Ambrosia Restaurant & Bar
+64 7-348 3985+ Add websiteWrite a ReviewImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
9:00 am - 11:00 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 11:00 pm
Sat
9:00 am - 11:00 pm
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Italian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Is this restaurant good for bar scene?
Details
About
Ambrosia, with it’s beautiful traditional interior, was the first licensed restaurant in Rotorua since 1954. The superb setting offers a choice of dining either indoors or outdoors. The spacious indoor area with its vibrant décor, and richly polished wooden floors, or the large outdoor area, creates an ideal setting for enjoying breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, meeting friends for coffee or a having a few drinks and tapas after work. Whether you are after smart casual dinning or just a few drinks from our funked up caravan, Ambrosia is the place to meet. Fridays we have happy hour from 5pm to 7pm with discounted drinks and cocktails. We also have an early bird 3 COURSE SPECIAL for only $29.90 available 7 days a week from 5-7pm. With our large indoor to outdoor flow Ambrosia is perfect for functions, such as celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, work functions or weddings, and can seat 110 comfortably inside. After all we are the home to the hungry and thirsty since 1954!!!
PRICE RANGE
$10.00 – $39.00
CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Gift Cards Available
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3.5
724 reviews
Excellent
265
Very good
198
Average
118
Poor
68
Terrible
75
Liv
Wellington226 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
My husband, daughter and I went for a wander around Eat Street looking for somewhere to have dinner.
We were attracted to this restaurant due to the early bird special of three courses for $30.
We had very low expectations and were pleasantly suprised. The service was excellent. The waiter was very open about a quiz night happening in one half of the restaurant.
The choice was fantastic. I had the surf and turf for my main and my husband had a delicious lamb dish.
Our three year old daughter just wanted soup from the kids menu.
The quiz wasn't loud and provided a bit of entertainment during our dinner.
There was not a huge craft beer selection but my husband managed to find something on tap.
If you are wanting a tasty dinner at a good price which is family friendly then definitely head here.
Written 4 August 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.
kathy385
Auckland10 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Ambrosia was recommended to us and as we had had a booking at The Redwoods night tree walk so needed to eat earlier. We were amazed with what we received on the early bird menu. This is a 3 course menu for 29.00 per person between 5.30 - 7 pm. We had soup, steak for the main (which was very good and much bigger than expected) and a very generous pudding. Far more than what we would usually eat. We were so full afterwards. If you are a big eater, this is for you. Overall, pretty great food for the price. We were there on quiz night,so drinks service was a bit slow and the place a little noisy, but the manager did warn us when we booked, so we were fine with that.
Written 27 August 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.
Grumpybrother
Hong Kong592 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
There area many restaurants in this little strip so a lot to choose from. Went here because they offered a good set dinner menu. The breads and dips were really good as a starter and the mains were also really tasty.
It was a night of terrible weather so we were grateful for the opportunity to sit inside away from the wind. For value for money this is a place to go although the menu is not overly large.
Written 12 January 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.
VSM99
Auckland Central37 contributions
Nov 2020 • friends
This was not our first choice at Eat Street but we didn’t realise that dogs were not allowed in most places and thankfully the staff at Ambrosia allowed us in their outdoor seating with our dog. The staff were super friendly and the service was great! However, we were so pleasantly surprised with the food. We hesitantly ordered the 3 course set menu as had no energy to choose from their menu. Between us we had the Lamb and Gnocchi. The lamb was succulent and Gnocchi was pretty decent too. But the dessert was mind blowing. Really enjoyed our meal!
Written 29 November 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.
Peter3152
Auckland353 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
We decided to give it a try...no real reason or recommendation....just fancied the menu. We were not disappointed. Welcomed at the door, a pleasant ambiance pervaded throughout the restaurant and throughout the evening. All guests were given good attention and, it appeared, good service.
We tried the 3 course special, which at $30 was good value, with a nice choice of main. My wife had lamb and I tried surf and turf. A slight error in the order resulted in an unsolicited apology from George. Service was good and presentation of hot tasty food was prompt.
The soup was excellent, well seasoned but not too salty, the lamb was tender and well cooked and my main course was also very good. The dessert was well presented and tasty.
Staff here are trying hard to please, seem to work well as a team and have created a most pleasant informal and friendly restaurant to which I will gladly return.
Thanks guys
Written 29 July 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.
cbovey
23 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Long wait for service, we were a booked group of 11 and after all had arrived we ended up giving up waiting and going to the bar ourselves to order drinks and also asked for a carafe of water but were told no, you need to ask the wait staff for that (what wait staff?). Food was ok but very small portions. And out of 11 people everyone said it was ok. At $36 a plate price point would've expected better than ok.
Written 27 June 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.
