Reviews of DOWNBEAT. (Restaurant) in Auckland (Auckland).

DOWNBEAT

358 Reviews

218 Comments

Restaurant

Restaurant

326 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa, Auckland 0931, New Zealand

Description

Information of DOWNBEAT, Restaurant in Auckland (Auckland)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

Map

Open hours of DOWNBEAT

Popular times

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Reviews of DOWNBEAT

Y.

Great service, really friendly and helpful young guy served us. Lovely meal and great cocktails. Was sad there was no live music figured it must be a COVID problem. Look forward to trying it again sometime.

U.

I had rib eye steak 🥩 here and wanted it to be medium-rare to well-done, which was perfectly done to my liking. Also their mushroom sauce to go with was awesome too. The fries were crunchy and at the end of it felt I had a lot of food 😂. But the entire set up on a bright sunny day, with beer and steak was unbeatable.

C.

I have been to this restaurant many times in the last 2 years, never disappoints. Happy staff, fast service, fantastic atmosphere and even better food. Had lots from the menu, but favourites are the fried chicken with delicious dipping sauce, and the absolute best fettuccine in this part of Auckland! Pizzas from their pizza oven are perfectly chewy-crispy like in NY, and loaded with toppings So Yum! Thank you chef!

B.

7 of us dined for lunch here. Atmosphere was lovely....nice ambience. Service, food quality and choice A1...we would dine here again and recommend to our friends. Merry Christmas

M.

Exquisite lunch menu for $20. You get a main dish and a drink (either alcoholic or non alcoholic). Great value and very relaxing atmosphere. Linguine carbonara are awesome.

P.

Been here twice. Food was tasty. Seemed a little under staffed. Would go again.

R.

Food-drink and all that jazz. Unusual sign to put outside board. Name Downbeat. Some of my gym friends take the name as "i am down with the beat baby" big laugh with the drinks. Some take it Downbeat as relaxation winding down. Some said mother of all music. One of my musician friend said actually meaning of Downbeat is " first and the strongest beat for the orchestra conductor". Everyone goes mmmmm fancy that :). I actually like the story and the creativity behind it all. To take it further Downbeat Magazine is been around since 1930's dedicated to jazz musicians around the globe. And it all started way back as black movement against racism in America. So I do like that story especially today's time we are trying to break the barriers amongst all societies. Any way if you are regularly outgoing person probably none of these information matters. I must say the environment was beautiful and the food was tasty, service was efficient and the staff was extremely friendly.

S.

Great addition to the orewa dining scene. Service if fast and friendly without being intrusive. Good selection of craft beers and food is quickly prepared and tasty

L.

Fab atmosphere, great music. Great service. Friendly staff. We are on holiday and love it.

H.

Today's band were awesome 👌 👏 😎. I love this place. Music, cocktail and staff are all very good 👍

S.

From customer service to every dish , fabulous relaxed Sunday afternoon. Best Squid Auckland wide. Lovely owner and friendly efficient staff. Well recommended

C.

Had a great lunch. We were sitting outside but it got a bit windy and went inside, plenty of room. Would like to go back and listen to the jazz bands they have on a Friday and Saturday night. Great service too.

K.

Had dinner here last week. Dinner was lovely. The only thing I would critique is the creme brûlée which was spelt wrong and wasn't very traditional. 5 stars on service and the cocktails are to die for. Will be coming back.

r.

The Firewood Pizzas were pretty good and we all enjoyed..

D.

Busy 💥 Got the vibe 🥳 Delish on my plate 😛 Entertaining 🎵🎶🎵 Drinks priced right ✅

S.

We had the chicken tenders and broccoli for starters which was delicious. The salmon for the main was overcooked but overall the meal was nice. The meatlover pizza was nice although my partner didn't like it. Cocktail was great. We would definitely go back though. Great customer service.

R.

awesome food and cocktails to match, particularly the boozy shakes yum !

S.

Delicious food made to order, with very friendly staff, lovely place to eat at or just sit and enjoy the atmosphere

R.

