Shocking
We went in for lunch last Saturday, and we were shocked. We last were there 2 years ago, and it was great. Last Saturday was shocking. the food was nothing like it use to be, it is now smaller, and price wise more expensive.

The staff were all rude. Even the manager, who i think was the owner was rude to us, acted like we didnt matter as customers, and she had no concern of our matters we raised with her.

The ambiance of the great old building was completely reuined by the rude staff and bad food.    [28 Jul 2004 07:56:11]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: the exit

     ­constantdinner   

Hand Made Chocolates??
Not from what I can see. I have found some interesting info on the Paragon's so called hand made chocolates. It appears that they actually buy the bulk of their chocies from sydney and just repackage them and mark up the price with huge profits!

If you have bought their chocolates before, have a look at the "Nut Shop" mostly around sydney and can also be found in other places. You will find that the Nut Shop has all the same chocies... and I dont think The Paragon sells to the Nut shop, its more like The Paragon buy from the Nut shop, and then pretend they are hand made!

Not very Australian if you ask me! but thats just my opinion.    [16 Nov 2004 23:48:26]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: not the chocies

     ­choc fan, Sydney   

Disgusting
We visited the Paragon last Sunday full of expectations for such an iconic restaurant. It was disgusting. The service was bad, the staff were rude. The meals took so long to come and only came after prompting. Two meals were cold. I asked for them to be reheated of the manager/ owner who did not apologise. When leaving I expressed to the owner/manager my utter digust at such a disappointing meal. She just shrugged.
This restaurant is a part of our history and surely someone can protect it from such incompetent owners.
I might add people streamed in obviously because of the history and not from reputation of the current offerings    [21 Jun 2005 21:27:13]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: None

     ­Anonymous   

hot chocolate - wheres the chocolate
I went to the paragon in a group of 5 adults and 2 children for a treat last weekend. It was terrible.
We had 5 hot chocolates and 2 strawberry milkshakes. Each drink cost a whopping $5.50 so we expected something very special.
The hot chocolates were meant to contain Belgian chocolate. I am not sure that they contained any chocolate. They truly tasted like hot milk and had only the very faintest brown tinge. The girls milkshakes were only syrup in milk and no where near value.
Service was slow and sullen and left feeling very cheated!!    [08 Jul 2005 04:12:07]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Nic   

Excellent
Wow I had a great time at your swing music dance night I have nothing but praise for you keep up the great work see you at the next swing night next month.
P:S Your DJ is fantastic.    [12 Sep 2005 09:03:44]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Chocolate

     ­Mandy   

Can the Paragon get any worse?
We were at the Paragon over the weekend, and I cant believe just how bad its gotten.

Reading the other reviews here, should have said it all to me, that the place is a sham now, and not even worth the 5 min drive from Leura to visit.

All I can say is, the service was disgusting, the people were horrible, food was dreadful. When I spoke to the owner, Barbara or something like that, she just didn’t care. Didn’t care that the place is now horrible, that the people are horrible. I would say with a owner like her, you can see why its not worth the trip.

Go to Leura Gourmet/Deli. There you can be assured of fantastic food, quick/prompt service with a smile! Whenever I am in the mountains, its the only place I am going to stop into now. and Hopefully in 50 years time, it will still be as good as it is today... unlike The sham of the once great Paragon.

p.s yes i saw them making the hot choc over the counter. It didn’t look like Belgium choc at all, looked like cheap cooking choc, like nestles or something.    [05 Oct 2005 23:00:50]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: The walk out the front door

     ­Sarah   

Great Staff
I have visited the Paragon over the years ( 40 approximately) and have found the ambiance of the location excellent, the staff extremely friendly, helpful and courtious. The food at times has been a bit average, but this was at a very busy time. Otherwise - excellent - I try and take all of my interstate and international guests up there for a treat.    [28 Oct 2005 02:39:33]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Pat   

Three visits; all bad :-(
We've been to the Paragon three times over the past year and a half and everytime it gets worse. Everytime has been a weekday, very quiet (less than 3 tables). Only one person on the floor...

This time, we waited ten minutes for a seat. We gave up, and sat ourselves down. Then, when we tried to attract the waitress's attention, she barked "You'll just have to wait." Charming.

The couple next to us who had been waiting even longer got up and left. We followed.

It's so sad how such an institution can be run into the ground by people who simply don't care. Someone should buy this place up, and tell the owner to retire!!!    [30 Mar 2006 01:49:56]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: None

     ­Unimpressed   

Fantastic
Stopped for coffee & choccies on a shopping trip today.

I have never been to Katoomba before & had never heard of the Paragon.
My friend & I were drawn in the door by the sight of all that glorious old timber work. WOW! It looks amazing as you walk by.

Good service, great coffee & lovely choccies, only downside was the Sydney prices, but I still thought it worth the experience.    [19 Oct 2006 07:56:22]

Food: -   Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: coffee & choccies

     ­Anonymous