Fresh Oysters and surprisingly delicious "pasta of the day ". Good service Nice view Nice vibe read more

Scratchleys on the Wharf - Seafood Near Me - Newcastle, NSW

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My wife and I went for lunch while we were visiting from Sydney since our daughter goes to the university in Newcastle. We had oysters to start which were lovely and fresh. I had the tuna which was superb and my wife had barramundi on gnocchi which she loved. The service was very attentive, and the wine list was extensive and quite cheap compared to what we're used to in Sydney. It was a beautiful sunny day when we visited, and the breeze was lovely off the water. We're looking forward to visiting again when we're in Newcastle next. Cheers, Tom read more

Beautiful spot on Newcastle harbour but just don't go. Waited 90 minutes for our meals which as the consensus was "just okay". My meal probably the best. See the photo. Yes, that is a normal size spoon - just a very small plate. Under that little bit of watermelon and salad was some kingfish which COST $56. They explained the kingfish is expensive. Not sure why they didn't make a meal of it with maybe a little bit more watermelon. It's cheap as are sprouts. The least they could do is warn people they would only be getting a thimble full. They have to be dreaming. $56!! And now I have to give a star... read more

Scratchleys on the Wharf - Meal - Seafood Near Me - Newcastle, NSW

Don't all order the same thing, the waitress will tell you off! Also, don't be put off by the name, it is much better than I thought it would be. The setting is fantastic, and offers a great view of the harbour with the colour and movement of the watercraft coming and going. I dined with three others for a business dinner. The service was attentive, and everyone at the table was happy with their meals. The three others had the Surf and Turf and enjoyed it, I had the lamb with risotto which was superb. Later we had dessert which was the usual list of sweet tasties, but the clanger was the nasty coffee. Seriously, why do many restaurants mess up the last thing that a patron will remember?! read more

What incredibly rude service from an obnoxious anal waitress. Pre-booked a table by the window, didn't get it. Placed our order expecting a reasonable time (30mins.), didn't get it. Asked over an hour later where our order was, got a mouthful of rudeness implying it was our fault they were busy. Asked for an ice bucket for our wine, didn't get it. Eventually asked for the bill without having received our order and left. Unfortunately there is no way to post a review without giving a star, this cafe doesn't deserve one. McDonalds has by far a better service than this place read more

I absolutely loved my meal. The only reason why I'm rating it 3 stars' because of the prices of the meals - but what can we really expect from a restaurant right by the wharf? But if you're the kind of person who just won't compromise your wallet to match the food prices - regardless of how beautiful the scenery is from inside the restaurant (or the positive reports that this place receives) - there's always 'Harry's Cafe de Wheels' right across the road. With a stunning scenery under the stars on a night where the breeze is ever so kind (lol excuse my pathetic attempt in poetry) while faced with nothing but seafood (and more seafood!)...it was just perfect. There is also a long path right beside the restaurant where lovers can sit to take a long gaze at the stars (I saw quiet a few couples doing this so I'm not exactly joking). You could also go for a walk or jog. Another reason for my rating is due to the transportation mode. Newcastle no longer has a railway station so it's imperative that visitors have cars. The only way I managed to have gotten my rear end at Scratchley's was through my boss' wheels. But judging the restaurant alone: it was decent enough of an experience for me and enough for me to give it two thumbs up! read more

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Food was good albeit pricy but most restaurants along the wharf are. Bread was $6. It was good but ridiculous to charge $6. read more

Scratchleys on the Wharf - Scallops special. - Seafood Near Me - Newcastle, NSW

Awful Service & The food is stuck in the 90's! We came to Sratchleys for a family celebration and from entering the restaurant to leaving the service and welcome we received made us feel like an inconvenience to the restaurant. We had a booking and booked a certain area and got seated elsewhere, despite showing them the original booking and confirmation. From that point, we received terrible service at our table, whenever we got any service and had to send the food back once arrived from being overcooked and too salty. There are so many great restaurants in Newcastle - however this is not one of them! read more

Known to most of Newcastle of being ridiculously overpriced and of touch-and-go quality. Last time I went there, the only mains under thirty dollars was fried things on a plate and mediocre pasta. This restaurant is always extremely noisy and the service is below average - the staff will take their sweet time acknowledging you and your requests. The Seafood Platter is the biggest disappointment, with a few rubbery prawns the only 'fresh' thing on the plate - everything else was deep fried, worn out or both. The desserts are average and all the fancy sounding 'sundaes' were simply scooped, flavoured ice cream.Especially disappointing since the Fisherman's Co-Op is so close by. The take away is nothing special - deep fried, greasy but not unpleasant, and still expensive for what you are getting. I hear Scratchley's used to be mind-blowingly good, but it certainly hasn't been in the last seven years I've lived in Newcastle. read more

When I asked about good places to eat in Newcastle, quite a few people mentioned Scratchley's to me, citing the view and setting but also mentioning it was over-priced. Whatever this place has in setting, it loses in noise and atmosphere. Add to that, terrible, obnoxious staff, completely ordinary and ridiculously overpriced food and you have THE most overrated place in Newcastle. I've eaten in US chain restaurants that are better than here. The staff were obnoxious from the start (the host at the door actually ignored me for a couple of minutes when I came in, even when I spoke to him), the waiter came back 3 separate times to tell me things I'd ordered from the menu were now not available. The seafood platter, which was the most over priced meal I've ever ordered, was comprised of an abundance of not-quite-as-fresh-as-they-should-be fruits and a miserly serving of acceptable to over-cooked (the prawns were like rubber bullets) seafood. I'm told the take away fish and chips is really what you should go to Scratchley's for, but to be honest, after my eat-in experience, I can't bring myself to give it another chance. read more

Good Food! We enjoyed the service as well. Maybe we would request a small table near the windows next time.

