Split Bar & Restaurant

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#6 of 147 Restaurants in WhangareiBar, European, $$ - $$$

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Split Bar & Restaurant

Review

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+64 9-438 0999Improve this listing

About

'DOBRI DOSLI' - WELCOME TO SPLIT Enjoy a tasty cooked meal using fresh local produce and seafood, and succulent New Zealand lamb & beef. There is beer on tap and a range of beautiful New Zealand wines. Whether you are dining with us or simply wish to enjoy the atmosphere, a glass of wine and a delicious mezze platter after work, you are always welcome at Split. The two separate areas within Split, cater for a restaurant dining experience with cocktail bar, or a garden bar with a fun relaxed atmosphere, and a giant screen to entertain if desired. You can find us opposite the Post Office in Rathbone St, Whangarei.

Features

CUISINES

Bar, European, New Zealand

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Free off-street parking

Full Bar

Highchairs Available

Outdoor Seating

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Table Service

Television

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

15 Rathbone Street, Whangarei 0110 New Zealand

Free off-street parking, Street Parking

Is this restaurant good for breakfast?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Closed now

• Opens at 11:00 AM

Sunday

Closed

Monday

11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Tuesday

11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Wednesday

11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Thursday

11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Friday

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Saturday

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

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4.5

252 reviews

Excellent

154

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

kiwivegan

158 contributions

Great atmosphere awesome waitstaff

Mar 2025 • couples

We had 3 hours to fill waiting for our evening bus to Opua. We spent them very happily in the garden bar and restaurant. The waitstaff were awesome finding spots to store our luggage and really looked after us. The vegan menu selection was small, but the roast vege salad with kumara crisps was a delicious choice. A great selection of wine and craft beers. We would happily come back next time in Whangarei, thanks team 😋

Written 12 March 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.

Finz2010

New Zealand136 contributions

Disappointed

Nov 2020 • couples

I usually have good food and great service at Split. However, this particular day I was puzzled and disappointed with what I ordered. It was Gurnard and for $28 I thought I would get a nice piece of fillet (at least). What I got were 2 small pieces of fish, about the size of fish fingers! Oh there was plenty of fries and salad. While it was all nice, 2 small pieces of fish not much bigger than fish fingers was NOT worth $28. I was very disappointed. The reason I have given this 4 stars is because my husband had lambs fry and he was very happy with his meal. Now I am very wary about ordering this again.

Written 13 January 2021

Kirstin T

Glenfield69 contributions

A great night out.

Jan 2024 • couples

Split was busy, so alas we had to have a cocktail in the garden bar until a table was free. So difficult!😄 We were seated in less time than predicted and took some time to look over the menu. The entree we shared was very experimental for me; never had lambs fry before and this was a beautiful way to try it. The sauce aline was worth it but the whole dish was beautifully presented and had amazing flavour combinations. If you have a small appetite this entree with a side would be plenty for dinner. For mains my partner had the pork belly and I had the prosciutto wrapped chicken. Both came perfectly cooked and presented. The choice and preparation of the vegetables/salads that came with both dishes were a little bit elevated and went brilliantly with the meats. This is a special place for a really good meal.

Written 27 January 2024

krave123

Paihia100 contributions

Won't be a 3rd Visit

Oct 2023 • friends

2nd visit here... had hoped for a nice dinner out with my bestie. We were greeted and seated with nice friendly service (by the nice owner). However, that's unfortunately where it ended. We were then served by the (unfriendly owner). It was awful. He seemed so uninterested, bordering rude. Our happy mood soon dissipated, receiving average food and listening to depressing music. An issue settling our bill, got chased down the road to come back and pay again (they had charged us for the wrong table). No apology. Awkward. Doubt we will bother again. 😕

Written 1 November 2023

Rachel D

Auckland36 contributions

best meal out this year!

Apr 2021 • none

Phoned up and booked, good job as it got quite busy. Family of 4 visiting Northland, we decided we weren't cooking and after a long play in the local playarea, the kids and parents were very hungry. We were warmly greeted, the menus perused and the kids chose off their menu then were offered some colouring to keep them entertained. Lots of beautiful things to chose from but we went for the lamb roulade and the steak. Both were amazing. The kids had fudge sundaes and I had the chocolate and cointreau cheese cake which was beautiful and as delicious as it sounds. Would highly recommend this restaurant for great family friendly service and beautiful food.

