Crawford Road Kitchen

The reality of a small town is that dinner options are more limited – but that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, especially with Crawford Road Kitchen in the neighbourhood.

The home of Gisborne Wine Merchants, locals Amy Campbell and David Whitfield took over the premises in 2016, adding a beautiful restaurant experience to complement the wine shop. The couple are no strangers to the local hospitality scene, having owned the Wainui Store (an adored classic Kiwi dairy now home to Zephyr) and a popular designer sandwich and gourmet salad cafe. They know their stuff and it shows at their latest Esplanade venture.

Open from the late afternoon into the evening, Crawford Road Kitchen is located in the Inner Harbour, a relaxing wharfside spot to watch boats bob on the water while sipping a local drop or picture-perfect cocktail and grazing on simple but delicious nibbles. The large outdoor space is a dream in summer, capturing the last golden rays of the day, with the glow of festoon lights strung above inviting you to linger a little longer. Inside, the interior is warm and bright throughout the seasons, with natural and beachy touches such as rattan pendant lights, thriving greenery, and big bowls of lemons added some zest to the place.

There’s nothing overcomplicated about the menu and that’s exactly what we (and it seems everyone else) love about it. Everything is super fresh and produce-focused, with a bit of a Mediterranean vibe that gels beautifully with the East Coast setting. The bruschetta is a classic, topped with a gorgeous peperonata and almond ricotta (it’s vegan but you would never know). The plates are generous and made to share, so make sure you order a bit of everything. 

For those looking to take a bottle of something local home with them, you’ll find everything from Milton to Matawhero to Thompson’s in the wine shop out front. The lineup is predominantly focused on Chardonnay and aromatics that Gisborne is renowned for, with a few other goodies from vineyards further afield. For something hoppy, cans of Sunshine Brewery beer (a Gizzy icon) are available in the fridge.