Bushmere Arms building and tree in blossom near Gisborne, NZ

Restaurants In Gisborne

July 14, 2024

Its always nice to have some local info on retaurants you can eat at when you are out of town. Whether you'rew a travelling surfer, here on business, here for a family holiday or any other reason. We don't have as many restaurants as other centres but we still have some good ones worth visiting.

This is not an exhaustive list but here are some places definitely worth your consideration from a local's point of view.

We have also made a blog about some recommended takeaways in Gisborne here

Ussco

You will find this restaurant on many online lists but unfortunately my personal favourite, Ussco, recently closed down around April 2024. Its a real shame as they consistently provided amazing food. We wish the owners well on their new path.

Crawford Road Kitchen

Crawford Road, Kitchen at the Gisborne Wine Centre makes some delicious meals and sharing food. Located on part of the wharf with indoor and outdoor seating it is a great place to go and catch up with friends for a drink or have a nice dinner. Owned by a local family this is well worth a visit. Link to the Gisborne Wine Centre/Crawford Road Kitchen website here

Tahu

Gisborne's newest retaurant in an absolutely epic location in the newly built Midway Surf Club complex down on Midway Beach opposite the new Kiwa Pools Complex. This is a huge restaurant for Gisborne standards with indoor and outdoor dining options, and a brand new fit out with an epic view across Poverty Bay. Locally inspired menu and drinks. There has always been a restaurant in this location but nothing has been this good since Pete's On The Beach way back. Another great place to meet friends for a drink. At times they have a dj in the early shift on a Friday afternoon and recently Hollie Smith played an intimate concert at Tahu. Inspite of its size it can get booked out pretty quickly so be sure to book ahead. Here is a link to Tahu's website

Also check out The Kiosk downstairs for burgers, fish and chips, real fruit ice creams, coffee, cold drinks and more. Kick back on the grass or bbq tables at Midway beach. Check out The Kiosk on Instagram here

The Works

In an amazing historical building which is the last remaining part of the old Gisborne Freezing works which had at one time the largest brick facade in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the inner Harbour not far from the Gisborne Wine Centre. Open Monday till Sunday 9am-230 for day menu and 5-850pm for night menu and dinner. Check out The Works Gisborne website here

The Vines at Bushmere Estate

The Vines Restaurant at Bushmere Estate Vineyard in Gisborne

In a beautiful setting at the Bushmere Estate Vineyard about 10 minutes drive out of the centre of Gisborne on the way to Mahia Beach. Open for brunch/lunch 11am-3pm Wednesday to Saturday. Sharing, mains or desert and plenty of wine to choose from. Check out The Vines website here

Bushmere Arms

The Bushmere Arms is the remainder of the Waerenga-a-Hika Pub which was built in 1873. The owner Robin Pierson has done an amazing job restoring this building and developing some of the most amazing gardens in Gisborne. Open Tuesday-Sunday for a short lunch timetable and then the same days 4 or 5 till late for dinner. Robin cooks some pretty outstanding food and this is also an excellent venue for weddings and othe functions. Located around 10-15 minutes drive out of the centre of Gisborne. Check out the Bushmere Arms website here

The Dome Cinema and Restaurant

Here is a really unique place to come and visit. Located in the Poverty Bay Club building. The Dome Cinema is an excellent place to go to watch films and kick back eating a pizza in their giant beanbags. Also serving tapas, pizzas and some excellent cocktails in the bar area. Open 5-late Wednesday to Sunday. Check out Dome Cinema and Restaurant website here

Neighbourhood Pizzeria

Marcel and the team do a good pizza, good vibes and good margaritas! Handily located in the Ballance Street Vllage not far form the town centre. You can dine indoors or in the expansive outdoor area. A bonus in the warmer months is some live music in the garden area on the odd Sunday. This place can get busy so be prepared to kick back and enjoy your drink while you wait for a delicious pizza. Call well ahead for takeaway pizza too. Check out the Neighbourhood Pizzeria website here

Bollywood Indian Restaurant

Probably the most opening hours of any restaurant in Gisborne Monday-Sunday 10am-10pm not far from the very centre of town. You know that Bollywood will be open when lots of other places are not. Serving up a great range of tasty, well-priced Indian food and takeaways. Check out the Bollywood Restaurant website here

Tamarind Indian Restaurant

Tamarind serves up some amazingly tasty Indian food just a few minutes drive away from the centre of town. Really well-priced food. It can take a while to get served sometimes so if you are getting takeaways call ahead or kick back and have a cold drink while you are waiting for your meal in the restaurant. Check out Tamarind of Gisborne website here

Thai Sunshine Restaurant

Handily located right near the centre of town. A pretty basic building but serving up delicious, well-priced authentic Thai Food in a family run restaurant. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 4-9pm. Great delas on large helpings of takeaway Thai food too. Here is a link to the Thai Sunshine website

Just Thai Restaurant

Tucked away down the river end of Lowe Street not far from the centre of town. A small, cosy location serving up well-priced, delicious Thai restaurant food and takeaways. Open Tuesday-Sunday 4-9pm. Here is a link to the Just Thai restaurant website

Pub Style Meals

If you are more interested in a more casual, relaxed setting these following places serve up pub style. restaurant meals.

The Wharf Bar and Grill

The Wharf is located in a prime location right in the, you guessed it, Gisborne Wharf. Excellent views just a short walk form the centre of town and right across the road from our surf shop in Gisborne. Rebuilt after a fire in January 2016 the Wharf is a great place to head for a drink or a meal straight out of their open kitchen. Indoor and outdoor dining and drinks. Definitely worth a visit. Check the The Wharf Bar and Grill website here

The Lonestar

A well known chain, this franchise is locally owned. Located in a great spot on the harbour just a very short walk over the road from Blitz Surf Shop. A popular place for after work drinks. They do bar food but also have a tex/mex style restaurant serving up large portions as do all the Lonestar chain of restaurants. The spare ribs are really popular. Check out the Lonestar Gisborne website here for location and more.

The Rivers Pub

The Rivers is a traditional Irish style pub located near the joining of the three rivers just over the bridge from Blitz Surf Shop. Serving up well-priced- genrous portioned, traditional pub food. Open Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesdays) lunch time to around 9pm. Check out The Rivers website here

The Tav

"The People's Bar". The Tav is a bar/pub located just a short way out of Gisborne near the Gisborne Hospital in the Lytton West Village. Bar opening hours are from 11:30am - anywhere between 8-11 depending on the night. Just closed on Mondays. Decent helping pub style meals served up untll 7:30-8:30 depending on the night. Check out The Tav Bar Gisborne's website here

As can be seen there are plenty of restaurant style places you can eat at when you are in Gisborne. Known for our relaxed lifestyle all the places have a certain aspect of being casual. But whether you are after a restaurant style meal, some asian food or a traditional pub style meal you should be able to find something to your liking.

If you are wanting more detail feel free to call in to our surf shop and ask our friendly staff for some handly, helpful local advice on these and other places to eat while you are here in Gisborne.

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