The Goldfinch — Restaurant in Christchurch

Good food but unfortunately was ruined with bad service and a lack of ambience. The restaurant presents itself as somewhere special and prices are fairly high. We were shown to our table which was in the outdoor covered in section with bar heaters blasting above us. Sorry, but when I want a special dining experience I don’t want to see any bar heaters or feel like I’m sitting outside. We were lined up like cattle and within arms reach of tables either side of us. Could not talk without our neighbors hearing us or vice versa. And the restaurant is really noisy. If you want a special intimate dinner for two, then this probably isn’t a good option. Our waiter was terrible. If you told me they roped him in off the street at the last minute I wouldn’t be surprised. Did not explain the menu at all or offer any advice. Another waiter fully explained the menu to the couple next to us (after we had struggled to decide and ordered). We asked what sides he would recommend. But no advice given. We opted for green beans and asparagus. When it arrived the asparagus had decided to identify itself as broccolini, without explanation or apology. From that point he really didn’t come near us again. We had to ask someone else to clear our dirty starter plates. We were left uncomfortably holding our dirty cutlery until fresh plates finally arrived. Nobody asked if we wanted more drinks or dessert. At that point in my mind I had no intention of spending any more time or money in this place. Between us we had 2 drinks, 2 starters, medium plate, large plate and 1 side. The bill was $188. Not sure of the waiters name but he was a tall Caucasian and possibly European. The young Asian girl there was ok. Our interaction with her was all good. And the Indian looking waiter was good because he was helpful to everyone and explaining things. I guess we lucked out. Will not...

The food is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend the Edamame Beans, Pork Dumplings, Wild boar skewers, fried rice, Kung Pao Chicken and the Honey Chilli Lamb. The portion sizes are great so don't be put off by the price as here you definitely get what you pay for.

The service on the other hand..... Found one of them to be quite rude. Had one tallish, skinny lady with long brown hair whom didn't even acknowledge us (not even a smile, she also seemed to be a head waitress of sorts) as we stood and waited inside at the front door, however then another girl (blonde hair, seemed European) came spoke to us and took us to our table (she was lovely with a big smile). The male waiter seemed very knowledgeable about the food and was telling us about good pairings and the best meals they offer- which was good! He also took our large drinks order and didn't write anything down and they all came out as ordered- very impressive.

Mightve just been an 'off' night for the one waitress- noticed she did this with a few different groups of people, however just a simple welcome and and a smile would've been sufficient. (Note: this why I have put 3star for Service, as it just put a damper on the night from the start, but the other staffed made up from it being a one star).

I thought the decor was great and the maze wallpaper was cool!

The parking onsite is very difficult to get in and out of, I would highly suggest heading to the carpark on the corner of Victoria St and Sailsbury St.

All in all a great meal and a solid evening out- I wouldnt hesitate to come here again. Highly...

An Exceptional Family Birthday Celebration with Impeccable Service!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Our family of seven recently visited The Goldfinch to celebrate my uncle's birthday, and we were absolutely blown away by the entire experience. From the moment we walked in, the staff's warm and smiling service made us feel incredibly welcome.

What truly stood out was how well they handled a large group. We never felt rushed or forgotten; the service was attentive, personal, and seamless throughout the evening. They went above and beyond to make my uncle's birthday special, creating a celebratory atmosphere that was both elegant and heartfelt.

As a family with diverse dietary needs, we were especially impressed by the vegan options. The menu was creative and delicious, but the real showstopper was the dessert. The chef personally created a vegan "birthday cake" style dessert that was not only stunningly presented but also incredibly tasty. It was a creative and thoughtful touch that meant the world to us and allowed everyone to celebrate together fully.

Thank you to the entire team at The Goldfinch for your incredible attention to detail, your genuinely kind service, and for making our family celebration so memorable. We left feeling happy, well-looked-after, and already planning our next visit. We cannot recommend you highly enough!

Highlights:

Exceptional service for large groups

Thoughtful and creative vegan options

Staff went the extra mile for a birthday celebration

Chef's special vegan dessert was a...