Review The Little Bistro - Akaroa

Excellent wines, great service, well flavoured and presented food. Olive starter generous, mains not so much. We had beef and vegetarian - both delicious. But the vegetarian at over $40 wasn't filling. So small portions and menu choice. Maitre'd fantastic.

Had wonderful dinner!! So cozy inside and amazed by professional service! Got great recommendation for wine to go with lamb. Very fresh fish and the best dessert as well! Will visit next time in Akaroa !

What a lovely place, guys! We’ve came from the US to New Zealand and after a long flight were so happy to have a delicious meal at “The Little Bistro”. They really have a great service, relaxing, cozy and creative atmosphere. Staff is friendly and a whole place is super clean❤️. For a dinner we have a wild salmon, lamb and ”Parfait” with a Straight 8 Rose! 🥰Everything was do good! But my ”Parfait” was the best one! Great job, chief! 👌🏼We were at the restaurant in the evening and it wasn't crowd, but if you’d like you can make a reservation to be sure. Also this place was a good advice from our Canadian friend, who fell in love with New Zealand🙂 And we did not regret it! Really a great place to visit. I advise!)))

This is a fantastic little restaurant. It was such a cold night it was lovely to have dinner there and be in a warm friendly environment. We thoroughly enjoyed our waiter. Very attentive. The food was fantastic. I highly recommend this place when you are next in Akaroa.

Very very yummy! Dined here last weekend (Queens Birthday Weekend) with my partner to celebrate my birthday. A very cute little restaurant that is decorated nicely 👍 service was fabulous, table was even wiped down in between meals for crumbs. We had bread as an entree (a loaf of bread with butter and salt - yummy and fresh but to big for the both of us), I had the gnocchi and my partner had the venison for main and they both were presented neatly and tasted relish. Finally for dessert we got the chocolate option with a rich chocolate mound and marshmallows, cream and mousse- this was a hit!!! Will defiantly be back 😊

We have wanted to dine here for years so were happy to finally make it happen. Every dish was cooked to absolute perfection, the service was fantastic and the serving sizes perfect. What a treat, we will be back. ❤️

delicious food and great service! we had an amazing dinner!

This place never disappoints. The team maintains a great selection of wine and the menu is small but comprehensive, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. Virtually everything is made in house, even the liquorice, and most options were able to be made gluten free.

Fancy dining, great food, small portions, expensive bill. My wife was not a fan of the mash that came with the salmon, she also did not like that the meringue was extremely chewy... I kind of liked it 😂

This is a must visit place. Typically French, small space with small cramped tables in all, although I guess the staff weren't. Excellent food and ambiance. We specially loved the seafood chowder and the creme brulee, and the salmon was not bad. As for the wine we got served a 2011 Tresillian. A local wine with a rich flavour.

Fantastic food here, the scallops are absolutely amazing melt in your mouth moments, flavours that will blow your mind. Highly recommended and willbe back again. The venison duo pictured.

Fantastic service! We ordered the Steak and I can whole heartedly confess it was the best I've ever had ^^ the beef jus in particular was scrumptious. Thank you so much team x

Perfect dinner great food. And the best Host lord/metree

Absolutely incredible food! Would have liked a little more selection, but what they do have they do very very well!

A very good meal overall, but some rather odd flavour combinations and an ice cream with no flavour at all. Main course portion was also on the small side. The tables were very close, as the restaurant is very small and obviously in high demand. Overall a good experience. Need to book in advance.

I've been looking forward to dining here for quite some time now and sadly was very disappointed and underwhelmed. Every dish we had was under seasoned, though luckily there was salt on the table so that was fixable. The pork main was practically inedible as it was so tough and dry, def not good enough for $38. Two of us ordered the carpaccio as our main and it came out on one plate and we didn't get sharing plates, quite odd. Plus it had several large whole garlic cloves that were pretty much raw on the dish. The beef short rib was very good and the staff was friendly and attentive. Overall though it a very disappointing experience. Perhaps because it was Easter Sunday the main chef wasn't working? We've heard good things about the food but it really fell short for us.

Well if people that never dined there can have an opinion I am sure I can have one, too! I have never dined there either. We have been there for a cookbook shoot and the reason we were there was because these guys are in top league of New Zealand restaurants. The dishes they have prepared for the shoot were amazing. Richard explained his no-children policy to me and it makes perfect sense. It's a small, very intimate place with a fantastic ambience... Do you really want to have that ruined by a screaming child? If you don't like it, don't go there please. But don't judge them based on this matter. Eat there and enjoy a quiet night out.

Best place in Nz we have eaten at. Loved every moment and the food was superb, filling and cooked to perfection. Keep up the good work team.

We went here for dinner. The setting is , as the title suggests , little. The meal , was exceptional both of us had the best dinner out we've ever tasted. Thank you.

Absolutely the best meal we have had in years. We took advantage of the voucher in the entertainment book and thought we would try it out. Without a doubt, the best decision we have made. The beef and venison were to die for, and the service was first class. I want to go back tomorrow, but might have to wait a week. We will definitely be regulars from now on. Thank you for making our evening really special. Ronnie and Sheryl Thornley

Would never go here nor recommend friends go here. No children allowed.

Lovely little find! Friendly professional staff and fantastic food not to mention perfectly chilled champagne! We will be back, just hope we are lucky enough to get a table. Thanks guys, keep up the good work �

Should be named "The Tiniest Bistro in Town". Lovely food and champagne, very friendly staff. Im sure some diners like the extremely cosy experience, im not one of them. There was a lovely table for two by the window, we asked if it was possible to sit there and were promptly informed, it was booked. However, it wasnt because they turned diners away at 9pm. Don't think I have every been charged $42 for a steak. Won't be back.

Shame on you for banning children! I regularly love this place but will never come again or bring guests here while you do this! Take a leaf from great restaurants all over Europe where children are welcomed and dining well is something all ages enjoy.

Amazing food, ALL staff super friendly and welcoming, Will definitely be back :) Thank you

I am in food heaven! Thank you so much for tonight's meal. The bone marrow was an absolute highlight. The entire meal was faultless. Service wonderful! I am so happy we experienced your restaurant.

A beautiful meal in a lovely environment with great staff AND its in the Entertainment Book. We'll be back for sure!

Great food, atmosphere & service. What more can I say? Definitely returning until I've eaten everything on the menu!

An absolutely top experience and cooked to perfection.

Sensational, local produce, attentive staff, just a perfect way to experience Akaroa �

We enjoyed our meal, but felt the tables were too close to each other. Staff were friendly and attentive, the wine was very expensive

What a awesome place.Loved the test kitchen menu last night.Great food great people. Thank you for a wonderful food experience.