Hayz @ The Anchorage

About Hayz @ The Anchorage

Hayz @ The Anchorage is an award-winning waterfront restaurant situated on Gore Street in Bluff, New Zealand. Established in 2020 by local Bluffies passionate about indigenous kaimoana and honest cooking, the eatery weaves together traditional Māori culinary heritage with the rich, wild flavours of Murihiku (Southland). The dining philosophy is anchored in deep cultural values of manaakitanga (hospitality), whānaungatanga (kinship), and kaitiakitanga (environmental guardianship).

The kitchen celebrates local delicacies sourced straight from southern waters and regional grounds. Guests can discover authentic southern specialties, ranging from freshly caught Foveaux Strait pāua prepared into creamy wontons or gourmet burgers, to local blue cod, Bluff oysters, and traditional tītī (muttonbird/sea duck) served salted or roasted. Whether stopping in for a relaxed lunch or a memorable dinner, Hayz @ The Anchorage provides a welcoming setting where locals and travelers gather to experience genuine Deep South hospitality.

Hayz @ The Anchorage: Celebrating Southern Kaimoana and Māori Kai in Bluff

Perched on the waterfront in the historic port town of Bluff, Hayz @ The Anchorage offers diners an authentic taste of Murihiku (Southland). Founded in 2020 by local residents passionate about indigenous kaimoana and home-grown produce, this award-winning establishment bridges ancestral heritage with modern culinary craft. The motto of the house—*Kia hononga o te tangata me te kai*—expresses a belief in connecting people through good food, driven by the guiding values of manaakitanga (warm hospitality), whānaungatanga (community togetherness), and kaitiakitanga (careful environmental guardianship).

Bluff is renowned internationally for its cold, pristine waters and abundant marine bounty, and Hayz @ The Anchorage makes local seafood the centerpiece of its kitchen. Rather than treating southern delicacies as mere novelties, the culinary team approaches them with deep knowledge and respect. Diners step inside a warm, unpretentious environment where locals gather alongside travellers arriving from or departing toward Stewart Island.

The Unique Flavours of Murihiku

What truly sets Hayz @ The Anchorage apart is its commitment to dishes seldom found on standard restaurant menus across New Zealand. Chief among these is tītī (muttonbird or sea duck), a culturally significant harvest with roots running deep into southern Māori history. The kitchen prepares tītī in distinctive ways, such as serving salted muttonbird crisped on wrappers with caramelized onions over leafy greens, or presenting whole roasted kaihuka stuffed muttonbird resting on potato mash alongside Rakiura scampi, mussels, seasonal vegetables, and a signature blueberry sauce.

Pāua (abalone) taken directly from the surrounding Foveaux Strait is another celebrated fixture. The restaurant's creamy pāua wontons have earned a dedicated following for their rich interior and crisp crunch. For a hearty modern twist, the kitchen crafts a dedicated Pāua Burger—stacking a dense housemade pāua patty with smoky bacon, salad greens, beetroot, fried egg, relish, and garlic prawns, accompanied by golden kumara fries.

Oceanside Classics and Local Hospitality

Beyond rare cultural delicacies, the menu caters to everyone seeking quintessential coastal fare. Fresh southern blue cod is sourced locally and can be prepared to order—whether panko-crumbed, steamed, pan-fried, or dipped in traditional beer batter or gluten-free tempura batter. A hearty seafood chowder arrives served in an edible brioche bowl, simmered from a base of crayfish and blue cod stock laden with Rakiura mussels and tender prawns.

The atmosphere at 86 Gore Street remains relaxed and welcoming to diners of all ages. Guests can drop by for midday lunch, grab takeaway meals, or settle in for an evening dinner of Bluff oysters and shared plates. By blending authentic Māori culinary traditions with the finest catches of the deep south, Hayz @ The Anchorage delivers a dining experience that is deeply grounded in place.

