New Zealand Herald

Reviews for Kiwiana Fish & Chips

by Robert O.
26th April 2013

First time customer: not impressed!

This place unfortunately doesn’t give you a true taste of kiwi fish ‘n chips! The online website was great, but it all went downhill from there!! We placed our order online and went to the store at the allocated time to pick-up, only to discover that our order hadn’t even been started; the reason for this: “we’re too busy”!!

When we got home we discovered that our sauces were missing, so we went back to the shop only to be told that they don’t have sauce!! Admittedly, we weren’t charged for the missing sauce but it would have been nice to have been told that there was no sauce when we picked up the order!

The quality of food, portion sizes and staff attitude leave a lot to be desired! Honestly, $1.30 for a single squid ring is a complete rip-off!

We really wanted to try Kiwiana… Now we wish that we had read these reviews first!! We are really disappointed and are now on the look-out for a new fish ‘n chip shop to be our “local”!!

by Tim H.
4th April 2013

I can’t believe how bad this place has become in the last 12 months. We used to get takeaways from here quite often, and while they’d often get a small part of the order wrong, it was good food so we didn’t mind.

Not anymore. Tonight they had no selection of fish (they menu claims ~5), no crab sticks, the beef patty in the burger is no longer lovely and juicy, now it’s like a frozen supermarket one.

To top it off, the poor guy operating the till told me that the owner hasn’t renewed the software license for the till, so it shuts down on him every 5 minutes.

It now seems like a place on its last legs. There were no customers (apart from poor me), no staff and the food was nowhere near as good as it used to be.

Used to love it, but would only suggest you avoid at all costs now.

(I must say, the staff are still lovely. But you can see the sadness in their eyes.)

by Sean A.
2nd February 2013

The first 2 times we came here we were impressed with service and the food.
However we have now received terrible service twice.
The first instance we used their online ordering portal for delivery. After waiting 1hr for this delivery we telephoned to enquire where it was and were informed that someone called in sick so they weren’t doing their deliveries that night. No one bothered to ring and inform us! We were told we could come pick it up ourselves at which point I asked would our food not now be cold.
I was then informed they had lost our order and I would need to re-order and wait a further 15min for our dinner if we wanted it. I hung up flabbergasted.

The second disappointment came in placing a telephone order and was informed that they had run out of batter on a Saturday night at 8pm!

I have written an email outlining my concerns the first time to no reply.
Needless to say they have lost our business forever!

by Fiona Q.
27th January 2013

We came here as our usual fish and chip shop was closed. We paid more and got overcooked chips and burnt batter on the rest of our order and were very unimpressed – the person that cooked our order should have started again and not served something that should have gone in the bin to us – also a barrel of chips is barely enough for two hungry people. “The best fish and chips experience” umm hardly… won’t be returning even though its just round the corner.

by Sarah
19th January 2013

It seems like their standards have just gone down. I didn’t really mind it being over priced as with my previous visits the food was excellent… but my most recent visit proved otherwise as my fish didn’t seem very fresh and and the burnt ‘batter’ didn’t even seem like batter just a thin soggy tasteless coating. The chips were also soggy and really oily. I could have gotten something better for half of what I paid. I think they need to be more consistent with their standards, disappointing.

by Rawhi
7th December 2012

We bought a deal voucher for two burgers and also got chips. The food was okay – the chips weren’t anything special, the meat patty was really good, the rest of the burger was good. Overall nothing any better than what I could make at home. The problem was simply that it took 30 minutes for a very simple order – and the reason for that was that on a Friday night they only had two staff working. The staff were coping well – not stressed out and doing the best they could.

But to the owners / managers: if you are selling deal vouchers surely the point is to increase your business by attracting some new customers. So rather than disappoint or irritate new customers maybe you should stop being so cheap and put some more staff on. We wont be back, but maybe you can get it right for all the others who bought the vouchers.

by philip
18th November 2012

Excellent meal, especially with the vouchers.
Not quite gourmet level, but very nearly there. The burgers and chips are super, super tasty !
If you dont mind paying $3-5 more for your burgers compared to a regular chippy, then this place is the bomb. $2.90 chips were enough for two adults and free sauce on the tables. Great kiwiana atmosphere and pleasant service.
Maybe some of the Kingsland sect dont think it fits in to their ‘neighborhood’, but I think it does and I totally recommend this place. Yum to the max.

by Bernadette B.
1st September 2012

We ordered Large chips (more than enough for two people) and two pieces of fish and a pineapple fritter! Sooooo yummy! Fish seemed fresh and batter was crispy and yum! Next time we want to try the barrel seasoned chips..sounded interesting! We’ll be back

by Kate B.
21st June 2012

Just went there on weds this week. The girl working wouldn’t know a smile or customer service if it hit her in the face. The burger I got was ok, but it was very messy in its presentation dripping with some sort of watery sauce that went everywhere . I wouldn’t go back.

by Rachael
1st May 2012

I’ve eaten from many fish and chip shops over the years and always despaired over how greasy and soggy the chips and fish are. I would never dream of buying anything other than fish and chips because I would hate to see the result of a fish and chip shop trying to cook real food.

Then I heard from my friend about how great the chips were at this place in Kingsland and ever since I have been a convert.

The chips are crisp and flavoursome, they are generous with their portion sizes and the chips always leave you wanting more.

