A few years ago, I took a trip to Rotorua and ended up falling down the rabbit hole of foodie forums and local gossip. But yet, the restaurant I ended up at was quite disappointing. 

My pasta was soggy, the pesto sauce was heavy on the basil, and the service was irritating. It took forever to be seated, and the waiter couldn’t even be bothered to refill my water. 

That’s why on my visits to Hastings, I made sure not to repeat that mistake. After trying a handful of spots and doing my share of digging, I finally found restaurants where I would order seconds. 

So if you’re starving and need a place to go, here’s my take on the best restaurants in Hastings. 

1. Jarks Restaurant Hastings

Address: 118 Maraekakaho Road, Camberley

Contact Details: +6468708333

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM to 9 AM 

Website 

Jarks’  is rustic and welcoming, with indoor trees, a stocked bar, and a stage for live music. Diners can choose from two menus: the $22–$28 lunch menu (11 AM to 2:15 PM) and the evening menu available from 5 PM. 

The first time I came here was for a midweek lunch. I half-expected chaos from a kitchen juggling fish, schnitzel, and dumplings. 

Instead, the vibe was calm, and I was seated in minutes. The server often came by and refilled my drink while checking on others around me. 

The Tomato & Lime Salsa Pan-Fried Fish I had for lunch came with a delicious creamy mash and a bright, zingy salsa. The fish was crisp-edged but still tender, and the salsa was heavy on coriander. 

When I talked to other diners, many loved the Chicken & Honey Mustard Burger. They love crunchy, juicy cutlets and the sweet-savory burger sauce of the meal. 

I went back for dinner to see how the service compared, and it remained very efficient. I tried the Rosemary Crumbed Beef Schnitzel, which was perfectly cooked. The side of roasted vegetables that came with it lacked flavor, though.

At least, the MQ Smoothie (Malibu, Kahlua, Baileys) I had for dessert made up for it. It tasted like a liquified Snickers bar. 

The food was tasty and well put together

Jarks never misses! Good vibes from the moment you walk in—relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The food was tasty and well put together, and the service was top notch—friendly and on to it. A solid spot for a chilled meal out. Will definitely be back!

– J K, Google Reviews 

Great food (generous portions), excellent attentive service

Great food (generous portions), excellent attentive service, a little busy and noisy but that’s the sign of a good place to eat. 7pm was very busy on a Saturday night so make sure you book, it’s pretty empty by 8:30pm though.

– Chrissy, Google Reviews 

2. Craft and Social

Address: 319 Heretaunga Street East

Contact Details: +6466511912

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM 

Website

Craft & Social is inside Hastings’ historic and bougie Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre, and it carries that same mix of class and charm. The place features thoughtful quotes on the walls, indoor plants, and a sleek open bar.

The menu here is deceptively simple: pizzas, salads, and hearty mains. But the flavors of each dish show real attention to detail.

Take the smoked mushroom pizza, for example. It’s a wood-fired base topped with feta, ricotta cream, and sundried tomato pesto. The mushrooms bring a deep, almost meaty smokiness that’s balanced by bright pesto and the tang of fresh rocket.  

The pulled pork pizza’s chipotle aioli is rich in flavor, but I found the pork itself to be a bit salty.

For the unabashed carnivores, I recommend getting the braised beef cheek. It has caramelized onions underneath that add sweetness to the beef. The horseradish adds a quiet kick instead of the usual sinus-punch

Dessert? The Sticky Date Pudding is a good choice. It’s soaked in brandy caramel sauce, and just the right kind of indulgent. 

The food was also outstanding

“Excellent all round. Very refreshing to meet Martin who is a professional waiter. He was engaging, helpful, knowledgeable and passionate about his role. The food was also outstanding. We had shared plates and they were absolutely delicious. Great friendly atmosphere. Highly rate this cafe. We will definitely be back. Thanks”

– Mike and Shelley Ranstead, Google Reviews 

The food was incredible 

“The food was incredible but the best part was our lovely waiter. An older male and EVERY TIME I’m here, he is just excellent at his job. Deserves some sort of recognition because he makes the place.”

– Rob and Kelly Wiles, Google Reviews 

3. Restaurant Ari

Address: 103 Karamu Road South

Contact Details: +6462227100

Operating Hours: 

• Tuesday & Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM 
• Thursday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM, 5:30 PM 8 PM 

Website

Ari’s $45 two-course lunch menu is a steal for food this bold, though I’ll admit that the experience feels a bit rushed. Diners typically have only 45 to 60 minutes to eat, and dishes arrive almost as quickly as you can put your menu down.

Still, the food itself delivers. The asparagus starter I ordered was sautéed until silky. It’s drowned in a rich pecorino cream and finished with lemon zest and crisp pangrattato crumbs. 

The daily croquette should come with a warning label. Mine came filled with braised leek and manchego that oozed out like molten gold when I cracked the crispy shell. It was rich, satisfying, and gone in just three or four bites.

The main dish, the lamb rump, arrived blushing pink. It’s perched on a chickpea fricassee that tasted like it had been slow-dancing with olives and almonds all afternoon. 

And for dessert, the Summer Fling cheesecake stole my heart. I ate it slowly, savoring each bite of the rosewater, pistachios, and caramelized milk crumbs.

Every bite feels thoughtfully crafted 

“An absolute gem for Hastings!

