Popped in for lunch and honestly had one of the best meals I’ve had in 8 weeks travelling around NZ! Ordered the hawker roll with beef cheek rendang. It was honestly exceptional. Tasty, filling, just perfectly put together. Added a beer and sat in the sun. Nice!

Pleasantly surprised. This place gets great reviews and once you stop in you can understand why. Exceptional food, pretty good service, it was only the atmosphere that slipped a little for myself, but this did not affect my overall experience. We had sizzling steak and pad Thai, desert and several snake bites.

Surprised to find authentic Indonesian food in a town like Franz Josef. The nasi goreng was excellent, as were the hawker rolls and pad see ew. We went back a second time. Enjoyed the coffees and chai lattes too. Considering it is a tourist town, the prices are reasonable.

We had an absolutely fantastic experience at Snake Bite Brewery and Restaurant! Everything was exceptional – from the warm atmosphere to the delicious food and drinks. The star of the evening was their signature cocktail, the Snake Bite – a perfect half-and-half mix of cider and beer. Smooth, refreshing, and something truly unique – it’s a must-try! The food was just as impressive. The flaky roti with dip, crispy fries, hearty burger, and rich hot chocolate were all top-notch, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Every dish felt thoughtfully made and satisfying. On top of that, the staff were friendly, attentive, and created such a welcoming vibe. This place has the perfect balance of great food, excellent drinks, and a buzzing atmosphere. Highly recommend Snake Bite Brewery to anyone visiting – we’ll definitely be coming back!

Chose this place for our lunch kudos to a Soak Dine Stay voucher with Bella Vista Motel, where we got ourselves a $50 voucher for this restaurant at a package price. 🍚 having not had rice for awhile, i opted for the nasi goreng with chicken and the first bite really hit me as flavourful! The chicken satay was very well cooked too, slightly fried but not too tough, comes easily off the stick too. The salad was a surprising good flavour change as well, quite a good side to the dish. 🍝 wifey opted for the pad see ew chicken which was a gigantic portion, though she did finish it with some help from me. The dish was flavourful, though slightly salty - with a good portion of chicken slices too. 🥬 we also opted for some bok choy to have more greens, and was a decent enough portion for 2 - though it did come with a lot of the stems and not much of the leaf Overall, the bill came up to $73 which was fairly acceptable for 2 mains and 1 side in NZ. Good spot for a wide selection of meals, and even drinks too.

Stayed one night for Friday dinner at Snakebite. Portion size is value for money. 1. The pad thai noodles, really good. 2. Nasi goreng with prawn. Suggest to pair with kikkoman soy sauce on rice. 3. Roti chennai if you're in big splurge

Food was good and sufficient to fill my tummy. Will recommend the Asian taco roll up you are looking for something different. The menu here is definitely different from the usual NZ restaurant/Cafe menu. On a clear day, you will be able to view the glaciers too!

Very easy lunch at Frans Josef town. I had a vegan pie and it was decent. Coffee was good. They had soy milk. I would recommend this for a quick lunch. The 2 tables outside had a little fire place in the middle which was lovely. Lots of options for food for people who eat meat. Parking is easily available outside the restaurant.

Very cosy cafe that’s packed with visitors since they are one of the few restaurants opened in the morning. ☕ gotten ourselves a large flat white to share and thought it was a very good cup, not bitter but rather a little tone of sweetness, with a good aroma as well. 🥔 the eggs benedict with mushroom was good too, the highlight was in my opinion the rosti/potato, which was pretty thick but soft at the same time - not too overly fried as well. Pairs perfectly with the eggs and mushrooms for a good bite. It was enough for the 2 of us, as we were looking for a light breakfast before lunch later. Definitely recommended to come by for a drink or some light bites!

One of the few places in the area to eat so I was surprised by the great and plentiful menu options. Restaurant was cosy and staff were warm. Lunch was quick and portion sizes were huge (big pro after doing a big walk)! Everything was flavourful and hot, no complaints from us.

Great breakfast place in Franz Josef. Highly recommend the Belgian Waffels, also the egg Benedict looked fantastic. Went here twice when we were in Franh Josef, both times I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere here.

