Review Southern Cross Garden Bar Restaurant - Wellington

Delicious food, lovely and friendly staff . We had the stone grilled eye fillet . It was so juicy and perfectly cooked as requested .The atmosphere was so chilled and warm ,we really did enjoy our 13th anniversary at Southern Cross garden Bar restaurant.

A great lunch experience. Great menu with enough to choose from. Reasonable vegetarian options. Wide variety of drinks and well stocked bar. Great atmosphere. Inside and outside area. Well located.

Came here for dinner tonight. Awesome service! Amazing food. We got the buttermilk chicken burger. It was so yum and had heaps of flavour. The chips had a nice seasoning. Everything that came out for other people looked good. Currently not drinking so got an iced chocolate. Milkshakes aren't available after 5pm. The iced Chocolate was so yum! We got the cakes out of the cabinet. I think it was Passionfruit, white chocolate and oreo cheese cake and the other one was Chocolate and Raspberry slice. Really yum! Will be back.

Went to Southern cross at the weekend and forgetting it was Father’s Day so it was (very) busy. Did have to wait a bit for food but it’s understandable when just about every single table was taken. Lovely outdoors area, cold drinks and good buzz and music. Special mention to Jack who was smashing it. Literally seen the boy do everything - pouring drinks, taking orders, serving food and every thing in between and still looking calm and giving great customer service!! Well done team should be proud of yourselves!!

Had a great dinner here. Service was really good, great cocktails and yummy food. First time dining at Southern Cross, very enjoyable experience.

Absolutely perfect place to hang out friends or family. It is very spacious with in and outdoor space to choose. Staff are very friendly and helpful. I love most of the food we ordered, but not really a fan of matcha tiramisu.

We booked for 4 persons with First Table. We ordered their well known smashed burger bun with fries. And we ordered fish and chips. As desert we had their petition fours. All was excellent. Only thing I found the music played nice, but bit loud.

We celebrated my granddaughters birthday 🎂 and university degree results Last Saturday night 18 March 2023 here! I can't fault the venue, staff or food. The room allocated to us was perfect for the size of our party, gave us privacy but with every facility at hand . The staff were friendly, and nothing was a bother. The food and the drinks of course were divine! It was a wonderful night and everyone loved it!

Great place to visit and have a good meal. There are many options in the menu and a lot of space inside even it has a garden with tables..

It was so amazing experience for me, feel so happy celebrate my birthday with you guys, food was so good. Only one things for the service if you can do taking order straight away on the table for the guest that’s will be more great. We don’t need go to the counter order that’s little bit westing the time and look so crowded specially for the group👌👌 😊😊

Kia ora We were fortunate to secure The Gallery at short notice within a week. The space was excellent. The Manager and all staff were kind and friendly and accommodating. The service was fast and efficient and the kai was sublime! We loved every bite! We will be back! Ngā mihi Southern Cross The Mercurys

Our family group of four visited Southern Cross Garden Bar on a quiet night for an evening meal. The service was fantastic, and drinks went down well! Overall, everyone enjoyed their meals immensely with the Lamb Rack and Filet Steak Grill and Harrisa Lamb Shoulder outright winners. Unfortunately, the Salt and Pepper Squid I ordered was cold and inedible. Luckily, everyone else kindly shared their meals, and I know what to order next time!

We’ve hosted two functions at the Southern Cross. They make the Booking process easy, and they have a few function rooms you can pick from, depending on what you’re after! The food platters are so epic, my recommendation would be to order more than what you need because the food is so good it just disappears! Great place to host a function, nice and central in town.

We came to watch the rugby world cup final and it was brilliant. The tables were evenly spread out in front of the big screens, the food was great and the service was top notch. Although the game wasn't the result most of the patrons were wanting, we still really enjoyed ourselves enough to want to stay on in the garden bar and enjoy the sun.

Awesome atmosphere for a family dine-in. Food was really yummy and comes with generous portions... pretty good selection of cocktails. Menu with kids favorites was a bonus. Kudos to awesome staff

I got the 200g eye fillet, cooked to rare for me. It was melt I your mouth soft. I thought there were two many roast potatoes at first, but before I knew it they were gone! Amazing salad too, I'm a huge fennel fan, so the shavings in there were delicious. Lovely dressing too. I had a great time

Great place to enjoy food and drink with indoor and outdoor areas to relax with friends. Friendly staff. A pool table to challenge mates.

Came inside and asked where i ordered and they said at the table and for me to go find a seat in the garden(where i wanted to sit) and someone would come take my order and serve me. I have been out here sitting and waiting for 20 minutes now and theres waiters and waitresses walking to other customers and they see me here but no one is coming to serve me or to even give water or anything. Not even a menu.

Came here for a friend's birthday party. Although the dinner menu was a special catering menu, it was good food. Portions were good and the service was amazing, complimented the party well. The lighting was a little dim for a large group catering but there is enough space for large groups which is good. (We had a group of around 20, which they had a private room around the back behind the bar). <br/>7/10

Such a great place but chef really under cooked meat in my cross burger<br/>

Quick prompt service, great selection of yummy food. Been going here for years, they have never disappointed me

Honestly one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had at a restaurant. We were part of a booking that a family member made at the restaurant and showed up only to find out that the manager that took our booking didn’t even write it down and they didn’t have a table for us. To make things worse that manager wasn’t on that night so the other manager tried to call him only to have him ignore and not pick up any calls. In the end they ended up giving us a function room but from here things only got worse. Of course I felt bad for the waitress that was serving us since it was just her waiting on 20 or more people and she seemed quite panicked but honestly the wait for food as just not on. We wearied so long for entrees and mains only to have them all bland, dry and very gross honestly the only good things we had was the water and soda the garlic bread was alright but it’s safe to say that my family and I won’t ever return. It’s such a pricey place for food like that and even the fact that the manager messed up our booking left a very bad impression on all us. It’s hard to believe how this place has 4.1 stars when it doesn’t live up to that at all. My suggestion is save your money and go somewhere else that’s much more worth than this place

All in all the food was pretty top notch, we had the welly on a plate burger as well as a few entrees which we enjoyed. However, the service did not match this. The lady at the front of house didn’t smile once, I told her we had a booking & she just turned around grabbed some menus & started walking away so we hesitantly followed. Our waiters were friendly but as soon as we finished our drinks we weren’t asked if we would like another one, but just if we would like the empty glasses taken away. After our entrees they cleared our plates as well taking our forks, when our mains were brought out they didn’t replace the forks. Once our mains were finished not once were asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu. I may just be acting picky but the whole experience felt like we were just being rushed through.

Honestly, can't understand how this has a 4.1 review.... my and my partner sat down & felt like we were on a different planet for the lack of human interaction. After being thrown at a table that was pulled from what can best be described as the local RSA, we were constantly ignored & left to debate the worthiness of the over priced menu. We left after 20 minutes of being ignored we left and found somewhere else to eat and drink where waitstaff did their job to have an overall, enjoyable evening. To say the least, we were less than impressed. #pleaseletmeforget #boozehelpspeople

A pity one star rating is the minimum. Really a zero or negative number is needed. The Southern Cross is very very anti vegetarian and vegan. Requesting vegetarian or vegan food is met with hostility from staff. I went there on ANZAC day and was turfed out because they wouldnt as they insisted that food without meat and/or egg in it does not qualify as a "meal" and therefore i couldnt be on the premesis. Vegetarians and vegans need to boycott this dive.

