Casa Publica — Restaurant in Christchurch

I came across the event for bottomless tacos on Facebook where there’s a link provided. Clicking on the link brings you to a page to make a reservation. I made a reservation for 8 people at 7:15pm. Around 6 I tried calling to confirm our reservation but there was no answer.

We got to Casa Publica and were seated immediately, however didn’t receive any acknowledgement or table water for about 10 minutes. The next time our waitress came around we asked how the bottomless tacos worked and she asked if we “ticked the box” for taco night when making the reservation. There hadn’t been a box. We double checked the website for making reservations and while the reservation times were every 15 minutes, the taco option only came up every 30 minutes which we didn’t realize (and presumably a flaw in their booking system). I showed the waitress and she said they’d try to accommodate us and move us upstairs in 10 minutes because the taco night is for upstairs seating only.

Upon moving upstairs, we realized that the flow of bottomless tacos was despicable. The table beside us only got one serve of tacos in the first 20 minutes we were sitting there. However, Olivier, our new waiter, offered us guacamole on the house for all the mix up. He then told us we needed to be part of the “Goldi” club to get the tacos for $20 rather than the full price which was an outstanding $37! This was not listed anywhere on the website, but was only a small hiccup in the grand scheme of the whole night.

The tacos aren’t the same options as if you order off the regular menu, which is a bit misleading. They were the size of half of a tapas size taco (see other taco night reviews, now cut the tortilla in half). They weren’t bad, but hardly any flavor. The popcorn chicken one was basically little balls of fried batter and not much chicken at all.

Olivier was great and could see we were a bit annoyed with the whole situation. We didn’t receive our first tacos until 8:45 - an hour and a half after our reservation time, and 25 minutes after we ordered. He offered us a couple more guacamole on the house, which was great, but at first they were accompanied by the tiniest bowl of tortilla chip crumbs (considering we ended up being a table of 6 people).

When we came to order our last round of tacos, we were told that the kitchen ran out of tortillas and they could offer us bowls of the filling along with some tortilla chips...

In the end, we still paid full price, however had a few guacamole on the house. Overall, the wait staff were incredible apologetic and you could tell they genuinely felt bad. Meanwhile, I’m wondering where the manager was in all of this. The least they could have done was come to apologize for the booking mixup as well as mention that there were much busier than usual so the kitchen was a bit backed up, which was obvious, but should have been acknowledged.

This is my second time eating at Casa Publica, and the service was just as awful as last time. Thought I’d give them a second chance but likely...

The overall atmosphere of Casa Publica is fantastic — warm, lively, and inviting. The food was great overall, and it’s definitely a place I’d come back to with friends.

We ordered the following dishes: • Gambas Pil Pil • Tacos – Jackfruit and Baja Fish • Peruvian Fish • Pico de Gallo • Adobo de Cordero

Since it was our first visit, I asked the staff for recommendations and basically ordered a good range of their popular dishes, except for the cauliflower.

The tacos were truly impressive — the Baja Fish reminded me a bit of the crispy fish from classic fish and chips, while the Jackfruit taco was incredibly rich and unique in flavor. I personally recommend the jackfruit one! (One of the staff recommended chicken and jackfruit, but we ended up going with fish and jackfruit instead — no regrets at all. I’ll definitely try the chicken one next time.

All the ceviche and salsa-based dishes were delicious, especially the Peruvian Fish — the cured fish was so refreshing and light. That said, ordering two dishes that both came with salsa and corn chips felt slightly redundant in terms of variety.

The Gambas Pil Pil was another highlight — the prawns were fragrant and flavorful, and honestly, I would’ve poured that sauce over a bowl of hot rice and happily eaten it as a meal! The only downside was the bread that came with it. One slice was completely burnt on the underside — I took a few bites and thought it tasted off, and when I flipped it over, it was blackened. I raised this with the staff, and they mentioned that their bread is always grilled, so it was “normal.” I’d personally disagree on that.

As for the main courses, I unfortunately didn’t enjoy the lamb (Adobo de Cordero). The meat was bitter, and everything on the plate looked and tasted over-charred. While the inside remained a nice pink, the outside layer was completely blackened and left a strong burnt bitterness. I still tried to explore the dish by mixing the sauce and potatoes underneath, but by then, my taste buds were kind of shot.

After sharing this with the staff, they kindly replaced the dish with pork ribs and coleslaw. The coleslaw was incredibly fresh — crunchy, juicy, and seemed like it was hand-shredded in-house. The pork ribs were cooked very well: tender, clean-tasting (no porky smell, which is often a challenge with NZ pork), and the meat fell off the bone easily. The sauce was sweet but well-balanced. If I had to nitpick, the meat itself lacked seasoning — the flavor relied heavily on the sauce. At one point, I found myself wondering if I should sprinkle a bit of salt to enhance the taste of the meat alone.

Overall, I’d say the star dishes are everything except the mains. I would definitely recommend this place to friends — especially for the tacos, ceviche,...

A Fantastic Dining Experience at Casta Publica – Valentine’s Day Perfection!

I had the pleasure of dining at Casta Publica for their special six-course tasting menu on Valentine’s Day, and I can confidently say it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism, setting the tone for a perfect evening.

The ambiance was elegant yet inviting, creating a romantic atmosphere that was ideal for the occasion. The attention to detail in both the décor and service was noticeable, making us feel truly valued as guests.

One of the standout aspects of the evening was their exceptional commitment to catering to dietary requirements. My partner has gluten-free and dairy-free dietary needs, and it can often be challenging to find restaurants that accommodate with care and creativity. However, at Casta Publica, they went above and beyond to ensure she had an equally enjoyable experience. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, with substitutions that didn’t compromise on flavor or presentation. It was clear that the chefs put in the effort to craft a menu that was both inclusive and delicious.

As for the food itself – simply amazing. Each course of the tasting menu was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The balance of textures and ingredients showcased the skill of the culinary team, making every bite a delight. From the starters to the final dessert, we were consistently impressed by the creativity and execution of each dish.

The cocktails and mocktails were equally outstanding! The mixologists clearly know their craft, as every drink was expertly balanced, refreshing, and beautifully presented. Whether you enjoy a classic cocktail or a well-crafted non-alcoholic option, there’s something for everyone. Each sip complemented the meal perfectly, adding to the overall experience.

The service was another highlight of the evening. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful descriptions of each course and pairing suggestions. They were attentive without being intrusive, ensuring we had everything we needed while allowing us to fully enjoy our meal and conversation.

Overall, Casta Publica exceeded our expectations in every way. Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening, a special celebration, or just an exceptional meal, this place is a must-visit. We left feeling satisfied, impressed, and already looking forward to our next visit....