Food & Drink

The Best Restaurants In Napier, Hastings And Havelock North In Hawke’s Bay

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A delicious looking dish at Central Fire Station by kirsten.simcox.photography

Tell anyone you’re heading to Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay region for some R&R and they’ll be insanely jealous. Kiwis from all over the country know just how good the Bay is. With its world-class wineries, gorgeous Art Deco architecture, and delicious dining options, there’s never a bad time to visit Hawke’s Bay.

So, whether you’re a local looking to switch it up with a new dining spot or you're a visitor to this fine region, we’ve done the legwork and know our way around all the best establishments in the Bay.

Here are the best restaurants Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North aka the Hawke's Bay has to offer. 

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Best Brunch Spots In Napier

F.G. Smith Eatery 

9A Ossian Street, Ahuriri, Napier

An incredible looking brunch spread at F.G. Smith Eatery. Image credit: F.G. Smith Eatery by @_kate_underwood  | Instagram 

Kickstart your day with a stroll along the beach in Ahuriri and then stop in for breakfast at F.G. Smith Eatery. You’ll love it for its gorgeous interior, unpretentious vibes and next-level menu. If you’re a fan of savoury, try dishes like their hangover fried rice, or primal starter big breakfast. If you’re after something a bit sweeter, we can’t go past their coconut macadamia granola. It’s absolutely delicious.

Mister D 

47 Tennyson Street, Napier South, Napier

Mister D is one of the best brunch spots Napier has, period. This cosy establishment is known for its incredible coffee, hearty brunches, and indulgent doughnuts. Located on one of Napier’s main drags, it’s easy to locate and the perfect place to begin a day of exploring. With a rep for fresh, local produce, it’s clear they care about their food without being fussy.

Peak House

Te Mata Peak, Havelock North 

The gorgeous dining room with views to boot at Peak House. Image credit: Peak House  | Instagram 

Havelock North, Hastings and Napier restaurants are in a league of their own. Case in point: Peak House, a cosy eatery located at the top of Te Mata Peak. The house itself was built in the late 1960s, now it serves as a genuine hub for locals and visitors alike with first-class service and breathtaking views right across the Hawke’s Bay region. Pop in for coffee and cake or come for dinner, drink from the bar, and enjoy live music and the best views in the Bay. In summer, there is yoga and music out on the grass, and in winter the fire is roaring and live acts play in the main dining room.

Milk & Honey

10 Hardinge Road, Ahuriri, Napier

On the shores of Ahuriri Point, you’ll find Milk & Honey. It’s a small cafe and eatery with some of the best views in the region AND some of the best food. Milk & Honey is open all day long and dedicated to bloody good eats and drinks in a casual, unpretentious environment. The space is simple and relaxed and the menu is equally amazing. Their bao bacon butty is especially next-level, and the perfect hangover cure if we do say so ourselves.

Maina

2 Havelock Road, Havelock North

A bird artwork (possibly a myna) takes centre stage at Maina. Image credit: Maina  | Instagram 

Located in the heart of Havelock North, Maina is a family-run cafe and bistro with a focus on simplicity and smiles. It’s a meeting house for great food, coffee, and people. Their approach to food is a simple one: make it fresh, delicious and authentic. The countertop is piled high with baked goods, while the kitchen crew create tasty dishes from their daily menus. Maina stock a carefully selected range of cold drinks and use their own special blend of Hawthorne Coffee (who you'll read more about shortly).

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Wright & Co

10 Joll Road, Havelock North

There’s a reason why Wright & Co is constantly heaving, it’s undoubtedly one of the Bay’s very best establishments. Sitting pretty in Havelock North, its modern fit-out and impressive menu continues to draw in both locals and visitors. The team here go over and above to source high-quality, organic and free-range produce from local suppliers, so you know the dishes are all top-notch. 

The Tennyson

28 Tennyson Street, Napier

Eggs benny be looking ridiculously good at The Tennyson. Image credit: The Tennyson  | Instagram 

Inspired by French bistros, The Tennyson is a peaceful spot to unwind in the heart of Napier. It’s the perfect combination of Art Deco and French tradition and continues to delight customers with fresh, homemade dishes using seasonal ingredients. The team works closely with local food and drink suppliers like Ya Bon French Baker, Epicurean Garden, and True Earth. It’s all quirky vibes here, a great base to set up for a while or stop by on your way to work. And bonus, there’s plenty of outdoor seating for al fresco dining on a summer’s day. 

