I make a point of dining once at Paddington Arms each time I visit Invercargill for a week on business. I’m always greeted like long lost friend. As the name implies, this is styled on a typical English pub and the meals are much as you might find in the north of England where Yorkshire pudding and gravy are so popular. I defy anyone to say they’ve left feeling hungry after eating at the Paddington Arms. The owner told me this week that the menu is about to change. Don’t change too much – it’s great as it is!.

Had to write another one, weve been back and really enjoyed it again. Food, service and attmosphere all tops, give it a go!.
Weve been a few times now and its been consistant, I see from some other reviews other people have been passionate about their experience and dislike the time they spent there. We have had no problems, and fully intend on going back again – see you there.

Like Dan I was a little skeptical after reading the reviews but it was like all the grumpy staff had gone and there was all fresh happy faces. I went there about 12 months ago after it opened, the only face that was familiar was the older lady ( I think she might be the owner) she was great brought over coloring stuff for the kids and put cartoons on down in the bottom room. Food was really good still love the Real Gravy and the wife really liked the Sunday roast. Service was friendly and attentive. Price was really reasonable only $130 for family of 4.

Looks like Paddington Arms can be hit and miss by reading reviews below.
We went a week or so ago early on a Saturday night. We had an engagement to get to promptly and advised the staff of this, they couldn’t have been more helpful. Although the place wasn’t busy, we got our meals very quickly and they were both beautifully cooked and very tasty.
Whilst the meal we chose wasn’t posh, it was very good (Blue Cod was devine!).
I would go back and I guess I’d touch wood I don’t get the horrible waitress people talk about below.

Went there with my partner and we would both go back again. Food was good and very well priced. The cocktails were so good. We got there at 8 and were finshed at 8.30 so very quick service and very friendly.

Went for tea during the week. Quiet night in the restaurant. Polite service from the 2 waiting staff. Meals came out promptly. Food was good, but lacked flair. Maybe that’s the English style? I would go back and try something else next time.

the best thing they ever did in Invercargill was getting rid of Flannaghans and its frozen seafood..but for them to just replace it with this outfit? what the hell were they thinking!!!!
i ordered the honey glazed chicken, the chicken was soooo tough and stringy i could barely cut into it and the chips that you paid extra for were what i felt were reheated in the microwave..disgusting
there was approx 16 of us there and i do not no of one of them that enjoyed their meals..everything looked and tasted so dry and to add to it so did the barman!! i mean come on is it that hard to crack a smile once in awhile, do us all a favour and go home!
i was really looking forward to dining there last night now i wish i had not paid for it at all and stayed home!!!
E for effort!!! i will not be back and will most certainly not be recommending and of my friends

total crap.

1. My 4 year old boy had to wait far to long for his roast meal, when it arrived he could only eat the mash and half of the leather they called meat as the “roast” potatoes were like wee rocks.

2. My meal read as “beef IN a Yorkshire pudding” leading me to believe it to be similar to a pie or hotpot sort of meal. was disappointed when what i got was slop on a plate with a hard bit of pastry on the side of it.

3. meat was gross. filled with fat and Grissel.

4. My girlfriends burger was a crumbled mess. our 4 year could have made a better one at home.

5. service was by the young waitress was OK. service from the older lady was horrible, and I’m guessing from the way my son was ignored she hasn’t had much to do with children.

i disliked the whole experience. paddington arms is not a place i will ever visit again.

I have enjoyed meals all over NZ. I rate this restaurant very highly indeed for service, food and friendly/helpful staff. Well done Paddington Arms for getting this restaurant up and running -what a pleasant surprise compared to so many other restaurants , not just Invercargill restaurants. Final note.. forget the knockers – they would probably still complain if they were to find a $100 note on the pavement.

The staff are rude, the meals are absolutely rubbish. Very poor effort. No one at our table was impressed. 2 of our table were from England and were embarrassed that they call this an “English pub”. If you enjoy the meal here you are very easily pleased. I just wish I could rate it zero stars as one is way too many.

Last Saturday our party dined at Paddingtons Arms – OH MY GOD! We eat out often probably 3-4 times a week all over NZ and this place is one of the best we have experienced for a long time.
The decor, staff, service and food were unreal!
Everyones meals were perfect and we had no wait times, lovely staff who were very friendly.
Prices are great and very reasonable, it was so good we went again the next morning for brunch!
Brunch was as great as the dinner with great staff and service once again, both times the place was packed and humming.
I can not wait to return to Invercargill and return to Paddington Arms, well done guys we were really impressed (which takes a bit I might add!!).
Keep up the good work you guys Rock!

Fanbloodytastic, Flannagan’s was getting a bit tired, Paddingtons is fresh and new. Fantastic menu (just like you would get in England)Food is brilliant, Service is friendly all staff are smiling, prices are as you would expect them, reasonable. Atmosphere is fun and electric. This place as had an extreme make over and they have hit the nail on the head, two thumbs up from me!!

I have dined at “Paddies” 4 times now since the re-fit and can’t wait for my next visit. The food is superb, the service is outstanding (True kiwi hospitality). Never before have my children been so well looked after in an Invercargill venue. An extensive menu and well thought out wine list. How anyone could argue this is beyond me. And “oh my god the gravy”.

Had heard the advertising on the radio which said it was an “English Pub” style of place. We were greeted by a lady who was most unwelcoming. Her manner was stand-offish…bordering on rude. The bar lady was lovely. We didn’t stay for a meal.

Our party of 7 of us dined here on Sunday night. The place wasn’t full but we were told by a rather rude waitress to move from the table we sat at because it was prebooked….No reserved sign on it however. We were shown to a table with stools which did not suit one in our party with a bad back,thankfully she was able to get a chair. The guys had bangers and mash with an inedible rock hard pastry crust…yuk; the roast came with hardly any gravy and we had to ask for more; my ‘old fashioned sherry trifle’ came in a glass…watery tasteless custard, stale sponge and no sherry to be tasted whatsoever! RIP OFF! my sisters jam roly poly was very doughy and she said it was not nice either. Prices okay but food needs a shake up. This chef has been around for years so you would think he would know how to make the basics like custard, trifle, and yorkshire pudding?????
Menu is far too big and far too long!
July Update: Food better tonight except for asking for gluten free and getting a salad full of croutons!

Wow!!! We returned to Flannagans only to find it was Flannagans no more!!! What a change, Hearty meals, friendly staff and a relaxing atmosphere!!!