Had dinner in the restaurant part of the Southern Cross. Pleasant ambience. Service was excellent. Didn’t have to wait long for our dinner - so important after a hard days work. My dinner was the mushroom bolognese. Mushroom and tomatoes were puréed. Unfortunately that dish and salad was too vegetarian for me. Otherwise everything was excellent. ...I forgot to ask my friend about her meal 😬 oops!

Overall - nice place in good location. Great food<br/><br/>Food: Good selection of cabinet and menu food. I dug into poached eggs on toast, a relatively sedate meal but nice.<br/><br/>Service: We were told it would take a while as they were short staffed but it was a bit excessive. One of our group had to wait about 30 minutes for his coffee - he was desperately seeking a coffee to attempt to cure the previous nights affairs....<br/><br/>Ambience: Nice place, not noisy despite being busy

Group of friends down here for Wellington on a Plate. Ambience filled restaurant bar for everyone. Kids area, outdoor garden area, seating in corner nooks, booths etc. Eclectic trendy environment with great happy staff, good tucker and beverages. Would come back here when in town.

I have always loved the vibe here but my most recent experience with kids was quite different. Was stoked they had face painting, toys and board games available, super child friendly but the dish from the kids meal, a dragon bowl was a letdown. Firstly it was the last dish to come out even though I ordered it first to avoid hangry meltdowns and when it came it looked sooo boring! I don't know any kids that would be excited and satisfied by chicken with a spoonful of black rice, a few lettuce leaves and carrot sticks. The chicken was tasty but there was just so little of it which was the same for all of our meals. I had a veganized burger and it was tasty but didn't satisfy. At least I had fries with it! Same went for the tiny buddha bowl and beef cheeks, also tasty but tiny! We left feeling like we spent heaps but could go for another meal to feel satisfied. Service was friendly but disorganized. It's a shame because apart from their meal, the kids had a great time

Always fun coming here. The giant Jenga is always a good party game! Also the pork belly dish is excellent. Great place to hang with friends and relax after a long week

What a nice place! The staffs were excellent and very helpful. The food was great, the eggs were cooked to perfection. Would go here again for dinner next time!

Vegetarians are not welcome at the Southern Cross.<br/><br/>I attended this morning. As required by law, one must purchase a meal to have coffee. Thats fine. But not when they don't serve vegetarians.<br/><br/>There were no reasonable vegetarian options. So I asked if I could buy one of the lesser options. But no, thats not a meal apparently. So I asked if I could buy multiple. Nope, apparently even if you eat more than what they call a meal, its not a meal.<br/><br/>I noticed one of the advertised meals had a vegan option and asked for that. But no, if you have the vegan option its not a meal apparently. So you can only order the vegan option if you order one of the non vegetarian options as well.<br/><br/>Make sense? No. It doesn't. In short, you could only eat there today if you are not a vegetarian.  They may as well hang up a "Vegetarians not welcome" sign out front. That kind of discrimination is disgusting.  I have encountered open hostility from staff for being vegetarian there on a previous occasion, so this should not have surprised me.<br/><br/>Do they know that some religions are entirely vegetarian as well? So whole religions are being discriminated against as well. Whats next? Banning people based on ethnicity or sexual orientation? Wouldn't surprise me.<br/><br/>Way to bring a major downer to such an important day.<br/><br/>I will see to it that vegetarians and vegans far and wide are made aware of this establishment and its attitude towards us.

Went for a Monday night steak special 2 for $35. Value for money but the steak was over cooked when we ask for medium rare and the sauce is a bit bland.

4.5/5 Taste<br/>4.5/5 Display <br/>4/5 Quantity <br/>4/5 Customer Service<br/><br/>Very nice stonegrill for its value!<br/><br/>They have often have 1 plus 1 offers.<br/>Good atmosphere, good service, good quality

What a fantastic way to end our amazing weekend in Wellington! The place is absolutely gorgeous, awesomely decorated and laid out and so comfortable, I could hang there all day and not tire of being there I’m sure. It’s gorgeous and has so many different areas that are equally as beautiful as the rest. <br/><br/>The staff are so wonderful! The girl that served us was a pure delight!! We all absolutely loved her. <br/><br/>I got the vegan portobello benedict with cashew hollandaise with added hash browns, which I didn’t need cause I was so full!!! But, hash browns, I couldn’t not right? The meal was so very delicious, like give a mouthgasm type delicious. And the hot sauce they have is amazing, I wish I’d taken a photo of the hot sauce because it made my hot sauce loving taste buds dance. It was pure perfection with my breakfast that’s one thing I know for certain. <br/><br/>My daughter made up a breakfast from the sides of giant beans (which she said were the best beans in the entire universe - I tasted them and said I think she’s right), hash browns and avocado with sourdough toast. She was so happy with her breakfast that she said she wanted to rewind and go there for breakfast yesterday too. <br/><br/>We were going to go there for dinner on Saturday night as well but had decided not to for some ridiculous reason. Boy did we regret that decision when we were there for breakfast.<br/><br/>I will be going back, every time I’m in Wellington.

Popped in for a family dinner, 4 adults and two kids. Great relaxed atmosphere, plenty of seats, inside and out, heaters outside too and so welcoming for kids. Brilliant so far. Ordered eye fillet, two buddha bowls garlic breads, cheerios, stonegrill surf and turf, mini hotdogs, gluten free beers, nz whisky, lemoney lemonade and a couple of spiders.... phew! Cant fault the food, great checking with allergies and adapting if needed, eye fillet was perfect and the stone grill is a real novelty! Thoroughly enjoyed it, service was great too. Would revisit and reckon you should try it if you are looking for a family spot.

Have been a couple times and love this restaurant. Cool vibes, love the movie nights. Really good menu variety and well priced, love that it caters to dietary requirements too. Recommend the stone grills, have had the marinated tofu and mushroom option, very good!

Very rarely that I've had such poor service in Wellington. Sat at a table that still had someone else's plates left on it. After 15minutes I had to ask them to clear them away to which the waitress reacted rudely like it was quite a chore for her. She only grabbed some of the stuff, left the remainder and didn't even bother to wipe the table. Food took a long time to come out and was very average for what we paid for it.<br/>So after eating our overpriced average lunch on a dirty table surrounding by someone else's leftover dishes I can conclusively say that we won't be coming back!

Wasn't wowed. Upmarket, well presented restaurant. Food was a let down - sounds fancy but doesn't taste like it. Staff were brilliant and the beer selection was not surprisingly very good. Wanted to love it as the ambiance was excellent but unfortunately food isn't worth the price. Didn't feel like a great place for kids - but that is personal opinion - just putting that out there in case.

It was our first dining experience on the patio and we enjoyed ourselves. My daughter & I had halloumi sandwiches with fries. She also had the chicken drumettes in maple/soy glaze. They have a separate deep fryer for celiacs and many gf/veg options. My husband had the stone lamb (you cook it yourself on a hot stone) and he said it was delicious! The banana, coconut milk & cinnamon smoothie was delicious. Fast & friendly service and one of the best cocktails I've ever had (gin/cucumber/elderflower). I want to throw a party here because the vibe is welcoming & relaxed.

Service was great but the meal wasn't exactly what we were expecting. Taste was average. Nice dining area and lovely drinks made. ☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️😐

Probably one of the most trendy places in town. Great food, great setup and rooms to host large parties. Lastly great service makes this place shine.

