Enjoyed last Friday night dinner here, tacos are very juicy and ribs are good! We had no problem using.m Zomato gold here.
But as I am writing this review , the offer is gone ...
Fast service, very friendly staff. Decent sized meal portions and well cooked, will leave you feeling full but not overstuffed. Good atmosphere and they have a cafe with pastry too.
The restaurant is authentic American with signature dishws like buffalo chicken wings, fried chicken with waffle and grilled ribs. I ordered fried chicken with waffle. It is well cooked the chicken is tender and crispy. But too salty. Any way still a good place to go
Always a good time every time we come here for breakfast/dinner. Food is delicious and reasonably priced and the customer service is always superb!
Great food and good service well worth the trip into the city and great outside setting in a warm summer evening. Fried chicken is a much soooo good!
“Dailee” 25% Off Zomato Gold
+4
Four of us came here for dinner on Saturday night. Abit hard to find carpark around Wynyard Quarter. We ordered 3 course meals each, portion might be on the smaller side. My highlight is the mac & cheese and soft gooey ice cream cookies sandwich! It was delicious!! The Men really like the steak and chicken roulette too. The rest cheesecake, ribs, bruschetta were just average to me. Great service though and food cook within reasonable amount of time. Bill came to about $300 with drinks.
Best burgers, bun is toasted to perfection fluffy yet semi crunchy top filled with crispy shredded iceberg lettuce. Just enough sauce to compliment the juicy tender meat - beef / chicken. Crispy shoe string fries accompanying this perfect cheat meal. I've had many burgers but this place became an underdog in the burger game.
This place was amazing. Food was beautiful. Atmosphere was amazing. Good happy hour pricing. Friendly staff. Very clean and happy place. High recommended to go have a feed there.
We were recommended to try this place next time we were in the area.
I had the AGED GOUDA & TRUFFLED MUSHROOM GOURMET MACARONI & CHEESE and my wife had the CLASSIC CAESAR. The dishes were very fulfilling and quite tasty.
I want to go back and sample more of their options for Mac N Cheese alone.
The staff were nice and friendly.
Worth hunting down the side street.
came here with a group of friends a couple of weeks ago. We had a table booked for the 10+ of us which was ready when we arrived. Service was incredible (waitresses serving us were so friendly) and the atmosphere was nice and presentation of food was great. However food (and drinks) were expensive for the amount we got and quality wasn't incredible . I had to give half of my veggie burger away as there was an ingredient in it that I wasn't fond of and it overpowered the whole burger. Probably wouldn't come back mainly because it was a mission to get there from the other side of town only to fine that over 50% of table didn't enjoy meals.
Went on Tuesday afternoon, 5pm, so the restaurant area itself was pretty quiet but the staff was busy serving after-work drinks to town workers. This didn't stop our table being provided fast and attentive service. Throughout our meal the waitress checked on us constantly and seemed genuinely interested in making sure we enjoyed our food.
We loved the Empire burger, the Gouda and truffle mushroom mac 'n cheese (going back for more!) and the chicken fajita. Huge portions and very satisfying on a winter evening.
Definitely worth a visit if you're in Wynyard Quarter. Lovely staff and hearty food.
The great:
Ribeye fajita was so good. Beef was relatively tender, combined with the rest of the flavours, it was a bomb with each bite. The steak was like chinese black pepper beef.
The aged cheddar and chorizo Mac n cheese was also very flavourful and delicious. Probably not something I can replicate at home without some trial and error.
The good:
Seafood chowder was creamy and as expected. Nothing popped or wowed but it was good.
The bad:
Spicy chicken wings didn’t have much flavour. All I could taste was spicy. Was a bit disappointed with this one :(
The sadness: I was soooo looking forward to the lobster Mac n cheese but it’s only available after 5pm. Guess I’ll be back again!
Food 4/5
Service 5/5
Setting 4/5
Accessibility 3/5
We were stuffed after this meal! They’re hidden on the ground floor of the ASB Waterfront Theatre at the viaduct, so it took us a split second longer to track it down.
We got New England Chowder, Duck Liver Pâtè, Smoked Salmon & Avocado Salad, Lobster Mac n Cheese, chicken Fajitas, and Beef Ribeye.
Lobster Mac n Cheese was the star dish for me! They’re known for their authentic American-styled selections of Mac n cheese; with over 5 flavours to choose from! Each one uses generous authentic cheeses. Beautifully creamy melted Gouda cheese, with tender lobster tail, with fish roe and black caviar. Layered at the top with prosciutto which further adds to the party in the mouth!
Beef ribeye was good too! Smoky and crunchy on the outside. Loved their potato mash on the side too.
Chicken fajitas was a bit dry and lacked in seasoning.
Salmon salad was done really well! Flavoursome smoked salmon with crisp citrus flavours topped with some guacamole and avocado, yum!
Duck liver pâté was a bit of a let down, with nothing really exciting going on at all.