Written 24 April 2021

Kiwiana13

Christchurch59 contributions

Delicious food and friendly service at Split

Sept 2020 • family

Visiting Whangarei on a Monday night, we decided on Split restaurant for dinner, and were not disappointed. We ordered the fish if the day - hapuka - I had the pan fried option, which was served with a Croatian fisherman’s stew (containing musssels, calamari and prawns) and a home made basil baguette. The stew was tasty and the hapuka cooked very well. The baguette was fluffy and lightly flavoured with basil, which blended well with the stew when I dipped it in. My husband has the battered option, with chips and salad, which was a massive serving of two large pieces of fish and crispy batter and fries. The children chose the kids burgers which they declared the be delicious. We finished with dessert- the cheesecake was delicious, as was the mango sorbet and the fudge sundae. Friendly service and a busy atmosphere topped off an enjoyable meal.

Written 28 September 2020

Joyce S

2 contributions

Takeaways under alert 3

May 2020 • couples

Had a takeaway meal delivered roasted pork belly. We found the meal disappointing as we had heard great raves about the food. My Yorkshire pudding was burnt, hard and not fit to eat. Pork belly had no crispy top, so overall for $72 we rate it a 5/10.

Written 2 May 2020

PMJ1954

Whangarei11 contributions

great dinner out

Mar 2023 • couples

We had been told about this restaurant by friends but never been so it was a long overdue dinner. . Good choice of meals , good service and they were extra large portions which we took home. Would definitely go back again. I had the seafood chowder as a main and my partner had the beef rib-both delicious. No room left for dessert.

Written 15 March 2023

Sarah Neo

2 contributions

Excellent

Feb 2022 • family

A truly wonderful restaurant. The food was fantastic and the service unobtrusive and extremely caring. My family and I are from four corners of the globe and pretty well travelled and I am quite happy to say this is right up there with experiences we have had in many different countries. I really cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough, looking at the restaurant set up it looks like it would be perfect for date night, birthday party or a wonderful lunch with friends. Please support this fantastic local business.

Written 9 February 2022

Julie B

Auckland32 contributions

Beautifully presented and delicious!

Dec 2021 • couples

Amazingly delicious food. Main off chicken breast with macadamia crust was cooked perfectly, tender and the pea puree with beans was a lovely compliment. The twice cooked pork belly, very well cooked and the accompliments unsophisticatedly exceptional. Dessert of creme brulee with berry compote was one of the best I've tasted and the top was super crunchy, cashew and caramel baked cheesecake was well worth it! If you don't think you can fit dessert in, you should try! Great food, good service, glad we drove in from tutukaka for dinner. Highly recommend!

Written 29 December 2021

Debra P

Whangarei2 contributions

Anniversary lunch.

Aug 2022 • none

Would have given 5 stars if the room had have been warmer. Staff pleasant and efficient. Interesting range of food but I could not go past famous lamb's fry and bacon with port jelly and mushrooms and my husband enjoyed the seafood chowder. Excellent coffee.

Written 24 August 2022

Amos Q

Honiara106 contributions

Yummy! A hidden gem in Whangarei...

Mar 2021 • couples

Yummy! A hidden gem in Whangarei... sitting in plain sight. Had a lovely dinner out here tonight. Great food, huge portions, attentive friendly staff with easy smiles, good drink selections also. We chose to sit in the garden bar and it was great, loved the music selection at a great volume and could easily hold a decent conversation at the same time. The steak was cooked perfectly and the entree was delish. A definite must try if visiting Whangarei.

Written 28 March 2021

593dianner

Whangarei19 contributions

The %100 best food in town!!!

Mar 2021 • family

If someone asks where would you like to go for lunch or dinner of all of the restaurants in Whangarei my choice would be Split. I have never ever ever had a disappointing meal there. It’s not super posh, it’s not set in a beautiful location but the food speaks for itself. Simply delicious. I had lunch there today Poke - Hawaiian style raw fish - I could have eaten it all again! I really don’t want to go anywhere else because no where is better.

Written 15 March 2021

Sue E

Yukon233 contributions

Pleasant surprise

Feb 2020 • couples

We had looked at the menu earlier and had decided not to visit but am I glad we took a chance. We had the special snapper and squid along with the lamb fries and bread and dip. So many different flavours! The fish and paella was presented so beautifully. Lots of food. The lamb fries turned out to be liver and onions with bacon....made just like my mother's. Such a good sauce too. Bread and dips were good but wish we hadn't filled up on the appie...again. Great service. You define need reservations.

Written 24 February 2020

1602Bernadette

Melbourne204 contributions

Don't go alone or without a booking

Aug 2021 • solo

I hadn't booked, it was only 7pm on a Wed night in winter. Even though tables at the front were not full, I was told "go look out the back and if you want, take one". I did so. It was freezing. Looked into a car lane, shared with smoker/vapers. Food served on a board which I hate. Management only had time for those in the warm booked area. Good luck to you.

Written 4 August 2021