Where is the Cosmopolitan Hotel located?

The hotel is located at 136 Palmerston Street in Westport, directly opposite the historic Clocktower, Coaltown Museum, and Westport i-SITE.

What are the dining and bar opening hours?

The Cosmopolitan Hotel is open 7 days a week from 12:00 pm until close. Any variations to standard hours are posted to their Facebook page.

What type of food is served at The Cos?

The kitchen serves classic pub fare including steaks, mixed grills, burgers, seafood baskets, fish and chips, roast of the day, and local West Coast whitebait patties, as well as starters and desserts.

Can meals be ordered for takeaway?

Yes, all meals on the menu are available for takeaway, and orders are placed directly at the bar.

Are gluten-free or dietary options available?

Gluten-free options are available for select menu items such as steaks and open sandwiches. While the kitchen uses gluten-containing products and cannot guarantee 100% gluten-free preparation, staff can accommodate coeliac or other dietary needs if notified.

What accommodation facilities are available?

The hotel offers 10 serviced ensuite rooms, including single, twin, and queen room configurations with daily servicing, televisions, and tea and coffee facilities.

Does the hotel provide transport?

Yes, a courtesy shuttle is available for guest pick-ups and drop-offs.

Cosmopolitan Hotel

bar — Westport · Westport

About Cosmopolitan Hotel

The Cosmopolitan Hotel, known affectionately to locals as "The Cos," is a friendly, family-run establishment situated directly in the heart of Westport on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Owned and operated by hosts Jason and Debbie Poynter, the hotel provides a welcoming base for travellers, holidaymakers, and workers exploring the rugged Buller District.

Downstairs, The Cos features a bustling bar and restaurant serving hearty, classic pub fare in generous portions alongside local West Coast delicacies such as locally caught whitebait. Guests can enjoy a family-friendly meal in the separate dining room, catch sporting events across four big-screen televisions in the bar, unwind in the outdoor beer garden, or try the gaming machines.

Upstairs, the hotel offers 10 serviced accommodation rooms, each fitted with ensuite bathrooms, televisions, and tea and coffee facilities. Located directly across from Westport's historic Clocktower, the Coaltown Museum, and the Westport i-SITE, The Cosmopolitan Hotel combines central town convenience with classic West Coast hospitality.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel: Hearty Fare and Classic Hospitality in Westport

Standing prominently along Palmerston Street, the Cosmopolitan Hotel—fondly known to locals simply as “The Cos”—embodies the relaxed, unpretentious spirit of New Zealand's West Coast. Owned and operated by hosts Jason and Debbie Poynter, the hotel serves as both a lively community gathering place and a dependable haven for travellers journeying through the Buller District.

A Central Anchor in the Buller District

Positioned directly opposite Westport's historic Clocktower, the Coaltown Museum, and the Westport i-SITE visitor centre, The Cos puts guests within effortless walking distance of the town’s main amenities. Its location also makes it a natural staging ground for exploring the wider region. Visitors frequently use the hotel as a resting stop before embarking on coastal adventures, whether heading out to the Cape Foulwind seal colony, surfing the local breaks, exploring the Truman Track and Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, or trekking further north to the Oparara Arches in Karamea.

After a day negotiating the rugged coastline or highway passes, the hotel welcomes guests inside with warmth and comfort. Refurbished ensuite rooms upstairs provide straightforward, comfortable lodgings, while the ground-floor pub bustles with conversation between travellers and long-time residents.

Classic Pub Dining and Coastal Specialties

At the heart of the establishment is its extensive food menu, built around generous portions and traditional pub cooking. The kitchen focuses on hearty comfort food that satisfies after a long day outdoors. Local delicacies highlight the menu, none more celebrated than locally caught West Coast whitebait, served as traditional patties with seasonal salad, chips, lemon, and tartare sauce.