***THIS DOES NOT REFLECT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT MORE THE FOOD ***<br/><br/>Being a rainy Sunday and arriving for Brunch after a nighyt on the wines we thought wed try this place as we were down here for WOW. We come every year and decided to try a different place from the normal that we go to.<br/><br/>What an amazing venue. So many cute and quaint lil areas to cater to so many types of parties from what we saw on our visit.<br/><br/>My partner and I ordered the Breakfast Bowl ( Vegan ) and a Soy Latte and Soy Hot chocolate. The drinks came out first and were perfect. Both seering hot which is my favourite.<br/><br/>The food came out and after expecting a large breakfast we thought the value for money ($20) for that bowel was a.bit of a rip, as we had to ask for bread to fill us up, this is what was definately needed wirh this meal.<br/><br/>It was also luke warm which on a cold sunday one does not wish on anyone.<br/><br/>The bread cost $4.50 for 3 slithers of Ciabatta.<br/><br/>Not impressed<br/>

Decor funky & Service pleasant enough. I have scored average due to drinks taking 30 minutes to recieve. I ordered the mushroom and walnut balls with a salad. It didn't taste of mushrooms or walnut it was just mush in the shape of a ball. The salad had no flavour or dressing. It was super tiny and i was still hungry so could be larger in size. I didnt eat dessert but all the cakes and slices at the counter display looked lovely.

I find this place very average. It's a great bar, but the restaurant leaves something else to be desired. Had the Mac n cheese a couple of times. The first was dry, and I asked for more sauce. The second was flavourless, even with a ton of salt added.

I went there for desert which was a bit random by still it was absolutely scrumptious and I love how they have hot water bottles and blankets if you want to sit outside!

Awesome paleo steak and salad just ask and they will leave out the carbs. Very friendly staff and great garden bar on an awesome Wellington day.

Went to this great place for brunch with my kids and their children. We are from out of town and this was super easy to organise. The puppet show and face painting was adorable and went down well with the grandchildren. It was cold outside but gorgeous and warm inside. Food and coffee was amazing. We were well taken care of. Thanks so much you guys!

10/10 2 for 1 stone grills on monday if you're a bit of a stone grill conossouir. Definitely quality chunks of meat. FYI the aioli looking sauce next to the fries is in fact not aioli for the golden fries.. instead it is garlic butter for the meat :)

Great atmosphere and service with a good and varied selection of food, so every one is catered for. While lunch was fine evening meals have been served cold.

I love southern cross! The actual look of the restaurant is beautiful and the inside is comfortable and spacious and the outdoors is a little zen garden. The number of vegan and vegetarian option makes it impossible to choose because there's so many they're all delicious! I love to get the raspberry and chocolate brownie it like has this thing when its always cold and so its really fudgy and delicious. Also the $10 cocktails are really really yum and I just love this place so much.

Just had the best dining experience ever!!<br/>Food was fantastic and staff were just as great.<br/>I had the Big breakfast which is no lie, the amount of food you get on your plate could prob serve 2 people.<br/>My Husband had a 400g Rump stonegrill which was a first for him and he smiled from start to finish.<br/>Definately going back once a month thats for sure!

For an appetiser and Being a vegan my wife ordered Vegan Mac and Cashew Cheese. It came with bacon which she did not discover until she had her first mouthful.<br/>My main of Winter Bliss Bowl consisted of chewy inedible kale, lukewarm roast kumara, roasted cabbage that seemed a lot more boiled than roasted , marinated tofu that was more rubber and less tofu, and tasteless couscous salad.<br/>This may seem harsh but this was one if the worst meals we have ever had with the added bonus of meat.<br/>I would recommend Vegans and vegetarians avoid this restaurant.

Hi, I am currently sitting in the garden bar, the last time I was here was around a couple of years ago, that visit was pleasing. This one however was shocking. One plate of brussel balls came out and were black and over cooked, the corn balls under cooked, the staff that serevd us all had different responses to "can I order a drink out here in the garden bar." <br/>Eating out in NZ is expensive, eating out in Wellington is 9 times out of 10 a good experience, and if it isn't for the customer then they won't go back because of the amount of other options. <br/>I grew up in hospitality and understand the pressure that can be under with customers, but in this case there were too many short falls, which leads me to this write up.<br/>Sort it out please! I'd like to come back and not have the same again. <br/>

Yum yum yum!! I love this place.<br/><br/>There are SO many vegetarian and vegan options for every imaginable course, which makes me beyond happy as it is rare to find somewhere where I have so many choices.<br/><br/>Although, because of the unusual abundance of options, I panicked and ended up just ordered boring old eggs, I certainly wasn't disappointed!!<br/><br/>There was enough sauce to float a boat in, soft and gooey eggs, and very fresh spinach.<br/><br/>Also had a peanut butter milkshake that made me fall even more in love than I already was, and it came out nice and promptly!<br/><br/>Staff also informed us as soon as we walked in about their delays which was nice and very helpful of them, but didn't deter us at all. <br/><br/>My only complaint would be that we were sitting in a booth outside, and while lovely and warm, the bench was way too far away from the table for anyone under 6ft, and the bench slopped downwards towards the table making it hard-ish to stay seated. Nothing a little more padding couldn't fix!!<br/><br/>They also forgot one of our milkshakes we ordered later in the meal, though this was left off the bill so no harm, no foul.

The Southern Cross, is without a doubt, one of the best dining options in Wellington. <br/><br/>The amount of vegan options on the menu is impressive and I am always more than satisfied with what I try there. I have recently been through every vegan option on the menu and strongly recommend the buddha bowl, mac n cheese and portobello benedict. <br/><br/>They also cater for people with a paleo based diet and vegetarians. It makes eating out with anyone who has dietary requirements a charm. <br/><br/>I also cannot stress enough how fabulous the cake cabinet is. Again, the team at the Southern Cross cater for everyone and I always leave happily trying a new one of their vegan slices, usually raw and refined sugar free!<br/><br/>This is the one place in Wellington I have always left feeling satisfied and never regretted a penny spent. <br/><br/>THE BEST SPOT IN WELLINGTON, A WINNER!

Amazing outdoor garden bar with delicious food!! We ordered all of the starter plates which were so nice we didn't need much mains at all. Would definitely recommend the crunchy corn balls. We also got given a couple of pieces of Brownie free as there were a couple of us who had birthdays that week. Would 100% go back again!

I like the Southern Cross, but I rarely visit. I recently heard they do a lot of vegan dishes which I wasn't expecting. We were in town and decided to pop in for lunch.<br/><br/>Pretty busy but we were served immediately and got a table by the window.<br/><br/>Sure enough, there were a number of delicious sounding Vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.<br/><br/>We ordered:<br/><br/>PORTOBELLO BENEDICT<br/><br/>Sesame seed avocado balls on English muffins with portobello mushrooms, wilted spinach & homemade<br/> cashew hollandaise  ($18.00)<br/><br/>BUDDHA BOWL<br/><br/>Roasted spiced carrot & mint salad, wild rice pilaf with<br/> cranberry, toasted chickpeas, spinach leaves, topped <br/>with a creamy almond dressing . Plus added Zany Zeus halloumi. (25.00)<br/><br/>The Portobello was lovely and fresh. Filling too. My partner gave me a couple of pieces of halloumi which really complimented the dish adding a nice salty edge to it.<br/><br/> My partner had the Buddha bowl. It was huge. Delicious. Crunchy chickpeas,. Great mix of flavours. Cashew cream complimented the dish nicely.<br/><br/>We were both very impressed.<br/><br/>I walked past the checkout counter and noticed the cabinet food. It all looked amazing, like seriously inviting. So many options. Some regular cakes, others raw cakes. <br/><br/>We took away a Lemon and raspberry drizzle loaf and the Raw snickers. $6.00 each.<br/><br/>They were both superb.<br/><br/>All up $55.00. Well worth it.<br/><br/>Highly recommend. I'll definitely swing past this way more often now.