The chowder was also unexpected for us; usually chowder should consist of fresh produce, but the one here was made of dry bacon and other stuff, making it quite hard and unfitting in an otherwise creamy soup.
We also got a 500mL strawberry margaritas which came as a slushy instead of the usual, which we thought was a bit overpriced for $18.50.
Overall, service was fantastic! Albeit we were seated in a awkward area at the really back next to an open lounge; (even though the restaurant never filled up) we had a good time.
Food: 8/10
Price: 7/10
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 9/10
We had a wonderful dinner at Johnny Barrs and enjoyed their friendly service. Some of the best mac and cheese we've ever had which comes in a choice of different cheeses and toppings.
Everything is very reasonably priced.
There's also a choice of boardgames to play :)
Hands down this place has the best ribs I've ever had in my entire life. Didn't get a photo of them because they were gone too soon 😅 they were nicely smoked and the meat fell straight off the bone. The fried chicken on the waffle was also delicious. Definitely would come back again just for the ribs. Quiet place, polite staff and great atmosphere.
This restaurant/bistro is a 3.5 because the service and some what of the food was pretty average. But this place i would go again because OVERALL it was a pretty good experience. Although the buffalo wings i had were abit "lack if taste" everything else was good for the price that was given. Drinks are well made, and tap beer they have are really nice. Vibe and atmosphere its pretty good.
Came here to try both their fried chicken dishes.
One was served on a bed of mash potato ($28.50); thought this was pricey for what it was.
The other was served on waffles n syrup ($18.50). The chicken were not dry inside. I would have preferred the waffle to be a deep dish waffle. By the time it came out, the waffle was already soft n soggy.
Second visit here. Both times the food was good and the service was very friendly and attentive.
Portion sizes are large, the premium burger (I think that's what it was called) was massive, the photo doesn't do it justice. It was delicious and well put together considering the massive size, my only criticism is the beef patties (3 of them!) were all well done and a bit dry which doesn't compare with gourmet burgers in the USA (the restaurant is US themed) which are typically rare or medium rare.
Beer selection was alright but they really need an APA or IPA especially since they are trying to be authentic, and the US makes some of the best hoppy beers in the world.
Child Friendly (especially in the earlier hours of the evening). Decor is casual.
Had a fabulous evening at Johnny Barr's last night. Excellent service, the food was outstanding and the staff were friendly. It was interesting - and this is something that is lacking in too many restaurants in NZ - our waitress made sure we had drinks all night and was constantly coming back to check on us to make sure everything was ok. Keep it up Johnny Barr's!!! We will definitely be back.
This place is amazing! We ate -for start- gravalax salmon and avocado salad [very tasty!]. Main course: Stuffed chicken breast + Beef Ribeye and for dessert Banana and chocolate chip waffles, my favourite!!
I recommend a lot Johnny Barr's! :)
The food, vibe, and staff at Johnny Barr's are amazing. The menu was made up by a guy who's devoted decades to his craft. It's in a great location and will only improve once the area is fully developed. The staff is nice and quick. I love this place and highly recommend it.
Definitely a hidden treasure - not too noisy, love the board games available, and good service. Food is amazing, and really decent portion sizes. Obsessed with the blue cheese mac 'n cheese and the snickers milkshake!!
We recently visited Johnny Bars for dinner and were quite impressed with their quality of food. Great selection of food and drinks to choose from. Our personal favourite was the chicken/waffle starter (such an interesting combination!) and the frozen margaritas. Our selection for mains was the ribs and lamb shank – excellent grade of meat, soft to the bone! A new favourite added to our list – we would definitely recommend Johnny Bars and will be visiting again soon!
Amazing food!! great menu selection plus a huge cabinet with beautiful looking stuff, wonderful cold Johnny beers beer, great friendly staff and sports on the big screen whats not to love!!
As an American living in Auckland, I come to miss some good old-fashioned homecooking from time to time. Johnny Barr's always fits the bill! The gourmet mac & cheese menu was originally what brought me through the door, but the super friendly staff, delicious craft cider and tasty food keeps me coming back every time.
The Chicken & Waffles is the most satisfying thing ever. The chicken pieces are juicy on the inside yet crunchy on the outside and breaded to perfection, and waffles have just the right amount of maple syrup. If you haven't had it before, you are missing out on life! You must give it a try. Thank me later. ;)
The assortment of tasty mac & cheese entrees are a delightful treat. The brie and chives is my personal favorite, but the chorizo and chedder is a close second. Among the sides, the tater tots and wedges are absolutely delicious. Yum!
The location is great. It's right in the heart of Wynyard Quarter, so perfect for taking a stroll over in Silo Park after your lunch or walking down the wharf and enjoying the nice breeze.
After finishing writing this review, I'm already dying to go back haha. Seriously though, this place is great.
My second home in Auckland! Amazing food, great location and friendly staff. This place is the best. It also has TVs to catch all your favorite sports teams.