Richard A
Rotorua114 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
Two of us for lunch today, we shared the $21 Hot Tasters Platter between us, which had
BBQ Chicken Kings, Pepper Squid & Pork Belly Spring Rolls, with a dipping sauce, and we also had the small ($11) Loaded potato sidewinders (yes we has to ask too!) which came with a gorgeous cheese sauce, chipotle & sour cream.
So filling we could not finish it, and great favours, especially the sidewinder chips, spring rolls and spicy chicken wings.
Great and friendly service too. Highly recommended.
Written 7 April 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.
Ah62
Rotorua658 contributions
Nov 2022 • friends
My first visit to this restaurant, and my last. Attrocious. The service was incredibly slow. We went in early so some of our group could have the early bird menu but we didn’t get our mains until after 8pm. The food was cold and our mains came at different times. Some had finished eating before our last person received his course. I ordered fish from the menu and was served a cold,congealed mass of white that I couldn’t even recognise the ingredients. I know there is a staff shortage but bookings should be managed to stagger arrivals and they need to be better trained.
Written 17 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.
Tracey P
2 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
On ordering bar snacks and questioning half an hour later where our order was a very uninterested staff member advised given we didnt put our hand up to let them know it was ours they gave our prepaid meal away. interestingly the staff were eating snacks which looked like our order. Meal refunded but apparently our fault we didn't get our food. Shocking.bar girl needs a personality injection and customer service training. As long term loyal customers totally blown away at the attitude of the new bar staff
Wrong choice ambrosia. In these struggling times keep your loyal customers as we are supporting your business and dont need to be treated like that. Speechless and will move on to other business that welcome customers rather than treating us like dirt with abrupt and rude treatment. Very disappointed.
Written 13 February 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.
TimTJen
10 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
Went there to celebrate our wedding anniversary and we were very impressed with the standard of the meal and the friendly efficient service. The slow-cooked lamb main was extremely tender, juicy and well presented with a kumera and coriander mash. The few vegetables were steamed but not overdone.
I’d go again just for that lamb. The 3-course $30 meal was generous but just enough to be able to leave satisfied without feeling like we’d eaten too much. And the ambrosia dessert as presented in a cool toffee basket. Your!
Written 15 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.
Tooshae
3 contributions
Jan 2023 • family
First time dinning down eat street @ the Ambrosia 5 $30 3 course meals and 2 children’s meals. Food was lovely well portioned we were worried that we would be stopping In to McDonald’s on our way home but we left will full puku. The restaurant would have scored an 8/10 however one negative was the time taken between entree and main took about 45minutes we were hungry by then😊 so they get a 6/10
Written 18 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.
JElliot32
New South Wales3972 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
We were tempted by the offer of a 3-course dinner special for $30, so gave Ambrosia a try. It was a good decision as the food was excellent - and very good value. We had the soup (tomato) and arancini balls for entree, both of us had the Canterbury lamp rump for our main and then their delectably sweet 'Ambrosia' concoction for dessert. Everything was great, with not a skerrick left on our plates. Service was good, with prompt delivery of meals and attentive to any drinks needs we might have.
Written 9 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.
NZVICKI
Thames147 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
Visited this Restarant last week and couldn’t fault a thing.
Both service , Margarita’s and food were all outstanding Thankyou Sesoni.
Started with prawn taco’s and then shared the Special which was a 3 course meal for $30.
Unbelievable choices and presented beautifully.
My partner said was the best Lamb he had eaten.
Lamb koftas to begin and a beautiful dessert.
Cant wait to return.
Written 26 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.
David
Denver8 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We did the set dinner for $29 each. For mains we had the lamb and the surf and turf. The lamp was cooked perfectly and excellently seasoned. The steak was tender and also well seasoned. The “surf” portion was the only part of the meal that disappointed, with just a few small prawns. Dessert was the namesake ambrosia, which was delicious. One of the cheaper meals we’ve had in NZ and far and away one of the best.
Written 21 January 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.
Sue B
Weybridge118 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
The service was terrible. We had to prompt to order and then waited for over 45 minutes for our first course to arrive. This was after asking twice if there was a problem. There seemed to be no obvious manager in charge and the serving staff were very disorganised. Other people were also waiting a long time and others being turned away. When the main course eventually came I had to send my lamb back, it was not just pink it was not cooked at all. The waitress then tried to tell me this was how it came but I had to more than once tell her it was raw and I couldn’t eat it. She reluctantly took it back to the kitchen, I have never sent food back before. After my husband had finished his meal and after another prompting my meal came back. It was cooked then but I had rather lost my appetite by then. Other tables were also returning food not cooked properly and complaining. It was a very disappointing time and we left, having spent nearly 2 hours there. Our drinks were not charged to the bill. I wish we had left earlier, would never return.
Written 19 February 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.
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