The food was really really good . I was going to have desert but after a starter and the dinner I couldn't eat another thing. There wasn't a jazz band playing when we went because I think it's was either the time of the night or the actual night that the jazz band was playing. The atmosphere was great. Good service . There were and combination of high bar table kind of seating to cosy 2 person table seating to big group table seating. But still Very cosy . I had a cocktail which was delicious. The barman clearly knew his stuff. I was going to order a cocktail jug but it would have been too big for one person .so I'll be going back for the cocktail jug and desert 🥴🥴🤭🤭🤭🤭. Parking in front or around the corner not a far walk at all. Really safe and tons of other eateries along the walk to and from your car so very safe and active with people eating along the way at other places. The beach is right opposite if you can handle going for a walk on a full stomach. So for a decent size cocktail ....A milkshake and beer , a starter and delicious, filling , tasty , well cooked mains..... for two adults it was just on $100. If we had gone when the band was playing , I could have added free entertainment into that $100 as well. Well worth it.

J.

Went for dinner last night for the first time. All I can say is that the food and atmosphere was divine. We will be back. Everything was perfect had the table right at the back and could see the kitchen in action. Service was good too.

L.

Great venue, awesome vibe and live music Misus had a Rib Eye steak, I had a Seafood Stew. Food was very average. Seafood stew overly salty. This was from the fish sauce I was told. Not sure if it's worth $40. Great evening otherwise.

A.

Great live music, decent cocktails. Lots of pizza options. Wood fired veggies with feta side to accompany, definitely get some.

t.

Service could be a lot better. They weren't busy and we still had to get up to ask the waitress to take our order. $8 for a small btl of fizzy water was a bit much. Pizza was good but bland...salt helped but again we had to get up and go find. Music not live but I enjoyed it. Great ambience but not sure I'd visit again unless I just wanted a safe option ... to sit outside, listen to music and have a glass of wine.

A.

What a funky place. Live jazz on a Friday. The decor is very cool, lovely environment and really friendly staff. We had the calamari which was yummy! Served with a vinegarette. I look forward to going back and enjoying the extensive cocktail list.

C.

Lovely food, wonderful service and the atmosphere is marvelous. Highly recommend

A.

We had a great New Year here. Admittedly we ate elsewhere but the dessert and GnT was lovely. The live music was excellent and the other patrons were relaxed and friendly. I especially enjoyed watching one if the waiters quietly rocking out while he dried cutlery....clearly a jazz lover himself.

I.

Friendly and the food was great. Three different meals, all cooked well and enjoyed. Will definitely come back. Great to have Heineken on tap too. Many thanks.

J.

Average meal. We went expecting something spectacular, but our pizza & half-chicken roast were pretty average. Servers were cheerful but lacked good training. Attendant tidied & stacked plates at table, forgot to bring water when we first arrived, missing opportunity to sell desert, responded poorly to meal criticism etc.) Jazz music was excellent & Orewa is an awesome setting. Improve the service + meal uniqueness/ quality, and this’ll be a great place! Maybe change the name from ‘Downbeat’ ... it has a negative sound.

S.

Great food, reasonable prices and fantastic Aperol Spritzers!

V.

Great ambience, fantastic live jazz piano. Unfortunately the ragu was lacking pizzazz. A bit more tomato paste perhaps would help. Mother of all creme brulèes to die for.

H.

All 3 if us loved our meals. Pizza, seafood risotto and Snitzel. Service fantastic too. Not sure about the live jazz music. A bit all over the place but maybe it is just me as not a fan of Jazz music.

C.

Nice staff. Awesome music. Tues special pizza pasta $14.95 I think, I had pasta it was beautiful

D.

Fantastic pizza and live band👍👍👍

M.

Went here for dinner tonight and can't rate the place, staff and food enough! Highly recommend Downbeat for a great place to go, thanks team

S.

Great pizza, good beer, friendly staff

G.

Downbeat is a welcome arrival on the Orewa waterfront, appearing last year featuring live jazz - a great cultural asset for the coast. It is a bar/restaurant/live venue with internal seating for about 60 ( my estimate) and additional streetside seating for about another 20-30. The menu features is simple - we have chosen pizzas on both occasions and have had no regrets. In fact on the last visit we got the seafood pizza and we were blown away - beautiful light base and great topping - truly excellent pizza. The band playing was putting out some really cool sounds - if you like jazz, Downbeat delivers. So...why not 5 out of 5...? Service, though polite has been disorganised on both occasions. They seem to need a front of house manager to train staff and get consistent service standards that match the quality of the pizzas and the acts that feature. That said, we were able get things sorted pretty quickly and all the staff are nice people. Enjoy a surprising touch of cosmopolitan culture on the Orewa waterfront - it should be a good experience.