Had a fabulous breakfast here. Big servings and no worries about taking some home. Great coffee, friendly staff, huge Leamington!

Had a relaxing lunch at Full of Beans. Jom was super friendly and welcoming, which really added to the experience. She saved a Vegan "The West Coast Pie company" Pie for us to come back later to eat at lunch time. Plenty of vegan options on the menu, and I enjoyed a pie along with a soy flat white that was smooth and decent. The outdoor seating is a real highlight, with small table fires out the front keeping things warm — such a unique and cosy touch, especially with the scenic views around. Well-priced, relaxed, and an easy lunch.

Coffee was excellent 👌 Full rich flavor. Milk textured carefully. Even got some art. Best coffee I’ve had in NZ so far! Carrot cake was a solid 7/10. Good. Warm and well laid out. Great place. Great vibes

We spent 3 nights in Franz Josef and stopped in here on our first night for Happy hour. The service and cocktails were amazing so we stayed for dinner, which was also delicious. We were keen for an Ouzo after dinner and they had none available. So the manager went out and got a bottle for us to have a few drinks. We enjoyed it so much we came back every night and had dinner here twice. We tried the Salmon, Steak, Ribs, and the chicken burger. All very tasty and generous servings. Lovely to sit outside in the middle of winter with the heaters on.

We really enjoyed the pie option… no ordinary pie but the choice of venison or goat. We had goat. Fantastic, with lovely fresh salad and a pile of really hot fries along with a good bottled very tasty gravy. It is BIG. My wife & I shared and it was enough. My guest had venison and also loved it. Fourth member had pasta & king prawns. The food is excellent and outside seating in brilliant mid Sept sun was an ideal setting. Try it

I would like say the service is good and cheerful, especially the staff who has his very unique hair cut is friendly and helpful. The foods are find just ok. We have ordered the pizza and fish & chip. The fish is very plain if we don't use any source, perhaps it maybe same as others. Similar to the pizza.

[holiao] 1) Overall - western restaurant, chill and cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, great portion size, offers happy hour, spacious seating capacity, food and drink selection are beer, pizza, burger, salad and many more from The Landing Restaurant & Bar 2) seafood chowder - Creamy and hearty with generous chunks of seafood. Rich in flavor, though could use a touch more seasoning to enhance the ocean freshness. 3) Pumpkin Soup - Smooth, slightly sweet, and comforting. Well-blended with a natural pumpkin taste, perfect as a warm starter. Would be even better with a dash of spice or cream swirl. 4) hawaiian pizza - Classic sweet and savory combo. The pineapple adds a juicy tang that pairs well with the smoky ham. Crust was nicely baked—crispy outside, soft inside. A comforting choice for those who enjoy fruit on pizza 5) creamy carbonara - Rich and indulgent with a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta. The balance of cream, cheese, and a hint of smokiness was comforting. Slightly heavy, but very satisfying for a classic comfort meal.

Not recommended for vegetarians. We had vegetarian nachos and pizza. The service was very friendly and the beer was good. The pizza was only a small step above a frozen pizza. The vegetarian nachos were also quite poor. The food with meat looked quite good though.

Amazing place with good and generous food and very kind staff. I've just had lunch with all my group of Tastets de Món and we all enjoyed it very much, specially the Pavlova and the lamb

I honestly can’t say enough good things about our waiter — absolutely amazing! From the moment we sat down, he made us feel so welcome and taken care of. His attention to detail was incredible — drinks were always full, food came out perfectly timed, and they checked in just the right amount without ever being intrusive. What really stood out was their personality — friendly, genuine, and clearly passionate about what they do. You could tell they truly cared about making our experience special. They even remembered all our little requests and made great recommendations that turned out to be spot-on. It’s rare to find someone who brings this level of professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm to their job. Honestly, this was one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had, all thanks to them. If every restaurant had a waiter like this, every meal would be unforgettable! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 — Absolutely phenomenal service!

