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.
Zest
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Pizza, European, New Zealand
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Dog Friendly
Family style
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Parking Available, Street Parking
Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 10:00 AM
Sunday
10:30 am - 8:00 pm
Monday
10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Friday
10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Saturday
10:00 am - 8:30 pm
Contribute
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4.3
375 reviews
Excellent
198
Very good
127
Average
26
Poor
14
Terrible
10
Sharon G
1 contribution
May 2023 • none
Excellent food and service. We were a group of 13 and we were well looked after by our waitress. Our table ordered a mixture of Pizzas and A La Carte meals and nothing could be faulted. Portion sizes are generous and the prices are very reasonable. Thanks team, we will be back!
Written 17 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.
Clare Rainbow
Thanks for taking the time to review, we are very pleased that your party enjoyed dining with us at Zest and that you were well looked after. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written 17 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jan Stiebert
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • none
I ate at Zest as a single diner on a glorious, sunny winter day. The restaurant is in a side street so that traffic noise is not an issue. The outdoor dining area is relatively sheltered and the indoor area is log-fire heated and snug. I chose to dine outdoors, was served promptly, immediately brought water and asked if I wanted any other drinks. My wait person was attentive, bringing me something to read, and returning quickly with the glass of wine I ordered. My hot lunch arrived shortly after, the waitress returning almost immediately to ask if everything was to my liking. Everything about my visit, - food and drink, service, comfortable, sheltered and quiet seating, was a pleasure.
Written 9 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.
meiha636
Timaru1 contribution
Sept 2021 • couples
Amazing service, super-friendly staff who advised on food & drinks. Good-sized portions and was timed really well. Was lovely with the fire going too. Garlic bread was yummy & you HAVE to try the cakes 🙌🏻
Really appreciated the email the day after thanking us for our patronage. Zest, I’m raving about you to everyone I know!!
Written 21 September 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.
Rina F
Timaru34 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
I was there with a group of 9 adults. We ordered a mixture of meals, desserts and drinks. From pizzas, chowder, fillos. A couple of us had meals that included a salad (vegetarian fillo $27) came with salad only. We assumed it came with a dressing, seeing that it was missing, we requested some and waitress gave us some. About an egg cup full. Upon paying the bill at the end, we were told it was an extra 80c each. Paying $27 for it already, I wasn't impressed. While 80c isn't much, when I've already pd $27 for it, we weren't impressed. I have booked for large groups before, but don't think I will again. Food was lovely, staff were friendly, but charging extra for things that should've been included, just isn't on.
Written 21 November 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.
Clare Rainbow
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we really appreciate it.
The salad on your filo meal should have been dressed, so apologies if this wasn’t the case. You should not have been charged for the dressing, the staff will be spoken to about this. We really appreciate our return customers and would be really disappointed if this has put you off dining with us in the future. May we offer you coffee/tea on us? Please email us so we can arrange.
info@zestrestaurnt.co.nz
Written 25 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AW W
7 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
Terrible - - interesting ambiance in part of historic church, food was okay - - but wait service was absolutely far beyond reasonable. First a person arrived and took drinks order but refused to take lunch food order... waiting ... eventually drinks arrived ... waiting ... person arrived to take food order ... waiting and waiting ... about to leave ... food did arrive. Definitely NOT recommended
Written 19 September 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.
Clare Rainbow
We would like to apologise for the wait time being longer than usually expected. We were very busy when you dined with us and our kitchen team work incredibly hard maintaining high quality food no matter how busy we are, this does mean that wait times can be longer at times.
Written 24 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Explore49558183313
4 contributions
Sept 2024 • solo
seafood Pizza Regular size
Waite long time to order but waitress and wiaiter very nice and friendly
Somehow the seafood been chopped in to little pieces and I don’t know what am eating .
Not suitable if you want eat real seafood
As the pizza seafood is chopped into mince and taste no good at all
Written 1 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.
Clare Rainbow
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
There was a wait time to order when you dined with us as we were mid a very busy lunch service with a group booking also dining with. This was explained to you before you sat down, you were offered a drink and something to start with, which you declined.
You were meal checked and so had an opportunity to say you weren’t happy with your pizza.
We are wondering if you were the solo diner on our round table? If so, you left without paying, which really isn’t cool. We’d be grateful if you popped in today and settled your bill.
If this is incorrect, then please accept our sincere apologies.
