Rookie Eatery

"Welcome to Rookie, Wollongong's culinary wonderland that'll have your taste buds doing the happy dance! Chef Sam is like a flavor wizard, conjuring up dishes so incredible, I'm convinced they're from another dimension of deliciousness. Seriously, when it comes to accommodating, Chef Sam deserves a gold medal. I'm talking about a gold medal in food diplomacy! No matter what dietary quirks or cravings you have, Sam whips up culinary masterpieces to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. And let's talk about Griffin, the waiter extraordinaire! This guy's accommodating skills are off the charts! He's like a culinary genie, granting your every wish with a smile. With his expert guidance, our meal became an unforgettable adventure, filled with laughter, joy, and some epic foodie discoveries. The whole Rookie team knows how to create an atmosphere that's so cozy and inviting; you'll feel like you're dining at your favorite aunt's house (if your aunt happened to be a gourmet chef!). The passion for hospitality and top-notch service make you feel like a VIP. So, if you're in Wollongong and you haven't been to Rookie yet, you're seriously missing out! It's a gastronomic paradise where Chef Sam's incredible dishes and Griffin's accommodating magic will sweep you off your feet. Prepare yourself for a dining experience that'll leave you raving to all your friends and planning your next visit before you've even finished dessert. Cheers to Rookie - the place where food dreams come true!"

"Absolutely loved spending date night there. Their set menu is vast and covers various dishes with a generous portion size."

"Very impressed by this place. In an unassuming old house on the main street, the interior is whitewashed with black chairs. Very cosy interior. As to the food, we had a set 5-course menu and every dish was excellent. Sashimi and crispy skin pork were the highlights. Some of the dishes are pretty spicy if that's an issue for you, although I'm sure they could modify that. Highly recommended and will eat here again. It's not cheap but the quality is worth the price in my view."

"Pretty damn hard to fault. Cosy ambiance in a renovated old home. Service staff super friendly, in fact I'd seen them before at Debutant and they remembered me and my drinking preference (rum). Asian vibes were definitely prominent but in a way my western palate really enjoyed. The pork and fish salad was ridiculous. The caramel and fresh herbs. Omg."

"It was fine. Service was pretty slow even though we came at the tail end of the evening as the final seating. No-one asked us about drinks until quite well in. Menu wasn't marked particularly well for gluten free, menu items were out and the substitutions weren't ideal. The decor was pretty drab. All things that would be totally redeemable or endearing at a place that wasn't trying to hit the white tablecloth demographic and at $60 mains. Those restaurants are held to a higher standard and Rookie was very mediocre. The dessert though was a surprising dark horse. Yuzu curd with coconut Panna Cotta is amazing."