Napier hot spots

[As published in July/August BayBuzz magazine.]

The weather may be chilly, but there are hot spots doing great things all over the Bay. Show your local cafes, bars and restaurants some love this winter where you can. A drink after work. Coffee meeting instead of a zoom call. Vouchers as gifts. Locals supporting local is what’s going to keep our fabulous hospitality scene going during these quieter times.

Winifred’s Bar & Kitchen
Next door to pretty-in-pink coffee spot Uncle at the Bluewater end of West Quay in Ahuriri, Winifred’s has opened. It’s going to be a lovely sunny spot come the summer season, but in the meantime, the indoor-outdoor flow is great, it’s warm inside the slick interior, the service is friendly, and the menu is flavour-packed, elegant and fun. Kick your visit off with the white anchovy soldiers and don’t skip the black treacle kingfish. Winifred’s is open Thursdays to Mondays. What a welcome addition to the seaside neighbourhood.

Pacifica
Marine Parade restaurant Pacifica is one of the true icons of the HB food scene. And great news – they’re here for a decent while longer! With the sweet blue bungalow sporting a ‘for sale’ sign, and talk of Jeremy Rameka and Natalie Bulman’s future plans swirling, there has been a bit of misunderstanding out there. 

Here’s the skinny: The landlord is selling the building but Pacifica is set to remain until at least the end of August 2025. So there are loads of gorgeous opportunities to treat someone special, or better still, a group of food lovers to degustation delight at Pacifica. The restaurant is closed this August while Jeremy and Natalie hare overseas but apart from that, it’s exquisite business as usual. Lucky us!

The Tennyson

Brightening and lightening up the street, The Tennyson is now open evenings. The impressive Italian pizza oven tucked into the kitchen has helped add a whole new element – and the Napoli-style pizzas are delicious! Try the Diavola for a spicy wee kick. Pop in for pizza, pasta and drinks in the Tuesday to Saturday evenings either out under the twinkly lights, or inside with those lovely aromas. 

Owners Trevor and Valérie have assembled a top-notch team and adapted one of the city’s favourite cafes into a really warm, welcoming, dinner spot to complement their consistently great daytime offering. Plus, the cocktails are ON.