The Fat Duck Gastropub Photos
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THE FAT DUCK GASTROPUB ATMOSPHERE
Recommended Reviews - The Fat Duck Gastropub
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We were in Te Anau for the glow worm tours and this was a recommendation by a local. The ambience is casual gastropub, pretty unassuming but the food blew us over. The service was thoughtful, quick and the server gave us recommendations for the specials of the evening. All the sea and land is fresh catch and locally sourced The dishes we had - Jackfruit wantons -- Yum , jackfruit was spiced curry and topped wiht sweet and sour . The presentation looked fantastic Seafood Chowder Creamy seafood velouté with poached market fish, mussels, and a selection of New Zealand's finest shellfish served with herb oil and fry bread - Was pretty good, but for americans, this is less creamy than what you expect, so be forewarned. Lumina Lamb Braised Lumina Lamb Supreme Shoulder, Duck Fat Potatoes, Sauteed Savoy Cabbage, Pickled SOuthland Kohlrabi Salad with a Robbie's Black Garlic Jus (All ingredients are from Murihiku Southland Producers) -This was the showstopper. The lamb was slow cooked to perfection! Do give this spot a try and you wont be disappointed.

The Fat Duck Gastropub is a cute spot on the edge of town (away from the water). We went on a Wednesday night without reservations and were lucky enough to nab a spot at the bar since there was a 1.5hr wait for a table. The bar seating was uncomfortable as the stools were much shorter than the bar hight. Service was great, with the bartender being very attentive despite being busy. I ordered the fish and chips, my partner order a steak with a side of green vegetables cooked in garlic and butter. My fish was very flaky and cooked well; the chips were also crispy and delicious with the aioli. My partner was slightly disappointed with his steak. He felt the flavor was a bit lacking and for the price it wasn't anything special. The greens were basic (kale, broccoli, peas) but it was nice to get something healthy onboard!

The staff was extremely friendly, the food very tasty! Best squid appetizer I've ever had. Very lightly battered, and extremely soft. Hubby jad the benison which was delightful, and I had the seafood pasta-plentiful! Also got the side if greens...fresh! Make sure to make a reservation. We saw at least six groups turned away while we were dining. Best meal in NZ to date. Mahalo!

Good food at reasonable prices in a lovely elegant enough setting. Be sure to make reservation or get their early, it can be busy even on a off season weekday night. $15NZ Risotto Balls...this entree/appetizer was great, just a bit small on the portion size. $32NZ Lamb Shank...big, meaty, tender, and served with a generous portion of mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. $30NZ Fish of the Day...my wife kindly gave me a bite, delicious! A little crispy on the outside, but still soft inside, making for a perfect texture. Minus 1 Star due to the first gal who took our food order. She definitely made it clear she was in a rush, got a bit fussy when my wife wanted to change her drink from a beer to wine, and incorrectly put in an order for Fish & Chips instead of the Fish of the Day. So my poor wife sat there watching me eat for 15 minutes while waiting for her correct dish. We weren't offered a discount or freebie for the blunder. Maybe that's not a thing in New Zealand? Otherwise the rest of the friendly hardworking staff were great.

This place comes highly recommended; however, I found the food to be unappetizing, almost inedible. The Caesar salad was bland, and the pumpkin gnocchi barely had any pumpkin (but had plenty of oil). The gnocchi was very heavy, and it was difficult to eat even close to half (and we were hungry after a full day exploring!). My husband's fish and chips were too greasy and there was far too much batter. He had to look for pieces of fish to eat. Also, his side of "steamed" vegetables was doused in butter, and they were not very helpful in trying to find him a beer. It was really busy, and the workers seemed frustrated and in bad moods, so we expected much more positive customer service. It was very disappointing. Bonus - they have bean bags for you to sit on and enjoy beer/appetizers while you wait for a table to open up. Also, there is live music depending on the day of the week.

