THE BUTTER FACTORY, Whangarei - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

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About

The Butter Factory is a welcoming place for people of all ages and walks of life that enjoy good hospitality in a heritage building that oozes ambiance, and a hugely popular sunny courtyard to boot! We have a menu available from the minute we open till close, including fantastic coffee and great range of non-alcoholic drinks. We also have an extensive range of craft beers, local wines and fresh cocktails served by friendly staff. A major focus here at "Butters" is the entertainment that we host, with live music at least 2 nights a week, monthly comedy club, poetry nights and beer tasting/education! Please see our website or FB page or website for our very busy event schedule. Or contact us if you want to bring your talents to our stage. We also have a private function room suitable to host birthday parties, corporate events, staff functions, movie nights etc. With catering and bar options malleable to suit your needs, please get in touch to discuss your next function or event.

CUISINES

Bar, New Zealand

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Live Music

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4.5

130 reviews

Excellent

81

Very good

22

Average

16

Poor

4

Terrible

7

Well Travelled Foodie

Whangarei37 contributions

Never Fails to Deliver on Food

Feb 2024 • family

The Butter Factory never fails to deliver on food. The portions are huge and the prices very reasonable considering portion size and the prices other local restaurants charge for half the portion size, and their daily deals are excellent. We went on a Sunday and one of our group ordered the Sunday special - sirloin steak, it was a huge portion and the plate was cleaned up! Another of our group ordered the haloumi salad and it was so big she couldn't eat it all. I wasn't very hungry so just had the kumara chips, best I've ever had and such a large portion I couldn't eat them all, so I definitely recommend the food. When we were there they didn't have a coffee machine so we couldn't order coffees. I asked for a cup of tea for my elderly Mum and told the waiter she likes it really stong and hot. It came out insipidly pale and not at all strong. Rather than offering to make another one he offered to put another teabag in it, which doesn't really make any sense because tea brews better in hot water alone and with a drop of milk splashed in once it's brewed. So I hope they have their coffee machine back and some tea pots so people can have a proper cup of tea.. We'll definitely be going back for food again though.

Written 12 May 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.

chchcitydweller

Christchurch3 contributions

Absolutely delicious food, beautiful building, and excellent service

Jan 2024 • family

We visited The Butter Factory for lunch today. Wow, we were so impressed by the beautiful building, absolutely delicious food, and excellent service. The owner was also kind enough to offer lots of local knowledge relating to our onward journey which we were very grateful for. She also took us on a wee tour of the building and was happy to share lots of information on its history. Our boys were also excited to be given a special souvenir from the building to take home with them. The owner’s recommendation of the garlic prawns was spot on. This is not a dish I would normally go for as it’s often tasteless and watery with very few prawns but in this instance there were lots of prawns and a beautiful, very thick and tasty smoked cheese and garlic sauce with two large pieces of garlic bread on the side. My husband had the garlic salad which he loved and once again there was a generous serving of prawns. Our two children had kids meals which they thoroughly enjoyed as well. We will definitely return to the butter factory next time we are in Whangarei, and would not hesitate to recommend it to others.

Written 4 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.

Sue G

New Zealand36 contributions

Wonderful Time

Apr 2022 • none

Happen to come across this place down an alley way, how lucky were we, the place is rustic and a bit quirky, but the think that stands out the most is the amazing staff and particularly Jess. Jess was just brilliant and made our visit very memorable she was helpful funny attentive and just extremely good at her job. We were there just for a drink but as we were having so much fun we ended up staying for a burger as it was burger night and all burgers were $12.50. My husband thought his was one of the best burgers he had for a very long time and it was a proper bun not a brioche bun which he doesn’t like. Extensive menu with something to cater for most people. So if fancy something a bit different go see the team there.

Written 19 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.

Roving09384039498

1 contribution

Average experience. Would go back to see if it was just that night

Dec 2023 • couples

The first time we came for dinner around May or June the staff we awesome. Even though we did not stay to eat due to time constraints we made a plan to go back . We went back in December 2023 for a 80s themed night, the vibe and the staff were totally different. On arrival I'm sure due to changing over from dinner to the 80s do the staff were very absent and not very welcoming. When we went to order drinks we asked what cocktails they had available and the cashier said she didn't know just the purple drink that was written on a board as the special . We later asked for drink menus which was ignored then we went and found some menus by the wall and those were food menus. We then decided to just try the purple drink . Even though I'm not a 80s fan we were happy to go for a night out together . The band was awesome, the security team were great but the actual bar staff let the night down .

