Journal
Editorial deep dive

The top-rated restaurants in Napier and Hawke's Bay for events and group dining

MICE editorial — 01 August 2026

Napier and Hawke's Bay's highest-rated restaurants for conference dinners and group bookings, ranked live by Google review score.

Hawke's Bay is wine country, and that shapes how it entertains a conference. Napier's Art Deco centre and the surrounding vineyards give organisers a distinctive backdrop for a delegate dinner — winery restaurants, city bistros and long-table settings that turn a meal into part of the destination experience. The question is which are genuinely well regarded before you enquire about a group booking.

The list below is ranked live from the MICE directory by Google review rating, filtered to the region's highest-scoring restaurants (4.5 stars and up). Treat it as a shortlist of quality, then approach each venue about group capacity, private dining, set menus and dietary needs — and, for winery restaurants, transport for delegates who have been tasting. Find more options in the restaurants directory.

Ratings, menus and hours change, so confirm the current details with the venue directly. MICE keeps Hawke's Bay's dining alongside the national event record so the social side of your programme is easy to build.

Napier & Hawke's Bay top-rated restaurants for group dining

Live from the MICE directory, ranked by our data. Figures are indicative — confirm with each provider.

  1. 1
    Cellar 495
    Napier
    4.9Google
  2. 2
    Craft & Social Bar + Eatery
    Napier
    4.7Google
  3. 3
    Alessandro's
    Napier
    4.7Google
  4. 4
    Casa Ahuriri
    Napier
    4.7Google
  5. 5
    K Kitchen and Bar
    Napier
    4.7Google
  6. 6
    Madame Social
    Napier
    4.7Google
  7. 7
    Central Fire Station Bistro
    Napier
    4.7Google
  8. 8
    Giant Public House
    Napier
    4.6Google
  9. 9
    Deliciosa Restaurant
    Napier
    4.6Google
  10. 10
    Church Road Winery Cellar Door & Restaurant
    Napier
    4.6Google
  11. 11
    Malo
    Napier
    4.6Google
  12. 12
    Bistronomy
    Napier
    4.6Google
  13. 13
    Clearview Estate Winery Restaurant
    Napier
    4.5Google
  14. 14
    Crab Farm Winery Restaurant
    Napier
    4.5Google
  15. 15
    Monica Loves
    Napier
    4.5Google
See all options in the directory

Frequently asked

How are these Hawke's Bay restaurants ranked?

They are ordered live by Google review rating, filtered to restaurants scoring 4.5 stars or higher in the directory.

Are winery restaurants included?

Yes, where they meet the rating threshold. Winery dining is a signature Hawke's Bay experience for group dinners.

Should I arrange transport for a winery dinner?

It is wise. If delegates are tasting wine, organise coaches or transfers rather than relying on self-drive.

Can these restaurants take group bookings?

Many offer private dining or group menus, but capacity varies. Confirm numbers and options with each venue.

How current are the ratings?

Review scores update over time, so use the ranking as current guidance and reconfirm with the restaurant.

More from the Journal

All journal