Went here last weekend on a Saturday morning. It was a busy time, and there was a bit of wait on food. I got the Kedgeree and my partner had the big brekkie. The kedegree was delicious however it was a small portion and they had forgotten the mushrooms on the big brekkie, and our coffees. It was not until we finished our meal that we had asked for them — they took it off our bill which was nice. We didn't mention about the missing mushrooms as we knew it was so busy for the staff that morning and we were so hungry, couldn't wait. <br/><br/>Hopefully, a better experience next time— but I don't think I'll be back anytime soon.

Went there several times due to 2 for 1 deal for Stone grill menu. I enjoyed the food and atmosphere. You can go there with group and go there by yourself. One day I went there myself and sitting on one of couches and enjoyed beer. Liked it. You don't make a mistake if you visit this place.

The best size of meat offered here for stone grill. And suprisingly economical. The ambience is 5/5. The staff were 5/5 as well, very great personalities! They have food promos which are remarkable. Would def come here if we go to wellington again. The first restaurant Id love to dine again in wellington.

Disappointing, don't bother. Offered pasta party for half marathon and got pathetic little takeaway after being seated in the dining area. This was second time going and thought worth another try, it wasn't.

This is quite a large restaurant with different seating options, more relaxed bar area, restaurant area and a large courtyard area. It seems very family friendly, good even for small kids. The food is more than good and as a bonus they do Tim Tam slams!

My bf and I came here for drinks and dinner last night (a Tuesday) and I can only describe the whole experience as abysmal. The staff were trying their best, but this is a big place and was very obviously understaffed.The girls on the bar were clearly struggling with the amount of people to serve and dirty glasses and plates sat piled on the end of most tables. My $16 mojito arrived after a 20min wait and was downright offensive. Two mint leaves, lime cordial, soda, and I assume some rum. I didn't know a mojito could be defaced so badly, but hey you learn something new everyday. After over an hour wait our burgers arrived. Sadly they had zero flavour and were dry as were the accompanying cardboard-esque chips. I've never been so thankful for tomato sauce as a saviour for that whole meal situation. While the bar has pretty cool décor and the staff are nice, It really feels like the Southern Cross management know they have a good thing going for them and don't feel the need to try anymore.

Came there last Friday service was a epic fail won't be in a hurry for this place a smile dose go along way food was ok won't say fantastic.

Order for a milkshake was forgotten, even my grandmother has better memory. By the time it arrived, my hairs had become grey. Although the milkshakes are tasty, we would not come back due to the slow service

Came here last night with a few friends and we all really enjoyed our food! Was fairly busy but service was pretty reasonable. I got the Buddha Bowl which I found really delicious and would definitely order it again! Staff were friendly and accommodating. I think slightly overpriced overall, but would come again for sure and I think everyone enjoyed themselves!

This is hands down my favourite place to go in Wellington for a good meal that you know you're not going to be disappointed with. We went in the evening and the fairy lights and decor create a lovely atmosphere. <br/>I ordered the chicken skewers, roasted veg and garlic bread. The chicken was amazing!! Fell off the bone, tons of flavour. The roasted vegetables were fresh and not overdone. Garlic bread wasn't great but still tasty. <br/>My bf ordered the lentil dish and said it was incredible. If you have room the desserts in the cabinet are also worth getting!

Came to have brunch with a bunch of friends. The menu looked good and the place was warm that day.<br/><br/>By the door the staff mentioned there would be a 30mins wait for food, which thought was pretty normal in Wellington.<br/><br/>We sat down and ordered straight away. The waitress came and mentioned the wait was actually 45 mins. Since we were already sited so we just ordered the food.<br/><br/>It didn't come until the next hour and a half. Every time we asked any of the waitress they kept mentioning how busy the kitchen is, without even helping to look how far our food was. Very unhelpful. <br/><br/>By the time we received our order we have finished our coffee and felt far beyond hungry and tired. The whole brunch experience became dull.<br/><br/>NOT recommending this place for breakfast or lunch. Bad service and kitchen management. Only gave enough stars because the food was fine, still nothing special.

Good is average and overpriced. Went in on sunday at 1.30 with a group of 9. Wait time too long. However, great layout and comfortable seating areas.

Great pub with an awesome backyard and great gigs and events. Been going for years always had a great time. Separated restaurant area for more sophisticated food, great also!

nice style but too slow to wait for my medium well filet...almost one hour...even the entree. I paid for all my patient. Sometimes it s too smoky here to enjoy ur food

Love coming here! Stone grill is amazing and I love the atmosphere! This place is great on a nice summer night as the court yard has these cool lanterns on the ceiling and a great outdoor bar

Southern Cross provided an upmarket feel in terms of typical pub dining, the decor suggested a homely feel that my party thoroughly enjoyed. We were greeted by a very enthusiastic waitress that was able to seat us instantly even without a booking on a somewhat bustling Friday night. We had the Salmon Risotto, with a three-choice stonegrill as well as a Cross Burger. My sidekick enjoyed his burger, saying 'it delivered exactly what he expected it to'. My salmon risotto was slightly overcooked and the risotto was rather overpowering, but overall good. The stone-grill provided a nice novelty allowing us to cook our meat to our own satisfaction and would definitely recommend it to someone looking for a different dining experience.

Very dissapointing.  Overpriced.  Mediocre food.<br/>I went in for the vegetarian lentil plate and found the<br/>beetroot was from a can and the bok choy wasn't even <br/>prepped correctly.  Basically a heap of carelessly assembled<br/>vegetables thrown over a bland pile of lentils. <br/>At $23.nzd, this place has its priorities out of balance. <br/>A nice band was playing in the next room, but the music was ruined by the<br/>sad and expensive food.  Best to give this place a miss as there are<br/>many other pub style bars serving excellent food at reasonable<br/>prices within easy walking distance of this dive. <br/>

This place has an amazing atmosphere to it especially when they have a live band. Outside is amazing. Games and amazing decorations. Grate spot for a night out

A very nice location, and a very hidden spot with the garden bar out the back. Service was great and the food was tasty. We had a shared platter which was great for 3 people and filled us up nicely. The menu offered a wide variety at a nice price and looked good!

Food is ok, had pie and fries. Chips were to salty and the gravy to runny and not even warm. <br/><br/>They misheard my order and thought I only wanted fries rather than pie and fries. That's ok. They asked me to pay the difference $3.50... I'm just about ok with that.<br/><br/>What annoyed me was they than didn't bring me chips with my pie. I had specifically wanted fries to dip in the gravy. As such the dish was incomplete. I dint eat the gravy and the pie was boring by itself.<br/><br/>The staff were nice - I think this is a failure of policy by the company to guide staff in these situations. <br/><br/>Cup of fries would of cost a few cents...<br/><br/><br/><br/>

Went to Southern Cross over the holiday period while the location is a winner and the venue great. Overall alittle disappointed with outing. <br/><br/>Service was really lacking they were very eager to take drink orders from the get go I ordered a juice, said juice didn't come till some 30mins later . Repeated requested to understand where the juice was were meet by its coming it's going to be here soon. In the end the juice arrived after everyone had all but finished their meals which were ordered after the drink :( at no point to staff say how sorry they were or that they should have warned us on the problem they gave with juices. <br/><br/>Food was pretty good however if paying $22 for a big breakfast to get store brought hash browns is a rip. <br/><br/>I'm sure I'll be back for beers some time, maybe just not brunch

This place has a fantastic atmosphere for relaxing in for several hours, with lots of neat spaces for different types of groups, and a great selection of stone grills which are fun. Unfortunately the quality of the rest of the food has gone down a bit in recent years. I had the gnocchi which had been over kneaded so was quite rubbery, and lacked a bit in the sauce/dressing. The service was prompt and friendly.

