The Rocks Cafe & Shop 5
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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.
The Rocks Cafe & Shop 5
Review
About
Discover Southland’s Premier Dining Experience – The Rocks Cafe & Shop 5 Looking for a memorable meal in Southland? Whether you’re a local or a traveler exploring the region, The Rocks Cafe & Shop 5 offer an exceptional dining experience that will leave a lasting impression. A Menu to Savor – Indulge in expertly crafted dishes featuring succulent steaks, fresh seafood, tender chicken, premium pork, rich venison, and mouthwatering lamb. ✨ An Experience Beyond Food – We believe dining is an art, blending delicious flavors, warm hospitality, and a cozy atmosphere to create the perfect meal. A Must-Visit in Southland – Whether you’re after a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a well-deserved treat after a day of exploring, this is where great food and unforgettable moments come together. ⭐ Highly rated by food lovers and travelers alike! Book your table today and experience the best of Southland dining!
Features
CUISINES
European, New Zealand
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Private Dining
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Street Parking
Menu
Is this restaurant good for brunch?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 10:00 AM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday
11:00 am - 2:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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4.6
439 reviews
Excellent
302
Good
105
Average
14
Poor
10
Terrible
8
Brian T
Nambucca Heads485 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
The chef really knew all about flavours and we enjoyed the best creamy seafood chowder we'd ever eaten. The other thing which impressed is that delicate items like prawns had NOT been overcooked. That type of delicate touch and understanding is rarely encountered but very much appreciated. In addition to the food, the two female servers were outstanding in their efforts to please on every level. We were tired after a long drive and didn't stay long. However, we have already booked a table for a return visit several days hence. And by the way, we thought the menu prices were very reasonable and represented good value.
Written 27 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.
Clare F
Christchurch98 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
This is a fantastic place to eat. The food was delicious with good gluten free options for one of our party. The venison was beautifully done- not overcooked and so was the steak. Service was good. They were very busy as was just before Christmas so a few large parties which made it a bit noisy, however, our meals were prompt. Would recommend.
Written 9 January 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.
Colourqueen
Melbourne333 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
I’ll just come out and say it…2 weeks into our NZ trip and we have eaten very well, but this restaurant was the standout best so far.
Lovely setting and when we arrived it was almost full, and they mostly looked like they were local people, rather than tourists (like us) so that’s a great sign.
We were promptly greeted and seated and had the specials of the day explained to us.
Our waitress, Lisa was very knowledgeable of the menu and helpful.
Good drinks list and an extensive food menu.
I had the fish of the day, Hoki, and it was absolutely delicious.
Hubby had steak with a mushroom sauce and he says it’s got to be the best steak he had had in five years. Now that’s saying something for him.
We don’t usually order dessert but as the food we had so far was so delicious we just had to try the dessert of the day and it did not disappoint. An apple, apricot and chocolate crumble.
All the staff that we had interactions with were helpful and friendly, I just can’t fault this restaurant.
Do visit when you are in Invercargill, you won’t regret it..
Written 11 March 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.
Sandra K
Sydney14 contributions
Jun 2023 • family
I had my 60th birthday in the private dining room and it was perfect. Sweta and the team couldn't have been more accommodating, and other than a small mix-up with the set menu, the food and the ambience were just what I was looking for. The food was also outstanding - my seafood chowder was probably the best I've had, and my steak was cooked to perfection and oh so tender. My husband's pork loin was also top notch. Totally recommend for a private function, warm and welcoming, a great size for a small to medium sized gathering.
Written 16 June 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.
Sweta James
Pleasure having you and your lovely family. Highly appreciated your response and time with kind words of appreciation 🙏
See you again whenever visiting Inver's again.😊😊
Written 23 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TonyfromLondon987
11 contributions
Apr 2022 • family
Don’t complain if your food takes a while to arrive. You’ll be told how many minutes ago they took your order, won’t apologise and will offer you the choice of leaving the restaurant or waiting for your food.
Incredibly rude.
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.
Helena
7 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
I organized a lunch for a Family birthday party at the Rocks from Wellington. The experience in organizing was streamlined, simple and each with emails. Sweta was lovely to deal with. I booked function room. The team dealt with the changing numbers with grace even after the deadline. We really appreciate the effort. In the end 15 people had lunch and enjoyed each others company. 4 generations were present.
The food was lovely as was the service.
Definitely Recommend.
There was some confusion as to whom was the birthday person (we were celebrating so many) reason became clear when a special dessert was presented.
Written 17 December 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.
Joanne P
Bowral768 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Loved the food and the service. Casual atmosphere in a small arcade.
Our meals were delicious and just the right serving size. Pork belly and slow cooked lamb were both tender and so tasty. The glaze on the pork was a bit too much, that’s the only complaint. Both meals came with great salad/ veggies. Nice wine choice.
Highly recommended for great food in a cool casual environment.
