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Hours
Sun
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Mon
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Tue
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Wed
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thu
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Fri
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
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.
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$15.00 – $45.00
CUISINES
Seafood, European, Soups, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
meals, features
Is this restaurant good for special occasions?
Details
About
Oamaru's oldest cafe & restaurant serving beautiful home cooked meals from fresh local blue cod, our famous seafood chowder, hearty lamb shanks, to rarely found lambs fry, chicken enchiladas and everything yummy in between. Decorated with comfort in mind with a stunning open fire and space for family tables. It's our pleasure to cater to special dietary requirements right from entreé to dessert and even something to drink. Come on in, we'd love to meet and feed you !
PRICE RANGE
$15.00 – $45.00
CUISINES
Seafood, European, Soups, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Buffet, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Family style, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
579 reviews
Excellent
308
Very good
196
Average
46
Poor
14
Terrible
15
Wayne S
1 contribution
May 2024 • family
First time for lunch here. We had medium roast and crumbed schnitzel. This is best roast dinner we have ever had in all of New Zealand. Portions very generous all ingredients cooked perfectly for us at a great price. Service was very attentive. Well recommended and we will return. Well done.
Written 14 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.
cc
Oamaru1 contribution
Feb 2024 • couples
Just read the last review, and I would have to disagree with their comments. My husband and I were in for a meal on the evening of the 11th of February and never saw or experienced any of the aledged racism claimed. The restaurant was completely packed out, and the majority of patrons were Asian and seated throughout the restaurant. The staff were warm and engaging with all diners without a hint of bias towards anyone. Perhaps the day in question, the tables may have already been reserved? My husband and I will definitely be back
Written 11 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.
Anna & Alex
Palma de Mallorca505 contributions
May 2022 • couples
Do not pass through Oamaru without stopping in Star and Garter for the best meal in town - and perhaps the best meal you've eaten in New Zealand. The menu has straight forward classic NZ fare that is made from scratch and served by the most delightful folks. My husband ordered the sensible pan-fried blue cod which was delicious. I ordered the lamb shank which was slow cooked to absolute perfection in red wine which later was perfected into gravy. The mashed potatoes were fresh and outstanding in their texture and the vegetables were tender crisp.
ps: do not miss out on a side of their home made cole-slaw.
Written 30 May 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.
Scenic25865154347
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • friends
Ordered Rib Eye steak with fries and without salad got 2 dozen fries and super small steak both cold
Had Cheesecake for desert sauce tasted awful and cheese cake looked nothing like any i have seen before.
I was most disappointed with my meal definitely not up to previous owners standard.
Written 4 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.
Central88
Alexandra127 contributions
Feb 2025 • friends
Been three times in recent weeks and consistently very slow and poor service.
Twenty minute plus wait for drinks orders each time, can be an hour and a half to get a meal but only an hour today yet people who came way later and kept asking when their food would come seemed to get priority. Standard of meals varies, old tough carrots to mushy carrots you cant put a fork in even glutinous thick sauce that can set on a meal. Appears very short front of house staffed every time, not even asked if we wanted dessert or another drink. Shan't be back.
Written 13 February 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.
JJ
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • friends
This is a rude and racist restaurant. They put all the Asians in a small room with only four tables and no sunlight. When I entered the restaurant and tried to sit by the sunny window, the staff refused. Even though there were more than 8 non-reserved tables left, the staff led us to a room with no sunlight where Asians were already eating at 2 tables. Surprisingly, the three white families who entered after us were all ushered into the sunny main hall, which was a cramped space where four other white families were already eating. It was only after the tables in the main hall were full that white people were ushered into a corner room. To God, the main hall was noisy while I was eating, while all three Asian tables were quiet. Even though the staff did not give us any detailed explanation of the various options, they apologized to the white family for leading them to a corner room and explained all the menu options, even though we were right next to them and listening. It was my first experience of racial discrimination in New Zealand.
Written 29 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.
SMILYEXPLORER
Whangamata70 contributions
May 2023 • couples
Nice welcome although felt a bit superficial. Lovely building & ambience. but an eclectic mix of diners.. Beautifully cooked salmon & lamb shanks meals. The glasses of wine were surprisingly small for the price - perhaps measured out to proprietor's instructions. Basically a pleasant evening meal and can recommend a visit.
Written 5 May 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.
Juliet S
Dunedin15 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
Popped in for a light lunch and I ordered seafood chowder and garlic bread. It was thick and creamy and packed full of flavour. I absolutely loved it and I tried my best to devour the whole bowl but it was too filling.
Written 3 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.
B V
1221 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
casual dining in comfortable clean restaurant in Oamaru's heritage district was a treat for us- knowledgeable servers- delicious fresh food - veritable FRESH blue cod pan fried especially notable dish as was wine list featured regional matching choices. Priced fairly given QUALITY. Recommended
Written 5 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.
kazz9999
Nelson-Tasman Region111 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
Early dinner here. I had the roast of the day which was pork. Pork was very tasty and melt in the mouth tender. Crunchy crackling, vegetables cooked with a nice gravy. Hubby had steak, cooked well and delicious tasting.
The waitress even returned to check all was well and to make sure steak was cooked as asked.
Very nice and well worth a visit
Written 21 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.
darrenjAtl
84 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
We had a lovely meal on a Monday afternoon in Oamaru. We had the tomato soup, fish and chips, and creamy tomato chicken pasta. Everything was delicious and affordable and the waitress very friendly and welcoming. The place has a nice atmosphere with a wall covered with wedding photos from weddings that held their reception at the restaurant
Written 26 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.
Trish G
10 contributions
May 2023 • couples
Best dining experience we've had in a long while. We shared the salmon with roasties and pasta salad, and rib eye steak with mushroom sauce, and salad and chips. Awesomely morsesome! Beautifully plated, perfectly cooked, generous servings, and so so tasty. Great friendly service. All round Quality.
Written 16 May 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.
PeterN1999
Tauranga81 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
This is a cosy restaurant with amazing food. The menu is small but versatile. We both chose Blue cod which was very fresh and totally delicious, cooked in the cripiest batter. One had vegetables and the other salad and both were amazingly delicious. Luckily we chose the small size and couldn't finish but didn't leave any of the fish! Well worth a visit.
Written 14 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.
Philip I
Kuala Lumpur5 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
I arrived early without a reservation (17:45 hr) but was seated in the table of my choice. A couple were already dining but many of the empty tables had reserved cards on them.
The menu I would describe as NZ/European. I ordered the ribeye (Scotch fillet) steak rear to medium. It had been awhile since I had eaten steak and that was behind my choice. I think their signature dish would have been the blue cod (local fish) but I had recently eaten this dish.
The steak came with garlic butter (my choice) and was nothing short of delicious.
I also indulged in an apricot crumble for pudding washed down with a local porter and expresso.
By the time I departed many of the previously empty tables had diners however the reserved tables were still waiting for their occupants.
Written 24 April 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.
Pauline Puratan... G
Hamilton40 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Stopped en route to Dunedin for lunch. Hostesses were very friendly, took our orders and our group all received our meals very quickly. Blue cod was yummy and so was the chowder.Being able to have a drink with our meal was a nice touch.
Restaurant is very cosy and reminded me of a large grandma's kitchen.
Written 3 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.
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