Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar
Review
About
Great food from land and sea – come on in and enjoy our seaside restaurant and bar right on the wharf at Mapua. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, come in and enjoy some great food and service with million dollar views in paradise. Enjoy the beautiful Mapua Wharf.
Features
CUISINES
Grill, New Zealand, Central European
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Beach
Dog Friendly
Free off-street parking
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Non-smoking restaurants
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Waterfront
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available
Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
Sunday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Contribute
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4.4
840 reviews
Excellent
494
Very good
227
Average
73
Poor
30
Terrible
16
rhrpink
Greater Wellington16 contributions
Aug 2024 • friends
We had a great night out at The Jellyfish to celebrate a big 0 birthday. A fire made the restaurant warm and cosy. The manager was super helpful in designing a set menu for our larger group (with a range of dietary requirements) and the service was good on the night. Everyone said how much they really loved the food. Everything was fresh, tasty and delicious.
Written 1 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ELF
9 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
On a cold winter's night Jellyfish Restaurant was warm and inviting. The host took time to explain the menu, service was prompt and the food delicious. It was great to see so many guests enjoying the restaurant, giving the evening an upbeat vibe.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emmajanen
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
Arrived at the Jellyfish at 4pm for sundowners with my family. Blown away by the setting and chilled atmosphere. Served by a lovely lady called Macarena who took time to chat to us about our holiday in NZ. We enjoyed a fabulous meal and even the chef Dan popped out to discuss one of my family’s dietary requirements. Worth a visit if you’re in the area. Attention to detail was excellent
Written 26 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
krisnz
67 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
Service was very slow which we didn’t complain about as they said kitchen was busy . This restaurant is primarily seafood so I thought I would try the chowder. Very disappointed as it lacked taste and seemed to be filled with cabbage slices??? Very little seafood so can only imagine the cabbage was there to bulk it up. Contained 2 baby mussels, 2 prawns and a tiny amount of fish. Mostly carrot, celery and cabbage. For $32 a bowl it is at the upper price end for chowder so definitely would not recommend. This rating is based purely on overpriced poor food.
Written 1 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie Harry
Christchurch4 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
We stopped by here for a quick dinner, celebrating a birthday. The waiter didn't know the menu and wasn't too interested in finding out answers to our questions. He also forgot to order one of our parties' drinks, and had to be reminded - no apology from him. The manager (female) was unwelcoming and brusque, and yelled at our table from the bar when one of our group let an underage person sip her aperol spritz - that person just shouldn't be in hospitality. With the cost of dining out becoming prohibitive, we won't be going back there again.
Written 9 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie O
Whangamata2 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
Was unsure whether to come here after seeing the mixed online reviews and initially reading through the menu it seemed a strange mixture of options!
BUT my husband and I visited Jellyfish last night for dinner while visiting Nelson and am sooo glad we did!
The service was super friendly and helpful. The waitress talked us through the menu and helped us chose a good amount of food.
Between 2 of us we shared the Jalapeños poppers (so good), the Kokoda, the steak Tataki, the prawn dumplings, a pork Bao bun and the coleslaw.
The food was presented beautifully and all tasted so fresh and delicious. We had the perfect amount of food, a yummy cocktail, a beer and wine and the total bill was around $110 so I thought great value for money.
Thanks Jellyfish team!!
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William Patterson
Nelson12 contributions
Mar 2023 • family
A great spot for a high quality meal with incredible views of the estuary. The staff are very helpful, the food really is delicious and the place has a great feel to it. The sizes of the meals are very generous for what you pay and so well presented. It's important to note the meal format is aimed at sharing between two people but you're still able to buy your own. I very highly recommend it if you're looking for great food in beautiful surroundings.
Written 10 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philj
Nelson-Tasman Region21 contributions
Nov 2022 • friends
A lunch with friends, table booked but had to wait 15 mins for it to be sorted, it was very busy.
The lunch/brunch menu is very limited, the dishes are small sharing plates and small is accurate, mine was $22 and I was still hungry.
