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Discover editorial Gisborne stories, local perspectives, coastal culture, beaches, lifestyle, opinion pieces and in-depth articles that capture the atmosphere, character and everyday life of Gisborne.
Discover Gisborne Through Local Stories
Gisborne is more than a collection of attractions. It's a place shaped by beaches, surf culture, vineyards, local characters, hidden coastal roads and a pace of life that feels different from much of New Zealand.
Browse by category to discover local guides, beach recommendations, food experiences, wellness ideas, events, accommodation and stories that capture the atmosphere of the city.
Whether you're planning your first visit or looking for inspiration for your next weekend adventure, you'll find practical advice, local insights and detailed articles designed to help you experience more of Gisborne.
Smash Palace: The Bar Built Around a Plane
Smash Palace Bar, Gisborne NZ Smash Palace Location: 24 Banks Street, Awapuni, Gisborne 4010 Phone: 021 128 7689 Website: www.smashpalacebar.com Hours: Mon Closed Tue 4:00pm - 8:00pm Wed 4:00pm - 9:00pm Thu 4:00pm - 11:00pm Fri 4:00pm -11:30pm Sat 3:00pm - 1:00am Sun 4:00pm - 8:00pm Most cities have bars. Some cities have live music venues. Very few have a DC-3 aircraft suspended above the outdoor drinking area. Which is probably the easiest way to explain why Smash Palace is
The Works Gisborne: Menu, Hours & Restaurant Guide
The Works, Inner Harbour, Gisborne NZ The Works Gisborne: Relaxed Harbour Dining Location: 41 The Esplanade (Inner Harbour), Gisborne 4010 Phone: 06 868 9699 Website: www.theworksgisborne.co.nz Hours: Mon - Fri 12:00pm - 8:00pm, Sat 10:00am - 8:00pm, Sun 10:00am - 3:00pm Cuisine: Modern bistro / brunch / seafood / pizza Menu: Current menu via The Works website Best for: Brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks, functions and harbour dining Setting: Historic former freezing works buildin
Crawford Road Kitchen Gisborne: Menu & Dining Guide
Crawford Road Kitchen, Inner Harbour, Gisborne NZ Crawford Road Kitchen: Quietly Sophisticated Local Favourite Location: 3/50 Esplanade, Inner harbour, Gisborne 4010 Phone: 06 867 4085 Website: www.gisbornewinecentre.co.nz Hours: Tues - Sat 3pm - 9pm Sun - Mon Closed Cuisine: Modern New Zealand / bistro-style dining Setting: Inner Harbour Menu: Seasonal Best for: Dinner, wine, date nights, groups and relaxed harbour dining Crawford Road Kitchen is a modern restaurant at Gisbo
Tahu Gisborne: Menu, Hours & Restaurant Guide
Tahu Restaurant overlooking Midway Beach, Gisborne NZ Tahu, Restaurant & Bar, Gisborne Address: 40 Centennial Marine Drive, Awapuni, Gisborne 4010 Phone: 06 281 0281 Location: Midway Beach, Gisborne Hours: Mon - Sun 12:00pm - 10:00pm Cuisine: Contemporary New Zealand Website: www.tahu.co.nz Bar Menu: View bar menu Lunch Menu: View lunch menu Dinner Menu: View dinner menu Bookings: Reservations and walk-ins welcome Best for: Dinner, lunch, special occasions and beachfront dini
Portofino Gisborne: Menu, Hours & Italian Dining
Portofino Italian Restaurant, Peel Street, Gisborne CBD, Gisborne NZ Location: 12-14 Peel Street, Gisborne 4010 Phone: 06 868 5700 Website/Menu: www.portofino.co.nz Cuisine: Italian Lunch: 11:30am-3:30pm daily Dinner: 5:30pm until late daily Menus: All-day, kids, takeaway, dessert and wine list Bookings: Available via their website Best for: Italian dining, families, groups, date nights and celebrations Portofino Gisborne is an Italian restaurant at 12-14 Peel Street in centr
