The Paradise Restaurant

Have just had an amazing dinner. Shared beautiful tapas smoked fish croquettes and mushroom and cheese arancini chicken nibbles and then pork ribs. Desserts were great fried bread finger licking good. My brother and sister in law tried several of the gin flavours and enjoyed all of their choices favourite bring the grapefruit gin.

Walked in without knowing what to expect, but loved the aranchini and caramel cheesecake😍😍 giving 4 because the garlic bread was okayish

Best dish and Drinks since we around 😁

Living in Auckland, I frequently dine out and have often encountered subpar restaurants with issues ranging from food quality to service and prices. This made me appreciate the difficulty of finding gourmet experiences in New Zealand. A spontaneous trip to Rotorua with my wife, during a surprise hailstorm, threw us off course. My wife fell ill, and we debated returning home, but ultimately, she decided to rest in the car while considering our options. Despite the storm, we eventually reached our destination, the hot springs. To our delight, the weather improved, and my wife's health began to recover. We enjoyed a peaceful soak in the hot springs and then proceeded to our chosen restaurant, a part of our travel tradition. However, numerous setbacks delayed us significantly, and with most places closing early in Rotorua, our choices dwindled. Our initial choice was a market-area restaurant where customers seemed unhappy, and the staff lacked enthusiasm. No one approached us. We couldn't believe this was a highly-rated place with over 1,000 reviews. So, we decided to try ANIS GIN BAR AND TAPAS. The restaurant's exterior was inviting, with a warm ambiance and friendly staff. But the patrons inside didn't seem impressed with the food or service. We decided to make the most of it despite arriving late. The welcoming waiter introduced the menu, offering hospitality that buoyed our hopes. Despite our travel fatigue, we ordered a variety of dishes. While waiting, we noticed the restaurant's appealing atmosphere, with music that complemented it. When the food arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. The dishes were well-cooked, well-presented, and had an authentic taste. The flavors were balanced and savory, a testament to a true appreciation for food. My wife and I were astounded, exchanging amazed glances. Finding such quality at this price was a rarity in Auckland. The attentive staff ensured our needs were met, their timing impeccable. We felt cared for, as if we were guests with a reservation for a degustation menu. The pacing between food was perfect. Although we didn't drink alcohol, the staff's warmth and the restaurant's ambiance left us feeling a bit intoxicated. As we could eat no more, we left our seats, overwhelmed with satisfaction and gratitude. The owner's act of waiting for us on the highway shoulder to return a forgotten credit card, despite the late hour 10 30 pm, touched our hearts. We had an hour 30-minute drive back to owner well past the restaurant's closing time at 9 PM. This act of kindness made us feel like we had a sanctuary to return to. Thank you for making our day unforgettable with your small yet meaningful gesture.

The food is amazing. Beautifully cooked and presented. Genuine friendly service. Very good gin selection. Highly recommend dining here.