Name: The Speight’s Ale House
Uploaded: 2017-12-31T06:40:57.909Z
Duration: PT32.034S
Description: Enjoy the award winning Speight's Ale House in Timaru. We have an the immense outdoor courtyard, great southern food and hospitality. Try some of local cuisine, from small/shared plates to larger meals. Private dining rooms available. Come and experience the best in Timaru!

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About

Enjoy the award winning Speight's Ale House in Timaru. We have an the immense outdoor courtyard, great southern food and hospitality. Try some of local cuisine, from small/shared plates to larger meals. Private dining rooms available. Come and experience the best in Timaru!

PRICE RANGE

$13.00 – $35.00

CUISINES

Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Buffet, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.0

487 reviews

Excellent

234

Very good

161

Average

53

Poor

23

Terrible

16

tanpic

Dunedin38 contributions

Disappointing

Sept 2020 • none

I am disappointed by the experience I had recently when dining at lunchtime with a group. Service was slow and some orders were very slow to come out. The food was ok but not memorable. No tea or coffee was offered at the end of dining and two of our group, who had ordered coffee while others of us were eating dessert never received their orders at all. I expected to be told about the Scoff special but again nothing was mentioned. Altogether a very average experience. I won't hurry back.

Written 14 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.

H2532HPnigelb

Hi - thanks for your feedback. Yes we agree, this is disappointing. If you couple let us know which day you were in and we can review the day and discuss with the team. Thanks again for your feedback. Jane 0275298519

Written 15 September 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kashung Wis

Hong Kong98 contributions

Super

Jan 2020 • couples

Happy with the food that we had and no complaint about it except the hygiene. Left over food was on the table and the waitress/waiter doesn’t seems to be bother by it. Refer the pic. Nobody clean/wipe the table! (Would have rated 4/5, had they clean it)

Written 2 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.

255100SusieQ61

Melbourne18 contributions

I am a regular visitor to

Mar 2020 • none

I am a regular visitor to Timaru and to this restaurant, with adult family. It was very busy but the service was excellent. Son had his usual steak, his partner a pork dish, both of which they enjoyed very much. However my slow cooked lamb shoulder was one of the best I have ever had. Beautifully cooked, as was the accompanying mash and green veg. Best meal for a long time! We’ll definitely be back!

Written 9 March 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.

Kayesey

76 contributions

Terrible

May 2021 • none

Everything about our meal was not good. Garlic cob loaf was dry, so dry it stuck in your throat, no taste of garlic what so ever. Seafood cocktail contained 3 shrimps, 3 mussels and a tiny bit of fish and a heap of sauce. Slow roasted shoulder of lamb was very tasty but cold. These dishes took 2 hours, we then ordered dessert, fifteen minutes later after ordering was told we had to wait another seven minutes, was ridiculous as the restaurant was not busy, so we paid up and walked out without our dessert. Service was really sub standard.

Written 6 May 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.

Kiwianatraveller

New Zealand50 contributions

Disappointing dining experience

Jul 2021 • none

Pleasant wait staff, but poor food. Our food and drink order was taken promptly but after 30 minutes when our drinks still hadn't arrived it turned out that the drinks order had never reached the bar. Eventually our food arrived. I had ordered the steak and my partner the salmon. My plate of food was cold and had to be sent back. On a positive note they did replace the cold fries and French beans. The steak was overcooked and not medium which I had ordered. The potatoes on the salmon dish were inedible, small cubes which appeared to have been refried several times and were rock hard. Food was very overpriced at over $34 per dish. However we did enjoy the mulled wine!

Written 4 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.

Sally P

Timaru42 contributions

Terrible service

Mar 2021 • friends

Extremely disappointed in my latest visit to The Alehouse. 4 of our party received different drinks from what they ordered and then the waitress proceeded to argue with one of them about it. We were not told about the specials board and only saw it when we went to pay. No one came to see if everything was ok with our meals or if anyone wanted more drinks. The meals themselves were up to their usual standard but customer service is seriously lacking in the young staff they have working there which is a shame.

Written 30 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.