This was our second visit to this place, and once again, the food was absolutely amazing. We had the beef cheek and lamb shank as our mains both were outstanding. They also offer a special dessert that's worth trying. The atmosphere is cosy and perfect for winter, the staff are so friendly. We absolutely love it here highly recommended 😊

This place is an absolute gem. Who would think, tucked in the back street of a small town, you’d come across a restaurant with soul and character with the most delicious home-made style dishes. The slow cooked beef cheek is literally melt in the mount. The chicken breast is so succulent and flavorful and the portion sizes are quite generous. They have plenty of entree options that unfortunately I did not get the chance to try. And I cannot emphasize enough how amazing the service is. Warm, attentive and super friendly staff. Ps: The second night I dined here, there was a mystery table draw which turned out be be my table number and I ended up receive 20% discount on the bill which was like the cherry on top for my overall amazing time in Franz Josef. In summary: do yourself a favor and dine in Alice may restaurant for a wholesome evening.😄

We had a wonderful experience at the restaurant. It was quite busy when we arrived, and since we didn’t have a reservation, the staff kindly offered us the option to sit outside or wait about 20 minutes for an indoor table. We decided to sit outside, and it turned out to be very comfortable — the area was partially covered, and the staff switched on the heater for us, keeping it pleasantly warm for my elderly parents. Our server, Janice, was friendly and attentive, providing excellent service with a lovely smile. Thank you, Janice! For food, we ordered the Seafood Chowder, Roast Pork, Lamb Shank, and a Whitebait Omelette to share. The Seafood Chowder was filled with generous portions of seafood, The Lamb Shank was tender and flavorful, the Roast Pork was decent though not the best we’ve had, and the Whitebait Omelette could have been a little crisper for our taste. Overall, it was an enjoyable dining experience, and we appreciated the warm service and cozy atmosphere.

Such a fantastic little restaurant with a lot of charm & an interesting story. The food was flavorful & the dessert (sticky toffee pudding) was delectable, but the service was truly the standout. The staff not only seated us with less than an hour before closing (which we've had severe issues with all over NZ), they were welcoming, friendly & helpful (like offering to take our photo), & they did not rush us even once closing time came around & we still had not had our dessert yet. Strongly recommend you eat here - order the sticky toffee pudding yum 😋👍

The seafood chowder is rich and flavourful, yet not jelat, one of the best chowder that I had, strong 5*. The creamy chilli prawn pasta was a bit disappointing, as the pasta is soggy and not al dente, but the prawns are very fresh and succulent. There r 9 prawns in the pasta, quite value for money. Serving is big. My partner ordered salmon, he gave 5*. Sticky toffee pudding is amazing, soft and warm, but it is a bit too sweet to my tasting, but still recommend it as it tastes great. The wine Pinot Gris is not good.

Loved this place. Had one of the most delicious dinners here with my mom. Ideal service from all the kind staff wow. Special recognition to Joanna, she made us feel right at home. Her service was impeccable - attentive, professional and knowledgeable with the menu items. Her charisma made a lasting impression on our trip. Thank you, we hope to be back

Seafood chowder was amazing, so is the salmon and toffee dessert. Prawn pasta was soggy. The pinot gris was flat and pales to supermarket bottles.

Fantastic food and flavours. We had stir fried beef noodles and veg and also the chicken and cashew nut stir fry with chilli (& some steamed rice). The flavours of each dish were amazing, the meat as tender as anything and the portion sizes were plentiful. Would thoroughly recommend this restaurant if you are in Franz Jospeh. Go try as you won't regret i! Ps Staff are really lovely and friendly too and the prices are decent and not overly expensive.

Gordon Ramsay Should try this one day!! Worst experience! Lamb shank had no flavor and it was cooked right out of the freezer. Wok was better. The place was understaffed and with 1 waiter helping everyone. Asked for an extra fried rice and he refused that he wanted to serve other tables first. Charged a 15% surcharge because of Christmas season but it won’t show up on the bill. 🤔

Fantastic meal. Me and two friends are riding the Tour Aotearoa and needed a nourishing tasty meal. Totally happy with the service and the meal. Would eat here again.

This restaurant has only recently been opened. We were the only ones dining there, but it deserved to be busier, as the food was delicious, and prices no dearer than other, less interesting eateries.

