Thar and Feather

About Thar and Feather

Thar & Feather Restaurant offers a warm, relaxed dining experience rooted in classic Southern hospitality. Situated in Invercargill right alongside the Southland Sports Bar, it provides an inviting space to settle in for honest, hearty comfort food crafted with quality ingredients and generous portions.

The restaurant is well suited for all seasons, featuring a cosy open fire to warm up by during cooler winter months and an outdoor courtyard for unwinding on long summer evenings. Whether gathering for a family dinner, an evening meal with friends, or catching sports on the big screen next door, guests are treated to friendly service where everyone is welcomed like a guest rather than just a customer.

Hearty Southern Comfort Food and Warm Hospitality at Thar & Feather

Located on the corner of McQuarrie Street and Elles Road in Invercargill, Thar & Feather Restaurant has built a reputation among locals and visitors alike for serving generous, honest Southern comfort food. Operating under the guiding philosophy of "Never a customer. Always a guest," the establishment focuses on pairing genuine hospitality with full-flavoured plates that feel like home.

The venue offers a relaxed setting adapted for all seasons. During winter, guests can dine cosily near the roaring open indoor fire, while during long summer evenings, an outdoor courtyard provides a comfortable spot to unwind with a drink or meal.

Generous Southern Flavours and Hearty Classics

The kitchen at Thar & Feather focuses on approachable, satisfying cooking with ample portions. A signature opener on the menu is the famous Southern Chowder, a rich and velvety seafood medley served alongside warm garlic butter toast and lemon wedges. Other popular starters include tender buttermilk fried chicken with honey mustard dressing and crisp salt and pepper squid paired with house-made herb slaw.

Mains lean heavily into hearty regional staples. Steak lovers gravitate towards the grilled 250g porterhouse steak, cooked to preference and served alongside fried eggs, garlic-roasted potatoes, and peppercorn sauce. Local seafood features prominently through pan-roasted butter fish and crisp beer-battered green bone fillets served as traditional fish and chips. Those seeking slow-cooked comforts can enjoy tender braised lamb shoulder on seeded mustard mash or venison sausages served with peas and caramelised onion gravy for a distinctive southern take on bangers and mash.

To round off the meal, the dessert card covers homestyle favourites such as warm sticky date pudding topped with rich butterscotch sauce, homestyle rhubarb and apple crumble, and a molten chocolate fondant served with berry compote and whipped cream.

A Complete Night Out with Southland Sports Bar

Directly adjoining the restaurant is the Southland Sports Bar and TAB, creating a seamless space for a complete evening out. Patrons can enjoy a relaxed sit-down dinner in the dining room before moving next door to catch sporting events on the big screen or play a round of pool. The sports bar operates daily from 11:00 am until late, serving draft beers on tap with an authentic local tavern atmosphere.

Community convenience is central to the venue's service, which includes an on-demand courtesy coach to help transport diners safely to and from the premises. Takeaway delivery is also supported across the local area via Delivereasy, ensuring its hearty menu items can easily be enjoyed at home.

Signature items

• Southern Chowder
• Porterhouse Steak
• Braised Lamb
• Butter Fish
• Bangers and Mash
• Sticky Date

Menu

Mains

• Porterhouse Steak — A grilled 250g porterhouse steak cooked to order, served with garlic roasted potatoes, fried eggs, and rich peppercorn sauce (GF).
• Roast Pork — Tender roasted pork served with golden roasted vegetables, garden peas, and rich gravy (GF).
• Braised Lamb — Slow-cooked lamb shoulder served with creamy seeded mash, roasted pumpkin, and rich flavoursome jus (GF).
• Fish & Chips — Crisp beer-battered green bone fillets served with golden fries, fresh herb slaw, lemon, and tartare sauce.
• Roast Chicken — Tender herb-roasted chicken leg accompanied by garlic roasted potatoes, seasonal greens, and savoury jus (GF).
• Chicken Fettuccine — Fettuccine tossed with smoked chicken, crispy bacon, and onion in a creamy garlic sauce.
• Butter Fish — Pan-roasted butter fish with seeded mustard mash, seasonal greens, creamy garlic sauce, and fresh lemon (GF).
• Mushroom Risotto — Creamy risotto with mushrooms, onion, spinach, and parmesan.
• Prawn Linguine — Linguine tossed with prawn in a chili and garlic sauce, finished with spinach and fresh lemon.
• Bangers and Mash — Venison sausages on creamy mash, served with garden peas, caramelised onions, and savoury gravy.
• Crumbed Chicken Salad — Crispy crumbed buttermilk chicken on fresh salad with croutons, creamy brie, cherry tomatoes, and honey mustard dressing (GF).

