Redcliff Restaurant and Bar
What makes your venue the Best Gastropub in New Zealand?
All of our seasonal travellers and workers describe it as "like coming home" and that comes with a friendly family, welcoming smiles, and any help or information you might need. You'll get a full description of our craft beers, or a sample platter of local Pinot Noir, take that drink and sit in any one of our cozy, welcoming seating areas. You could go to the back garden for a game of pétanque or giant Jenga, or sit back and listen to the bird song from the tui and fantails. Or, head to the front where we have live music every Friday night and big umbrellas for any weather conditions, coupled with heaters for those cooler evenings. Sit on the front porch and watch the world go by, or head inside to the snug, poets corner or chat at the bar with one of our awesome staff members.
You can also get a great snack of our bar snacks menu in these areas sit back with some mushroom arancini balls , venison kebabs with chimichuri, or if you're with a mate grab the game platter to share (yum yum). But wait, there's more. If you are trying to impress anyone, or just want a top notch meal, we do that also. There's the main dinning room, the couples room, or the alfresco back deck surrounded by gardens and mountain views. There you will get our famous wild hare back strap or fresh blue cod. But make sure you book a few days in advance or you might miss out.
Out the front over the road is the lions park where parents can also grab a refreshing beverage and watch the kids play in the park. The style of music we play gets every age tapping their feet and many of guest tell us that we have taken them on a journey down memory lane at dinner service and then the later evenings we like to judge the crowd and up the tempo a bit.
Describe the experience your customers have at your establishment – what is your food and beverage offering and why do people come back for more?
We offer many local brews on tap, such as the Ginger Bear, local to Queenstown, or the Mischievous Kea also Queenstown and many more made with local Garston hops. We have a wide range of spirits, and a cocktail list to make your mouth water. Anything you want to drink, we can make for you. Our main dinner menu is uniquely crafted, with mains that differ from traditional pub or restaurant food. Our staff are friendly and knowledgeable, able to answer any questions that customers may have. Food is prepared swiftly and precisely, delivering customers the ultimate eating experience. Whether you are just here for a drink, or have a dinner booking, a night at Redcliff restaurant and Bar is sure to deliver. We invite local performers to put on a show every Friday, sometimes even sourcing bands from around NZ or overseas. Our live music and our food and drink, as well as the comfortable warm environment, combine with our impeccable service to provide the very best experience for every customer, leaving a lasting impression on them and a desire to return to our humble restaurant and bar. Our customers feel relaxed by the laid back atmosphere and eclectic music that accompanies their aperitif's or gastro meal.
Tell us how you showcase NZ produce / offerings? Does your menu change with the season and how is it locally influenced. How do you accommodate allergy and dietary requirements?
Well the menu we work hard on changing from summer to winter to utilise all the different variety of vegetables we grow on our land next to the Fiordland national park, in tunnel houses or in raised beds, which is a real crowd pleaser having such fresh tasty herbs, vegetables and fruit to offer on the menu. We consider ourselves well known for showcasing local game such as wild Hare croquettes, wild Venison Osso Buco with homemade gnocchi in a beautiful mouth fulling ragout, wild Hare backstrap served medium rare on top of a mushroom, black beer and pearl barley risotto with confit carrot and wilted greens topped with jus, egg washed pan seared Blue Cod fillets served on crushed mascarpone potatoes (from the garden) seasonal veg topped with beurre blanc. We cater for all dietary needs and will work with you to make sure you get the best meal possible.
What are your key points of difference and how have you managed to deliver them?
Having owned the restaurant for over 25 years now we have a recipe for awesomeness. We are a well oiled machine operating with well trained, friendly staff who maintain the machine and keep everything running smoothly. Compared to other restaurants in our area, we offer unique, different food that opens up customers' palettes, allowing them to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. For those who aren't game yet, we offer meals closer to home that are sure to bring nostalgia, and taste amazing.
We offer many popular beverages from all over New Zealand, including Roar coffee from Lumsden and brews from Altitude Brewing in Queenstown and Emersons in Dunedin to help customers get a taste of our amazing country. Wines are sourced as locally as possible from NZs premier wine regions, relationships with whom we have built through years of close dealings with.
Our restaurant is smaller than most and we make this work to our advantage. We have decorated our restaurant spectacularly creating the rare rustic look, and have decor sourced from many different places around NZ, as well as handmade furniture. Over the years we have received different countries' currencies and these are displayed within our bar to represent the diversity of not just our customers, but also our staff and families. All of these points of difference reflect the amazing place we are based in and the amazing support we get from our locals.
Best Known for:
Live music Friday nights
Coffee, craft brews, wine
Rare rustic look with handmade furniture
Please describe your commitment to sustainability.
We like to think we are helping the planet with the vast amount of vegetables and herbs we grow and huge amount of wild Hare and Deer we consume which are both pests in our neck of the woods. We recycle everything that can be recycled from glass, cardboard, oil, food scapes and in my spare time I like to make my own glasses out of wine and beer bottles. The building itself has been made from mostly recycled materials like from old Churches and Villas some of the tables are recycled Rimu and some are old doors. Most of the art work on the walls has come from second hand shops all which I'm sure have a story or leave it to your imagination
Please describe how you create ambience.
Built in 1978 and designed around an old English cottage the Redcliff Cafe has character and ambience abound whether its relaxing in the sun soaked front yard on a Friday night listening to local musicians ,talking with the locals in the cosy bar or enjoying a mouthwatering meal in the restaurant there is something for everyone. Being a cosy place with lovely wood fire and warm welcoming staff who's main focus is to make your day better, weary travellers who've been out exploring the majestic splender that is our back yard Fiordland just love the ambience at Redcliff restaurant bar.