Run away ! Bad taste, fish like jelly, we found carton in the plate, I am still trying to find the garlic taste in the garlic bread...awful !

Great food! The chicken tikka masala, noodles and naan bread (with garlic and cheese) are delicious!

Great atmosphere, superb service, and most of all, fantastic food! Amazing experience, will definitely come back next time we visit Franz Josef Glacier.

Amazing Heli hike tour!! From the moment we arrived, the team was informative, friendly and had our safety and enjoyment in mind. The helicopter ride was spectacular with great views of the Glacier and Valley. Our Helicopter driver made sure everyone was comfortable and kept us informed on what we were seeing. Our hike guide Ryan took us through the Glacier at a pace that was good for everyone. He shared a lot of great information about New Zealand and the Glacier. Once in a lifetime experience that should not be missed if you are in the Mount Cook area. I would do this tour again!

My husband and I were fortunate to have a perfect-weather morning for our heli-hike, and from start to finish the experience was absolutely incredible. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and prepared for everything. Landing on the glacier was breathtaking — crisp white views and knee-deep snow all around. The hike itself was steady and well-paced, with our guide making sure everyone felt safe and comfortable. Partway through, we were told a cloud was moving in and we’d need to leave the glacier. Even then, the team remained calm, professional, and reassuring while getting us safely helicoptered off the ice. An unforgettable adventure — highly recommend!

Outstanding experience - heli hike on Franz Josef glacier! Our terrific guide Jule led us through everything start to finish - from donning gear and safety briefings to leading us out onto the glacier for an amazing hike. The helicopter ride - my very first - gave us a beautiful introduction to the glacier. It had snowed the night before so the area was blanketed in white. The skies were cobalt. Jule explained how the weather can change quickly and how the guides monitor it to ensure safety. She also conveyed safety practices for our hike. We had the best time ever, tromping through the snow and taking in the stunning beauty of it all. We were so impressed with the enthusiasm, safety consciousness, and knowledge of all the staff. This was the experience of a lifetime for me!

Maya was our guide and she is lovely and spontaneous, making our trip absolutely exciting and hyped. The weather was spot on, glaciers were blue and shiny, and the Heliride was cool! Everyone wanted to have a photo with Maya at the end…will recommend anyone to have a trip to glaciers with Maya and Franz Josef Glacier Guides and 100% will have a good time. Was secretly hoping that the weather was bad so we get to be “stuck” up there through the night and see the stunning night views and sunset from there😆😆😆

I was extremely impressed by the attention to safety showcased during my heli-hike, which was unfortunately cut short just minutes after it started due to developing cloud coverage, which impedes helicopters from accessing the site. The guide team acted quickly and decisively to ensure we would be able to get off the glacier safely and on time, and issued us a partial refund. We were still able to enjoy about 15-20 minutes on the glacier, and the rides in and out were impressive in and of themselves. I would highly recommend, and only gave them 4 stars because there’s much I didn’t experience so I can’t rate it.

Very much enjoyed the helicopter flight. However, the trip was promoted as a Heli hike, in practice, it is disappointingly a short walk at the pace of the slowest person in the group. Greater differentiation between abilities would enhance the experience for all involved. On the plus side, our trip was unexpectedly affected by the weather closing in, so we had to spend a night camping on the glacier, which was excellent! A great opportunity to see the sunset and sunrise. Credit to the guides who set up camp, and provided all present with warm drinks and hot food, as well as some lovely warm sleeping bags, what a great experience. As an observation, please look at the tents used for the glacier camping, as there are much more suitable mountain tents available, as the tents used are not really suited for adverse alpine conditions, should they arise.... Stronger poles and sown in ground sheets should be standard. Thankfully the weather was calm, and the cloud inversion provided a great view. The unexpected night's camping was much appreciated. Thank you

It was an amazing experience. Our guide, Hannah was very helpful and provided many insights from glacier formation to the unique landscape of Franz Josef. The whole experience was very smooth. We were sufficiently prepared with safety briefing, transported by the heli ride and explored the beautiful glaciers. Everyone has to do this at least once in their lifetime! ⭐

