Tim and Kev's Guidebook
Food and Wine
Here are some of our favourite places to eat or try (& buy) great wine and in some of them you can do both! There is a spread of places in terms of price and style. There's everything from coffee carts to the pinnacle of fine dining. Super relaxed and chilled to really posh!
Some places are local to us and a short walk or drive but there are also places in Napier, Hastings and Havelock North which are all 20 mins drive away.
Somebody once said to us "we may not make our fortunes living in Hawkes Bay but we can eat like kings". And it's true.
Great for breakfast or lunch. It's a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean in the shadow of Cape Kidnappers. Get yourself a table outside in the shade.
Price level $$
26 yerel halk öneriyor
Hygge at Clifton Bay
468 Clifton RdGreat for breakfast or lunch. It's a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean in the shadow of Cape Kidnappers. Get yourself a table outside in the shade.
Price level $$
Our local! 10 minutes walk away. Casual lunchtime dining and great wine. A lot of the grapes are grown locally - they even have a vineyard at the end of our road producing award winning Syrah. Not normally open in the evenings but in summer check out their casual Fridays when they open at night - there's usually a street food style menu, wine specials and live music. A great place meet locals over a glass to two.
Or you could just stop by and taste/purchase wine at the friendly cellar door.
Price level $$
68 yerel halk öneriyor
Clearview Estate Winery & Clearview Estate Red Shed Restaurant
194 Clifton RdOur local! 10 minutes walk away. Casual lunchtime dining and great wine. A lot of the grapes are grown locally - they even have a vineyard at the end of our road producing award winning Syrah. Not normally open in the evenings but in summer check out their casual Fridays when they open at night - there's usually a street food style menu, wine specials and live music. A great place meet locals over a glass to two.
Or you could just stop by and taste/purchase wine at the friendly cellar door.
Price level $$
Fine dining in a stunning location. Less than 5 mins by car or a 25 min walk. Open lunch and dinner. Sit on the deck and look across the vines to a perfectly framed view of Cape Kidnappers.
Price level $$$$
76 yerel halk öneriyor
Elephant Hill
86 Clifton RdFine dining in a stunning location. Less than 5 mins by car or a 25 min walk. Open lunch and dinner. Sit on the deck and look across the vines to a perfectly framed view of Cape Kidnappers.
Price level $$$$
A 15 min walk away - mainly down the very long drive between the vines! The gateway on the main road is only 5 mins walk. Great local wine and platter style food. Stunning views of the bay from the elevated site.
25 yerel halk öneriyor
Te Awanga Estate
376 Parkhill RdA 15 min walk away - mainly down the very long drive between the vines! The gateway on the main road is only 5 mins walk. Great local wine and platter style food. Stunning views of the bay from the elevated site.
Awesome Japanese/Kiwi fusion eatery in Havelock North about 20 mins drive away. Great food and great service with a neat little cocktail bar tucked away at the back. Very popular and busy, so booking a must. So many good things on the menu but katsu pork and the Japanese risotto are personal faves.
Price level $$$
24 yerel halk öneriyor
Piku Izakaya Japanese Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
15 Joll RdAwesome Japanese/Kiwi fusion eatery in Havelock North about 20 mins drive away. Great food and great service with a neat little cocktail bar tucked away at the back. Very popular and busy, so booking a must. So many good things on the menu but katsu pork and the Japanese risotto are personal faves.
Price level $$$
20 mins drive away in Havelock North. Authentic wood fired pizza. Best pizzas in town.
Price level $$
28 yerel halk öneriyor
Alessandro's Pizzeria Napoletana
15 Joll Rd20 mins drive away in Havelock North. Authentic wood fired pizza. Best pizzas in town.
Price level $$
A 45 minute drive away this is one of the best boutique wineries you will ever visit. Owned by Tony and Kay - he does the wine, she does the food. And they are both very good at what they do. It's a bit of a drive but worthwhile. The whole place was built by Tony and is made of rammed earth bricks. He's even cleverer at making wine than he is building.
Price level $$
de la terre winery
1426 Taihape RdA 45 minute drive away this is one of the best boutique wineries you will ever visit. Owned by Tony and Kay - he does the wine, she does the food. And they are both very good at what they do. It's a bit of a drive but worthwhile. The whole place was built by Tony and is made of rammed earth bricks. He's even cleverer at making wine than he is building.