Delicious food, huge portion sizes, fast service and good location. It would be smart to go a bit before peak dinner time to avoid crowd. Someone in my group had ordered a latte and when the latte was coming, the waitress had accidentally swept the whipped cream from the latter along her sweater and didn't even offer her a tissue to wipe it off with, although she had been honest and told the group that she had done it and apologised for that. The Chowder has come with a VERY hard bread that could not be cut at all and that was replaced when we told them.

Not sure why the reviews are average here - a solid Gastropub with excellent food. Visited twice and left very satisfied. One of the more happening spots in Te Anau, was packed each night but still managed a table without reservations. Solid service and selection of craft brews to pair with an eclectic menu. Recommend the popcorn chicken and house made pumpkin gnocchi - super flavorful and filling dishes. Mussels were plump and well sauced. Check it out!

We were pleasantly surprised. The service was excellent. Food came out promptly. The interior was cozy and not too loud, despite being very full. The menu was extensive, but each of our dishes were great. The duck was fall-off-the-bone tender and rich. The locally sourced steak sirloin was seasoned well and lightly peppered, cooked to medium throughout. The mushroom gravy was very flavorful without overpowering the steak. The poached eggs were perfectly runny and cooked, and the fries were crispy on the outside and flaky tender on the inside. The side greens were fresh and varied.

We headed to the Fat Duck after a long days drive from Dunedin along the spectacular Southern Scenic Drive. It was dark by the time we checked into our motel, but we were hungry and wanted to experience something of Te Anau and headed into the town for something to eat and drink. Most places were either closed or getting ready to close, but the Fat Duck shone like a beacon in the night. We headed in and ordered the Lambs liver fry and the chicken and corn chowder. They arrived in two shakes of a lambs tail (sorry). They were also wonderful. The liver came with mashed potatoes and a red wine sauce, while the chowder came with a thick slice of Garlic Toast. Bother dishes were demolished. We were tempted but passed on dessert, sucked down our drinks and left. After a long days drive this was the perfect way to end. Great service, great food and prices that were also pretty good value. We waddled back like two fat ducks, but were warm and happy from our experience here.
19 days ago
Best fish & chip in the town ,especially after a stressed out 5 hours drive and two hours Boat cruising read more
I thought the food was just okay until later that night (27 Nov 2025) I got violently ill. One of the specials was seafood linguini. Can't say for sure but I believe the mussels were bad. I got food poisoning from this dish. My wife had the gnocchi and she was fine. After dinner, we shared a gelato from another cafe so I know it was the seafood linguini that made me sick that night. read more
You'll need a reservation for this place. Good vibe, good food! We had the mussels, lamb and venison. All well prepared and tasty. Service was spotty- had to ask for our drinks after starters were served but drinks hadn't arrived. Kept needing to ask for items along the meal. The place was busy but not crazy busy. read more
We were in Te Anau for the glow worm tours and this was a recommendation by a local. The ambience is casual gastropub, pretty unassuming but the food blew us over. The service was thoughtful, quick and the server gave us recommendations for the specials of the evening. All the sea and land is fresh catch and locally sourced The dishes we had - Jackfruit wantons -- Yum , jackfruit was spiced curry and topped wiht sweet and sour . The presentation looked fantastic Seafood Chowder Creamy seafood velouté with poached market fish, mussels, and a selection of New Zealand's finest shellfish served with herb oil and fry bread - Was pretty good, but for americans, this is less creamy than what you expect, so be forewarned. Lumina Lamb Braised Lumina Lamb Supreme Shoulder, Duck Fat Potatoes, Sauteed Savoy Cabbage, Pickled SOuthland Kohlrabi Salad with a Robbie's Black Garlic Jus (All ingredients are from Murihiku Southland Producers) -This was the showstopper. The lamb was slow cooked to perfection! Do give this spot a try and you wont be disappointed. read more
3 years ago
