Mercer Landing Kitchen and Bar is a restaurant, bar and event venue in Mercer, Waikato — roughly an hour south of Auckland and an hour north of Hamilton. It's built around a vision of turning Mercer from a mere stop along the highway into a genuine destination, serving brunch, lunch, dinner, local craft beverages and seasonal menus to travellers, local residents, business groups and event guests from across the Franklin and North Waikato regions.
The kitchen pairs gastropub classics with Asian-inspired flavours, alongside a rotating selection of craft beer taps that keeps regulars coming back for something new. Mercer Landing sources from local suppliers including Volcanic Hills, Ozone Coffee, Pokeno Whisky, Koparepare Wine, Imagination Gin, Good George Beer and 1919 Distilling, reflecting a genuine commitment to the wider region.
Beyond the everyday menu, Mercer Landing offers venue hire for corporate functions, private celebrations and community events, with a variety of setups including leaners, seated tables and a spacious outdoor area. Nearby accommodation is available at Mercer Motel and other local providers, making it a convenient stop or destination in its own right.
Mercer Landing Kitchen and Bar sits in the small Waikato town of Mercer, roughly an hour south of Auckland and an hour north of Hamilton, right along the Waikato River. The vision behind it is a simple one: to breathe life into the heart of Mercer, turning it from a mere stop along the highway into a cherished destination for families, friends and travellers alike.
At the heart of Mercer Landing is a kitchen that blends gastropub classics with Asian-inspired flavours, described on the menu as a genuine fusion of the two traditions. The seasonal menu covers brunch, lunch and dinner, with items and availability changing through the year — the current lunch and dinner offering runs as a Winter Menu, alongside a dedicated brunch menu and a drinks list of local craft beverages, wines and rotating specials.
One of Mercer Landing's standout features is its extensive selection of craft beers on rotating taps, giving beer enthusiasts something new to try on every visit. The drinks programme leans heavily into local and regional producers, featuring suppliers like Ozone Coffee, Good George Beer, Pokeno Whisky, Koparepare Wine, Imagination Gin, 1919 Distilling and Volcanic Hills — a genuine reflection of the venue's commitment to sourcing from the wider Waikato and Franklin community.
Mercer Landing describes itself as more than just a place to eat and drink — it's a hub for people to gather, connect and create memories, serving both nearby towns and weary travellers seeking a moment of respite along their journey. The venue is popular with local residents, business groups, and travellers passing through the Franklin and North Waikato regions, as well as guests attending events in the area.
Beyond the everyday menu, Mercer Landing offers its space for venue hire, covering corporate functions, private celebrations and community events. The venue includes a variety of setups — leaners, seated tables, and a spacious outdoor area that's ideal for soaking up the sun on a good day — giving it flexibility for everything from a casual gathering to a larger function.
Mercer itself has a history that stretches back to the early days of European settlement in New Zealand, originating as a stopover point along the Great South Road. Today it continues as a tranquil rural town on the Waikato River, and Mercer Landing has positioned itself as part of the effort to rewrite the narrative of the town as a genuine destination rather than just a highway stop.
For those wanting to make more of a stop, nearby accommodation is available at Mercer Motel and other local providers, making Mercer Landing a workable base for exploring the wider area as well as a destination in its own right.