We dined at lunchtime in January. The cafe was very busy, but we were in no hurry. The waitress indicated that it would be a 45 min wait. After thirty mins we noticed tables that had ordered after us were being served. (six in total) We mentioned this to the waitress and the person in charge that day came out and was very rude. We were told that smaller tables get served before larger ones (we had seven in our party). I have never struck this before. Maybe we should have all sat at separate tables. Finally after 60 mins our meals arrived. Three had the seafood chowder – very average and one only received half the portion size of the others. Another person had the terrine – this was very bland and tasteless. Another had the fish and fries and the fries were cold. A very disappointing meal considering we were enjoying a nice day over in Akaroa with friends from the North Island.

My wife and I dined here on Queens Birthday weekend. There were 2 friday specials, lamb shanks, and fish of the day both $22, including a free glass of beer or wine. We both ordered the fish, which was Chatham Is. Blue Cod ( 2 pieces ), with chips and salad. The cod was very tasty, and well presented, and the chips were a little chunkier than normal-just how we like them. The salad was fresh. Service was prompt, and the room was very comfortable, with a large gas log fire evident. When you consider that the local takeaway sells Blue Cod for $9 per piece, I feel that our visit represented good value for money.

We went to this restaurant on a Monday. The day was hot but the sheltered outdoor dining was great. The service from the staff was excellent, prompt attentive and informative. The menu was perhaps a little small ,but there were enough choices to make you spend a little time over them. The food was delicious batter on the fish was very good as the fish itself was. As with all restaurants in Akaroa they claim the best Seafood chowder in town , and it was very good. The deserts were delicious as well. We liked the restaurant and would return. I can only assume that there has been a change in management since the previous reviews on this site.

I was looking forward to lunch at Ma Maison today, a treat on a cold winter’s day. Whilst a fire is advertised it wasn’t going, thank goodness for the heat pumps. The waitress appeared more interested in setting up for evening service than serving customers but was pleasant enough when she did take our orders and serve our meals. There were four other tables, a group of 4, a group of 3 and 2 other couples. Should have noticed none had received their mains, certainly did when it took 40 minutes for our food to arrive! My husband’s fish of the day was very nice but he had forgotten that Ma Maison is one of those restaurants where you get very little with a main, despite the cost. My smoked chicken sandwich was average and the chicken did not appear to be smoked. Overall an average experience for a reasonably expensive restaurant.

There are many wonderful restaurants in Akaroa. Judging by the meal myself and friend were served in this particular one, unfortunately Ma Maison is not (in my opinion) one of the better places. Firstly the prices are in the mid range, but once being served the very mediocre food and waiting a long time for it too, the prices actually seem far too high! I ordered the salmon with scallops on a bed of mung beans accompanied with a green salad. I think the salmon was a about 2″ x 2″ chopped into 4 pieces and had 3 miniature scallops placed in-between these (like a skewer but without the skewer), all artistically arranged in the very centre of a square plate on top of a few mung beans. The taste was nice for what there was of it, but 4 small mouthfuls and it was gone! My friend had mistakenly ordered the same and both of us were obviously less than impressed at the price of $21. Our garlic bread before this was priced at $8 and was 4 very tiny little slices with garlic butter. Also unimpressive. As mentioned earlier, the service was slow and when I asked for a little bit more dressing on the salad (which seemed non-existent in the first place), I was told it would come at a cost!!! We noticed the table beside us complaining about their small portions and also the speed which it was dispensed from the kitchen. Oh, and did I mention that the restaurant was freezing and everyone in there, like myself, was keeping their coats on! I’m actually a member of another well known NZ dining website and wasn’t surprised when I saw that Ma Maison has recently requested to be taken off that one. Hmmmmm, wonder why?