Must-see restaurants in The East Coast

  • Mister D

    Napier

    This long, floorboarded room with its green-tiled bar is the pride and joy of the Napier foodie scene. Hip and slick but not grossly unaffordable, with…

  • Hunger Monger

    Napier

    Seemingly always busy when everywhere else is half-full, Hunger Monger is a funky seaside seafood diner with sheepskin-covered seats, quirky tablecloths…

  • Greek National Cafe

    Napier

    Operated as a Kiwi diner serving steak and seafood for many decades, the National Cafe was reopened in 2017 by descendants of the original Greek owners. A…

  • Pacifica

    Napier

    Recently judged NZ'S top restaurant by Cuisine magazine, Pacifica showcases chef Jeremy Rameka's affinity with kai moana (seafood) and traditional meats…

  • Bistronomy

    Napier

    Bistronomy is proof that NZ's regional restaurants can create high-end cuisine just as well as the spiffy eateries in Auckland, Wellington and…

  • Market St

    Napier

    This stylish new bar and eatery below Criterion Art Deco Backpackers does easy-going bar food (burgers, pastas, beef short ribs and a mean crispy pork…

  • Hapī

    Napier

    Welcome to Hapī, where virtuous vegan flavours are also damn tasty, and earnest staff make meaningful eye contact. Breakfast bowls packed with açai, chia…

  • Milk & Honey

    Napier

    One of Ahuriri's top options, Milk & Honey combines ocean and boardwalk views with versatile day-to-night menus. Hawke's Bay beers and wines do their…

  • Indigo

    Napier

    This stellar subcontinental outfit should really be charging more for its dishes than it does. Factor in one of the city's best selections of local Hawke…

  • Vinci's

    Napier

    Pizza by the slice (or the whole big disc) comes hot and fresh from this great little art-deco nook, with a skinny wedge of a window seat and punky retro…

  • Café Tennyson + Bistro

    Napier

    We mourn the loss of our favourite Napier hippie cafe, but its buzzy and welcoming replacement is a more modern interpretation of East Coast cafe life…

  • Three Doors Up

    Napier

    The fab old Union Hotel has ceded part of its territory to Three Doors Up, a stylish restaurant serving classic fare such as risotto, eye fillet steak and…

  • Kilim

    Napier

    An authentic Turkish cafe, adorned with suitably Ottoman cushions and wall hangings. The kebabby, falafelly, salady meals are fresh and tasty, but service…

  • Restaurant Indonesia

    Napier

    Crammed with Indonesian curios, this intimate space oozes authenticity. Lip-smacking Indo-Dutch rijsttafel smorgasbords are the house speciality (14…

  • Westshore Fish Cafe

    Napier

    If you’re the type who needs cutlery, you'll appreciate the sit-down meals served in the dining room here. Otherwise, grab some takeaway fish and chips…

  • MINT Restaurant

    Napier

    Fine dining on Marine Pde: a concise and tightly edited menu features the likes of confit duck leg with duck and blue cheese risotto. Sensuously shaped…

  • Countdown

    Napier

    Centrally located supermarket.