I’ve now been to Ari four times, and each visit has completely blown me away. It’s such a gift to have something this special right here in Hastings — a restaurant that truly elevates our local dining scene and complements our region’s reputation for exceptional produce and wine.

The service is always friendly, professional, and genuine. Maiya as front of house and Benjamin as our server have been incredible each time — warm, knowledgeable, and passionate about what they do. They’ve encouraged me to try dishes I might not normally choose, and I’ve been amazed every time.

The ever-evolving menu from chefs Simon and Max is nothing short of exquisite — each dish is a feast for the senses, perfectly balanced in flavour, texture, and presentation. Every bite feels thoughtfully crafted and deeply satisfying.

Ari is more than just a restaurant — it’s an experience. One that keeps me coming back, eager to see what they’ll create next. I can’t wait for my next visit!”

– Lumsden Kindergarten, Google Reviews 

The service was excellent

“I saw that Ari had opened (a month ago) and was keen to try.  I was not disappointed.  The service was excellent, thanks, Benjamin.  Wide range of drinks, including non alcoholic.  The menu read well with plenty of seasonal variety.  The sour dough flat bread was delicious $14, followed by steamed  snapper, confit leek, butter poached prawns, smoked chowder sauce $38. Simon owner/chef and the kitchen should be congratulated on the food. 10/10.“

– Gill Stewart, Google Reviews 

4. Black Betty BBQ

Address: 408 Warren Street North

Contact Details: +64225453655

Operating Hours: 

• Thursday to Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM 
• Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM 

Website

Black Betty BBQ is a no-nonsense smokehouse that has a menu that respects the basics. The focus is on charred edges, balanced smoke, and sauces that make you want to lick the plate.  

I admit I was a little overwhelmed trying to figure out what to eat since everything looked and smelled delicious. I went with the beef cheek and Betty roll, both of which ended up being very satisfying.

The beef cheek was tender. It’s served atop polenta chips that walk the line between crispy and creamy. The truffle mushroom sauce? Subtle, yet earthy. 

The real standout, though, was the Betty Roll. The brisket is smoked for 10 hours, sliced thick, and layered with crispy onions and slaw on a toasted brioche bun. It’s messy, sure (I lost a fry to the sauce puddle on my plate), but it’s worth every bite. 

Sides here are delicious too. The Sweetcorn Mac n Cheese gets a smoky boost from chorizo crumbs, while the Jalapeño Cornbread walks the tightrope between sweet and heat. 

The catch? While the smoky aroma is part of the charm, my jacket smelled like a campfire for days after. And as much as I respect the “go big” ethos, some dishes (Hogtail Fries loaded with brisket) edge into overkill territory. 

Food was amazing

“We dined in at the outdoor area, staff were bubbly, friendly and helpful.

Food was amazing, we ordered the Texas Tray and the Sweetcorn Mac n cheese and were not disappointed, the food was delicious.

We also had a rosebud cocktail each which was delicious.

Loved everything from the food to the vibe, would definitely eat here again and would recommend to anyone and everyone.”

– Ollie Butler, Google Reviews 

Soft meat, delicious flavours and very generous portions

“We had an AWESOME night at Black Betty BBQ having my birthday dinner. The girls serving us were polite and friendly, they deserved a good foot rub after their shift!! The atmosphere was lovely. The drinks were yummy and the food was absolutely diabolical! Soft meat, delicious flavours and very generous portions! Absolutely recommend this place to anyone looking for a good BBQ!! Thank you BBB team! You guys are awesome.”

– Ashley and Hatonio Olliver, Google Reviews 

5. Sazio

Address: 215 Heretaunga Street East

Contact Details: +64 6 650 7717

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 5 PM to 8:30 PM

Website

Sazio lives by the philosophy, “A full plate + a full glass + a full heart = A full life,” and it’s hard to argue with that after a meal here. The pastas are homemade, hearty, and consistently satisfying.

I loved the mushroom tortellini the most. It’s filled with earthy mushrooms and comes swimming in a rich port cream sauce. The poppy seeds sprinkled on top add a subtle crunch — a detail I’d normally call “extra” — but here it just works. 

For seafood fanatics, I’d recommend the spaghetti with prawns. The prawns are plump, the tomato-chili sauce has kick, and the lemon pangrattato (toasted breadcrumbs) ties it all together. 

Desserts are excellent too. The tiramisu is layered with hazelnuts and a rum punch that’s present but not boozy enough to make you tipsy.

My only complaint about this restaurant is that it gets quite busy. When the restaurant is full, the service lags. My wine glass sat empty for more than 30 minutes without the waiter coming by asking if I wanted more.

AMAZING FOOD

“AMAZING FOOD. I had the meat option and it was very good. I also had the tiramisu which was absolutely amazing tasted delicious. I went in a group with my friends aged 17-18. The chef and all staff were lovely checked up on us throughout the night. Was very kind and understanding and catered for my dairy free friend.”

– Miya Ryder, Google Reviews 

Everything was delicious

“AMAZING 😍 came here while visiting from Aus. Everything was delicious. I am gluten free and there was great options including a house made gluten free pasta which was so delicious. Menu items are locally sourced or house made. Beautiful spot, atmosphere and lovely staff. A must visit!“

– Jane MacDonald, Google Reviews