Scratchleys On The Wharf

I absolutely loved my meal. The only reason why I’m rating it 3 stars’ because of the prices of the meals — but what can we really expect from a restaurant right by the wharf?
But if you’re the kind of person who just won’t compromise your wallet to match the food prices — regardless of how beautiful the scenery is from inside the restaurant (or the positive reports that this place receives) — there’s always ‘Harry’s Café de Wheels’ right across the road.
With a stunning scenery under the stars on a night where the breeze is ever so kind (lol excuse my pathetic attempt in poetry) while faced with nothing but seafood (and more seafood!)…it was just perfect.
There is also a long path right beside the restaurant where lovers can sit to take a long gaze at the stars (I saw quiet a few couples doing this so I’m not exactly joking). You could also go for a walk or jog.
Another reason for my rating is due to the transportation mode. Newcastle no longer has a railway station so it’s imperative that visitors have cars. The only way I managed to have gotten my rear end at Scratchley’s was through my boss’ wheels.
But judging the restaurant alone: it was decent enough of an experience for me and enough for me to give it two thumbs up!

Came here for a birthday party with friends. Service was very good and they took great care of us. While the meals were delicious, the portion sizes weren’t too big for the price. Can’t complain too much with water front views though, it’s in a pretty top location.
This place is always busy and they turn the tables a couple of times each night. Very popular indeed.
Great place to come for business, with friends or that hot date you’ve been planning since you spotted mister or missus Right across the office at work.

Food was good albeit pricy but most restaurants along the wharf are.
Bread was $ 6. It was good but ridiculous to charge $ 6.

The male waiter we had was lovely and very helpful. The food was lovely. The midori splice was absolutely beautiful. I won’t be rushing back as I think it was a little over priced.

After a walk at Nobby’s Beach; I decided to get some food before venturing back home. Scratchley’s take away fish and chips was recommended to me recently; So I decided to give it a try. Small portion of basic cod fish and chips was $ 8; Large portion of basic cod fish and chips $ 10. However I opted for the daily special Snapper filet fish and chips for $ 11. The meal came with 3 pieces of hot, nicely battered fish, fries, 1 lemon, and 1 tarter sauce. Overall, it was tasty and hit the spot! One downside… Ketchup for the fries would of been an additional $.30. But then again; I am an american who is accustomed to free sides of everything! I will definitely be back again!

Ive been to this restaurant a number of times and found it a very pleasant dining experience. We are usually greeted at the door by our regular waiter who makes sure we are well looked after.
The oysters natural are always super fresh and the seared sea scallops are delicious.
The menu isn’t cheap but well worth it.
Highly Recommended

Don’t all order the same thing, the waitress will tell you off! Also, don’t be put off by the name, it is much better than I thought it would be. The setting is fantastic, and offers a great view of the harbour with the colour and movement of the watercraft coming and going.
I dined with three others for a business dinner. The service was attentive, and everyone at the table was happy with their meals. The three others had the Surf and Turf and enjoyed it, I had the lamb with risotto which was superb.
Later we had dessert which was the usual list of sweet tasties, but the clanger was the nasty coffee. Seriously, why do many restaurants mess up the last thing that a patron will remember?!

Known to most of Newcastle of being ridiculously overpriced and of touch-​and-​go quality. Last time I went there, the only mains under thirty dollars was fried things on a plate and mediocre pasta. This restaurant is always extremely noisy and the service is below average — the staff will take their sweet time acknowledging you and your requests.
The Seafood Platter is the biggest disappointment, with a few rubbery prawns the only ‘fresh’ thing on the plate — everything else was deep fried, worn out or both. The desserts are average and all the fancy sounding ‘sundaes’ were simply scooped, flavoured ice cream. Especially disappointing since the Fisherman’s Co-​Op is so close by.
The take away is nothing special — deep fried, greasy but not unpleasant, and still expensive for what you are getting. I hear Scratchley’s used to be mind-​blowingly good, but it certainly hasn’t been in the last seven years I’ve lived in Newcastle.

Over priced. Service if you call it that, was well below average for supposed up market restaurant. The only thing I would order is the oyster natural. The rest very average.

When I asked about good places to eat in Newcastle, quite a few people mentioned Scratchley’s to me, citing the view and setting but also mentioning it was over-​priced.
Whatever this place has in setting, it loses in noise and atmosphere.
Add to that, terrible, obnoxious staff, completely ordinary and ridiculously overpriced food and you have THE most overrated place in Newcastle. I’ve eaten in US chain restaurants that are better than here.
The staff were obnoxious from the start (the host at the door actually ignored me for a couple of minutes when I came in, even when I spoke to him), the waiter came back 3 separate times to tell me things I’d ordered from the menu were now not available.
The seafood platter, which was the most over priced meal I’ve ever ordered, was comprised of an abundance of not-​quite-​as-​fresh-​as-​they-​should-​be fruits and a miserly serving of acceptable to over-​cooked (the prawns were like rubber bullets) seafood.
I’m told the take away fish and chips is really what you should go to Scratchley’s for, but to be honest, after my eat-​in experience, I can’t bring myself to give it another chance.