5 stars for the ability to fix things that weren’t working. And for the espresso martini. I had a poor experience the first week they opened, I did not want to judge the place just by that, waited and revisited. I’m glad I did. The front of the house was very efficient and professional this time. Finding tables for people is an important part of this business. That can make or break a restaurant as you would need to keep as many tables full as you can. You need to know if a table is booked for two hours in the system, and people eat and leave in 1h as we did, you’ll have an available table for people who stop by for a drink. So, you don’t need to turn people away. If you just try to do things with the bookings, you usually lose money. Tonight, the efficiency was admirable. Another weak point for me was the cocktail list. I would expect at least one vodka cocktail. I don’t drink gin or whiskey. That limited my choice to two. They had run out of one, so I had 1 option. Which turned out to be a tequila cocktail that had chili pepper flakes around the rim alongside the salt, I didn’t pay attention to this and I had a problematic first sip, let’s leave at that. So for my second cocktail, I asked whether they could do an espresso martini or not. It wasn’t in the list, I wasn’t expecting a positive answer. They said yes, Tia who made great recommendations all night came back with it, and it was marvellous. That’s a cocktail I drink a lot, I think it’s a good choice for a Sunday brunch or after a meal, so I’m a good judge when it comes to it. This cocktail was so good that I just forgot everything else. (When we were paying I complemented it and the gentleman said that he taught them how to do it that very day. I guess I was lucky.) / I ordered the sea food platter, safest choice, it’s enough for two, $55, and comes fast. The plate was disorganised but nothing was spilled. We also ordered mushroom risotto following Tia’s recommendation, which was delectable. We got the rhubarb dessert, too sugary for my taste, but my friend loved it which was more important. (Again, thank you Tia.) Front of house was better than everywhere else in Gisborne. The service was very good at our side of the restaurant. Ambiance was superb. The music wasn’t loud. // It might be a good idea to tell the customers that the bar can do other cocktails as well.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$60–70
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
What a place! We loved the food, we asked for a seafood plater and it was yummy. the service was great. And the view is epic. Sunset from our seat. Gisborne needed a space like that. Wishing you guys all the best and definitely wanna be back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
This new restaurant is a jewel to be experienced.
The ambience is calm cozy beautiful and take full advantage of the stunning veiws it has to offer.
The staff are warm and inviting. Nothing is to difficult (I have a few dietary restrictions) and they were the perfect amount of attentive.
The ceviche is a show stopper. Perfectly balanced, fresh and delightful.
The mains (lamb and beef) were perfectly cooked, well seasoned and the accomplishments on the plate balanced the protiens. We got the carrot side with with its sharp flavors and herb and spice fill cumb was delightful.
I can't go past a creme brulee on a menu and this doesn't let you down. The rhubarb is well balance into the custard and feel like a warm hug.
The coconut and Kawa Kawa ice cream is smooth creamy and a breath of fresh air.
Whe I would love to see the flavor combation envelop it own meal with the crumb
I would definitely oder this again and again.
Overall the team at Tahu should be proud of there beginning and we can't wait to see what they continue to deliver and suprise gisborne with.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$60–70
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Rhubarb Crème Brûlée
Such a beautiful restaurant with a great view and lovely wait staff.
Unfortunately none of our food came out hot. The steak wasn't great, it was cooked rare but it was only just warm and there was no juice... perhaps because it was already cut, the steak had a sauce squirted over it that made it look like tacky "diner" food. The menu is very lacking and uninspired. Such a shame as it's the most beautiful building in town.
Also sitting on a couch for dinner is not that comfortable and the couches are too low for the table, it might look nice but it's not actually practical.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$40–50
Food: 2
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Steak was really tough. Service on the patio was very good. Went to the bar after dinner and had the grumpiest bartender ever. He was so rude. Poured, maybe a 3 oz pour if wine. Never looked up. Never acknowledged me. Ugh!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–40
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Everything about Tahu is on point, from the classy fit out to the amazing views and ambience.
The service was exceptional and attentive even whilst busy.
I was so happy with my meals, beautiful balanced flavours & gorgeous presentation and the cocktails were creative & tasty. Will definitely be back!
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Gisborne so needed this! Amazing kai, beautiful atmosphere, service was excellent and the cocktails were delicious. Rebooking is a definite.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Great company, modern airy decor, awesome views,nice glassware and crockery, lovely waitress. Wasn't keen on the 'duff duff' music, the wooden tables were 'sticky' from the varnish they were finished with, not at all keen on the open salt mini ramekin..unhygienic in my opinion, unless they change them every sitting (which I doubt). The meal itself wasn't presented that well, fairly average tbh..(looks bigger on the pic than it actually was). The steak was cooked well enough but the cut of meat was too small to be presented already sliced..and i could've easily whipped this meal up at home without much effort and presented better. I think there were about 10 alcoholic cocktails to choose from, unfortunately all but 2 were gin based 🤢,disappointing there were only 4 options for main meals. The decor and atmosphere are more suited for a lively café and bar but as a restaurant, it fell short.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–60
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Best location and modern ambience in Gisborne. Good food, service and music. So nice to finally have a quality spot on the beach in this town.
First visit.. just an afternoon couple of beers and a tasty seafood platter out on the deck looking over the ocean - not busy and everything came out very quickly. Will be back for dinner soon!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Extremely disappointing experience. Food was good (when it arrived) and the view is great. Unfortunately, starters were served cold, the main course took 2.5 hours to arrive and dessert just never turned up. We witnessed several tables complain about waiting times, one couple left before they were served their main course and multiple diners left before dessert. The servers were polite and really trying their hardest, but there was clearly a lot of disappointment from diners and the vibe was not good. Unfortunately the manager/ maitre d' was M.I.A and the young inexperienced servers were left to deal with complaints and disgruntled customers on their own. Really not a good look for the management. Reduce your covers on big nights, and if your service is falling apart... go to bat for your staff.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Food: 1
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 1
