A Taste of Tairāwhiti’s Food Trucks: Your Guide to Gisborne's Best

Quickly earning its reputation as one of Gisborne’s best food trucks, GOGO Souvlaki specialises in traditional souvlaki grilled over hot coals, with flavours that are smoky, tender, and unmistakably Greek. Locals love the signature skewers served straight off the stick or wrapped in fluffy handmade pita with creamy tzatziki, tomato, red onion, and crispy hand-cut chips, a true taste of Corfu in the heart of the East Coast. Owned by husband-and-wife duo, Giorgos and Megan Damiris, their vision is simple yet powerful: to build a family-run business that brings people together through food made the authentic way, everything from scratch, using quality ingredients and traditional techniques. Parked next to Curbside Kitchen in the Ballance Street Village, GOGO Souvlaki currently opens its doors on Friday and Saturday evenings, with plans to extend their hours soon.

Papas Tapas has carved out a loyal following as one of Gisborne’s top food trucks, known for its vibrant flavours, laid-back vibe, and unbeatable beachside locations. Specialising in slow-cooked meats served on fried bread or locally sourced corn tortillas from Gizzy’s La Tortilla Shop, their menu bursts with colour and freshness: think herb and nut slaw, lime dressing, pickles, and micro herbs, all topped with your choice of sauces. From battered tarakihi to vegan cashew cheese, nachos, and a legendary kumara & kaimoana chowder, there’s something for everyone. At Papas Tapas, the mission is simple: serve great kai, create joyful moments, and hopefully earn enough to take winter holidays and mentor the next generation of chefs. During winter, they pop up on sunny weekends near beaches and playgrounds, and they’re a regular hit at the Dinner By The River night markets. Come spring, you’ll find them based at Waikanae Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, where Papas Tapas brings flavour and fun, complete with lights, music, a welcoming atmosphere and an extended menu.

Not Only Basil has quietly risen to its success, serving nothing but fresh, handcrafted pizzas from a humble cart. Run by a dedicated husband-and-wife duo since 2016, their journey was not without its challenges; relying solely on word of mouth and choosing not to advertise, preferring instead to let their food speak for itself. Their commitment has earned them a loyal following, with each event and private function organically leading to the next. Their philosophy is refreshingly simple: do what you love, and do it right. By focusing exclusively on pizza and keeping operations small and flexible, they’ve created a sustainable lifestyle that prioritises health, happiness, and authenticity. You won’t find flashy marketing or constant social media updates, just honest food made with care. For this couple, success isn’t about expansion - it’s about staying true to their craft and enjoying the life they’ve built, one pizza at a time. Check Facebook for details about whether they’re open and where they’ll be.

Dessert Lover is a beloved fixture at the Gisborne Farmers Market, instantly recognisable by its bright pink food cart and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked sweets. Run by mother-and-daughter team Ashleigh and Gael, the business is rooted in their shared passion for home baking and a commitment to using only the finest ingredients. Their menu features crowd-pleasers like Lemon Meringue Cake, indulgent New York-style stuffed cookies, and Whittaker’s Rocky Road. With every dessert, they invite locals to indulge their sweet tooth and experience the warmth and joy that inspired Dessert Lover from the very beginning.

Ice Cream Bros is a vibrant local venture run by the Wright brothers, five teenage entrepreneurs serving up Gisborne’s favourite real fruit ice creams. Known for their fresh, locally sourced ingredients and bold flavour choices like Feijoa, Tamarillo, Kiwifruit, and even Lavender, they’ve built a loyal following with their creative twist on a classic treat. Whether they’re scooping at the Gisborne Farmers Market on Saturdays or parked near the beach when the surf’s up, these brothers bring energy, flavour, and community spirit wherever they go. They’re also available for private events, making them a go-to for birthdays, holiday functions, and sweet celebrations across Tairāwhiti.

Silly Sushi serves up sushi with a playful twist: Chilean‑style rolls that are a little more “naughty and tasty” than the rest. Their best‑seller, the Deep‑Fried Chicken sushi, has earned a loyal following, but the menu is full of bold, flavour‑packed options that reflect the unique blend of cultures behind the business. Owners Emma, a born‑and‑bred Gizzy local, and Javi, a Chilean sushi pro who once ran her own sushi shop back home, bring both skill and personality to every roll. The Silly Sushi story began with a raffle to raise funds for a kids’ hockey tournament, Javi’s sushi platter sold out in a flash, sparking the idea to start taking orders. The response from locals was so enthusiastic that the pair decided to take the leap into a food truck. Now parked outside their home on Ormond Road, Emma and Javi are on a mission to “spread the silly” far and wide, even expanding into bubble tea with their new venture, Silly Bubbles.

Kings of the Coast is a Gisborne favourite run by Ashley King and John Hammond, serving up fresh, flavour‑packed dumplings from their food truck on Gladstone Road. With a core menu of creamed pāua, pork and chive dumplings, and fresh kina, plus weekly specials like butter chicken, creamy garlic mussels, crayfish, and even dessert dumplings, they keep things exciting for loyal fans. Founded in 2019 by their late cousin Jena Eyles, the business is now thriving under their care, travelling to events across the North Island and building toward a vision of expanding nationwide, all while honouring Jena’s legacy with their signature rallying cry: “Eat em up, eat em up.”

Good Day Dumpling is Gisborne’s go‑to for authentic, handcrafted Japanese flavours, lovingly made by owner Toru, Tokyo-born and raised. After moving to New Zealand in 2010 and honing his skills in restaurants and a sake bar, Toru took over the dumpling caravan in 2019 and has been serving up handmade dumplings and crispy karaage chicken ever since. Find Good Day Dumpling parked on Grey Street during the week and at the Farmers Market every Saturday morning, plus popping up at events and private functions in the warmer months.