Restaurant in Havelock North, New Zealand
Wine-country dining with a verifiable track record.
Craggy Range in Havelock North holds an 89-point La Liste Top Restaurants 2026 score, making it the strongest dining argument in the Hawke's Bay wine country. Book it for special occasions or as the anchor meal of a multi-day Hawke's Bay wine itinerary. Booking is easy, the vineyard setting rewards return visits, and it outranks most comparable regional options on formal recognition.
If you're choosing between Craggy Range and Elephant Hill for a wine-country dining experience in Hawke's Bay, Craggy Range has the edge in formal recognition: an 89-point score on the La Liste Leading Restaurants 2026 list puts it among the most credentialed tables in the region. For a food and wine enthusiast visiting Havelock North who wants both serious kitchen ambition and a vineyard setting, this is the right booking. If you're prioritising a more relaxed, drop-in experience, other options in the area may suit you better.
Craggy Range sits on 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North, on the Te Mata Estate at the foot of Te Mata Peak. The address alone signals intent: this is a purpose-built destination, not a restaurant that happens to have a wine list. The estate's scale and positioning within one of New Zealand's most respected wine-producing districts means the experience is designed around more than a single meal. For the explorer-type diner, that matters. You're not just booking a table; you're booking into a place worth returning to across multiple visits.
The La Liste 89-point score is the primary trust signal here. La Liste aggregates hundreds of global restaurant guides and critic reviews into a single ranking, which means 89 points reflects broad, sustained recognition rather than a single publication's enthusiasm. For context, venues scoring in this range sit comfortably in the top tier of New Zealand fine dining. Among the comparably credentialed New Zealand restaurant experiences, Craggy Range holds its own alongside venues like Ahi in Auckland and Charley Noble in Wellington.
The multi-visit case for Craggy Range is stronger than for most restaurants in the region. The vineyard setting shifts character across seasons: the grounds read differently in summer harvest versus the cooler, quieter months when the vines are dormant. For a wine-focused traveller, visiting across two trips gives you a more complete picture of what the estate produces and how the kitchen interprets the season. On a first visit, prioritise the main dining room and explore the wine list with an emphasis on estate-grown bottles. On a return visit, consider whether a cellar door visit or a more extended tasting experience is available, as estate restaurants at this level often offer supplementary programming that rewards repeat guests.
Hawke's Bay is a genuine wine region, not a marketing designation. It produces Bordeaux-style reds and Chardonnay at a standard that draws serious attention internationally. Dining at Craggy Range with that context in mind changes how you approach the list. If you're already planning a broader Hawke's Bay wine itinerary, see our full Havelock North wineries guide and consider pairing the Craggy Range dinner with visits to neighbouring producers.
Craggy Range is located at 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North 4230. Booking difficulty is rated easy, which means you don't need to plan months ahead, but a reservation is still advisable for dinner, particularly on weekends and during the summer season when Hawke's Bay draws visitors from Auckland and Wellington. The venue is not a walk-in destination given its location outside Havelock North's town centre, so plan transport accordingly. Price range, specific hours, and booking method are not confirmed in our current data; check directly with the venue before visiting.
For accommodation nearby, our Havelock North hotels guide covers options that make a Craggy Range dinner part of a broader stay rather than a day trip. If you're building a full Hawke's Bay itinerary, also see our Havelock North experiences guide and our Havelock North bars guide for before or after.
For reference points elsewhere in New Zealand's serious dining tier: Cassia in Auckland Central, Bistronomy & Vinotech in Napier South, and Elephant Hill in Napier all offer different angles on the same general question of where to eat well in the region. Craggy Range is the strongest argument for Havelock North specifically.
Quick reference: Address: 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North 4230. Booking: easy. Recognition: La Liste Leading Restaurants 2026, 89 points. Leading for: wine-focused diners, multi-visit itineraries, special occasions in a vineyard setting.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craggy Range | La Liste Top Restaurants (2026): 89pts | Easy | — | ||
| Amisfield | New Zealand | World's 50 Best | Unknown | — | |
| Wharekauhau Country Estate | New Zealand | Unknown | — | ||
| Blanket Bay | Australian Rustic | Unknown | — | ||
| Paris Butter | New Zealand | Unknown | — | ||
| Otahuna Lodge Restaurant | New Zealand | Unknown | — |
What to weigh when choosing between Craggy Range and alternatives.
Specific menu details aren't confirmed in our data, so ordering advice would be guesswork. What is confirmed: Craggy Range earned 89 points on La Liste's 2026 global ranking, which points to a kitchen operating at a consistent level. Ask staff at booking what the current menu format is — prix-fixe or à la carte — so you arrive with the right expectations.
Bar seating availability isn't confirmed in our data. Given the vineyard estate setting at 253 Waimarama Road and the La Liste recognition, this reads more as a sit-down dining destination than a drop-in bar. check the venue's official channels to confirm counter or casual seating options before assuming flexibility.
Dietary policy isn't documented in our data. Vineyard restaurants at this level — Craggy Range holds 89 points on La Liste 2026 — typically accommodate restrictions when flagged at booking. Notify them in advance rather than on arrival; kitchens working at this standard generally need lead time to do it properly.
Yes, and it's one of the more defensible choices in Hawke's Bay for it. The Te Mata Peak setting on Waimarama Road gives it a sense of occasion that a suburban restaurant can't replicate, and the La Liste 2026 score of 89 points confirms the kitchen is working at a level that matches the occasion. Book ahead rather than assuming last-minute availability.
Elephant Hill is the most direct comparison in Hawke's Bay: also a vineyard restaurant with a coastal view, though the settings read differently — Craggy Range has the mountain backdrop, Elephant Hill the sea. For something farther afield but in a comparable category, Paris Butter in Auckland operates at a similar formal register. Otahuna Lodge Restaurant is worth considering if you want the full lodge stay bundled with the dining.
Booking is rated easy, so you don't need to plan months out — but confirm in advance, especially for weekends during harvest season when the vineyard draws more visitors. The address is 253 Waimarama Road, Havelock North, at the foot of Te Mata Peak: allow time to get there from central Napier or Havelock North town. The La Liste 89-point score (2026) suggests the dining room is the main event, not just a backdrop for wine tasting.
Dress code isn't specified in our data. Given the vineyard estate context and La Liste recognition, lean toward smart rather than formal: presentable casual is likely fine, but a jacket or equivalent signals you're treating the booking with the respect the kitchen deserves. Avoid anything you'd wear to a beach picnic on the same property.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
