Charlie's Buffet

Food so bad I wouldn't feed it to my dog!!

Have always loved Charlie's, it was always a must do whenever visiting Cairns, sadly, after tonight's experience I won't ever be back and I certainly will not be recommending you to ANYONE!!
Non-existent table service.
Uninterested wait staff who had to be prompted to clear tables.
Frozen prawns of questionable edibility.
Empty food trays in the buffet (in stark contrast) the American groups private function was extremely well catered for).
Individual complaints from a number of dining parties fell on the deaf ears of your staff, in fact I got the distinct impression they just didn't care. Only when a group of about 6 individual dining parties approached management together was there any attempt to rectify the situation with you refunding each diner half their bill, quite a pathetic gesture considering just how p!$s poor the food, service and overall staff/management attitudes were!!

WARNING : Don't waste your money!

- Overpriced.
- Below average food.
-Tried to overcharge other guests.
-No music /atmosphere.
-Fans on the deck were off (in summer).
-Rushed out before closing.


I attended a 21st birthday there and the buffet was very limited in options for the price ( $35) . Other all you can eat buffets in Cairns for less with better variety. They tried to charge other guests $38 and gave no explanation why when we questioned them. No Music or atmosphere and they seated us outside where the fans were off until we requested they be tuned on, and in a Cairns summer it's very hot. While wrapping dinner up and giving the final birthday speeches the manager on duty came and asked if we would be much longer, it was approx 9:00pm. We wrapped things up quickly as we could see the manager hovering and trying to move us on, making his presence and displeasure very known. By the time we were done we couldn't leave through the restaurant because he had locked it all and turned all lights off, there was no staff in sight. We ended up leaving through a side gate. I was in my car to head home about 9:20pm the restaurant according to trip advisor doesn't close till 9:30pm. I found it unprofessional, uninviting and extremely rude. Considering we were the largest group of the night they would have made most of the nights earnings from us. Never recommending or returning.

My mother and Step father went to Charlie's last night,14/02/14. She said that there was new management that had taken over. All her family including myself have been there many times in the past.
She said there was bugger all prawns, if you wanted oysters or other seafood, you had to pay for it as extra to the buffet prices. eg. 6 oysters= $9.00. There was only 1 drinks waiter for everyone, so most people didn't get their drinks until after their meal. Some never got them at all. She said she would not be going back as the service was dismal. Oh by the way my mum was born in Cairns in 1938 has lived there all her life. She knows what is good service, average service and what is rubbish and what they got last night was the latter.