Good Union

About Good Union

Good Union is a bar and restaurant in Cambridge housed in a striking piece of local history - a former Presbyterian church built in 1898 by J Lye & Sons, designed by architect Mr E Bartley. The gothic-style kauri and rimu building originally seated 250 parishioners and was, in its day, the last public building in the district to be lit by acetylene gas. Over the decades it was extended, painted pink, converted into a retail and cafe space in the 1980s, and eventually sat untenanted from 2016 until new owners extensively restored and renovated it into Good Union.

Today the venue serves lunch and dinner menus built around burgers, pizzas, salads, platters and hearty mains, alongside its own house range of beers and ciders on tap - from a low-carb lager and pilsner to hazy IPAs and a stout - plus a tasting rack for those who want to sample a few. A dedicated kids menu covers under-12s, and a seniors set menu runs weekdays from 11am to 3pm. The kitchen also runs a specific Maadi Cup menu on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Beyond day-to-day dining, Good Union hosts functions in its historic space and sells gift cards, making it as much a venue for celebrations as a regular night out in Cambridge.

Good Union, Cambridge: Craft Beer and Modern Pub Food in a Restored 1898 Church

Good Union sits at 98 Victoria Street in Cambridge, inside one of the town's more unexpected buildings - a Presbyterian church built in 1898. Constructed by J Lye & Sons to a design by architect Mr E Bartley, it's a typical New Zealand gothic-style church built in kauri and rimu, originally comfortable enough to seat 250 parishioners. Notably, it was also the last public building in the district to be lit by acetylene gas, a small detail that hints at just how long this building has stood in Cambridge.

From Church to Cafe to Good Union

The building's history didn't stop at religious use. Over the years it was extended, and at one point painted pink before being converted into a retail and cafe space in the 1980s. It sat untenanted from 2016 until new owners took it on, extensively restoring and renovating the space to become Good Union - preserving the bones of the historic structure while giving it new life as a bar and restaurant.

What's on the Menu

Good Union's kitchen runs separate lunch and dinner menus, with a shared backbone of burgers, pizzas, salads and shareable platters. Dinner brings out heartier options like a 250g Scotch fillet, braised beef cheek, and a lamb pappardelle pasta, while lunch swaps in dishes like a bacon bagel, French toast, and a steak sandwich alongside the same burger and pizza lineup. Both menus include a Sample Platter and a Grazing Platter for sharing, and a spread of pizzas from a classic Margarita through to a Spiced Lamb with yoghurt sauce.

The kitchen also puts out a dedicated Maadi Cup menu on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, alongside the regular offering. For dessert, options run from an Apple & Rhubarb Crumble to a Basque Cheesecake with caramelised berry gel.

On Tap

Beer is clearly part of the identity here. Good Union pours its own house range - Baby Jesus Pale Ale, an Amber Ale, a low-carb lager, pilsner and stout, plus a run of hazy IPAs including Deckchair, Fog City and the 7.0% Haze of Glory. There's also a low-carb hazy IPA, two ciders, and a non-alcoholic ginger beer for anyone not drinking. If you can't decide, the tasting rack lets you sample five brews in one go.

Made for Groups and Families

A kids menu covers the under-12s with a Bento Box option, while a seniors set menu runs weekdays from 11am to 3pm. The historic church space also lends itself well to functions, and Good Union takes bookings for events directly by email.

With Good George amber ale battered fish on both the lunch and dinner menus, and a menu built around generous, shareable dishes, Good Union positions itself as an all-day option in Cambridge - somewhere to drop in for lunch, settle in for dinner, or book out the historic hall for a bigger occasion.

Visiting

Good Union is at 98 Victoria Street, Cambridge, Waikato. You can reach the team on 07 834 4040 or by email, and bookings can be made directly through the website.

Signature items

• Braised Beef Cheek
• George's Fish and Chips
• Cowboy Burger
• Grazing Platter
• Basque Cheesecake
• Haze of Glory Hazy IPA

Menu

Mains

• 250g Scotch — Served with potato mash, broccoli, baby carrots, jus
• George's Fish and Chips — Good George amber ale battered fish fillet, garden salad, fries, tartare sauce
• Chicken Breast — Creamy tuscan orzo, sundried tomatoes, olives, crispy prosciutto
• Market Fresh Fish — Chef's daily fish selection
• Lamb Pappardelle Pasta — Braised lamb, cherry tomatoes, spinach, parmesan, pappardelle
• Braised Beef Cheek — Potato mash, glazed baby carrots, yellow mustard jus

Sides

• Fries — Served with aioli
• Onion Rings — Beer battered, served with tomato sauce
• Seasonal Vegetables — Ask about today's selection
• Lettuce, Pear & Parmesan Salad — A fresh side salad

On Tap

• Baby Jesus Pale Ale — House pale ale, 2.9%
• Good Union Amber Ale — House amber ale, 3.7%
• Cheeky Ultra Low Carb Lager — Low carb lager, 4.2%
• Pilsner — House pilsner, 5.0%
• Stout — House stout, 5.0%
• Frankton Bright IPA — Bright IPA, 5.8%
• Deckchair Hazy Pale Ale — Hazy pale ale, 5.0%
• Social League Low Carb Hazy IPA — Low carb hazy IPA, 4.2%
• Fog City Hazy IPA — Hazy IPA, 5.8%
• Haze of Glory Hazy IPA — Hazy IPA, 7.0%
• Doris Plum Cider — Plum cider, 4.0%
• Extra Dry Apple Cider — Apple cider, 4.0%
• Talking Stick Ginger Beer — Non-alcoholic ginger beer, 0%
• Tasting Rack — Choice of 5 brews to sample

