On a family holiday in Central Otago we took the kids for a special meal to Lazy Dog Restaurant.

We loved it!

The kids were kept busy in the outdoor play area while we tasted the wines – over 18 to try!

Saw others were having lunch and the food looked so good we decided to stay too.

The kids choices ranged from tasty but healthy to the more traditional fries with fish or chicken – all at a reasonable price with serving size to suit the age group.
I picked the special kassler pork rib and my wife had baked brie. We shared the house cheese cake to finish.

The food was great and the service friendly as well as efficient.

We all had a great time in a fantastic setting – I would recommend this place to anyone and will certainly go back next time we are in Central Otago.’

My wife and I have not had dinner out for months and were really excited about going to Lazy Dog.

The service and greeting was lovely however we cannot say the same about the fare.

Having owned our own restaurant we know what one should expect. I had the Roast Chicken Salad and my wife the Porterhouse ordered medium. The steak was well done and she struggled to cut through the gristle. Aside from that the vegetables were great as was the green peppercorn sauce. However the steak was slapped on the plate with far too much sauce.

That was the good part. My chicken salad was appalling. I deliberately counted out the 5, one inch long and 1/2 inch wide pieces of roast chicken?? and placed them on the side of my plate. The remaining salad consisted of 95% fancy lettuce and not much else. A tiny bit of carrot and red lettuce. I actually placed the chicken on to a fork and it barely made a mouthful.

A 5 year old could have put together a better salad than this. It most certainly was not prepared by a qualified chef or if it was he should be disgusted with himself

I wanted to cry merry hell but for my wife’s sake I didn’t as it was our first time out in ages.

The prices were exorbitant and the cheapest bottle of wine was $36. This is wine valley.

Will never recommend nor will we ever be back

Lazydog is a great place to eat with well prepared and tasty food. The only reason it doesnt get a 5 star from me, is I feel its a bit expensive.

Been travelling round NZ – retirement dream for wife and me –
Had already heard about Lazy Dog from relations and decided to try when we were in the area.

We both agreed that this was the best meal we had on our travels.

The food was great and for once lived up to the blurb in the menu.
I love Central Otago Pinots and from the tasting tray found one of the best, while my wife who likes lighter wines raved about the Riesling.

Excellent service too – we were treated like special guests – these people know what hospitality means!

The place is beautiful. Not just the setting with its million dollar views, but also the gardens, flowers and trees out front and you wont believe the back vege garden until you see it!

I think the five stars say it all – Woohoo! As good as it gets!

We dined at here with a couple of friends last week. All of us had an entree, main and dessert. Food was excellent and service prompt and efficient. One of the few places that can cook a perfect steak! We left extremely satisfied and with very full bellies.

What a great time we had. 20 of us went for a meal because we had heard so much good comment about the place and it was mum’s 65th so a special event.

We had three chefs in our party and we thought we would see what these folks could do. We all ordered different food and drinks.

Everyone enjoyed their meal. The staff got the right food to the right people and we all got our food within 7 minutes of each other. Specatular!

Great selection of local wines, beer and even Juices.

The owners grow and produce a lot of the food for the menu themselves. A real change from those meal specials on offer everywhere at the moment.

The kids had a great time outside and when the weather changed there were games and activities for them to use inside so the adults could enjoy their meal.

Well done!

Extremely disapointing. We were the only two guests at that time for lunch yet waited 45 minutes before the meal arrived. Had the lunch been excellent we would not have minded but how many ways can you mess up salmon?.Also very small portions and undercooked vegetables. The price was excessive for what was delivered. A long drive from Cromwell for a disapointing meal. We will not return or recommend.

On holidays you do holiday things like driving 26 km from Wanaka (and return) on a beautiful Central day with an expectation of a nice afternoon tea – we were taking an 80 year old relative out for a drive. This is an outing to remember, but remember for the wrong reason. We wanted to have tea and scones – what I normally refer to as Devonshire Tea. You can buy the tea and the scones separately. The Scones are $5.50 with jam & cream or savoury. I do not recall the tea, but let’s say around $4 a cup.
The scones were ONE scone cut in half, no butter with cream and runny jam. We drank water. OK, it was hot on the day.
To make matters worse we made mistake number two – we purchased about $35 worth of products from the store. What a memorable way to relieve your pocket of $50. We are returning to Wanaka in 12 months for our annual holiday. One guess where we won’t be stopping.

If you want atmosphere great service as well as great food, plus wine to die for, try this place.
The vegetarian saffron rice option puts a lie to the rumour that vegetarian food is dull and tasteless.
As for the steak – tender and cooked to near perfection.
If you want to try Central Otago wines just ask Diana or Jenny – they really know about wine, more than just the facile language that is trotted out in so many places.
Taste from the local Pinot Noir, Pinot Rose – or Pinot Gris selections. Some truly lovely wine comes from this area.

If you want to enjoy some great wine and food try this cafe and cellar door. Loved the wine tasting tray and delicious platter in front of a roaring fire. Now our local for a relaxing time.