Steak @ Customs House — Restaurant in Canterbury

Would not go back at all. I am only giving 1 star because I have to to leave a review. First of all we were not offered a drink but were given a tiny glass of water which was not topped up the entire hour we were there. We were seated for no more than 5 minutes when we were told we had to place an order because they had a big table coming in ( this was at 6:30 and the table were to come in at 7:30 however when we left at 8:00 they were not even seated). We both ordered pork however mine was not cooked as it still had blood coming out of the centre. I told the waitress and she took it back to get cooked again the second time and again it come out not cooked the waiter then asked how it was and i said it still wasnt cooked which to anyone it clearly wasnt i will add photos but the waiter did not care. When we were leaving i was told that the pork was pink because it was wrapped in bacon which i understand however it shouldnt be cold and pink in the middle. We were seated in a really awkward place with our view being of the wall. I noticed there was a rise in the table we were at and when i lifted the tablecloth the table was cellotaped together. Also there was a candle holder with a shade however i think you maybe required to BYOC ( bring your own candle). My knife was dirty and had rust on it also. We both got the pork however i had a weird charcole taste to mine and my aunty tried it and said it tasted nothing like hers. The sause was like glue and tasted like treacle. Overall a really bad experience and i would not reccomend. I have heard that it was really nice however now it has...

Nestled in the heart of Timaru, New Zealand, Steak@CustomsHouse is a hidden gem housed in a stunning Victorian building boasting Grecian-style architecture complete with majestic columns. Stepping through the doors, you're transported to a world of old-world charm, the plush chairs and spacious tables creating an inviting atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease.

Having dined in some great restaurants in major Australian cities, we can confidently say that Steak@CustomsHouse offers a dining experience that rivals the best. My partner declared the fillet steak as the best he had ever tasted.

As a vegetarian, I was delighted by the thoughtfully crafted vegetarian course. The combination of flavours was nothing short of outstanding, and I congratulate the chef's skill and attention to detail.

During our visit, a single individual carried the entire service, including a large group in a private room, and did a wonderful job.

What makes Steak@CustomsHouse even more remarkable is its location in Timaru, a charming coastal city in New Zealand. It proves that exceptional dining experiences can be found in...

There is one big disadvantage to this place - we now have no idea how to return to "ordinary" Auckland dining after visiting Steak @ Customs House. We are just blown away from every moment of being in this unusual restaraunt. Starting from a feel of entering someone's Victorian home and going back a 100 years, the feel of travelling back in time continued as we set at the table: crisp white tablecloth, silver cutlery and REAL candle (yes, real wax and REAL flame candle, not a LED alternative). So that's about the experience...and then there is THE food. We had mushroom bruscheta and scallops and prawns as starters - both options were 100 miles above any expectations. I had duck risotto starter as a main and my husband had a steak...both meals came with a side of vegetables (which I did not even expect as I had a starter). Both steak and duck were melting - so soft and extremely delicious.

In conclusion - Steak @ Customs House is a very solid reason to come back to Timaru at...