Price level $$
Vibrant wine bar in Napier. Great atmosphere with good wine and beer selection. Food menu limited but done well.
Price level $$$
19 yerel halk öneriyor
Matisse Wine Shop and Bar
12 Herschell StVibrant wine bar in Napier. Great atmosphere with good wine and beer selection. Food menu limited but done well.
Price level $$$
Every Sunday morning at Hastings Showgrounds - about a 15 minute drive away. Don't have breakfast - you can eat at the market. Listen to the live music while you eat then grab a coffee and start your tour of the stalls. No better way to see the amazing produce Hawkes Bay has to offer. Remember to buy in between your sampling. It's all good but personal faves are Monsieur Macaron, Orcona for chilli products and all of the cheese stalls! Some places take eftpos and there are ATMs on site (there is a fee).
64 yerel halk öneriyor
Hawkes Bay Farmers Market
Kenilworth RoadEvery Sunday morning at Hastings Showgrounds - about a 15 minute drive away. Don't have breakfast - you can eat at the market. Listen to the live music while you eat then grab a coffee and start your tour of the stalls. No better way to see the amazing produce Hawkes Bay has to offer. Remember to buy in between your sampling. It's all good but personal faves are Monsieur Macaron, Orcona for chilli products and all of the cheese stalls! Some places take eftpos and there are ATMs on site (there is a fee).
The oldest boutique winery in the region. Owned and run by Peter and Sharon Robertson, this is one of our favourite wineries. Their Hillside Syrah is Tim's favourite wine in the whole world. Sadly these days the restaurant only opens for functions but you can still buy and taste at the cellar door. A real gem often overlooked on most commercial winery tours. You will be hosted by Sharon or John, their cellar door manager and occasionally the old warehouse himself, Peter, will be around.
Brookfields Vineyards
378 Brookfields RdThe oldest boutique winery in the region. Owned and run by Peter and Sharon Robertson, this is one of our favourite wineries. Their Hillside Syrah is Tim's favourite wine in the whole world. Sadly these days the restaurant only opens for functions but you can still buy and taste at the cellar door. A real gem often overlooked on most commercial winery tours. You will be hosted by Sharon or John, their cellar door manager and occasionally the old warehouse himself, Peter, will be around.
Only a 10 min drive this boutique hotel and restaurant was originally an historic homestead and was once the home of Sir James Wattie. A great place to treat yourself to fine dining in old world style. Chef Norka is from Chile and serves up some top class food - she's also an absolute sweetheart. The staff are really welcoming and service is great. They do a cracking High Tea as well.
Price level $$$
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Mangapapa Hotel
466 Napier RdOnly a 10 min drive this boutique hotel and restaurant was originally an historic homestead and was once the home of Sir James Wattie. A great place to treat yourself to fine dining in old world style. Chef Norka is from Chile and serves up some top class food - she's also an absolute sweetheart. The staff are really welcoming and service is great. They do a cracking High Tea as well.
Price level $$$
A favourite bar of ours in Napier. Tucked away down a side alley (kinda like Melbourne bars) it is a relaxed, funky little place. Good wine selection, interesting beers, cocktails and a small but delicious tapas style menu.
Price level $$
47 yerel halk öneriyor
Monica Loves
39 Tennyson StA favourite bar of ours in Napier. Tucked away down a side alley (kinda like Melbourne bars) it is a relaxed, funky little place. Good wine selection, interesting beers, cocktails and a small but delicious tapas style menu.
Price level $$
Holly has been going since forever .... well 1914. It is a family business in Hastings run by Claire, the granddaughter of the guy who set it up and her daughters both work there as well. Originally just a butchers shop specialising in pork they added a small "cafe" a few years ago. It is very small and options limited but they serve Bay Espresso coffee (another local institution) and if you are after a bacon butty or a pulled pork roll, there is none better. It's very popular with locals and especially busy at Morning Tea time (10-10.30am) when it will be full of tradies and local office workers. Tim always tries to time his weekly visit for after 10.30am and before 12noon (and it's pulled pork on a ciabatta roll with tomato sauce and a flat white since you ask).