We r here now. Food was good. However, we were served stale Kumara fries that were gone past its due date. It's Healy hazard. We were quite nice about it though. Lady took it to the kitchen n came back apologising n offered a side. We were done so no use. Offered us tea/coffee - we don't drink. I suggested a dessert from counter that was same price for our 11 yr old who was served the Kumara chips. She said am she cannot do those as a "special" n said she is not taking anymore orders. Was taken aback by the abruptness. Sorry, I recognise this is an institution in Welly but For me it's a zero tolerance zone - You can't serve rotten food to anyone. A definite letdown on 15 year anniversary.

One of my favourite burgers is the cross burger I specially go just for that. It is quite yummy and filling. But if only staff would smile and make you feel more welcome, the other night I rang at 9 pm to ask of what time they're closing the lady said 10 pm I then said that me and a friend will come shortly and she said no we are closing, I felt rejected and unwelcome.

Great Menu! Big selection and lots of things looked worth trying! Was nice sitting out the back enjoying the sunlight and fresh air. I had the vegan breakfast which included tofu scramble - a new for me! Was very yum and all my friends finished their meals and loved them as well, reccomend for families etc because such a variable menu with lots of choices.

We came for dinner last night , group of 7 , our daughters birthday and we are here for wow from Auckland , very impressed with the service and food , especially one of the staff I didn't get her name , she was very helpful , changed our Table as it was a bit small for 7 people and she just wanted to keep us happy , I praise her and she should get a bonus , the food was amazing and yummy we had different appetizers and some of us had the stone grill very good quality meat and food , highly recommended for food and service

We all know Southern Cross has great stone grills, but desserts? We were out for desserts and decided to rock into Southern Cross for them. <br/><br/>Between the four of us, we ordered the vegan carrot cake, chocolate tart with lemon chantilly and a banana split with strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream. <br/><br/>I'll start with the vegan carrot cake to get the disappointing plate out of the way. Not sure if it's because it's vegan, but the carrot cake was bland and weirdly textured. It was somewhat rubbery, and we all agreed it was not up to our expectations. <br/><br/>The banana split was pretty good, and it was really enjoyable for me just because I haven't had one since I was little. It brought back many memories and was fun to eat with the chocolate sauce, cherry and bananas. One small gripe I had was that the bananas were not too ripe and I would have liked it better if they were a tad softer. <br/><br/>Best dessert of the night was the chocolate tart with lemon chantilly. The strong tartness of the lemon cream was definitely unexpected, and it provided such a great kick with the sweetness of the chocolate. Cliched as it sounds, I'd have to say it was a feast for the palette. It was surely the most popular out of the three for all of us. <br/><br/>Showstopper: The chocolate tart with lemon chantilly won hands down, would definitely recommend it to everyone. <br/><br/>Overall grade: B+

Great service, great food, warm inside, lots of gf df vegan options etc. Everything came out quick, was delicious and easy. Good sized portions and not over priced for the complexity of each item. Pictures Ft. Halloumi salad and sliders 🙏

Beautiful outdoor area for a cold beer on a hot day . Friendly staff , great place with plenty of big tables to forfil the needs of any group either for dinner or just a few after work drinks

Southern cross is one of my favourite places to sit in in Wellington. It's super lovely on a nice day to sit in the garden out the back and had a fantastic selection of sweets from the cabinet. I went for brunch and ordered the vegan breakfast which I was rather disappointed with. The serving was huge and it was quite expensive but it wasn't very tasty and the tofu wasn't very nice at all. I also ordered the business juice which was incredible. I will definitely be returning but maybe not for brunch! Would love to try some of the small plates that looked really tasty and use it as a spot to go for a drink or a juice!

Amazing atmosphere and the staff are very friendly. Loved the service... But the food is limited in variety and you need to have a specific like for the flavours on the menu. <br/><br/>Be wary of stray hairs though

You gotta love that cozy place ! Went there a couple of times, in 2 different moods and mind set and enjoyed both times. The backyard is unbelievably enchanting ! For sure one not to be missed here in Welly. Haven't tried the food yet but I have seen it crackling on the plates leaving me with serious munchies.. pretty relax and simple in the end, that place is a must go at least once. Only drawback is the staff.. a bit more efficient and friendly wouldn't harm.

Not a bad place for a catch up. Southern Cross Garden Bar is a huge venue. The outdoor area has these pretty lanterns that add colour to the night. The vibes are tenfold in the evening when they are lit. The portions are relatively large - good value for your money. I enjoyed my evening here. The food had potential to be incredible but it lacked presentation and seasoning. Still nice though! They have cool stone grills for people who want to play DIY with their dinner.

The outdoor area of southern cross is probably one of the coolest spots in Wellington! I love all the lanterns and the big sitting areas, so nice in summer!! <br/><br/>I had a stone grill (one of the most popular dishes on the menu). I thought it was really good value as the portion sizes are pretty big and definitely filled me up! The fries are amazing. I would order them by their self just because they are that good. <br/><br/>Cooking your own meat is such a cool idea but it's super easy to overcook it. I thought the meat needed more spices and flavour because it wasn't that tasty! Pretty bland to be honest.<br/><br/>I've tried some of their other dishes though and wasn't let down, will definitely return!

Not a massive fan of the food on offer here.. The burgers are a little dry For example. But as an experience this establishment does not fail to deliver. With a large area there are plenty of places to get comfy, whether for a quiet chat or to get In amongst the crowds. But without a doubt the garden bar is its selling point.. With comfy covered areas, trees and decorations, it's a very chill place to go for a drink and just take it all in, wood burner and all. Love the free bbq's on the weekend and the occasional movie nights they put on the big screen.

No wonder this place is always packed: great atmosphere, awesome outdoor area, good range of drinks and a cake cabinet to die for. I tried their Antioxidant Juice which was really good and have a "to do" list to get through of their delicious looking cakes, doughnuts, and brownies (all of which are really reasonably priced)!

First lets talk about decor. Southern Cross is beautifully hip and unique. They have board games and offer a variety of free events like once a month salsa classes for free. They have bands and local artists almost every night and they'd fit in well on a Pinterest board. <br/>The staff are friendly and attentive without going over board. <br/><br/>We came here during WOAP so we ordered a get stuffed burger to share and some fries. Unfortunately the kitchen got our order wrong so we didn't get to try their entry for the best burger in Wellington but we had a cross burger and it was lovely. The fries had a beautiful seasoning on them and the presentation was really clean and pretty. <br/>I had an apple pie milkshake which tasted nothing like apple pie but it was heavenly. My boyfriend got a coke ice cream spider and loved it. <br/><br/>Overall I'd say Southern Cross was a winner. They do mulled cider in winter and the place is relaxed and welcoming. Definitely one for a chilled lunch or casual dinner.

Perfect outside area for a midsummer dinner or lunch, can be intimate or large dining style and the staff wait on you perfectly, great food that is served in style and tastes as good as it look!

Came here a a couple of times for breakfast/ lunch with a friend because we've been told that they are having some vegan options on their menu. The first time I've had the vegan breakfast which was just beautiful (especially the vegan scrambled tofu!!!) and the second time I've ordered the vegan burger which was good as well even though I didn't like the huge amount of beetroot on it. <br/>But the service definitely needs a lot of improvement. It took ages to order and then we didn't even receive a "hello" or a smile. Also after receiving the food no one checked on us if everything is alright or if we would like to have another drink. While paying - again both times! - no one was asking if we enjoyed the food. Not even a "goodbye" or "have a nice day" was said. Seems like no one is interested in our feedback or having us back which really is a shame because the food and the atmosphere is great - the service on the other hand made us feel not being welcomed at all!