Just went there this week as i heard from friends they re-opened for dinner. We ordered the steak and ribs. OMG... as good as any place in the southern states, great to have an American restaurant with an actual American chef! good portions too!
Came here with a large group for my going away party and whenever I felt like a taste of home. Great staff, atmosphere, food, and drinks. Can't wait to come back next time I'm in Auckland!
The service, atmosphere and food were top notch. This is a must visit for anyone dining in Auckland. Thanks for an incredible dining experience!!!
One of my favorite places to go eat when I'm in Auckland. Incredible location, food and staff.
Love the salmon bagel for brunch and I'm a fan of the burger for dinner! Always an excellent experience. Thanks Johnny Bars, I will see you next time :)
Great location and has an awesome atmosphere. Coffee was really good. We had eggs Benedict my wife had the hash. Mine was good nothing amazing but just a solid eggs Benedict, the hash was under cooked stringy and soggy. When they found out we were unhappy with the hash they removed it from our bill and gave us a voucher which I thought was great service and kept us happy customers. Would recommend especially the coffee
Johnny Barr's is fantastic for breakfast. We vacationed in Auckland and went here for breakfast our first morning and then returned 4 more times.
The food was delicious, and we did both sit down and take away. The bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches are amazingly good.
We also went here once for lunch. We loved the board games and had a great time. We felt very welcomed and not at all rushed. The staff were happy to have us there. We highly recommend the margaritas. They come in either a personal jug or a pitcher to share. Super cute and delicious.
If you're in Auckland you should definitely head to Johnny Barr's!
We had breakfast here several times during a recent stay in downtown Auckland. There's a really fun vibe at J.Barr's, you'll find the folks to be really accommodating and very fun.
The option to knock out a few rounds of Yahtzee over a few beers is priceless.
The food is serious! I mostly delved into the breakfast menu, and I'd swear by the Eggs Benedict , which is near perfection with the bacon and kumara hash. The breakfast burrito is sensational, especially if you're a little peckish.
If all you're after is a quick cup of coffee, J.Barr's provides arguably the best cup of Joe in the area. If it's 12 noon or near enough...try their Margarita, I'll put money on the fact that you will not be disappointed!
Basically, if you love great food, great coffee, great cocktails, and a great place to chill...get yourself to Johnny Barr's, downtown Auckland.
We were actually delighted with the food we ordered here. The restaurant is not actually not that appealing from outside but we enjoyed our meal. I guess this what counts the most.
So, I'm a huge fried chicken fan, and I'm highly critical when it comes to my fried chicken and waffles. After finding a place that serves it in Auckland, I will say this: Johnny Barr's has American food nailed. I would recommend this place to displaced Americans,non-Americans who have never had real American cooking (beyond burgers), or anyone who desperately needs a breakfast burrito (and if you know a good breakfast burrito, you'll know there is no other way to need one).
Also, they make a damn good flat white, so it's kind of the best of all worlds.
NEW REVIEW UPDATED AT THE BOTTOM
Posted on the 3/06/2016
For the first time ever, i am posting a review purely based on the customer service of one particular person.
So every morning after 6am, i go in to get my usual hot drink before i head into work and every morning, the same thing happened over and over again. The lady that serves me has the most unfriendliest face and is rude to the max. Every morning i brush it off thinking from her point of view that she'd much rather be in bed right now.
Today however was different. I go in. And there's no one to serve me. So i rang the bell which was put there for a purpose. No answer. I rang again. Still no answer. I started waiting. A while later another lady(customer) comes in and stands behind me. Within 10 seconds, the server comes out of the kitchen. I was to be honest expecting an apology. There was none from her though. She looks at me with a very icy stare and i placed my order. Our convo:
Me: can i please have a large hot chocolate, to go thanks
( i take out $20 out of my wallet together with loyaly stamp card while placing the order)
Her: $4.50
( i pass the $20)
Her: stamp first
(I pass the stamp card and she stamps it then takes the money and hands me back the change)
Me: thank you
Her: (nothing apart from that unfriendly face)
( i go and sit at my usual seat)
The lady that was waiting behind me walks upto the counter and the server gives her a smile(something i've never seen on her)
She serves her and starts making the beverages. By this time another customer( maori/ islander) walks in and gives me a friendly smile. The server looks at him and doesn't even say anything.
To my surprise, the server was actually having a friendly conversation with the other lady. She pours the first drink in the cup and me thinking it's mine(because i placed the order first) start getting ready to pick it and get out. But noooooo, she hands it to the lady the other lady. (Looks at me with that icy look) she pours my drink and slides it on the counter.
While picking up the cup, i notice her again with that icy stare of hers looking the person waiting to place an order
i honestly do not want to say this but this is straight up racism. Wow ! I'm sure people like me who start early only go there now because they open early. I do not believe every one who works at this place is as unfriendly as this unlady like person because i have been served twice by 2 different people apart feom her.
