Spirit House Restaurant - Yandina, Queensland

Jessica S.

The most beautiful sanctuary in unassuming Yandina! Service was fantastic, we were seated with a lovely view of the pond and gardens. Food was delicious. The only comment I could make is that the sauce covering the barramundi was a bit too sweet for my liking. But overall an excellent experience and we are excited about booking one of the cooking classes in future.

Cherie H.

We had an incredible birthday lunch here, the setting is private and serene and service was very good. The food was the best I have had in recent times! Both entrees were excellent, the mains were generous and delicious and the mango sticky rice dessert was one of my favourite dishes. It had lovely textures and it was flavoursome without being too sweet. I would love to come back to do a cooking class or to have another meal!

Belinda

The food was exceptional and the grounds and atmosphere was tranquil and beautiful. The toilets were dirty. There was brown droplets on the walls and some sort of liquid on the inside of the door which I don’t even know what it was. It was so gross that I think my husband wouldn’t have believed me if I hadn’t taken the photos. Interestingly I told a waitress about it and she came back after a few minutes and said they’re going get it deep cleaned tomorrow. I was on the lunch sitting so too bad for the dinner people.

megbrydon

The reputation of Spirit House precedes it and I had been looking forward to this dinner for ages. I booked in advance to ensure I could go during my two week stay on the Sunny Coast. I’m a big believer that service and food together make a great dining experience, and unfortunately, neither were outstanding.

We were given a table with no view of the lake (fair enough, it’s peak season, not everyone can have the best tables). You can see our view pictured below. We ordered the premium banquet for two, and premium vegetarian banquet for one. One of us also had the wine pairing. The whole experience took 2.5 hours with long waits in between courses.

The paired wines arrived haphazardly, often as we were finishing a course. This was particularly obvious when the ‘dessert’ wine arrived after dessert, with a ‘bonus dessert’ that was not on the menu (one little tart each, as pictured below) which felt like an afterthought. It was clear our waitperson was doing their best, but potentially had very little experience, or needed more support and training. They were unable to tell us the name or origin of the wine, let alone anything about it. When this happened for the first course, we thought “oh well, they’ll go away and make sure they know for the next course, no big deal” but it only got worse as the night wore on.

Our water glasses were rarely refilled, and any other staff who attended our table seemed overworked and/or disinterested. We completely understand the time of year is extremely busy - perhaps Spirit House could schedule more staff, or give more days off, to support their employees’ wellbeing.

We had asked our server at the beginning of the meal if it was possible to vary the dessert included with the banquet (and pay any difference in price, of course). They were unsure and said they would find out and check in with us prior to dessert. After the main course, before dessert, we initiated that conversation again, only to be told it was “too late because the desserts have already been made”. Ultimately, the dessert was delicious, so not a big deal, but just an example of the lack of attention to detail. It also would have been nice to try at least one other dessert between the three of us rather than all having the same.

The women’s toilets were grubby, with smears on lots of surfaces, toilet paper on the floor and no hand towel. All of this is completely understandable in a busy restaurant, but not what I would expect at this price point. Highlights were the cocktails, and the dessert. We also had a perfect night weather wise which added to the ambience.

Mizuno M.

What a dining experience Spirit House is. The food and service are exceptional. There is a reason it’s hard to get in here; it’s a Sunshine Coast institution. The menu is varied and innovative; and the open-air setting is stunning.

Kayley C.

One of the most stunning restaurant venues I have ever been to. The food was a delight, the standouts were the massaman curry, wagyu beef and coconut dessert. Really enjoyed the cocktails captured the Thai flavors well and the spice just wonderful. Service was brilliant too, attentive, non pretentious. Great way to spend a special evening.

Richard G.

Word of mouth recommendation for the Spirit House Restaurant in Yandina didn’t disappoint. The restaurant has an incredible atmosphere and ambience nestled into the rainforest and lagoon. Excellent dining experience with complementary wine selections. Staff were professional and knowledgeable. Definitely a must visit in the Sunshjne Coast.

Jon S.

Food was great quite expensive but great setting and service very good. Had the premium banquet. When the fish came out so did the flies which spoiled this course they also delivered the meat dish at the same time, this should have been after the fish course.
Toilets very poor