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Reviews for Ombrello’s Kitchen & Bar

by JoJo F.
5th November 2012

A pleasant experience really. On the walk in it was a bit confusing as to whether we were supposed to order at the bar or wait to have our order taken.Furthermore, I thought the menu could have had a bit more choice. I eventually settled on the seafood chowder which was good. The courtyard was lovely made even nicer by the good weather that day. The staff were nice as well.

by Rachel Z.
28th June 2012

I have to agree with the last reviewer. This place is under new management. I think they changed hands in about Feb/March 2012. I’ve been there a few times since then and it’s great. It’s possibly a bit pricier than it needs to be, but the food is really good and so is the service. The hand cut chips are the BEST. They need to get a water filter though (it’s Dunedin, after all).

by Tilman D.
23rd June 2012

I’ve never written one of these before but felt I had to: this restaurant has changed hands since the poor reviews that were written earlier. I went there for dinner a few weeks ago, and was impressed. My steak was cooked to perfection and the service was friendly and relaxed, yet professional. Some minor improvements could be made, such as filtered water (not tap). A larger selection on the menu might also be good, but quality is always more important than quantity. I would highly recommend people try out this NEW Ombrellos for themselves.

by Elaine
1st February 2012

FOOD QUALITY: 2/5
PORTION SIZE: 1/5
SERVICE & AMBIENT: 3/5
VALUE FOR MONEY: 1/5
OVERALL: 1/5

Was there on a work lunch and my first disappointment was the limited menu. I ended ordering a beef burger since there was nothing else even remotely appealing to my taste (there was also Seafood Chowder and Roast Kumara Salad, maybe another 1 or 2 dishes).

Was not at all impressed with the burger. Meat just didn’t taste well (am not a beef fan and had to make myself eat this), caramelised onions (I can’t believe I’m about to say this) were the tastiest part of the burger, with the bun being ridiculously hard (I just ate the bottom half, didn’t bother with the upper crust). I had a slight digestion disorder the following few days, this was the only out-of-the-ordinary meal I had that week so I don’t know what was with that food.

The portion itself (valued at $18) was disappointing, just the burger (half of it being inedible) and some fries.

Staff was friendly though and the place looked neat.

Overall, it’s a disastrous value for money, a somewhat typical Dunedin restaurant with ‘fancy’ overpriced food. I definitely won’t go back.

by Jane
19th May 2011

I regularly visit ombrellos for work lunches, and am always really impressed with the smooth fast service and delicious food! Decided to try their dinner menu, recently went with a group to celebrate my friends birthday and could not have asked for a better experience, and I have to disagree with “Mike M” as I’m a seafood fanatic, I ordered the fish and it was a fresh flavoursome sole fillet finished with a tasty caper mayo. Would definitely give this place 5 stars!!!

by cammy g.
19th May 2011

Went there for a coffee during the afternoon and it was awesome; not only was the service really prompt, but the barista was pretty good too. Also super quite so a good place to relax after uni or something.

by Mike M.
19th May 2011

Went recently after a few years (previously loved the place) only to find the service and meals have gone downhill…

The staff were obviously students (students do need jobs) but they didn’t care and seemed to be waiting for closing so that they could go out and meet friends, as it was a Saturday night.

The meal.. where do I start – I had the fish as a main which was undercooked in the middle (grey)and tasteless…

The chef must have a lack of confidence in his cooking as EVERY meal was soaked in Balsamic vinegar! I ordered the fish esp because the menu didn’t mention any vinegar (whilst all other options did) yet, I was still subjected to the overpowering dressing. Only ate 1/3 of the meal..

Too be honest I was surprised when desert didn’t have any balsamic vinegar.

Gutting that Dunedin has lost one of its local and finest (once) eating establishments.

by Susan M.
10th January 2011

We had our Christmas do at Ombrellos and it was great. They set the table up beautifully for us and the service was attentive and helpful. The platters we ordered were beautiful.

by Angel
27th May 2009

Went in there Tues food I got was boring & bland! No complements to the chef.Wouldn’t give this place a 1/2 a star!

by viv
12th November 2008

Booked this place for our xmas function went down and talked with the owner about what we wanted and when. When we called to confirm the booking and numers we were told we had cancelled the booking (we had not) and it had been booked by someone else and was no longer available. We told them they should cancel the other booking as it was their mistake and response was they were a bigger party than ours and regulars so in short NO! Will never go there and would discourage anyone else from doing so!

by Lisa
11th February 2008

I recently had lunch at Ombrellos with a group of work mates and felt cross and hungry when I left. We had pre-ordered meals for about half our group, since some had to return to teach classes by 1pm. However for some inexplicable reason the meals that had been pre-ordered the earliest came the latest, some arriving 35 minutes after we had arrived – with no explanation.

I ordered the Seafood Chowder at $13.50 which was enticingly described as a medly of seafood and vegetables on the the menu. Well I’ve never had such an unsubstantial and miserly serving of seafood chowder anywhere before! There was a scant 250 ml of thin soup with a couple of tablespoons of fish and about a teaspoon of finely chopped celery as the vegetable bit. When I told the staff at the desk to pass on my comments to the chefs the woman said (airily) something like “oh yes I will pass on that – actually I’m the owner”. And that’s it. No apology or anything. Obviously she was not concerned about word of mouth reputation and marketing. I hope she reads this and is aware that I have passed on my experiences to everyone I know!!

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