The Fat Duck Gastropub is a cute spot on the edge of town (away from the water). We went on a Wednesday night without reservations and were lucky enough to nab a spot at the bar since there was a 1.5hr wait for a table. The bar seating was uncomfortable as the stools were much shorter than the bar hight. Service was great, with the bartender being very attentive despite being busy. I ordered the fish and chips, my partner order a steak with a side of green vegetables cooked in garlic and butter. My fish was very flaky and cooked well; the chips were also crispy and delicious with the aioli. My partner was slightly disappointed with his steak. He felt the flavor was a bit lacking and for the price it wasn't anything special. The greens were basic (kale, broccoli, peas) but it was nice to get something healthy onboard! read more
2 years ago
The staff was extremely friendly, the food very tasty! Best squid appetizer I've ever had. Very lightly battered, and extremely soft. Hubby jad the benison which was delightful, and I had the seafood pasta-plentiful! Also got the side if greens...fresh! Make sure to make a reservation. We saw at least six groups turned away while we were dining. Best meal in NZ to date. Mahalo! read more
Good food at reasonable prices in a lovely elegant enough setting. Be sure to make reservation or get their early, it can be busy even on a off season weekday night. $15NZ Risotto Balls...this entree/appetizer was great, just a bit small on the portion size. $32NZ Lamb Shank...big, meaty, tender, and served with a generous portion of mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. $30NZ Fish of the Day...my wife kindly gave me a bite, delicious! A little crispy on the outside, but still soft inside, making for a perfect texture. Minus 1 Star due to the first gal who took our food order. She definitely made it clear she was in a rush, got a bit fussy when my wife wanted to change her drink from a beer to wine, and incorrectly put in an order for Fish & Chips instead of the Fish of the Day. So my poor wife sat there watching me eat for 15 minutes while waiting for her correct dish. We weren't offered a discount or freebie for the blunder. Maybe that's not a thing in New Zealand? Otherwise the rest of the friendly hardworking staff were great. read more
This place comes highly recommended; however, I found the food to be unappetizing, almost inedible. The Caesar salad was bland, and the pumpkin gnocchi barely had any pumpkin (but had plenty of oil). The gnocchi was very heavy, and it was difficult to eat even close to half (and we were hungry after a full day exploring!). My husband's fish and chips were too greasy and there was far too much batter. He had to look for pieces of fish to eat. Also, his side of "steamed" vegetables was doused in butter, and they were not very helpful in trying to find him a beer. It was really busy, and the workers seemed frustrated and in bad moods, so we expected much more positive customer service. It was very disappointing. Bonus - they have bean bags for you to sit on and enjoy beer/appetizers while you wait for a table to open up. Also, there is live music depending on the day of the week. read more
7 years ago
This place is probably the best tourist trap restaurant on the main drag. It has great drinks, decent food, and is pretty great overall. I've had a number of things here. A mediocre steak, some weird tasting pate, and too much sauce ribs... you might wonder why I put 4 stars. It's because if you aren't ordering the green mussels you are doing it wrong. They are exceptional. They were so good I came back for lunch and ordered 2 orders of them and they were just as good the next day - they are that good. I washed it down with Caitlin's scrumptious cider, i've had a lot of cider in my life and if you like cider you might also find it to be the BEST cider you've ever had. It's like a mead cider. Really impressive. Get cider and mussels, and stop complaining and relax into the glow worms. PS: WiFi password on the blackboard, it's crap and cuts out a lot but when it works it's on! read more
3 years ago
Great place to sit outside, listen to music and enjoy drinks. Appetizers are good and service if ok. Order through their app and so easy to get bill and service. read more
7 years ago
Delicious food, huge portion sizes, fast service and good location. It would be smart to go a bit before peak dinner time to avoid crowd. Someone in my group had ordered a latte and when the latte was coming, the waitress had accidentally swept the whipped cream from the latter along her sweater and didn't even offer her a tissue to wipe it off with, although she had been honest and told the group that she had done it and apologised for that. The Chowder has come with a VERY hard bread that could not be cut at all and that was replaced when we told them. read more
7 years ago
