Lustre Kitchen and Dining

Lustre Kitchen and Dining is a hidden gem in Paraparaumu that oozes class and indulgence, where rustic and contemporary flair come together for a truly special venue for any occasion.

Brothers Tim and Aaron not only run the kitchen and do service on the floor, but also built the place with their own hands, learning how to tile, wallpaper, and even craft a bar top from recycled milk bottles. They’ve done an incredible job, with the slick black colour scheme draped over everything from the exterior and interior walls to the stylish plates and napkins. Rich greens add a pop of colour, as gold-framed artworks and mirrors help the space really shine. There’s an intimacy to the service, whether you’re seated at a table or perched at the kitchen bar, watching and chatting with the chefs as dishes are plated.

On the menu, you’ll find flavours guided by the seasons and what’s available from hyper-local suppliers. Crooked Vege in Ōtaki provides much of the produce, meat comes from Conscious Valley in Ohariu Valley, and the team forages themselves for fruit, herbs, and edible flowers. Nothing is wasted, whole lambs are butchered in-house, and the menu flexes daily to reflect what’s fresh and ready. The best things, however, are constants, such as the house sourdough focaccia baked daily and served with ever-changing spreads, and the goat’s cheese gougeres with toasted hazelnut and spiced honey, a signature snack from day one.

With a strong focus on locality and sustainability, Lustre is the kind of place you leave feeling good in more ways than one. The food is elegant but unpretentious, the space is handcrafted and full of character, and the people behind it are as present in the dining room as they are in the kitchen. It’s a restaurant that glows with its own kind of lustre.