As always the Cross lives up to its awesome family friendly rep. We went for breakfast for my husband's birthday this morning, and the staff were super friendly and really helpful with the kids. Food was fresh and warm and just really well prepared and presented. The Big Breakfast, which my husband had looked delicious and he says it was such a treat. They gave him gluten free bread on request and it was an easy order. The kids really enjoyed playing in the courtyard area and love the buckets of toys. They even had face painting inside. Definitely the best family restaurant in the city.

Great decor and layout. A very good ambience when first walking inside. Food was prepared on time and was satisfactory. Definitely check the outdoor area during the night.

Great place to come for a relaxed meal and a couple of drinks during summer. The garden bar is a fantastic setting to relax and unwind in whilst catching up with friends. Bar staff are always friendly and approachable.

Food it good but a bit over priced. The best things about this place though are the board games and bingo nights :) solid choice. <br/>

Fantastic outdoor dining allowing for a mix of environments both inside formal and outdoor informal. Great food with a great range to choose from.

Great atmosphere and service. The only thing that annoyed me was that I got asked for ID three times. Other than that it was a great meal and well priced. I've been a few times now and I'll definitely be back in future <br/><br/>

Last time I went to Souther Cross was in late March 2015 with a small group of friends for lunch on a Monday. Service was disappointing as the waitress took ages to take our orders but once that was done, food was served fairly quickly and it was nice. But considering the place was quite empty, a little more attention could've been paid to our table. The menu was varied and there were several reasonably price options.

Top pub feed. Great pub for a bite to eat! Good menu range of small plates and main meals - word of warning, though, the small plates ain't that small! Order four of them for two people and you'll be groaning under the quantity of food!! But everything delicious, reasonably priced (under $40 for said massive feed for two), friendly staff, good atmosphere, and some quality craft beers on tap.

Great for when your party includes children. Excellent brunch, caring staff, juices and smoothies are very good and, of course, everyone loves the jet planes at the front desk.

I meet here every week for a breakfast meeting (BNI). It must be hard for them when a group of thirty all arrive at the same time to order!<br/><br/>Regardless they are always up to the challenge and service is friendly and cooperative efficient.<br/><br/>Standard breakfast fare with a few curve balls (kedgeree for example) thrown into the mix. <br/><br/>Good coffee too and a nice selection of cabinet food.

Visited 21/02/15 for a family meal (table for 12) and it was great. <br/>We ordered 3 garlic bread's for us all to share, which were tasty and very hot. Then we ordered our mains. We only waited about 15 or 20 mins before they came. <br/>I ordered the Salmon and Prawn Risotto, which was delicious, and $27. Which is not cheap but not too expensive. (Well worth it). It was devine!<br/>The family ordered a selection off the menu and they all seemed very happy with their food. My husband liked his steak, as he cooked it himself at the table on a stone slab like plate. It was a 200g surf and turf rump steak ($28.50)<br/>After our plates were taken away and we were served some more drinks we then ordered our desserts. <br/>I ordered a White chocolate lime and rose panna cotta ($11) and when it came it looked beautiful, with swirls of butterscotch and raspberry. I've never had one before, but it tasted like heaven! I'm not kidding you, lol It was the best dessert I've had in a long time.  The staff were very friendly and attentive. And the atmosphere was just great with the cool lighting and the music in the background.<br/>We will definitley be back again. The only slight problem was parking, but oh well it is the middle of Wellington lol, so to be expected. <br/>Thank you Southern Cross. Keep up the good work! :)

Come here every week for Tuesday night quiz! I LOVE the outside space. There's nothing quite like it in Wellington. To be honest I find the food over-rated and to be quite expensive for what you get. Venture down Cuba st and you can find cheaper and tastier options aplenty! The beer and wine is also over-priced. Go for a look and a quick drink in the outside space but don't hang around.

Great food and great vibe! I love the colourful decor, it is so funky and fun and makes this place stand out from other restaurants. We visited for lunch and I enjoyed a vegan burger, but I plan on coming back for dinner to see what they have to offer :)

What more could a fall wasn't worth both vegan and vegetarian options generous portions! The all cooked eggs were a surprise as I had expected the to be more cooked than over medium.

My husband had his work Christmas do here ... in his own words here's how it went:<br/><br/>"A work Xmas lunch bought us here, and it's my first time back in decades since my drunken lout years. Oh the memories ...<br/><br/>Anyway - in short, this choice was an absolute winner. My expectations weren't huge; large group, buffet food, Wellington wind but the Southern Cross was a great choice. Great outside area, staff who were attentive and good-humoured and actually took an interest in how we were doing, and the food was great and plentiful.<br/><br/>I got into a few jugs of beer quite early in the piece, so can't give a detailed account of the food but everyone in our group spoke highly of it and despite our best efforts there was a lot left over.<br/><br/>When booking, we had the choice of salmon for all, or dessert. Pick one. However, once asked, S/C decided they would accomodate indovidual requests if we fore-warned them, so well done guys!<br/><br/>The best work lunch in years, and most of that was down to the venue choice. I fully intend to recommend the same for our next event."

The Cross has had so many re-inventions over the years and it seems to have happily settled as being a bit of everything, but at the end of the day it's a great bar but not exactly somewhere you go looking for an exceptional meal. The menu is fairly standard cafe style food- a couple of fried nibbles, platters, burgers, salads, pasta, and a rather pricey stonegrill section. I've been on many occasions for small bites with drinks, or brunch and will say that the food is as you would expect- nothing particularly interesting but also nothing that can go too wrong.<br/><br/>It's a nice, relaxed place to catch up with mates for a couple of drinks and sharing platters, but it's also ideal for functions as there are lots of different sections, and the garden bar is a standout when the Wellington sun makes an appearance.

Southern Cross Garden Bar & Restaurant is one of the most stunning restaurants in Wellington! I absolutely love how spacious, colourful and pretty the restaurant is, not to mention the gorgeous courtyard filled with glowing lanterns. Service and food wise, it is good but not the best I've ever had in Wellington - it is the atmosphere more than anything that makes the experience at Southern Cross exciting. <br/><br/>I have eaten twice at Southern Cross; the first time in the courtyard and the second at the front in the main restaurant. There's always a relaxed and funky vibe in Southern Cross, which I love. We had a lovely meal with live music on my first visit and the food was delicious, however, I remember thinking that my main, salmon, didn't quite go well with the rockmelon. They both tasted great on their own, but they didn't seem to mix together as a dish. <br/><br/>This was the same on my second visit, when my partner and I tried out the stonegrill. We were pleasantly surprised at how quickly the stonegrill cooked our meat, and everything was well presented. I liked my partner's mixed stonegrill of venison, beef and tofu more than my lamb as the green beans, olives, tomatoes and cucumber, while tasty, didn't complement it extremely well. I've had lamb plenty of times at restaurants and most of the time it is very refreshing and delicious coupled with minty yogurt dressing, or some sort of sauce that gives a lighter, fresher taste to the meaty, heavy taste of lamb. <br/><br/>One thing we absolutely loved was the Caramel Macadamia Cheesecake. It was heavenly perfection! Crunchy macadamia on top, soft and creamy cheesecake texture and sweet caramel flavour. I'd definitely return for this dessert. Overall, Southern Cross is one of the best restaurants for a relaxed, chilled out but fun and exciting atmosphere - the courtyard is beautiful and perfect for groups. The food is delicious although they could be complemented with better sides, and the service is good but not always attentive when it gets busy. The stonegrill is definitely worth trying, and so is the dessert! :)

