Gecko Cafe - YULARA

Four of us came here for a late lunch after visiting the rock. We sat outside on the deck which was nicely decorated and was surrounded by beautiful gardens. Our young waiter was charming and provided us with great service. We all enjoyed our meals which included pasta marinara, soft shell crab salad, marinated beef ribs (which melted in the mouth) and a delicious wagyu burger. I don't believe it was expensive for the location in Central Australia. We had beer and wine which added to the cost. It was such a very pleasant atmosphere and we had a most enjoyable afternoon.

Mangiare un piatto di spaghetti nel centro dell Australia vuol dire essere alla disperazione più totale da una settimana mangio solo schifezze niente di buono ma il posto vale la cena

My family and I stayed at Desert Gardens Hotel in June and Mangata is the hotel's restaurant. We ate there for 2 breakfasts and a dinner, and every time it was disappointing. Breakfast is a buffet, and we were hard-pressed to find anything edible. The eggs were soggy, bacon was all fat, and the fruits were hard as rocks. And trying to find a waiter to order coffee was a struggle, then there was always a 10-15 minute wait to get the coffee. Then, for dinner, we arrived at 6 pm; the restaurant was a quarter full, and the host asked if we had reservations. When we said no, he made a big production of sounding exasperated, rolled his eyes, then showed us to a table. The restaurant never did fill up. As with breakfast, our waiter rarely came to the table and had very little interest in taking our order. We ordered 2 salads with chicken, 2 pizzas, 2 beers and waters and the total amount was $144 Australian dollars! We couldn't believe how expensive it was for what little food we got plus the rude, ambivalent service to boot. But there aren't very many choices for restaurants in the outback so we were stuck with this. If we ever return to Uluru I think we would probably stay in the Emu apartments and bring our food with us.

I was part of a group of four staying at the Desert Gardens. The dinners were excellent. The staff were attentive and the meals arrived in a timely manner. The breakfast buffet was huge with plenty of options. But somehow, breakfast staff were not as attentive. Brewed coffee and tea are served by the wait staff. We had to ask numerous times and numerous staff for coffee and tea service. The head waiter should obtain orders while guests are seated and perhaps leave a jug at the table, especially when there is a group of people at one table. Otherwise, leave the jugs readily available at the juice counter.

We booked as requested having viewed the menu the day before. The menu is limited which I get however the food failed to live up to our expectations. We both order the Scotch fillet medium, my wife's was more rare than medium, the meal arrived on a slate type plate that wasn't heated. The meat was chewy the mash and veggies lukewarm. For $30 each I have had far better at a bowls club. The dessert menu is a surprise at $20 an item. Drinks however reasonably priced. Coffee a long black was sent back.. for another go. Overall I expected far more Geckos in town square far better food and value.