R.

Great food. Recommend the small plates, if you are still hungry sample another small. It's a good way to check out their food. My wife and I do this and sample each others plates. You won't be disappointed.

A.

For pizza prices they need much more topping.. The young waitresses haven't got a clue about customer service with a smile.... but my friend enjoyed her fish and chips...

s.

Great vibe , excellent food and super efficient staff , We look forward to visinting again soon

M.

Great bar/restaurant with beautiful views of the Beach adjacent. Beautiful tasting food. Other than waiting 10 minutes for our food, not too fussed as it was a Mothers day. Amazing experience nonetheless

R.

Fantastic place. Great atmosphere, excellent service.The pizzas are delicious. Have seen several live bands here they have all been wonderful. Highly recommended for a night out or great on Sunday afternoons.

S.

Nice food, good service and a great atmosphere with the live music

D.

We sat outside and ordered tiger prawns. The prawns were ok but the accompanying rice was a suprise and really good. Extra notes on the second visit 9 months later. We ordered Ravioli and Scallop. It took 30 minutes to arrive. The ravioli was flat and had hardly any filling in them. Some ravioli had no filling at all. There were 3 tiny scallops. Downgrading from 4 stars to 2.5 as a result.

R.

Great food and friendly service - the $20 special including beer is a great winter addition and the pasta choices are excellent. Definitely recommend this place.

D.

4 of us went there sat night, place was nearly full. Good sized portions and food was lovely. Good friendly service. Great atmosphere. Really enjoyed it.

P.

Delicious good nice staff. Need to learn to make Lemon lime and bitters. I had to go to the bar and ask for the bitters bottle do I could add more to our glasses...that was a first but enjoyed the overall experience

L.

Fantastic place. Went here on a Saturday for lunch. The duck was great. Awesome music too!

R.

Friendly and attentive service although a little clumsy -the server spilt some water from the hand bowl into our cocktail jug and didnt replace it. Another also dropped some food debris on me by accident. Food is very reasonably priced and delicious- ribs, pork belly, prawns and cajun salad were all tasty and well cooked. Mussels were a little underseasoned and there a few beards left on.

N.

Is a lovely place. Best fishnchips I've had but is rather expensive considering what you get. Also the beverages offered with the lunch deal are the same price as the other drinks but you can only have what they say unless you pay an extra amount. Don't see how that works lol.

T.

Went to 'Downbeat' yesterday. Fantastic waitress. Entrées🤗. My friend didn't do🥗 I had some. I am sick. Probably a coincidence

S.

Fantastic food and great service. Staff are very friendly. Will definitely be going back.

S.

Decided to come here for our first escape from lockdown. Food is great as always, and the staff are lovely. We will definitely be going back.

L.

We had a really lovely evening here with friends. Food was lovely and the, atmosphere was relaxed and laid back. We had a pavement table on a gorgeous warm evening. We will be back 😊

M.

Just wanted to say thanks to every one a Downbeat for a great night tonight - what a treat, Catlin Smith and her band were superb. What a voice. Thoroughly enjoyed it - carry on bringing this great music to Orewa's cultural desert, pleeeaase!

L.

Amazing staff. Amazing atmosphere. Totally recommend popping in if you ever get a chance

M.

I loved this restaurant, amazing service, good lunch food but most importantly they had my favorite beer which was the Hawkes Bay Independent IPA. The waitress got a tip for her excellent service :)

M.

Loved the live Jazz. Very accommodating staff found us a table even though we hadn't booked. Pizza yum and ribs exceptionally delicious!

C.

Lovely ambience and meals frequented by the locals and situated just across from Orewa beach reserve is a favorite. Jazz and live entertainment is an added attraction most weeks.

N.

We had heard great things about this venue. The food was OK but not great. I think it would be a good night out for a beer on their has nights.