Holly Bacon Co
310 Warren StHolly has been going since forever .... well 1914. It is a family business in Hastings run by Claire, the granddaughter of the guy who set it up and her daughters both work there as well. Originally just a butchers shop specialising in pork they added a small "cafe" a few years ago. It is very small and options limited but they serve Bay Espresso coffee (another local institution) and if you are after a bacon butty or a pulled pork roll, there is none better. It's very popular with locals and especially busy at Morning Tea time (10-10.30am) when it will be full of tradies and local office workers. Tim always tries to time his weekly visit for after 10.30am and before 12noon (and it's pulled pork on a ciabatta roll with tomato sauce and a flat white since you ask).
The Mission is a must see place if only for its place in NZ wine making history. It is the oldest winery in NZ. The restaurant is good and you can taste and buy wine. However, it is worth going just to look around the inside of the cellar door and then at the view from the terrace. Around the inside of the cellar door are photos that tell the history of the place. It is a very popular wedding venue so can be extremely busy at times.
102 yerel halk öneriyor
Mission Estate Şaraphanesi
198 Church RdThe Mission is a must see place if only for its place in NZ wine making history. It is the oldest winery in NZ. The restaurant is good and you can taste and buy wine. However, it is worth going just to look around the inside of the cellar door and then at the view from the terrace. Around the inside of the cellar door are photos that tell the history of the place. It is a very popular wedding venue so can be extremely busy at times.
A 15 minute drive on the way into Hastings this place has become a local institution. Owned by husband and wife team Chris and Jonelle, they serve excellent cafe food and coffee that they roast themselves. Best coffee around. You can still see the original roaster they used back in the early days. The staff are friendly and you might even meet Chris doing a stint as barista.
10 yerel halk öneriyor
Bay Espresso
141 Karamu Rd NorthA 15 minute drive on the way into Hastings this place has become a local institution. Owned by husband and wife team Chris and Jonelle, they serve excellent cafe food and coffee that they roast themselves. Best coffee around. You can still see the original roaster they used back in the early days. The staff are friendly and you might even meet Chris doing a stint as barista.
Beer, Cider and Food
Hawkes Bay has a great craft beer scene. The oldest brewpub (Roosters) has been around for 25 years and there are now around 10 breweries/cideries. Some places just have a tap room for off-licence sales whilst others have the whole food and booze package.
The local pub. 5 mins by car or 25 mins walk. Pool table, sports TV and reasonably priced pub food.
Price level $$
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Gannets Bar & Grill
12 Clifton RdThe local pub. 5 mins by car or 25 mins walk. Pool table, sports TV and reasonably priced pub food.
Price level $$
A bit further afield but well worth popping in if you are out and about sightseeing or doing a wine/beer tiki tour. About 30 mins drive. The oldest craft brewery in Hawkes Bay. Excellent pub food (the dumplings and loaded fries are personal faves) and great staff. Best priced craft beer around and available to take-out. Closes at 7pm so go for lunch or an early dinner.
Price level $
Roosters Brew House
1470 Omahu RdA bit further afield but well worth popping in if you are out and about sightseeing or doing a wine/beer tiki tour. About 30 mins drive. The oldest craft brewery in Hawkes Bay. Excellent pub food (the dumplings and loaded fries are personal faves) and great staff. Best priced craft beer around and available to take-out. Closes at 7pm so go for lunch or an early dinner.
Price level $
Trendy brew bar in Hastings. About 25 mins drive away. Great beer including guest beers from around NZ. Bar food. Beer available to take away.
Price level $$
8 yerel halk öneriyor
Brave Brewing Co
205 Queen St ETrendy brew bar in Hastings. About 25 mins drive away. Great beer including guest beers from around NZ. Bar food. Beer available to take away.
Price level $$
Funky bar in Hastings that has a unique style and atmosphere. Good selection of beers including local craft brews. Bar food. Often has live music.
Price level $$
15 yerel halk öneriyor
Common Room
227 Heretaunga St EFunky bar in Hastings that has a unique style and atmosphere. Good selection of beers including local craft brews. Bar food. Often has live music.
Price level $$
One to visit while you are out and about exploring the bay. About 45 mins drive. Run by a lovely husband and wife team. Godfrey is even growing his own hops.