I do hope she sees this. I have no words to deacribe how i feel right now due to her actions that looks to me as racial discrimination.
Updated 7/06/2016
Thank you very much for your quick response and acting on it. I do appreciate your apology. I would like to tell all the viewers and my followers that your apology and response was remakable. The server does make good h/c and i will have to come in to taste the food
Great place for night out with friends.
They have so many lovely cakes, muffins, desserts to choose.
Best dish was macaroni and cheese
Customer service 9/10
Food 6/10
Price 7/10
Have had some mixed experiences at Johnny Barr, but it was the ideal location for brunch with a friend so decided to give it another try. Was pleasantly surprised today.
JB's is certainly in a great location. Although not sea facing, it has a range of seating areas to suit everyone & a large wall of windows meaning some good natural light.
My main issues from time to time with JB's has been mixed service & food quality. Sometimes good, sometimes average. Some lunchtimes I've had to wait so long to get my meal I barely have time to eat it, other times all has been ok. I'm not sure if the regular change in staff impacts this but I would imagine so.
Based on today & the last couple of visits I'm rating a 3.5, if they continue on this path, I think they will easily become a 4.
Onto the food & meals - coffee well made. Not bitter, good temperature.
For our meals we both chose eggs Benedict - me with bacon & the English muffin base. Muffin was a nice texture, not dry like it can sometimes be elsewhere. Eggs cooked well. Bacon good quality, cooked well & plenty of it. Very reasonably priced.
My friend ordered the salmon Benedict on hash. Again nicely made. The hash is a rustic texture (grated) & very tasty.
A good visit & long may it continue - consistency is everything.
■ Good location
■ Good atmosphere
■ Good portions
■ Lacking in flavour
■ On the pricey end
Got to try their menu launch with a GrabOne voucher for a waterfront dinner for two and the location is beautiful! Wynyard Quarter is always busy and bustling in the evening and Johnny Barr's is more at the quieter end of the restaurant chain. It's themed around an American Diner and it's very open and spacious.
We had the Fried Chicken and waffles for entrees and even though it's such an odd combo, it honestly works and it's the perfect combo of sweet and savoury ! For mains , we had the Beef Ribeye - medium rare and the Stuffed Chicken breast with spinach, feta and veges. Although the food smelt amazing before digging in, the flavour didn't quite match the hype and both dishes were just alright. The stuffed chicken was incredibly tender and hearty though. The cookie ice cream sandwiches were made with it being a giant Macaron instead of the usual chocolate chip and had white chocolate & raspberry icecream for it's filling. The macaron was a little sweet for me but overall pretty goood !!
The servers are really attentive and interactive too. Although I wouldn't pay their normal prices for what we had, the Grabone deal is reasonable considering most other places in the CBD are hella pricey. The food here isn't amaazing but based on my overall experience and the pretty location, I had a fun time! Since these guys are fairly new, any mishaps are only gonna get better in the future so it's worth dropping in if passing by and going for a hearty meal.
My husband and I are constantly on the hunt for relaxing and not ridiculously expensive places to eat in the cbd all the time. So we started our daily family walk Saturday morning and found ourselves at Johnny Barr. After seeing the local construction crew inside, we decided to stop in and give it a go for brunch. We were seated immediately and was pleasantly surprised at the wall of games/toys/puzzles/colouring books available. Having a 2 year old with us, this can make or break our dining experience! We both opted for breakfast, I went with the burrito, my husband the traditional big breakfast. Coffees came out quick, hot and strong and breakfast soon after. Was delicious and you really get bang for your buck here. Would like to come back and sample the lunch/dinner fare soon! Staff were super friendly and happy to either let us be or have a chat. Definitely will be coming back.
My fiancé and I dinned at Johnny Barrs and enjoyed it very much tummy filling indeed (no space for dessert)
The food was scrumptious (my fiance can testify to that having has the full rack of ribs 😥 lol) and their service was excellent, a delight - thank you very much.
Keep up the great work!
The ribeye was cooked medium rare just how my partner would like it to be but the rack of ribs that I had wasn't as tender as I thought it should be.
What a gem. I've been to most places at Wynyard Quarter for dinner but this place very under-rated and is by far my favourite in terms of service and food (move over Baduzzi and The Conservatory).
I'm surprised it averaged at 3.6.
Overall I had a hearty meal. I'm a real foody and I'm often too lazy to document my adventures but this place was too exceptional to not review.
Main points:
- Service was immaculate.
The maître d's service was too spectacular for it to be unrewarded. I found myself tipping for the first time. Although in retrospect, I feel like I didn't tip enough. She was genuine and her service had a good balance of care, politeness and initiative, nothing too overbearing.
- Food was enticing.
With generous portions and an excellent balance of flavour.
The lambshank was my favourite the wonderful. I'm not a fan of mint pea but it was a perfect balance of flavour and complemented the flavours of the moist and tender meat of the lambshank. I'm very critical of lambshanks, often I find that the sauces overpower the natural flavour of the lamb because of its gaminess but they managed to hit it right on the mark. The lamb wasn't excessively gamy, I just love that.
