Cuckoo Restaurant

We had an unexpected delight to meet the amazing people at Cuckoo, due to being stuck without a place to change and feed a baby somewhere out of the rain! Despite closing for the day, Karin made sure we were comfortably set up in a cosy corner so we could feed baby, and set us up with some hot drinks. We can't wait to return to enjoy the food and more of their warm hospitality!

Christmas day dinner at the Cuckoo was the best! The owners/hosts were warm, friendly, and hospitable. The staff were all excellent and absolutely gorgeous in their traditional dress. They worked tirelessly to serve us. The food was abundant and there was huge selections of everything. Salads, hot vegetables, soups, seafood, meats, sausages, roasts, yummy desserts, fresh fruit, with chocolate, nuts, bread rolls and butter on the table. Great entertainment and all set in a lovely traditional Bavarian decor creating a very nice ambience. We felt like we were part of an extended Bavarian family Christmas gathering. Priceless experience. Great value for money spent. Will be back again. This place is a treasure worth keeping. Bravo Cuckoo!

Wonderful experience every time we have visited, people who work there truely love their job as you can see from the service you are given.The food is to good to put into words especially the dessert. entertainment you can never get sick of. we have also have had christmas Lunch at the cuckoo and it was fantastic. Always love coming up in july for the christmas in July. we will be back time and time again!!! And always tell our friends how good it is.

The world famous Cuckoo Restaurant is an Australian icon located in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges just a short drive from Melbourne. Beginning in 1914 as the Quamby, a refreshment stop famous for its strawberry and cream teas, it was extended in 1935 to operate as a restaurant and bed and breakfast. In 1958 the restaurant was purchased by a young German couple who named it the Cuckoo after hearing the call of a Cuckoo in the bush at night. This marked the beginning of an era that has continued on into the 21st century under the constant guidance of Karin Koeppen. The restaurant is situated in Olinda, one of the pretty villages of the Dandenong Ranges, surrounded by beautiful Mountain Ash forest. The decor is in Bavarian style with the staff wearing colourful traditional costume. Being the first restaurant in Australia to offer a smorgasbord, it has become world renowned and constantly receives visitors from around the globe. Lunching at the restaurant we enjoyed choices from an amazing smorgasbord. We began with Soup of the Day followed by an entre´e selection of seafood and European delicacies. The main buffet included Roast of the Day, various meat dishes, German sausages, traditional dishes, vegetarian selections, cold platters, salad bar and much more. There was a delectable dessert buffet with continental cakes and pastries, fresh fruit and Pancakes with a choice of toppings. A comprehensive wine list is available, filtered coffee and tea are included. With our fellow diners we enjoyed a unique Bavarian floor show which included cowbells, yodeling and traditional songs. Special events run throughout the year with the Oktoberfest a highlight. The visit was an experience we will never forget. Inquiries are welcome and bookings are advisable.