Signature items

• Creamy Paua Wontons
• Kaihuka Stuffed Mutton Bird
• Seafood Chowder
• Paua Burger
• Fresh Local Blue Cod
• Bluff Oysters

Menu

Mains

• Soup of the day — A seasonal showcase of local produce, changing regularly to reflect what's fresh and in season; served with grilled bread bun and butter.
• Seafood Chowder — Fresh New Zealand seafood made from crayfish and blue cod stock, filled with fresh Rakiura mussels, prawns, and a selection of fish in a creamy sauce, served in a brioche bowl.
• Blue Cod — Local fresh Blue Cod prepared beer battered, gluten-free tempura battered, steamed, panko crumbed, or pan-fried; served with seasonal salad and fries.
• Light Steak, Eggs and Chips — Porterhouse steak cooked to your liking, topped with a fried egg, served with seasonal salad, fries, and tomato sauce.
• Chicken Schnitzel — Panko crumbed chicken breast with creamy mushroom sauce, served with seasonal salad and fries.
• Kaihuka Stuffed Mutton Bird — Fresh Tītī / muttonbird stuffed and roasted, served on creamy potato mash topped with vegetables, Rakiura scampi and mussels, and finished with signature blueberry sauce.
• Bluff Loaded Wedges — Seasoned deep-fried wedges topped with bacon, melted cheese, sour cream, and sweet chilli sauce.

Salads

• Chicken and Bacon Salad — Strips of seasoned crumbed chicken breast with crispy smoked bacon, creamy brie, marinated carrots, red onion, and mixed greens in lime and coriander dressing with garlic aioli.
• Salt and Pepper Squid Salad — Seasoned salt and pepper squid on leafy greens and capers with Robbies capsicum and chilli dressing, creamy garlic aioli, garlic prawn twisters, and crispy cheese discs.

Hamburgers

• Anchorage Beef Burger — Seasoned premium beef pattie, onions, fried egg, streaky bacon, beetroot, salad greens, BBQ sauce, and melted cheese in a buttery brioche bun, served with fries.
• Chicken and Bacon Burger — Freshly crumbed chicken on salad greens with apricot sauce, streaky bacon, red onion, and melted cheese, served with fries.
• Vegetarian Burger — Feta, pumpkin, chickpea, and quinoa veggie pattie on salad greens with sliced pickle, red onion, and beetroot relish, served with fries.
• Paua Burger — Housemade pāua pattie packed with pāua, paired with smoky bacon, salad greens, aioli, onion, beetroot, pineapple, fried egg, gherkin relish, and garlic prawns, served with kumara fries.

Local Delicacies

• Creamy Paua Wontons — Fresh pāua harvested directly from the waters of Foveaux Strait, prepared into crispy wontons with a creamy filling.
• Salty Mutton Bird Wrapper — Salty tītī served on a crispy wrapper topped with caramelized onions and leafy greens.
• Bluff Oysters — Fresh southern oysters prepared using specialized culinary techniques.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hayz @ The Anchorage located?

The restaurant is located centrally on the waterfront at 86 Gore Street in Bluff, Southland, New Zealand.

What type of food does Hayz @ The Anchorage serve?

The menu focuses on local Southland seafood, traditional Māori kai, and hearty classics, featuring specialties like Bluff oysters, Foveaux Strait pāua, tītī (muttonbird), fresh blue cod, chowder, and burgers.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. The kitchen caters to various dietary needs, including gluten-free tempura batter options for the blue cod and vegetarian selections like their pumpkin, chickpea, and quinoa burger.

Are takeaway meals available?

Yes, Hayz @ The Anchorage offers both dine-in service and takeaway options.

What are the operating hours?

Lunch is served Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30am to 2:00pm. Dinner is served Wednesday through Saturday from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

How can I book a table or get in touch?

Reservations and enquiries can be made by calling 03 212 7670 or emailing [email protected].

Tips

• {"body":"The creamy pāua wontons and housemade pāua burger are signature specialties made from locally harvested abalone.","title":"Try the Foveaux Strait Pāua"}
• {"body":"Sample muttonbird prepared either salted on crispy wrappers with caramelized onions or roasted with scampi and blueberry sauce.","title":"Experience Traditional Tītī"}
• {"body":"Lunch runs from 11:30am to 2:00pm (Wed–Sun), while dinner operates from 4:30pm to 7:00pm (Wed–Sat).","title":"Note the Split Operating Hours"}
• {"body":"When ordering fresh local blue cod, choose from beer battered, gluten-free tempura battered, crumbed, pan-fried, or steamed.","title":"Customise Your Blue Cod"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Welcomes diners young and old with relaxed waterfront seating.","dietary":"Caters to dietary requirements, including gluten-free batter and vegetarian options."}