Bullock Restaurant & Bar image

Bullock Restaurant & Bar

Restaurant

👍👍 The service is enthusiastic. The cooking technique is very good. The fried chicken was juicy. The venison was very tender. The grilled pork ribs are delicious. For us the portions are huge. Great value for money. Probably staff shortage. The only surprise is that we spent two nights in Timaru.... People often mention delicious, Bullock, service, chicken, staff, good, meal, steak, great, dinner,


Address

109 Sophia Street, Central, Timaru 7910, New Zealand

Website

www.bullockrestaurant.co.nz

Contact

+64 800 285 662

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (657 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 11 am to 10:30 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 10:30 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 10:30 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 10:30 pm
  • Monday: (New Year's Day), 11 am to 10:30 pm, Holiday hours
  • Tuesday: (Day after New Year's Day), 11 am to 10:30 pm, Holiday hours
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 10:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: delicious (16) Bullock (13) service (10) chicken (10) staff (10) good (8) meal (8) steak (8) great (8) dinner (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 jin j. 1 year ago on Google
    The service is enthusiastic. The cooking technique is very good. The fried chicken was juicy. The venison was very tender. The grilled pork ribs are delicious. For us the portions are huge. Great value for money. Probably staff shortage. The only surprise is that we spent two nights in Timaru. The waiting time in both restaurants was very, very long, more than 45 minutes.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anto 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent meal out. Staff are very friendly. All our meals were fantastic! Clean plates all round 🙂. I had the lamb shoulder and it just melts in your mouth. My wife had the salmon and a couple of cocktails 🍸. Not the first time we have been there and will be back again for sure! 🙂
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rachel M. 1 year ago on Google
    3 of us had a late lunch, no booking but these guys seated us. Yummy fries and the fish was good. The steak was cook just right. Love the cowboy theme and would definitely go back.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kerrin W. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful dinner for 3. All of us had steak, all different, all perfectly cooked. Then to top off we each had the Sticky Date Pudding. Wow. Easily one of the best sticky date pudding we've ever had. So full, so delicious. We'll be back for sure.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jason F. 2 years ago on Google
    I was in TIMARU for a couple days and stopped in at Bullock Restaurant & Bar for dinner. I’ve had the steak here a few times before and it has never disappointed, so I thought I’d try something different. The Apricot Chicken In Philo Pastry caught my eye and sounded delicious. It was spectacular and my new favourite meal at Bullock Bar. The pastry was perfectly crispy & flaky, and the chicken was smooth and melts in your mouth. Absolutely delicious and surprisingly filling. I’m not generally a salad guy, but even the salad was spectacular. The chips were crispy and crunchy, and all in all a highly recommended meal. I was on my own, so I had my dinner in the The Bar area, and the range of beers on tap didn’t disappoint either. Was watching some rugby game replays which gave enough time to make space for dessert. A Chocolate Tasting Plate and a Cappuccino to finish off a great meal in a great restaurant. I’ll be back again! Thank you Bullock staff for an exceptional evening, and hats off to the chefs! I’ll be back!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eilish W. 1 year ago on Google
    Had a really good experience here , the waitress were friendly and patient with our ordering, the food was beautiful and so delicious, the drinks were on Point
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gilbert T. 1 year ago on Google
    Very delicious food. Friendly staff. Recommended. Portion big.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Liz N. 1 year ago on Google
    We had our work function here again this year - we have been here for the last 3 years. The food this year was excellent as was the service from the staff on the night. The only problem we had was in getting a response from our initial emails and phone calls to the 0800 number this was not ok. This was an ongoing problem which you need to sort - food and service on the night excellent. A huge thank you to the staff once again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ATGC 1 year ago on Google
    We had dinner at Bullock Restaurant. We had last minute booking and staff was kindly enough to get table for us. Very Busy, vibrant atmosphere wih nicely decorated restaurant. There are limited car parkling spaces. Foods are good size and delicious. We had great experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Larry L. 1 year ago on Google
    Recently (after so long) got first opportunity to dine at Bullock Restaurant and Bar. So very happily surprised! EVERYTHING was what I hoped for. The ambience had not much changed from the previous owners and remains enjoyable. But EVERY thing we've ordered on the menu measures HIGH on the pleasure scale! And best of all, the staff: best I've seen from everywhere I've been. They make you feel welcome, as though they're truly GLAD you came; they remain attentive and personable as they serve; these people are delightful. Cody has become our favorite. Bullocks: 10 out of 10.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kelly S. 1 year ago on Google
    We were a party of 20. Meals we quick and service was really good. No problems with the meals. My only gripe is that 3 of us are gluten free & don't eat red meat. The only thing on the menu was a chicken salad (a couple of strips of chicken on 3 fancy lettuce leaves).
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kaye C. 1 year ago on Google
    Four of us went for dinner. Absolutely beautiful meal can't fault it in any way. We all had something different, pan fried fish with veges, chicken burger, which was huge, steak cooked just right and slow cooked lamb shoulder, which very, very tasty. Was quick, hot and delicious.

  • 5/5 Susan E. 1 year ago on Google
    We were in Timaru for two nights and were pleased to come across the Bullock Restaurant and Bar which was open on Tuesday evening when many were closed. Husband had the Eye Fillet steak and I had the Lamb shoulder which we both enjoyed so much we returned on the second night to both have the Lamb shoulder. Absolutely delicious. Highly recommend. Had to wait a little while, but was worth waiting for and the service was great.

