Saikou Teppanyaki & Whisky Bar
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CUISINES
Japanese, Bar, Asian, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
features
Is this a pub?
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About
Saikou is a bar in the Timaru CBD providing beverages and Asian fusion food. Saikou overlooks Caroline Bay and is an ideal place to call in for a drink or to try the delicious items on the menu
CUISINES
Japanese, Bar, Asian, Pub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service
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4.0
91 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
36
Average
5
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Jared-Kiwi
Wellington316 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
Loved our Friday night family night in Timaru. Jess the waitress was excellent, very attentive and was superb with the food intolerance (marked up a seperate menu with what was suitable) overall the whole family was impressed with the food, the flavours were delicate and not over done along with the food coming out in good time. We mainly went with the small plates.
Additional drinks orders were taken as they were emptied which isn’t something we find happens often now with limited staffing.
At the end of the meal we decided not to have dessert but didn’t feel pressured to leave which was nice to be able to catch up with family
Written 12 July 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.
Jo-Anne Cole
Timaru7 contributions
Sept 2023 • solo
Pleasantly surprised to find delicious Tuna and Salmon Sashimi, beautifully prepared in the Japanese tradition, along with juicy Katsu Prawns and Salmon Nigiri Bento. Service was attentive and personable in a busy bustling lunchtime atmosphere. Topped off with a delicious Margarita (or two) it was the perfect lunch for me.
Written 29 September 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.
BRENT D
Timaru52 contributions
Oct 2024 • family
We had a meal out with family last Friday night and chose Saikou as the destination. With one of our party being gluten-free, it was nice for them to have a great selection of food from the small plate menu to share within our group and enjoy. It was quite busy but there wasn't a long wait before our food started coming out. The service was excellent and friendly. First time having a dessert there, and it was very good. Overall, we had an awesome meal out and were more than happy with the price we paid for it.
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.
tanpic
Dunedin38 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
A large group of us recently attended Saikou for an end of year celebration.
We arrived at 6.30 but were not served food until 8.10. The continuous snacks were meagre to say the least and did not feed our group of 6 sufficiently. The food was quite tasty but not value for the $35 per head we paid. Many of our group went on to other food outlets later on. Throughout the evening no waitperson ever approached me to refill my wine or to refill the water carafe. I did see them going to other people though.
This was my first visit to Saikou and it was a disappointing one.
Written 22 November 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.
Connector52664637468
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • family
Absolutely loved the food here. Great cocktails, warm atmosphere and very relaxed competent staff who know their stuff. Totally recommend to all. The bao buns were delicate and cloudlike with fresh, light and perfectly cooked fillings. My husband had his first taste of wagu and wasnt disappointed.
Written 26 July 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.
Rayner4
Wellington132 contributions
Nov 2021 • family
Went for dinner, service was a bit slow and the wait person we had was a little forgetful, mixed up our curry order plus had to ask twice for a drink order. The food however was very good especially the karaage chicken and the tempura fries. Unfortunately it was a bit noisy as it is only a small restaurant and there were a couple of large groups dining. The staff need to prompt people to wear their masks when going to the bar area to pay, not many were at all.
Written 17 November 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.
tripeface
Marlborough30 contributions
Dec 2023 • solo
This restaurant was recommended by my hotel receptionist, but it turns out to be a noisy drinking venue that happens to serve mediocre food. If you want cocktails and beer in a busy place, this will suit you. If you want a good meal then go somewhere else. Sashimi was good, but nothing else made the grade.
Written 21 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.
Cccx
Clyde11 contributions
Nov 2020 • solo
Hayley was very abrupt, I asked to order takeaways and she held pen and paper saying “yup”. I had to ask to see menu. Not friendly at all and certainly didn’t make me feel welcome. Felt like I was interrupting her day. The only decent part of my order was the bottle of ginger beer. While I waited another customer was served a can of beer and had to ask for a glass. Photo attached is the bag of fries. Obviously too much of a hassle to let the chips drain. Won’t be going back here. Last trip to timaru the staff here were amazing along with the food. Completely disappointing this time.
Written 23 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.
Dave d
7 contributions
Mar 2023 • friends
From the first phone call for booking to the friendly welcome the service was amazing.
The menu was full of interesting choices and when what we chose arrived we all were extremely happy with what was ordered. It was delicious so much so I’d rate this as one of the best restaurants I’ve been to for quite some time.
Written 15 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.
Mumma&Co
Timaru7258 contributions
Jun 2020 • friends
Love this place. Always good service & vibe. Extensive drinks menu. Sadly 6/7 of us got the karage chicken & it was WAY over salted!! Coming from someone who puts extra salt on their fish & chips it was pretty bad! Otherwise great night out.
Written 15 June 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.
Starling
Kaitaia42 contributions
Mar 2022 • family
Finding a good place to eat in Timaru wasn't easy but after looking at Trip Advisor, we were tempted by this Tepenyaki restaurant and were really pleased to have found it. Service was really friendly, the restaurant was modern and interesting and the food was delicious. I had the Teriyaki Chicken which was so good. Perfect size, combination and flavors. And we also had the Kimchi Balls and Tempura Fries. Both delicious. Great presentation, amazing flavors and lovely service. Highly recommend this place, left feeling glad and satisfied!
Written 29 March 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.
Richard B
4 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
Found this fantastic place while in town for work. Friendly staff and the food was outstanding. Beef Tataki and sashimi was very fresh and presented beautifully. Also had the fried squid which was delicious. Will certainly be back given the delicious food and outstanding service.
Written 13 October 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.
1964gavin
Thanks for the positive review and i'm glad you enjoyed your experience. Hope to see you again
Gavin
Written 16 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
evman00
Christchurch182 contributions
Dec 2021 • business
This is a must visit for Lunch or Dinner. The range of food is fantastic giving you a bit of everything. The Karage chicken and Tempura Fries were amazing along with the fried rice. The bar is also well appointed giving you so much choice. Recommend
Written 17 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.
Magnolia
New Zealand40 contributions
Oct 2021 • solo
Such a cool place to eat. Friendly staff. Excellent food and menu offers a lot of choices. Will definitely visit again soon. Chicken teriyaki was cooked to perfection. The meal was delicious.
Written 30 October 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.
frank w
17 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
This Saikou Teppanyaki and Whisky Bar is fantastic, the staff Chefs and food is just amazing. I have been there so many times and every time it gets better and better.
We love this place and are so lucky to have this in Timaru. Is like the new FASTLANE car wash in Timaru just opened and the feedback once again is fantastic!
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.
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