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    The Rocks

    4.5 (2 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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    6 months ago

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    Church Hill Oyster Bar And Restaurant - The back room is very intimate with a great view

    Church Hill Oyster Bar And Restaurant

    4.5(2 reviews)
    56.6 km
    $$$

    If you're going to Stewart Island and you're reading this review, stop and call to make a booking…read moreimmediately. You'll be glad you did. This is the best dining option in all of Stewart Island (which isn't very many either). Bookings are absolutely essential as staff and seating is limited. Church Hill Oyster Bar is located at the top of a hill overlooking all of Oban, Halfmoon Bay and on out into the nothingness of the Southern Ocean. Having read some of the Yelp reviews, I called for a booking the day of and was turned away as they were already overbooked. I begged to be called in case someone doesn't show up (which rarely happens as there are less than 500 people on the island at any given time) to which the manager agreed. Lo and behold, I was called an hour before a table was open (7:30 seating). We arrived early and were told we could sit where we liked (there were open tables, but staff was low). The restaurant resembles a small cottage house with two rooms for seating and an outdoor patio. There isn't much room for foot-traffic and there are two stools at the bar. We chose a seat in the backroom overlooking the water and were quickly brought water, but were told it would be just a few minutes while the manager finished helping some tables. We were ready to order immediately and went for the three appetizers of oysters: Natural, Kilpatrick (worcestershire sauce, bacon and parmesan) and Deep Fried. All three were fantastic, but I definitely preferred them natural. We also decided to split the Lamb Rack which was served beautifully with three lamb cuts balanced against each other, the pototao gratin underneath and veges strewn about. It is making my mouth water to recreate this vision in my head. The lamb was fall off the bone and succulent. My husband went for a beer and I, wine, but you can't go wrong with either choice as they have many great options. For dessert we ordered off of the blackboard specials for their chocolate cake. I forget the specific name, but it was served as a three-tiered cake: hard chocolate on top, mint ice cream/fudge in the middle and a delicious thick layer of crumbly pie crust on the bottom. Served with cream and mint leaves on the side. Check out the photos, but just know that we licked the plate clean. If you are a chocolate or chocolate and mint lover, this is the dessert for you. My husband also opted for the Oban scotch as a palate cleanser, because, hey, why not? He loved it. The staff couldn't have been nicer and the experience dining in this restaraunt couldn't have been more superb. My husband and I truly had a remarkable and romantic evening at Church Hill Oyster Bar and Restaurant and long to return.

    Its worth venturing from the South Sea Hotel for one night to have dinner here. The classier joint…read moreof the two, it had great seafood (mussels, cod) and well-made muttonbird/titi. A bit pricey but the atmosphere delivers. Chef came out after dinner and chatted with us a bit.

    Photos
    Church Hill Oyster Bar And Restaurant - View from the walk up

    View from the walk up

    Church Hill Oyster Bar And Restaurant - Charming dining room with a gorgeous view! Jan 2015

    Charming dining room with a gorgeous view! Jan 2015

    Church Hill Oyster Bar And Restaurant - Classy wine glasses

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    Classy wine glasses

    Black Dog Bar - A great Chardonnay!

    Black Dog Bar

    4.5(8 reviews)
    121.0 km
    $$

    Great little restaurant in Te Anau…read more Make sure to book a reservation in advance. Kind of awkward entering because they don't have a hostess stand so just go up to the bar and tell them you have a reservation. This confused a lot of people because they'd come in and sit down in the restaurant area, presumably without a reservation, and then be asked to leave/informed they needed a reservation. I ordered a salad for a starter, the pork belly for my main, and the server twisted my arm to get the salted caramel cheesecake. Almost everything was delicious. The pork belly was great. Nice and crispy top and well cooked middle portion like you'd expect. The slaw it came with was meh. Smothered in mayo based sauce. I didn't really like it but then you'd get a bite of an apple which really cut through all that mayo or whatever and made it interesting. Too bad there wasn't more apple in there. The salad was fine. The cheesecake was very good. My server was great. She was running around taking care of everyone--both those who were in the bar area (ie drinks only) and in the sit down area (food). Fantastic service. Super friendly. If you're in the area check them out.

    We had one of our best meals in New Zealand. The place was selected by our guide for a five day…read morewalking tour, perhaps in part because we were seeing a Nat Geo style film about the fjordlands at the adjoining cinema. Fine beer list, but really it was the food that stood out -- very well prepared beef ribeye; a lamb rump that I had been reluctant to order because of a bad experience with that cut in Lake Tekapo, but fellow walkers did order and and it was superb. Some in our party ordered fried cauliflower with a crust and spicy sauce (after some wangling, the host parted with the recipe that I plan to make at home)

    Photos
    Black Dog Bar - Lamb rump with herb crumb and gnocchi

    Lamb rump with herb crumb and gnocchi

    Black Dog Bar - Cheese cake (more like mousse cake)

    Cheese cake (more like mousse cake)

    Black Dog Bar - Panna cotta

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    Panna cotta

    The Rocks - bars - Updated May 2026

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