You never quite know what you're going to get at the Swiss Bistro.

The restaurant in Cathedral Junction is rated as one of the worst eateries in Christchurch on review website TripAdvisor.

The proprietor Georges Guisolan is likened in the reviews to Basil Fawlty of British comedy Fawlty Towers, a confrontational hotel owner who despises his guests.

It is listed number 492 of 614 restaurants in Christchurch, and number 553 of 682 'Places to Eat' in Christchurch.

Recent posts include: "Never made it to the door", "So sad and embarrassing to be treated like this", "It is difficult to comprehend that people like this actually exist".

Patrons reported being turned away for not meeting a dress code, because they had children, or for wanting to order coffee and dessert rather than a full meal.

Merrill Markiewicz of Michigan, USA visited Swiss Bistro on Christmas Day last year with her husband and said Guisolan was in the wrong business.

"The food was fine tasting, but I was so incredulous watching them turn away customer after customer. So bizarre and rude."

However, one visitor in May this year said they were made to feel "very welcome".

"We were greeted politely and really enjoyed our meal. The Chef proprietor Georges is a real character and is worth talking to if the cafe is quiet.

"The food we had was well cooked and presented, one of us had bratwurst and the other steak, all good. We don't understand the other recent reviews I suppose everyone is different."

When this reporter visited ahead of a night at the opera, I was stopped at the door by the owner and abruptly asked, "Did you look at the menu?" as he pointed to the stand outside.

Explaining that I just wanted to know their opening hours, he told me it's on the menu and ushered me out.

"Please don't come in here," he yelled.

Returning to the bistro a week later to offer Guisolan – and his wife Junko – an interview. To my surprise I was welcomed with a, "Table for one?" in a nice warm voice.

Guisolan refused to be interviewed, citing alleged problems with the media in the past.

Have you visited the Swiss Bistro ? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section below.