Best Romantic Restaurants In Napier

Mission Estate

198 Church Road, Poraiti, Napier

An incredible looking dish from Mission Estate. Image credit: Mission Estate  | Instagram 

Napier restaurants don't come more iconic than Mission Estate. This famed spot offers elegant, lovingly restored classic surroundings, magnificent views, world-class cuisine and wine and exceptional service. Nestled into the side of the Taradale Hills, Mission Estate is situated only 10 minutes from the city centre but is surrounded by green hills, farmland and vineyards. It gives the impression that this outstanding facility is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Executive chef Ricky Littleton leads a committed team in the kitchen. They produce beautifully presented, modern New Zealand food from fresh seasonal produce to a consistently high standard. If that isn't enough, Mission Estate has a longstanding reputation for producing quality award-winning wines as New Zealand's oldest winery. 

Pacifica Restaurant

209 Marine Parade, Napier Central, Napier

Set in a weathered blue beach bungalow, Pacifica Restaurant is a must-visit for any discerning foodie. This establishment is one-of-a-kind and chef Jeremy Rameka's approach guarantees Michelin-quality food in a relaxed Pacific-style environment. Pacifica’s focus is on quality and every dish is dynamic. The menu changes daily depending on what ingredients are available, so every visit is a completely new experience. You can, however, expect a set degustation menu consisting of five courses every evening. Diners choose between two menus, one is predominantly seafood-based and the other is a mix of fresh seafood and premium New Zealand meat. If you’re looking for somewhere extra special to go, Pacifica is an incredible option.

Central Fire Station Bistro

163 Tennyson Street, Napier South, Napier

Chefs plate up at Central Fire Station, one of Napier's best restaurants. Image credit: Central Fire Station Bistro  | Supplied

Napier restaurants need no introduction. Central Fire Station Bistro, for example, has been twice hatted in the Cuisine Good Food Awards, thanks to its ever-evolving menu that puts beautiful Hawke's Bay produce at the heart of everything it does. Executive chef and proprietor Sam Clark believes the region's fertile soil and abundant sea delivers the very best New Zealand has to offer. Sam and his team work closely with small, independent suppliers to present seasonal, fresh and delicious French and Italian-inspired food and you can definitely taste the love poured into each dish. This is what we call fine dining, Napier styles. 

Malo

4 Te Aute Road, Havelock North

Malo takes the best of what the big city has to offer and gives it a fresh, Hawke’s Bay vibe. Honest food with a sophisticated, modern twist and an emphasis on local, seasonal flavours. Created by a vibrant young team of rising stars, Malo is a place to gather and enjoy Havelock North’s finest hospitality.

Craggy Range Restaurant

253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North

People tuck into an amazing looking platter at Craggy Range with glasses of rose on hand. One of the best restaurants in Havelock North.Image credit: Craggy Range  | Supplied 

You can’t go to Hawke’s Bay without dining at Craggy Range Restaurant. Not only was it once named Winery Restaurant of the Year at the Cuisine Good Food Awards, it’s consistently one of the warmest and most memorable dining experiences in the Bay area. A mere 25 minutes' drive from Napier and looking out on the spectacular backdrop of Te Mata Peak, the dining room is elegant and understated. It's the kind of place to spend a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary. The team closely collaborates with local suppliers, allowing the seasons to guide their menu. Open for both lunch and dinner seven days a week, book ahead and you won’t be disappointed.

St Georges Restaurant

452 Saint Georges Road, Havelock North

St Georges' passion is to deliver a truly unique dining experience, with original, beautifully-crafted food inspired by nature, texture, intensity and purity. Just five minutes from Havelock North or Hastings, it's the perfect place to enjoy exceptional food and genuine hospitality. Dine in the provincial charm of the restaurant, or outdoors under the vines in their sunny courtyard. Multi-award winning chef, Francky Godinho uses only the freshest ingredients, with more than 90% of the produce grown, nurtured and hand-picked from his on-site organic garden.

Deliciosa

21 Napier Road, Havelock North

A delicious looking dessert at Deliciosa, one of the best restaurants in Havelock North. Image credit: Deliciosa  | Supplied 

Deliciosa settles across a delicious space designed to embrace the essence of its host region. Lazy beanbags on the front lawn lie next to a stunning vine-dappled terrace. This enters into a long slender wine-up bar alongside a festive banquette setting, which flows through to the leather cosiness of the intimate green room. Capacity is restricted to 100 to balance a lazy village vibe with attentive hosting. The Deliciosa experience encompasses completeness, and an award-winning ingredient is the guests themselves. A go-to for village regulars, tired thirsty winemakers, the region’s hospo industry and well-informed out-of-towners. This is not the place for home delivery, this is the place to reboot one’s pleasure settings. This is the place just to be.

