Thatcher & Small — Restaurant in South Island

Went into this restaurant based on the good reviews and a recommendation from my B&B host. It seemed well busy for a Monday night. Positives first: we were greeted in a friendly way, given a table, set up with menu and given a bottle of water swiftly. Our order for drinks was taken fairly swiftly, too. The wine was very good, as was the beer. The risotto was v nice and the portion was the right size. However, when ordering my partner asked if, instead of chips with her chicken, she could have a salad. She was told this would incur a charge (so she had the chips). The items lower on the menu were all offered with choice of chips or salad. This seemed a mean response to a simple request, and was not a good look on an evening when the place was full and doing good trade. After we had our mains there was then a long gap and no-one came to offer desserts. We decided not to wait and asked for a bill, to be told rather shortly to pay at the bar. The person who sorted the bill couldn't readily identify the right table, but provided a bill. (It was only afterward that I noticed I had been charged for one correct and one incorrect main, and not for drinks - to the restaurant's detriment.) As we left at 7.45 one of the staff was saying to 2 people just arriving/asking for a table 'we're going to be closing soon' on a night advertised as open till 10!). I have made this a longer review to try and be constructive, because it was apparent the staff were not managing (I noticed other customers were not being attended-to) and they looked to need oversight and training; the place can't sustain itself if it can't charge customers the right amount for their meals. A simple sy stem of having a number on each table would go some way to sort it. The food was fine and the atmosphere was good, but I wouldn't be giving a more...

We had dinner at Thatcher & Small on Easter Sunday and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. We’d made a reservation ahead of time (highly recommend doing so – it’s a popular spot!) and everything was smooth and well-organised when we arrived.

The menu is wide-ranging with something for every appetite – from smaller bites to hearty mains – and the drinks list was just as impressive. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made sure we were well looked after without ever rushing us. Our food came out in great time, and the portions were generous too. They gave us just the right amount of time between courses, which made for a really relaxed and enjoyable evening.

The garlic bread was absolutely delicious, and the steak was cooked perfectly – both are must-tries! There’s also a fully heated outdoor area which makes it a great option for larger groups no matter the weather.

All in all, a great spot for a special meal out – we’d definitely...

The young service team at Thatcher & Small was absolutely outstanding – attentive, quick, helpful, and incredibly friendly. As a guest, we felt genuinely well taken care of. The restaurant has a great location and is stylishly decorated, offering both indoor and outdoor seating options.

The food was delicious, though we felt the vegetables on the flatbread could have been a bit more generous. We opted for a selection of starters to share, giving us the chance to try as many dishes as possible. For two people, we’d recommend ordering at least four starters to feel truly satisfied.

The squid, unfortunately, was slightly overcooked and therefore quite tough. While the flavor was good, the texture could definitely be improved.

The highlight of the evening was the dessert. The macadamia cookie with white chocolate was absolutely divine and is a must-try!

Thank you for such a wonderful experience – we highly recommend...