Discover Hastings’ best places to eat, drink, shop and more with our guides.

The Hastings district is the heart of Hawke’s Bay, full of natural beauty with stunning beaches and coastline, lush green valleys and peaks.

The entire Hawke’s Bay region is renowned for its wineries and incredible local produce, and Hastings Heretaunga has earned a reputation for being a city of foodies. From the world-famous (in New Zealand) farmers' market that attracts visitors from near and far each Sunday to acclaimed restaurants and cafés dotted around the main centre, to artisan producers in the fields of beer brewing, gin distilling and coffee roasting, Hastings really does have it all.

In recent years, the city has undergone significant changes and a renaissance of sorts, and with the redevelopment of several key areas around the main centre, there is a buzz and energy in the air.

The re-opening of the Toitoi: Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, which incorporates the Opera House and Municipal Building, is a huge step forward in celebrating arts and culture in Hastings and providing a next-generation venue for the city. Able to host events such as international music superstars, local school productions, nationwide conferences and more, this is a space that welcomes everyone.

Other exciting developments in the main centre include the rejuvenation of the East Block, with many restaurants and boutiques migrating to this end of town, bringing with them a vibrance and contributing their unique stories to the tapestry of Hastings. The establishment of The Tribune precinct is a part of this, too, with new life being breathed into the former newspaper building, it’s now a hub of food, culture, retail and other services for the people of Hastings and visitors to the city to enjoy.

Hastings provides a fantastic lifestyle complete with beautiful surroundings nearby, an arts and culture scene that is thriving and a food and beverage scene that continues to deliver year after year. Throw in a climate that produces warm balmy days in the summer and crisp winters, and this is a city that has a lot to offer residents and visitors alike year-round.

12 Hours Havelock North

Wine being poured into a glass next to a woman pulling at a pizza.

Your guide to the best things to do in Havelock North, Hastings

7 Fresh New Finds in Hastings & Havelock North

Hastings

The more, the merrier – a sentiment that couldn’t be more fitting when it comes to the wave of new independent businesses opening in Hastings and Havelock North. The last couple of years certainly haven’t been without their challenges, but that hasn’t stopped talented locals from diving into exciting new ventures, bringing fresh energy and creativity to the neighbourhood. Whether you’re after flowers or fashion, croissants or ceviche, here are seven new faces to meet next time you’re in the sunny Hawke’s Bay region.

Dine off the Beaten Path in Hastings & Havelock North

A container cafe nestled into a green grassy knoll.
Hastings

If you’re craving a destination with a delicious reward, here are eight of our favourite “off the beaten path” spots to explore with an appetite.

9 International Food Destinations in Hastings & Havelock North

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Hastings

Here are nine of our favourite local eateries that will take you on a delicious trip around the world. No passport required – but remember to pack your appetite.

A Walking Wonders Art Tour of Hastings Heretaunga

A large falcon mural painted on a wall.
Hastings

Ever since 1931, Hawke’s Bay has been ahead of the curve when it comes to art, due to the Napier earthquake prompting a rebuild that saw the city reinvent itself, Art Deco-style. Although Napier required more of a rebuild, Hastings was certainly not exempt from this wave and many of those Art Deco and Spanish Mission-style buildings still stand today.

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Off The Track

Contemporary and plant-filled interior of Off The Track restaurant with the light wooden dining tables and a chef cooking through the open kitchen window
Place Hastings
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Party of two or twenty, there’s a seat for everyone at Off The Track.

Decibel Wines

Rows of Decibel Wines on shelf
Place Hastings
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Decibel Wines is a counter-culture winery. Uh, what does that mean? They create wines that are fine but always fun, adventurous but always approachable.

MUSE Boutique

Interior of boutique clothing store with rows of clothing next to big arched windows
Place Hastings
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A sanctuary for those who appreciate the finer things in life, MUSE Boutique has established itself as a leading name in the world of luxury fashion.

Ya Bon Table

Two women talking together at a table with plates of pastries and baked goods
Place Hastings
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Apart from those living under a giant rock, every soul in Hawke’s Bay is familiar (and likely obsessed) with the irresistible baked goods from modern French bakery, Ya...

Red Bridge Coffee

The three team members behind Red Bridge Coffee sitting outside coffee trailer with their two dogs
Place Hastings
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A special kind of magic takes over when you exit the main town and enter the Hawke’s Bay countryside, with tree-lined roads winding through rolling hills and vineyards.

Rosina Eatery

Plate of bright milk toast next to a long black coffee on cafe table
Place Hastings
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After your first visit to Rosina, you’ll be digging up every excuse in the book to return on the daily. That was our experience anyway.

St Georges Restaurant

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Place Hastings
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Nestled in the green landscape between Hastings and Havelock North, St Georges Restaurant offers a family-owned culinary experience, grounded in a garden-to-table philosophy.

OTT in the City

Chef filling banh mi with fresh ingredients in the kitchen
Place Hastings
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Is there anything more satisfying than biting into a herb-loaded bánh mì on a sunny day or warming up with a comforting bowl of phở? When it’s coming...

Mijita

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Place Hastings
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Latin American culture is synonymous with fun and flavour.

The Artisan Cafe

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Place Hastings
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Follow the enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee down Queen Street East and through the doors of The Artisan Cafe, a boutique micro roastery adding a great buzz to the...

St Martha

The bright and beautiful counter at St Martha In Havelock North.
Place Hastings
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The Havelock North dining scene continues to trend positively, fuelled by its latest addition, St Martha.

Bambina Pizzeria

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Place Hastings
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Alessandro Buttazzoni is a name possibly familiar to those from Hawke’s Bay, given that he is the widely experienced creator of the beloved Alessandro’s Pizza e...

Lot 2

The bright interior of Lot 2 cafe in Havelock North.
Place Hastings
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Havelock North’s Lot 2 is a laid back, unpretentious eatery that starts each day as a café, before transforming into an intimate evening destination.

Tu Meke Don

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Place Hastings
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In a happy marriage of Japanese food and Kiwi vibes, Tu Meke Don is a real family-run business, operating out of the lively Tribune precinct in Hastings.

Craggy Range Restaurant

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Place Hastings
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Family-owned Craggy Range is situated mere moments from Havelock North, nestled between the Tukituki River and the majestic hillside of Te Mata Peak.

Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre

The Oamaru stone exterior of Toitoi in Hastings.
Place Hastings
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Metaphorically, but also in the literal sense, Toitoi - Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre is at the cultural heart of Hastings and provides a gathering point for both...