Ocean Restaurant

March 2023: As beach days wind to a close for the season there’s still time to squeeze in a short break at another motel-meets-destination-restaurant couplet. Ocean Restaurant takes up prime position at the water’s edge of the Ocean Front Motel. Along with the golden sands of Roberts Beach at your doorstep, it’s a minute away from The Entrance Ocean Baths and about ten minutes walk up the coast to the town centre.Using a theatrical black box approach, the restaurant centralises an uninterrupted view of the ocean. There are two ways to eat: a la carte or two- and three-course menus ($65/$75) chosen from a reduced selection of dishes. The interest lies on the wider menu with snacks like neatly sawn-off pieces of bone marrow come topped with Avruga caviar and crème fraiche ($16). It’s great scooped out onto house-made potato crisps with Kizakura premium yamahai sake ($10/glass) chosen because the by-the-glass list lacked interest.Entrees, like Fremantle octopus ($25) grilled over wood and teamed with saltbush, Rodriguez sausage and roast vegetables in a tomato-based sauce, are so generously proportioned they’re fine to share. Mains, from black Angus Riverina beef ($48) to the market fish of the day ($46) are pricy but they don’t require sides. The beef, which was under seasoned and not presented at the requested medium-rare, sat on truffled Paris mash with parsnips and a whisky mushroom sauce. The fish, rock ling, was well-cooked with a caviar cream sauce, salmon roe and chewy pre-cooked prawns that didn’t really add to the experience. Dining on a Sunday attracts a ten per cent surcharge.April 2022: Ocean Restaurant & Bar throw the kitchen sink at their Tasmanian sea scallops ($24/3). The trio of plump, roe-off scallops arrive under shaved Grana Padano, toasted hazelnuts, crumbled morcilla, fresh chives and lemon truffle butter, but their delicate flavour is surprisingly evident. Local Pacific oysters from Empire Bay ($26/6) are another stacks-on affair topped with shallots, fingerlime pearls, trout roe and mirin, and arranged around a tub of creamy cocktail sauce. Again though, despite the number of ingredients, it leaves a hole so you can still taste the oyster. Both entrees eat well against a little glass flask of yamahai sake ($9) with an on-tap Sapporo ($9) chaser from their bar.The fish of the day was Tasman sea trout ($39) presented in a generous crisp-skinned slab with a delicate white butter sauce accentuated with cheese balanced by vegetables. Wrapped into a pretty pastry parcel, the Muscovy duck ($42) maryland is accompanied by a slice of breast meat, the last of the season’s cherry jam, red brassicas and greens. It’s a pricy but generously proportioned main that rules out dessert, but leaves me with a positive net impression of this glass box by the sea.

The food was amazing. The meals are a taste sensation. Very well thought out flavours that compliment each other. Highly recommended dining experience. I went for dinner so couldn’t really see the ocean at night but lunch would be perfect as it’s on the waters edge. Nice ambience also. The waitress was also fantastic. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Recommend for a nice night out for a special occasionGreat food and good location but the atmosphere and service doesn't quite scream 'fine dining' but the price does.

I dined with family here last week and I wished to mention a waitress we experienced. Her name is Renee and I believe in all my years of fine dining out we have never experienced a better waitress. Her energy and smile was infectious. She went out and above to make our time exceptional. We found other staff were not even smiling yet this beautiful woman was absolutely incredible insuring not only our table, but we watched her treat everyone uniquely cared for. We will return if only to witness her sole service. Best regards Mr J Berthold.

What a hidden gem of a restaurant. Highly recommend giving this place a go for lunch or dinner. Tucked away out of the busy part of The Entrance and with 180 degree views of the Ocean you won't regret going here for a meal. The service was prompt and courteous and the food was well portioned, well presented, tasty and unique. We will return!

Location, service, and the quality of food was amazing. The staff were attentive and ensured that we had a great evening. However, for the price of several entrees, 2 mains and a dessert, they could have provided larger portions. The apple pie was a tart, not an actual pie as seen in picture but it was delicious. We used our entertainment voucher so it was definitely worth it.

Thank you to Greg our waiter. Prompt, so friendly and helpful. He is a great asset to the restaurant. Food was great. Thank you. We don’t live in the area, but it’s our 3rd visit and you never disappoint

I had the chowder as my entrée and it was incredibly good (photo attached). The date and fig sticky pudding was also delicious but was feeling very full by the end of three courses as they are quite large portions.

Not only the views were great, but the food and service was amazing as well. We ordered a 3 course plus 2 course meal. The dishes were finely presented and the ingredients tasted fresh and properly cooked. The waitresses were friendly and attentive. Meals included a glass of wine which is always welcome. Overall, around $150 for 4 dishes, one dessert, 2 glasses of wine and a side of chips.

It was nice but overpriced - scallops were good!Annoyed we couldn’t split a bill… that’s lame. They had to type the amount into the eftpos machine anywayYoung waitress was nice. Older one with dark hair was a bit pushy