Lantern — Restaurant in North Island

To be as absolutely fair as I can be let me add some context.

1. I am a tourist so I'm unaware with what the average pricing/quality is of restaurant food

Service: 5/5 The wait staff were very friendly, accommodating and answered all our questions

Drinks: 5/5 The cocktails were tasty, not too strong and had lovely flavours and presentation. They were $20NZ each.

Atmosphere: 5/5 It's a cute spot, we ate indoors as it was a little cooler out however they also have a nice outdoor area. Good music, fresh aromas from the kitchen and good seating.

Food: 2/5

I'm going to use Cook/Flavour/Plating/Size/Price as my rating scale here. 1- The cook of the food was perfect. There was nothing over/under done. The meat was tender and juicy, the veggies crisp and fresh. 2- The Plating was elegant and well done. The dishes were presented thoughtfully and had pops of color. 3- Price - So this is where I'm unfamiliar with what normal pricing is, however we paid around $120Nz for 2 people to have 2 drinks, a large platter and a snack each. We omitted having the short ribs as they were $75 and based on the portion size and flavours I'm glad we did. Prices seem steep for what you get but it could be normal. 4- Size - The dishes are small. They recommend 1 Large + snack or 3 Small per person and that's probably right however given the price that's a steep bill. We tried sharing 1 Large + 2 snacks between the both of us and left Hungry and kind of let down.

5- Flavour - As I'm finding with everything in Tauranga, it's bland. Even our potato chips from the grocery store were under seasoned. If you want crisp, natural veggies then you're fine but the only hint of any flavours or seasonings was salt and some chopped chillies. It's definitely not the robust and complex flavours you'd get from other Asian cuisine and while it boasts to be a fusion restaurant, it's an attempt at best. While flavour is entirely a personal preference, as there are raving reviews about this restaurant, myself personally found the cook and presentation of the food to be lovely but the flavours left me wanting.

All in all I gave it a 3/5 as the drinks, service and atmosphere are great but the Price/Size/Flavour of the dishes felt lacking.

It is worth noting they have a lot of Gluten free options so if you're struggling to find somewhere to eat, I'd still recommend it as its by no means awful. It's a nice, slightly pricey, average...

We recently brought some friends from Australia to this amazing restaurant, and we were thrilled to find that the food, service, and venue were consistently outstanding. Our expectations were high, and we certainly weren't disappointed.

Even without a booking, we were graciously seated outside, which was perfect. On a previous visit, I had brought my dog along, and the restaurant accommodated us with outdoor seating.

The venue itself is well-designed, with a lush tropical ambiance that captures the essence of Papamoa Beach. The abundance of lanterns adds a touch of ambience and creates a relaxed and chill atmosphere. Whether you choose the airy booth seating indoors or the pleasant outdoor area, you can't go wrong. However, I highly recommend making a reservation, as this place tends to get busy.

The staff at the restaurant genuinely enjoy their work, and it shows. They are always ready with a smile and a good sense of humor, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. They are knowledgeable about the menu and happy to recommend delicious items. The service is prompt, and the cocktails from Lantern's bar, especially the ones prepared by Jimmy, are simply awesome.

Now, let's talk about the food. It's truly exceptional. The chef at Lantern has put a clever twist on most of the dishes, showcasing creativity and personalized touches that meet the high standards of the restaurant. The menu is designed for sharing, and we indulged ourselves with a variety of dishes. I could go on about every item we tried because they were all superb, but the absolute standout for me was the Crispy Pork Belly with Spiced Caramel, Herbs, and Slaw. It was an unforgettable culinary experience, and I can confidently say it was the best Pork Belly I have ever had.

To put it simply, our friends from Australia declared it their favorite meal in New Zealand so far, and we couldn't stop raving about it the next day. The overall experience was exceptional, with outstanding food, friendly staff, and a wonderful ambiance.

In summary, I can confidently describe this restaurant as mint, top shelf, and simply dope. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience, make sure to visit Lantern. The combination of fantastic food, impeccable service, and a delightful venue will leave you thoroughly impressed. Don't miss out on this...

Ok, I get it now. I understand what all the fuss is about. I appreciate I’m a little late to the party, but better late than never. This review could really just be one word - “superb.” But why use one when you can use more. It was a celebration dinner for the Favourite Husband and I. To be fair we could celebrate simply waking up, but we were in buoyant mood and expectations were high. It was a warm and friendly greeting on arrival which sets the tone nicely. Drinks arrived super fast which is always a win. And then the food. The tuna was the most beautiful mix of flavours and textures. We could have dined on a succession of those alone. But there was more to explore. Avocado fresh rolls were a great mix of clean and crisp but if I was being picky, I found the peanut sauce slightly salty for me. The edamame beans were the best I’ve had. A beautiful smoky char and a slightly spiced salt. On to the prawn toast. The presentation is stunning and I thoroughly applaud restaurants that leave you a copy of the menu so you can check what the flavours are. It was simply outstanding. My comment to the Favourite Husband “what creative genius comes up with this?” The only dish that didn’t work for me was the green papaya salad, again personal taste. Just too spicy for me. It’s stated on the menu that the dressing is spicy. The Favourite Husband, never one to pass up food, did eat it but then complained of his lips being numb. (Didn’t stop him grabbing the third slice of prawn toast I noticed.) And then because we are gluttonous piglets we also had the large plate lamb shank massaman curry. Again it was just incredible. Rich and creamy and perfectly balanced. The lamb slid off the bone. I liked the broth so much I could drink it from a cup. There’s no one stand out dish for us, they were all superb. Special shout out to the staff who all seem pretty young, they too were outstanding. Friendly, efficient, not intrusive. Just a...