Tahu Restaurant and Bar

About Tahu Restaurant and Bar

Tahu Restaurant and Bar sits on Centennial Marine Drive in Awapuni, Gisborne, described as the embodiment of food and feasting and a reminder of the connection between people and nature, food and identity.

The Tahu vision honours tipuna (ancestors) and pays homage to Te Tairāwhiti as a region, built around the belief that sharing food is a fundamental part of getting to know one another. The kitchen serves a lunch menu (Te Rā) and an evening menu (Te Pō) from 5pm daily, spanning entrées, mains, sides and desserts, alongside an extensive wine list, specialty cocktails, mocktails and beer.

Dietary needs are well catered for, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options and markings throughout the menu, and a dedicated kids' bento box and sundae. Tahu also offers gift cards, and welcomes both bookings and walk-ins.

Tahu Restaurant and Bar: Feasting and Whakapapa in Gisborne

On Centennial Marine Drive in Awapuni, Gisborne, Tahu Restaurant and Bar describes itself as the embodiment of food and feasting - a reminder of the connection between people and nature, food and identity.

A Vision Rooted in Whakapapa

The Tahu vision honours tipuna (ancestors) and pays homage to Te Tairāwhiti as a region. Sharing food, the restaurant says, is a fundamental part of getting to know someone, and that philosophy shapes everything from the menu names - Te Rā for lunch, Te Pō for dinner - to the way dishes draw on local produce and Māori ingredients like kumara, kawakawa-adjacent flavours, and rēwena bread.

Lunch by Day, Feasting by Night

The lunch menu, Te Rā, ranges from a Cheese Board and Pan-Seared Scallops through to a Horopito-Crusted Sirloin and classic Fish & Chips, with sides like triple-cooked Gourmet Potatoes and Parmesan Fries. From 5pm daily, the dinner menu Te Pō takes over, opening with entrées like Mango Ceviche and Beef Tartare before moving into substantial mains - a Beef Eye Fillet with wild mushroom and cauliflower purée, a Lamb Rump with kumara purée, and a Fish Ō Te Rā finished with curry beurre blanc.

Desserts run through both menus, with a Coconut Mousse, Chocolate Brownie, Panna Cotta and Affogato appearing on the lunch card, and a Summer Meringue joining the evening dessert list. A Kids Bento Box and Kids Sundae make Tahu a workable choice for families too.

An Extensive Bar Programme

Tahu's bar leans into its own identity as much as the kitchen does. Specialty cocktails carry Te Tairāwhiti-inspired names - Wainui Heatwave, Te Māhina, Titirangi Twilight, Kōwhai Drop - alongside a full run of classic cocktails from Espresso Martini to Old Fashioned, plus a dedicated mocktail list using Seedlip spirits. The wine list spans sparkling, rosé, white and red, largely built around Gisborne and wider New Zealand producers, and beer and cider run from local Sunshine Brewery pours to imported options.

Dietary Care

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free markers run throughout both menus, and Tahu notes it will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements, while asking guests to flag any allergies with the team before ordering due to the risk of cross-contamination.

Visiting

Tahu is open Monday to Thursday from 3pm, and Friday to Sunday from midday for lunch, with bookings and walk-ins both welcome. The restaurant appreciates one bill per table (equal splits are fine), and offers free WiFi to guests. Gift cards are also available for anyone wanting to share the Tahu experience with someone else.

Signature items

• Beef Eye Fillet
• Lamb Rump
• Horopito-Crusted Sirloin
• Fish Ō Te Rā
• Pan-Seared Scallops
• Coconut Mousse

Menu

Mocktails

• Pink Velvet — Seedlip Spice 94, cranberry, lime, egg white.
• Hikurangi — Seedlip Grove 42, elderflower, tonic, cucumber, lime.
• Whitinga — Cranberry, pineapple, soda, lemonade, lime.
• Piki Ake — Seedlip Garden 108, tonic, basil, orange, lime.

Lunch Sides

• House Salad — Cucumber & mooli salad, assorted crackers (V/VGN/GF/DF).
• Edamame Beans — Garlic, sesame, chilli, flaky salt (V/VGN/GF/DF).
• Vegetable O Te Rā — Sautéed vegetables, garlic, onion, chilli (V/DFO).
• Gourmet Potatoes — Triple-cooked, house garlic aioli (V/GFO).
• Parmesan Fries — Parmesan, truffle oil, house garlic aioli (V/GFO/DFO).

Non-Alcoholic

• Homegrown Feijoa Smoothie
• Voyage Sparkling Water — 1L bottle.
• Juice — Apple, cranberry or pineapple, plus Hill Road Orange Juice.
• Fizzy — Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, L&P, Ginger Ale, Tonic, Lemon Lime & Bitters.
• Red Bull

Lunch - Te Rā

• Cheese Board — Crackers, fresh fruit, tomato relish, seasonal produce, truffle dressing; choice of one, two or three cheeses.
• Pan-Seared Scallops — Carrot purée, peas, herb oil, crisp tuile, bacon (GFO).
• Fried Baby Calamari — Marinated calamari, courgette fries, tartare, lemon (GF).
• Pork Belly — Orange gel, date purée, slaw, crisp tuile, sweet soy (GFO).
• Potato Rosti — Peas, coriander & mint emulsion, tamarind (V/VGN/GF/DF).
• Tomato & Burrata Salad — Heirloom & sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, pine nuts, chilli flakes, olive oil, rocket (V/GFO).
• Caesar Salad — Pan-seared prawns or grilled chicken, baby gem, poached egg, pancetta, anchovies, rēwena focaccia (GFO).
• Fish & Chips — House tartare, house salad, lemon.
• Horopito-Crusted Sirloin — Chargrilled beef, fries, fried egg, aioli, jus (GF/DF).
• Kids Bento Box — Choice of cauliflower popcorn (VGN/GF), battered fish (GF) or fried chicken (GF), with edamame, chips, chocolate mousse and berry compote; half price for 12 and under.

