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Operating out of a pimped out goods shed, the place is right on the waterfront and has good views. The staff are friendly, attentive, and willing to offer their menu preferences, making for some really good service. Being right smack-bang in the middle of Wynyard Quarter means the place gets busy and buzzing. Especially on the weekends, after seven-ish, you’re guaranteed a good vibe.

The drinks menu is pretty comprehensive, with a range of interesting beers, wines and juices to try.  The prices aren’t too steep either, so you can have a good brew or two to accompany your meal. The dinner menu is bible length, so bring your reading glasses. Jack Tar’s has a good selection of tapas, called Jack’s Snacks. The fries come in a bucket with aioli, and they are good. The fish goujons and prawns are cooked in chilli garlic butter and the flavour is good. And the salt and pepper squid is my personal recommendation because it is really really good.

As well as shared plates, Jack Tar’s has burgers, pasta, pizza, salads (the mediterranean vege salad is pretty good) and your standard gastropub mains, (I’ve heard good things about the pork belly). By the time my dining partner and I got through this good spread we were food-coma-ing because the serving sizes are really good. We couldn’t pass up the lemon meringue for dessert though, so we tried it. It was good.

Jack Tar ticks all the boxes, and is consistently good. Except the view, if you’re dining al fresco. The view is great.