11 yerel halk öneriyor
GodsOwn Brewery
3672 State Hwy 50One to visit while you are out and about exploring the bay. About 45 mins drive. Run by a lovely husband and wife team. Godfrey is even growing his own hops.
A bit further out on the far side of Napier, it's still only 30mins drive down the Expressway. Great food (try some of the Filipino dishes) and the largest selection of craft beers you will see in Hawkes Bay. The Inn is the home of Napier Brewing but they also have numerous guest beers from all over.
16 yerel halk öneriyor
Westshore Fish Cafe
112 Charles StA bit further out on the far side of Napier, it's still only 30mins drive down the Expressway. Great food (try some of the Filipino dishes) and the largest selection of craft beers you will see in Hawkes Bay. The Inn is the home of Napier Brewing but they also have numerous guest beers from all over.
Sightseeing & Activities
We don't have huge mountains, volcanoes or bungy jumping in Hawkes Bay. Still, we don't do too badly for scenery ..... or activities to enjoy in the nice scenery.
The trip takes you up through the station (farm) partly along a VERY expensive road built for the golf course. You skirt round the golf course and head out to the very end of the Cape to the mainland Gannet colony. The views are breathtaking ... as can be the smell of the birds. But you'll forget that when you see them swooping and soaring, and diving into the water. Best time to go is February as there will be everything from fluffy chicks to curious juveniles and adult birds. But it is strip worth doing at anytime.
24 yerel halk öneriyor
Gannet Safaris Overland Ltd
396 Clifton RdThe trip takes you up through the station (farm) partly along a VERY expensive road built for the golf course. You skirt round the golf course and head out to the very end of the Cape to the mainland Gannet colony. The views are breathtaking ... as can be the smell of the birds. But you'll forget that when you see them swooping and soaring, and diving into the water. Best time to go is February as there will be everything from fluffy chicks to curious juveniles and adult birds. But it is strip worth doing at anytime.
A unique seasonal sightseeing adventure. Vintage American tractors tow you along the base of the cliffs out to the end of the peninsular. Its bumpy and you will get wet but its a great trip. At the end you can choose to hike up to the top colony that the overland safari visits.
PLEASE NOTE: There have been land slips at the Cape which prevent the tours from operating. Currently they are on schedule to resume late November 2019
31 yerel halk öneriyor
Gannet Beach Adventures
475 Clifton RdA unique seasonal sightseeing adventure. Vintage American tractors tow you along the base of the cliffs out to the end of the peninsular. Its bumpy and you will get wet but its a great trip. At the end you can choose to hike up to the top colony that the overland safari visits.
PLEASE NOTE: There have been land slips at the Cape which prevent the tours from operating. Currently they are on schedule to resume late November 2019
There are hundreds of kms of cycle trails that can take you from Clifton to Bayview to Puketapu to Bridge Pa to Havelock North and all points in between. Check out the nztrails.nz website or download the app. There are several cycle hire companies.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Hawke's Bay Trails
159 Dalton StThere are hundreds of kms of cycle trails that can take you from Clifton to Bayview to Puketapu to Bridge Pa to Havelock North and all points in between. Check out the nztrails.nz website or download the app. There are several cycle hire companies.
If you wanna good view, climb a hill.
Our local sleeping giant can be drive up rather than climb and offers amazing views of Hawke Bay and the Heretaunga plains. There are cycle and walking trails of that's your thing and a beautiful stand of Redwood trees at the base of one side.
217 yerel halk öneriyor
Te Mata Park
Te Mata Peak RoadIf you wanna good view, climb a hill.
Our local sleeping giant can be drive up rather than climb and offers amazing views of Hawke Bay and the Heretaunga plains. There are cycle and walking trails of that's your thing and a beautiful stand of Redwood trees at the base of one side.
Crazy golf by the ocean. Two courses to choose from. It's great fun and you are right alongside the beach in Napier. Afterwards treat yourself with a visit to one of the three ice cream parlours along Marine Parade.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Par2 MiniGolf
106 Marine ParadeCrazy golf by the ocean. Two courses to choose from. It's great fun and you are right alongside the beach in Napier. Afterwards treat yourself with a visit to one of the three ice cream parlours along Marine Parade.