The ribeye was juicy and flavourful.
The beef wellington tender and was as perfect match with the flaky pastry.
The chicken and waffles were on point.
The atmosphere was very welcoming with a nice balance of smart and casual; perfect place for drinks at night. I will definitely be coming and bring more friends.
Had a wonderful evening at this venue - enjoyed a Philly Sandwich and it was a pleasant surprise. The beef was very tender and the cheese wasn’t over powering. And freshly baked bread was a bonus. The atmosphere was lovely and I would recommend this to everyone who is looking for a great meal which won’t break the bank account. Great Value, Great Food, Great Service. Well Done
It's a pity this place doesn't have a more obvious location, I love it's concept!
You can come here and there is a wall full of random board games, trivia games, cards etc. You can grab a game, a few drinks and have a play while eating!
I've been here a few times, and the food is tasty. The reason I am giving it a 4.0 rather than a 4.5 is that there have been a few times the food has not come out hot enough, and I have ended up feeling unwell later because of that.
The food is delicious, but they need to work on that consistency.
I would highly recommend the pork sliders and the fried chicken and waffles. These are SO GOOD UGH! 😍
If you're after comfort food on a dreary day or want a fun place to take your friends for a casual dinner/lunch, I'd recommend this place.
The tomato soup is a great option too. It's savoury and thick, with a rich tomato flavour that isn't overpowering of the other elements of the dish.
The service is fast and friendly, and the staff make a habit of remembering you if you've been before, which is very welcoming.
(I'd also suggest playing one of the awkward question games, they're gold 😂)
Went with my boyfriend for our first anniversary and it was amazing. The food definitely helped in making it an unforgetful night. Had wings and the mussels as entree: great! Steak and pasta (not in the photo) as our mains: the steak was too die for. The taste actually explodes in your mouth and it's addictive. Pasta was great as well :) Chocolate cake and Tiramisu for dessert: perfect to end the meals with
Johnny Barr's is one of those places that you can't stop going to even if it's just for a milkshake on a hot day. Their food tastes amazing and I highly recommend their fried chicken and waffles dish. Next on the recommendations is the tempting Snickers Thickshake. The staff are really welcoming as they greet you as you walk in and make sure that the food is up to your standard. I love going to this restaurant with friends to have the thickshake and play games which is available to every customer (They have a full set of the Cards Against Humanity, but just beware to reading the words out loud ;D). Overall, would recommend this place for a small catch-up with friends with some games or some lunch.
Me and my two friends came in on a Saturday night and were greeted to what was a warm and homely environment which to my surprise was a bit empty compared to the other restaurants in wynyard quarter. I ordered the 1/2 back rib and was extremely pleased to see that I was able to order 2 sides and have a sauce of my choosing on the side as well! My friends ordered steaks and got the 2 sides and sauces each as well. When the food came out the first thing that caught my eye was the wonderful presentation with little pouring jugs of what I would consider to be liquid gold in the form of sauces. My ribs were literally falling off the bone it was that tender - I'm not exaggerating when I say I went to pick up the rib and the bone came right off the meat! We thoroughly enjoyed the idea of a build your own style meal and by the end of the night we had finished everything on our plates including the sides - which was impressive considering the portions are really big. Although we were so full we couldn't resist ordering the banana desert and this time I was not surprised when it turned out to be absolutely Devine. Meals = 10/10, service = 10/10, ambiance = 10/10. We used an entertainment coupon which meant my main, 2 sides and shared desert came to $27. Needless to say I'll be coming back here - entertainment coupon or not.
Possibly the best place i've eaten in Auckland in a long time. Went with my sister and a friend and were greeted by the sweetest manager ever who continuously filled our glasses and checked if everything was going alright. Now to the food... YUM! I ordered a main steak medium rare with two sides of fries and parmesan rocket salad. All the components on the dish were divine. The steak was cooked to perfection and was a huge piece ( and i eat a lot). My sister ordered the baby back ribs which she loved and has probably written her own raving review on them. It just doesn't end their, the sauces were possibly the best tasting i've ever had. The blue cheese sauce was so good and didn't have that over powering taste of cheese. I covered my fries in it.The BBQ sauce tasted like it was smoked and possibly was the best BBQ sauce ever ( my sister said the baby back ribs were covered in it). The bernaise was great too. We all had clean plates by the end even though we stuffed down our fries .. possibly only to keep eating the sauces. We finished off with flambeed bananas which were good too. If you have a large appetite and appreciate fresh food i'd definitely recommend this place. Cannot wait to return i'm sure it's going to be very soon. I really wish more people knew about this place we went to Miss Clawdy's last week and their food is nothing in comparison to what we had tonight.
Despite located in Wynyard quarters, this place was surprisingly tricky to find as it wasn't on the main strip of jellicoe st.
