Eden Gardens and its gorgeous eatery The Gardens Restaurant & Terrace Bar has had a few changes lately, and now they’re back open and sharing their special space again… bigger and better this time! North Shore Mums Discoverer Kirsten Kane tested the fabulous food.
We’ve all driven past Eden Gardens on Lane Cove Road many times, but did you realise that the gorgeous The Gardens Restaurant & Terrace Bar is hidden in there? Who wouldn’t love to have lunch in beautiful, lush surroundings?
At The Gardens Restaurant, the amount of space is the first thing that hits you. It’s just so spacious (which automatically makes you feel COVID-safe!). Then there’s the surrounding gardens, adding to the feeling that you’ve stepped into nature’s paradise. My friend and I felt like we had a mini break when we had lunch mid-week in The Gardens Restaurant recently.
The Venue: The Gardens Restaurant and Terrace Bar
After entering the shop front at Eden Gardens (where there’s stunning pots and all things plant to purchase!) head straight ahead to the beautiful gardens and nursery, turn right and you’re there.
We were seated indoors in The Gardens Restaurant and felt instantly relaxed. They’ve really done a great job with the space , making it very COVID-safe and linking it to the stunning environment around it. It has a conservatory feel filled with plants and light. The amount of space is just endless. It’s a fantastic venue for large groups (birthdays, corporate, mothers’ group) or perfect for an intimate table for two. There is also a private dining room that can seat 10. So whatever the occasion, you can do it here.
The Food at The Gardens Restaurant
There are two services:
- Breakfast from 9am-11:30am
- Lunch from 11:30-3pm.
The menu has a fresh vibe and a good selection so there is something that should suit everyone.
Inside the restaurant, table service is offered and I must say the staff were fabulous – attentive, friendly and even offering pairing of wine with my meal!
I ordered the Eden’s Tempura Fish & Fries with a Garden Salad and paired it with a lovely glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I was not disappointed! I was pleased with the amount of fish, served in long strips, and the quality of the batter. It was a good balance of fish-to-batter and the tartare sauce was a winner. I even ate the side salad, probably because it was enhanced by a yummy light balsamic olive oil dressing!
My friend had the Humpty-Doo Grilled Barramundi Fillet. It was a generous sized piece and cooked to perfection. Very tasty and so light (yes, I tried a bite or two!). Accompanied by a shaved fennel and orange salad it was the perfect summer meal – light and fresh.
Dessert and Drinks
There’s TWO cabinets full of sweet goodness, so you have a good selection of treats.
We shared a piece of Carrot Cake and Chocolate Brownie and complemented it with a soy latte and peppermint tea. Rose petals were sprinkled over the desserts which helped them look even more delicious (and of course, pretty!). Both desserts were delicious and a great way to end our meal. The Carrot Cake was light and fluffy with the perfect amount of icing and the Chocolate Brownie was rich, chewy and satisfied my after-lunch chocolate craving. I’m a self-diagnosed coffee snob and the coffee here is good so it’s a thumbs up from me.
Verdict
I know for certain that I will be back to dine here. It was such a lovely way to catch up with my friend, with fantastic food, great service and beautiful lush surroundings. The perfect recipe to really stop and unwind and we all need a bit of that. We would both recommend this place for lunch. Choose to have a delicious lunch and enjoy the scenery or you can book out two to three hours in your day and include a stroll around the gardens and really get the most of it.
Essential Details: The Gardens Restaurant, Eden Gardens
- Address: Eden Gardens, 307 Lane Cove Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113
- Car Parking: There is plenty of parking underground with lift access too. It’s very easy to access.
- Phone: (02) 9491 9900
- Website: The Gardens Restaurant and Terrace Bar
- Opening Hours: 9am – 3pm, 7 days a week