Wow – what an unexpected surprise this place is! From the highway it looks like a painted black shed, but when you walk inside, everything has been done in a really cool way. And the food is awesome – I had the duck leg confit cigar with duck breast, and my friend had the braised & rolled pigs head which was sensational! We had some mushrooms and a beetroot & green bean salad to share which was really delicious. I had to have the churros con chocolate for dessert (doughnut sticks with warm chocolate dipping sauce) and my friend had the citrus & cinnamon rice pudding which was so yummy! Had some great Spanish Rioja wine too. Can’t say enough about this place – we’ll be back!

Jo R. – Are you allowed to write a review about your own place, and pretend you are a customer ?

I live nearby and have been here a couple of times, once when it first opened and once recently.
The food is exceptional as is the ambience.
Unfortunately it is a bit out of a lot of locals price range to eat there regularly.
Before it opened, a lot of locals wanted a basic tasteful wine bar that we could frequent. Unfortunately, it is a little expensive for that.
I would recommend it, but not if you are saving for something else.

I thought I had written a review for this place! We came here in May 2012 for an anniversary dinner, so we were after something really special. We definitely found it at the Tasting Shed.

The Tasting Shed is delightfully different. You order small plates which can be shared, the ambience is eclectic, they give you little torches to look at the menu with, the bathroom is the best I’ve seen.

Great location, wonderful service and even better food. They had great vegetarian options and I would like to see more!

P.S. Try the beetroot dish.

Christmas lunch for 12 today and there were another 3 big groups in so whilst I was hopeful (from previous experience) I was also ready to allow for the seasonal issues around feeding big groups. So then I was amazed to find that it didn’t matter. At all. The food was sublime and well just stunning. My 11 guests were raving from start to finish. Vowing to return as soon as possible. And as always Jo was the relaxed but attentive host. Finding rugs and sunhats without being asked. Moving us from inside to outside to under the trees. Nothing was too much trouble. My only gripe is I feel compelled to write this review but in doing so I promote a restaurant I would dearly love to keep hidden from the masses as long as possible!
Jo and Ganesh have hit the sweet spot and are a unique restaurant that actually walks the talk. Keep it up. But please don’t tell too many others!

I took my sister here for her birthday in September. The ambiance was cozy and warm for a cold day. The food was lovely, we ordered the Rolled pig’s head, Squid dumplings, duck tasting plate, pork belly and spatzle. For desert we had the pistachio cake.
I thought that all the dishes were exceptional, except for the Duck and the pistachio cake. Although the pistachio cake was delicious, you really just get one bite, I know it is fine dining, but when I order something I do expect more than a bite.
The Duck to me was just very disappointing, it was not very flavoursome, and I felt that it was mediocre for this type of dining establishment.
All in all, the food was tasty, and up to a high standard, I do think thought that the options are very rich.

A fantastic place to spend a Sunday afternoon, however you would need to book. If fine they have outside seating which would suit a large group.

We stuck to the Small Plate menu and the highlight for me was the Seared scallop, jerusalem artichoke, curry and marshmallow.

A wide selection of wine is available, served by fast and friendly staff.

Well worth the trip out west.

Had read the rave reviews and been wanting to call in for the longest time. Finally had the opportunity to take eight out for dinner and the Tasting Shed was my pick – and what a beauty pick it was! Everyone was highly impressed with the ambiance, staff and (most definitely) the food – and all have said they’d return. It is so very pleasing to see a Kiwi take on tapas – so very innovative, not to mention delicious.

Brilliant! Next door to coopers creek vineyard ( so you get to stock up on wine on the way out) the building is amazing. They have tapas style menu as well as a regular menu. We went for tapas… Had a great venison terrine and also a clam dish. Sampled just one of the desserts… Churros con chocolate ( spelling??) which was awesome. Nice place to chill outside.

I have been to the Tasting Shed a few times having first discovered it with a friend who is local. I live in Mt Wellington so travel across town to enjoy their food and ambiance. I love the concept, the food, the great wine advise! and am looking forward to a better summer next time to enjoy a blanket under the trees. Highly recommend – even those that seemed to have had a bad service experience – try it again. I’ve always had a great service. Now …. open one out my way please!!

My wife and I popped into the tasting shed a few Sunday’s back when the jazz was on next door at cooper’s creek. We walked into the shed where there were less than 4 other diner ‘s and were told by the hostess she was not sure where she could seat us! After some persuading on our part we were given a seat outside and things improved somewhat after that . We were dumbfounded by her attitude!