Pizzas

• Carnivore — Tomato base, chorizo sausage, pork belly, salami, bacon, bbq sauce
• Chicken Bianco — Garlic base, chicken, mushroom, oregano, red onion, aioli
• Margarita — Tomato base, cherry tomato, boccochini, basil pesto
• Spiced Lamb — Tomato base, spiced lamb mince, red onions, spinach, mozzarella, yoghurt sauce
• Pulled Pork — Tomato base, pulled pork, bacon jam, jalapenos, rocket, mozzarella

Salads

• Cumin Roasted Butternut & Chickpea Salad — Spinach, roasted red onion, herb mayonnaise, crispy chickpeas
• Crispy Halloumi Salad — Halloumi, roasted courgette, capsicum, eggplant, pearl cous cous, pomegranate, cos lettuce, lemon dressing
• Hippie Bowl — Spinach, pesto, tomato relish, roasted beetroot, mung beans, julienne carrot, pickled veg, feta, turmeric rice, boiled egg, edamame, crispy chickpeas, chilli sesame dressing

Burgers

• Cowboy — 180g angus beef patty, swiss cheese, bbq bacon jam, onion rings, cos lettuce, tomato, sweet pickle, ranch
• Cheeky Chook — Fried chicken, good slaw, korean hot sauce, kewpie mayo, kimchi
• Fish Burger — House-made tartare, cos lettuce, sliced tomato, swiss cheese
• BBQ Pulled Pork — Pulled pork, slaw, sweet pickle, aioli, bbq sauce, jalapeno, swiss cheese
• Vege Burger — Cauliflower and chickpea pattie, cos lettuce, tomato, herb aioli

Desserts

• Apple & Rhubarb Crumble — Hot custard, vanilla ice cream, salted caramel
• George's Baked Cookie — Vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, marshmallows
• Chocolate Brownie — Double chocolate brownie, chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream, raspberry sprinkle
• Basque Cheesecake — Caramelised berry gel, coconut yoghurt foam
• Sticky Date — Vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce, cookies and cream ice cream cone

Platters

• Sample Platter — Camembert bites, crispy calamari, pork belly, fried chicken, onion rings and fries
• Grazing Platter — Cured meats, house-made pickles, marinated olives, sundried tomato, cornichons, cheeses, crackers, fresh fruits, chilli roasted nuts, breads and dips

Lunch Specials

• Bacon Bagel — Crispy bacon, fried egg, sliced tomato, herb cream cheese, house-made tomato relish
• French Toast — Raspberry mascarpone, caramelised banana, caramel sauce, biscoff crumb, seasonal fruits
• BLT & Chips — Streaky bacon, toasted turkish bread, cos lettuce, tomato, aioli
• Fish & Chips Basket — Good George amber ale battered fish fillet, tartare sauce, lemon
• Steak Sandwich — 150g sirloin, rocket, mushroom sauce, roasted tomato

Smalls & Starters

• Soup of the Day — Served with sourdough
• Breads & Dips — Volare bread selection with house-made dips
• Jalapeno Poppers — Served with coriander and lime crema
• Fried Chicken — Marinated chicken tenderloins, pickled vegetables, sriracha mayo
• Crispy Pork Belly — Slaw, burnt apple puree, ginger caramel
• Crispy Fried Calamari — Served with wakame mayonnaise, sweet thai chilli and lemon pepper seasoning
• Vege Fritters — Cauliflower and chickpea fritters, mint chimichurri, spinach, pickled red onion

Kids Menu (Under 12)

• Bento Box — Choice of fried chicken, mac and cheese, beef slider or cheese pizza, served with fries, fresh fruit, carrots and cucumber

Frequently asked questions

Is Good Union really housed in an old church?

Yes. The building was constructed in 1898 as a Presbyterian church, later became a retail and cafe space in the 1980s, and was extensively restored to become Good Union after sitting untenanted from 2016.

Does Good Union have a kids menu?

Yes, a Bento Box option is available for under-12s, with a choice of fried chicken, mac and cheese, beef slider or cheese pizza, served with fries, fruit, carrots and cucumber.

Is there a seniors menu?

Yes, a seniors set menu runs Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm.

What is the Maadi Cup menu?

It's a specific menu served at Good Union on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, alongside the regular lunch and dinner offering.

Does Good Union brew its own beer?

Yes, a house range is on tap, including a pale ale, amber ale, lager, pilsner, stout and several hazy IPAs, plus ciders and a non-alcoholic ginger beer.

Are there vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options?

Yes, dishes are marked GF, DF, V or VE where applicable, and staff can advise on ingredients if you have allergies.

Can I book a function at Good Union?

Yes, functions can be booked by emailing the team, and the historic church setting is used as an event space.

Tips

• Ask about the Tasting Rack if you want to try five of the house beers in one sitting.
• The Maadi Cup menu runs Thursday to Saturday, alongside the regular lunch and dinner menus.
• Book ahead for functions - the historic church setting makes it a popular spot for events.
• Note the 1.9% surcharge on Paywave and credit card payments, and 15% on public holidays.
• If dining with young kids, the Bento Box on the kids menu covers a few different mains plus sides.

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu available for under-12s (Bento Box)","dietary":"Menu items are marked GF (gluten free), DF (dairy free), V (vegetarian) and VE (vegan); inform staff of allergies","payments":"Paywave and credit card payments incur a 1.9% surcharge; a 15% surcharge applies on public holidays"}