Boat Ramp Eatery

30 Nelson Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

When it comes to date night restaurants, Napier fave Boat Ramp Eatery is hard to beat, offering a gorgeous waterfront location with relaxed alfresco dining and delicious meals made of fresh, locally sourced produce. The stunning wine list heroes local winemakers and producers. To top it all off, the views that look out across Ahuriri Harbour and the Ruahine Ranges make it a real Hawke’s Bay experience.

Black Barn Bistro

Black Barn Road, Havelock North

The gorgeous light-filled dining room at Black Barn Bistro. Image credit: Black Barn Bistro  | Website

Like many of the top restaurants Hawke's Bay has on offer, Black Barn Bistro is part of a winery (and an award-winning one at that). So rest assured you'll be looked after on the libations front. However there's also some pretty incredible grub up for grabs, largely driven by the seasons and what's available locally aka the perfect partner to your glass or 10 of Black Barn Vineyards vino. Chef Regnar Christensen is a huge proponent of woodfire grilling, so expect plently of *carefully* burnished dishes. Special shout-out to the setting, which is just as delicious.

Piku Restaurant And Cocktail Bar

15 Joll Road, Havelock North

Piku Restaurant and Cocktail Bar is an izakaya-style spot offering fresh and exciting Japanese cuisine inspired by the London Japanese scene. Piku serves fresh and delicious Japanese sharing plate cuisine, with a cocktail bar that is the perfect spot for a beautifully made cocktail, local wine or beer.

Best Cheap Eats In Napier 

Funbuns

300 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings

Yummy Asian fusion fare sits on a table at Funbuns, one of the best restaurants in Hastings.Image credit: Funbuns  | Supplied 

You’re in for a treat at Funbuns in Hastings. It’s hard not to get excited when walking into this Asian fusion eatery in all its Art Deco glory. The interior is as fun as the name with kitschy decor and plenty of neon. And don’t even get us started on the menu… From the best baos in town (they’ve got an entire bao menu, no big deal) to the loaded fries and insane cocktails, it’s the kind of place we want to take all our friends. 

Ya Bon And Cupple

216 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings

Ya Bon is a modern artisan bakery showcasing the best of Hawke’s Bay living through a French lens. The aesthetic reflects the way they work and live, the things that are important to them: simplicity, quality and community. Huge glass windows frame the bakery workspace, allowing views of bakers in action from the adjoining cafe Cupple. Run by local coffee roasters First Hand Coffee, Cupple brings together the finest coffee and the finest French-made pastries under one roof. Soft brew equipment and supplies are always in stock for you to enjoy great coffee at home. The small deli section is the place to go if entertaining, gifting or just for the love of good food. There is an interesting selection of Ya Bon’s favourite imported French cheeses, local artisan food products and of course, the Bay's best sourdough. Freshly baked pastries, excellent espresso and the best local products, all in one stylish location—what more could you want?

Hawthorne Coffee Roasters 

23 Napier Road, Havelock North

A staff member weighs and bags freshly roasted coffee beans at Hawthorne Coffee Roasters. Image credit: Hawthorne Coffee Roasters  | Instagram

Hawthorne Coffee Roasters is so deep in caffeine, we wouldn't be surprised to see actual coffee coming out the walls (not half as weird as it sounds, given the fact that it's joined on one side by a roastery). Pick your poison—which will be prepared for you by Hawthorne's award-winning baristas—and one of their famous scones to go with, then watch the team next door work their magic through the cute internal window. Naturally, you'll want to continue the high by grabbing a bag of their freshly roasted beans to take home.

Best Vegan Restaurants In Napier 

Hygge At Clifton Bay

468 Clifton Road, Te Awanga, Hastings  

Mulled wine fireside at Hygee at Clifton Bay. Image credit: Hygee At Clifton Bay  | Facebook 

Hygge is a Danish word meaning the essence of what is good in life—warmth, happiness, enjoyment, comfort, peace—the loving acceptance and enjoyment of the moment. Hygge at Clifton Bay focuses on making the most of the beautiful landscape in Hawke’s Bay and the rustic setting, creating delicious food and exceptional service. As much as possible, the team at Hygge sources local, ethical and organic produce. They have vegan and gluten-free options available, along with organic and ethically sourced coffee, for you to enjoy while you take in the stunning seaside views. 

