Fantail & Turtle

What makes your venue the Best Gastropub in New Zealand?

Our vibe. We love & look after our people, so that they can do the same for our manuhiri. We've created everything, from the build and fitout, through to menu & bar offerings, our sound system and the DJs we work with - with large groups and functions, shared dining and a social atmosphere in mind. We're disciplined about thinking creatively, learning, improving, taking care we never fall into complacency, and 5 years in are no where near the end of the to-do list! We have an incredible team (who deserve all of the credit) and incredible support from our regulars and local community.

• Describe the experience your customers have at your establishment – what is your food and beverage offering and why do people come back for more?

  A great venue will always have excellent food & beverage offerings - but it's how they made you feel that'll keep you coming back for more. Our goal is to treat you as manuhiri (guests) in our whare, not as customers.

  That's not to say our menu doesn't punch above it's weight - we're lucky to have Executive Chef James Wheeler leading our menu design, and an incredible team in the kitchen that's able to pump out the volume we do at a level of quality, speed and efficiency we think is best in show.

  We're fiercely independent, so our bar only serves product we're proud to, from suppliers we love - many we have built personal relationships with. Our wine list features some of the most incredible boutique producers in Aotearoa, our 15 taps rotate through the best local beer we can get our hands on, we've tried just about every combination of gin, tonic & garnish you can imagine in creating our matched gin & tonic list of more than 30, the majority of which are locally distilled - and our cocktails, just come in & try them.

• Tell us how you showcase NZ produce / offerings? Does your menu change with the season and how is it locally influenced. How do you accommodate allergy and dietary requirements?

  Our menu is modern but uniquely inspired by Aotearoa, with more than a few nods to nostalgic dishes and kiwi favourites. We are proud to support small local & boutique producers, and update our menu seasonally and often. All proteins are free range & our whole fish are sustainably line caught, then dry cured on site. Herbs & greens are foraged or picked from our gardens. We build flexibility with allergens and dietary requirements right into our menu, to make ordering as easy as possible.

• What are your key points of difference and how have you managed to deliver them?

  Our commitment to our values - manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga & whanaungatanga guiding our day to day decision making. We give a shit and we're proud of what we do. We care. We love people. We're independent, creative, genuine & FUN.

Best Known for:

• Family-focused experience

• Incredible outdoor sound system

• Live Music
  

fantailandturtle.co.nz

instagram.com/fantailandturtle/

facebook.com/fantailandturtle/

• Please describe your commitment to sustainability.

  We operate a waste-free kitchen, using everything that doesn’t make it to the plate in stocks or sauces. Food scraps are composted on site to return to the soil, often into our own on-site produce gardens. We work with our suppliers & supply chain to make improvements wherever possible.

• Have you won any awards in the recent past? Tell us about them.

  Lewisham Awards - Best Local Establishment (North) - 2023

• Please describe how you create ambience.

  Probably the best outdoor sound system in NZ. Incredible resident DJs. Live music on public holidays. Playlists you'll tell your friends you made yourself - https://open.spotify.com/user/jamesjwakefield/playlists

  Constant attention to detail - music, volume, lighting, heating.

  Our STAFF! We're not having fun unless you are too.