White Horse Inn Motel, Bar & Restaurant

About White Horse Inn Motel, Bar & Restaurant

Established in 1963, the White Horse Inn has served as a welcoming social anchor and historic fixture in Longburn on the outskirts of Palmerston North. Steeped in character, the venue has a vibrant heritage spanning more than five decades, having famously hosted workers from the local freezing works as well as touring rock musicians during its heyday as an iconic national tour stop in the 1980s.

Today, the White Horse Inn continues its hospitality legacy under dedicated ownership, offering comfortable budget-friendly motel lodging alongside a classic pub-style bar and full-service restaurant. Whether stopping by for a hearty homestyle dinner, an all-day breakfast, or booking a room to explore the Manawatū region, guests are welcomed with unpretentious community warmth and classic Kiwi hospitality.

White Horse Inn: Decades of Rock 'n' Roll History and Homestyle Hospitality in Longburn

Standing along State Highway 56 in Longburn, just minutes outside Palmerston North, the White Horse Inn holds a unique and storied place in the local landscape. First established in 1963, the inn has served the surrounding community for well over five decades. Originally a welcoming watering hole for local freezing works crews, the establishment grew into a beloved gathering spot that has welcomed generations of patrons through its doors.

During the 1980s, the White Horse Inn carved out an indelible name for itself as a prominent rock 'n' roll venue on New Zealand's touring circuit. The building's stage hosted numerous touring rock acts, serving as an essential incubator for local musicians. Among those with ties to the venue is former Mutton Birds bassist Alan Gregg, who performed on the White Horse Inn stage during the early stages of his musical journey before rising to national and international prominence. Decades on, the venue retains the authentic, lived-in spirit of those energetic years, with longtime regulars fondly reminiscing about classic concerts, first pints, and community milestones.

Generous Plates and Classic Pub Dining

The restaurant at the White Horse Inn focuses on hearty, unpretentious dining designed to satisfy locals and travelers alike. The kitchen balances traditional Kiwi tavern staples with a diverse spread of homestyle comfort foods. Guests can settle in for a generous mixed grill loaded with bacon, sausage, fried eggs, and fries, or opt for a sizzling porterhouse steak prepared to order with mushroom, pepper, garlic, or rich brown gravy.

Seafood lovers are well catered for with crumbed and pan-fried fish, crispy squid rings, and generous Fisherman's platters designed for sharing. Beyond traditional pub roasts and bangers and mash, the kitchen also turns out aromatic curries, including butter chicken and chana masala served alongside rice and roti, as well as a selection of house burgers, sharing baskets, and family-friendly dessert puddings.

Motel Lodging and Community Events

In addition to the bustling bar and dining area, the White Horse Inn functions as a full-service hospitality property offering practical motel accommodation and private venue hire. The motel units provide convenient lodging for visitors passing through the Manawatū region or needing comfortable proximity to Palmerston North.

With expansive on-site parking, dedicated event facilities, and spaces suited for private functions, sports gatherings, and celebrations, the White Horse Inn continues to champion the spirited hospitality that first put it on the map. Under its modern ownership, the inn remains dedicated to honoring its rich musical and community heritage while providing a welcoming home-away-from-home for every visitor.

Signature items

• White Horse Burger & Fries
• Porterhouse Steak
• Fisherman’s Platter
• Mixed Grill
• Bangers and Mash
• Steamed Pudding

Menu

Mains

• Porterhouse Steak — Steak cooked to your liking
• Porterhouse Steak with Sauce — Cooked to your liking and served with gravy, pepper, garlic or mushroom sauce
• Chicken Schnitzel — Served with creamy mushroom bacon and garlic sauce
• Crumbed or Pan Fried Fish — Fish prepared crumbed or pan fried
• Crumbed Scallops — Crisp crumbed scallops
• Mixed Grill — Bacon, pattie, sausage, 2 eggs, onions, tomato, mushrooms and fries
• Bangers and Mash — 3 sausages, mashed potatoes, peas, onion and gravy
• All Day Breakfast — Bacon, eggs, sausage, tomato, hash browns and mushrooms
• Creamy Chicken Pasta — Pasta tossed in a rich creamy chicken sauce
• Chicken or Beef cashew nut curry — Cashew nut curry served with rice
• Butter Chicken — Classic butter chicken served with rice and roti
• Chana Masala with Roti & Rice — Spiced chickpea curry served with roti and rice
• Chicken Fried Rice — Stir-fried rice with chicken