Hapi

45 Hastings Street, Napier

'Hapi' is exactly how you'll feel after a feed at this wholesome cafe, which also doubles as a grocery store. A verified Hua Parakore producer specialising in what's described as 'clean kai' (ain't that got a nice ring to it?), you'll be treated to marigold sodas, apple crumble granola bowls, and a host of other organic delights. They also do vegan soft serve sundaes, say what now? Napier cafes and restaurants don't come more solid than this. 

Pixie Bowls

Shop 2/10 Napier Road, Havelock North

Just one example of the deliciousness available from Pixie Bowls. Image credit: Pixie Bowls  | Instagram 

Pixie Bowls came to life when Hannah Moore and Zoë Chisholm returned home after some time abroad. They spent months perfecting their menu, converting a garage into Havelock North’s tiniest cafe and now serve up tasty bowls, smoothies, toast and coffee using only the freshest local ingredients. It’s an awesome option for anyone with dietary requirements as all bowls and smoothies are gluten-free, dairy free and vegan-friendly. 

Best Family Friendly Restaurants In Napier

Pipi

16 Joll Road, Havelock North

An outrageously good looking pizza at Pipi cafe and truck, one of the best restaurants in Havelock North. Image credit: Pipi  | Supplied 

There’s a reason why Pipi’s is an institution/one of the best Hawke's Bay restaurants around—the pizzas are incredible and the wine is always flowing. Located on the corner of Joll Road in Havelock North, its iconic pink exterior is hard to miss and checks another box: most Instagram worthy restaurants, Havelock North edit. After becomign well established in the bricks and mortar sense, they made the excellent decision to expand as a food truck. This bad boy makes its rounds in the Bay area, so make sure to follow their Facebook page for regular updates. 

Sazio

215 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings

For family friedndly and/or group dining, Hastings fave Sazio is hard to beat. A busy and vibrant restaurant located in Hastings, in the middle of the 200 block, it specialises in handmade pasta crafted from the freshest Hawke’s Bay ingredients. Sazio, translating to 'full' and 'satisfied', embraces the idea of fullness and makes sure you are filled to the brim with authentic Mediterranean food.

Long Island Delicatessen

319 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings

Chocolate lamingtons sit on a cakestand at Long Island Delicatessen.

Image credit: Long Island Delicatessen  | Instagram 

Long Island Delicatessen is a takeaway deli in Hastings CBD with the wow factor. As soon as you walk through the front door, you are greeted by a stunning long island counter with a range of ever-changing salads, proteins and sandwiches. They have a fabulous cake counter and of course, bespoke deli goods. Long Island packages everything for takeaway so you can enjoy it at your leisure.

Hunger Monger

129 Marine Parade, Napier South, Napier

Seafood is their game and tasty is their name. Hunger Monger is a fiercely proud local establishment that’s focused on showcasing the very best of the Hawke’s Bay region and East Coast of the North Island from Gisborne down to the Wairarapa. The menu is crammed with every kind of seafood under the sun sea, ranging from small snacks to classics: think oysters, sashimi, smoked fish croquettes, grilled fish of the day and fish burgers, plus one hella good kumara miso mash. Always following the seasons, this is strictly a seafood-only affair so you know they do it well. 

Best Late Night Dining In Napier 

Mary's

15 Joll Road, Havelock North

The interior of Mary's wine bar in Havelock North showing a classy bar with tall chairs. No wonder this is one of the best restaurants in Havelock North.Image credit: Mary's  | Supplied 

Also from Craggy Range is Mary’s—a neighbourhood restaurant collaboration between a local family, an iconic Hawke's Bay winery, and a world-class chef. Opened in late November 2020 under the direction of hatted chef Casey McDonald, Mary’s has been an instant hit.

Market St

8 Market Street, Napier South, Napier

The Napier food scene is thriving. Don't believe us? Check out Market St, a modern bar and eatery owned by enthusiatic foodies Steve and Sarah, who are driven to create an environment that is 'fun not fussy' and offer something that is unique and special for everyone to enjoy. Market St offers a world-class bar, serves great food and has a soft spot for live music. Housed on a pedestrianised street, this bar will be your next go-to lunch, dinner, or late-night spot in Napier's CBD.

Craft & Social

319 Heretaunga Street East, Hastings

Located in the heart of Hastings CBD, Craft & Social offers a colourful, warm, and social vibe inside the historic Toitoi—Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre. The restored heritage building is a happy mix of Art Deco and modern styles. This girl is industrial underneath, no changing that. They’ve just taken her shopping for new shoes and a dress and she can’t stop smiling.

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Main image credit: Central Fire Station Bistro  | Kirsten Simcox Photography

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