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About
Water Bar is a fully licensed restaurant with fantastic bar facilities and located right on the lake front in Wanaka. Whether you are after a full dining experience, a casual brunch or lunch, or a lively late night entertainment venue, Water Bar can make your visit a fantastic experience.
PRICE RANGE
US$6 - US$15
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
CUISINES
Bar, Pub, New Zealand
FEATURES
Wheelchair Accessible, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (319)
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292 results
Traveller rating
137
92
35
14
14
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
137
92
35
14
14
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Reviewed 3 days ago

food was not good, and service was very unfriendly!!🤢 wish i could give no stars, because it was so bad. go down the street to kai whaka pai, it’s much better!!More

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?
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.
Toby May, Owner at Water Bar, responded to this reviewResponded yesterday

Hi Kendrar, I am very disappointed to read this, I would be very grateful if you could E-mail me at info@waterbarwanaka.co.nz and give me information about when you dined with us so I can address this as soon as possible. We get very positive reviews...More

Reviewed 4 days ago via mobile

We walked past here on a Thursday night and say that they had 200g sirloin steaks for 25 dollars as a Thursday night deal. We went for this and I have to say that both our steaks were delicious and cooked just how we had...asked. A really good meal and really great value. Staff were great as wellMore

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 1 week ago

I've eaten here on a previous trip and it was an enjoyable experience, unfortunately on this occasion I cannot say the same. I ordered a chicken parmigiana and received a very small , overcooked (burnt) piece of chicken with a handful of cold, limp and...greasy chips, the side salad was 99.9% lettuce.More

Date of visit: December 2023
Helpful?
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.
Toby May, Owner at Water Bar, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

Hi Freedom11439533605, I am saddened to hear this and would like to offer you a refund, please E-mail info@waterbarwanaka.co.nz so we can arrange this. Please could you also advise when you dined with us so I can investigate further as to how this happened so...More

Reviewed 1 week ago

Overpriced,staff lack enthusiasm, and up most of the night sick. Another place who feel they can get away with ripping people off because they’re mostly tourists passing through town. Incredibly disappointingMore

Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
Date of visit: November 2023
Helpful?
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.
Toby May, Owner at Water Bar, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

Hi steveb, I am very surprised by the comment about us ripping off tourist as our prices are some of the lowest in town, so I am wondering if you have got the correct venue? For this reason please send me and E-mail and let...More

Reviewed 22 July 2023

Been meaning to write a review for a while about the CLASSIC cheeseburger at waterbar 🍔 I'm literally obsessed with this burger and have not gone a week without getting my fix since it was put on the menu over a year ago. It's always...on point ...I refer to it as a Mc Donald's cheeseburger on steroids.. but made out of fresh ingredients so much much better.I give it 5 stars everytime. And the bar service ain't to shabby either!! 5 stars all round at waterbar !More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 24 April 2023

Beautiful food, we had dinner one night and liked it so much came back for lunch the next day. Highly recommend a visit

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 13 April 2023

Did Roy’s peak track in the morning and were excited to get a pub meal. Went to water bar for lunch to get two meals and two cokes. Walked inside and the waitress asked me for my ID, I only had my Australian drivers licence...which she wouldn’t accept as it needed to be a passport. Was told I wasn’t allowed to be on the premises without ID. I am 28 years old and my fiancé who I was there with is 30 years old and we were not buying any alcohol. The place was empty at 1:30pm. Absolutely ridiculous and a great way to lose customers, went to the bar next door.More

Date of visit: April 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 26 March 2023 via mobile

Definitely the best meal we had since traveling NZ I had the lamb shank my sister had parmigiana absolutely lovely. Friendly helpful service good view of the lake.

Date of visit: March 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 8 March 2023 via mobile

Had some drinks here one afternoon, decided to book for dinner. Great staff, very busy at night. Ordered steak & crispy chicken salad, jalapeno poppers. Decent prices, food was nice. Would recommend

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 21 February 2023

If Weatherspoons UK is your pleasure then this your destiny, but with high prices. Food is basic but small portions, service is basic (food arrived before cocktails, and had to chase drinks). View was great, but it really is a cheap establishment with high prices.

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 7 February 2023 via mobile

Fantastic food and exceptional service! So friendly and helpful. Great menu choices and fast service with plentiful portions. Couldn't fault it. Must highlight the wonderful service received from the ovely Welsh lady 😀 -didnt catch her name.

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 30 January 2023 via mobile

Great food and drinks! And even greater service. My partner and I had a significant and unprovoked issue with another customer and they handled the situation in a very professional and appropriately apologetic manner. Will definitely go back!

Date of visit: January 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 26 December 2022 via mobile

Sadly we had terrible service, the burger we ordered were dry and the pizza cold with hardly any toppings. We waited an hour plus fir our food and the table we say at weren't cleared from the previous clients. My husband had to go and...fetch our food. Overall a terrible experience.More

Date of visit: December 2022
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 14 December 2022 via mobile

Great spot with some smoking tables. Super fast service. Happy and loud clientele with tasty food at good prices. Recommend this spot.

Date of visit: December 2022
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 18 August 2022 via mobile

Located on the main road, great view of the lake! Staff are lovely. Great service. Lots of vege options that can easily be adapted. Love this place! Rox xx

Date of visit: August 2022
Helpful?
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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WATER BAR, Wanaka - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions about Water Bar

Water Bar is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4