Lovely spot for a big group &mdash; all our meals landed at once, still hot. Kids had a great time in the outdoor area. Staff kept up well.

The six-course tasting menu was solid&mdash;each plate had real thought behind it, and the wine pairings actually matched well. Service stayed friendly even with a bit of a wait between courses. Good spot for a special night out.

Solid feed on a busy Friday. Service kept up even when the place got loud, which I appreciated. Portions were decent for the price. Location&#39;s handy if you&#39;re on foot, but driving here is a pain&mdash;parking nearby is a proper mission. I&#39;d come back if I&#39;m in the area, just not with a car.

Big portions, chowder was packed with prawns and scallops. Salmon pizza did the job.

The staff really paid attention when I mentioned I was avoiding dairy. They pointed out which dishes were safe without me having to ask twice. I went for the creamy coconut mushroom thing and it was properly good&mdash;rich but not heavy. Nice to find a place that actually gets dietary needs without making you feel awkward about it.

Dropped in for the 6-course tasting menu. Food was solid, well-paced, and each dish had clear thought behind it. Service kept things moving without hovering. Room was darker than I&#39;d like and got a bit loud once it filled up, but that didn&#39;t take away from the meal. Fair for what you get in this area.

The pumpkin and coconut lasagne was a solid pick &mdash; big portion, really tasty. The local ginger beer hit the spot too.

Loved the outdoor garden here &mdash; proper little hideaway. We grabbed a table by the fire inside since it was chilly, and honestly that was the move. Staff were super friendly, even brought water out for our dog without us asking. Only thing is it got a bit busy later on, but still a solid spot for a relaxed drink.

We stopped by Malo on a quiet Tuesday night. I had the market fish and it was genuinely fresh, cooked simply with good olive oil. The greens on the side still had a nice crunch. My only tiny gripe &mdash; the portion felt a bit small for the price. But the ingredients were clearly high quality. I&#39;d come back for that fish again.

Booked the seafood dinner party. Fish was fresh, the presentation clean without being fussy. Flavours came through properly. Solid choice for a group feed.

We got a glass of bubbles on arrival which was a nice touch. Sat outside looking over the vines, service was friendly without hovering. Food came out at a good pace, we weren&#39;t rushing. Just a lovely relaxed afternoon, exactly what I needed.

Stopped in after a bike ride and those green shell mussels were spot on. Tiramisu and espresso hit the spot too. Music was good, place felt chill. Maybe a little quiet for a Saturday but that worked for me.

Stopped in for lunch last week. Pork belly was spot on - moist, proper flavour, not dried out like some places. Veggies worked well with it. Had a cider on the side, went down easy. Place was busy but service kept up alright. Decent feed for the price, I&#39;d come back if I&#39;m in the area again.

Stopped in here on the way through Hastings and ended up coming back three times. Flat white was properly made, not too hot, good crema. The pastry case keeps calling you back too. Only gripe is it gets busy mid-morning so you might wait a bit for a seat. Nice spot to sit outside with the dog and take your time.

The margaritas were a bit weak, tasted more like cordial than tequila. But the food was really flavorful and well-prepared. Service was friendly too.

The lamb shoulder was the standout&mdash;fell apart without even trying. Avani and Charlie looked after us well. Solid spot if you&#39;re after good food without the fuss.

The guacamole and nachos were proper good. Fresh, chunky, easily the best I&#39;ve had around here. Pulled pork taco was solid too, heaps of flavour in it. Place was busy but we got a table quick enough. Wouldn&#39;t mind going back just for that guac again.

Your ultimate guide to dining in Hawke's Bay. Discover top-rated restaurants and local favorites, based on authentic traveler ratings and reviews. ▸ See menus & photos ▸ Find hidden gems ▸ Plan your perfect trip.

The best restaurants in Hawke's Bay

Off The Track Restaurant and Licenced Cafe

Bistronomy & Vinotech

Namaskar Indian Restaurant

Deliciosa Restaurant

Maina Cafe

St Martha

St Georges Restaurant

Rose & Shamrock Village Inn

Loading Ramp

Malo

Craggy Range Restaurant

Black Barn Bistro

Diva Bar and Eatery

Valley D'Vine

Pipi Cafe

lotus Indian Takeaways

Hawthorne Coffee Roastery & Espresso Bar

Mamacita

Mary's

Er Dee Wa Cafe

Mijita

Hunger Monger

Piku Izakaya Japanese Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Alessandro's Pizzeria e Pasta Napoletana

Trattoria alla Toscana

Milk & Honey Restaurant

Bay Expresso

The Great Chilli Indian Restaurant & Takeaway Havelock North

At E's Cafe

Rush Munro's