P.

Great food and such wonderful service. The waiter picked up that we were in a rush and went above and beyond to get us out the door in time.

A.

Food and music was really good, service out of the kitchen was good. Let down by the service from the bar. Ordered a beer and mains, the food arrived and 10mins later the tap beer.

K.

Awesome 👌food , excelent service , great atmosphere

E.

Great music there tonight from the trio and pleasant atmosphere. My squid entrée very nice, my friend's duck salad looked appetising but seemed to missing the duck so rather disappointing for her.

K.

This place is ok. Certainly not bad and for me didn't offer a huge amount. Food was pretty good and is your fairly standard pub grub.

M.

Its the happy hour 4-6pm as well as the service that makes it my new favourite place

T.

Great Comedy night. Delicious meals. Thank you again Ross and Downbeat for a fantastic evening.

S.

Best Pizza in Orewa

S.

Love the atmosphere, love the staff, food ok but will go back..again - it's jazz baby

G.

Good food and good music. A little loud but adds to the ambience. Want to try something different? This is the place. Great cocktails as well.:-) :-)

A.

A wonderful place, yummy food, great cocktails and the owner and Starr are absolutely lovely 😊

L.

Had a lovely lunch there today. We had 3 different meals and all were superb. Will definitely go again

B.

Can't beat a big steak and fries for 17.50 (Wednesday special)

A.

Amazing food and amazing staff so attentive and quick

G.

Loved the lamb. Compliments to the chef!! Maitre de was welcoming . Not been out to orewa for a while but definitely come again.

J.

Just ok food, probably good for the music, my meal took a long time to come out, couple who ordered after me finished their meal while I started

P.

Great place, really good food & cocktails

L.

Yummy food and great service.

B.

Went to downbeat last night and loved my dinner which was pork belly but most of all I loved the jazz band. I cant wait to go back

M.

Love this olace, good setting, and wonderful service,, love to be their when they have music , and I will

C.

Found this little gem after walking the boulevard. Had a nice drink while listening to the band. Think we'll bring the whole whānau next time.

A.

Nice place . Some food great

J.

Casual, relaxed jazz bar opposite beautiful Orewa Beach. Great menu and excellent service

S.

Really delicious food, and a great environment

L.

Great food,great service, relaxing atmosphere, nice music.

R.

Excellect evening!!!, with close friends and family for hubby surprise birthday ...what an enjoyable evening. Everyone had a good time, yummy food and excellent service.

J.

We had the Tuesday night pizza offer. The pizza was delicious & it was a very reasonably priced night out.

E.

Absolutely A1. Food just beautiful. Attention great without being busybody. Cant recommend it high enough. Thanks Downbeat. 😊🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

B.

Fantastic food at an excellent location; friendly, helpful staff, alfresco dining

D.

Food was fab. Very tasty. Band was far to all consuming couldn't hold a conversation without yelling.

r.

Attended a party at this location music was jaz type really good food was excellent service good and then a live band great night.

d.

Amazing food never dissapointed and top service 😍

S.

Fantastic food and service as always!

R.

We celebrate our daughters 40th at Downbeat on Saturday & were very happy with the service & food would recommend this to friends & family

J.

Excellent food and service. Loved it and will be visiting soon

J.

Liked the food my wife had a fish taco my daughter a steak and I a lonely pizza the host was great.

L.

Great menu food atmosphere and service

S.

Nice buzzing place on Friday evening but music quite loud. Great if you only want to listen but not if you want to talk.

R.

Great atmosphere, great food and excellent music!

A.

Great atmosphere, delicious food and awesome milkshakes! And the Jazz is lovely too

F.

Lunch, excellent food and service. Adhering to pandemic rules, clean and relaxing.

T.

We were there Friday early evening, great live music.

N.

Great host and staff. Great food. And love the decor!

J.

Really good food! And the staff did a great job!

D.

Very popular. Nice friendly service. Good food.

T.

Great food. Service is great. Good vibes

I.

Nice meal and atmosphere

V.

Excellent food..excellent service...waitress is very nice n owner very nice n very welcoming...

D.

Wow had a great afternoon watching Elvis, Cher and Austin Powers..x

P.