Really beautiful campground! We loved the facilities (even though the rain prevented us from being able to enjoy them to the fullest!). Reception was really friendly and quick and easy to check in. It’s clear that love has gone into making this campground, love the little decor touches and so nice to feel tucked away inside the forest. Would happily come back if i’m back in FJ! 🐑

Unfortunately, our experience wasn’t very pleasant. During our stay in Franz Josef, there were heavy rainfalls, so we were hoping to check in, get warm, cook a meal, charge our devices, and just relax somewhere indoors — since we were traveling in a campervan. However, reality hit us hard. The amenities closest to our spot included a “lounge room,” which we expected to be a cozy place to stay dry, but it turned out to be a tiny hut that could barely fit two people — and there were already two guests inside who looked like they had settled there permanently. The nearby cooking area was also very small and completely open, with only a roof above your head. When we walked over to the main area, we found a proper-ish indoor kitchen, but even there, there were no doors that could be closed, and the dining space was completely open-air — again, just a roof and nothing else to protect you from the rain. Frustrated, we eventually returned to our van and decided to book different accommodation, because in that kind of weather it simply wasn’t possible to stay there comfortably (at least not in a campervan). Other than that, the area itself looked okay — the toilets and showers were fine, and the Wi-Fi was decent but nothing great. I honestly believe that in good weather this place could be quite nice, but unfortunately, we didn’t get to experience it that way. I really don’t like leaving negative reviews, but I hope the Orange Sheep team takes this as constructive feedback and can work something out — because the place truly has great potential.

Great Campervan park located in Franz Josef. Conveniently situated for exploring the area. Cheaper than any other sites in the town (20$ for an unpowered site) and the guy in the reception was very helpful, letting us extend our stay with no problems. It was Nice to have privates screened spots so didn’t feel like there was anyone else camping on top of us. Great to have some clean hot showers after a few days on the road. WiFi was good enough to stream videos. There’s a good laundry located next to the park.

Terrible campsite, for so many reasons. No idea why there's so many 5* reviews! Here's the issues: - Dump station area is far too small and congested - No communcal clean water tap!! The campsite receptionist genuinely told us to use the tap by the dump station as clean water. Every other campsite leaves warning signs to not use this tap due to contamination. I honestly couldn't believe it. - It feels like they deliberately hide the bins behind reception to stop people using them. Why?! - Not suitable for large motorhomes. Extremely narrow roads with rocks everywhere and overgrown branches. This is the only campsite we stayed at that damaged our vehicle! - Camping spaces far too close together. - Reservation of sites is chaotic. You get to reserve your own once you arrive. Not logical. Benches were blocking loads of sites. Good parts: - Good location and pretty setting. That's basically it... I really don't recommend this campsite if you have a large motorhome. It's far too stressful. Stay somewhere nicer with better facilities :)

I booked before looking at reviews because of how close it was to the heli trip I scheduled. There were a couple of low ones... Not sure why?! Booking was easy, the facilities are great for washing bathing and WiFing. Nights we're quiet and beautiful birds chirping in the morning. It's a great spot.

Great spot and reasonably priced. Elliot and Stella were great. Showers were nice and hot. Great location and easy walk to do things around Franz Josef. Plus you can’t beat the views from the campsite

Walking distance from everything, opposite the visitor centre too which is great. Restaurant, hot pools and laundry mat are literally at your door which is so convenient. Elliot is a great owner, super helpful and Stella is a great co-owner, she is an essential paw-t of the team 🐾

Entrees were good. Then we waited 45min for a burger. The rest of the restaurant got their meals along with our entrees and we still had to wait. Chef likely forgot about our order. When the food came the chips were cold and burger was small relative to the price. Buffalo Cauliflower was great start though. Would have given a better rating however having to wait for a small burger with cold chips for so long didn't help the rating.

Unexpectedly great BBQ ribs. The seafood chowder we got was one of the more authentic ones we’ve had too. Definitely worth a visit. Great fireplace and a lively venue with great vibes.

The atmosphere was great. The fireplaces smelled and felt great. Staff were very friendly and attentive. The food was solidly good but not spectacular. My wife has Celiac and had no issues with cross contamination which is always a concern when eating out so we were pleased.