Another amazing meal from Chef Sara Simpson! WOW!
I’ve had Sara’s food before at a different venue and she has always been innovative with ingredients and flavour combination.
Just when I thought she couldn’t possibly outdo herself, she did!
My friend and I had dinner at The Tasting Shed Easter Sunday and were pleasantly surprised with unexpected treats: specials for the day not listed in their on-line menu.
We indulged in pig’s head and sweetbreads, salt cod and tongue and cheek. The flavours were absolutely sublime: the tongue literally just melted in my mouth.
Dishes are perfect size, so we tried a little bit of everything and still have room for dessert. That was another treat: delicious beyond description Creme Caramel.

We went to the tasting shed for lunch today and had rolled pig head dish, snapper dish and chicken wings, wow it was really good and we will be going back.

The food really suits the environment and the service was outstanding.

Would definitely recommend.

Went for Sunday lunch after I read a review in canvas on sat 19. Tasteful ambiance,nice setting and to match that a nice bright day. Very inattentive service……… Had three waiters serve at different point of time but no coordination between themselves. Second order of beer never came from the bar.had to wait for almost 30 minutes for food order to be taken. Another 40 Min’s for the food to arrive at the table. Food was bland…. Pigs head was overlooked n chewy with the fat providing some taste.chicken legs stuffed…. Cooked well but lacked in seasoning.snapper cooked well but the gratin salty.garlic bread was good.Parmesan on arrival was a nice touch.all in all not an experience worth remembering at all.

Awesome awesome awesome!
Last weekend I held my 30th birthday lunch at the tasting shed – in the grotto area! Not only was the wine amazing, the food amazing, the setting amazing but the staff were EXTRA amazing! They made the whole day so easy… I had corresponded with Jo before the event to sort out a set menu… she was so helpful!
We had a group of 19 adults, 5 toddlers & 3 babies – everyone enjoyed themselves… the kids had a great time playing on the lawn!
I cannot recommend this place highly enough!!! We defiantly will be back!
One of our friends is already going to book it for a hens party lunch!
Thank you so much!
Glenn & Stacey

Had our first visit to the shed today for Fathers Day lunch and we weren’t disappointed! We have eagerly awaited its opening as we drive past most days, so thought we’d give it a go. Great atmosphere and setting – it’ll definately be a regular haunt in the summer! Food was fab – perfect sized portions to share and excellent quality. We had bread & oil and spicy almonds to start, then the Duck and the Meatballs and some gorgeous veggies followed by the best rice pud in the world (I’m not kidding!!), a cheese plate and an ice-cream for the munchkin. Beers and coffees went down well too. Said munchkin was pretty happy (& entertained) by his goody bag and the staff were lovely with him. The best news is that they have a courtesy shuttle bus for us locals – stunning idea! Look out, we’re coming back soon. Well done guys!

Everything single thing The Tasting Shed does is magic. It is real. Soulful. Authentic. Loving. Quality. Genuine. What an asset to the growing gastronomic NZ experience. We stayed for 4 hours on a Saturday afternoon with a long-lost friend…and were treated the same way by our gorgeous hosts, Ganesh and Jo. It is the quintessential olfactory day spa. I feel loved and completely satiated. Thank you.

What an outstanding place.

A brilliant location right beside Coopers Creek winery, excellent seating indoors and outdoors (can’t wait for summer!), and wonderful hosts.

Oh yes, and the food!
The food is excellent. I went with a group of 12 so instead of ordering individual dishes they suggested we had a bit of everything. So we did, and what a great idea. My favourites were the pork belly, and the meatballs, and the marinated chicken, and the cauliflower fritters, and the triple cooked potatoes, and the mushrooms, and the fish, and and and…

And of course the rolled pig’s head. Oh yes indeed, the rolled pig’s head. No really, don’t be put off, it’s sooo good.

And I haven’t even mentioned the desserts (which were outstanding, particularly the rice pudding and the churros).

The wine was gorgeous, especially a sweet one they recommended for dessert, which was just beautiful. I have no idea what it was, but it was perfect. They certainly know what they’re talking about.

And they even have a complementary shuttle service if you live within 10km. What service!

I’m definitely going back. Not sure what I’ll eat this time, maybe a bit of everything again?