Madeira Hotel

About Madeira Hotel

The Madeira Hotel sits on Rue Lavaud, the main street running through the heart of Akaroa, and bills itself simply as your local — a pub, restaurant and bottle store in one. Its pitch is refreshingly uncomplicated: good food, cold drinks and great vibes, whether you're off the harbour for the afternoon or a regular catching the game.

The kitchen leans on the town's natural strengths. Fresh locally caught fish features across the menu, from a creamy seafood chowder packed with Akaroa salmon, mussels, shrimp and squid to crispy-skin Akaroa salmon and a daily pan-seared fish. Steaks are a point of pride — the 300gm ribeye is boldly called the best in Akaroa — and the team claims the best burgers in town too: house-made beef patties in brioche buns, with gluten-free buns available, plus a halloumi-and-mushroom veggie option.

Beyond the plate, the Madeira is known for its sunny beer garden, where four-legged friends are welcome, and for sports nights with live-streamed games on the big screen. It also hosts functions of all kinds — birthdays, stag and hen dos, reunions — with spaces bookable for groups. The pub runs from midday until late, with the restaurant and on-site bottle store serving from midday to 9pm.

Madeira Hotel: Akaroa's Local Pub for Burgers, Fresh Fish and Cold Drinks

On the main street of Akaroa, where Rue Lavaud runs through the heart of the harbour town, the Madeira Hotel does the simple things well: good food, cold drinks and great vibes. It's a pub, a restaurant and a bottle store in one — the kind of local where holidaymakers and regulars end up in the same room, and where the beer garden fills with sunshine (and well-behaved dogs) on a fine Banks Peninsula afternoon.

The kitchen's pride is easy to summarise: the team reckons they pour the best burgers in Akaroa, serve fresh locally caught fish and cook their steaks to perfection. Read through the menu and those don't sound like empty words — the offering spans small plates, gastropub mains, house-made burgers, salads, desserts and a dedicated kids menu.

From the Harbour to the Table

Akaroa's seafood is the natural anchor. The creamy seafood chowder is loaded with Akaroa salmon, mussels, fresh fish, shrimp and squid. The pan-seared fish of the day comes seared in sauvignon thyme butter with seasonal greens and almonds over creamy mash, and the crispy-skin Akaroa salmon arrives on potato gratin with a creamy caper sauce. A full kilo of steamed mussels in garlic and chilli coconut cream is made for sharing — or not.

Carnivores are looked after too. The 300gm ribeye — boldly billed as the best steak in Akaroa — comes with your choice of garlic butter, peppercorn or mushroom sauce, garden salad and fries. There's rosemary and garlic marinated lamb rump served medium, panko-crumbed Fishermans Bay beef schnitzel, pork ribs in house-made BBQ sauce, and honest bangers and mash with gravy and mushy peas.

Then there are the burgers: house-made beef patties seasoned to perfection and tucked into brioche buns (gluten-free buns available), always with fries. The Classic Beef stacks cheese, lettuce, tomato and a proper Kiwi beetroot relish; the BBQ Bacon and Pulled Pork burgers both lean on the house milk stout BBQ sauce; and a fried chicken burger, beer-battered fried fish burger, blue cheese burger and halloumi-and-mushroom veggie burger round out the line-up. Lighter eaters have the goat cheese Madeira Salad and a seared lamb salad with kumara and halloumi.

Beer Garden, Big Screens and Group Bookings

The sunny beer garden is one of the Madeira's calling cards — and your four-legged friend is welcome along for the fun. Sports nights turn the big screen into the centre of attention, with live-streamed games, cold beer and plenty of cheering for your favourite team. Regulars are advised to make a reservation to get the best spot in the house.

The Madeira also hosts functions of every kind: birthday parties, stag and hen dos, reunions with friends — groups of all types can book a space. And when the kitchen winds down, the late-night snack menu keeps things ticking over with fries, curly fries, wedges, a snack basket and a seafood basket.

Sweet finishes range from a warm homemade chocolate brownie and apple & rhubarb crumble to New York lemon cheesecake, crème brulée, an Irish coffee or a classic espresso martini.

The Practical Bits

The pub opens from midday until late; the restaurant and the on-site bottle store serve from midday until 9pm. Reservations are worth making ahead — especially on sports nights, for functions, or in the height of summer when Akaroa fills up. You'll find the Madeira at 48 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520; call 03 304 7009 or email info@madeirapub.co.nz.

Whether you're visiting for a few hours, staying the weekend, or a local after fish and chips and a cold one, the Madeira keeps it uncomplicated: fresh local produce, generous plates, a sunny spot outside and a big screen for the game. That's what being your local in Akaroa is all about.

Signature items

• 300gm Ribeye Steak
• Seafood Chowder
• Classic Beef Burger
• Fish & Chips
• Akaroa Salmon
• Mad Nachos

Menu

Mains

• Pan Seared Fish of the Day — Seared in sauvignon thyme butter with seasonal greens and almonds on creamy mash; blue cod option.
• Fish & Chips — Fresh beer-battered fish with garden salad and fries; blue cod option.
• Akaroa Salmon — Crispy skin fillet on potato gratin with steamed vegetables and creamy caper sauce.
• Lamb Rump — Rosemary and garlic marinated lamb, served medium with mash, roasted baby vegetables and mint jus.
• Steamed Mussels — A one kilo serve in a garlic and chilli coconut cream sauce.
• Bangers & Mash — Beef sausages with mash, gravy and mushy peas.
• 300gm Ribeye Steak — Choice of garlic butter, peppercorn or mushroom sauce, with garden salad and fries.
• Pork Ribs — Marinated in house-made BBQ sauce, with ranch slaw and fries.
• Beef Schnitzel — Fishermans Bay beef, panko crumbed and fried, with fries and a sauce of your choice.
• Pasta of the Day — Ask at the bar for the weekly specials menu.
• Madeira Salad — Mesclun with goat cheese, cranberry, roasted almonds and seeds in honey mustard balsamic; optional chicken, halloumi or prawns.
• Lamb Salad — Herb and garlic rubbed seared lamb over mesclun, roasted kumara and halloumi with pesto dressing.

