Con's Seafood Restaurant

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

My partner suggested this place for a special pre-valentines day dinner last weekend. Having read some mixed reviews of this restaurant I was skeptical. I have to say, my skeptisim was entirely unwarranted - this place is great! Once we arrived we were greeted by a lovely young guy who escorted us to a nice table by the window. We decided to share the garlic prawns to start - they were AMAZING. My partner had the tornadoes for main and I had the fish of the day which was dory fillets in lemon butter sauce. Both my partner and I were extremely impressed with the quality of the food and the warmness of the service. For desert, the waiter suggested we try the crepes waldort -- we were not disappointed! It was something I would never think to order, but I was in love with them (my poor partner got to have about two mouthfuls before I took claim...) I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxed night out with some fantastic food and old style service.   (February, 2013)

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

Con’s restaurant is in Mawson about 10 minutes from Manuka via Adelaide Avenue . We went for a family party. Despite the variety of foods we ordered, everyone agreed that their dishes were really good, and you get enough to fill you. The young woman who waited the table seemed happy and interested in what she was doing. This was definitely a nice change from many of the restaurants I usually go to. It’s worth another visit.   (Food Enthusiast - October, 2012)

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

The old sign says Con’s Seafood Restaurant, but the name is Con’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant. I was always curious about this place. I must have driven by it a thousand times (literally, it’s on my way to work).

My partner and I were looking for a place to eat and were tired of the same old places.

I had seafood crepes. The prawns and scallops inside were firm and tasty and the sauce was one of the best sauces I ever tasted. It was a walnut sauce that complemented the fish without being overwhelming. My partner had spaghetti marinara. I tasted it and thought it was very, very good. We split a dessert—the chocolate basket. We loved it. With two glasses of house white (a good sav blanc), the bill was $95. I believe it was really good value for money.   (October, 2012)

Overall 9.8 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 10

I went to Con's this weekend just with my wife for our anniversary. It was a really good experience. We had the hot and cold platter and champagne. The platter was very big - enough food for four people but we managed to eat almost all of it.

We love seafood and since we moved to Canberra we have found it can be very hard to get good seafood. I would recommend Con's to anyone who is interested in having good seafood in a relaxed environment. The staff were helpful and full of suggestions and the owner came over and spoke to us about the history of the restaurant. Overall the evening was 10/10.   (Frank Xiu - September, 2012)

Overall 9.8 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 10

I received an advertisement from Con's last week in the post and decided to give the old restaurant another go – as we hadn't been there for quite awhile. As usual, I googled it to check the reviews before going in case there were any glaring issues that would lead me to think otherwise. The only negative reviews were from several years ago, so we decided we would give it a go! The place has been totally refurbished since I was last there! It still has the same friendly and traditional feel - but the decor has been upgraded substantially - from the new chequered tablecloths to the private function room - I was very impressed!

Next came the food - fresh fish of the day, a whole snapper with a lemon butter sauce (tasted perfect - just how fresh fish should), my compatriot had the beef neptune (gourmet steak and fresh seafood combination). We were both very impressed. Dessert was fantastic - freshly made chocolate mousse; and crepes waldorf which were just to die for!

As for the service, we had a lovely Irish girl. All the staff seemed genuinely interested in our reviews of the food and the feedback we gave them. The manager came by and recommended a great bottle of wine (as an aside, in a nice deviation from usual top-tier restaurants -- what was recommended was not one of the more expensive bottles on the menu - it was a very reasonable wine that went well with the food we had chosen).

We were both very happy with the evening, and will certainly be returning soon! I took off half a star for value in my ratings despite the food being delicious, the service pleasant and friendly, and the environment open and warm... And only because everything these days seems so expensive! However, given the quality you get – Con’s is really quite good value too! Next time I think the traditional hot and cold platter for two may be in order! I highly recommend you give Con’s a try! Happy dining!   (Loves Fine Dining - September, 2012)

