La Zeppa Kitchen and Bar

"Fried chicken was lukewarm on arrival, potatas bravas was soggy, service was under staffed and disorganised and generally late. The tables near the bar were so dark as no one had sorted out lighting, everyone had to use their smartphone torches to look at the menu and eat food, the experience here is pretty bad and has gone downhill over the years."

"We participated in the Art and Bloom event at La Zeppa on Sunday, August 13th, for my bridal shower, but unfortunately, our experience was marred by a challenging interaction with the manager. My bridal party and I purchased early bird tickets for the event, which were advertised to include a complimentary drink. This was not only stated on their website but also confirmed in the emails we received along with our tickets. The tickets even mentioned that we could claim our free drink by referencing our booking number. Upon arriving at the event and approaching the bartender to claim our free drinks before beginning the painting session, we were informed that there was an error, and we were not eligible for the promised free drinks. Despite showing our tickets, emails, and pointing out the information on the website, the bartender simply apologized and denied us the drinks. Seeking a resolution, I requested to speak with the manager, who claimed to be in charge. Frustratingly, the discussion escalated into a heated exchange during which he begrudgingly offered to cover the cost of the drinks himself, seemingly attempting to guilt-trip us for seeking what was rightfully promised. This unfortunate incident cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a delightful day for me. I had informed my guests that with early bird tickets, we would receive complimentary drinks, setting their expectations accordingly. Dealing with the manager in such a manner was an incredibly disappointing experience. If there was indeed an error in the communication between La Zeppa and Art and Bloom regarding the offer, it should have been addressed internally rather than involving the customers. It is my hope that La Zeppa will take measures to rectify such issues to ensure a more enjoyable experience for future patrons."

"Of our 2 week trip around the north island, this has been one of our favourite dinners! The paella was not available unfortunately so we stuck to only tapas dishes. Each one was fantastic. The goats cheese sauce beneath the arancini was extraordinary, the char on the halloumi combined with the sweet grapes was a standout, the chicken bites were excellent... Prompt service and a bar with anything you could be after!"

"Food was well below average, none of it tasted fresh. The seafood was a bit foul. Service was very very kind and friendly. Maybe if I was rating this place as a bar I’d go a couple of stars higher, but they’ve put “kitchen” in the name so that means this is fair game."