Written 15 November 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.
maryannl461
Mana30 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
The food was good, it was hot, fresh and cooked just as requested. What really made it an outstanding and memorable experience for us though was the service provided by Maddie. Maddie was a treat! Not only friendly but she really made us feel welcome, she had the perfect level of attentiveness and we were just blown way by her professionalism. I really hope the owner appreciates her because she really was the perfect server.
If you like a good steak this restaurant is certainly a cut above Buster Crabb.
Written 17 November 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.
Lisa S
28 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
Super friendly & attentive service, lovely ladies.We eat out alot & the service here by far is the best we have had in a long while.
The music was really good.
Food was so tasty full off flavour. My Ribeye steak with blue cheese was cooked to perfection, awesome chef. My husband's Pork Loin was the same. Meals presented well, generous amounts, enjoyed it so much I ate more than I should off. Exactly the same with the desserts, all round highly recommend 💯
Written 24 August 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.
Sweta James
Wow! Thank you so much for your amazing review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic experience with us. Our team takes great pride in providing top-notch service, flavorful meals, and a welcoming atmosphere, so it’s wonderful to know we made such a positive impression.
We’ll pass on your kind words to our chef—perfectly cooked Ribeye with blue cheese and tender Pork Loin is exactly what we aim for! And we love that you enjoyed our desserts just as much.
Your recommendation means the world to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another delicious meal. See you again soon!
The Rocks Cafe & Shop 5 Team!
Written 26 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christchurch79
17 contributions
Feb 2022 • friends
We recently had a work gathering here. There were around table 12 of us. We found there was very little attention by the wait staff, regarding asking if we would like another drink or upselling such as dessert menus. I ordered the pork loin. It was so tough and dry, I could barely cut through most of it. The tiny piece of crackle was not crackled and was not crunchy, I couldn't even chew it. I paid 38 dollars for this meal and feel very let down. I went home hungry.
I definitely would not return again.
Written 3 February 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.
John D
Nelson-Tasman Region182 contributions
Jun 2021 • friends
What a great night we had with friends. Amazing food and excellent service. Ordered our bluff oysters before we went just in case they ran out because of the Oyster festival and bad weather. Lucky we did. Oysters 4 ways and loved every mouth full! The owner came over to chat...what a nice guy. The waitress was amazing with an awesome sence of humour and deserved the tip we left! After being out of the country so long and the travel bubble open it was great to visit home again. The evening was on of the highlights of our two weeks...the Porter beer wasn't bad either!
Written 11 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.
Omerbane
4 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
I absolutely love this restaurant and try to go as often as possible. The staff are so welcoming and nothing is too much trouble.
As to the food, it is amazing and it is great to have a restaurant where there are so many wonderful choices to select from. This make a pleasant change from other places having very small and restricted menus. Part of the dining experience is decided what to order.
The Rocks have the best steaks that I have ever eaten and I would never risk ordering a steak anywhere else as I know that I would be very disappointed.
Many thanks to the staff for the delicious meals that I have had over the last year, Keep up the good work.
Written 5 December 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.
Jennings
Invercargill3 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
Highly recommend The Rocks Cafe the girls serving were great very friendly and accommodating. The food was on point. We had the Rummage Board Seafood Chowder and rib-eye steak. We did NOT walk away disappointed at all. Great value for money.
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.
Travelholic8
52 contributions
May 2021 • none
Sure hope the food is better than my experience trying to make a dinner reservation. I had repeatedly tried using the website's online booking system via my mobile phone but it just wouldn't progress my request. My husband had the same issue. So I gave up and rang. I thought I'd mention that there might be a glitch on the website and I was expecting a response something along the lines of ..."Thanks, I'll look into it". Instead I was informed that he had been in business for over 13 years, had never had that problem before and there was nothing wrong with the online booking system. I was flabbergasted at his most unpleasant and accusatory tone of voice. He sure wont be getting my custom any time soon.
Written 18 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.
Tony C
Every account has two sides to it!.
When you answer your phone every hour of the day to provide a good service to your clientel, you'd expect that the potiental customer would take the time to listen to you.
My version and understanding was that what i had explained to her on her inital complaint about not being able to book online on our website, that I had been recieving and responding to three other emails that afternoon. This was not a satisfactory answer for the customer who was clearly frustrated and when I told her we were fully booked I believe it added more fuel to the fire to her situation. It's hard to be accomadating when you try to defend your good reputation. That's my take!
Written 21 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Grant N
Hastings1508 contributions
Mar 2024 • family
Called in for dinner on our first night in Invercargill. Found it by just wandering around and following a recommendation by a local we talked to. Nice friendly service, happy to chat briefly while keeping service up elsewhere, and also pleased to recommend items. I had a Caesar Salad and it was absolutely one of the best I've ever had - thanks for the recommendation by our server. Had a bottle of wine between us which was also good and generally spent a happy time there. Would go back if in the area again - recommend
Written 14 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.
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