Written 2 October 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kayesey
76 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
Went for lunch with a couple of friends. Sat down at midday, bottle of water brought out quite promptly. Waited for someone to take our order, eventually the waitress came over and we ordered. An hour went by and we still had nothing to eat. Asked waitress where our meals were, she went away to check, came back and said it was just being dished up. An hour and ten minutes later we got our meals. Nothing to write home about, $28 for a blue cod meal and the fish was about 4 inches long, plus another piece which was a mouthful. Absolutely disgusting. The other two meals were overloaded with salad. Asked waitress why our meals were taking so long, her reply was we are busy. BUSY not, there would of been no more than 15 people in the restaurant when we were there. Service was way too slow and certainly not worth the money.
Written 7 December 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.
Wakka
Yaldhurst56 contributions
Jun 2024 • family
I didn’t find the waitress helpful when looking at options on the menu.
It was a Tuesday lunch that took a long time (especially if you’re on a lunch break) A forgotten coffee and no apology. Wee bit disappointed. It’s usually great. Food was yummy although the stuffed mushrooms (two) were withered 😁
Written 6 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.
Clare Rainbow
We appreciate you taking the time to share your recent experience and pleased you enjoyed your food. We are how ever, disappointed that the service wasn’t up to our usual standards. The team have been spoken too and we would like to apologise for missing the mark this time, something we hope to be able to make up to you next time you visit.
Written 9 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Glenda
4 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Calling in for ha break late afrernoon on Saturday I found nearly all seats reserved, When I asked where I was going to sit the staffmember gaslighted that there was no problem pointing to the seat by the door. No effort was made to explain, apologies or accommodate.. The coffee was way too strong which probably had omething to do with the way it was extracted. But mostly the attitude that the humble customer who had gone out of their way to visit is not valued and appreciated is the overwhelming impression. I am sure these words will matter little as have already messaged and like similar places in Timaru just ignore your concerns, highlighting how unimportant the customer is. If the customer is going to receive a second rate experience in exchange for empy reserved tables perhaps in future forewarning should be given that the establishment is closed for the public..
Written 18 June 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.
Lamorna C
Timaru54 contributions
Dec 2020 • friends
All the meals arrived in a timely fashion, piping hot and very fragrant. One curry, one fish and one pizza. We all tested each meal and there were sighs of satisfaction all round. Love the menu, and front of house were attentive and helpful.
Written 12 December 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.
Holly C
10 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Amazing staff, they are quick and friendly. I had the pan fried fish which was so good. We have been coming here for years ( it’s always good) but would love to see new items on the menu as I don’t think it’s changed much.
Written 27 March 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.
Zest restaurant
Thanks for taking the time to review and we appreciate your feed back re the menu. We’re really pleased you enjoyed your meal with us. We do have a new menu coming out very soon, we have only made small changes for now. We have owned Zest since Sept 2022 and we have learnt that there are some items on the menu that just have to stay! We hope to see you again really soon and then you can let us know what you think!
Written 28 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Janyexplore
Oxford158 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
Wow, called in at Zest, Timaru for Lunch, and so happy we did. Amazing Pizzas. Service was quick, friendly and pricing very fair. We will be back, next time we in Timaru to try some other items from the menu, as the food on other tables looks yummy too.
Written 6 February 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.
Zest restaurant
Thank you for leaving such a lovely review. It was nice to meet you at the weekend and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Written 7 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
howard r
Timaru18 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
Lunch for 5 people, really good choice of food on the menu. We had a prawn dish, calamari dish, snack pizza and eggs on ciabatta. All very tasty and good portion sizes. Worth a visit.
Written 8 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.
howard r
Timaru18 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
Enjoyed a pleasant, afternoon tea with friends, good choice of cabinet slices and cakes/muffins. The service was great and they adapted the pizza toppings to cater for our friends own taste. Will be back again.
Written 18 September 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.
Darbe S
Dunedin35 contributions
Sept 2024 • friends
It was a barge group of us that they catered for very easily. We mostly had pizzas and they were all so amazing. They waitresses were lovely and efficient with taking our orders. They food came out quickly and all together also.
Great experience would highly recommend!
Written 6 September 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.
Clare Rainbow
Thanks so much for choosing to dine with us at Zest and also for taking the time to leave a review. It was a pleasure to serve your group and we hope to see you at Zest when you are our way again!
Written 7 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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