We had dinner booked for 6.30pm and as we were approaching the building on dark it seemed like there was almost no one inside. However, once we walked in we heard the noise of a reasonably full dining room and a pumping kitchen! We were...seated on the verandah looking out to the Hatea River right under a gas heater, which got us warm quite quickly. The friendly waitress didn't make a fuss when we asked to turn it off when it got too hot. We both had the eye fillet with roasted root vegetables and seasonal greens, which took a bit of time to arrive, but given how busy it was that was understandable. And in even better news, the steak was cooked how we asked (medium) and the meal as it came was more than enough to fill us up without ordering any sides. If we are ever back in Whangerei, we'd go here again.More

A group on business came here for a dinner while on the road. 2 had tasty pizza, I had a really nice pasta dish followed by the plum tart (pear actually as no plums) which was lovely. Finished with a laphroig

Visited twice during a weekend stay at The Distinction Hotel, a few minutes walk away. The staff were very efficient, menu extensive and food excellent.

Great food, which is what you would expect from the price. BUT the service is soooo slow, it was painful. We waited well over 40 mins for our meals & the place was less than half full. Make sure you have plenty of spare time...if planning to eat here.More

Disappointed. Snapper and lamb dinners were served just warm and were cold within a short time. Did they sit under the lights for too long? Broccolini was not el dente but hard.. The potato was chewy and missed the mark. Electronic music did not take...in the demographic? It was too loud inside. I missed the waiter asking how our meal was? We have been there numerous times and were very happy, We will be back, however, please. take note. The chips were served hot and perfect. With all the staff present and many tables still empty we ended up leaving our plates on the table to leave, after approx 10 minutes of sitting and waiting for someone to clear them and give us a desert menu. We felt invisible. Hopefully. it will be better next time.More

We love this place and we got to sit in the gazebo and look out across the river, HOWEVER we unfortunately ordered Seafood Chowder and it tasted like a tin of smoked fish mixed with white sauce... Discussing!! Perhaps because we lived in Southland for...a couple of years before heading to Whangarei and we got to eat Seafood Chowder down there is the problem. Wow, if you want amazingly delicious Chowder definitely head south but avoid it at The Quay!More

Thoroughly disappointing lunch. Beautiful surroundings and restuatanr an oasis to the the rest of a depressing, uninspiring Whagarei town, great looking menu but that's where it stopped. Staff were slow and lifeless, no customer service skills or personality what so ever. One of the team...members had 'GRUB' written on the back of her shirt and that is probably the best way to describe the whole experience. Food looked adventurous and decent on paper, but the end product was fish and chips that were so greasy they were inedible, pizzas that tasted like something out of the Pak n Save frozen food isle, burgers that looked gourmet on the menu but the unanimous consensus of the several people on our group to have burgers . . . You're better off at McDonalds. If this is truly the 9th best restaurant in Whagarei, then either it has slipped drastically, or Whagarei hospitality leaves a lot to be desired. The setting, menu, and price are reminiscent of Melbourne, Toronto, Chicago or Wellington. The service, food, and end product has more in common with the two bit after hours tuck shop you go to after a night on the drink, not because you want to, but because there's not other option. If this is the best of Whagarei, save your petrol and head in another directionMore

The recommended wagyu beef from the black book menu did not disappoint. The beef was perfectly cooked, and the accompanied cauliflower cheese bake and chargrilled Brussel sprouts were delicious. Highly recommend.

Visiting from Australia, this restaurant was recommended.Well, I am afraid I won't be doing the same. Ordered pork belly, most disappointing, in fact, the worst I have had. The meat was tough and stringy, the top was leathery. My suggestion to the chef, if you...don't know how to cook a dish take it off the menu. To the restaurant's credit they didn't charge me for this meal after my complaint. This doesn't alter the fact that a meal I was looking forward to and, as I said very disappointing.More

We {a couple} met some good friends for dinner here. We go here often. We live in Whangarei. Really disappointed. My husband had gnocchi. Never seen gnocchi like this. Very little of it and covered in raw tomatoes. Actually looked like a tomato salad. Unpleasant....Sent it back and got another dish. Our friends had fish of the day … hapuka. Both dishes arrived cold. Sent back for reheating. I had pork belly as did my other half after the first attempt. Good crackle but meat was bland and the noodles and salad with it were very bland. All in all not a good night out and that was $145 per couple. Come on Whangarei you can do better than this.More

We stopped in on our way from Auckland to Kerikeri, chose to eat here for its location next to the river and the inviting specials menu at the door, we weren’t disappointed as we were seated next to the water received excellent service and enjoyed...two wonderful meals from the specials board. Would definitely returnMore

Worse pizza I ever had in my life for $32, was rock hard and small for that price, the bartender was very unfriendly.