Sevenpenny

About Sevenpenny

Sevenpenny is a cafe, bar and restaurant at 9 Tainui Street in the heart of the Greymouth Town Square. Open seven days a week, with late nights Wednesday to Saturday, it offers great coffee, food made across separate breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, and a selection of beer, wine and spirits.

The name carries real West Coast history. In the 1940s, beer was the staple drink of working men on the coast, and in 1947 an organised move by local hotels to raise the price from six pence to seven pence sparked one of the most effective consumer boycotts in New Zealand history. Miners, forestry workers and labourers refused to drink at local hotels and eventually went on strike, causing a nationwide coal shortage that forced government intervention. After a four and a half month boycott, the publicans caved and the original price was restored — a story that gives Sevenpenny its name and a sense of local pride in organised, determined consumers.

Today, the dinner menu spans wood-fired style pizzas, pasta, burgers, loaded sides and desserts, available for both dine-in and takeaway, alongside a dedicated kids menu for children 12 and under.

Sevenpenny: Greymouth's Town Square Cafe, Bar and Restaurant With a Story Behind Its Name

In the heart of the Greymouth Town Square, at 9 Tainui Street, Sevenpenny operates as a cafe, bar and restaurant open seven days a week, with late nights running Wednesday through Saturday. It offers coffee, food and a selection of beer, wine and spirits, and has become a regular stop for both locals and visitors.

The Story Behind the Name

Sevenpenny's name comes from a genuine piece of West Coast history. In the 1940s, beer was the staple drink of working men on the coast, and the price of booze and cigarettes was a constant point of local contention. In 1947, local hotels organised a move to raise the price of a drink from six pence to seven pence — and it backfired spectacularly. Miners, forestry workers and labourers refused to drink at any local hotel, and anyone caught doing so was shunned by their peers. The protest escalated into a full strike, triggering a nationwide coal shortage severe enough to force government intervention. After four and a half months, the publicans caved and restored the original price — a clear demonstration of the power organised, determined consumers and labour could wield. It's a story Sevenpenny wears proudly in its name.

A Menu Split Across the Day

Sevenpenny runs separate breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, with the dinner offering available for both dine-in and takeaway. From 3pm, pizzas, sides and the kids menu come online, while pasta, burgers and desserts join from 5pm. The pizza list runs from a classic Margherita and Hawaiian through to more distinctive options like The Casablanca, built on Moroccan lamb, mint yoghurt and crispy kumara, and The Smoked Salmon, topped with house-smoked salmon, Kalamata olives and crème fraîche. A Butter Chicken Supreme pizza brings tandoori chicken and a creamy yoghurt finish, and a gluten-free base is available on any pizza for an extra charge.

Pasta, Burgers and Loaded Sides

The pasta menu covers a creamy prawn fettuccine, a chicken and bacon carbonara, and a classic spaghetti bolognese made with Sevenpenny's own tomato sauce and homemade beef mince, with a vegetarian option available by asking the team about the day's chef creation. Burgers include a house-made beef patty, a buttermilk chicken burger with chipotle slaw, a crispy pork belly burger with cinnamon apple and teriyaki mayo, and a crispy house-made falafel burger for vegetarians. On the side, loaded wedges and loaded duck fat potatoes come topped with bacon, melted cheese, chilli jam and sour cream, and a Greek-style saganaki of grilled halloumi with honey, oregano and Metaxa rounds out the shareable options.

Dessert and the Kids Menu

To finish, there's a warm lava cake, a spiced apple pudding with honey caramel and pistachio, a lemon crème brûlée, and a chocolate tahini parfait topped with candied walnuts. Children aged 12 and under dining with an adult have their own menu, including kids spaghetti bolognese, a hotdog and chips, buttermilk chicken and chips, and a cheesy pizza, with kids desserts covering doughnuts with Nutella and an ice cream sundae.

Dietary Care

Sevenpenny marks gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options (and their alternatives) throughout the menu, and asks guests to let waitstaff know of any allergies given the kitchen handles ingredients containing allergens.

Visiting Sevenpenny

Sevenpenny is open Sunday to Tuesday from 7am to 5pm, and Wednesday to Saturday from 7am until late. Whether it's an early coffee, a family dinner, or a late night out in the Greymouth Town Square, Sevenpenny combines a genuine piece of local history with a wide-ranging, dine-in or takeaway menu.

Signature items

• The Casablanca
• The Smoked Salmon
• Crispy Pork Belly Burger
• Saganaki
• Lava Cake
• Butter Chicken Supreme

Menu

Pasta

• Creamy Prawn — Prawns tossed in a creamy tomato and basil sauce with fettuccine, finished with basil and parmesan
• Chicken & Bacon Carbonara — Penne in a rich carbonara sauce with chicken and mānuka-smoked bacon, topped with shaved parmesan
• Classic Spaghetti Bolognese — Spaghetti in Sevenpenny's special tomato sauce with homemade beef mince
• Vegetarian Option — Ask the team about today's chef's creation