Extras

• Gravy — Rich savoury gravy.
• Peppercorn Sauce — Creamy cracked peppercorn sauce.
• Mustard Mash — Creamy mashed potatoes with seeded mustard.
• Garlic Roasted Spud — Roast potatoes seasoned with garlic.
• Beer Battered Fries — Crisp beer-battered potato fries.
• House Fries — Crispy classic fries.
• Fried Mushrooms — Sautéed whole mushrooms.
• Egg x 2 — Two eggs cooked to order.

Desserts

• Sticky Date — Warm sticky date pudding drizzled with butterscotch sauce, served with vanilla bean ice cream.
• Lemon Meringue — Tangy lemon curd topped with golden meringue, served with vanilla ice cream.
• Chocolate Fondant — Molten chocolate cake with a soft gooey centre, paired with berry compote and whipped cream.
• Rhubarb Crumble — Homestyle rhubarb and apple topped with golden crumble, served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream (GFO).
• Classic Sundae — Ice cream topped with golden crumble, served with vanilla ice cream and fresh whipped cream (GFO).

EntréEs & Light Meals

• Southern Chowder — A rich, creamy seafood chowder served with lemon and warm garlic butter toast.
• Salt & Pepper Squid — Crispy, golden squid seasoned with salt and cracked pepper, served with fresh herb slaw, lemon and garlic aioli (GFO).
• Fried Chicken — Tender chicken coated in crunchy buttermilk crumb, served with zesty pickled salsa and honey mustard dressing.
• Prawn Skewers — Battered prawns with a touch of chili, served on steamed rice and finished with creamy garlic sauce on the side (GFO).
• Garlic Loaf — Warm, crusty loaf served with garlic butter, ideal for sharing or as a starter.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Thar & Feather located?

Thar & Feather is located at the corner of McQuarrie Street & Elles Road in Invercargill, right alongside the Southland Sports Bar.

What are the opening hours for the restaurant?

Thar & Feather Restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and Thursday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Is there transport available to and from the venue?

Yes, a courtesy coach is available for patrons; simply ask one of the staff members for details.

Does Thar & Feather cater to dietary requirements?

Yes, the menu includes dishes marked as Gluten-Free (GF) or Gluten-Free Option available (GFO), such as the Braised Lamb, Porterhouse Steak, Salt & Pepper Squid, and Rhubarb Crumble.

Can meals be ordered for home delivery?

Yes, Thar & Feather offers local delivery through Delivereasy.

What facilities are next door at the sports bar?

The adjoining Southland Sports Bar and TAB features big screens for watching live sport, pool tables, and beers on tap, open 7 days from 11:00 am until late.

Tips

• {"body":"If you are planning an evening out or a couple of drinks at the bar, ask the staff about booking a ride on the venue's courtesy coach.","title":"Ask about the courtesy coach"}
• {"body":"The creamy seafood chowder served with warm garlic butter toast is a house specialty that locals consistently recommend.","title":"Start with the Southern Chowder"}
• {"body":"Because Thar & Feather sits directly alongside the Southland Sports Bar, you can book dinner before catching sports matches on the big screens next door.","title":"Combine dinner with the big game"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu available alongside a welcoming restaurant environment.","dietary":"Gluten-free (GF) and gluten-free option (GFO) dishes clearly indicated across entrees, mains, and desserts.","accessibility":"Courtesy coach service available for transport."}