SODA — Restaurant in South Island

Made a last minute booking for Saturday evening last weekend and was pleased to see there was plenty of availability. We booked for 7:15 for 4 pax and made a request for one of the window tables which really highlight the amazing spot and views that the restaurant sits on and is able to capture. We did however arrive 15mins late and were told that this was going to be fine, we arrived just before 7:30pm.

We all ordered separate drinks and cocktails relatively quickly (the butterscotch espresso martini A+) and the service at this point of the evening was fast, attentive and engaging, the restaurant manager took the time to come over to the table to talk with us. I placed our full order of tapas, entrees to come out first and mains to come out once the (Seafood Paella) was ready - Both the Vege and Seafood Paella can take up to 45mins, so ordering early in the piece can save the issue of sitting there waiting for it to be cooked, post entrees.

Buffalo Curd and Pepita Salsa - Would suggest the Mozzarella instead Prawns al Ajillo - Duck Parfait - super light and fluffy, not your typical

Bread Tostadas

Banana Prawns - Over cooked compared to those in the Paella and Tapas Prawns Ceviche - Super Fresh Calamari -

Seafood Paella - Highlight of the Menu, definitely recommend Scotch - Bravas - Broccolini - would suggest getting a double portion if more than 2-3

All of our tapas and entrees came out in quick succession together as requested with bread and tostadas. At this point the level of service took a turn as other tables around us were finishing up their meals. Trying to flag down a member of staff for a further round of drinks felt impossible without almost having to stand up and walk to the bar. Nearing the end of the tapas and entrees although not completed, another staff member came to the table with the main meals which she was met with a table still full of plates, serving platters and empty glassware, to which she appeared to want us to make room on a table without any room. The table was eventually cleared and reset whilst our meals continued to get cold. At this point we took the time to ask for further drinks. We finished drinks and our mains. the food was amazing as many others have said.

Upon leaving, I highlighted to the receptionist the issues with service and was impolitely, condescendingly and unapologetically told "were just really busy tonight", as someone with almost 15 years of experience in hospitality i found that not only rude but also incredibly out of touch and unprofessional for someone whose role it is to be the last memory diners have of their experience as they leave your establishment, especially when your paying $150 + per person

The space is amazing, the food is right up there. What really let down our experience was the service. Soda, but mostly its staff would benefit greatly from implementing some training around service flows and customer engagement to really elevate an all round amazing experience that was let down by poorly...

We had seen Soda on our search for meals for a trip and were excited to go there. Our first night we had a terrible meal somewhere else and felt nervous of our finds so when walking past saw a young couple eating outside Soda and asked. The guy said "insane" and "sensational" for the drinks and starter that had come so far. We stuck to our plan and went the following evening after a beautiful day at the Doubtful Sounds. The friendly guy on the desk did not care we were not dressed up, and had not booking, he was so polite and accomodating. Debra was an incredible waitress as I was tired and asked for a recommendation on a mocktail, it was the best I've ever had. The bread came out and we saw on a nearby table they had amazing looking hummus so we quickly added that and it was brought so quickly so we could enjoy it with warm bread. The ceviche was incredible, the perfect balance of all flavours. The paella with all its seafood was scrumptious and so enjoyable so the lamb we couldn't have turned out to be a good thing. Grateful for their clear communication on the lamb and their patience as we looked at the menu again and came up with the plan we did. The place was full, staff friendly, music spot on, bathrooms very clean, service exceptional, food was indeed insane and sensational so the young guy was not wrong there. I couldn't recommend this place more if you are into great food full of taste, perfectly balance flavours...

Worst dining experience in Queenstown ever!! We dined at Soda last Saturday. We arrived at 7.30pm and my meal was put in front of me at 9.44pm! We were 1 minute away from walking out! Half of our group ordered a set menu and they received their entree and 6 of their main meals before the rest of us even saw ours! If this is how it works when half a table orders a set menu then we should have been informed of this at the start, and we should have been given the option of having our meals sooner. Our friends wouldn't have ordered the set menu if they had known the rest of us would have to wait 2 hours to eat! Very poor communication. Also very poor drinks service. We were offered drinks only a few times in the 3 hours we were there. Sometimes only half the table were offered. We all had to go up to the bar to get our drinks more than once. On complaining to the waitress about the disgustingly long wait for our meals she argued back saying that she had told us there would be a wait....which was a lie, she didn't. In terms of the food it was mostly ok however my partners $47 lamb rump was barely edible. Cooked too rare and was very gristly. Not good enough when paying high prices like that. We never received an apology from anyone in regards to our poor service, lack of communication, and awful dining experience. I can't speak for the rest of our large table but my partner and I will not be...