Richard Holmes

Food

A word of advice: come hungry. Come looking for generous portions of sticky-fingered, lip-licking juicy grills. Come for the insane range of milkshakes. And come here ready to make choices.

For starters, you’ll need to choose between ribs, steaks or burgers. There are salads and starters, but they’re mere sideshows here. The choice of beef, pork and lamb ribs will certainly tempt, as will the prime cuts of steak.

But it’s char-grilled burgers that made Gibson’s famous, and there are no easy choices here, either. Gibson’s offers its burgers in two sizes: 200g regular or 160g small. Then those burgers come in 49 different varieties – yes, 49 – so you certainly can’t say there isn’t even one that tempts you.

Alongside the standard beef burger options – Philly Cheese being a safe bet – and vegan or vegetarian options, the standouts here are the Gourmet Burgers. Like the towering The Ultimate burger with beef, chicken and bacon, or the Mex-Tex stuffed with cheese, guacamole and nachos. The combo may be crazy, but the basics are done well here: brioche bun with a quality handmade patty cooked to medium.

For dessert? A(nother) milkshake is your best bet, but you’ll also find chocolate brownies, sundaes and New York cheesecake to fill any gaps.

Drinks

The signature sip here is the milkshakes, and any of the 200+ flavours and styles will make a perfect partner to the generous burgers and ribs. There are liqueur-rich adult versions, vegan options and health choices available too. Extra marks to Gibson’s for the use of paper straws. The extensive wine list is focused on the big-name brands, but it’s fairly priced and offers a good selection by the glass. The craft beers are more adventurous, with a range of local breweries in the fridge, and a half-dozen on tap.

Service

Waiters handle the constant Waterfront bustle with ease and a smile.

Ambience

The indoor section of this sizeable restaurant has a vaguely retro-industrial feel, but it’s looking a little dated. Rather bag a table on the terrace with fine views over the harbour.

Best for…

Family dinners or shopping excursions.

(August 2019)

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.