Extras

• Half order Fries — Side portion of hot fries
• Extra Piece Fish — Additional piece of fish
• Mushrooms — Side of cooked mushrooms
• Tomatoes — Side of cooked tomatoes
• Onions — Side of cooked onions
• Poached Eggs — Portion of poached eggs
• Bread & Butter — Fresh slice of bread and butter

Burgers

• White Horse Burger & Fries — Pattie, bacon, egg, onion, salad, BBQ sauce, mayo and cheese
• Hamburger and Fries — Classic beef burger served with fries
• Fish burger and Fries — Fish fillet with fresh toppings and fries
• Chicken burger and Fries — Tender chicken burger served with fries
• Chicken Schnitzel burger — Crispy chicken schnitzel burger
• Classic Chicken burger — Chicken patty, egg, onion, salad, tomato, mayo and cheese
• Veg burger and Fries — Vegetarian burger patty served with fries

Desserts

• Chocolate Brownie with ice cream — Rich chocolate brownie served warm with ice cream
• Ice Cream Sundae — Three scoops of vanilla ice cream with chocolate, berry or caramel topping
• Steamed Pudding — Traditional steamed pudding served with ice cream and cream

Starters

• Soup of the Day — Served with toast
• Garlic Bread — Toasted bread seasoned with garlic butter
• Shrimp cocktail — Classic chilled shrimp cocktail
• Scallops — Prepared scallops
• Crumbed Squid rings — Tender squid rings in a crisp breadcrumb coating
• Crumbed prawns — Prawns coated in crispy breadcrumbs
• Crumbed Mushrooms — Mushrooms lightly breaded and fried crisp
• Onion Rings — Crispy golden-fried onion rings

Kids Menu

• Kids Meals — Nuggets, tenders, fish bites, wontons or mini hot dogs with fries
• Kids Sundae — Ice cream sundae with chocolate, berry or caramel topping

Platters To Share

• Fisherman’s Platter — Fish, crabstick, squid rings, mussels and scallops served with salad and fries
• Mixed Platter — Chicken tenders, fish, spring rolls, samosa and spring onions with salad and fries
• Vegetable Platter — Chicken tenders, fish, spring rolls, samosa, spring onions and falafel with salad and fries

Frequently asked questions

Where is the White Horse Inn located?

The inn is located at 2180 State Highway 56 in Longburn, Palmerston North 4412.

What type of food does the restaurant serve?

The restaurant serves a varied menu including steaks, seafood platters, burgers, all-day breakfasts, pub classics like bangers and mash, and selected curry dishes.

Do I need a reservation to dine at the restaurant?

Walk-ins are welcomed, but table reservations are recommended for groups larger than 10 people.

Does the White Horse Inn offer accommodation?

Yes, the property features on-site motel rooms suitable for travelers visiting Longburn and Palmerston North.

Can the venue accommodate private functions and gatherings?

Yes, the White Horse Inn features hall hire and event facilities for gatherings, sports events, and private functions.

Are vegetarian dishes available on the menu?

Yes, options such as Chana Masala with roti and rice, vegetable platters, crumbed mushrooms, and veggie burgers are available.

Tips

• {"body":"If you are visiting with a group of 10 or more people, reserve your table in advance by phone to ensure seamless service.","title":"Book ahead for larger parties"}
• {"body":"Take a moment to ask about or view the venue's rich history as an iconic 1980s Kiwi touring rock circuit venue.","title":"Explore the music history"}
• {"body":"The Fisherman's or Mixed Platters are generous and work well for sharing among friends over drinks in the bar.","title":"Grab a shared platter"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Offers a dedicated children's meal menu and kids ice cream sundaes.","dietary":"Gluten-free and other dietary adjustments can be requested from the server.","parking":"On-site bar, restaurant, and motel parking is available."}