Craggy Range

J&N

a month ago

Visited the restaurant for the "Early Thanksgiving" lunch menu in September 2026. On offer was a choice of two entries, two mains and a dessert. I ordered an entry level red ($21/glass. I was being shouted there so didn't dare order a Sophia or Le Sol ;-) It was a Hawkes Bay Syrah 2024, and it was a beautifully balanced, lovely wine. For entree, I had the pork belly, which was fantastic, and for the main the salmon, because the other option (turkey pot pie) did not appeal. Cooked salmon can be rich, and alas, this dish was *very* rich without much else on the plate to balance it. Also, I suspect it was Tasmanian salmon, which is not great. The dessert of two mini donuts with a cream cheese was lovely. The service and location were amazing, and it sits in one of the most gorgeous spots in Hawkes Bay (beneath Te Mata peak). Given all of that, 4 stars feels a little harsh, but I just think that for the money and location, I expected everything to be on point

f jj

3 months ago

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Absolute Masterclass in Dining – Well Worth the Drive! We drove 2 hours just to dine here, and it exceeded every single expectation! Our experience started with a slight mix-up—we accidentally walked into the accommodation reception instead of the restaurant. However, the reception staff were incredibly warm and helpful, personally guiding us all the way to the restaurant. From that moment on, the service was flawless. It is truly world-class and honestly sets a benchmark far above most restaurants in New Zealand. For lunch, we ordered the $ 99-per-person menu and also added the $ 69-per-person July special menu. Let me just say: the culinary execution here is phenomenal. Every single dish was prepared with immense care. I was so thrilled to see that the sides weren't just the lazy, standard broccoli and carrots you get at most places; instead, they were thoughtfully cooked, creatively paired, and beautifully plated. The venison was incredibly juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. While the $69 special menu is an absolute steal for the value, the dishes on the $99 menu were next-level delicious! Craggy Range left a massive, unforgettable impression on us compared to any other restaurant we’ve tried in New Zealand. We will absolutely be back, and next time, I’m bringing a whole group of friends. Thank you to the team for an exceptional day!

Sujan Hong

3 months ago

My favourite restaurant. They had the Christmas in July local menu which was affordable IMHO (but I opted for their Signature menu) Their potato focaccia is well known - served with camembert butter and honey. I got the recipe and am going to try making it at home. Every course was thoughtful and delicious. Each item had a secret ingredient that was not listed on the menu and I had fun figuring out those ingredients. Wine: you can't go wrong with any of their wines. I highly recommend booking in for their wine tasting during the day if you can. It is second time I got to dine at their main dining room and if I get a chance to visit on a Friday /Saturday in the future, I'd love to check out the Loft as well. Impeccable service and the winery itself is beautiful to visit on a nice sunny day.

Harry Jin

3 months ago

We drove about 2 hours and 15 minutes from home to visit here. Five years ago, we came for our 20th wedding anniversary and it was perfect (100 out of 100). We loved the wine tasting and even bought a bottle of 'Sophia' to take home. Because of those beautiful memories, we visited again with our kids for our 25th anniversary and had the course meal. The staff's service was just as excellent as before, but the food left something to be desired. The first three dishes were very good, and the sauces matched perfectly. However, starting from the fourth dish, the seasoning felt a bit too strong and salty. I understand that menus change seasonally and the dishes were different from our last visit, so it might just be that this current menu wasn't to my personal taste. Even so, it fell short of my expectations overall. If my last visit was a perfect 100, this time I would give it somewhere between 70 to 80.

Natasha Frewin

7 months ago

Absolutely my favourite place in the Bay - Craggy never disappoints! The chef’s table/bar is a real highlight. Watching the kitchen in action is incredible, the smoothness, precision, and efficiency as they prepare and perfect each dish is something special and adds so much to the experience. The menu is consistently outstanding, and of course the wine is top tier. Lovely ambience and service too, the staff are always happy to assist with wine pairing recommendations if you're overwhelmed with the choices. Definitely book in advance as it’s a popular spot! A particular standout for me is the bread with the camembert butter, simple, but unforgettable. Hands down my favourite place to visit in the Bay, can't wait to come back.