Hi<br/><br/>I would like to make a complaint about one of your staff members. I had a private function at Southern Cross.<br/>As I understand that Southern Cross is a family oriented and kids friendly place and I have been a regular customer there for the past 2 years.<br/><br/>I had arrange to have my  party there, but 2 of guest were refused service and was asked to leave.<br/><br/>1. This was not informed personally to me (the host) of the party but to my guest (very rudely). The reason was because they did not have their ID on them.<br/><br/>2. I was not informed that all my guest needed to have ID present at the time of entering. Especially, when both of my guest were not even drinking alcohol and one was with her husband. They were clearly over 18 as I am their employer.  They tired to show their ID to your staff but she still refused. One of them got to stay but the other had to leave.<br/><br/>I myself look under 25 years old but no ID were checked, the majority of my guest all look under 25 years old but no ID were checked. ONLY 1 girl, that was over 18 years of age and was not even drinking was refused service without ID and asked to leave.<br/><br/>Your staff has embarrassed my guest, by standing in the middle of my party telling my guest that she has to leave. I felt that this is very unprofessional and extremely unacceptable. My guest family and herself normally comes to Southern Cross very often every weekend. (They will no longer go there)<br/><br/>I am not very happy about this. If everyone needed ID then there should be someone at the door checking everyone's ID or if it was very very important I should have been informed first thing, so I could have told me guest before they came.<br/><br/>I have worked in customer service for over 13 years and I have to say I personally hate complaining but this situation was very disappointing. When I told the rude staff member 'that I would not hold anymore functions here', she simply said 'ok, that's fine with me' with a smile on her face. You were lucky I even paid all the food and drinks I ordered because at that point I was about to take my party else where.<br/><br/>I hope you will discuss this with that staff member and there will be some kind of action toward this rude and unprofessional act.<br/>The staff that was serving our party was lovely, she would know which staff I am talking about the one with the cap. Also she should not be dress like that to work. It is very unprofessional.<br/><br/>I love this place but after this incident I will no longer go to Southern Cross, tell anyone to go there or hold any of my work parties there anymore.

Popped in for a couple of drinks with friends. Amazing garden bar but inexplicably expensive, super slow, and the cocktails were of poor quality. Poor attitude and disappointing effort from the bar staff on what is a very quiet night.

Had dinner here recently for the first time and it was almost faultless! Was very busy, but the waitresses were great with service and the wait for food wasn't too long. Only negative was that my friend felt his burger was too small, but everything tasted great. I had only been here for drinks before, and I was not impressed with the attitudes and shortness of some of the staff, but my dining experience was great :)

Had to wait faaar to long for my smoothie and muffin.<br/>Although not busy at all, waitress got our meals confused and my friend didn't get what he ordered.<br/>Atmosphere is great, very nice place!<br/><br/>Price for savoury muffin + smoothie: 11$

I went to southern cross with a large group of friends on Saturday afternoon and have never had such a horrible experience at a cafe. I was told that the wait for my avocado on toast and iced mocha would be about 30 minutes which was fine as it was rather busy. An hour later I received some sodden bread with some avocado paste that tasted rather foul. 20 minutes after this having asked 3 times and 2 waiters chasing up my order I finally got my iced mocha which was very good however not worth the wait. I was incredibly disappointed and will not be eating at southern cross again.

Used to come every Friday for after work drinks but half the time we order something our numbers get taken away, even though we told the waitress not to take it as we had more drinks coming. Either the live band or guests were too loud they couldn't hear us, but it became a game of cat and mouse.<br/><br/>Drinks were okay priced and they have a good selection of beers and non-alcoholic drinks, but for food we ordered the vege filo which was more filo than vege. The chorizo sausage rolls were excessively greasy and nonetheless hard to swallow.<br/><br/>Would come back (maybe) because it's close, and the live music is sometimes very good

When I was first married 44 years ago we used to drink in the Southern Cross. Oh yes, its been there that long. I would love love to see the Southern Cross in its new state. Lots of memories of the Southern Cross.

We went here for a Christmas function and had a great time. Family friendly, good food &amp; smiling service<br/><br/>Well done

This was our first time going to Southern Cross and we were very impressed. I can't believe we have lived in the Wellington region for 7 years and not known about it until recently! We had a lovely meal with our two primary school aged children. The staff we dealt with were all very friendly and very pleasant. Our waitress in particular was excellent (Canadian or American accent I think), nothing was too much trouble. The food arrived very promptly and was lovely and fresh. The kids meals were as to be expected, fish and chips followed by ice cream sundaes. Our surf and turf was simple but delicious. What I particularly loved was their well coded menu showing clearly which meals were gluten free, vegetarian etc. I also liked the way there were many different areas to sit so if you are looking for a place to go with children or just going with adult company both options are well catered for. We will definitely be back!

Having spent Saturday night celebrating a family members 30th in a private area of the Southern Cross, it is really disappointing to see the overall lack of attention to the nibbles platters served on the night. First of all the platters which were supposed to serve about 10 people would have been hard pressed to serve two hungry blokes with dips presented in tiny wee pots that you could not even get a rice cracker into because they were so small. Not that there were enough rice crackers or indeed anything else on the plate. One small pottle contained the equivalent of two pickled onions cut into eight little slivers, another contained half a gherkin cut into six wee slices and so it went on. And then to the actual quality of the meagre offerings. The dips had already begun to crust over (either from plating too early or just because the contents were already days old), the breads were stale and again dried from exposure to the air and to top it all off the cheese (two thickly cut slices) were greasy, yellow, rubbery and mouldy. The chef here needs some serious talking to. How he/she can justify being called a chef and have any understanding of food quality and hygiene is beyond me. It shows a total lack of regard for the paying patrons. Maybe they hoped that everyone would have been already trollied and not noticed what was on offer. The atmosphere and waiting staff were great so it's a shame their hard work was overshadowed by the complete lack of attention to the food.

We had brunch today for my birthday- I hadn't been to the Cross for years. Four adults and a very active 3yr old. From start to finish we had a great experience.<br/><br/> Fast and friendly service and delicious food, especially the Bubble and Squeak I chose which was really roasted veges with a poached egg on top. My only minor quibble was the egg was a bit on the cool side, as if it had been cooked earlier and held in cold water, and not thoroughly reheated. <br/><br/>We all enjoyed our meals and will definitely be back. It's a very family friendly place, in fact there was a 2yr old's birthday party underway as we left. <br/><br/>Highly recommended.

Went there for a work function recently. The prices of the meals are good value for money and tasted ok. The let down for me was the service of the particular staff attending to our table.

We had an absolutely superior eating experience at Southern Cross Restaurant tonight. It has long been our favourite venue for special occasions because of its amazing ambiance - the unique outdoor area particularly which caters for all weather conditions.<br/><br/>The food and service in the past has been good, but tonight the service exceeded all expectations. Josh, who attended on us, who I later found out was the manager, anticipated our every need. <br/><br/>He even pointed out when the birthday boy's choice of drink was getting low and asked whether I wanted to order more for him.<br/><br/>He was on hand to fill up glasses and did so unobtrusively. Every member of our 10 person table was delighted with their meals and the fantastic service.<br/><br/>I eat out often, and this has to have been our best restaurant meal to date.<br/><br/>Worth absolutely every cent of what we paid! Good on you Southern Cross, and Josh, and all the other lovely waitresses who assisted. You made my son's 25th birthday very special!