What we did found was a cute little restaurant/ bar with modern decor. First thing that grabbed my attention was the selection of board game available which would be perfect for big groups.
Unfortunately the service wasn't the greatest the moment we walked through the door. We were greeted with a "hi" and were left awkwardly standing there waited to be seated. The server finally gave us a seat and placed menus in front of us before wordlessly leaving again. Umm ok? After a few minutes at trying to make eye contact with the waiter. She finally came and gave us our water and took our orders. We had the grabone voucher so we opted for the entree and main option.
Our entrees took about 25 minutes to come which by then, we were starving. I got the fried chicken and waffles and he got the salmon salad. Both dishes were delicious, but not sure if that was because we were so hungry by then. I did think the chicken tasted a bit weird with maple syrup but my partner liked it.
After another long wait, our mains finally came. I really like the "build it yourself" concept of your main where you can choose what 2 sides and sauce you want with ur main. I got the ribs with fries, mushrooms and the BBQ sauce. This was average. Ribs were tender but the sauce was quite tangy. My partner got the herb crusted fish of the day with fries and veges and mushroom sauce. This was also average.
Overall, the dishes were quite good for the price of the voucher, but definitely not worth their original prices. The long wait was also a put off. I guess that's what the board games are for but my suggestion would be to get more chefs working on a Friday night than the 3 they had.
First visit to this establishment, with friends who had been before, went with a grab-one voucher. Excellent location in Wynyard Quarter, and a very well set up eatery with a good wine list and beers on tap. Great way to dine a build your own main menu which is fantastic, as you can order what you want, not just what the restaurant wants you to have, love the concept. Ordered Beef Rib eye, rare, Roast Seasonal Veg, Shoe String Fires and Mushroom Sauce. The Rib eye was done perfectly, as was the Dessert, could not find fault at all with the food. Service was friendly, relaxed and very helpful, table was cleared after we ate, water refilled without request, waitresses very attentive friendly and engaged with us in a positive manner. Pricing was excellent with the voucher, as was the coffee. All in all a great dinner out in a very comfortable venue with great staff and excellent food and wine. Highly recommend this place to anyone.
Went primarily because of grabone. Very delicious food and nice staff. Been here multiple times and enjoy it every time. It's a great place for 4+ people because they have board games! The macaroni and cheese options are filling, the chicken and waffles are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside and their steak meal was tasty and filling. A place I would definitely return to.
Princess Norain Luzon-Marcial
+4
A very friendly environment. Foods were delicious! I love the cheesecake. Fast service as well. Very nice area, even my 4 year old daughter loved the food and the place. Staffs always got a happy face to cater the customers. Highly recommended.
Went for a birthday meal.
Food was yummy, and there were vegetarian options which was a plus. The goats cheese starter was delicious, as was the blue cheese sauce. I would highly recommend the snickers milkshake which was heavenly.
The only problems I had was that there were multiple things that the kitchen was out of, which we kept getting told new things they were out of as the night went on. Also, my side of onion rings were stone cold. The big vacuous space that you walk into as you go deeper into the restaurant also sucks any atmosphere out of the place.
Came in for drinks with my wife, ended up staying for dinner, we loved everything. The music set the atmosphere for us, the servers were so attentive, and the green apple martinis were epic.
We started with the brie and chives mac and cheese which words can’t even describe. I would definitely come back just to try the other varieties.
I had the full rack of ribs which I couldn’t finish, but the flavor was exceptional, better than anything I’ve had in the States. My wife had the fresh fish of the day, perfectly cooked with some kind of herb crust that really made the dish. Sides were plentiful, I’d definitely recommend this place to anyone passing through.
Had weekend brunch here about 3 times now. It is located at Wynyard Quarter and whenever we've visited, it has been a super sunny day. Therefore, it is quite a shame that as soon as you walk through the doors into this restaurant, you're transported to the dim and cold. Would be perfect if they were able to get some sunlight inside!
The food though, we've tried a few different things off the menu now including the eggs benedict and the chicken waffles and they have been excellent every time.
I've always ordered a fresh juice. Although they seem quite pricey, they were good too.
its a beautiful day in Auckland. One of my friends came back from Hong Kong and I brought him to this place. Nice place at the harbour however few construction sites are processing. Ordered few small plates which are up to standard and very interesting! Will be back again. Suitable for light lunch and friends' catch up! Keep it up!
Amazing selection of wines on tap and some good draft beers
The staff and management take care of you in a very friendly and courteous way.
The food as says on menu very fresh and appealing !
It's very chilled out - music ambience staff and good food
Loved it
I visited Johnny Barr's last week with friends and we had a great time. We really enjoyed the fun environment and the great food.
The place looks awesome and there's some very comfi sofas and low tables, as well as regular dining tables and a cocktail area with high rails.
We all ordered burgers and fries and we shared some starters. The meat patties were great and the wedges were pretty well cooked as well. I had the Empire State burger and I barely could finish it, it was awesome.
