Nice roadside breakfast stop during our journey to Dunedin…read more Right off the highway, we wanted a quick stopping place. I chose a toasted bagel with butter, a hot latte, and a multi flavored muffin. The muffin was heated and served with butter. The coffee here is just so good. Love it. Service was excellent. We sat at a nice windowed table to enjoy the beautiful morning. And our table location was denoted by a big 'L'. How appropriate. Great stop.

ordered coffee and roast veggie salad ate two mouthfuls, tasted like it had been in the cabinet for…read morethree days without refrigeration mixed with burnt potatoes. left disappointed and questioned by a belligerent cook. not refund will not return. waste of $18.00

Cleavers Corner is a new and modern gastro pub which has recently opened on West Street in…read moreAshburton, Christchurch. You enter either from the main corner door, or one of the side window doors, where a server greets you. The uniform here appears to be black trousers and a denim shirt, which is certainly an unusual look, but that's their style. The layout, like many Ashburton and Christchurch table-service eateries (bakeries don't count, they're literally everywhere... sometimes you want more than a cheese roll!), is a large open square room with tables dotted around, no breaking up the space or layout. This can be a bit of a shame if you would like a little privacy or a quieter area to sit, as everyone is basically in the same area. However, it's modern, bright, and clean, which is good enough for me. We're handed the menus and told about the specials, as a bottle of water for the table is placed between us. The menu is simple but tasty food, focusing on fresh ingredients and quality. For our starters, we order pan fried dumplings, seared tuna, salt and pepper calamari, and a bread and dip selection. The food arrived well presented, and looked extremely appealing. The quality and presentation was excellent, and all of the party enjoyed their starters. The bread in particular was a generous amount, with delicious fresh dips and balsamic vinegar with oil. For our mains, we ordered the beer battered catch of the day (which on this day was red snapper), chicken breast, and pork ribs. The mains, like the starters, arrived in good time. The atmosphere at Cleavers' is friendly, social, and relaxed, so it was pleasant to simply enjoy your company whilst waiting for your food. The mains were again excellently presented, and very generous portions! The red snapper was tasty but subtle, and although the batter was perfectly crisp, tasting the fish on its own gave it a different flavour, which was pleasant. The chips were perfectly cooked, and a generous bowl of salad also provided. I did ask for vinegar, it being a classic British staple to have salt and vinegar with fish and chips, and they obliged a little while later by bringing out a small dish of what at first we thought was balsamic vinegar (if malt vinegar isn't popular, it's no shame to not have it commonly available), but it turned out to be a good strong malt vinegar, which after decanting it over my meal with a knife and fork to sort of... flick it over the fish and chips... worked well. The bacon wrapped chicken breast was juicy and excellently flavoured, with tasty flavourful potato cubes in accompaniment. The ribs came on a giant chopping board, which I'd normally consider a bit of a gimmick, but in this instance it seems practical. They were perfectly glazed/sauced, with great flavour. The portions were so big that we didn't even have room for a dessert, but those looked great too. If you live near Ashburton or Christchurch, it's worth a visit. There's loads of free parking nearby, the food is tasty, and the service is friendly and casual.

Phenomenal food and service. We had the steak sandwich and lamb salad and both would bring me back…read moreagain, and did I mention the coffee? If in Ashburton, stop here....

Quick service. No frills great fish and chips cooked perfectly. Found a bench on the bay 2 blocks…read moreaway to eat my takeout. Prices are low.

Our cruise ship stopped here briefly. While walking the boardwalk, I noticed a sign advertising,…read more"Murphy's On The Corner". This location is definitely off the beaten path for tourists, but it was only a few blocks away. I was unfamiliar with the type of fish, but decided to give it a try. WOWZER !! What a great tasting fish. Perfectly breaded, golden brown, moist and full of flavor. This meal was easily some of THE BEST fish & chips I have ever had. Unfortunately, in my delirium I failed to take note of the kind of fish. Friendly service, large portions, great price. I wish I could go back, but will probably never be in this part of the world again.

Creamy seafood soup with plenty of fish, prawn and green-lipped mussels.. so yummy. Beer battered…read morecod fish with giant size french fries.. a local specialty. . Food : 4/5 Service : 4/5 Price : $$ Place : 4/5 . Halal Rest : Timaru Speights Ale House Location : Timaru City : New Zealand .

Super traditional NZ menu, seafood chowder, roasts, chops, fish and chips, and some newer treats…read more Entrees are between $20-$30, but portions are huge and easily shared by two...Nice selection of 'puddings' too. Menu tells nice history of the area. Local neighborhood trust provides easy access free internet too. The Speights brews, on tap are all very good. They're most famous for their Gold Medal Ale. (We know because of the tasting after the full brewery tour in Denedin). Enjoy!

First time here but the coffee and food are fantastic! Lovely place in lovely town of Ashburton.read more

It was good as a rest place and the food was nice. Panini was big enough for me and BBQ chicken…read moreinside was really delicious with melting cheese. We got to know that the coffee there is good 2 days later when we arrived Dunedin... A little regret not having one there.

Best pies - get the Sheffield Pastie and you wont be disappointed!…read more Great selection of everything

It might be the BEST pie shop on the South Island! They had tons of options, including vegetarian…read morepies and desserts. I had the garlic roasted veggie pie and it was delicious - a perfect pastry crust surrounding a mix of velvety garlic cream cheese, kumara and other veggies. The staff was very friendly and helpful in explaining what was in the various pies. It's a cute little shop with indoor and outdoor seating.