Tried this place on a stop over to Queenstown. Ideally situated on the corner with ample seating outside. We asked for a table inside and was show to a large table with very comfortable seats. We ordered promptly 3 ordering what sounded like a refreshing lemonade but instead came Sprite soda, so watch out Americans. The meals were not fast to arrive either, we estimated approx 1h 20min but everyone was very impressed and the fish and chips were excellent. Bottom line, if you dont mind suprise drinks and waiting longer than average this is a solid option. read more
7 years ago
Not sure why the reviews are average here - a solid Gastropub with excellent food. Visited twice and left very satisfied. One of the more happening spots in Te Anau, was packed each night but still managed a table without reservations. Solid service and selection of craft brews to pair with an eclectic menu. Recommend the popcorn chicken and house made pumpkin gnocchi - super flavorful and filling dishes. Mussels were plump and well sauced. Check it out! read more
8 years ago
We were pleasantly surprised. The service was excellent. Food came out promptly. The interior was cozy and not too loud, despite being very full. The menu was extensive, but each of our dishes were great. The duck was fall-off-the-bone tender and rich. The locally sourced steak sirloin was seasoned well and lightly peppered, cooked to medium throughout. The mushroom gravy was very flavorful without overpowering the steak. The poached eggs were perfectly runny and cooked, and the fries were crispy on the outside and flaky tender on the inside. The side greens were fresh and varied. read more
We headed to the Fat Duck after a long days drive from Dunedin along the spectacular Southern Scenic Drive. It was dark by the time we checked into our motel, but we were hungry and wanted to experience something of Te Anau and headed into the town for something to eat and drink. Most places were either closed or getting ready to close, but the Fat Duck shone like a beacon in the night. We headed in and ordered the Lambs liver fry and the chicken and corn chowder. They arrived in two shakes of a lambs tail (sorry). They were also wonderful. The liver came with mashed potatoes and a red wine sauce, while the chowder came with a thick slice of Garlic Toast. Bother dishes were demolished. We were tempted but passed on dessert, sucked down our drinks and left. After a long days drive this was the perfect way to end. Great service, great food and prices that were also pretty good value. We waddled back like two fat ducks, but were warm and happy from our experience here. read more
8 years ago
So, so good. We ate here twice while staying in Te Anau. Terrific happy hour and outdoor area. Bar staff was friendly and the food was delicious. We had the duck wontons (TWICE b/c they were so good), steak, lamb and burgers. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more
7 years ago
Great food and a good variety of options. The pumpkin gnocchi and popcorn chicken bowls were fantastic.
7 years ago
Great place, it is pricier than what we are used to but considering everything else in the area it's priced pretty reasonably. Would recommend the lamb and the market fish, however the market fish is "Priced on Arrival" so be sure to ask about the pricing. The staff is friendly and the food is great! Would visit it again if in the area read more
6 years ago
I had the sirlon steak, gratin potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. The steak was cooked fine but didn't have much flavor which is probably why they offer you sauces (ended up getting red wine jours- which tasted like a brown gravy packet tasting sauce), vegetables were very overcooked, gratin potatoes had very little flavor and dried out. Needless to say I would give my meal 1.5 stars. On the otherhand my husband got their market special- pan fried Sol with potatoes and pea puree confit and it was delicious. So maybe go with their specials read more
7 years ago
Had a delightful meal at The Fat Duck tonight with my family. Everything from their soda to their fries was incredible. We ordered the pumpkin gnocchi, fish and chips, as well as the prosciutto wrapped chicken. I personally am a huge fan of fish and chips and their fish of the day was incredible. The fry was a little more breaded than crispy, which I appreciate, it makes it not feel as heavy. Their customer service was also incredible. Lastly, we had a shared plate of baked Risotto balls with pesto and that was possibly the highlight of my meal. They were incredible in flavor, not too baked and just delicious. Wonderful portions, flavor, and service for your price. read more
6 years ago
