East Coast Inn Cafe & Bar

5 Reviews on “East Coast Inn Cafe & Bar”

• Bob King

  We stopped at the East Coast Inn Café & Bar on our way south as we’d arranged to meet friends there who were travelling north. We couldn’t have been more impressed with the service and quality of the food.Before we’d even set foot in the door we were given a very warm welcome by one of the staff who was actually just on her way out from finishing her shift. Jim was a fantastic host and ensured we had all we needed. He gave us an excellent tip on the rhubarb crumble, and we weren’t disappointed. It was superb!We wouldn’t hesitate to stop there again and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone desiring quality food in excellent surroundings, served by friendly staff.Bob & Lorraine

  July 12, 2014, 3:52 am

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• Sylvia Thomas

  I visited this establishment one evening last week for an evening meal. I ordered a steak with seasonal vegetables and paid on order. On arrival, the vegetables were hardly seasonal, comprising of root vegetables of carrots and pumpkin. The steak was so tough, sinewy and overcooked that I could only eat a couple of mouthfuls. On speaking to the waitress about this, I was offered a coffee as reparation, but as I do not drink coffee, I declined. The waitress then walked away without further offers of appeasement. I felt this was not good enough, but without wanting to cause a scene, I left the building feeling very disappointed in the quality of the food and service.

  April 21, 2014, 7:49 am

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• Sheryn Atkins

  Stopped at the East Coast Inn on the drive from Picton to Christchurch, and we were delighted with the meals we received.The salads were fresh, top quality produce, with amazing flavour. The burger and fish cakes were of the highest quality.For me the fish cakes were the best I have eaten in any restaurant in NZ, Australia or Asia. Absolutely perfect.Not only was the food outstanding, the service was friendly and efficient, and the cost was good value.I highly recommend this restaurant to any visitor.

  April 5, 2013, 3:56 am

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• Pixl

  I eat at a few of the many wineries around Marlborough and I have to tell you that this wee cafe along the coast road, State Highway One to Kaikoura and Christchurch from Blenheim has got to be up there with the wineries cuisine. My first time at this cafe was when I was passing through from Picton to Kaikoura and I was needing a coffee fix on my travels. Latte is my preferred coffee. It was in a takeaway cup and I thought I should have a treat to go with it. The sweets in the cabinet all so tempting.Their cakes are all homemade.Decadent Red Velvet Chocolate Cake,Carrot cake with yummy cream cheese,Chocolate Brownie made with gooey rich chocolate,and caramel slice.The treat I settled for was a mouthwatering and delicious gluten free coconut and almond sweet topped with yummy cream cheese icing and sliced hazelnuts.(It makes me drool for one right now, just writing this.)The next time I went there I stopped in for lunch and enjoyed fishcake and salad. Now this wasn’t ordinary old fish cake and salad.The fish cake was covered in crispy homemade breadcrumbs with a bubble and squeak mixture of potato and herbs, fish and salmon filling. The filling fell away ever so slightly from the inside of the breadcrumbs onto my fork and was moist and not dry.Even though the salad is served in its own bowl, I tend to dump the lot over my plate so that I can see what I am eating. This salad consisted of light greens, but what lifted it was the small serve of beetroot that was tossed into the salad. I have never eaten this before. That tart and sweet taste of the beetroot with star anise, mixed in with a portion of the fish cake made my mouth water enough that I wanted to lick the plate.Another time I had a friend with me. I absolutely love the light filo wrapped chicken and salad. Its quick and easy for me when I am passing through and I get it most times. My friend enjoyed the steak with sauteed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and classic onion rings with rich peppercorn sauce.If you’re a fan of delicious cakes you must try them. Every one of them is homemade.Their signature dish carries with the seasons.At the moment it is warm chicken salad with a refreshing tzatzaki dressing.Venison ragout also features as a signature dish on the menu. Chunks of venison come in a rich gravy with herbs and dumplings. Delicious.I highly recommend the food and the coffee there.Oh did I say its a bar?Yes you can have wine and alcohol there too.Recently Amy and Jim have recently renovated the place and its looking top notch.Don’t be put off because its set back off the road. Go take a look, just to have a look,and you may be tempted to stay for a meal.

  March 9, 2013, 4:34 am

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• Rob McCaw

  This has become one of our firm favourites. We travel from ChCh to Picton reasonably often and have made a point of getting up to Ward before 9pm so we can enjoy this cafe. It is an interesting mix of country pub and classy cafe. Expect saffron, and often have wild venison, on the menu. The seafood chowder is gorgeous with delicately balanced flavours. Expect top restaurant quality food served quickly and at reasonable prices. The owners have been quietly upgrading the place and now have a nice outdoor dining area for when the weather comes right and are proud of their new huge fire for the winter.

  January 6, 2013, 1:56 am

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