Criterion Hotel Bar & Eatery — Restaurant in South Island

This review is for the previous incarnation of the Criterion Hotel that closed in January 2022. I will update this review when I have revisited it - now it's reopened as of mid September 2022. I have left this review up in the meantime as I am sure the current owners will be just as good as it was under Herbert & Marrisse. Note the new owners run 1861 which I've reviewed as well so check out that review if you want an idea of what may be in store for "The Cri" under their management.

One of the original Oamaru Victorian era pub and accommodation establishments. Now run by locals Herbert and Marisse. Once again it looks like it's a true to form Victorian pub. Guest ales are on tap plus the usual selection found everywhere. The food is above average pub fare with more than a nod to the old favorites from Victorian (and more recent) times, also appear. Queen Victoria may not have ever eaten here. But she would approve it I am sure, as a suitable venue for all her British Subjects who visit or occupy these "far...

The food was over priced and nothing really on the menu for allergies or children. My partner and I shared the NZ Oyster lamb shoulder. It was supposed to be served with mint jelly, we never received it. The vegetables came out cold the lamb meat was perfectly cooked however it was covered in a blan powdery gravey, that had no taste. It was not worth $89. The bar tender/waiter was dressed in an addidas t-shirt and blk tracksuit pant and smelt of bad Body Odour. The alcohol was overpriced, one shot of Baileys on ice was $13.50.

The accommodation was poor with little to no heating and the room was lacking power points. The queen bed barely fit in the room. It had an electric blanket on it, but no power point to plug it in. No tea or coffee either.

All round I would not recommend staying, it was a...

I came to Oamaru for a night due to business. All the venues that I had been to during the day were underwhelming, either really poor customer service, I swear I must have been either invisible or a large sign attached saying "please do not acknowledge the presence of this being".

Not this gem. The young lass at the bar was fantastic, attentive and extremely professional.

The food was fantastic, and unlike alot of place that do that con, where they only give you the dish and expect you to order sides (I really despise that predatory behaviour). This place has the lot on one plate, one price and decent too!

The Sunderland lady, I think she may have been the manager/owner. Top dollar, lovely lady!

It's a good feed,...