The bottle of wine ordered from a wellknown local winery came in a bottle with no label? when questioned we were told it was new, it was dreadful.
Obviously lots of “new” teething problems but will not be returning for a while.
Written 4 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveW1963
Christchurch30 contributions
Nov 2022 • friends
We did not know about the recent change of ownership, but dined here with friends just a few days after they opened in Nov 2022.
The menu is set out as a sharing format but the staff guided us on the amount and variety of food.
We had a mixture of vege and meat/fish dishes plus a few wines, coffee etc
What a pleasant surprise, the service was on point with lots of smiles and checks.
Food was excellent, absolutely excellent.
Value for money - ten out of ten.
We will be back !!
Written 1 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vita O
9 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
Our dinner reservation was for 8pm. The restaurant was almost empty. There were 6 people at the next table and 4 people having birthday celebration at another table. We waited for the dinner 40 minutes. We ordered sparkling water which we never received, but would have been charged for it if we didn't mentioned that we didn't get it while paying for the meals. My chicken dinner must have been waiting somewhere for the fish to be done since the chicken was not very hot, but the fish was. I did not bring it to the attention to the waitress since I didn't want to wait another long time for it to get hot.
It is very disappointing since we are locals and would love to come back. Based on the last experience, I think we will wait a while before coming back.
Written 7 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vita O
9 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
Went for dinner. There were 10 people in the whole restaurant and we waited for our meals 42 minutes. We ordered sparkling water that never arrived, but would have been charged for it if we didn't notice it when paying. I do not think I will be back soon again.
Written 24 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris and Mel A
Queenstown3 contributions
Sept 2023 • friends
Love the new renovations and the atmosphere. I never review but I really want the Jellyfish to take these comments on board as would love to return. Sadly the food was a real let down. The squid was chewy. The short ribs was pretty much one rib and fatty with hardly any veg for an expensive price. The curry was flavoursome but dry. Staff were lovely and very attentive.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kiwitraveler92
Nelson-Tasman Region217 contributions
Jun 2020 • family
Great location in Mapua near the waters edge. The place was super busy when we went so the food service was pretty slow. The meals were very generous in size and very well priced for the great quality of the meals. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. We would definitely visit again
Written 13 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elle c
32 contributions
Apr 2023 • friends
We’ve followed the adventures of Jellyfish for a while and, being back in the area, were keen to visit the newly launched restaurant. What a refresh. Yes. The food was perfect. Service was pitch-perfect, friendly and quick. Spotting our mood, our server joined in the fun, refusing to take the order for Bluff oysters (oh joy!) until there was full consensus on the quantities. If only she knew just how apt that was. Anyway. The chowder was wonderfully true to type. There was less fish on the menu than I expected so don’t be afraid to come if fish isn’t your thing. And yes, desserts all round. Glorious spot. Deserves a 10/10
Written 5 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
garry
10 contributions
May 2021 • none
We eat regular at the Jellyfish and normally rave about quality of food and service. Sadly last night was disappointing, my wife and I decided to enjoy a meal out prior to going into hospital. We booked table for7:00pm I ordered chicken to be informed not available. Decided on a fillet steak rare to medium explains I like it cooked more rare. Steak arrived cooked medium. No wait staff visited table to check if happy. Requested a Irish coffee at the completion on meal. Was inform can only have what is on menu.
Written 1 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L8163DFdebbiel
Hi Garry and Maggie
Thanks for taking the time to review us. I am sorry you were let down on your visit. We have identified this issue with the new staff members, and we have reminded all of the team of what is required during our services.
We have been very busy so we have had to employ more staff to work at nights, so this certainly was a training issue.
Please remember that we do appreciate being told at the time, so we can assist you and your meal requirements - Don't hesitate to ask for the manager! Aman is our restaurant manager, she is the person you spoke to when you left and she offered you the discount.
Again thank you for visiting us and we hope you will return again as regular customers like yourselves are valuable to our business.
Regards - Debbie
Written 5 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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