Restaurant Ari is at 103 Karamu Road South, in the heart of the Hastings CBD, Hawke's Bay. It was created by local hospitality operators Simon and Emma Lillico.
The cooking is modern Mediterranean in outlook, drawing on Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, with an emphasis on bold but balanced flavours. The menu is built around a working relationship with Hawke's Bay growers, producers and winemakers — which, in a region with the produce base Hawke's Bay has, is a substantive positioning rather than a slogan.
Published hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 11.30am–3pm, and Thursday to Saturday 11.30am–3pm and 5.30pm–8.30pm. The limited dinner service is the main planning constraint — confirm current hours before scheduling a group dinner.
The restaurant explicitly caters for private dining, group celebrations and bespoke events alongside its regular lunch and dinner trade.
Restaurant Ari suits incentive and client dining, executive and board meals, conference dinners at the boutique end, and partner-programme lunches in Hawke's Bay. Its central Hastings location makes it walkable from Hastings accommodation and a straightforward short transfer from Napier or Havelock North. Group capacity, exclusive-use terms and set menus should be arranged directly with the restaurant.
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