Steak lovers are catered for with substantial cuts including 300g rump, succulent ribeye, and 400g T-bones cooked to order. Classic favourites like the house Mixed Grill, sticky BBQ pork ribs, fresh fish and chips, and fisherman's baskets sit alongside stacked burgers, including the signature Cos Burger loaded with beetroot, egg, bacon, and classic fixings. For those seeking lighter bites, the kitchen turns out loaded wedges, hot soups with garlic bread, nachos, and Cajun chicken salads, followed by nostalgic desserts like warm homemade apple pie, chocolate brownie with poached berries, and classic Kiwi pavlova.

Community Spaces and Everyday Comfort

The layout of The Cos accommodates both quiet family dinners and social evenings out. A dedicated dining room offers a relaxed environment suited for groups and family meals. Next door, the main bar features four big-screen televisions broadcasting live sporting events, a selection of gaming machines, and access to an outdoor beer garden. With Friday evening happy hours, daily lunch and dinner service, and a local courtesy shuttle available for pick-ups and drop-offs, The Cosmopolitan Hotel remains a quintessential slice of Westport life.

Signature items

Whitebait Patties
The Cos Burger
Mixed Grill
Surf & Turf
Homemade Apple Pie
Pavlova

Whitebait — Locally caught whitebait served in patties with seasonal salad and chips, lemon, and tartare sauce.
Rump Steak 300g — Cooked to your liking, served with your choice of peppered or garlic sauce, chips, and salad or vegetables (gluten-free option available).
T-Bone 400g — Cooked to your liking, served with two eggs and chips.
Ribeye Steak 250g — Succulent steak served with a choice of peppered or garlic sauce, chips, and salad or vegetables.
Crumbed Scallops — Five crumbed scallops served with chips and salad.
Grilled Salmon — Served with white wine sauce, salad, and chips.
Blue Whiting Battered Fish — Battered blue whiting fillet served with salad, chips, lemon, and tartare sauce.
Battered Rig — Famous local favourite battered rig served with seasonal salad and chips.
Pan Fried Fish — Pan-fried fish of the day served with salad and chips or vegetables.
Mixed Grill — A hearty meal of steak, bacon, sausage, onions, tomato, eggs, and chips.
BBQ Pork Ribs — Served with a tangy, sticky BBQ sauce, chips, and salad.
Ham Steak — Traditional ham and pineapple served with chips and salad or vegetables.
Surf & Turf — 300g rump steak, battered blue whiting, three crumbed prawns, and three squid rings, served with chips.
Roast of the Day — Daily roast meat served with seasonal vegetables and gravy (when available).

Sides

Side Salad — Fresh seasonal side salad.
Cooked Vegetables — Portion of seasonal cooked vegetables.
Fried Egg — Single fried egg.
Mushroom Sauce — Rich mushroom sauce topping.
Mushrooms — Portion of sautéed mushrooms.
Sausage — Cooked sausage.
Onion Rings — Crispy battered onion rings.
Chips — Available as a small side or a basket of chips.
Wedges — Available as a small side or a basket of seasoned wedges.

Salads

Cajun Chicken Salad — Garden salad mix with feta, secret recipe dressing, and Cajun-spiced chicken (gluten-free option available).
Vegetarian Cajun Salad — Cajun sautéed vegetables served on a bed of seasonal salad topped with feta (or toasted pumpkin seeds).

Burgers

The Cos Burger — The works with beef patty, bacon, egg, beetroot, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. Served with chips.
Fish Burger — Battered fish, beetroot, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, tartare sauce, and lemon. Served with chips.
Chicken Burger — Chicken patty or fried chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. Served with chips.

Desserts

Pavlova — Classic Kiwi pavlova served with cream, ice cream, and passionfruit coulis.
Homemade Apple Pie — Warm homemade apple pie served with ice cream and whipped cream.
Chocolate Brownie — Rich chocolate brownie with poached berries, ice cream, and whipped cream.
Chocolate Mud Cake — Rich chocolate mud cake served with poached berries, ice cream, and cream.
Ice-Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and choice of chocolate, strawberry, or caramel topping (also available in kids size).