Having heard such great things I was disappointed. The redeeming feature is the seating / ambience. It is like being at home. Unfortunately my kids can cook better food. <br/><br/>Corn balls were pure stodge - no taste and gluggy. I am not even sure if I managed to see a piece of corn. Hot choc and chai were both less than luke warm and flavourless. Coke was served flat. Carrot cake was literally oosing with oil - yuk!!<br/><br/>Very disappointing - and all higher than average pricing.<br/><br/>Service was friendly, ambience/ seating good - but it needs to have decent (or reasonable) food and drink for me to want to go back!

Came here yesterday afternoon and went for the 2 for 1 stonegrills and some drinks.<br/>This deal is great value for money. They use quality cuts of meat and it's great fun to sizzle them yourself on the hot plate.<br/>Great interior decor &amp; friendly service too.

Good pub food and decent range of beers

Last night was the second and last time that I will dine at Southern Cross. What a disappointment, not to mention a rip off.<br/><br/>We were part of a group with a set menu, which sounded good, but in reality most of it was embarrassingly bad. First off we had to wait 45 minutes even for the (meagre) dips and breads to arrive, and a totally unacceptable TWO HOURS for our main course.<br/><br/>What little of the bread and dip I did get was whisked away by one of the waitresses while I was turned away talking to another diner. I can't see what the hurry was to clear away given that we had two more hours to go before the mains arrived (and more babysitter costs for us).<br/><br/>My tiny main was a stone grill, and sadly it was soggy and mostly brown -- where was the fresh, colourful, or crunchy stuff? And does the chef not even know how to do roast potatoes well? There was also no attention given to presentation. The meal was like something I might throw together in short order after a long, hard day. The difference being that I would have at least made myself something more substantial than entree size. A rip off.<br/><br/>The desserts, well, where do I begin? The 'cake' (more accurately, a heavy gateau -- God forbid that you could properly describe your menu items) was a Moore Wilson's special. The sorbets were at least presently reasonably attractively, but one of them was just sweet and tasteless. <br/><br/>But I have saved the best for last: the cinnamon and raisin bread and butter pudding. You would think a traditional old favourite like this would be hard to stuff up in the hands of a chef, but you would be wrong. First off, it was served cold. Yep, cold. Secondly, it was bland and made with way too thick slices of baguette. Most people left a lot uneaten, but I suppose at least they were given a decent portion, unlike with the other dishes.<br/><br/>We had one OK waitress, but the rest of the waiting staff were the usual cocky or unfriendly array of people who seem to think that they are doing you a favour just by being there, so have no compunction to be pleasant, helpful, or courteous. <br/><br/>I don't eat out a lot, so it is a treat for me and really disappointing when you get this sort of return for your hard-earned cash.

My overall experience here was ok. I loved the decor and relaxed atmosphere. Took the kids ages 18-4 and felt quite comfortable having the younger one there. The service was a bit slack, had to wait too long to be served. She should have asked if we were ready to order our meals when she took our drinks order and when she dropped our drinks off...but didn't and made a special return trip to do that. The lamb pattie in the lamb burger wasn't that great...dry and packed with god knows what binding it together. Steak was great.

Went here on Saturday morning for breakfast, my god the service was amazing I'm a complete hospo snob and actually couldn't find anything to fault even with a 3 year olds birthday party going on behind us, every little detail was looked after the food was fast and the wait staff couldn't have been nicer - congrats guys, that's how it should be done everywhere!

GAWD, I just read the other reviews and you people are HARSH. Is this really how Wellington operates??? I mean, really.<br/><br/>This is decent bar, with a very diverse beer and cider list, and an OK wine list. It's got an amazing patio space, FRIENDLY and cheerful service, and a very stylish interior decor, and you guys can only give it 2-3 stars? COME ON.<br/><br/>I've had their fries with garlic aioli, it's DA BOMB. They also had a charity grill going on tonight with free sausage, grilled onions and ketchup and mustard if you donate to the Red Cross Christchurch fund. The guy working the grill was super nice and sweet, and CUTE.<br/><br/>I'd much rather spend my hard earned dollars here than anywhere else on Cuba Street. At least I get good atmosphere, service and beer for a Friday night out with the mates.<br/><br/>xo to you Southern Cross

We came here for 2 for 1 Monday night Stonegrill which was great value. Good choice of meat, with nice sides.<br/><br/>What let Southern Cross down was the service, or lack thereof. We waited for about five minutes at the front counter to be acknowledged. Once seated it took about twenty minutes to be served, and only because we flagged down the waiter (twice). Food and drinks arrived relatively quickly after ordered, but service was not overly friendly. <br/><br/>Have had trouble with service most times I've gone to Southern Cross. Food is good though, and atmosphere - especially outside, is great.

Agree with other reviews, great location and the staff are very friendly and nice, but the foods pretty average and overpriced

My rating pretty much reflects the great setting and decor of this pub. The outdoor area is especially cool (though I feel sorry for people living in those apartments above!) and the place in general has a nice, relaxed atmosphere. Nice how they catered to kids by keeping board games around for them. Doesn't matter for me as a diner as I don't have children but it was still a nice touch.<br/><br/>The food is overpriced though and average in general. My friend and I had the bland bread with dips - it looked and tasted like a speciality bread you could get at Pak 'n Save for $3. We also had french fries which were nice.<br/><br/>Perhaps the mains were better - I'm not sure as they were too overpriced for my liking at the time, well frankly I expected the place to be cheaper.<br/><br/>A fantastic venue though.

We went there for my friend's birthday. We had a very good time, the service was very nice and the stone grill was very excited to us even though I don't know how to Cook!!<br/><br/>Love it, will be back soon :)

Not quite sure about this one – I rate the bar and location as great – nice outdoor seating, good all year, winter and summer. There is always a wide range of people there which makes life interesting. Food wise – I dont rate it so well. Tends to be good food, but a little overpriced.<br/>Definately back for drinks, but elsewhere for food.

Great atmosphere at the Southern Cross, especially the outdoor garden and different sections of the bar. However, the restaurant really lets them down. I'm a regular at the Thursday night Real Groovy Music Quiz (thanks guys - it's awesome!) and sometimes go to their Sunday night dance lessons (again, great!). Occasionally I will grab a light meal while there, but the menu is limited and quality unappetising. This morning, my partner and I went for brunch. Once again, the food was very average with an incredibly limited menu. I didn't realise that Saturday morning brunch = kids' playtime session at the Cross. It's one thing to be child-friendly; it's another to have kids running around screaming while sliding along the floor. We'll happily drink there again and enjoy the entertainment, but this won't include food.

This is a great bar, with so much space and different areas you'll find something for everyone. The garden bar is always popular, especially for the after work crowd. I've eaten here a couple of times, once with a big group, and once just three of us. On neither occasion did we wait long for food, or drinks - and both times the meals were really nice. I had a stone grill that I actually got to cook myself at the table - this was a first for me and I really enjoyed it. <br/>They also have a giant Jenga set, lots of fun, especially after a few drinks!!

There is something a little bit loaves and fishes about the Southern Cross - just when you think you've reached the end, more appears ... This abundance is manifested in all sorts of ways - in the huge variety on the menu (the menus on the site here only scrape the surface), in the variety of spaces indoors and outdoors, in the humungous number of groups and events that they host, from knitting clubs to salsa to games nights. But back to the food - it is surprisingly good for a pub, with a range of foods for all appetites and wallets. We tried the $18 sunday roast. Roast beef, kumera, pumpkin, potaotes, cauliflower cheese, gravy and yorkshire pudding. All cooked perfectly and really tasty. The eclectic decorations charmed us while we waited for our food and speculated on the best quake exit strategy, the staff were friendly and efficient. All in all a great place to meet, greet ad eat.