Service was friendly and one of the girls we had as a waitress had no idea about the menu but she looked like she was new and she tried really hard to be helpful.
The thing that I enjoyed the most happened after we finished our meals; the chef came out of the kitchen to ask diners about their meals and get feedback. I just got amazed by this, I only remember seeing this kind of things done in Spain and France, but it definitely made my night.
I will be back!
Visited this place for brunch..
Got big breakfast and waffles with chicken
Both were really good esp the crispy chicken soo cripsy and herby! The waffles were nice too!
Will go again
13/5
Ordered fajitas and empire burger
Fajitas were yum soo much flavour i rrally enjoyed this dish
The burger was huge but it was a bit dry. It was in desperate need of some sauce.
I enjoyed an excellent burger meal here last night following my first visit for breakfast the previous week. The service I received last night was extraordinary right from my phone call to book in where upon mentioning that I was coming on a Grabone deal the lady with the lovely English accent asked if she would like me to call the order away to the kitchen given my 15 minute arrival time from my apartment on Princess Wharf. Upon arrival I was warmly greeted by Kate who I later found out has managed Johnny Barr's since its opening. I have read a number of negative reviews on this site but based on my experience last night I would suggest people give it another go. They are offering some great Grabone deals and deserve a chance to show Aucklander's that there is a place for an American themed venue in The Viaduct.
Conveniently located under the new ASB building on the North Wharf, I visited Johnny Barr Auckland when it first opened... I've been to the one in Queenstown a number of times and the environment for the one is cleaner, and less "Subway" kind of feel. I ordered the maple syrup waffle with southern fried chicken, and I was pleasantly surprised at the textures and flavours.. the sweet and savoury worked so well.
Having said that, I really enjoyed the green lizard smoothie from the Queenstown store and I can't say the same for this one.. It is very watery and lacked flavour..
I might visit again but I am not running back.
I went here for dinner last night. For the mains menu, you could choose one dish from the grill, 2 sides and a sauce. I orderer beef rib eye (medium), roasted seasonal vegetables, red cabbage slaw and a blue cheese sauce. Everything was cooked well in my opinion; but I guess the meal didn't have a wow factor. Blue cheese sauce was delicious though. The interior decorating was very pleasant and modern 😊
Got one if those GrabOne deals a few weeks back and made reservations. Not only did we come very late, we were probably the most indecisive group of people there was and there was about 10 of us! We were one of those tables I bet waiters would cringe to have. But instead, we had this amazing server called P, not sure if that was his full name (yes, were the type to not even remember who served us). Really awesome customer service we had! Made the night easy and pleasant. The food was filling and delicious. We had a fantastic evening :) Thanks P!!!
Good tunes and good vibes, really friendly, fun, and quirky staff, cool looking layout, and a menu that tastes like what American food wishes it could be when it grows up.
Our bartender Sylvain was a cool little French dude with an ability to make martinis that reminded me of something out of a James Bond movie. We had the blue cheese, bacon, apple and walnut macaroni and cheese and washed it down with a couple of their own line of beers on tap, I had the Austin Amber, and my buddy had the Chicago Cider, both went down a treat with the mac and cheese. Looking forward to trying the Brie and Chives mac and cheese next time!
My waitress who was astonishingly helpful and friendly helped me navigate through the menu. She told us the place had just been redesigned and relaunched with a new concept and menu, and it’s a good thing because the menu was killer, I had the key lime pie martini and the beef wellington mini bites, my wife had the French onion soup dumplings and the green apple martini, those martinis knocked our collective socks off, so delicious and not too sweet, the bar snacks were mini pieces of heaven in my mouth, and really, the only complaint I have is that there wasn’t enough time or room in my stomach to keep trying more things, I’ll definitely be back to this place and highly recommend it to anyone traveling through or living in the area as a great local hangout spot.
i have been to johnny bar for dinner with my friend,restaurant is nice and cool ambiance with nice set up with plant, we had fried chicken and waffle as stater that was really good combination i ever had, main food also good , service was quick and good, waiter is friendly and helpful for selection of food combination for main course. everything was good only thing is location of restaurant is bit awkward to find, overall spend good time at johnny bar......
I am in love with this place, the bar is eloquent, the restaurant is beautiful, the staff are friendly, and the food is out of this world. I had the ribs, it was like nothing I’ve had in New Zealand, melted off the bone, smothered in sauce, so good!!
The key lime pie martini literally took the cake, and made me drunk, which is why I’m writing this now ☺
I came here on a grabone deal for brunch with my partner, wasn’t originally planning on having the macaraoni and cheese as it is one of the cheaper items, but holy cow, I had one and then we ordered another, and both were absolutely divine. The brie and chives just melted in your mouth and was like nothing I’ve ever had before, the blue cheese bacon, apple and walnut was an experience I’ve never had before. Aside from the food, the staff were so friendly and fun, always checking up on us, but not too forward, and full of great suggestions. Can’t wait to go back and try more of the menu.
Wonderful experience- we weren't too sure at first as my partner and walked down a side street off the main street of the Winyard Quater restaurants, and there was a tv on inside. However, the service was superb, we had a lovely bubbly American waitress who made sure we were well looked after. The food was delicious- I had a kale caesar salad to start which was a decent size with a perfect balance ingredients and creamy sauce (often restaurants swamp the salad with this naughty sauce!), then I had grilled fish with a beautiful herb crust and it was on top of the most mouth watering, massive bed of kumara fries. My partner had a massive bowl of chicken wings and tasty eye fillet steak- three big chucks - he was equally as happy- we would definitely go here again!!
The food here is excellent however it's a little pricey for what you get. The chicken alfredo special was divine. The hamburger is probably the best thing on the menu as it is full of flavor. Atmosphere is very casual.
I have been here twice and both times I really enjoyed myself. The food is so delicious. The second time I went was a Thursday night, and it was quiz night, so me and my partner played against other teams. It was a lot of fun and made our night more enjoyable. I would definitely recommend others to go and have a dinner experience there. It's a very nice place.
Really digging this place cool vibe, great music, fun staff, and amazing happy hour specials, definitely a go to regular spot for me for a cheeky beer after work!
Had brunch here over the weekend, I had a create your own omelette, it was huge and delicious, great value for money, and something I haven’t seen around Auckland, not sure why. They have a great kids menu, my children loved it, and we were able to play from what I can only call a ridiculously huge selection of board games while we waited for our meals. Great place, great vibe, great service and superb coffee, will definitely come back.
This place has great food, wonderful service, and the trivia night rocks! I came on a grabone voucher and the place was hoppin', so lively and a great atmosphere!
I'm a frequent traveler to Auckland on business and I've found that Johnny Barr's is always a top stop on my list! They have chefs from France and Italy, which keeps the menu interesting and fresh. Has a nautical atmosphere right in heart of Wynyard Quarter. I'll be back soon!
I’m in love with these burgers, I think they put crack in them. I can’t otherwise explain why I can’t stop thinking about them! That Russian dressing, so perfect, the bbq pulled pork burger was divine, the cole slaw is award worthy, the fish burger, lemon caper aioli, good lord I want their chef to come live with me and make me burgers all day long!!
Join the Travelling Pair
+4
We found Johnny Barr's on First Table. We particularly loved the pork ribs, mac and cheese, and the desserts. Some of the other menu items that we've tried are okay, but not as good as the ribs. There is usually a bit of a wait from the time you order, but that most likely means that they are cooking your order and not just reheating it. Finally, the staff are friendly and attentive to the customer's needs. We'll definitely return to this place and continue recommending it to our friends.
Amazing variety of food for everyone! Delicious dessert and fantastic servers. The music ain't too loud and the lights are bright enough to see eachother. Wonderful atmosphere! Highly recommend!!
Macaroni with parmesano regiano , chicken fajitas pizza rolls and nachos!!!! Boom 💥, best place in town, thanks Katy for the great service . Love it!!! Bring on the cheesecake please. 👍 Jenga game at the end 🙌
Really enjoyed the superbowl event, only small shame was that the tv was a bit quiet with such a huge crowd. Enjoyed tater tots, curly fries, hot wings and all sorts of classic American game day foods. The place was packed for the game with keen supporters of both teams. The service was excellent all day and the beer options were perfect to accompany the game
Exceptional service! The NY cheesecake was excellent and the warm apple pie was also excellent. Friendly staff went above and beyond. Great ambience, great experience, highly recommended!
My second home in Auckland! Amazing food, great location and friendly staff. This place is the best. It also has TVs to catch all your favorite sports teams.
Absolutely amazing. Friendly service with a smile. Amazing food. Good happy hour $5 beers. Seriously this place was awesome.
Cool place to have breakfast till 11am or typical American food afterwards. Good price for value
The food was good. The menu special had good variety. The staff could be friendlier.
I used to frequent this place when it first opened, great food, fun quiz night, good beer in a cool spot. It had it all. I moved away from the area over two years ago but returned last night for dinner with some friends. The menu has changed a lot but the good vibes remain the same. I'll happily return and would recommend others to do so! (take on the Empire Burger challenge)
Great food ,good prices, nice beer.
Will be back for more.
Came as a group of six. I ordered the Empire burger with a side of fried pickles. Massive meal for one, pretty tasty, just a tad salty. Service was great and food overall was pretty good. A little out of the way, but definately worth the trip.
We recently visited Johnny Bars for dinner and were quite impressed with their quality of food. Great selection of food and drinks to choose from. Our personal favourite was the chicken/waffle starter (such an interesting combination!) and the frozen margaritas. Our selection for mains was the ribs and lamb shank – excellent grade of meat, soft to the bone! A new favourite added to our list – we would definitely recommend Johnny Bars and will be visiting again soon!
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