The food was amazing and the views were terrific! We ordered a Hot & Cold Seafood Platter for 3 that came with both hot and cold seafood. We chose how our oysters were prepared and got a mixture of natural, kilpatrick and mornay. Large fresh king prawns, crabs, bugs as well as battered prawns, fish and chips. Strawberries, rock and watermelon, pineapple, grapes. Amazing. We were lucky, as we arrived a booking cancelled allowing us to sit right over the water. Some of the tables only had views of the restaurant, or the footpath and road. If you call to make a booking, try to request a table at the far side of the restaurant, overlooking the water! read more

Came here for a birthday party with friends. Service was very good and they took great care of us. While the meals were delicious, the portion sizes weren't too big for the price. Can't complain too much with water front views though, it's in a pretty top location. This place is always busy and they turn the tables a couple of times each night. Very popular indeed. Great place to come for business, with friends or that hot date you've been planning since you spotted mister or missus Right across the office at work. read more

My experience on the restaurant was very poor the dingbat waiter that served me had the same iq as a shovel or a piece of string, after a heafty wait for our seafood basket that was over priced an tasted like something you find in the back of your grandmothers freezer that has been defrosted a few times, over all I think the takeaway box that the food was provided in held more taste and flavour then food itself,I would not recommend this place at all !!!!!! I'm utterly appalled by this place read more

I should have read past reviews before booking, as history confirms that the meal quality is incidental to the privileged view. I finally found the four prawns in my chilli prawns entrée which equated to the size of periwinkles, although the sauce was very nice. My Surf & Turf main was the pinnacle of poor quality. Gristle ridden steak served with cold potato mash and beans, toughest calamari pieces I have ever encountered and to top it off, two of the periwinkle or juvenile sized prawns which are apparently the stock standard for all meals except the platters. Service staff was very pleasant and timely although I wouldn't trade jobs with the number of complaints they would have to deal with regards extremely poor food quality at this venue which is comparable with a suburban café albeit at an iconic location. Mick D Newcastle read more

The male waiter we had was lovely and very helpful. The food was lovely. The midori splice was absolutely beautiful. I won't be rushing back as I think it was a little over priced. read more

Scratchleys on the Wharf - Yummy - Seafood Near Me - Newcastle, NSW

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Ive been to this restaurant a number of times and found it a very pleasant dining experience. We are usually greeted at the door by our regular waiter who makes sure we are well looked after. The oysters natural are always super fresh and the seared sea scallops are delicious. The menu isn't cheap but well worth it. Highly Recommended read more

Shockingly bad service and when I reviewed it on trip advisor, the manager gave me a huge serve in reply. No customer service skills whatsoever. read more

After a walk at Nobby's Beach; I decided to get some food before venturing back home. Scratchley's take away fish and chips was recommended to me recently; So I decided to give it a try.Small portion of basic cod fish and chips was $8; Large portion of basic cod fish and chips $10. However I opted for the daily special Snapper filet fish and chips for $11. The meal came with 3 pieces of hot, nicely battered fish, fries, 1 lemon, and 1 tarter sauce. Overall, it was tasty and hit the spot! One downside.......Ketchup for the fries would of been an additional $.30. But then again; I am an american who is accustomed to free sides of everything! I will definitely be back again! read more

Over priced. Service if you call it that,was well below average for supposed up market restaurant. The only thing I would order is the oyster natural. The rest very average. read more

The setting is great, lots of promise straight up. A couple of ales for starters, then the garlic bread arrived...What the? Garlic bread consisted of split roll with cheap garlic out of a jar delivering that horrible sour after taste. The 2009 Running Of The Bulls Tempranillo arrived...partner mentioned that the wine was quite light and thin on the palate. A check of the label revealed it to be a 2011 vintage! "Is everything all right sir?", "Definitely not". Next, Madam's prawn twisters with Thai dipping sauce arrived along with my Golden seafood platter. The twisters were not made on site but came out of a packet along with the twisters and fish fillet on my plate. Next the Maitre D was over with a "What's up here?" Demand. I explained politely that if I was paying $40 for a bottle of wine then I expected to get that as promised and added my distaste for the garlic bread and heated up frozen food items in abundance on our plates. Will we go back? Never!!! read more

would never eat here again for a fresh seafood, restarant was very poor i have had better from takeaway shop,. fried, creasy and sauce on chillie prawns tasted like out of a bottle from kebab shop bad service ,noisy, staff abrubt and constaly waiting on drinks and service. would not recomend at all george newcastle read more