At the end of our time at Zebu, the initial ordering waitress came by, and I explained to her our experience so far. She said she'll inform her manager and soon after the gentleman from the front, who was the supervisor that evening, apologised and added a discount to our check. I explained to him as well what happened and being someone who's worked in the same industry for many years, and also knowing what the Rydges reputation in general is, being of a higher standard, I was extremely underwhelmed with the service. He was very nice and genuine during this interaction. I thanked the chefs at the end for their hard work but told them about the service issues, which they acknowledged. That ordering waitress never came around to top up our water, but did so for every other table (all but 1 table was occupied) as per our observations. Once I asked for the check, the waitress stopped pouring water. (At any bar or restaurant with alcohol, water must be available) The F&B director was also spotted speaking to the supervisor as we left. I had to take 2 glasses of water from the adjacent bar just to have something to drink after the first glass and cocktail. Finally, I told the restaurant to call me as my number was on the reservation records. No one called me until I, just before this post was written, called them myself after 1 week, where I was told that due to staff shortages that shift, they were undermanned, but the F&B director Patrick never apologised during the call, saying no one told him to give me a call. He cut the line at the end to add insult, I didn't feel he genuinely wanted to speak to me. Overall, there were fantastic food and drinks which were enjoyed, but very underwhelming service which soured the evening.
- Liza Little
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Nice staff, delicious cocktails, very spacious, lots of varied seating options from couches to comfy seats and bar stools. great views. Very nice visit. Would definitely go again.
- Simon Hayes
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
My wife and I had breakfast here and we thoroughly enjoyed it, great food, nice coffee and friendly staff.
- Maria Ribeiro
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
I went there to celebrate my birthday with my partner and his parents and we had a lovely time. Great atmosphere, very friendly and attentive staff and the food was beautiful! We were all very happy with our meals and our experience.
I came back the next morning, on my birthday to have breakfast with my sister-in-law and again we had an excellent time.
I would definitely recommend this place to family and friends.
- Teresa Be
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
“I have been to this place 10 times, and 7 out of those times the cakes were dry and stale! I really love their service and atmosphere, but I don’t have any positive comments about their cakes.”
- nimantha sudara
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
I had a great experience and food last night. The cocktails were excellent. My wife and I had a nice and quiet night having a mouthwatering dinner.
- Vanessa Schinider
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
I attended a weekend event at Ryges catered by the restaurant, and I found the breakfast, morning and afternoon teas, and dinners to be satisfactory. While they didn't taste bad, given the scale of the event and the per-head cost, I was disappointed with the limited menu options, which included only three types of pasta, a build-your-own salad, and just one dessert for the main dinner, considering it was a large functiont he catering seemed quite cost-conscious and lacked variety and not elaborated at all. I’m tact most dishes served were very similar to what I cook at home on school nights. It’s a shame because the actual atmosphere of the restaurant is quite nice.
- roger foxton
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Had a steak sandwich, the steak was thin as served on rectangular Turkish bread that you would buy in Coles, had to ask for the table to be cleaned, had food crumbs over it all oner the floo around it and ants on the floor.
Definitely no value for money there.
- Gabi Stein
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Great views and food to match. A wonderful, relaxed atmosphere in comfortable surroundings. Staff were friendly and helpful. We'll definitely return 👍
- Mike Rou
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Customer service is great, with a smile and our waiter was Mark.
For my drink requested a pinacolada… it came in a martini glass with orange ……. For entrees requested kilpatrick oysters and they came back very burned bacon and hardly any Worcestershire sauce. They had a garlic bread, which I requested can it be cheese garlic bread and they said yes .. then as they put it on the table it had no cheese, so they apologized and said we don’t have cheese and took it away. The main course was alright .. something I could have cooked at home.
The restaurant was clean and nicely presented
- Mel (mel)
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Can't say anything about the food as I have only ordered drinks here before, but from my experience, their Earl Grey tea is nice and comes with 2 delicious cookies for a very reasonable price. Service was good also when I visited in the afternoon where there was a bit of a lull.
Zebu is located in a prime area and the layout and atmosphere is quite luxurious - what I like about it is that you can feel fancy without paying a hefty price for hot drinks.
I was able to sit there for a while and enjoy the vibes and view.
- Olga Olga
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Buffet breakfast second to none.
All you can eat regulars complemented with great selection of fruits, pastries, make yourself pancakes and EVEN freshly squeezed juice.
Also cream brûlée is the best I tried in ages.
Recommended!
- Peter Walls
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
Atmosphere is effected by where you secure seats. River views are very good as 2 the service. Food nice without being spectacular. Cost did not include booz. Enjoyable
- Brittany Bleasdale
19 Fri 2024 at 11.29 am
As a local of Port Macquarie, we are very disappointed with Zebu as they wouldn't take our $100 voucher that was "expired on their system" by 38 days. I was under the impression vouchers/gift cards didn't expire. We were excited to go there and have a family meal, however will not be taking our service there!! I even had the decency to call first, and I'm glad I did to save this public embarrassment! Not impressed!
- Sahil Jadhav