Craggy Range Restaurant
253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North 4230
Rating: 4.7 ★ (1492 ratings)
Details
Craggy Range Restaurant offers a truly memorable dining setting in Hawke's Bay, nestled between the Tukituki River and the majestic Te Mata Peak. This celebrated winery restaurant provides a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, with breathtaking views of the peak and sweeping vineyards, especially from its outdoor terrace. The venue’s design thoughtfully reflects the unique local characteristics, incorporating elements such as local limestone clay and burnt timber battens. It stands out as an approachable space designed for guests to fully appreciate the region's exceptional food and wine.
The cuisine at Craggy Range Restaurant is regionally inspired, masterfully crafted by Executive Chef Casey McDonald, and passionately celebrates the finest Hawke's Bay produce. A cornerstone of the menu is the extensive 800-square-metre on-site organic and biodynamic kitchen garden, which supplies a diverse array of fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables, embodying a true garden-to-plate philosophy. Diners can explore seasonal à la carte options, convivial Signature Table menus for groups, and dedicated vegetarian or vegan alternatives, all complemented by an impressive list of Craggy Range wines, local beers, and seasonal cocktails. Notable dishes have included cured fish with crème fraîche and lemon verbena, and a peppered venison rack with almond cream.
Craggy Range Restaurant is perfectly suited for those seeking both relaxed long lunches and more indulgent, slower evenings. It provides an ideal backdrop for marking special occasions, with the option of the intimate Loft experience for a dinner-party style gathering. Whether a local resident or a visitor to the region, it serves as an excellent place to gather and immerse oneself in the exceptional culinary offerings of Hawke's Bay. The combination of comfort, luxury, and polished service ensures a truly memorable experience for any guest.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Thursday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact
+64 6 873 7126 | http://www.craggyrange.com/
Comments
We drove 2 hours just to dine here, and it exceeded every single expectation! Our experience started with a slight mix-up—we accidentally walked into the accommodation reception instead of the restaurant. However, the reception staff were incredibly warm and helpful, personally guiding us all the way to the restaurant.
From that moment on, the service was flawless. It is truly world-class and honestly sets a benchmark far above most restaurants in New Zealand.
For lunch, we ordered the $ 99-per-person menu and also added the $ 69-per-person July special menu. Let me just say: the culinary execution here is phenomenal. Every single dish was prepared with immense care. I was so thrilled to see that the sides weren't just the lazy, standard broccoli and carrots you get at most places; instead, they were thoughtfully cooked, creatively paired, and beautifully plated. The venison was incredibly juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. While the $69 special menu is an absolute steal for the value, the dishes on the $99 menu were next-level delicious!
Craggy Range left a massive, unforgettable impression on us compared to any other restaurant we’ve tried in New Zealand. We will absolutely be back, and next time, I’m bringing a whole group of friends. Thank you to the team for an exceptional day!
Their potato focaccia is well known - served with camembert butter and honey. I got the recipe and am going to try making it at home.
Every course was thoughtful and delicious. Each item had a secret ingredient that was not listed on the menu and I had fun figuring out those ingredients.
Wine: you can't go wrong with any of their wines. I highly recommend booking in for their wine tasting during the day if you can.
It is second time I got to dine at their main dining room and if I get a chance to visit on a Friday /Saturday in the future, I'd love to check out the Loft as well.
Impeccable service and the winery itself is beautiful to visit on a nice sunny day.
Because of those beautiful memories, we visited again with our kids for our 25th anniversary and had the course meal. The staff's service was just as excellent as before, but the food left something to be desired.
The first three dishes were very good, and the sauces matched perfectly. However, starting from the fourth dish, the seasoning felt a bit too strong and salty. I understand that menus change seasonally and the dishes were different from our last visit, so it might just be that this current menu wasn't to my personal taste.
Even so, it fell short of my expectations overall. If my last visit was a perfect 100, this time I would give it somewhere between 70 to 80.
The food and wine were excellent, but what really stood out was the exceptional service. Every member of the team was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making us feel so well looked after from start to finish.
A fantastic experience that we'd happily recommend.