We dined as soon as it was opened, meals came out fast. Atmosphere was great and we were nice and warm by the fire. Saying that one kids meal and one adults meal arrived 5-10mins before the next one (waiter advised pizza was dropped so needed to remake). Value for money was excellent, good portions. The steak and the lamb shank could have had more seasoning on them as they were very bland. The pina coladas were excellent. Highly recommend.

Staff were friendly and do their best to accommodate our needs even when we ordered rhe wrong craft beer. The staff was pleased to change to suit our preferred beer. Food were great with beers.

Had such a great dinner last night - came back tonight. Staff were friendly and efficient. Had the Chicken schnitzel burger with bacon. Very tasty, chicken very light, crispy. Fries done well. Hubby had fish n chips - ate so fast no pix. Tried the meat pizza - delicious.

Really amazing food and super good service. Could tell they were slammed compared to usual, the place was packed and staff handled it so incredibly well! Would come back here in a heartbeat. Especially loved the buffalo cauliflower, pizza and pork crackling!

West Coast Wildlife Centre is an absolute must-visit if you’re in the area. The staff are so passionate and knowledgeable, it’s clear they care a lot about the conservation of local wildlife - especially the endangered kiwi. A lot of work goes into protecting and supporting the local kiwi population, and now the local penguin community too. A visit to the centre as of 18th October ‘25 now includes a walk through the kiwi habitat and the newly opened penguin enclosure, where the team provide a safe space for the little blue penguins who wouldn’t survive in the wild to live their best life. You’ll learn a lot and see some truly adorable local NZ wildlife. 10/10 absolutely recommend.

Really interesting place to visit in Franz Josef. There are lots of outdoorsy activities to get involved with in this area but if you ever the weather is nit so good, or youre lookjbv for something different to do, and recommend this place. We booked the VIP entrance which gave us access to the kiwi egg incubating/ area and hatching and Tuatara back area. You will see kiwis, Tuatara and little penguins on the standard entrance ticket. It was fascinating and the host was full of interesting facts and info. This is not a zoo. The work being done here is in conjunction with Govt departments and is all about conservation. You will learn alot about these unique animals. You get a chance to see kiwis in as near to a natural environment as is possible. As such, I would not recommend for those with toddlers, as the kiwi area is dark and you are expected to be very quiet in order to catch a glimpse. You choice though. However, there are Kororoa / little penguins to make up for it and they're easily accessible. Coffee area and gift shop here too. Would recommend.

Amazing experience! If you have a rainy day in Franz Josef and looking for an indoor activity, book yourselves the vip backstage tour. In our tour, we learned about the kiwi conservation efforts and even got to see a 23 day old kiwi behind glass being weighed, absolutely adorable. All exhibitions were extremely interesting but the regular kiwi and penguin exhibition was the highlight! Kiwis are kept in dark rooms and they were so easy to spot and very active when we visited. Little blue penguins are so social and curious! Could’ve watched them for hours. 10/10 experience.

Part of our organize tour, we visited this wildlife center .. we got to see the blue penguins, the guide gave us so much information about them , very interesting.. then we had to be quiet , we entered a very dark room , no photos allowed but we were lucky enough to see a real kiwi in his habitat .. of course lots of teaching given .. as you exist , a gift shop awaits you..

If you are looking to learn about what makes New Zealand so special this is your place! We did the VIP backstage, which we HIGHLY recommend. Devin was very knowledgeable and most importantly extraordinarily excited about his work! You could feel the passion oozing out of him. Seeing rare species and learning about the hard work this centre is doing to preserve it was amazing. A must do!

An absolutely wonderful place to learn about and see kiwis, the backstage tour where you can see the kiwi eggs and learn more about how they get and incubate them was definitely worth it! Their gift shop also has a vast selection of kiwi and NZ themed items as well. Highly recommend for anyone in the area or driving through. The penguins and extremely unique Tuataras were also really cool!