The fish I have only had once but it was fresh and I was really pleased to see the portion size was bigger than I was expecting it to be. The batter was crispy and delicious!

I also really enjoy the chicken tenders and their burgers which have heaps of fresh ingredients in them and are definitely “Kiwi” burgers!

The best part of Kiwiana however is the service – I usually visit during weekdays and they have a friendly girl called Jess serving, when I visit she tends to be the only one there and can handle multiple orders on her own with efficiency and is very friendly even when it’s really busy.

I have watched the food being prepared and I am very impressed with the hygiene standards in the kitchen, I have never seen any food left out on the benches and the benches are always really clean – unlike some other fish and chip shops I’ve seen.

All and all I am a Kiwiana convert and will continue coming back!

by bob
24th December 2011

Many of us cringed when this garish looking place opened, its so out of place in kingsland. However, I gave it a chance and wow! the decor reflects the food. All show and no substance. Small serves and overpriced. Those of you that cant work out why the reviews are so polarised (had me puzzled) should check the positive reviews for the remuera branch.
Sorry guys, not worth it.

by Lioness M.
8th December 2011

I never was a fan of fish & chips. But these people have created a convert in me!

Yummiest most delicious Fish in the world! I dare anyone to tell me different.

The chips are yum as too! I ask them for extra garlic butter every time, and every time I get it! Lovely staff!

My favorite is the battered fish and pan fried fish.

Just finished eating both! haha!

LOVE KINGSLAND KIWIANA! I’m spreading the word to EVERY. ONE. I. KNOW.

by Vaughan
8th December 2011

Don’t even go in.

The sign says “best fish and chip experience in the world”.
It isn’t.

The fish is not fresh, well if it is, it does not taste like it. They are consistently out of key ingredients like, kumara chips, cheeese and patties, and are horrendously over priced.

As a local, I have been several times, wanting it to be good, but have been disappointed every time. Every time. Portions of fish are insultingly small, let alone for the prices that you pay.

Worth the walk or drive down the road to go anywhere else.

by Don
5th October 2011

Really good service and delicious food, recommend the burgers, fish and cheesy mayo chips. Very different to any other fish and chip shop with the alfresco deck to sit and enjoy your meal on and an Xbox and couch for people to enjoy. Thoroughly recommend trying for yourself.

by Oliver
24th September 2011

Team at Kiwiana fish and chips under pressure tonight, well done. Got a free bottle of coke for waiting.
(order took longer than expected)

Thank you.

by Alice
5th September 2011

This fish and chip shop started off great (perhaps because the owner was originally present) but has steadily gone downhill to the point where the food is now totally inedible.

Tonight’s meal consisted of chips burnt to a crisp and soggy, soggy fish. We tried it again in the hope there was a different cook on – but alas tonight’s meal was the worst yet. If you could award zero stars I would.

We will NEVER return and feel incredibly sorry for the thousands who are about to descend on Kingsland for RWC – a total embarrassment. Avoid at costs unless you want to bin your meal as we have just done.


In reply to Carolyn H from Kiwiana (below). I know exactly where I was eating and it was not good! I recommend driving an extra few mins to the Ponsonby Fresh Fish and Chip Co.

Comment from Carolyn H. of Kiwiana Fish & Chips 28/09/2011    Hide »

Alice we serve nothing but the freshest fish and the best quality…    More »

Alice we serve nothing but the freshest fish and the best quality burgers! You must hae been dining somewhere else!

by Nicky
14th August 2011

As Kingsland locals we really wanted to like Kiwiana Fish and Chips. Unfortunately the fish was not fresh and encased in soggy, doughy batter. The chips were OK and the pineapple fritter was good. Not good enough for us to return sadly. We will continue to drive to Grey Lynn or Ponsonby for a fresher, quality feed.

by David
6th August 2011

Always good and fresh. Needs some greens in their menu. Otherwise, it’s what a Fish and Chips shop should be like.

I regularly visit this place (once a week) taking overseas visitors to experience what fish and chips is all about and they have never failed me. Love the food.

by Fiona
22nd June 2011

I was walking down the road in Kingsland yesterday when I was greeted by a very friendly staff member from Kiwiana in a red tee-shirt offering me free chips for their opening day. They were so yummy that I was tempted into the very cool looking shop to try some fish. Again greeted by enthusiastic and friendly staff I ordered a piece of snapper. It was delicious! A lovely golden crispy batter with the freshest snapper inside. I go fishing regularly and Know fresh fish and this was certainly very fresh! I will be bringing my children back and they can enjoy the xbox which is in the shop while we place our orders. The burgers looked amazing too. Well done Kiwiana a very cool concept backed with quality food. We will be back!

by Michele
21st June 2011

KIWIANA IN KINGSLAND

As a relatively new Northshore Resident I met with friends in Kingsland on my way to an Appnt in Mt Albert.
It was not my intention to be sampling fish on a Tuesday but was encouraged to do so by a friend who was more than peck’sh & in dire need of a peice of FISH!
The owners were incredibly friendly.. so commented on the stunning fish which I learned was the Fish of the day .. Gurnard.. impressive !
What I also wanted to impart was that the Kebab shop owner across the road arrived with the most beautiful.. really rather stunning bunch of flowers to welcome them to the Village!!
Caw !… Does this happen on the North Shore ???

Kingsland is Kool

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