The Old Ghan Restaurant - Hawker

This is not just a restaurant, it is an experience you will remember. The building is a beautiful old restored railway station. The food is anything from good to excellent - depending upon what you order. You just need to accept the fact that Bob is not the concierge of a silver service restaurant from London. He is a bit loud, he is direct and the faint hearted will quite possibly be offended. We simply responded and gave back (nearly) as good as he gave us. Considering the difficulties that running a restaurant so far from city amenities must present, I think he does a great job. I'll be pleased to return.

The place was not open when I stopped here, but the beauty of the building was totally worth it for a photo opportunity.

Food reasonable, lovely building and history and we ate on the old platform of the railway station next to the ticket office, now all inside the restaurant.The owner, a retired chef apparently, is full of character and has a small 'gold min with trade - both locals and tourists passing through. He hates the moths attracted by the lighting and enjoys getting rid of them. He was having fun with the new credit card machine too. The butter chicken, beef and chicken schnitzels were all well cooked and presented. Meal for four people including wine $106.

We had high recommendations to try this restaurant and we weren't disappointed with the quality of the food. The Beef and Guinness Pot was delicious and the setting was very fitting for a quiet meal with my wife.The ambience was quickly shattered when we walked in to the restaurant to hear Bob calling loudly from the other end "You must be James who booked - that's your table over there!" I would have been ok with that but I already had sensed that other guests were a bit tense. There was that awkward quietness in the room with Bob dominating the conversation. He swore while taking our order, something I guess we'll need to get used to in outback Australia, he had an embarrassing altercation with a couple of Austrian girls which he loudly apologised for. A couple then arrived who hadn't booked - they had only just arrived in town - and Bob let them know what he thought of people who don't book. Then there was the forgotten drinks order - my thoughts went to Fawlty Towers.Previous posts indicate that Bob may be the chef. Bob should spend more time in the kitchen and get a waiter in to deal with the guests. I think he would be great walking through the restaurant two or thee times during the evening to meet the guests - he has a loud and jovial personality which would really enhance the evening but in small doses!Sorry to give this experience a downer because everything about this restaurant is a good idea and good for Hawker and so is Bob. But he needs to let someone else deal directly with the guests.

Enjoyed a great meal at the historic Old Ghan Restaurant. Very pleasant atmosphere for dinner and drinks.The Ranger steak was particularly good with grainy mustard sauce and grilled ham and cheese, served with salad. My wife very much enjoyed the sweet potato patties as a main course.The ported prunes dessert was excellent and finished a great meal.Good range of beers and wines. Host Bob was very friendly and made us feel at home.Definitely recommended. Be sure to book!