I have to agree with some of the lower starred reviews. This was a very expensive experience for not a lot of value. We arrived late in the day, on a wet day…the (2) kiwis on show that day were elusive and the penguins were in their burrows so we didn’t get to see them at all. Would have liked to have learnt more about the rescue operation but it was all based on reading panels which weren’t very engaging - more videos of the kiwis programmes would have been better. If you want a decent experience buy the Backstage pass maybe and be there for the penguin feeding - otherwise very $$$$ for what it was. Took all of 15 minutes to see what we could. And sorry but the exhibits are just not modern or interactive enough for the value.

Had a lovely time at this vibrant and cozy spot! The atmosphere was absolutely awesome — warm, welcoming, and full of energy. The decor and vibe made it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff were super friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. The only small downside was that the food was a little on the salty side for my taste. However, the flavors were otherwise great, and I’d still recommend giving it a try.

The food tastes great! The restaurant looks Chinese from the outside, but inside you’ll find decorations from different cultures, like India and Thailand. The food also has a mix of Asian flavors. If you don’t feel like eating Western food, this is a good place to go.

We were craving for Indian food and found this place as a blessing. Excellent food, service and ambience. We ordered the green chicken curry and rotis and it came with a serving of rice. Delicious and filling.

The food was delicious, the location was excellent, and the staff were helpful, cheerful, and very cooperative. We wanted to make sure the food was halal, and the staff confirmed that the chicken was halal, so we ordered biryani along with yellow dal, pakora, and tandoori. The outdoor seating was absolutely beautiful with the stunning view and pleasant cool weather. For us, the outdoor seating wins a million times over the indoor area.

Food was amazing! Portion size was very fair given the price and location. Took home lots of leftovers. Lots of vegetarian options, and able to cater to vegan as well. Service was friendly and helpful. Thank you!

This was the best Indian/Thai food I’ve ever had. Great portion sizes and generous with the meat. The chefs really care about the food they make. Staff was so lovely and had great service. You won’t be disappointed!

Great vibe, in the cold weather! Some good Indian dishes, on Menu, especially for vegetarian.

Our first night at Franz Josef, dinner at The Canopy were exquisite and extremely heart warming that each dish filled our stomach with satisfying palate. Great food that complement with great wine. Their special of duck breast and potterhouse beef were fresh, cooked to perfection and taste with great delight.It was a wonderful evening and service was excellent.

The mains were alright but the entree starting with this as the $25 "baked camenbert" was so so bad I wouldn't recommend eating here. Literally two slices of cheese, cold, on bread that looks like its from the brekkie buffet. For $25??

I dined here as part of a dinner package while staying at Te Waonui – the hotel itself was superb, but the restaurant was a glaring contrast. Canopy markets itself as a fine dining venue, but the experience fell well short on every front: food quality, service, and presentation. Ambience and service: Despite dining solo, my table was cluttered with excess cutlery and glassware that was never cleared. Throughout the meal, used cutlery wasn’t replaced unless I specifically asked – twice. Staff were mostly absent, and only checked on me twice the entire evening. I ran out of water with no refill offered. It felt like I was forgotten, and the entire table remained cluttered from start to finish. Food experience: • First course – Soup of the Day: Looked like pumpkin, but it was thin, watery, and lacked flavour. It came with a doughy mini bun that was overly soft and chewy – a crisp slice of sourdough would have made more sense. No butter was offered. • Second course – Silver Fern Beef Tartare: An absolute disaster. The meat had grey patches and visible sinew and connective tissue, giving it a chewy, unpleasant texture. It didn’t taste fresh, and it certainly wasn’t finely chopped. I had to send it back. The shift manager apologised and offered a replacement. • Replacement – Kaikoura Crayfish Ravioli: A big improvement in flavour, but it was served in broth with no spoon, making it awkward to eat. A simple attention to detail that was again missed. • Main – Canterbury Confit Duck Leg: Being from the Czech Republic, I know duck. This wasn’t it. The portion was small, the skin was soft and unrendered (clearly pre-cooked but not crisped). The accompaniments were baffling: undercooked barley, overly sweet sour cherry jus, a tiny blob of carrot purée, and the oddest part – a nearly raw wedge of zucchini with microgreens on top. It didn’t taste cohesive, let alone refined. • Fourth – Wild Berry Sorbet: Pleasant, but again, no spoon provided. • Fifth – Otago Bush Honey Panna Cotta: Looked pretty on the menu, but the execution was poor. The honeycomb was so sticky I genuinely worried I’d lose a filling. The blue macaron was dry and hard throughout – even the filling – more like a cracker than a proper macaron. The decorative raspberry smear was aggressively sweet and didn’t balance the dish. Breakfast (served in same restaurant): The breakfast was standard and uninspired. Scrambled and boiled eggs, bacon, one sausage, and the usual spread you’d expect from any 3-star motel, not a luxury eco-resort. Functional, but nothing memorable or elevated. Final verdict: Canopy is trying to wear the clothes of fine dining, but the service, execution, and culinary standards just aren’t there. Sloppy attention to detail, inattentive service, and inconsistent food made this a disappointing experience. If you’re staying at Te Waonui, I’d recommend the hotel wholeheartedly — but consider dining elsewhere.

