1. Cellar 495
Home to the Cuisine Good Food Awards Best Sommeliers and Wine Experience for 2025.
- Duration48 hours
- CategoryHighlights
Hawke’s Bay is proving itself as one of New Zealand’s true culinary powerhouses, serving up food and hospitality experiences that rival the very best. At the 2025 Cuisine Good Food Awards, an incredible 20 Hawke’s Bay eateries made it to the finals – more than any other region outside of Auckland and Wellington – firmly cementing our place on the national dining stage and as New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country.
The coveted Cuisine Hat is one of the highest accolades in New Zealand dining — awarded only to restaurants that demonstrate outstanding food, service, and experience. A one-hat ranking signals a remarkable dining destination; three hats represent the very pinnacle of culinary achievement. With multiple hatted restaurants and bars, Hawke’s Bay is a must-visit for food lovers.
The region’s unique blend of locally grown produce, passionate makers, and innovative chefs continues to elevate its reputation, delivering world-class dining experiences. At the 2025 awards, the region proudly took home three major titles:
- Best Winery Restaurant of the Year: Craggy Range Winery
- Best Sommeliers & Wine Experience of the Year: Cellar 495
- Chef of the Year: Casey McDonald, Craggy Range
Hawke’s Bay Hat Rankings:
- 3 Hats: Craggy Range Restaurant
- 1 Hat: Cellar 495, Black Barn Bistro, Central Fire Station Bistro, Elephant Hill
With such accolades, it’s little wonder Hawke’s Bay is setting the benchmark for dining excellence in Aotearoa.
Highlights
- Farmers market
- Food and wine
- Great Wine Capital
- Hawke's Bay Artisanal Experience
Embark on a weekend of pure culinary indulgence in Hawke’s Bay — New Zealand’s ultimate food and wine destination. With more hatted restaurants than anywhere outside the big cities, this is where exceptional food, fine wine, and warm hospitality come together in spectacular style.
Midday
Start your weekend at Cellar 495 — where fine wine meets flawless hospitality. Located in the beautifully restored Hastings Municipal Building, this one-hatted gem combines neighbourly warmth with world-class wine expertise, led by the world’s 495th Master of Wine, Michael Henley. Expect refined, flavour-forward dishes perfectly paired with standout Hawke’s Bay and International wines in a vibrant, cozy setting.
Evening
Step into Napier’s heritage and dine where history meets modern flair. A one-hatted favourite, Central Fire Station Bistro offers seasonal, French- and Italian-inspired fare crafted by Head Chef and Owner Sam Clark. Housed in Napier’s iconic Art Deco fire station, this beautifully reimagined space sets the scene for an evening of elegant simplicity, local produce, and unforgettable flavour.
Highlights
2. Cenral Fire Station Bistro
Where bistro fare meets Art Deco elegance.
Morning
Wake up to the taste of Hawke’s Bay at the Napier Urban Farmers’ Market. Sip freshly roasted coffee, sample artisan treats, and meet the local growers who fuel the region’s food scene. Every Saturday morning, the city comes alive with colour, flavour, and friendly faces — the perfect start to your gourmet day.
Midday
Savour coastal sophistication at Elephant Hill — where sea views meet culinary artistry. This award-winning, one-hatted winery restaurant blends architectural elegance with innovative cuisine. Under the direction of Head Chef Conor Mertens, each dish champions Hawke’s Bay’s finest ingredients, perfectly matched with Elephant Hill’s acclaimed wines and sweeping ocean vistas.
Evening
Dine among legends at Craggy Range — a three-hat icon of New Zealand cuisine. Executive Chef Casey McDonald, (and Cuisine magazine’s Good Food Awards Chef of 2025) crafts regionally inspired menus that celebrate the best of Hawke’s Bay’s seasonal produce, paired beautifully with the estate’s award-winning wines. Enjoy breathtaking views of Te Mata Peak from the terrace — the perfect finale to a day of culinary excellence.
Highlights
1. Napier Urban Farmers Market
Meet the growers and artisans who fuel Hawke's Bay's food culture.
2. Elephant Hill Winery
Indulge in coastal sophistication
3. Craggy Range Winery
Treat yourself to a world-class culinary journey.
Morning
Start your Sunday with the sights, sounds, and flavours of Hawke’s Bay’s famous Farmers’ Market. Meet the makers, fill your basket with local delights, and taste why this is one of New Zealand’s most loved markets — a true celebration of the region’s bounty.
Midday
End your gourmet escape in style among the vines at Black Barn Bistro. This one-hatted favourite pairs relaxed elegance with a seasonal menu that champions Hawke’s Bay’s produce and craftsmanship. The perfect final taste of a weekend devoted to world-class food, wine, and good company.
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply love discovering exceptional dining, Hawke’s Bay offers a table for every appetite – and memories that last far beyond the final course.
Highlights
1. Hawke's Bay Farmers Market
The best of Hawke's Bay flavour.
2. Black Barn Bistro
Dine among the vines.