Golden Sands Bistro — Restaurant in Howick

The positives here is that the location on the beach front is fantastic. Huge potential.

The negatives unfortunately far outweigh the positives. The management (husband and wife couple I think) rarely have a positive attitude and look as if they hate being there. But can have adequate service at times, unfortunately not that I've seen much.

The food quality is mediocre in my (and others I have spoken to) opinion. The menu options seem good but the execution could be much better.

The real negative experience came when I had bought a discount book from my kids school, and brought the book to the restaurant. They said I couldn't use that because they didn't know if I already used the coupon, despite me being a semi-regular customer as I live very close, and I assured them I haven't.

Then because I had separately also bought the phone app version I showed them that also had not been used. They didn't want to accept it either even though nothing had been used on it. I hadn't ever used it in fact so I didn't know how to further show them, so I started clicking into different screens and clicked on a check in screen that I thought would further show proof I hadn't used it. Instead the screen then said that I had now checked in. Then when I showed the manager that they told me that 'See, you've already checked in'. When I pointed out that just 10 seconds earlier it didn't have that, as I had just then clicked it, they essentially said I was lying. Just shocking.

Extremely insulting, and they have refused to apologize.

I would caution anyone who is thinking about visiting this restaurant. And the owner (if indeed they are not the owners as the woman claimed) should take note and fix this management issue.

This location would be better served with a new menu and new management. Could go far if...

Annoying! As its the 2nd weekend of the Bluff Oyster season we had our hearts set on some. As we don’t live in the area, I called ahead to check they sell them. I was told they did and to head on in. Upon arriving I asked AGAIN did they serve Bluff Oysters, at which point the waitress disappeared into the kitchen to check with the chef only to return saying they did. At this point we sat down and ordered a round of drinks. When the waitress returned to take our order we asked for the third time as we couldn’t see them listed. At this point she asked us to write down on a piece of paper the spelling of Bluff. She then retuned to advice actually that they did not. What could we do after already starting our drinks?! We ordered. My husband, duck rolls, which arrived as 4 small overcooked wonton like pieces. When we queried why they were so brown, the maitre d’ suggested that they needed to be cooked so such so that they weren’t soggy, Really! My risotto was okay and our friends seafood chowder had no fresh fish any where to be seen and arrived with a skin on the top. The maitre d’s response to all of this was that it was hard to find good staff. I showed her my phone and confirm that the phone number I had rung was their own and she said that she couldn’t understand why the kitchen and said that. I do not believe it was the kitchen as it had transferred to a cell phone, and sounded like someone in the vehicle talking. While we were eating it appeared that what possibly was the husband arrived in his branded vehicle, so I can only assume that it was actually him but he told us this. In future just admit what you do and don’t sell. We feel tricked into dining and that this poorly handled and the food was below average especially as...

Extremely great place to dine!! If you get it on First Table its really worth it which is what we had:). Super friendly staff and beautiful interior and a really nice view to the beach. The Lamb Shank was extremely tender and soft perfectly cooked! It tasted amazing with the mashed potatoes below as well as the vegetables. Really good portion size. Even their chicken dish I forgot the name was incredible. The sauce was really good tasted like it was home made :). The pizza was extremely good as well. The base was a lil charred which I really like and the pesto/chicken flavour was really good a must try imo. The pizza could be a lil fluffier but it was really good imo. The deserts were alright the two smaller ones in the photo's we're tasty but for the price even on first table the portion was a bit small. But the tiramisu was super good, tasty and a decent portion! The staff were really good and they had this one kid working by himself to serve all the tables he did a really good job! :D Also thank you for not blasting music ahaha :).

On first table this place is actually pretty good :D

Overall didn't expect to have such a good time but I will definitely...