Lunch Desserts

• Coconut Mousse — White pineapple, rice pudding, mango powder, coconut chips (V/VGN/GF/DF).
• Chocolate Brownie — Brownie ice cream, berry compote, white chocolate ganache (V/DFO).
• Panna Cotta — Kaffir lime & lemongrass, orange, macadamia, lemon sorbet, berry coulis (V/GFO).
• Pavlova — Raspberry sorbet, vanilla anglaise, cream, seasonal berry compote (GF/DF).
• Affogato — Vanilla gelato, hot espresso; liqueur add-on available (V/GF).

Dinner Desserts

• Summer Meringue — Passionfruit sorbet, vanilla anglaise, cream, seasonal berry compote (V/GFO/DFO).
• Kids Sundae — Vanilla or chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, nuts (V).

Classic Cocktails

• Espresso Martini — Vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew.
• Margarita — Tequila, cointreau, lime, agave.
• Spicy Margarita — Chilli tequila, cointreau, lime, agave.
• Porn Star Martini — Vanilla vodka, passionfruit, prosecco.
• French Martini — Vodka, Chambord, pineapple.
• Cosmopolitan — Vodka, cointreau, cranberry, lime.
• Old Fashioned — Whiskey, bitters, sugar, orange.
• Negroni — Gin, Campari, Antica Formula vermouth.
• Long Island Iced Tea — Gin, vodka, cointreau, tequila, white rum, coca-cola, lemon.
• Mojito — White rum, lime, soda, mint.
• Whiskey Sour — Whiskey, lemon, bitters, egg white.
• Martini — Gin or vodka, dry or wet, dirty or twist.
• Redbull & Spirits — Vodka, Jagermeister or tequila.
• Frozen Cocktails — Ask for the flavours of the day.

Specialty Cocktails

• Wainui Heatwave — Chilli tequila, cointreau, watermelon, lime, dried chilli.
• Te Māhina — Vodka, blueberry, lime.
• Elderflower Sour — Pisco, elderflower liqueur, lime, egg white.
• Titirangi Twilight — Bati spiced rum, Aperol, pineapple, lime.
• Kōwhai Drop — Vodka, apricot brandy, lemon, sherbet.
• Dawn Break — Midori, elderflower liqueur, lime, watermelon syrup, red bull.
• Pacific Rumshine — Spiced rum, banana rum liqueur, pineapple, passionfruit, lemon.
• Yuzu Wairere — Yuzu gin, yuzu syrup, elderflower, soda, cucumber, mint.
• Eastwoodhill Brew — Mango vodka, earl grey tea, mango, lemon, mint.
• Te Tai Reka — Longbush rosé, strawberry, lemonade, mint, berries.
• Whakanui Fizz — Vodka, ginger ale, cranberry, lime, rosemary.
• Kōtuku — Vodka, lychee, peach, cranberry, pineapple.

Dinner - Te Pō (From 5pm Daily)

• Oysters — Subject to availability.
• Warm Olives — Citrus, wild fennel (V/VGN/GFO/DFO).
• Mango Ceviche — Fresh local fish, lime, mango, herbs, chilli, kumara crisp (GFO/DFO).
• Rēwena Focaccia — Truffle mascarpone (V).
• Beef Tartare — Hand-cut tenderloin, gherkin, onion, capers, almond lavash, nuts (GFO).
• Beef Eye Fillet — Wild mushroom, cauliflower purée, potato crisp, jus (GFO/DFO).
• Lamb Rump — Kumara purée, seasonal vegetables, jus (GFO/DFO).
• Sweet & Sour Chicken — Mixed vegetables, rice, sweet & sour sauce (GFO/DFO).
• Beef Cheek — Mash, seasonal vegetables, jus (GFO).
• Fish Ō Te Rā — Curry beurre blanc, root vegetable crisp, seasonal vegetables, orange dressing (GFO/DFO).
• Vegetable Curry — Seasonal vegetables, jasmine rice, tofu (V/VGN/GFO/DFO).

Frequently asked questions

What are Tahu's opening hours?

Monday to Thursday, open from 3pm. Friday to Sunday, open for lunch from midday.

When does the dinner menu start?

The dinner menu, Te Pō, is available from 5pm daily.

Do I need to book ahead?

Bookings and walk-ins are both welcome.

Are there vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options?

Yes, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options are marked throughout the menu, though allergen-free cannot be guaranteed due to cross-contamination risk.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, a Kids Bento Box and Kids Sundae are available.

Does Tahu offer gift cards?

Yes, gift cards are available.

Is there WiFi available?

Yes, free WiFi is available for guests (network: Manuhiri).

Tips

• {"body":"Dinner service (Te Pō) starts at 5pm daily; reservations are recommended though walk-ins are welcome.","title":"Book ahead for dinner"}
• {"body":"The wine list features a strong selection of Gisborne producers alongside wider New Zealand and international options.","title":"Try the local wine list"}
• {"body":"Most dishes have vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free options available.","title":"Ask about dietary swaps"}
• {"body":"A good option for younger diners, served with edamame, chips and dessert.","title":"Order the Kids Bento Box"}

Good to know

• {"wifi":"Free WiFi available (network: Manuhiri).","dietary":"Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options marked throughout; allergen-free cannot be guaranteed due to possible cross-contamination.","payments":"One bill per table is appreciated; equal splits are fine."}