The Elephant Wrestler
1083 Reviews
$$
- Friday12 pm–1 am
- Saturday12 pm–1 am
- SundayClosed
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday4–9 pm
- Wednesday4–9 pm
- Thursday12–11 pm
About the Business
The Elephant Wrestler | Located in Takapuna with an outdoor courtyard, The Elephant Wrestler is a local favourite Bar & Restaurant on the North Shore. Expect a down to earth hospitality experience with a relaxed atmosphere, expansive selection of crafty beverages and food that’s undeniably Kiwi.
Contacts
Call Us
138 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Hours
- Friday12 pm–1 am
- Saturday12 pm–1 am
- SundayClosed
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday4–9 pm
- Wednesday4–9 pm
- Thursday12–11 pm
Features
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Delivery
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Toilets
- Good for kids
- Family friendly
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Kids' menu
- Small plates
- Wine
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Bar on site
- High chairs
- Casual
- Groups
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Great cocktails
- Cocktails
- Late-night food
- Spirits
- Vegetarian options
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Happy-hour drinks
- Fireplace
- Live music
Recommended Reviews
maiseylikesyou
16.10.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
Staff were lovely but the food was so bad it’s the first time I’ve ever sent something back at a restaurant due to it being completely inedible!Ordered Beef rendang and the meat was grey chunks of fat with no meat and had that ‘old meat’ smell that overpowered the sauce. the ‘sauce’ had the consistency of water and had chunks of something that seemed like lychee? Floating in it. The coconut rice was dry and stuck together in a way you could literally pick it up as a solid disc. Really really shocked a kitchen would be willing to send that out.Staff were lovely and removed it from our tab offering to replace it but just wanted to leave and go make dinner at home instead. In the end it was $29 for a single drink and some fries.. such a waste of money.Had heard good things but Won’t be back :(
A A
09.10.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
Food: Average to below average bar foodService: Average, no order taking at tableVibe: Good, live music, chillConclusion: Good place for a drink, not for food.
Dion Keating
28.09.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
Had our work mid winter Christmas here. Delicious food. Live music and staff were super helpful in moving us to a bigger table.The outdoor flow made it helpful for those in our team who vaped and also to cool down. Very popular place so quite packed.Bathrooms were clean and tidy and Bar service was quick.
Debraj Mallik
14.09.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
The atmosphere was good - we went on a quiz night. However we ordered the nachos which didn't taste good and the chicken fries were very bland. We liked the pizza we ordered though the lady forgot our order but there was this other lady who kind enough to let us know the kitchen was closing and when we enquired about our order, she came back and informed it was never placed - so we ended up waiting for another 20mins. The drinks also took ages to come - specially the second round. How can it take 20mins to mix rum and Coke?
Rebecca KEENAN
08.09.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
Stopped in for lunch and had a very nice pizza which I shared with partner. The chips were too fat for me as I prefer thinner variety. The coffee was good but the hot chocolate I would describe as IIndifferentGood atmosphere and nice staff. Cost $$-$$$
Brooke Potter
17.08.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
Long island ice tea was great! But it did take a while to be made, also we had ordered 3 and 2 arrived first with a decent wait in between; so long that we thought theyd forgotten the 3rd drink. I tried to wave down a waitress for a few minutes but no one was paying attention. The bartender ended up calling out that it was ready after a while so I could put my hand down.Most of the food we got was good - aka. Fried chicken, pork belly & cauli bites. But the cheesy fries were a bit of a disappointment. Kind of expected a loaded fries vibe, saucey cheese topping, and some p'zaz. But it was a pretty small basket of fries just with normal grated cheese ontop, and not even alot of it. Also was very anemic looking, not golden brown and enticing.Would've been more mad about it if I was paying full price, luckily we had a first table voucher. But honestly the chips werent worth even the $5.25
Marielle Ibarra
30.07.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
Staff was very friendly and accomodating despite the inconvenience of the lockdown -- they are definitely doing their best to keep the place clean and safe. The food was good, and portions were huge! Just keep that in mind:) Especially loved the buttermilk chicken entree -- very tasty. A little bit pricey for some things, but I enjoyed the experience and would come back.
Yan Caly Wang
30.07.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
Went on first table, great food. Best part was the live performance by Jaz who was playing her acoustic cover of popular songs.
Tim Preston
27.07.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
This used to be one of Takapuna's icons. No longer.We went for a steak and once we had ordered our drinks and committed to stay we were told steak was off the menu. Our friend ordered a gluten free chicken burger and once the rest of us had our meals delivered, she was told the chicken in the burger had crumbs and was not gluten free.The food was below average, the disabled toilets were out of order and the men's toilets were very sub par as regards cleanliness and hygiene.For the drinks menu, everything but the beer had prices on it. We did not know the draft Heineken was $13 a glass. Is it legal to not have prices on the beers so you can order to your budget?Overall a horrible experience...will never go back.
Geoff Wilson
25.07.2023
The Elephant Wrestler
During the day I'm going to assume it looks a bit better as it's clean and likely less busy than I suspect it gets at night, but overall, it still just feels like a cookie cutter NZ beer bar (and I think it is part of that larger brewery chain family). Inside and outside seating makes for good pictures when empty at least, and the outdoor wall art is pretty good. Chicken burger looked better than the beef one and was pretty good as I recall. Pizzas were okay. However, for me I think it's still just a place I'd go to when my mates want to have a beer during the day with or without kids in tow as the menu and tap variance is more aligned to drunken late nights I feel.
Add Review
Map
138 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
The Elephant Wrestler