CONTACT

49a Sharp Road
Matakana, 0982
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closed

Opening Hours

SUN 11:00am - 2:30pm
MON closed
TUE closed
WED closed
THU 11:30am - 1:30pm
FRI 11:30am - 1:30pm
  6:00pm - 7:30pm
SAT 11:00am - 2:30pm
  6:00pm - 7:30pm

The Details

Cuisine
  • Modern Kiwi
Need to Know
  • Degustation
  • Set Menu
  • Child Friendly
  • Function Space
  • Good for Groups
  • Great for Dates
  • Love the View
  • Outdoor Seating
Serving
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert

The Verdict

Nothing beats escaping to the countryside for a day, especially when there's wining and dining involved—can we get an amen? Enter Plume, the gorgeous vineyard restaurant located about an hour's drive north of Auckland amongst the glorious rolling hills of rural Matakana.

This picturesque spot has been dishing up the goods for a number of years now, during which time it's become a go-to destination for weddings, weekend lunches—you name it.

Bringing together Spanish, French and Italian-inspired wines made with grapes from the adjoining Runner Duck Estate vineyard, as well as another larger vineyard nearby (along with the odd outside drop from here and abroad), there's obviously plenty of top-notch vino to be had but make no mistake, the food here is just as glorious.

Head chef BJ Sebastian and his team are driven by a passion for local cuisine and fresh seasonal produce, which they've cleverly fused with global flavours and innovative methods like preserving, pickling and fermenting to bring you a fine-dining experience on par with many top restaurants.

No spot is more coveted at Plume than their sun-soaked outdoor patio, affording expansive, 180-degree views of the surrounding farmland, so pull up a seat and prepare to be pampered (but not before getting acquainted with some wine, of course—we recommend giving their wine flights, available in either red or white varietals, a whirl).

Start by grazing over juicy market oysters or a charcuterie board laden with meats and other treats, before moving on to some of this spot's sumptuous small plates. Think plump scallops dressed up in white asparagus, shitake mushrooms, onion dashi and lardo; and a housemade buckwheat cracker piled high with smoked beetroot, goat's curd and green gooseberry, washed down with tangy fermented beetroot juice (trust us, it's delicious).

Things get even more exciting with the mains. Case in point? The Kiwi Fish Catch, which comes drenched in a vibrant yellow curry-infused beurre blanc sauce, topped with thin, ragu-like strands of swede (and don't forget the chilli prawns, hiding cheekily at the bottom). This sure is a unique dish, and we love it.

If you want to try something a little less adventurous, but by no means less tasty, the Easterbrook Farm Duck Breast should do the trick (though having said that, this could very well be the first time you ever meet a Lion's Mane mushroom in the flesh). Pairing tender, crispy-skinned duck breast with a potato roulade, the aforementioned mushroom (often found in health supplements, but not often seen in Kiwi cooking) and a jug of buttermilk shoyu to bring it all together, your taste buds will be singing.

Finish up with a selection of locally-crafted treats from Honest Chocolat, or if room allows—their absolutely seamless take on the classic lemon tart (topped with miso Anglaise ice cream, no less), or coconut mille-feuille, featuring layers of whiskey-spiked, brandy snap-like biscuit sandwiched together with a creamy coconut filling, fermented grapes and fig leaf. Oof.

The only way this outing could possibly get any better is by grabbing a bottle of wine from Plume's cellar door, located at the entrance to the restaurant, on your way out.

Image credit: Plume Restaurant.