Lakeside Cafe - Epping

Service is terrible, we got there at 1pm on a Friday and there were only a couple of meals left. Eat anywhere else is my only recommendation. The zoo is a major tourist attraction. This place does not show Melbourne in a positive light.

It seems like there may have been a change in management, as the menu and food quality have noticeably declined in recent months. While I am willing to pay for expensive dishes with small portions, I don't appreciate being served reheated and bland food. I would recommend avoiding the Vietnamese Chicken Noodle dish.

Good fresh food and a wide range of menu choices. Children's menu items come with a piece of fresh fruit and fruit juice which is excellent. No table service but the restaurant is clean and staff friendly and helpful. Lovely views to the zoo through the windows.

The service was appalling, the cleanliness poor and the staff confused. 4 meals and more than 30 minutes between arrival of the first meal and the last meal!!! Never again.

I did not have very high hopes since it is a restaurant in a zoo but I was there on a Wednesday and the main meals where half price so decided to give it a try. Ordered the snapper fillet and a glass of white wine (was there alone so no kids were present). My first surprise was the presentation of the food and my second surprise was the taste. Both were very, very nice (and so was the wine). If this had been served to me in a nice restaurant somewhere else I would have been completely satisfied with it. For this type of restaurant it was excellent!!! By far the best food I have had in any zoo anywhere in the world. Tip is to get a table outside if available since it is less noisy. There are some in the shade for sunny days.