Why The Hotel Restaurant Is The Comeback Kid

Let’s be honest; there was a time when hotel restaurants weren’t exactly top of mind for exciting dining experiences. Hotel dining conjured up notions of stuffy, homogenous, white-tableclothed offerings. But the hotel scene today is vastly different. Accommodation providers are leading the charge in innovation, design and the desire factor. Yes, the hotel restaurant is making a comeback.

The slow and steady rise of the hotel restaurant is nothing but good news for the discerning diner. There’s a lot to love about hotel dining. Hotels often occupy envious locations in the heart of the city or perched alongside some jaw-dropping vista. Hotels often get the pick of the best chefs in the land. And they have a serious commitment to creating the right ambience through innovative design and décor. 

Any Food & Beverage Manager worth their salt knows the secret to success is creating a restaurant that is a destination in its own right. It is not enough to rely on in-house guests and the odd lost tourist. A hotel restaurant has to do more than sit alongside the gymnasium in the hotel amenities directory. Hotel restaurants that do it well are the ones who flaunt their best assets, like the historical significance of the property, or their ability to command the best designers and chefs to create knockout dining experiences.

So, as hotels move away from white tablecloths and stuffy dining, we explore some of New Zealand’s best hotel restaurants that are breaking the mould.

The Cut Restaurant and Bar @ The Rydges
59 Federal Street, Auckland

From its winning location on the corner of Federal and Kingston Streets, The Cut at The Rydges is serving up smart and stylish food without a hint of stuffiness. It’s no wonder The Cut is considered one of the best restaurants in the city.

Since arriving on the scene, The Cut Restaurant and Bar has made its mark on Auckland’s social scene serving up an effortless blend of the classical and the cutting edge.

A key feature of The Cut’s menu is its fine cuts of beef. Try a bone-in grass-fed Angus, a 90-day grain-fed Angus, a Wagyu and much more. With a focus on exquisite dishes crafted from the very best New Zealand produce, the talented kitchen team are creating dishes packed with explosive flavours and textures that are sure to give you plenty to talk about

Glasshouse Bar & Grill @ The Thorndon Hotel by Rydges
24 Hawkestone Street, Wellington

The light and airy dining room at The Glasshouse is an oasis in the midst of Wellington’s bustling CBD. The relaxed atmosphere overlooks lush gardens, and you will soon find yourself concocting excuses to escape to The Glasshouse for a drink, a meal or a light bite.

The kitchen team at The Glasshouse don’t do stuffy hotel food, something that is evident even from the most cursory glance at the innovative menu.

The Glasshouse team work closely with local artisans to bring you Wellington’s very best produce. Excellent local cheeses, meat and baked goods are crafted into delicious dishes.

But if you are a weary traveller in need of a nourishing, home-cooked meal, fear not. The Glasshouse is innovative, but it is not inaccessible. There are plenty of familiar, easy dishes here that offer the very best of local produce and fresh seafood. 

The Polo Bar & Restaurant @ Hotel Montreal
363 Montreal Street, Christchurch

The deliciously elegant Hotel Montreal is one of the standouts in the Christchurch hotel scene. So it’s no surprise that the hotel’s restaurant, The Polo Bar, reflects the same elegant mix of unique design and sophistication.

As the name suggests, The Polo Bar is equal parts polo clubroom and effortless chic. The fun decor provides the perfect setting for the Argentinian-themed menu. The selection is impressive offering delicious sharing plates served on wooden boards, traditional meals and classic Argentinian fare.

We love The Polo Bar & Restaurant for its amazing food, excellent selection of craft beer and the fact that you can enjoy a casual game of croquet on the lawn before dinner. The Polo is a sanctuary from the dusty city, and like any good innovator, changes its menu regularly.

Bazaar @ The Rydges
Lake Esplanade, Queenstown

When boutique hotel chain, QT Hotels opens its Queenstown property later this year, the town will experience the full force of the quirky hotel brand’s eclectic mix of design, art, luxury and style. In preparation for its arrival, Bazaar is laying the groundwork.

Bazaar is located on the 6th floor of The Rydges and will soon link up with the QT Queenstown property. From its enviable position overlooking Lake Wakatipu and all the glory that Queenstown’s jaw-dropping scenery has to offer, Bazaar has quickly established itself as one of the town’s most exciting places to dine.

The décor is a fun mix of industrial design, timber floors and spikes of colour (and of course, that view). But the star of the show is the marketplace. The open kitchen layout gives diners the opportunity to chat directly with the chefs as they divulge the secrets of their trade. It’s a dream come true for foodies.

There is a touch of the theatre to Bazaar. Described as an interactive marketplace, the experience is as enjoyable as the food. The only downside to Bazaar is having to choose between the amazing array of food, which covers authentic Italian wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, a charcuterie and cheese bar, Asian wok station, grill station and an irresistible dessert bar. Or, you could just go for all of it, which is highly encouraged by the enthusiastic staff.