Overall 9.8 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 9, Service 10

I decided to go there for my partner's 30th birthday. We had a reservation, and the server put us in a corner window. Everything was really good. The server was friendly, and helped us pick a wine. My partner had the filet mignon and it was amazing. No need for sauce. It came with a baked potato. I splurged and had a lobster – mouth watering and delicious! The atmosphere was very pleasant – new and refurbished this year with chequered red and white table cloths, candles, and white linen napkins give it a friendly appearance. It was crowded, but not too much because they have space for 100 but only use seating for 50. The ala carte was $19 for starters and $35 for mains. Specials like lobster are expensive, but you can’t get live lobster anywhere else in Canberra – it’s the only tank with lobsters you can pick yourself that I have ever seen in the ACT... Whether for a special occasion or a delicious meal with pleasant surrounds -- I highly recommend that you try Con’s Steak and Seafood in Mawson!   (eileen - See my reviews (2) - July, 2012)

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

I went for the 1st time last night (Sat). Four adults plus 2 kids. Kids had fish and chips. Adults had WA lobster x2 and tenderloin staek x 2.

It's the only restaurant that I have eaten in around Canberra in the last year that seems to really care about what they are doing and what the diners think about the place. I was very impressed. Great food and service, nicely decorated, and a genuine feeling of warmth. I will be back.   (See my reviews (3) - July, 2012)

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

Just stopped in for a glass of wine with a friend at lunchtime and decided to try the $21.90 lunch. It was a very generous size and very fresh tasting. I also tried a dessert at the waitress’s suggestion, an 'ice cream basket,' and I expected the bland creaminess I had come to expect from steak house desserts. But this was wonderful. It came with a bit of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Now I remember why Con's has been so popular over the years. We stayed and had a house port, one of a nice selection of after dinner (or in this case lunch) drinks. I recommend the lunch very highly, and I will write again after I have tried their dinner.   (May, 2012)

Overall 2.3 - Food 1, Ambience 5, Value 2, Service 1

I have been to con's twice and will never go back. The neptune steak consisted of a tiny scotch fillet (almost like it was cut in half), some prawns and a tiny scallop all doused with what seemed to be a gray, yes.... a gravy NOT a cream sauce. We took in a birthday cake and it was presented in the box, no spoons, no plates .. we had to request them. Service low rate, meal very low rate.   (April, 2012)

Overall 8.3 - Food 9, Ambience 8, Value 8, Service 8

Although they don't have a tasting menu, we ordered the Seafood platter for two. This beat all Tasting Menus. It came in two layers--hot and cold--and was laden with a half fresh lobster, oysters, king prawns, mussels, Moreton Bay bug, blue swimmer crab, crumbed and deep fried prawn cutlets, barramundi pieces, calamari rings, scallops, served with cocktail and tartar sauces. I know all this because I asked to take away the menu. Afterwards, despite being totally full, we ordered freshly made chocolate mousse and Crepes Waldorf. We washed dessert down with a glass of the house sparkling. This place has apparently not changed its recipes since the 1970s. I hope it continues. I want to go back. It was a truly great eating experience. A friendly staff and a price within our budget.   (SarahMG - February, 2012)

Overall 8.8 - Food 10, Ambience 8, Value 7, Service 10

Lovely welcoming service, great food, a lovely night.   (May, 2008)

Overall 6.8 - Food 7, Ambience 5, Value 6, Service 9

Cons has good food, nothing much would have changed here in the last 20 years. Service is excellent.   (March, 2008)

Overall 8.8 - Food 10, Ambience 8, Value 8, Service 9

I try not to indulge myself too much by becoming a regular at this restaurant but it is hard to resist! There is a variety of choices for food and drinks alike and I have ventured here with up to 8 family and friends before and everyone has left satisfied. The service can be a bit too 'in-your-face' if you don't like chatty waiters etc., but for me it makes a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that I have come to love.   (Amber - May, 2007)

Overall 9.3 - Food 10, Ambience 7, Value 10, Service 10

I have been going to Con's for years and have always had an excellent meal and brilliant service. The same staff have been there for years and cater to your every need. They constantly watch for empty glasses or plates and are very friendly. I dont believe the previous comment and well anyone that isnt brave enough to use their name makes you doubt their honesty.   (Georgette - April, 2007)

Overall 4 - Food 7, Ambience 3, Value 5, Service 1

The food was lovely but the service was atrocious. Be careful at this restaurant as they often double book their customers and are quite rude about it.   (February, 2007)