We sat next to a local on the plane ride and he happened to be from Ashburton (our first night's…read morestop between Christchurch and Queenstown). He recommended this restaurant without hesitation so we decided to give it a go. We ordered the vegetarian parcel (pumpkin, feta, pine nuts in filo dough) and the braided fried chicken and mash. The fried chicken was good, but the vegetarian parcel was unique and delicious. It comes out in 3 beautifully packaged pockets filled with pumpkin and feta! The pockets (parcels)are in a bed of delicious sweet sauce and beets. Yum! The quality of the food was good, it's too bad we were only in town for one night. We ate at the bar, but there is an adjoining restaurant with a whole different menu. I imagine it's even more delicious!

I have had a few bad experiences at Braided Rivers in the past but kept going back because of the…read moreshortage of venues in Ashburton. I struggled with this but it has to be done; especially if it means saving some visitors from this tourist trap which does not represent what a dining and bar experience in the South Island is. As a restaurant, Braided Rivers boasts itself as a versatile, elegant and vibrant establishment in the Ashburton region. After much pondering and several trips there, I would describe it more as small-minded, outdated and snobbish; reminiscent of the kiwi expression "mutton dressed as lamb". Braided Rivers represents many things that are wrong about hospitality monopolies in small towns. It has no originality, no authenticity, and because of its position in the Ashburton market, it is not accountable. People will go back again and again because of the lack of choice but at the end of the day, a dining and a bar experience are so much more than just going somewhere and stuffing food and beverages down our sad faces. Braided Rivers lacks imagination and beckons a nouveau riche vibe that is over-hyped, over-priced and tries too hard. The food unfortunately doesn't try anything at all. Neither does the service. The level of the latter is directly correlated to how much money the staff thinks you have in your wallet and what you look like. I experienced this first hand more than once. The food kinda dissolves in your memory the same way the taste of a stick of gum does. I tried the pork belly and it was dry, I had to teach the bartender to how to make my Bloody Mary and all the components on the cheese board can be purchased at the local supermarket. Bar nights at Braided Rivers which start on Thursday, Friday and Saturday boast the best in top 40 music played from the televisions scattered throughout the bar and a band on weekends. It's a lovely testosterone filled atmosphere if there is the right ratio of farmers per women which is usually about 4 to 1 and you will fit right in if you are white, upper middle- class and basic. For everyone else, I suggest checking out the smaller and more authentic eateries and drinking holes around the Ashburton district; such as the many ones in Methven, or driving the extra hour to Christchurch to party. Another great idea would be to grab a bottle from one of the local vineyards and heading out to the beach, Lake Heron or one of the many beautiful natural spots around the region and enjoy yourselves while enjoying the magnificent views and a more fulfilling experience.

This place is TERRIBLE. Let me count the ways: first, when I arrived I went up to the girl at the…read morecounter and asked if I could sit anywhere I'd like. She said sure. I sat down. Now normally, this would be the time that a server would come by with water, ask how I'm doing, and if I want to place a drink order. But NOOOOOO not here! Here, they will all walk past you several times, acting like you don't exist, until FINALLY after 20 MINUTES, they ask "Can I get you something?" As if I'm not there at 1:30 in the afternoon for LUNCH. Next, the coffee and food wasn't good either. In fact, it was bad. I got a latte and a Brunch Wrap. The wrap was more like a Brunch Clusterfrck than something I could pick up, but moreover the entire thing tasted like mango chutney which overpowered the flavor of the bacon and eggs. Just gross. The pasta side dish was overpowered by... something... as well. Then, when I went to the toilet, it said Close The Door on the entry, so I did, and locked it. Halfway through taking a leak, one of the waitresses unlocked the door and came in to rummage through their utility closet (which was inside the restroom). What the hell?!? Who unlocks a bathroom door when a customer is using it? Finally, when I paid, the girl at the counter said nothing. No "How was your meal?" ... Nada. Not overtly rude, but rude by omission of common courtesy. There is no excuse to treat ANY customer like this. I am a nice, well dressed, cheerful guy... Not some homeless kid off the street or something. It appears that the girls who run this place have little if any professional experience in the restaurant industry. Perhaps the owner should hire some older women instead of a waitstaff whose avg age appears to be about 21.

cappuccino that didn't even taste like coffee, mostly milk, I only managed to finish half of it…read more food was okay, not outstanding or memorable but edible. atmosphere is great, comfortable casual seating area and retro music

BUSY brunch spot on the main drive in Lake Tekapo but probably the one eatery with the best…read morequality. THANKFULLY, they give you an overestimation of wait times, at least for food, my Croque Madame (19.5 NZD) coming out very fast to the picnic bench just outside. FRESH ingredients and despite only having 1 egg, the free range egg was actually quite big with a mostly runny yolk. I did wish there was more bechamel sauce perhaps because it was a little dry. I practically almost finished this before the boy was able to fetch my Flat White for me, the baristas positively inundated by in-cafe orders alongside walk-up window ones. It was already quite crowded at 9AM on a Friday, so VERY popular, but with reason!

Best cafe in Tekapo…read more We stopped by for breakfast all 3 days we were in the area and our flat whites (one regular, one with soy) were consistently great. The muffin flavor rotates daily. We tried the banana caramel, chocolate and Nutella flavors and all were delicious (& not too sweet). The berry French toast is also delicious. We also tried the curried chicken wrap which was tasty, and minced meat pie which was decent. Service is great and staff is friendly. You are given a number if you decide to eat-in and the drinks are brought timely. The food may take awhile, but it's fine since you can sip on your drink in the meantime. Communal tables available with a fair amount of seating. Cute vibe. Lots of parking. Definitely our favorite spot.