  • 5/5 Tracey C. 1 year ago on Google
    Omg. Absolutely amazing. I had the chicken fettuccine and the chocolate taste plate. Loved everything. Huge servings and tastes perfect. Lovely service too.

  • 5/5 Tenaka O. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great experience!! They were busy run of their feet & they still gave us amazing service & the food was definitely worth waiting for. Thank you to ALL the staff what an amazing job you have done!! We will define back

  • 3/5 Matthew K. 1 year ago on Google
    Bullock Restaurant & Bar, a warm inviting dining experience that you won’t leave hungry from. I have been dining at bullock for years and they have always served reliably delicious and filling food at a reasonable price. Bullock has an almost homely atmosphere that leans into a rugged country vibe. They serve a good range of food and we started with Entrée’s of the Bullock custom cob loaf and the Crumbed Bocconcini. They were served promptly. The cob loaf had a delicious creamy corn and cheddar filling that’s great for sharing with a group but was slightly burnt on the top of the bun. The Bocconcini I have had three times in the past and while it was as delicious as ever the presentation left a lot to be desired. Where in the past they were laid out on a plate covered in colourful decretive smears of sundried tomato aioli and balsamic reduction, this time they were carelessly thrown into a bowl on top of a piece of lettuce with the sauce on the side which was an unfortunate drop in quality. I ordered the Venison and was not disappointed while it doesn’t come with an abundance of actual meat in the dish, the way it is prepared, the presentation and the exciting range of flavours that all play of each other perfectly to create something truly wonderful and delicious that was a joy to eat. The mushroom with the beetroot and the venison topped with juniper berry jus is not a combination I would have ever thought of, but it is something I will not easily forget. The Chicken and Sundried Tomato Fettuccine was not such a hit initially. A dish that I have had here many times before and am normally extremely satisfied with was severely lacking. Something was missed or done incorrectly in the cooking process and was very noticeable. The dish was sent back to the kitchen and although the response relayed back from the kitchen was quite dismissive and sceptical once asked for a new one to be made it was completed promptly and without complaint. Upon receiving the replacement, it was confirmed by the waitress our concerns where not unfounded and that the first dish had been made incorrectly. The waitress we had was pleasant to engage with but appeared to be quite nervous and forgetful she was more than likely inexperienced and will improve her customer service skills with more training and experience. I ordered a Raspberry coke with my dinner but was instead delivered a very flat and tasteless coke. Although I had no more than a sip and mentioned this issue to the waitress I noticed after leaving on the receipt that I had still been charged for the drink which was quite disappointing. While I have eaten at Bullock many times before and will many times in the future, this dining experience was overall a let-down. Hopefully the dropping, of what has been in the past, very high standards is merely a one off rather than a decline into mediocrity.

  • 5/5 Tavia E. 10 months ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful, the staff were amazing and the inside is cozy. I ordered the seafood chowder it was delicious and then had the ribeye steak, I wasn't a big fan of the steak itself but everything else delicious

  • 5/5 ria j. 5 months ago on Google
    Went to Bullock for my Godsons 16th Birthday and the meals were ALL delicious! For $5 extra we ordered chips and salad with the apricot chicken filo and WOW was big dinners and such great value the dessert I chose was the passionfruit and peach cheesecake upon raspberry coulis and a beautiful yellow pansy as in the picture The service was excellent with our server very attentive and discreet we left feeling very full content and happy! Thank you to all the staff that made this dining experience such a great one!

  • 5/5 Eranga A. 10 months ago on Google
    What I can tell you that Bullock Restaurant & Bar is a popular dining destination in Timaru, New Zealand, known for its excellent food and drinks. The restaurant is located on Sophia Street and offers a variety of dishes, including seafood, steak, pasta, and vegetarian options. They also have a well-stocked bar and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. If you're in the area and looking for a good place to eat, Bullock Restaurant & Bar is definitely worth a visit. By the way, I liked Venison .

  • 5/5 Barrie W. 5 months ago on Google
    The restaurant was busy despite it being a Monday night, menue offered variety and interest, food prep and presentation excellent. Staff were attentive and pleasant. Atmosphere reflected everyone was enjoying the evening. Despite that, we could still hear each other over the table, there being carpet on the floor. In addition to the dessert menu, "special coffee" is offered, my favourite being the afforgato with frangellico.

  • 3/5 Lynne s. 8 months ago on Google
    1st time here with the family. It was lovely and warm and nice atmosphere. The menu was varied in price and variety. I was a little disappointed with my meal. It was a chicken salad. When it come out it was literally that. Very nice chicken type tenders on salad. Bit of carrot, couple grapes and lettuce. I have had chicken salad in different restaurants and it came with cheese, avo, tomato and even cashews so my fault, was expecting something like that. The meal did come out in acceptable time tho. The people I was with did enjoy their meal.

  • 5/5 Vasile Remus C. 4 months ago on Google
    I think is the best what you can get when about fine dining. Not exquisite but very good.

  • 2/5 Melissa C. 4 months ago on Google
    Dined in December for work Christmas dinner. Waitress service was poor... Entree and Mains were ok apart from the ribs they were over cooked and very salty why did you change recipe or brand no water bowl for the ribs and the entire table was not asked if we wanted dessert at all. Wont be back sorry.


Call +64 800 285 662 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Late-night food
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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