The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
868 Reviews
$$
- Friday3–9 pm
- Saturday3–9 pm
- Sunday3–9 pm
- Monday3–9 pm
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- Thursday3–9 pm
About the Business
HOME | the-whaler-bar |
Contacts
Website
Call Us
+6433193333
49-51 West End, Kaikōura 7300
Hours
- Friday3–9 pm
- Saturday3–9 pm
- Sunday3–9 pm
- Monday3–9 pm
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- Thursday3–9 pm
Features
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Delivery
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Toilets
- Wi-Fi
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Wine
- Seating
- Casual
- Cosy
- Groups
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Great cocktails
- Cocktails
- Spirits
- Happy-hour drinks
- Sport
- Food
- Food at bar
- Bar games
Recommended Reviews
Graeldon
18.09.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
Starting off positive - Mains were excellent with good sized portions. The chicken was a little dry but the peppercorn sauce made up for it. The ribs were a winner and practically fell off the bone.Dessert was where things fell down. The dessert special was a mango, rhubarb and beetroot crumble which intrigued me, but in hindsight should have been a warning! Firstly, why the mango and beetroot? You couldn't taste either, so just do a really good rhubarb crumble! Secondly, a crumble should have a fruit base with crumb on top. This... thing... had a crumb base and then extra thick chunks of crumb on top, almost like it was trying to be a pie, but failed at the last moment. Thirdly, it was twice the size it needed to be. Unless your menu says otherwise, keep the different items to similar portion sizes!As for the creme brulee - the star of the dish is the layer of caramelized sugar on top. Putting icing sugar on top of that just ruins the point! It was a good dessert just trying to look too fancy. I've seen other restaurants use edible flowers to make it look great.On the other hand, I saw other patrons with seafood dishes and the brownies which all looked excellent, so maybe we were just unlucky with ours.Finally, service was fairly slow taking about two hours for mains and a dessert. It felt like we waited for our dessert for as long as we did for our mains.Overall I would recommend checking this place out for lunch, for their mains, or just for a great place to hang out for a few drinks. The bar itself and the atmosphere is pretty great and had a relaxed vibe going. Just expect to wait a bit for food.
Alistair Reed
12.09.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
Not bad but it is expensive for what you get. Two soups, a bowl of chips and a couple of beers cost almost as much as a night in a four star inner city Christchurch hotel. If you’re not concerned about ‘value’ then the food is okay.
Nicola Calder
11.08.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
Came up to Kaikoura for a few days breakCame into your premises for a few drinks and a mealI was so disappointed with the attitude of your bar staff. They were so rude that I wouldn’t even stay and have a meal, and so we left as fast as we arrived and went to the good old lobster where the bar staff are so friendly and welcoming and enjoy having a good old conversationI would not recommend anyone to walk into your establishmentA smile cost nothing but obviously your staff feel we need to pay for oneZero rating from me
The Lilldoggs
01.08.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
Pretty good chowder, found scallop, prawns and a big piece of fish in it. Soup main was nice. Kids meals were fairly good value. Required to order at the bar. Prices perhaps a little steep but overall fairly good.
Morgan Williams
01.08.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
A solid Monteith's pub in Kaikoura. Loads of space, and a couple of pool tables. There's an upstairs deck which would be awesome on a sunny day. Didn't have any food while there, just drinks. Staff were OK, the ambience was ok too, would love to see some live music at a place like this! All in all, not a bad joint.
karin hubber
30.07.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
It's meant to be pub food but really it was outstanding. We stumbled upon this cos we wanted to see the rugby . Pleasantly surprised. The fish was so fresh and well oresented. Lovely atmosphere. Just all round good. Worth a visit
Sarah Healey
23.07.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
Popped in here on a quiet Sunday night. Staff friendly and left us to enjoy the space and view. Huge sized meals for a good price. Good history around the building.
Andrew Czupper Andras
21.07.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
This place wasn't terrible, but it was quite disappointing. I understand NZ is struggling to find staff all around, however fow a highly overpriced pub/ restaurant you would expect at least someone will give you a menu and explain the situation why you need to order at the bar. Average food, no smile, no kindness.If you are really hungry, and you have plenty of time to wait... go for it. Otherwise you'll be better off somewhere ( almost anywhere..) else.BTW school holidays not even started.Sorry, no pictures to attach, because I didn't take any. Wasn't pictures worth.
nguyen ha kieu nhung
21.07.2023
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
The food was delicious but we waited for a while. More than 20mins after ordering for entrée, then 30mins till mains and around 30-40mins for deserts. Restaurants might be a bit under staff for a saturday night.
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49-51 West End, Kaikōura 7300
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant