One of my favourite restaurants in the Tauranga region. Have been coming here for 15 years when we are in town. Amazing wine list, service and food. Thanks again for another great meal, as long as you are there we will be back!
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My better half and I popped in for dinner on Thursday night as we have been dining here off and on over 20 years.......:
We didn’t have a reservation but they found us a lovely table out on the patio overlooking the lavender plants.
We started with a glass of the IPA made locally in Gate Pa and a glass of Ayla Champagne.
We ordered the avocado gratinee with cornbread and crispy lamb belly. The gratinee went very well with the cornbread and if I was going to be picky I would say that there was too much onion.
The lamb belly was covered in breadcrumbs, deep-fried and served with homemade tartare sauce. Very hot and tasty but I don’t think pork belly has anything to worry about.
For the main we had the roast duck, with vanilla and coconut kumara mash and orange sauce. The combination sounds weird but the dish was really tasty. We also had the homemade pate which was divine - so much so we purchased some to take home with us.
We had a bottle of the 2014 Peppoli Chianti which is always a treat. We also had a glass of the Vinotopia Gewurtztraminer with the pate - a marriage made in heaven.
The service was efficient and friendly.
If you are in Tauranga you must give Somerset Cottage a go.
This is an excellent restaurant. The staff are passionate foodies and are very attentive. The food is divine with lots of interesting things to choose from. The restaurant itself is tranquil and the tables are spaced far enough apart to make it feel intimate. A lovely place for a long lunch or a romantic dinner. We will definitely be coming back.
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I took my wife to Somerset Cottage for our Anniversary August 12th 2016, I was looking for something different to all the other restaurants that were highly commended in Tauranga and quite frankly looked over rated and uninspired and having read some reviews on this website about Somerset I wasn't to sure I had made the right choice, However I like to live on the edge and was delighted with the Food, Service and Atmosphere of the restaurant , the staff were relaxed but professional and attentive. The warm and Intimate interior was perfect as we avoided the usual raucous atmosphere many larger establishments can have. What may be considered a pricey menu to some, we were impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of the food with clever use of ingredients and flavour profiles both traditional and trendy. The only let down was dessert which wasn't nearly as good as the Entree and Mains. The staff also at my request wrote Happy Anniversary on the dessert plate and added a sparkler for some extra brownie points for my wife. Thanks Somerset Cottage for an Excellent Night out!!! Highly recommend
I cannot rave about this place enough! Been a few times now and it has always been amazing! Attentative staff who give you space to eat. The best dishes are the pate (smooth, fluffy with a decadent mousse like consistency) and the duck (the orange sauce is divine, duck and kumara is just a divine paring!) Beautiful interiors, dark but very romantic - a bit femme fatale even!
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I've been dining at Somerset Cottage (mainly for special occasions, when you want something a little above the ordinary) for the last 20 years.
Having travelled widely and eaten at some of the best restaurants on the planet, I can tell you that the cuisine here is international standard and as good as any anywhere, in any country. Tauranga is well served with good restaurants and Somerset Cottage is a jewel in the crown.
I'm a little bemused by some of the comments here, several people seeming to think that it is common courtesy to ask if your meal was all right. It isn't. It is something taught in hospitality schools and really is only appropriate for chefs who are not sure what they are doing.
Think about it. If you cook for people in your home and know you have served food as good as you can make, do you need to ask them if it is all right? How insecure are you? Don't the expressions of delight and the clean plates indicate you got it right?
Believe me, I don't need to have someone ask me if everything is all right (and I find it intrusive and sycophantic when they do; it's like begging for compliments...); if something is NOT right the establishment will hear about it from me very quickly and I will expect something to be done about it.
(I have never needed to complain at Somerset Cottage, but I have sent special compliments to the chef on several occasions).
If you don't understand fine dining and good food (or the fact that it costs more than a hamburger to produce and serve) then you probably won't enjoy Somerset Cottage.
If you believe that the rituals recommended by "production line" hospitality training establishments are the true criteria for fine dining, then you may be disappointed by Somerset Cottage.
On the other hand, if you enjoy good food and the overall experience of fine dining, sharing food and wine of the highest quality, in a really pleasant environment, to create a memorable experience, then this is one of the best places in Tauranga to get that.
Went with another couple, took our own wine, though meals are a little on the high side the meals were just as we wanted them.
The surroundings and atmosphere were perfect would definitely go again for that special occasion.
Had a meal at Somerset Cottage last saturday, booked a table for 8.30 it was very busy when we got there but we couldn't fault it, good service and great food. Yes it is pricy and the meals aren't huge but our meals were divine, great atmosphere and friendly staff.
Excellent food and service. Staff and owner were friendly. The food is pricey but worth it. The quality of the food was delicious, just scrumptious and well presented. Pleasant restaurant - more to fine dining. You need to eat a complete 3 main course meal and savour it, take your time in order to enjoy and feel full by the end of the night! We're happy to come back if I can afford this regularly! Love it!
I just love Somerset Cottage, we frequent there every season if poss. You never get a bad meal there, and there is always something new to try on the menu. Well done guys - keep up the good work ")
Somerset is one of the best restaurants in Tauranga if you are into fine dining. Somerset is always our first choice for a special dinner or occassion as we know we will never be disappointed with the food or service. We save our best bottles of wine to take there as they appreciate fine wine and are very knowledgeable in this department.Well done Rick and Ann and team
Please do not be put off by some of the reviews on this page. We eat here more than 15 times a year and have NEVER had a bad meal or even a bad dish. As for the wait staff, they could not be more friendly or helpful.
I rate this as one of the best restaurants I eat at, anywhere in the world, for consistency and quality and service.
My husband and i have dined at the Somerset many times and i would have to say it and one other restaurant in Tauranga is the best nothing even comes close and we have eaten at most of Tauranga restaurants. And as for price middle of the road so well done somerset chefs you know what your doing we will continue to go back.
In my top 5 of all restaurants.. Fantastic food, fantastic atmosphere, great service, prices are on the higher side but still well worth a visit..
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The atmosphere and decor at this restaurant is terrific, it is so nice to eat in a restaurant that has those fine dining touches that many restaurants fall down on today. The food itself was very nice but without the wow factor that I was expecting. The prices being charged therefore, are in my opinion a little too high for the taste experienced. I had the chicken liver pate for an entree, which I must say was delightful, however the small pickled orange marmalade dish accompanying the pate tended to be a little overpowering. The two slices of toasted foccacia was not quite enough for the dish which meant one either left some pate or ate it on its own. At $19.50 I think the extra toast would make this dish more palatable.
For my main course I chose the oven roasted duck which again was very nice but not outstanding, the price of $34.50 is about what I would expect for this dish. Disapointing I thought, was that all seven people dining at our table had to share one dish of vegetables, while there was just enough to go round, I know some people held back so that every one got some. How about individual dishes or at least dishes for two people. One big plate of veges just says lazy to me. Finally the restaurant allows you to take your own wine which is terrific but $10 corkage is almost highway robbery in this modern day of screw caps. Come on Somerset pick up your game.
Consistently outstanding food & service The best dining in the Bay!
A restaurant that is always at least half full on a midweek night is indicative of its popularity.
Bookings essential
I attended my very first cook class here and what an amazing experience it was! A small group of us had a fun and relaxed day as we watched and learnt how to make these Christmas inspired recipes. I highly recommend the cooking classes they run, the amazing couple that run the class are happy, polite, funny and relaxed, they work together so well and are happy to answer any and all questions which makes for a great environment and fun experience and in the end you get to eat the food! Will definitely be back again. Thank you both so much :D
Wonderful night out. The food was excellent, very good service and a lovely atmosphere. It doesn't matter if it is a romantic dinner for 2 or a family get together. Thankyou Somerset cottage
Had a lovely dining experience here. The interior is light, warm and airy inside the cottage. There is plenty of spacing between the tables so you don’t have to talk over other tables conversations. The waiters were very courteous and friendly. We started the evening with a Gimlet Gin from the extensive beverage list and enjoyed smoked tea chicken spring roles and a tasty zingy squid starters, both very enjoyable with lots of flavour surprises. For our mains roast duck, kumara mash and vegetables and a lamb shank, both beautifully cooked and enjoyed with a glass of wine. Dessert a beautiful baked apple in pastry and a sticky date pudding. A thoroughly enjoyable meal, service and ambience. Plenty of parking beside the building and in the street.
Had an amazing stay in the studio next to the cottage last night. What a hidden gem. Wondered across to the cottage for an unbelievable dinner. Thanks to the entire team for an amazing anniversary experience 10+ out of 10
Great service and food. We had the duck, gnocchi, potato skin. Everything is perfect. Even their ginger beer is the best we've had!
One of the best classic restaurant
Good foods and nice service
Highly recommend
Food was well prepared. Entrees were very reasonable priced. I had the steamed bun with porkbelly .The Duck I always order when on a restaurant's menu was moist and nicely flavored with an orange source.
I shared the desert it was creme caramel Vanilla bean dish 😋
We had a wonderful night with great staff and prompt service. Highlight was the roasted pork belly steamed buns 10/10, calamari was a bit chewy but the sauce was delicious. The eye fillet steak perfectly cooked to my requirements, the beef cheeks were delicious. Pavlova average, the vanilla crème caramel was a delight 10/10.
Thank you, great night will be back.
First time dining at Somerset Cottage, and it was an all-round excellent experience and we will be back. Good menu, excellent food, good wine list, including interesting wines. Service was also first class, with friendly and competent staff.
Beautiful atmosphere with delicious food. Everything we ate was exquisite - I was especially a fan of the pumpkin gnocchi. I also appreciated the very attentive and friendly service. Couldn't recommend more!
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