Karahui Wine Bar & Restaurant is in the old BNZ Bank building on Martinborough's town square, at 1 Memorial Square. The bank was built in 1909, and the restaurant has kept its vault, pressed ceilings, Tōtara wood floors and exposed brickwork. Local makers' work is on show, including Don Hill's oil paintings and handmade chandeliers from Crystal Chain Gang. The wine list pairs Martinborough favourites with guest wines from further afield, and the website lists a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Rosé to match moods. Alongside the wine there are tasting flights, draft craft beers, spirits, mocktails and cocktails, including gin and NZ whisky and rum flights. The seasonal menu is served with the wine, and the website says it is the winter 2026 menu.
The restaurant suits dinner with friends, date nights and celebrations, and larger lunch or dinner groups are asked to call. Open Locally lists five other restaurants within a kilometre. Cool Change Bar & Eatery, Soi-3 Kitchen and Bar, and Nara are each 0.1 km away, and Tonic Bar & Bistro is 0.2 km away. None of those four has a rating on Open Locally. Our pick in Martinborough for dinner in the old bank.