The Wayfarer — Restaurant in South Island

We chose the Wayfarer because of the reviews, and we have some experience with South American food so expected it to be pretty good.

Atmosphere, a nice we space, with nice decor and lighting. The fire was lit and it felt cosy. The resturant was near empty when we arrived. During post dinner reflections we were a little confused about the seating options offered given the place was empty, and felt a tiny table in a corner against a wall wasn't appropriate when there were plenty of tables available. In hindsight we should have requested a different table. We left with mixed feelings about the experience, and think we were put off by the pretensions air of the waiter/owner - I think he's going for 'exclusive' rather than a down to earth, friendly approach (which would be more in keeping with South American culture).

Service, the front bar staff person was very friendly and welcoming. The waiter/owner was quite attentive but became a little annoying to be honest. There was an air pretentiousness that frankly wasn't warranted and we did notice a look of distaste when my friend placed his glasses on the adjoining table - he did so after being invited to put things on that table if we didn't have room - avoidable if we'd offered a larger table to begin with. I found the waiter standing over us and so close a little imposing and would suggest a 'friendlier' approach with less emphasis on pretension - let the food and menu speak for themselves, I didn't enjoy the explanation about the food when it was served, it was not necessary and came across as just pretentious.

The food: The beef fillet was excellent. The Patagonian Lamb was tasty but was quite chewy - it was cooked under medium rare. The Pata Brava's were nice enough but over-priced for the servicing size. The roast vegetable side was also overpriced for the serving size and lacked seasoning. The olives were nice.

Overall, the food was good but over-priced. Customer service was mixed. Atomsphere good but would not recommend to anyone who struggles with stairs. Been there...

I recently visited The Wayfarer Restaurant in Dunedin with my partner, and we had a wonderful dining experience.

I had the Beef Fillet, which was Argentinian style and served with potatoes grattan, green beans sautéed in garlic, and chimichurri butter. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium-rare, tender and juicy with a delicious charred exterior. I requested a dairy-free option, and the staff were accommodating, happily substituting ingredients to make it suitable. The sides complemented the meat perfectly, making it a satisfying and flavourful dish.

My partner chose the Patagonian Lamb. This Chilean style grilled marinated lamb rump came with mushrooms, grilled onion and capsicum sautéed in a gravy, creamy smashed potatoes, and rustic pebre. The lamb was tender and flavourful, and the accompaniments added a wonderful balance of textures and tastes.

We also enjoyed beautifully crafted cocktails that added a touch of sophistication to our meal. The staff at The Wayfarer were really nice and very friendly. They catered to my food intolerances by informing me about the ingredients in each dish, and they were able to modify the Beef Fillet to be dairy-free, which I greatly appreciated.

The ambiance of The Wayfarer Restaurant is warm and inviting. Both the Beef Fillet and Patagonian Lamb were outstanding, and the service was excellent. Whether you're a local or just visiting Dunedin, I highly recommend dining at The Wayfarer for a...

Mark and Fernanda made a tailored experience for me and my partner. We have tried most restaurants in Dunedin. But the Wayfarer is by far the best! The atmosphere and design of the restaurant is warm, modern but yet retro, with excellent South American music. Creates an authentic atmosphere. Mark has a lot of experience with making his cocktails, very balanced and flavourful. Well worth the price compared to other bars. Fernanda and Mark gave great recommendations for the South American food that we would like, and they delivered. Best South American food I have had! very authentic, well presented, flavoured, and excellent sized portions. Best food we have had in Dunedin. Their chef is amazing really knows how to cook South American food. Will definitely be back for more soon. The service was above and beyond, from Mark and Fernanda very genuine, generous and kind. They show a lot of hospitality, taking time to introduce themselves, and we enjoyed hearing their story. They also take a genuine interest and care into us, their customers. Even staying after hours to serve us due to a booking error. Me and my partner left with a warm feeling after an excellent meal, which we have not experienced in along time. I wish this establishment nothing but the best and hope their business takes off, as they are only 15 months old, please come support local and dine here! You will not be...