Local Queenstown — Restaurant in South Island

Our first time in Queenstown and after half a day of exploring the Skyline activities and walks on a 'brisk' but clear and lovely day we were looking for some satisfying food to warm us up before heading back to our hotel for the night. While checking out many of the establishments around the mall and surrounding streets we decided that Surreal had what we were looking for. Having a vegetarian in our party is always a little tricky to find something to satisfy all concerned in the one place. Most establishements don't even try.

Surreal had a good variety of food on their menu and was not as expensive as many others in town. The staff were attentive and professional right from the start. Kyle greeted us when we chose our table and made us feel very welcome. We made an unusual drink request (an iced coffee) and he was very happy to accommodate. We noticed the bar staff discussing perhaps how it should be made :) But there was no excuses offered, nor did they decline to give it a go. And I have to say; it was the best iced coffee I've had in the week we have been travelling around New Zealand. Surreal should consider adding it to their drinks menu :)

The Garlic bread was a very generous portion - a whole mini-loaf! Apparently made on site and with a twist: 'half and half' wholemeal and white! We were stunned! Not only at the size but at how unique it was. First plate of food on the table and we were blown away - and that was just the entrée! Fresh, crisp and fantastic. Loved it!

As we couldn't possibly finish off the whole garlic bread, the staff were prompt with asking if we would like our mains brought out. We were really being 'waited on' in the true sense of the term.

The meals were just lovely. The vegetarian dish was awesome - very tasty. Kyle swung by just to top up our water and the staff as a whole continued to be attentive without being pushy or impersonal. They made a typical holiday activity a really enjoyable and memorable experience.

We would give six stars if that...

I have never had such a poor dining experience than our dinner here. Our group of 10 was seated, not approached at all about orders so we got up after 20 minutes to ask a bartender to take the order, and then waiter over 1.5 hours for the food to be served. 2 of the drinks we ordered took an hour to be acknowledged, after the hour was up the girls went to tell them cancell the cocktails where a worker lied they were already made - 10 minutes later they came up and asked us do we still want to cancel as they aren’t made yet. Terrible service from the workers. When we went to find where the food was, the workers had no sense of urgency till the Manager came along. They said food will be ready in 5 mins which led to 10. When it arrived, the prawns were bland, charred, burnt, and the tacos litteraly fell from our hands from the old soggy shells sitting to long in the juices. They could have been sitting pre-made for an hour for all we know. To top it all off they wee ice cold and inedible. Such a terrible experience will not be returning, thankfully we were given compensation with the bill but honestly time is money and we lost roughly 2 hours that night and walked out cold hungry and angry. Not to mention a total of 3 tables were eating this night - not like there was any busy kitchen rush. Do...

We got off the airplane and came to this restaurant. My dad closed his eye while sitting on the couch near the window . A waiter came by and told him he can not sleep on the couch because the police would think he was drunk. I called the waiter to me and asked him why, he repetitively said it is the law. Law law. I head NZ has the most friendly people around world. I hope this is just a bad apple. Food is not bad. But the way they treat tourists is not what I expected after travel to quite a few places around the world. The funny part was we met the same waiter in another restaurant at night. He immediately recognized me and apologized sincerely!! He informed me it was the restaurant told him to do what he did and he did not think it was right. We laughed together and had a great meal with his...