Things to do in Hastings & Around
-
Pipi
Shockingly pink with candy stripes and mismatched furniture, Pipi cheekily thumbs its nose at small-town conventionality. The food focus is on simple pasta dishes and Roman-style thin-crusted pizza.
reviewed
-
Filter Room
Surrounded by orchards, these folk offer a large range of beers and ciders, all brewed on-site, plus a $12 tasting tray and tummy-filling food.
reviewed
-
A
Opera Kitchen
This modern and stylish cafe has an interesting menu including healthy brekkie options, such as strawberries with passionfruit-curd yoghurt. For the less calorie conscious the full breakfast is a real winner, too. Heavenly counter food, great coffee and friendly staff round things out nicely. Eat in or outside in the suntrap courtyard.
reviewed
-
Diva
The most happening place in Havelock, Diva offers good value lunch (from fish and chips to Caesar salad) and a bistro-style menu featuring fresh seafood and seasonal specialities. Designed to within an inch of its life, the interior is divided into flash dining room and groovy bar (snacks from $5), plus lively pavement tables.
reviewed
-
B
Hawke’s Bay Opera House
Although you wouldn’t guess from the sturdy Spanish-Mission exterior, its lavish art-nouveau heart betrays it as an earthquake survivor. Built in 1910, it’s recently had a multimillion-dollar refit and a modern plaza and foyer added. Tours take place during Art Deco Weekend.
reviewed
-
Terrôir at Craggy Range
A surprisingly rustic dining room, housed in the cathedral-like ‘wine barrel’ of the Craggy complex, provides one of the region’s most consistent fine-dining experiences. The views of Te Mata peak from the terrace are almost as impressive as the wine list.
reviewed
-
Silky Oak Chocolate Company
Watch the chocolatiers at work while deliberating over mouth-watering truffles and chocolate rugby balls. The museum (adult/child $8/5) offers a chocolate-drenched history and the odd ancient Mayan artefact. There’s a cafe next door.
reviewed
-
Roosters Brewhouse
Roosters produces a range of naturally brewed beers ‘made with passion and a great disregard of sensible accounting practices’. Five regular beers plus a seasonal special; tasting room, tours and a sunny courtyard for supping.
reviewed
-
Bay Espresso
An easy pit stop on the main road, this enduringly popular cafe serves up house-roasted organic coffee as well as handsome counter food and reasonable brunch, best enjoyed in the sunny courtyard out back.
reviewed
-
Hohepa Organic Cheeses
Part of a Steiner-based community of people with intellectual disabilities, this shop sells local produce, including delicious cheese (made on-site), biodynamic fruit and vegetables, candles and clothing.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
C
Westerman's Building
Pop into the i-SITE for a closer look at its intricate leadlight shopfront with intact terrazzo floors. The Spanish Mission Hastings walking tour starts here; book at the i-SITE.
reviewed
-
D
Crave Café & Wine Bar
With minimal fuss, this contemporary bistro prepares simple quiches, salads, pastas, steaks and vegetarian dishes with nouveau-Italian flair. A wide wine list befits the wine-bar moniker.
reviewed
-
Loading Ramp
This lofty timber space pulls a mixed crowd of young ’uns up to high jinks, especially on the weekends when the queue can stretch well down the road. Also offers pub-style meals.
reviewed
-
Bellatino’s
Picnickers should head for Bellatino’s, which stocks gourmet ingredients from the bay and abroad, along with coffee and cakes to eat in or take away.
reviewed
-
E
Telegraph Hill
A small producer of olives, oils and all sorts of Mediterranean-influenced gourmet treats. Four-person picnic baskets ($30) available for on-site indulgence.
reviewed
-
Rose & Shamrock
A carpeted, dark-wood, British-style boozer complete with a few Pommy drops on tap and hearty pub grub ($14 to $26). There’s live music on Saturday nights.
reviewed
-
Arataki Honey
Stock up on buzzy by-products for your toast or your skin. There are kid-conducive hands-on displays outlining the whole sticky cycle from flower to jar.
reviewed
-
Te Mata Cheese Company
Watch the cheesemakers through the window, have a platter and a glass of vino in the garden, then gather up some picnic supplies to go.
reviewed
-
F
Hastings City Art Gallery
The Hastings City Art Gallery presents contemporary New Zealand art in a pleasant, purpose-built space.
reviewed
-
G
Tremain Travel Café
An irresistibly popular café and travel agency full of travel magazines, coffee smells and dreams of elsewhere.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market
Fingers crossed you’re here for the weekend so you can visit the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market.
reviewed
-
Strawberry Patch
A berry farm with more to offer than luscious red fruit – fruity ice cream, fresh local produce and espresso.
reviewed
-
Splash Planet
Hastings’ massive Splash Planet has plenty of pools, slides and aquatic excitement.
reviewed
-
Black Barn Market
Fingers crossed you’re here for the weekend so you can visit the Black Barn Market.
reviewed
-
I
New World
Hastings and Havelock North have several supermarkets including New World.
reviewed
