Restaurant Sasa — Restaurant in South Island

This has to be hands down one of our favorite restaurants in Blenheim. It's tucked away inside a hotel, I think one thing I'd suggest is maybe some nice music playing during dinner and some candles or mood lighting, but apart from that, it's absolutely incredible. The food is outstanding, it's a Japanese Asian style and each dish we've ever had there is memorable. The entrées are our fav, from the tasty housemade Gyozas to the succulent Karaage nibbles with their spicy honey mayo dip to the Squid Chilli Crunch with chilli and coriander to the melt in your mouth Buta Kakuni which comes with a silky, sweet broth....omg you just got to try these for yourself because they are insanely delicious. They have amazing mains as well. You have to try Miso teriyaki crispy chicken. Their menu has a perfect selection and also has an incredible menu for those who are gluten-free, which is awesome. Great drink selections, too. Total compliments to the amazing chef, keep doing what you do....Blenheim has a real treasure in this cute restaurant. The staff are always lovely and friendly, the food is quick to the table. It's a buzzing little restaurant, so make sure you book a table in advance. Plenty of parking as well. We would 100% recommend Sasa Restaurant to anyone living in Blenheim or visiting you will not be...

Nestled in a quirky hotel in Blenheim, Restaurant Sasa is like stumbling upon a hidden gem in a treasure hunt. The hospitality here is not just good; it's as comforting as a warm hug on a chilly day, striking a perfect balance between attentiveness and letting you savor your meal in peace.

If this restaurant were a character in a story, it would be the gracious host who effortlessly charms you with their witty banter and genuine smile. Even when a dish fell short of expectations, they rectified it with the grace of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat—no hesitation, just a commitment to making things right.

Now, let's talk location. While some might overlook its off-the-beaten-path setting, I couldn't help but feel that Restaurant Sasa would shine even brighter if it were on the main drag. But hey, maybe its quirky spot adds to the allure, like finding a rare seashell washed up on a secluded beach.

As for the food, it's like a culinary journey that's not quite Michelin-starred but still manages to transport you to the heart of Japan. While it may not be the absolute best Japanese cuisine I've ever had, it certainly scratches that nostalgic itch, especially in small town...

We had high expectations of this place based on the reviews as we both love this type of cuisine and eat it regularly in the UK. It's an odd restaurant - attached to the swimming pool area of a hotel and lacking much character. Busy though for a Thursday night so we were lucky to get a seat. None of the sakes on the tasting board really jumped out, and the waitress wasn't great at explaining them. We shared the pork gyozas, aubergine and tofu dish, spicy squid and salmon and avocado rolls. All of it tasted fine but none of it was memorable. The rolls were also made with super tough seaweed paper so it was really hard to bite through and they were too chewy. They have detailed gluten free menu though which is nice. At the end we were asked to tip which took us by surprise as our understanding in NZ is that you don't tip. We ended up paying something which I regret as the service was...