Neighbourhood Cantina: It Starts With the Margaritas
Neighbourhood Cantina, Wainui Beach, Gisborne NZ Location: 7 Oneroa Road, Wainui Beach, Gisborne 4010 Phone: 06 281 0173 Website/Menu: www.neighbourhoodcantina.co.nz Hours: Mon - Wed Closed Thu - Sun 3:00pm - 9:00pm There are restaurants where you carefully discuss flavour profiles. And then there are restaurants where somebody says: “Let’s just get one margarita.” Three hours later you’re sharing tacos, laughing too loudly and seriously considering ordering churros despite a
Just Thai Gisborne: Menu, Hours & Restaurant Guide
Just Thai Cuisine restaurant on Lowe Street, Gisborne NZ Just Thai Cuisine, Gisborne: Relaxed Dining, Big Flavours Address: 2 Lowe Street, Gisborne 4010 Phone: 06 867 8028 Cuisine: Thai Dining: Dine-in and takeaway Website: View on Facebook Menu: View menu Hours: Tues - Thurs & Sun 3:00pm - 8:30pm, Fri - Sat 3:00pm - 9:00pm, Closed Mon Best for: Casual dinners, takeaway, groups and Thai food Just Thai Cuisine is a popular Thai restaurant at 2 Lowe Street in central Gisborne,
The Rivers Gisborne: Menu, Hours & Restaurant Guide
The Rivers, Restaurant & Bar, Gisborne CBD, Gisborne NZ Location: 1 Gladstone Road, Gisborne 4010 Phone/Bookings: 06 863 3733 Website: www.therivers.co.nz Cuisine: Pub food, seafood, burgers, steaks Menu: https://therivers.co.nz/food-menu Best for: Lunch, dinner, drinks, groups, relaxed riverside dining Setting: Taruheru River, central Gisborne Hours: Mon - Sat 11:00am - 10:00pm Sun 12:00pm - 10:00pm The Rivers Restaurant and Bar is a popular riverside pub in central Gisborne
Bushmere Arms Gisborne: Menu, Hours & Dining Guide
Bushmere Arms Restaurant & Bar, Waerenga-a-hika, Gisborne NZ Bushmere Arms, Gisborne: A Country Drive Into Another Era Location: 673 Matawai Road, Waerenga-a-Hika, Gisborne Phone: 06 862 5820 Website: www.bushmerearms.co.nz Cuisine: Country-style dining / traditional New Zealand Best for: Long lunches, dinners, weddings, celebrations and special occasions Setting: Historic country venue with gardens and pub spaces Hours: Monday Closed Tuesday - Fri 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 5:00pm -
Dome Bar & Cinema: Cocktails, Pizza & More
Dome Bar & Cinema, Childers Road, Gisborne NZ Location: 38 Childers Road, Gisborne 4010 Phone: 027 590 2117 Website/Menu: www.domecinema.co.nz Hours: Mon - Tue Closed Wed - Sat 5:00pm - 10:00pm Sun 5:00pm - 9:00pm Some ideas sound questionable on paper. A boutique cinema combined with a stylish cocktail bar, restaurant and live entertainment venue? In theory, it could have become deeply pretentious very quickly. Instead, Dome Bar & Cinema became one of Gisborne’s most loved s
Lone Star Gisborne: Menu, Hours & Restaurant Guide
Lone Star Gisborne, Inner Harbour, Gisborne NZ Lone Star Gisborne: Knowing Exactly What You’re Getting Address: 60 The Esplanade, Shed One, Inner Harbour, Gisborne Phone: 06 868 3257 Menu: www.lonestar.co.nz Bar: From 4pm daily Dinner: From 5pm until late daily Cuisine: Casual New Zealand / American-style dining / kids options Bookings: Available Best for: Families, groups, birthdays, casual dinners and functions Setting: Marina / Inner Harbour Lone Star Gisborne is a family-
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