NZ beer and delicious meals in stylish surroundings
We went to Duke of Wellington on Saturday night for the Super Rugby final. The place was packed. The staff are fantastic with great service and friendly service especially under the pressure & demands of a very full pub. I recommend Duke of Wellington for the place to go for great food and fantastic selections of beer, wine and spirits. Excellent. Thanks very much Duke of Wellington.
The bar staff were fine, and I didn’t have much interaction with them beyond placing my order. Unfortunately, my experience with the manager on duty was disappointing. I understand it was a busy evening during the Super Rugby finals, but customers should still be treated with courtesy and respect regardless of how busy the venue is. Shortly after arriving, I joined family members who had already booked and been seated at a table. When drinks were ordered at the bar, staff asked which table we were seated at. We assumed this was so the drinks could be brought to us, as the area to wait was getting packed very quickly. About five minutes later, when the drinks were brought to our table, the manager placed them down and remarked that he was “not here to bring you your drinks all night.” As this was my first interaction with him, I found the comment abrupt and unnecessary. Later in the evening, other family members also raised concerns about their interactions with the same manager, saying they felt rushed despite our group purchasing multiple meals and drinks throughout the night. At the end of the evening, while we were still packing up and clearing the table, another couple was seated in the area before we had fully vacated it. This gave the impression that there was a focus on turning tables over quickly rather than ensuring customers felt welcome. The bar staff were fine, food delish, but the manager’s communication and manner significantly detracted from what would otherwise have been an enjoyable experience.
A great happy pub spot with hearty food and drink. Went on a game night so they had a limited menu for pre game groups. Love the serviette was a material cloth, not flimsy paper napkin.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Pleasant Surprise: Great Vibes and Exceptional Food We absolutely loved our visits to the Duke of Wellington Gastro Pub. While it is certainly a great place for drinks, the food quality far exceeded our expectations and was truly superb. My son ordered the Goulash and Smoked Cheese Pie, and we were blown away. We were pleasantly taken aback by the subtle Asian fusion influence; the combination of flavours was unique and impressive. Served on a rich miso pumpkin mash alongside a huge bone marrow, it was a match made in heaven. Even the Brussels sprouts were cooked to perfection and tasted amazing! On our second visit, my son had the 250g Bavette Steak, which was cooked exactly right—beautifully medium rare. I opted for the Potato Gnocchi, which was perfectly done and served with incredibly tender, soft lamb. The combination of whipped feta, mint pesto, and chilli-infused EVOO was a masterful recipe that delivered wave after wave of gastronomical pleasure. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and the overall ambiance is warm and inviting. I particularly appreciated the heaters, which kept us nice and cosy. The only minor suggestion would be that the coffee can certainly be improved, but that hardly took away from the fantastic experience. Highly recommended!
Classic pub atmosphere and close to the ferry’s and downtown for a quick lunch or a pint to settle the nerves before ye sail the mighty Cook strait. The Camembert burger was ok and the other vege burger option with a black bean patty also passed the test. Quick attentive service and great travel tips from the waiter. Cheers 🥂
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