Platters

Party Platter — A range of fried food items, with platter sizes available to suit group size.

Hot Drinks

Tea — English breakfast or green tea.
Nespresso Coffee — Freshly brewed Nespresso coffee.
Hot Chocolate — Rich, warm hot chocolate.

Kids Meals

Battered Fish & Chips — Served with a small side salad.
Sausages & Chips — Served with a small side salad.
Chicken Nuggets & Chips — Served with a small side salad.
Mini Hotdogs and Chips — Served with a small side salad.

Light Meals

Nachos — Corn chips, spicy mince and beans, melted cheese topped with sour cream and sweet chilli (vegetarian option available).
Fisherman's Basket — Battered fish, crumbed squid ring, prawn cutlet, prawn twisters, and battered mussel. Served with chips, salad, lemon, and tartare.
Loaded Wedges — Seasoned wedges topped with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and sweet chilli.
Open Steak Sandwich — Strips of tender rump steak with onions, served on a crispy bun or ciabatta with seasonal salad and chips (gluten-free option available).
Open Chicken Sandwich — Strips of tender chicken breast sautéed in soy and honey, served on a crispy bun or ciabatta with seasonal salad and chips (gluten-free option available).
Salt & Pepper Squid — Tender squid seasoned with salt and pepper, served with salad and chips.

All Day Brekkie

All Day Brekkie — Bacon, eggs, sausage, toast, hash browns, and tomatoes.

Starters & Breads

Soup of the Day — Served with garlic bread.
Chilli Cheesy Garlic Bread — Toasted bread topped with chilli, melted cheese, and garlic.
Garlic Bread — Warm, toasted bread infused with garlic butter.
Bacon & Mushroom — Served on garlic bread (also available as a main served with chips).
Shrimp Cocktail — Shrimp with tangy seafood sauce, served on a bed of lettuce.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Cosmopolitan Hotel located?: The hotel is located at 136 Palmerston Street in Westport, directly opposite the historic Clocktower, Coaltown Museum, and Westport i-SITE.
What are the dining and bar opening hours?: The Cosmopolitan Hotel is open 7 days a week from 12:00 pm until close. Any variations to standard hours are posted to their Facebook page.
What type of food is served at The Cos?: The kitchen serves classic pub fare including steaks, mixed grills, burgers, seafood baskets, fish and chips, roast of the day, and local West Coast whitebait patties, as well as starters and desserts.
Can meals be ordered for takeaway?: Yes, all meals on the menu are available for takeaway, and orders are placed directly at the bar.
Are gluten-free or dietary options available?: Gluten-free options are available for select menu items such as steaks and open sandwiches. While the kitchen uses gluten-containing products and cannot guarantee 100% gluten-free preparation, staff can accommodate coeliac or other dietary needs if notified.
What accommodation facilities are available?: The hotel offers 10 serviced ensuite rooms, including single, twin, and queen room configurations with daily servicing, televisions, and tea and coffee facilities.
Does the hotel provide transport?: Yes, a courtesy shuttle is available for guest pick-ups and drop-offs.

Tips

{"body":"The West Coast is famous for whitebait; order the whitebait patties served with chips, salad, and tartare for an authentic local meal.","title":"Try the Local Whitebait"}
{"body":"Head into the main bar to watch sporting matches across the four big screens, or sit outside in the beer garden on sunny afternoons.","title":"Catch Live Sports or Relax in the Garden"}
{"body":"Stop by on Friday between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to enjoy the weekly happy hour atmosphere.","title":"Friday Happy Hour"}
{"body":"If you are dining or staying locally and need transport, contact the hotel to arrange a ride in their courtesy shuttle.","title":"Book the Courtesy Shuttle"}

Good to know

{"wifi":"Free Wi-Fi available for guests.","family":"Separate family and group dining room, plus a dedicated children's meal menu.","dietary":"Gluten-free meal options available; inform staff of allergies or coeliac requirements.","payments":"Order meals and pay directly at the bar."}