Burgers

• Classic Beef Burger — Cheese, lettuce, tomato and a classic Kiwi beetroot relish.
• BBQ Bacon Burger — Crispy bacon, milk stout BBQ sauce, cheese, lettuce and pickles.
• Blue Cheese Burger — Caramelised onion jam, blue cheese, lettuce and mayo.
• Fried Chicken Burger — House seasoned crispy fried chicken with cheese, tomato and American mustard mayo.
• Pulled Pork Burger — Pork marinated in milk stout BBQ sauce with ranch slaw.
• Fried Fish Burger — Beer-battered fish of the day with pickled red onion, tomato, lettuce and lemon aioli.
• Veggie Burger — Grilled halloumi, mushroom, tomato, lettuce, cheese and caramelised onion jam.

Dessert

• Chocolate Brownie — Warm homemade brownie with berry coulis, ice cream and cream.
• Apple & Rhubarb Crumble — Warm and homely, served with French vanilla ice cream.
• New York Cheesecake — Baked lemon cheesecake with berry compote and fresh cream.
• Crème Brulée — Classic brulée served with a mixed berry sorbet.
• Ice Cream Sundae — French vanilla ice cream with chocolate, caramel or strawberry sauce.
• Irish Coffee — Available with Jameson, Galliano Amaretto or Frangelico.
• Affogato — Espresso over French vanilla ice cream with your choice of liqueur.
• Espresso Martini — Classic espresso martini with vodka and coffee liqueur.

Kids Menu

• Chicken Nuggets & Chips — Served with tomato sauce.
• Cheese Burger & Chips — Beef pattie, cheese, lettuce and tomato sauce.
• Fish & Chips — Fresh caught fish served with tartare sauce.
• Kids Bolognese — Bolognese with pasta and cheese.
• Kids Nachos — Beef mince, cheese and sour cream.
• Kids Sundae — Ice cream with chocolate, strawberry or caramel sauce.

Small Plates

• Chicken Wings — Crispy deep fried chicken with BBQ or spicy chilli sauce on the side.
• Salt & Pepper Squid — Lightly crumbed and deep fried, served with lemon aioli.
• Soup of the Day — Freshly made soup served with toasted sourdough bread.
• Garlic Bread — A garlic bread baton — simple and tasty.
• Beef Sliders — Pickled beef, slaw, baby gherkin and mustard mayo in a buttermilk bun.
• Baked Brie — Rosemary and garlic studded brie with cranberry sauce and onion jam.
• Chicken Waffles — House seasoned chicken breast on a Belgian waffle topped with maple syrup.
• Mad Nachos — Homemade guacamole, sour cream and fresh salsa; beef or vegetarian.
• Seafood Chowder — Creamy chowder of Akaroa salmon, mussels, fresh fish, shrimp and squid.

Late Night Snacks

• Fries — Served with aioli.
• Curly Fries — Served with aioli.
• Wedges — Served with sour cream.
• Snack Basket — Spring rolls, onion rings, nuggets and samosas with fries.
• Seafood Basket — Prawn twisters, fish bites and calamari rings with fries.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Madeira Hotel take reservations?

Yes. Reservations are recommended — especially for sports nights, functions or busy holiday periods. Book online or call 03 304 7009.

Is the Madeira dog-friendly?

Yes, well-behaved four-legged friends are welcome in the sunny beer garden.

What are the opening hours?

The pub runs from midday until late; the restaurant and bottle store are open from midday to 9pm.

Are there gluten-free options?

Yes — gluten-free buns are available for any of the house-made burgers.

Can I host a function there?

Yes. The Madeira hosts birthday parties, stag and hen dos and reunions — enquire through the reservations page to book a space.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes — chicken nuggets, a cheeseburger, fish and chips, bolognese, kids nachos and a sundae for dessert.

Do they show live sport?

Yes, sports nights feature live-streamed games on the big screen, with reservations advised for the best spot.

Tips

• {"body":"Reserve your spot to get the best seat in the house when the big games are live-streamed on the big screen.","title":"Book ahead for sports night"}
• {"body":"The sunny beer garden is four-legged-friend friendly — perfect for a relaxed afternoon.","title":"Bring the dog"}
• {"body":"Pasta of the Day and weekly specials are announced at the bar, so it pays to ask.","title":"Ask at the bar about specials"}
• {"body":"Fries, wedges and snack or seafood baskets are on hand for later in the evening.","title":"Late-night bites"}
• {"body":"From hen dos to reunions, spaces can be booked for functions of all types.","title":"Plan a group celebration"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Dedicated kids menu with mains and sundaes.","dietary":"Gluten-free burger buns available; vegetarian options include the Veggie Burger and vegetarian nachos."}