The Tav bills itself as "the people's bar in Gisborne," a laid-back pub on Ruru Avenue in Riverdale serving hearty pub food alongside a substantial drinks list. The menu runs from snacks and share platters through to burgers, mains and dessert, with something for solo diners, couples and bigger groups alike.
Kitchen highlights include the signature People's Burger, a house-made patty burger loaded with bacon jam and cheese, alongside options like the beer-battered Gizzy Gold fish and chips, a full sirloin steak, and share platters built for the table. Kids are well catered for too, with a dedicated kids' menu and a kids' platter that feeds four to six.
On the drinks side, The Tav pours a wide range of beers on tap, bottled beers, RTDs and wines by the glass or bottle, plus zero and light beer options for anyone cutting back. It's the kind of local pub built for a casual meal, a few drinks with mates, or settling in to watch the game.
On Ruru Avenue in Riverdale, The Tav has built its identity around a simple idea: being "the people's bar in Gisborne." It's a straightforward, welcoming pub where the focus is on hearty food, a well-stocked bar, and a relaxed atmosphere for locals to settle into.
The Tav's menu is broad, covering everything from quick snacks to full mains and dessert. Starters like Salt & Pepper Squid, Mussel Croquettes and Garlic, Chilli, Soy Chicken Nibbles suit a casual bite with a drink, while heartier options like Loaded Wedges and Beef Nachos are built for sharing. For bigger appetites, the Meals section covers a Sirloin Steak served with a choice of sauce, Braised Beef Cheek with creamy mash, and St Louis Pork Ribs finished in a smokey BBQ glaze.
True to its name, The Tav's standout dish is the People's Burger — a house-made patty stacked with bacon jam, cheese, tomato, gherkin, mustard mayo and BBQ sauce, served with onion rings and salad on the side. It sits alongside other burger options including a Southern-style Chicken Burger, a battered Fish Burger, and a Veggie Burger built around brie, beetroot chutney and kumara rosti — so there's a solid option whichever direction you lean.
For seafood fans, the Fish & Chips uses Gizzy Gold beer batter, available beer battered or panfried, served with salad, fries and tartare sauce — a nod to the local Gisborne name behind the batter.
The Tav leans into group dining with its range of share platters. The Tav Platter brings together fries, wedges, onion rings, chicken nibbles, battered fish, mac and cheese bites, kransky and salad, while the Seafood Platter piles on popcorn shrimp, prawn twister, calamari and crumbed prawns. There's also a Cheese Platter and a full Antipasto board for something a little more refined, plus a Kids Platter that feeds four to six — handy for a family table.
Families are well catered for beyond the Kids Platter too, with a dedicated Kids Meals section covering Nuggets & Fries, Nachos, a Cheeseburger & Fries, Fish & Chips and Mac & Cheese Bites. To finish, the dessert menu offers comfort classics like Warm Apple Pie, Chocolate Brownie and Cinnamon Waffles, plus a rotating Cheesecake of the Day.
The Tav's bar matches its kitchen for range. On tap, you'll find beers like Panhead, Carlsberg, Summit Ultra and Steinlager, alongside Somersby Cider. There's a full wine list by the glass or bottle covering whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay and reds including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir, plus sparkling options, RTDs, and zero and light beers for anyone pacing themselves.
The Tav's bar is open later than its kitchen, so it's worth keeping both sets of hours in mind. The bar runs from 11:30am, closing at 8pm Sunday to Tuesday, 9pm Wednesday, 10pm Thursday, and 11pm on Friday and Saturday. The kitchen closes a little earlier each night, so if you're after food later in the evening it pays to check ahead. Bookings are taken by phone at 06 867 6867, and The Tav can also be reached by email at the.tav.gis@gmail.com or found on Ruru Avenue, Riverdale, Gisborne.