Fiko

Fiko (20 Te Mata Road, Havelock North) Another cuisine to add to Havelock’s ever-growing culinary options, Fiko brings us a taste of the Mediterranean. It is very authentic feeling; the lighting is blue (note the tinting in the photos below) and the kitchen is quirky, open and colourful. It has a definite vibrant atmosphere, rather…

F.G. Smith Eatery

F.G. Smith Eatery (9a Ossian Street, Ahuriri) Wow, talk about being behind the eight ball. It took me SO long to visit F.G. Smith Eatery, that it was no longer the new kid on the block. However, it was satisfying seeing how much this cute little place in the backstreets of Ahuriri has absolutely flourished…

Abbey Cellars Winery

Abbey Cellars Winery (1769 Maraekakaho Road) There is a lot of sentimental value attached to Abbey Cellars for me. My childhood home (that my family built) has the address of 1769 Maraekakaho Road, but rather than the winery it is now it used to be a horse breeding farm, known as Crianza. Over the years,…

Bay Espresso

Bay Espresso (19 Middle Road) Bay Espresso is basically an HB institution. With locations not just in Havelock, but also on Karamu Road and Omahu Road, you are never that far away from a cafe. With its very own roastery (I’ve seen various cafes nationwide stocking Bay Espresso coffee) the coffee is extremely delicious, and…

Vidal Estate

Vidal Estate Winery Restaurant (913 St Aubyn Street, East) A winery right in the middle of town has always been something that I have found weird! It is well worth the trip though; especially if you go for the set menu over lunch time. We went recently. It was about $30, for a three course…

Mamacita

Mamacita (12 Havelock Road, Havelock North) In my (humble) opinion, this place offers some of Hawkes Bay’s best food. Supplemented by a fantastic atmosphere, Mamacita is one of my favourite places to visit when I go home for a weekend. The restaurant opened up in Havelock North at a very well-needed time. The village was…

The Grind

The Grind (508 Eastbourne Street West) Finally a break in a serious drought of delicious cafes in Hastings, The Grind is a warm and welcome addition to the scene. It is located on Eastbourne Street; running parallel to Heretaunga Street it is virtually in the centre of town – but without the parking issues of…

Maina

Maina (1 Havelock Road) No longer the  new kid on the block, Maina replaced what used to be The Post. During its transformation it endured a revamp, whereby it is now spacious and light. The tables are decorated with bunches of flowers which further increases the quaintness of the place. The breakfast menu is relatively…

The Strawberry Patch

The Strawberry Patch (96 Havelock Road) For as long as I can remember the Strawberry Patch has been a Hawke’s Bay icon. It used to be that it was only open from Labour Weekend through to Easter (so October to April), but nowadays it is open all year round. Leading up to Christmas, queues stretch…