Leoleos - Gold Coast

A sunny Thursday in August, a large-ish group of good friends, an excuse to go shopping - and wonderful seafood for lunch! What could be better? I'm glad I'd checked our booking earlier in the morning, because it had got lost somehow - do ring ahead if you know you're coming with a group, because this place is busy. I like to book a couple of days ahead, then confirm numbers in the morning of that day. We rocked up around noon, to see what was best/fresh that morning, then huddled for some time as we discussed our options. After a short wait, spent chatting and people watching, lunch arrived!King prawns and salad: wow! Lovely fresh garden salad, bright colours, juicy large prawns (she chose 5), and everyone was jealous. Well, until the calamari and Greek salad, and calamari and chips came out! Conversation stopped and serious munching began...Then the classic grilled dory and chips, and battered dory and chips came out, with Greek side salads. We never get tired of this wonderful combination - sometimes we'll get it as take-away lunch at work. There is one (small) complaint, not really serious: too many chips! Most of our diners have smaller appetites and try to eat a more balanced diet, but they hate waste - what to do with all those chips?? Lucky bus drivers!We also had a diner who savoured the chowder. He said it was very good, tasty, not too thick but had lots of 'bits'. He'd have liked a bread roll to have with it, but dunked chips ;)I had grilled salmon (sashimi grade), made with canola oil. (It helps when staff understand allergies because family members have similar concerns! ) My perfectly cooked salmon was beautifully presented on a bed of plain lettuce; tasted superb and flaked so easily I only needed to use a fork, no knife. We finished the meal with a segment each of the new Sumo mandarins from Woolworths: they look so funny with their topknots and rough skins, but are sweet, juicy and seedless. Leoleos didn't mind that we sat for a bit chatting while others shopped; we bought some drinks while we waited. Lunch probably cost around $11pp when you average it out; a very good day.

We visited Leoleo's for lunch. My wife ordered a fish hamburger, and I had the seafood basket. The meal arrived after a reasonable time, our meals were very large servings. with everything cooked to perfection. We really enjoyed this meal, and will return again.Fresh seafood is availably from their fresh caught display cabinets.

After writing a review on Trip Advisor detailing my disappointment at among other things the price rises at Leoleos, I noticed within a week their fish and chips price dropped back from $12.90 to $9.90. We decided to give them another chance as their fish and chips are the best I have tasted. They were still served in takeaway boxes and with plastic cutlery. The owner and chef (in his chef whites) explained to us that by using disposable eating ware, they could save on dishwashing, (staff) and because there tables were outside the shop, theft. Replacing plates and cutlery was costing him too much. He explained that after reading a review on Trip Advisor, he had visited other shops in the area and realised he was too expensive. His fat chips had been replaced by customer demand - he agreed he preferred the fat ones but had to bow to his patron's preference. On this occasion instead of my usual fish and chips I ordered a fisherman's basket and I was expecting to eat the prawns, scallops and fish bites prepared onsite from the delicious array of fresh seafood on display but unfortunately it was all of the frozen packaged variety. Mum had a burger and raved about it, although as she removed the top bun and tried to eat it with plastic cutlery, she appeared to struggle. I will be back though for fresh fish and chips and generous fresh salads.

Had fresh salmon today, caught only 24 hours ago!! Flown from Tassy direct from the boats, picked up from the airport, delivered in-store, filleted and displayed. Every fish has a store, last week my Tuna had the similar scenario. Much better than Coles or woolies frozen Thailand produce.

Beware people reading reviews prior to this date. For years my elderly mother and I have made this a regular lunch outing and up until two years ago we paid $10.90 each for the best fish and chips around. Mum's would be grilled and mine crumbed or battered. A soft drink was included in the price. We would also order a side salad - usually Greek, and it was all served on plates with lemon, tartare and a little salad garnish, with cutlery. The side salad presented in a bowl. About a year ago the drinks were no longer included but as the meal was delicious and with drinks still just under $30 our patronage continued. Sometimes we would invite other family members and I would tell everyone who would listen how good they were. Yesterday we found the price had gone up $2 to $12.90, so we decided not to have the side salad. We were asked if we wanted tartare and this was added to the price - $2. As I was waiting I saw people eating out of a takeaway boxes and thought they may not have specified eating in. When we got our meal I was very, very disappointed. Gone were the plates, plastic cutlery replaced the knives and forks, the portion of fish reduced and the fat chips replaced. I felt like I was eating overpriced takeaway fish and chips. The fish is still of a high quality but two pieces, a handful of chips and two soft drinks for $33.55 means we won't be back. Such a shame a gem has priced itself out of our budget. Judging by all the empty tables surrounding us, we aren't the only disappointed customers.