Ranked at 17 in the top golf courses in the world. We don't play but have been lucky enough to tour the course with a friend who was the head green keeper. Spectacular doesn't come close. It won't be cheap but if golf is your thing then this place is 2 minutes down the road (actually it's 2 minutes to the entrance gate and another 15 minute careful drive through the farm station and native bush).
14 yerel halk öneriyor
Cape Kidnappers Golf Club
446 Clifton RdRanked at 17 in the top golf courses in the world. We don't play but have been lucky enough to tour the course with a friend who was the head green keeper. Spectacular doesn't come close. It won't be cheap but if golf is your thing then this place is 2 minutes down the road (actually it's 2 minutes to the entrance gate and another 15 minute careful drive through the farm station and native bush).
The museum in Napier is well worth a visit. You can learn about Maori history and culture as well as more recent events like the 1931 earthquake and the rebuilding of Napier and Hastings in the Art Deco style. It's not a big museum but has some interesting stuff.
72 yerel halk öneriyor
MTG Hawke's Bay
1 Tennyson StThe museum in Napier is well worth a visit. You can learn about Maori history and culture as well as more recent events like the 1931 earthquake and the rebuilding of Napier and Hastings in the Art Deco style. It's not a big museum but has some interesting stuff.
A functioning prison until relatively recently this is an easy way to spend an hour or two and combine it with a wander through the nearby Botannical Gardens. Walkable from Marine Parade in Napier.
11 yerel halk öneriyor
Napier Prison
55 Coote RdA functioning prison until relatively recently this is an easy way to spend an hour or two and combine it with a wander through the nearby Botannical Gardens. Walkable from Marine Parade in Napier.
Neighbourhoods
Past the Port of Napier is the old suburb of Ahuriri. Where once there was industry now old wharf buildings are apartments and lively bars & restaurants. There are are cafes, galleries and antique shops to browse, and even a small cinema - The Globe Theatrette. A stroll along the boardwalk is a good way to unwind.
41 yerel halk öneriyor
Ahuriri
Past the Port of Napier is the old suburb of Ahuriri. Where once there was industry now old wharf buildings are apartments and lively bars & restaurants. There are are cafes, galleries and antique shops to browse, and even a small cinema - The Globe Theatrette. A stroll along the boardwalk is a good way to unwind.
Şehir tavsiyesi
Yanınızda getirmeniz gerekenler
Bring Factor 50 sunscreen
If you are coming from overseas (Particularly Northern Hemisphere) be aware that the sun here in NZ can be very harsh, especially in the summer. There are plenty of hotter places in the world but nowhere has UV radiation as high as NZ. In the height of summer the burn time can be down to 5-10 minutes of exposure. The regular stuff you use on the Costa del Sol or Mykonos is NOT going to cut it here. Factor 50 is best, nothing less than 30.
Gezinme
Planes, Trains and Automobiles ......
Public transport here in Hawkes Bay is limited. There are bus services in and between Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. There is no passenger train service only freight. Taxi's are available but can be expensive compared to big city prices. Uber has just started so maybe a cheaper option. There are several car hire companies, most of them based at the airport. We recommend Pegasus based in Napier - they are a friendly bunch and prices are competetive. Hawkes Bay airport is a regional hub and can get you into Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with regular daily flights.
Gezinme
Driving in NZ Part 1
For overseas visitors please remember we drive on the left. Many visitors underestimate journey times by car. Our State Highways aren't like a European motorway or American Freeway - they're just regular roads that cover a long distance. Max speed limit is 100kph (about 60mph). Our road surfaces are chip seal - not as smooth as tarmac. And frequently roads go across hills, mountains, valleys. Allow plenty of time for longer trips.
Gezinme
Driving in NZ Part 2
Hawkes Bay is rural so expect to see farming vehicles on the road. Also expect people not to be in such a hurry as city folk or to be too bothered by regular driving rules ..... not everyone thinks indicators need to be used all the time. Brutal honesty: Kiwis are not the world's best drivers so bottom line is stay alert. Stating the obvious: don't speed and do not drink and drive.
Gelenekler ve kültür
We are a bi-lingual and multicultural society
English and Te Reo Maori are the official languages of NZ. Polynesian ancestors of Maori were the first to discover and settle here, followed much later by Europeans (mainly from the UK). These days we have many cultural groups from The Pacific Islands, Asia, Africa and mainland Europe. Get to know about Maori culture and history while you are here.