VickTodd

Timaru2 contributions

Mother's Day Dinner

May 2020 • none

Due to Covid-19 Level 3 restrictions we couldn't go out for a meal to celebrate Mother's Day. I was so pleased to be able to order this delicious food AND have it delivered to my door. The whole family loved it, thank you for making this a fantastic Mother's Day.

Written 9 May 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.

Magnolia

New Zealand39 contributions

Young bar staff need customer service training

Feb 2021 • none

Popped in for bar snacks, drink and to watch the live rugby game. One barman served customers who were waiting behind me then, another barman refused to allow me to sit at one end of the bar as there were no free tables. Quite incredible. Hence, I left and probably will not go back to this venue. Staff training in customer service is recommended.

Written 26 February 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.

Nigel B

Hi Magnolia, Thanks for your review, and please accept our apologies for your poor experience! This is not up to our expected standard, and we will address this in our training systems. Feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss further. Kind Regards, Mark Bower.

Written 28 February 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sally P

Timaru42 contributions

Lunch in the sun

Oct 2021 • couples

Decided on the Ale House after walking past a couple of other restaurants. I had the chicken schnitzel, a tiny piece of chicken which had been beaten to within a inch of its life (actually an inch would be an overstatement, it was very thin). Partner had steak, ordered medium rare. One end was rare, the other medium so somewhere in the middle it must have been cooked right. I used to like going to the Ale House, and while sitting in the courtyard on a nice day having a couple of drink is still enjoyable, I will think twice about going for a meal.

Written 24 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.

Hillsflat168

Timaru93 contributions

Lovely Anniversary Dinner

Dec 2019 • none

Celebrating our wedding anniversary we chose Speights Ale House. We were welcomed by friendly staff, who were attentive and courteous throughout the evening. We both enjoyed our meals which arrived promptly. The sirloin steak was especially good, cooked to perfection. We would certainly recommend this restaurant.

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.

FushNChips

Christchurch296 contributions

Basic but tasty

Feb 2022 • solo

I always used to order the mushroom risotto from here, unfortunately it’s no longer on the menu so had to choose something else. Friendly and fast service from the waitress and my long black had arrived before I had 100% decided, ended up opting for the jackfruit burger & chips. Came out pretty quickly and although basic (it was literally a burger and fries) it was tasty. The sauce had a good kick to it and the jackfruit was really nice. A good pub-style meal and a coffee for $24, not bad at all

Written 17 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.

junosi

5 contributions

Worst customer service

Apr 2024 • couples

Worst service I've experienced for a long time. Ordered drinks, they didn't have what was on menu.... ordered different drinks and ordered meals, starter bread was delivered, then nothing. No waiter to check on drinks etc. Went to bar to get more drinks, ok... Fast forward an hour, so no mains. Still no waiter either. Hungry and thirsty. Went to bar to enquire, sorry we forgot to put your order through...

Written 12 April 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.

tinamac92

Christchurch10 contributions

A most excellent dinner for two

Feb 2020 • none

We had a fabulous dinner and really enjoyed the friendly and very knowledgeable staff. It was our first time eating at this restaurant and hopefully one day we will return. I had a very delicious steak with the Cafe de Paris butter(just divine) & my partner had the slow roasted lamb shoulder( equally divine).The building is amazing and one of the staff was more than happy to tell us the history of it.

Written 23 February 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.

Mumma&Co

Timaru7211 contributions

Friday dinnet

Mar 2023 • friends

Friendly waitress, did order hot chocolate but never came so canceled it as we were leaving. Bannoffee dessert was INCREDIBLE! The lamb salad wasn't it's usual standard, others who have had it before agreed. Some of us given lunch menus instead of dinner menus. Sounds like a lot of negatives but overall it was great & I'd recommend to others!!

Written 11 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.

Kim S

Clearwater3 contributions

Turned away w no food

Oct 2024 • couples

Went to spades with great anticipation after reading the reviews of over eight restaurants I chose there to go to lunch, went into the rock exhibit and came out only to find out that their stuff was gone for the middle of the afternoon so I could get no food other than a snack menu. There was no mention of any difference between a lunch menu and a dinner menu or the fact that there was a area in the middle of the afternoon where they did not serve food. I am horribly disappointed and I am here on a one time trip from the US so thank you for ruining my experience.

Written 29 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.

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