The Thistle image

The Thistle

Restaurant Fine dining restaurant

🫤 Very Disappointed!!! Normally, I'm not one to complain but on this occasion I feel compelled to make an exception. I ordered the poached fish in broth. If the chef doesn't know how to prepare fish they should not put it on the menu. The fish was rubbery, most likely rapidly defrosted in some way. I... People often mention dining, good,


Address

19 St Andrews Rd, Port Alfred, 6170, South Africa

Website

www.royalstandrewshotel.co.za

Contact

+27 46 604 5400

Rating on Google Maps

4.20 (42 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), 7 to 9 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: (Boxing Day), 7 to 9 pm, Hours might differ
  • Wednesday: 7 to 9 pm
  • Thursday: 7 to 9 pm
  • Friday: 7 to 9 pm
  • Saturday: 7 to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: dining (8) good (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 Rod N. 2 years ago on Google
    Very Disappointed!!! Normally, I'm not one to complain but on this occasion I feel compelled to make an exception. I ordered the poached fish in broth. If the chef doesn't know how to prepare fish they should not put it on the menu. The fish was rubbery, most likely rapidly defrosted in some way. I couldn't use my fish knife and had to resort to the table knife to cut it. My first bite I found a bone, my second too. I then missed a bone and swollowed it. Not a pleasant experience. At that point my meal was over. The waitress was apologetic and very pleasant, she was quite upset. My experience was not very good my fellow diners did enjoy their meals though. Stay away from the seafood.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Trevor P. 2 years ago on Google
    We were a party of 9. The service was equal to that of a fast food takeaway. The waitress left an opener on the table for us to open the very expensive wine ourselves. Many of the wines were out of stock. 3 out of the 9 ordered Estpedas. Even the fillet piece was tough. The host eventually had to go look for the manager to let him know about the poor quality of food and service. Very little interaction from the staff. All in all very dissapointing. Definitely not recommended.

  • 5/5 N B. 1 year ago on Google
    Such an amazing evening at The Thistle Restaurant in their tranquil classy setting, delicious dinner and dessert. 1st class service from our Waitress. Norwegian Salmon & Pork Belly added crispy potatoes to Mains and our Deserts: Goats cheese and poppyseed Cheescake with Apricot compote & Wheel of delight. Exceptionally good wine list with our favourites from Anthony Rupert Winery Franchoek. Thank you Royal St. Andrew's.

  • 3/5 Liska T. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely quiet setting and friendly waitress. My duck dish wasn't amazing and a bit dry. So a bit average. Pudding was really nice but again quite dry.

  • 5/5 marion m. 7 years ago on Google
    I've had the pleasure of dining at The Thistle at the Royal St Andrews Hotel on numerous occasions and it always delights my 'foodie' heart. It's a fine dining establishment with a passionate team who create dishes that 'wow' the senses. Definitely a must-visit when in Port Alfred!

  • 5/5 Jacqueline Schwarz M. 2 years ago on Google
    The special menue tonight was excellent.

  • 1/5 Peach van P. 7 years ago on Google
    Truly and utterly disappointing. R200 for raw prawns (deshelled shrimps) flavorless overcooked rubbery fish and a burnt bisque. Don't be fooled. This is masquerading as fine dining when it is in fact defrosted pleb food. Sorry. No.

  • 5/5 Adrian C. 4 years ago on Google
    Fine dining at its best. Good value . Stunning venue. We are privileged to have a restaurant like this in our community.

  • 4/5 Ziyaad R. 4 years ago on Google
    Port Alfred's fine dining restaurant. The food is good. So is the service. A bit more variety would be welcome.

  • 2/5 Theresa S. 1 year ago on Google
    We heard a lot of positive comments about this establishment, but they failed to impress me. Upon arrival there was no-one at door/ reception to welcome us, which you would expect from a fine dining restaurant. The kitchen staff were very loud, shouting out orders for the next door pub. We ordered a caprice salad it had loads of cheese, no basil and only 3 very small tomatoes. . Def not a winner When main corse arrived almost every one complained that it was cold. They clearly are more geared for the pub than the fine dining. Only good factor for the evening was that the waitress was well-spoken amd kind.

  • 5/5 Janet T. 1 year ago on Google
    Really great menu and beautifully presented food.

  • 2/5 Derek R. 11 months ago on Google
    The food was good but there were items missing from the menu that we were not made aware of until we ordered. The atmosphere is not good, the lighting is bright and there is no atmosphere. You are forced to watch people going into the deli in very casual clothing and coming out right in front of you with plates of food wrapped in glad wrap. Fine dining it is not! You expect a lot more for the price you pay. We won't go back which is a pity as we were looking for a regular place to spoil ourselves.


Call +27 46 604 5400 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery

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