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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Australian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, View, Groups, Business meetings
About
Paymasters is a little haven, within walking distance of the hustle and bustle of the Newcastle CBD in NSW. Located on the Foreshore Park, overlooking the busy and picturesque Newcastle Harbour. Next door to Customs House, the heritage-listed building is on the site of the historic old Convict Lumber Yard. Paymasters Restaurant is one of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley's most delightful dining experiences. Paymasters is atmospheric, romantic and yet casual. Superb staff ensure a conscientious, personable and delightful dining experience. An essential first date restaurant, our pancakes are wonderful on a weekend morning. Come to Paymasters and experience Garlic Prawns like you will never taste
PRICE RANGE
S$8 - S$26
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
CUISINES
Australian
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Reviews (828)
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824 results
Traveller rating
521
202
55
29
17
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LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
521
202
55
29
17
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All reviews garlic prawns pancakes lamb an entree mains venue sydney
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Reviewed 22 December 2023

While being on the expensive side (about $200 / couple), the food is very good and the service is fine. Location is convenient especially if you can use public transport and with a pleasant view. The unfortunate negative is the lack of suitable amenities. The...venue could easily house over 100 patrons yet the is one cubicle for ladies and one for men. The men’s does have a urinal for one which essentially blocks entry to the cubicle if in use and a patron can even be observed from outside if someone enters during its occupancy. This is far from satisfactory and a sufficient deterrent for me to advise people to choose another venue for a trouble-free dinner out.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 8 October 2023 via mobile

We have been here twice in the last month for lunch and both times the service and food have been exceptional! This is now our “go to” restaurant when visiting Newcastle. The staff are friendly and the food presentation, flavour and variety of selection excellent!...Thank you.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed 8 October 2023

We had been hanging out to dine at Paymasters for a long time, and finally got to go for a lunch. We ordered wine, garlic bread, garlic prawns, and pork (main). The blonde waitress must have been unwell as she had flushed cheeks, blocked nose...and spoke mumbled because she was clogged up. We also noticed her red and black chipped nail polish as she put down our wine and food. The garlic bread was not hot or even warm, and it was dry. The garlic prawns also were not hot. The pork dish had a combination of temperatures: the pork was barely warm, similarly the carrots were barely warm, yet the potato was EXTREMELY hot (burn your mouth hot). The meals would have been stunning had they been served hot. We enquired about the temperature with another waitress. When we went to pay, we had to ask what the response from the kitchen was. The waitress replied “they were” while shrugging her shoulders and pulling a “meh” face. We were shocked. To pay $42 for a main that wasn’t served hot, no apology and to be responded with shrugging shoulders is incomprehensible.More

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 8 May 2023

Parking is good and close at hand. Restaurant is small but cute. Menu is select ( limited) and prices a little expensive. We had mains and bread, a few drinks and a bill of $120 which is a big lunch. On a hot day the...place was open to the outside front, which was very comfortable.More

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 6 May 2023 via mobile

We had lunch on the balcony overlooking the port. Unbeatable. We had lamb blackstrap a glass of wine and a sticky date pudding. The lamb was perfectly cooked if a little heavy handed on the pepper. Portions were very generous. The pudding and ice cream...was delicious and definitely self made unlike some restaurants. Service was exemplary. Prices were as expectedMore

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 30 April 2023

Loved the food. Reasonable cost. Great service. Pleasant ambiance in a heritage building. Handy to our hotel.

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 25 April 2023

My first visit here but it definitely won’t be my last! I was in two minds about booking as there have been a few reviews noting that standards had slipped and we wanted something special for a reunion lunch. It was a fantastic experience from...booking to conclusion - friendly service, lovely view and reasonably priced for such excellent food! All five of us enjoyed different dishes and each was a treat. My pork fillet was expertly cooked - a quality cut and meltingly tender - the chef here knows their craft. Definitely made the right choice of restaurant for our sojourn from Sydney.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 7 April 2023

My first time. View, lovely. Staff knowledgeable and helpful and friendly. Food was absolutely delicious. My eyes were bigger than my belly. Doggy bag please. I could not recommend it highly enough . On our bucket list to return next time we are in Newcastle.

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed 21 February 2023

Prompt service, food was great with friendly waiter staff. Pleasant atmosphere and location. Would return.

Date of visit: February 2023
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Reviewed 26 January 2023

Garlic prawns were very good as were the scallops. the paella needs a lot of help, three small prawns, three pieces of squid and a few other ingredients , But massive amount for rice. Not much taste - very disappointed . Arrogant service staff. Will...not return, agree with other writers - has not kept up to past standards.More

Date of visit: January 2023
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Reviewed 28 November 2022 via mobile

We visited Paymasters for the first time and from the get go we were impressed from the booking to final payment. The staff food and drinks were first class couldn’t be more happy we will definitely visit again. Mark and Anne Fullerton Cove Australia

Date of visit: November 2022
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Reviewed 14 November 2022

After 10 years of regularly dinning at Paymasters I am sad to say that I don’t think my husband and I will bother anymore. The menu now is very limited in its offerings, one vegetarian choice, a risotto, come on people get with the times....The restaurant seems to have lost all of its atmosphere and charm. Food now I would say is average compared to years gone by. Service is still good but miss the interactions with the chef when he would come to your table and have a chat. Used to be my absolute favourite place for a special night out but sadly not now. Oh and check your bill.More

Date of visit: November 2022
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed 23 June 2022 via mobile

Amazing food from start to finish. Service impeccable. Garlic prawns in pastry so light and creamy. The salmon perfectly cooked and the chocolate lava cake....what can one say...I would have had 2. Can't wait to return

Date of visit: June 2022
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Reviewed 28 May 2022

Paymasters was recommended to me by family and friends who visited years ago, but after reading some of the recent reviews I thought they may have lost their touch. Not so - wait staff were friendly and every single thing we ordered was outstanding. I...had seafood linguine, partner had herb crusted ling. We both cleaned our plates. Also ordered some beer - I think it was called Sprocket Sposen. I was told it was fruity, but didn’t realise it was actual red fruit beer, like Belgian Kriek, but better - loved it and only $6 too. We decided to share a banoffee pancake for pudding, which was the highlight. Fluffy middle, crispy edges, butter caramel sauce. Thank god we only ordered one between two, as it was the kind of thing you can’t stop eating, even when you’re full to the brim.More

Date of visit: May 2022
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Reviewed 29 April 2022 via mobile

Paymasters never fails to meet our expectations, food, drinks and service could not be fault. Easily served and finished in the allocated time to the next sitting. Meals were so delicious. We left with a full tummy and enjoyed the variety of meal choices

Date of visit: April 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
MrsTTaylor83
27 June 2020|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from Paymaster17 | Property representative |
We are if you have a special bottle of wine we charge a $15 bottle surcharge
0
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Marie F
3 September 2017|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from judy m | Reviewed this property |
No animals are allowed to be inside shops or restaurants in NSW unless they are service dogs. Check with the owners as Paymasters has an outdoor courtyard that may allow your pet
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Paymasters, Newcastle - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Paymasters

Paymasters is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5