Pizza

• Margherita — Sevenpenny pizza sauce, mozzarella, fresh tomato and basil oil
• Hawaiian — Classic tomato base, cheese, diced ham and pineapple
• Verde Vege — Sevenpenny pizza sauce, cheese, mushroom, capsicum, Kalamata olives, sundried tomato and red onion, finished with salsa verde
• Three Cheese — Cream cheese, caramelised onion, blue cheese, parmesan and basil pesto
• BBQ Pepperoni — Sevenpenny pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and Sevenpenny BBQ sauce
• Butter Chicken Supreme — Butter chicken sauce, cheese, tandoori chicken, red onion and coriander, finished with creamy yoghurt
• Chicken & Bacon — Sevenpenny pizza sauce, cheese, marinated chicken, sliced mushroom, mānuka-smoked bacon, caramelised onion and whipped cream cheese
• Cranberry Chicken — Classic tomato base, cheese, chicken, cranberry and cream cheese
• The Big Smoke — Classic tomato base, grated cheese, salami, ham, pork belly and red onion, finished with Sevenpenny BBQ sauce
• The Casablanca — Classic tomato base, mozzarella, Moroccan lamb, herb dressing, mint yoghurt and crispy kumara
• The Smoked Salmon — Cream cheese, house-smoked salmon, Kalamata olives, red onion and capers, finished with crème fraîche

Sides

• Garlic Bread — Toasted ciabatta with smoked garlic butter, cheese and sweet chilli sauce
• Saganaki — Grilled halloumi with honey, oregano and Metaxa, served with toasted flatbread
• Loaded Wedges — Crispy wedges loaded with bacon and melted cheese, served with chilli jam and sour cream
• Loaded Duck Fat Potatoes — Duck fat potatoes with bacon and melted cheese, served with chilli jam and sour cream
• Jalapeño Poppers — Served with Oko mayonnaise
• Buttermilk Chicken — Served with chilli mayo
• Buffalo Chicken Nibbles — Served with a choice of blue cheese sauce or garlic aioli
• Crumbed Onion Rings — Served with house-made BBQ sauce
• Fries — Served with garlic aioli
• Garden Salad — Mesclun, slaw and cherry tomatoes with house-made balsamic dressing

Burgers

• Buttermilk Chicken — Buttermilk chicken, house-smoked cheddar and chipotle slaw, finished with chilli jam on toasted garlic butter ciabatta, served with fries
• Beef — House-made beef patty with caramelised onion, smoked cheddar, chutney, tomato and lettuce in a toasted brioche bun, served with fries
• Crispy Pork Belly — Crispy pork belly on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, pickled cabbage, cinnamon apple and teriyaki mayo, served with fries
• Falafel (Vegetarian) — Crispy house-made falafel on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, pickled onion and coriander yoghurt, finished with turmeric tahini, served with fries

Desserts

• Lava Cake — Warm lava cake served with shortbread crumb and vanilla ice cream
• Spiced Apple Pudding — Served warm with honey caramel, pistachio and vanilla bean ice cream
• Lemon Crème Brûlée — Creamy set custard with hints of lemon, caramelised sugar and shortbread
• Chocolate Tahini Parfait — Smooth creamy parfait topped with ice cream and candied walnuts
• Mini Doughnuts — With warm, spiced, salted caramel sauce and ice cream
• Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream and cream with a choice of chocolate, caramel or raspberry coulis

Kids Menu

• Kids Spaghetti Bolognese — Kids meal option
• Hotdog & Chips — Kids meal option
• Buttermilk Chicken & Chips — Kids meal option
• Cheesy Pizza — Kids meal option

Kids Desserts

• Doughnuts — A trio of doughnuts with Nutella for dipping
• Ice Cream Sundae — Choice of raspberry coulis, caramel or warm chocolate sauce and whipped cream

Pizza Add-Ons

• Toppings — Extra toppings available including bacon, BBQ sauce, red onion, tofu, extra cheese, pineapple, salami, caramelised onion, Moroccan lamb, chicken, salmon, diced ham, Kalamata olives, capers, sundried tomato and chilli flakes

Frequently asked questions

What are Sevenpenny's opening hours?

Sunday to Tuesday 7am to 5pm, and Wednesday to Saturday 7am until late.

When does the dinner menu start?

Pizzas, sides and the kids menu are available from 3pm, with pasta, burgers and desserts from 5pm.

Can I order dinner for takeaway?

Yes, the dinner menu is available for both dine-in and takeaway, with online ordering available.

Why is it called Sevenpenny?

The name references a 1947 West Coast consumer boycott after local hotels tried to raise drink prices from six pence to seven pence.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, for children aged 12 and under when accompanied by a dining adult.

Does Sevenpenny cater to dietary requirements?

Yes, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options are marked throughout the menu; let staff know of any allergies.

Is a gluten-free pizza base available?

Yes, a gluten-free base is available for an extra charge.

Tips

• {"body":"Two of the menu's more distinctive pizza options.","title":"Try The Casablanca or Smoked Salmon pizza"}
• {"body":"The dinner menu is available for both dine-in and takeaway pickup.","title":"Order online for takeaway"}
• {"body":"Available on any pizza for an extra charge.","title":"Ask about the gluten-free base"}
• {"body":"The kids menu and pizzas are available from 3pm onward.","title":"Bring the kids after 3pm"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu available for children 12 and under with a dining adult","dietary":"Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options marked throughout the menu; inform staff of allergies"}