Portrait Cafe

Portrait Cafe reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. D

   Debbie

   Canberra3 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 6 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Following my last experience at the Cafe, where it was exceedingly loud because the chairs were unendingly being scraped across the tiled floor, I'm now delighted to say that that noise has been corrected. I saw that each chair had rubber feet on them. This is an outstanding outcome & despite its simplicity, has rejuvenated everyone's experience there. Well done Portrait Gallery Cafe. I'll be back. Thank you & regards, Debbie
   

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2. A

   Anna

   Canberra1 review

   3.0

   Dined on 8 January 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Nice place to visit and lovely to sit out depending on weather. Food quite ordinary however.
   

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3. S

   Steve

   Canberra1 review

   4.0

   Dined on 14 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   We sat outside looking towards the lake and the High Court building. Was a bit warm but sheltered from the sun. Food was served promptly and was very good.
   

   Portrait CafeResponded on 9 January 2025

   Hi Steve, Thank you for your kind words—we look forward to welcoming you back!
   

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4. D

   Debbie

   Canberra3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on 25 November 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 1

   While the cafe is lovely with respect to decor & outlook, there was one hugely annoying & disappointing action by one of the waiting staff. As the floor is tiled (marble) and the chairs have metal legs, there was a constant and excruciating noise by the positioning of chairs by the person, as well as patrons coming & going, almost the entire time we were there. It was difficult to talk to each other because of the constant dragging/scrapping the chairs & stools across the tiled floor, getting into them into the correct position wanted by them. If they weren't in the exact position, then they would be dragged until they were. It was not only painfully noisy, but totally unnecessary if the chairs were instead lifted into place each time. I would strongly recommend purchasing & fitting rubber feet to every chair & stool leg, so that patrons won't have to endure such unpleasantness when dining there. In general, the staff were very nice & the meal was tasty. However, until the chair & stool issue is resolved, we won't be returning.
   

   Portrait CafeResponded on 9 January 2025

   Hi Debbie, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you didn't had a good experience because of the chairs dragging noise. We’ll definitely take your comments on board to improve. We're glad to hear that you liked your food and our service. We hope you’ll give us another chance in the future.
   

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5. L

   Linda

   Melbourne1 review

   5.0

   Dined on 9 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved Portrait Cafe. You can talk here in perfect ambience and there is no time limit!
   

   Portrait CafeResponded on 9 January 2025

   Hi Linda, Thank you for your Kind words- We look forward to welcoming you back!
   

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6. P

   Peter

   Canberra2 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on 31 October 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Good food and service in a great venue, parking under and worth spending time in the gallery and shop.
   

   Portrait CafeResponded on 9 January 2025

   Thank You Peter for the Lovely Feedback!
   

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7. M

   Martha

   Canberra1 review

   4.0

   Dined on 1 September 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   The Cafe was busy and crowded, being Father's Day, but staff were very efficient and capable. The tables were a bit close together, so felt a tad claustrophobic, but despite this we had a fun time.
   

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8. S

   Sean

   Canberra1 review

   4.0

   Dined on 1 September 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Great food, lovely service fantastic ambiance, highly recommend.
   

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9. A

   Ann

   London5 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 10 August 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This is a very pleasant cafe, with good food, good service, and if you are outside, good views. We had lunch, the poke bowl, tasty and healthy, then coffee and cake. We had a thoroughly good time. I recommend sitting outside if you can, it was a little noisy inside when we were there.
   

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Canberra1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 28 July 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4

    The man who was taking orders and the first person you saw was abrupt and not very welcoming. Everything else was lovely. I would recommend not to be stingy on the avocado tomato and feta dish.
    

    Portrait CafeResponded on 13 August 2024

    Thank you for the feedback, we'll pass this on to the team.
    

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