Beach Bar — Restaurant in Christchurch

This has been a favourite place to hang after a busy day shopping with clients. Kick off my shoes on the deck and watch the sun go down with a drink and yummy eats, with stunning views of Sumner Beach. I even had my 50th birthday here!

Since Covid new owners have bought it, and sadly the menu changes mean't most of my favourite meals had been deleted and prices increased to the point it's just pure revenue making because they can!

So since the menu and price changes I haven't eaten there as much, mainly have drinks. I gave the new menu a go recently, and each time with disappointing results. I ordered the mushroom croquettes. The minuscule pieces of mushroom which I only saw 2 or 3 pieces of in each croquette was shocking. Not "Where is Wally?" but I was playing "Where is the mushroom?!" Combined with no recognizable seasoning to speak of. Bland and boring! So I sent them back.

Next time I really felt like a steak, knowing how risky it is ordering steak in NZ full stop, especially Christchurch, as there is no standardisation on what is considered Rare, Medium Rare, Medium, Medium Well and Well Done 🙄

So it's like playing Russian roulette ordering a steak here to arrive the way you want it cooked. I had this exact discussion with the waiter and said I wanted it pink, with no blood. Which to me is Medium. Even Medium Rare would have sufficed. I cut into my steak to find no pink what so ever and a Medium Well to almost Well Done steak. The smoked beetroot puree and potato au gratin and cherry tomatoes were a great combo flavour wise. I sent it back, hungry and disappointed again....

It came back almost rare and as chewy as f...k! It was obvious it hadn't been rested before plating it and that the chef had also put the same potato au gratin back in the oven while cooking another steak, as the top of my potato was crispy and so hard that I couldn't cut through the top layer! For $35 meal, I expect a beautifully cooked steak. I could have cooked a better one myself at home! Really a dismal experience and the chef there really needs to up their game or be replaced.

I sent it back and ordered the no fail creme brulee which is always delicious.

To top off the consistent reliable poor taste sensations there, I once again (and we are talking the 3rd time here!), had my glass rim dipped in salt instead of sugar for my strawberry martini. Yuck just awful! I even said to the bar tender as a reminder to please dip it in sugar not salt because it is a sweet martini. Yet it still arrived dipped in salt 🤢

It got sent back and the replacement was a messy drippy sugar dipped glass that looked like they used the original glass and wiped the salt off and smeared some sugar around it.

I will continue to go here for drinks and dessert, the occasional burger or pizza (as these are always good but the burger is over priced compared to the price it used to be) and the staff are always friendly and courteous.

Definitely gone downhill since new owners took over. The staff don't seem as happy to be there either. The service feels more staid instead of relaxed vibe. If it wasn't for the views and friendly staff, I wouldn't...

Such a beautiful location and a few friendly wait staff - we enjoyed a lovely meal and even took our 2 year old. First time out for a meal since she was born. However, this great experience was sadly overshadowed when we went to pay.

My husband had been given a voucher for his Christmas work gift for $200. We rarely go out for a meal so it was such a treat for us! We had food and drinks and the total was $113. I went to pay for it using the voucher only to have the manager on duty Stefan tell me abruptly that "they don't give change and can't on vouchers, do I want to spend more to use up more of the voucher?" I looked at him blankly. I politely said I was fixing the bill, we were full and I presumed he could provide us not with "change" but another manual voucher with the $77 left.

He told me they can't do that "through their system and where did I get this voucher from". I outlined my husband's work, it was a Christmas gift and there were no terms and conditions on the voucher or anywhere in the restaurant which said I had to use the full amount all at once. If that was the case, that would have been totally okay as we would have taken a few friends.

Close to tears, I reiterated that I didn't understand why he could not please just give me a voucher for the outstanding amount. After standing my ground, he reluctantly walked around the bar and drew me up a new voucher with the outstanding amount. Therefore, this wasn't a die in the ditch situation or problem, but had I not questioned him, pushed further and stood my ground I would have walked away out of pocket.

Not impressed with this treatment or made to feel so small. Do better Stefan - with both your attitude and...

Fantastic service under the direction of Melanie, whose skill in managing the restaurant ensures customers and staff appear happy. We booked for lunch on a busy, sunny Sunday. I arrived ahead of my family and was reassured that the position we asked for would be available at the requested time and was shown to a seating area, where water promptly appeared followed by the wine I’d requested. I felt comfortable and nurtured and started to relax as I observed Melanie working her magic, calmly and efficiently ensuring everyone’s needs were met; accommodating three parties who arrived without bookings and ensuring the restaurant remained full without diminishing the experience of diners. She knows what is happening in every inch of the indoor and outdoor dining space, stepping in whenever she sees something that needs to be done. She must be worth her weight in gold! The rest of the service was good and friendly. We ate pizzas this time, with some chips to nibble while we waited. Excellent chips and very nice pizza - we only score them 4 because we felt the toppings were over complicated and stole away the freshness of some flavours. We had a prosciutto pizza and thought the pistachio was overkill and a herbivore haven and considered the truffle oil similarly an over embellishment. Because of the brilliant service, we will remember the experience happily and will...