Palms Sarina Beach - Dolphin Heads

The Palms Restaurant is enviably situated with a view of the sea (but not the beach), and should you dine outside, this fact is reinforced by the cooling and constant sea breeze. Note: If you are sensitive to temperature change, you might want to sit in the sheltered corner, or inside. The local curlews, normally averse to human presence, are familiar enough with tourists and the staff to cautiously wander under the tables, looking for tidbits. I don't know if that validates the food at Palms, but the brief interaction was welcomed. You, of course, may feel differently. Whilst Palms offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, I've only had the opportunity to have dinner, and the review reflects that. Dinner starts at 5.30pm, and table bookings are accepted in advance, and advisable if you want a good view. The restaurant is popular, with both travellers from the hotel and locals, some of whom dropped by to pick up their orders. In fact, Palms is popular enough to have had a large group book their venue there each time I've dined. The food is delicious, both entrees and mains, and there is a decadent amount of sweet things on display in the bar area and on the menu. In fact, my only complaint is not so much with Palms, but rather, Other People. Allow me to explain. The outside dining area is tiled, but the chairs are metal, and so every person who carelessly pushes their chair back, causes a loud scraping noise that is jarring. Now you, as an emotionally developed and well balanced person may not find this to be an issue, but as a veteran with low tolerance for loud and sudden noises, my immediate reaction is to politely remind the offender of their transgression, by repeatedly slamming their head against the table. Happily, noise cancelling ear buds help, (plus the other voices in my head arguing against this), and the night continues its merry way, instead being filled with the sounds of running and screaming. Anywaaaay, getting back on track, the Palms could fasten plastic spacers on the feet of the chairs to alleviate this (though I admit it'd be a constant maintenance task), and that is the only reason it was docked a star for ambience. Bring friends! Have fun ! Lift your damn chair. Parking: For most diners, they will be parked in the hotel car park, as that's where they're staying, but there is plenty of verge parking available. Kid-friendliness: The kids menu is limited to three/four items, which is actually a good thing, as they'll make their choice quickly. Wheelchair accessibility: The tables on the dining patio are not spaced far enough apart to navigate easily to the door, and there was no ramp for wheelchair access at the front entrance. Alternative entrance points for people with disabilities were not sighted.

Edited after rude response.... Plenty of tables available, never advised of long wait via staff, staff didn 't even clear used cutlery or check if everything was good. If peak time is a problem, perhaps reduce the tables you have as it 's clear you cannot guarantee the quality of your meals without a reservation . Really disappointed, my crispy pork belly was cold and soggy. Waited over an hour for the order. Service: Dine in

Fantastic place beautiful views of the beach. Staff friendly Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Waited for the fish to be caught in another country and then be sent over by AusPost. Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: A$60–80 Food: 3 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 2 Recommended dishes: Fish, Calamari

Called on Saturday booked a room for 2 days, a few weeks away, was told, yep no worries, I can reserve that room I would be called back shortly. 2 days later, no call returned, so I called, only to be told yeah, no, sorry we 're fully booked now.. I said pardon, I booked the other day, it was available? Well we are now They knew my name said oh yeah sorry about that, but we 're booked for those dates now. All this after giving this place another chance from waiting over 3 months to fix up some bad oysters on our previous stay. No wonder you 's too the review section off of the page. Won 't be returning definitely could never recommending to anyone. Very poor customer service for a local business. What a shame, we try to support other local businesses get treated like that. It is a beautiful location, such a shame about the poor management.