southern cross garden bar restaurant

the fish was dry, the chips were cold and overly crispy, the coleslaw was haphazard (no love). 3 sirloins all came out well done, such a waste. the staff however werefriendlyand they had a good beer selection.

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 werefriendlybut 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.

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 childfriendlybut 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 wasfriendlybut disorganized. it's a shame because apart from their meal, the kids had a great time

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 &friendlyservice 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.

awesome paleo steak and salad just ask and they will leave out the carbs. veryfriendlystaff and great garden bar on an awesome wellington day.

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 werefriendlyand accommodating. i think slightly overpriced overall, but would come again for sure and i think everyone enjoyed themselves!

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

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 andfriendlywouldn't harm.

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.
the staff arefriendlyand attentive without going over board.

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.
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.

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.

as always the cross lives up to its awesome familyfriendlyrep. we went for breakfast for my husband's birthday this morning, and the staff were superfriendlyand 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.

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!

regardless they are always up to the challenge and service isfriendlyand cooperative efficient.

standard breakfast fare with a few curve balls (kedgeree for example) thrown into the mix.

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.
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.
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!
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)
after our plates were taken away and we were served some more drinks we then ordered our desserts.
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 veryfriendlyand attentive. and the atmosphere was just great with the cool lighting and the music in the background.
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.
thank you southern cross. keep up the good work! :)

hi

i would like to make a complaint about one of your staff members. i had a private function at southern cross.
as i understand that southern cross is a family oriented and kidsfriendlyplace and i have been a regular customer there for the past 2 years.

i had arrange to have my  party there, but 2 of guest were refused service and was asked to leave.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

i hope you will discuss this with that staff member and there will be some kind of action toward this rude and unprofessional act.
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.

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.

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),friendlystaff, good atmosphere, and some quality craft beers on tap.

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 werefriendlyand efficient. all in all a great place to meet, greet ad eat.