We did the set menu and it didn’t disappoint, a great mix of dish’s cooked very well, the atmosphere was a little odd though as it doubles as a general hotel restaurant so is used for breakfast in the morning ect. The service was acceptable but nothing too special, no one looked overly happy to be there. Overall would go back though as the food was the winner, standout was the rack of lamb 👌

We had a very enjoyable meal on our first night in Franz Josef. Crayfish Ravioli and Venison Carpaccio were delicious. We both had beef fillet for mains and were very nicely cooked also a generous portion of steak and the sides. Drinks were very well priced and a wide selection of both local and imported options. Very well done particularly for such a remote area of the south island.

This is one of the more memorable restaurant experiences for me because it WAS SO HORRIBLE. The food is unremarkable, I forgot what exactly I ate 20mins ago. The best thing about the meal was me paying for it because of how strong the US Dollar is vs the NZ Dollar. I wasn't staying at the property and emailed to get a reservation 5 months prior because it was summer. I was told that there is only the tasting menu for 150pp and no a la carte option. I was okay with that. Today, I was offered a vegan menu with items nobody else ordered. Oh, the others got both a la carte options and a different tasting menu that had meat and vegetarian options. If you're going to treat people who don't stay with you this way, as walking money bags vs people, the better option is to not take reservations from the general public. One star because the staff and service were incredible.

Had two breakfasts and a dinner here. Breakfasts were fine - nothing stood out as special, but nothing to complain about. Bacon was a bit limp (was it fried, or boiled?!!) but that is of course a matter of personal preference. We opted for the a la carte dinner. The entrees we had (venison carpaccio, and crayfiah ravioli) were nice, but almost laughably small for the price - we would probably have gone without had we known. Mains were good (especially the beef fillet). Service was excellent across the board. Staff were very friendly and very attentive at all times. The restaurant's decor was certainly suitable for the breakfast buffet, but not as a fine dining venue. It's nice overall, and might be the top option in the area (we didn't try all the others, so couldn't judge for sure), but I don't think it really lives up to their claim of being the "pinnacle of fine dining".

While staying at the hotel we had the buffet breakfast and also dinner at the restaurant. The buffet we found the quality of the food quite average and options a little limited, not good value but quite typical of a lot of hotel buffets. Dinner we found the quality of the food improved with friendly and fast service. We had the Scallops for starters which were cooked just right and worked well with the Quinoa and apple salad, with pea puree. Main, the Beef Rib Eye was cooked perfectly for medium rare, but taste wise was nothing special. The Pan Fried Salmon was a little on the dry side and didn't really work with broccoli as a side. Finished with the baked cheesecake, give them 10/10 for presentation but was a little average taste wise.

Buffet Food was so so. Most of the meat stuff were tough. Potatoes and vegetables taste good. Anyway is provided by EU group tour so no info on pricing.

Food is average at best. Service is nice from young waiters in training. Hotel itself is average at best

Food was fabulous. But I have to drop a star as it is a bit pricey and the portions are really too small. I was still hungry when I left the restaurant. What a shame !

Great foods and wonderful staffs.

It's noon and the doors are locked. I suggest calling ahead since hours are not accurate.

Not too bad.