Written 23 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.

Lisa l

Auckland Central1 contribution

Yuck, Yuck and Did I mention Yuck!

Dec 2023 • family

Absolutely terrible experience Ive had in years. Working in the food Industry for multiple years I was very disappointed with service and food here. Waited for over an hour for meals that were brought out individually. I definitely will never return to this place again. ABSOLUTELY DISMAL!

Written 30 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.

Ali

New Zealand650 contributions

Came for tacoes, stayed for service

Nov 2023 • friends

Initially came for Taco Tuesday, but saw other things on the menu to try: chicken and cauliflower tacos(preferred cauliflower ones), vegetarian nachos, smash palace burger, chips, cheesecake, brownie and date pudding. All food was well presented and we were thoroughly satisfied. Adrian provided is with unparalleled service as well as some helpful local knowledge.The place, the food and atmosphere is definitely unique. We would love to visit again.

Written 6 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.

Wikidkiwi

Bay of Islands207 contributions

A lovely lunch!

Jul 2023 • couples

Thanks for a great lunch Butter Factory, we'll definitely be back! Turned up for lunch and were greeted immediately by a friendly staff member who dried a couple of seats for us as there'd just been a light shower. After seating us and taking our drink order he returned with our drinks and also one for our wee dog. We ordered 3 meals and he made great suggestions and remembered our orders without writing them down. Our meals turned up really quickly and they were all awesome. They were all really tasty, a great size and great value for money. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and appreciated the great service and atmosphere

Written 27 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.

N C

1 contribution

Not a good experience.

Apr 2023 • friends

Extremely slow and the salt and pepper squid was mushy and smelt stale. It was drowning in sweet chilli sauce and cheap mayonnaise. Waited for 40 minutes for our meal and 20 minutes later the restaurant closed at 8 pm. Will not be back.

Written 20 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.

anne rayner

New Zealand8 contributions

the food

Jan 2021 • none

today january 26 2021,Shelley's birthday. The food was exceptional. I wanted tasty,and filling. I got generous size and great taste.the salad was full of fresh herbs and tasty salad greens, fish fresh,really nice chips

Written 27 January 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.

Roger E

London68 contributions

Well worth a visit

Jun 2022 • none

I found this restaurant on the web for use on a weekend in Whangerei. The venue is a little hard to find but it is near Farmers store with a car park just handy. The setting takes getting used to. There is a marque type outer area, not so warm in winter [June NZ time] and a smaller indoor area which is clearly an old factory building and left looking 'distressed'. The staff were great and so was most of the food. The pulled pork burger was only OK but the lamb shank was very well cooked and tasty. The garlic prawns in a 'crispy straw' arrangement was fantastic and I could have easily just eaten a couple of portions of that, but I had already ordered the fish chowder - wow - for me it was one of the best I have tried, creamy, lots of fish bits and delicious. Being of mean Scottish ancestry it must have been a good experience as I even left a tip. I do not give 5 star ratings but this nearly got the whole 5.

Written 13 June 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.

Sharon B

Whangarei76 contributions

Great food Great service, Good prices

Nov 2020 • none

Took hubby there for a birthday treat. Staff were really friendly and attentive. (thanks nick) Food was really nice. Well cooked and well presented. Prices for food and drinks very resonable.

Written 17 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.

Robro

Whangarei1 contribution

OMFG

Jan 2020 • couples

Went in for quick feed before movie and had a pulled pork burger. Thought I bit into a bone but the pulled pork was littered with perfectly crisp crackling. Best burger ever. Order all the sauces for the fries. Epic.

Written 9 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.

Kristi Henare

Whangarei50 contributions

Yummy Food Great Place to eat!

Dec 2023 • family

Staff treat us like family. We are able to walk in without a booking. We always come for the Special Wednesday $20 Ribs or Lamb Shanks. Friendly staff, lovely dining space, clean toilets and yummy food

Written 27 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.

Sus1952

Palmerston North2104 contributions

What a great find!

Mar 2021 • couples

What a great find! We were so fortunate to find this amazing pub. All staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. There is a great selection of craft beers which we thoroughly enjoyed. The Sunday steak special was brilliant, and live music too, on Saturday evening. All good and definitely to be recommended.

Written 14 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.

Brent & Margy

Christchurch215 contributions

Prawns and ribs yum

Oct 2022 • couples

Popular busy restaurant with friendly service and regular specials. Ribs were tasty but blown away by the prawn salad. Tasty prawns and HEAPS of them. Yum and fun venue

Written 9 October 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.

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