Well, it certainly gets full. We waited ca. 15 mins for a table but got drinks at the bar and sat in the waiting area so no problem. No real atmosphere in restaurant and not overly efficient staff. Food was OK and very large portions but for the price a bit overrated. There are lots of other restaurants and to be honest, I'd go to one of those next time. There is nothing wrong with it but nothing that special either. read more
7 years ago
Nice restaurant on the Town Center. We both had the cod fish and chips, most excellent. Nice selection of brews and drinks. Pleasant, efficient service. read more
8 years ago
This place has potential. Good service, lovely atmosphere with a big fireplace. They had a high chair and were very accommodating for our baby. The entrees were amazing - recommend the wontons and risotto balls. But I wish I had just stuck with entrees. I got the gnocchi, and it was undercooked, gluggy and lacking flavour. So I would recommend eating here, getting lots of yummy entrees and definitely don't order the gnocchi read more
Great place to grab lunch in Te Anau. The fat duck burger was lovely--lamb patty was well seasoned with herbs and was extremely tender and moist. Also had 1/4 rack of the smoked manuka honey glazed ribs which fell off the bone easily and really hit the spot for this BBQ lover. Staff was friendly and warm. Free wifi was an additional bonus! :) read more
Came here on the recommendation of our accommodation provider who knew we were short of time after visiting the Milford sounds before doing another activity. Staff were super accommodating and very friendly. Meals were served within 15 minutes of ordering and were fresh and tasty. The fat duck burger is a must try. Meals were not expensive either. A must try if stopping in Te Anau read more
7 years ago
We got here around 9:30pm and they only offered Bar Bites, so we got popcorn chicken and a bowl of fries. The chicken didn't look all that appetizing but was surprisingly good! The bowl of fries was too much - after eating a lot, it looked as if we barely ate any. Unfortunately, our hotel didn't have a microwave in the room so we couldn't take them with us. My husband got a brownie ice cream dessert and enjoyed it. read more
7 years ago
Great place for a hearty meal after days of traveling. Friendly staff and a good wine list. They even have live music which was nice. I had the pork loin and veggies and it was exactly what I needed after eating junk in the car for a few days. read more
8 years ago
"Wait here to be seated" the sign says. So we waited... and waited. Every table had a "reserved" sign on it. Two bar staff and two floor staff buzzed around, avoiding eye contact with us while we stood awkwardly by the entrance for five minutes, unsure what to do. Another couple arrived so we sat down at a "reserved" table, and immediately someone appeared and took them to a table. So after a beer, we went next door to Radha's Indian where the service was awesome and the beers were cheaper. read more
7 years ago
Good across the board. Service, food and all. I had the chicken. Gnocchi was good. Fish and chips was solid. The service was friendly and encouraging. I would go again. read more
8 years ago
The Fat Duck in Te Anau is a fun casual pub with food that is much much better than regular pub food. We had a large appetizer of Wontons, large chowder, lamb shanks, and a craft beer. All were hearty portions and all were very good. If you eat in the bar room you are likely to have different people joining and leaving your table as they start and finish eating their meals. With the turnover you get a chance to meet a lot of interesting people. That is one of the charms of that seating arrangement. They have a regular dining room as well. Cute place with good food and personable wait staff. Give them a try. read more
9 years ago
The food was disappointing :( but the service was great! We all ordered the venison with kumara mash and it was rather flavorless and very over-cooked. For the steep prices it was not worth it. The wait staff were quick, friendly and very accommodating to allergies. read more
7 years ago
Showed up at 8:30 pm on a rainy Saturday night to find the kitchen was closing and all that was available was the snack menu. Ordered the chicken tenders and salt and pepper squid. Both were overcooked, chewy, and tasted like they were cooked in old fryer grease. Honestly we didn't have the highest of expectations going in, as the choices are limited in town, but the food was bad. Other patrons that arrived before us seemed to be enjoying their food, so our experience may have been a result of poor timing. read more
6 years ago
I found this to be a great place for a meal in Te Anau. It is well run and the front of house staff organized. Wide selection of food and beverages. I tried the duck won-tons and the lamb salad with a glass of local Pinot noir. It was reasonably priced, well prepared and tasty. If in Te Anau, I would definitely return. read more
