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The Fat Farmer
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
European
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
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4.4
(152)
Excellent
98
Good
32
Average
12
Poor
9
Terrible
1
yycyycyyc
672 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
In Palmerston North, we searched reviews for a restaurant, and luckily found this hidden gem. On a Friday we were fortunate to get a table. We ordered several smaller plates, which were all served when ready, rather than in courses. We had pork steamed buns, cauliflower, wonderful duck pancakes we filled ourselves (like a fajita) and tasty bruschetta. Lovely flavours, well presented by friendly and efficient staff. We didn't really need the sticky data pudding with vanilla ice cream, but it was awfully good!
Written 21 January 2025
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.
GourmandNZ
Budapest55 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
I rang while on the road to see if I could pick up a meal as my friend was too sick to get to a restaurant. The person who answered was sympathetic, encouraging, and helpful. Half an hour l picked up the most amazing meal of slow cooked lamb shoulder, mash, and broccolini with a sticky date pudding. It was absolutely delicious and truly appreciated by my friend.
Written 5 October 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.
KiwiExplorers
Brisbane91 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
We ordered the pork bao buns, roll your own beef pancakes, the fish, flat iron steak and sticky date pudding. Everything was cooked perfectly, presented well and the food arrived in good time. With hindsight I would order a couple of vegetable based sides for balance as although the flavours in the food are delicious we do not eat a lot of salt and found some of them to be very rich (e.g. kewpie sauce on the flat iron steak). Our server Georgia and the front desk staff were great and we will dine here again.
Written 18 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.
TonyFromHackney
Palmerston North122 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Fish of the day, steak, bottle of wine. We sat at a very cramped table, with some drinkers bottom hanging out of her trousers behind me. Very noisy (the bar, not the bottom) .
The food was cooked well, and tasty, but the portions for what we were charged were very small.
I expected more, in every sense of the word. And much less of visible body parts.
Written 7 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.
debsdeane73
New Zealand21 contributions
Jul 2022 • friends
We arrived to Palmerston North @ 6pm after a long road trip , 4 adults just needing a good dinner & a glass of wine- after a quick google check phoned The Fat Farmer . From That second to the minute we left it was absolutely faultless ! A professional young lady pleasantly fitted us in we were greeted offered blankets etc as we had an outside but covered table. The menu was Tapa style , the owner was our waitress she provided the best service we have had in years - drinks arrived quickly even though it was a busy night . The meals /tapas were FABULOUS, the lamb was simply superb melting off the bone .
We cannot thank Grace our waitress & part owner enough for her impeccable but casual relaxed service & good recommendations. Yes it is not cheap however it was worth every cent . A wonderful dinner with great friends. Well done to the Fat Farmer team!
Written 24 July 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.
Winnall01
59 contributions
Jul 2023 • friends
A very lively place with a great menu. We were specifically there for the sharing dishes and they did not disappoint! We had great advice about how many to pick for our group and they were all delicious and generous in size. Particular standouts were the goats cheese and the duck pancakes. We had the best table in the house, tucked into the corner by the window, and were warm and cosy. Service was efficient and friendly. Would highly recommend. Bookings advised as it's clearly a very popular spot!
Written 27 August 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.
Palmy1968
26 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
Outstanding again, we ordered far too much as usual, totally enjoyed it all, flavours were just delicious but the standout was the lamb which was quite simply perfect. Service was quick, friendly and welcoming. Not cheap but worth every penny for a special occasion. Thanks for having us! Can't wait till next time.
Written 6 August 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.
Teresa C
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • friends
Food was dreadful. We had the $62 pp meal for four. The chicken was tasty, but dry. The pork belly was dry. The lamb was inedible because it was so so dry and over salted. The fries were dry. Asparagus and chèvre were not dry, but poorly balanced taste wise. Two out of four of us thought the food was good, but also admitted they prefer overcooked meat. Wait staff were good. Two of us felt unwell overnight and this morning. Judging by other reviews, it could have just been a bad night. We won’t be hurrying back. Disappointing as it’s in our neighbourhood.
Written 9 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.
Jonesy
Palmerston North124 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
I have dined here on a few occasions
The food is always great. The Marino lamb leg is my favorite and usually my go to, it's easy to order too much food here as there's so much to choose from, and it's Tapas style so easy to get carried away.
Definitely be back numerous times.
Written 9 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.
masherita
22 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
Busy and crowded restaurant, requires booking. Half of the floor are normal tables with chairs, half tall pub tables with pub stools, be aware when booking table. We had the tall table with pub stools - supremely uncomfortable seating for dinner. Food arrives one dish at a time to be shared. Food was very good, but the overall dining experience not outstanding.
Written 6 March 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.
Jess E
Wellington4 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
Wow! What can I say?! First time eating here and the food was delicious. We had duck pancakes, fried chicken and pork belly bao buns. Absolutely delicious. Price was reasonable for the quality of food we received and the service was impeccable/impressive. We’ll be back again to try more on the menu :-)
Written 27 July 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.
Sandy B
Sydney598 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
after arriving here after being treated like less than nothing at brewers union what a relief...fantastic welcoming service they were just as busy as other place but staff obviously well trained to deal with that. food was amazing and extremely affordable cant wait to come back and would recommend to anyone
Written 20 March 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.
Genuine Review
Palmerston North32 contributions
May 2024 • friends
Expensive food. ‘Watered-down’ cocktails. Small ‘sharing portions’. Uninspiring dessert selection. Uncomfortable seats. Filthy menus are a real turn off. Needs a rethink about the customer experience because local loyal folk won’t return.
Written 4 June 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.
Jonathan Paape
3 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
Absolutely brilliant.
I see some people think it expensive.
If you want an outstanding meal you don’t get a bargain.
The second time our club has driven up from Wellington, so so well worth it.
Once again one of the best lunches our club has had in 22 years.
Jonathan Paape
Written 21 June 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.
Steverowe54
Hamilton16 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We had a casual family dinner with six adults and for a Tuesday night we were lucky to get a table. We did "shared plates" and the menu had good variety. I can recommend the lamb, Duck pancakes and Squid but i couldn't fault any of the dishes. Very tasty and well presented and there was excellent service throughout the night.
There is a great ambience in the venue and we walked away happy knowing we will be back next time we are in Palmerston North.
Written 7 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.
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