Family Breuss, the owners and operators of this establishment, welcome you to The Lake! Gerhard and Anne, along with their children Mathew, Bianca, Luke, and Nicholas, have vast experience in hospitality, having run many widely successful restaurants, clubs, pubs, and taverns across the country.

However, the history of Family Breuss and their experience in hospitality stretches back 103 years to the Austrian Alps. There, in a village called Rankweil, a man by the name of Johann Breuss, along with his wife and nine sons, owned the local inn, the ‘Goldener Adler’ (The Golden Eagle). One of his sons—Otto Breuss, Gerhard’s father—became a qualified baker and pastry chef, and opened his own business ‘Backerei Breuss’ in the same village of Rankweil. This business is still in successful operation, currently led by Johannes Breuss, the fourth generation of bakers, chefs, and restaurateurs. Otto Breuss also owned the ‘Alpwegkopfhaus’, a busy inn set amongst the high mountains of Vorarlberg, igniting Gerhard’s passion to be a chef.

In 1962 Gerhard left the village to become a chef in ‘the big city’. After completing his training, Gerhard travelled through Europe honing his skills. From Switzerland to Norway Gerhard worked in world-class hotels. However, he was to settle in Australia after landing in Sydney in 1970.

Gerhard worked as Head Chef in various hotels around Sydney before deciding to open his own restaurant in 1977. This restaurant—The Ivy in Balmain—became a landmark restaurant for Sydneysiders, becoming a regular hangout for national and international celebrities and Sydney’s elite. For fifteen years the Ivy was a place for celebrations, business meetings, and great dining.

In 1992 the Breuss family relocated to the Gold Coast, and swiftly carried on the family tradition of hospitality. The family ran a variety of popular pubs, clubs, and taverns, establishing a reputation for great food and service.

The latest venture for Family Breuss is here at the Lake Café. With the family still working together, along with 103 years of family history and reputation, the Breuss family is confident you will enjoy your experience at the Lake. Bon Appetit!

Gerhard Breuss