8 years ago
We came up for the weekend as my son and his girlfriend just moved to te anau we decided to take them out for dinner, 3 of us had the salmon at 36$ it was beautiful but it was a piece of salmon with 3 small pieces of broccolli (still hungry when we left ) and I had the mushroom risotto which sorry was tasteless hate complaining but for what we paid it was pretty bad , the waitress was great service excellent but very expensive to still come out hungry , So sorry to say when we come back we probably wouldn't go to the fat duck read more
12 years ago
aaaahhhhmmmmaaaazzzziiinnnng. The food here is fabulous. I had the lamb burger and it was huge and awesome. If you are ever in this area definitely visit The Fat Duck. The service was very friendly. The atmosphere was great. If I lived closer I would go back here many many times!! read more
8 years ago
Eh. We wandered in and happened to get a table without a wait. After that it went downhill. We placed our order just as a party of 18-20 people were seated. The lamb croquettes appetizer was delicious and the wine and beer lists were quite good. After we finished our appetizer, our drinks, our second drinks, and our 4th pitcher of water we flagged down our waitress and asked her to check on our mains. Yes they're busy, but when I saw the large group getting their food (ordered 15+minutes after us) I knew something was wrong. Multiple apologies and 15 minutes later, we had our average mains (venison goulash and lamb shank). So a quick meal turned into nearly two hours, and nothing was comped from the bill. We were so irritated by the poor service we didn't bother to try dessert, something I usually look forward to. Summary: alcohol selection was great, food was mediocre to good, service was abysmal. read more
8 years ago
The food, location, and ambiance are all great. I just wanted to give a huge shout out to Sarah. She was so friendly and helped me out by letting me use her personal phone to make an important call! Thanks so much Sarah, you really made my night! read more
9 years ago
It was hard to decide between 1 and 2 stars. The nice thing about this place is the servers were nice. As was the general feel of the place. There is a good selection of wine and beer. Luckily that was good. However the food was not. Having a sampling of their offerings, the Risotto balls had no taste other than that of fried breading. The bruschetta was probably the most tolerable. The wedges were very plain and only saved by the sweet chili sauce. Mussels were "fishy" and very tough. To be honest, I was very excited to try this place and was very much let down. read more
11 years ago
This place was alright, but lost major points because: it was comparatively expensive with other better local places, had poor staff- she abandoned us at table and the guy up front couldn't be arsed to care, and when I pointed out they brought me the wrong thing, CHANGED me for and and the actual thing- even though I didn't have any of it. read more
9 years ago
The lamb melted in your mouth and the Goat Cheese Tart was to die for! The steak was just okay but that may be because they don't have A1 Sauce and I can't eat a steak without it. the price was average and the service was we had was great. read more
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More info about The Fat Duck Gastropub
124 Town Centre
Te Anau 9600
New Zealand
Directions
03 249 8480
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.thefatduck.co.nz
Full menu
Hours
What time does The Fat Duck Gastropub open?
The Fat Duck Gastropub opens at 4:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
What time does The Fat Duck Gastropub close?
The Fat Duck Gastropub closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Mon-Sun 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Food & Alcohol
Does The Fat Duck Gastropub have a happy hour?
Yes, The Fat Duck Gastropub has a happy hour.
Does The Fat Duck Gastropub serve alcohol?
Yes, The Fat Duck Gastropub serves alcohol.
Indoor Amenities
Does The Fat Duck Gastropub have TVs?
Yes, The Fat Duck Gastropub has TVs.
Outdoor Amenities
Does The Fat Duck Gastropub have outdoor seating?
Yes, The Fat Duck Gastropub has outdoor seating options.
Does The Fat Duck Gastropub have parking?
Yes, The Fat Duck Gastropub has parking options.
Other Amenities
Does The Fat Duck Gastropub have free WiFi?
Yes, The Fat Duck Gastropub has free WiFi.
The Fat Duck Gastropub Reviews in Other Languages
Review Highlights - The Fat Duck Gastropub
“The fat duck burger was lovely--lamb patty was well seasoned with herbs and was extremely tender and moist.”
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