Great if you dig Jazz. Good atmosphere. Limited VEGETARIAN options on menue.

T.

Excellent food and service. Great weekly jazz gigs.

B.

AWESOME Perfect, Super music, food, service. Just go and enjoy! :-0

S.

Great food, service and ambience.

J.

Great food and lovely service

R.

Good food and service with live music jazz great place.

S.

Delicious food, and a lovely atmosphere with the piano tinkling away in the background.

M.

The live jazz was cool, decent drinks nice atmosphere. Yeah.

S.

Amazing lamb...best I've ever had... bad news for the lamb...great news for me...Will definitely go back there.

L.

Chilled atmosphere, good service and interesting menu

M.

Great atmosphere with the live music and fast service.

F.

Live music here us awesome especially when it comes to Jazz nights!

G.

Friendly and efficient staff. Great food

J.

Very friendly and good Food,

T.

Great food, excellent beer and great music

R.

Great atmosphere jazz and friendly staff day and night.

B.

Loved it great food great hospitality

C.

Did not have tea or coffee facilities for one of our party. Slow service

S.

Great food (and house Pinot Noir was decent)

I.

Service not great and a bit crammed but atmosphere on a whole is good

H.

Amazing music and amazing food and drink definitely going back

V.

Jazzy night every Friday. Awesome food.

L.

Loved it. Great value awesome food

M.

Great vibe, fantastic food and lovely staff.

B.

Nice food and great atmosphere.

C.

Good service reasonable prices and tasty meal.

S.

Continuous quality NZ jazz, excellent food, beautiful location in Orewa!

D.

Great food great vibe live the life music

g.

Very busy.. Live music🎶.. Good chatting...nice environment 😊

A.

Nice place, good atmosphere, friendly service.

J.

Nice food, nice atmosphere. Music a bit loud.

P.

Excellent lunch. Would definitely go back.

C.

Outstanding food and wine delivered with a smile ;-)

r.

Sunday afternoon music so-so and tap beer expensive

G.

Nice food, good vibe, cool sax.

J.

Much better now that they have changed their menu

O.

Best place on the Coast! Best Food on the Coast! Best music on the Coast!

S.

Lovely food good service.

R.

Great food and service 😊

C.

Great food and awesome staff

d.

Great , place , great service and food, Relaxing and entertaining.

T.

Lovely food and good prices

j.

Where you can get the best Pizzas in Orewa

T.

Great experience. I can recommend the ribs.

s.

Friendly staff, great pizza

7.

Good food & excellent service

d.

Great music great food.

S.

Lovely food and lovely staff

A.

Great tonight, staff happy so patrons happy

D.

Service could of been better no oomph

t.

Best pizzas in town

C.

Beers good. Food is meh

n.

Good food nice atmosphere

J.

Great jazz Friday night

N.

Good coffee. Relaxing atmosphere

S.

Great lunchtime offers

A.

Good service in nice surroundings.

J.

Awrsome food and service

R.

Lovely friendly people going the extra mile thanks

M.

Good food good atmosphere

R.

Good vibe on a Friday night

T.

Great food and a great vibe

s.

Different ambience ...nice one to go

M.

Great food

T.

Comfy, cosy place to sit.

C.

Awesome food and drinks

R.

Great food and service

M.

The schnitzel was excellent!

M.

Great food and service

d.

All good

C.

Nice food owners a dweeb

R.

Very chilled relaxing place

N.

Good food

t.

Good choice of food.

L.

Nice cocktails!

W.

Fantastic best place in orewa

P.

Music and food great

R.

On yf

J.

Excellent. Thank you

G.

Great friendly staff

L.

Great jazz

M.

Great atmosphere.

C.

Great food

B.

Great

N.

Delicious breakfast

R.

Great atmosphere

k.

Great atmosphere

L.

Fantastic atmosphere

R.

Just coffee

J.

Live music

Z.

Friendly staff.

A.

Good location

P.

Good food and music. The music was not live but it was good. Live on Sundays I think. Would go back again.

W.

(Translated) Delicious! Nice service, but after half past eight like dead! (Original) Lecker! Netter Service, aber nach halb neun wie tot!

T.

(Translated) Too loud music, (Original) For høj musik,

J.

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