Lone Star Napier

About Lone Star Napier

Lone Star Napier has been servin' up warm welcomes and hunger-busting meals from the corner of Marine Parade and Emerson Street since 2006. It's a place where Napier's Art Deco glamour meets Lone Star good times — a family restaurant where everyone's a VIP, whether you're a local or just passing through Hawke's Bay. The menu covers all the Lone Star classics: sizzling steaks, legendary ribs, burgers and seafood.

The setting is a big part of the charm. A beautiful outdoor seating area looks out over the ocean, ideal for a relaxing drink or a long meal with the fresh sea air. Inside, there's a cozy bar with multiple TVs screening live sport, and the kitchen stays open late because, as they say, the salt air sure works up an appetite.

Beyond dinner, Lone Star Napier is a genuine events venue: the bar is available for free hire for work functions, birthdays and small wedding receptions of up to 40 guests, with regular wine, gin and bourbon tastings. A semi-private Mezzanine floor hosts gatherings of up to 25, and the team also caters conferences and meetings with share platters and set lunches.

Lone Star Napier: Legendary Ribs and Art Deco Glamour on Marine Parade

Lone Star Napier has been part of the Marine Parade furniture since 2006, servin' up hunger-busting Texan-style classics from the corner of Marine Parade and Emerson Street. Perched in one of New Zealand's most beautiful cities, the restaurant leans into Napier's Art Deco glamour while keeping the warm, rowdy, everyone's-a-VIP welcome the Lone Star name is known for.

The setting is a big part of the appeal. The beautiful outdoor seating area looks out over the ocean, making it a favourite for a weekend lunch, a sunset dinner or just a relaxing drink with the sights and fresh sea air. Inside, it's proudly family-friendly, with a cozy bar complete with multiple TVs screening live sport. And because the salt air sure works up an appetite, the kitchen stays open late.

The ribs that made them famous

If you've heard of Lone Star, you've heard of the ribs. The pork ribs are blanched in honey and spices, fire-blasted, then smothered in the famous hoisin, orange and sesame seed sauce. Redneck Ribs® are the full-length spare ribs that built the reputation; BB King Ribs are the tender, meaty St Louis rib fingers; and The Cross Roads puts half of each on one plate for the gloriously indecisive. Serves run from the Trail starter through the classic Maverick main to the Outlaw, built for two to share.

Steaks hold their own alongside them. Choose from the 220g Wrangler Sirloin, the 300g Stir Crazy Sirloin® or the 300g Rockin' Ribeye®, each with onion purée, buffalo chips, Lone Star coleslaw and your pick of steak sauce — or ask your server about From the Ranch, a signature cut of premium meat selected fresh each day. Chicken classics run from the Cajun Chicken with chilli rice to Dixie Chicken® in its creamy garlic and white wine sauce, and the herb-crusted, stuffed Jonny Stash. The New Porker brings slow-roasted pork belly with crispy crackling and cider jus.

Seafood with a sea view

Being on the waterfront, seafood earns its place on the menu. Mussel Mania steams 500g of world-famous New Zealand green-lipped mussels in lemon, white wine and garlic cream, with ciabatta for mopping. Blue Pacific fish 'n chips coats market fish fillets in Steinlager beer batter, Rock the Boat® grills them with fresh herbs and parmesan, and Prawn Star® sautés tiger prawn cutlets in garlic, chilli and coriander butter.

First-timers should come with a crowd: Cowboy Bean Dip, Baked Garlic Loaf, "Chief" Chicken Nibbles, San Quentin Squid and Midnight Nachos® are made for the middle of the table. Burgers — the Glen Campbell Chicken and the beef Gerhard Burger — arrive on sourdough buns, and vegetarians can swap any burger protein for a vegetable pattie at no extra cost. Sides swap freely too, from buffalo chips and kumara wedges to crispy cauliflower and chilli rice. Save room for Kiwi Pavlova, Saddle Up Sundae, Crème Brûlée or For A Few Doughnuts More.

Functions, the bar and the late-night crowd

Beyond dinner, Lone Star Napier doubles as an events spot. The bar — a cozy spot with multiple TVs — is available for free hire for work functions, private birthdays and small wedding receptions of up to 40 guests, and regularly hosts wine, gin and bourbon tastings with the locals. The semi-private Mezzanine floor takes up to 25 people and is a popular pick for family gatherings and birthdays, offering a cozy space just removed from the main dining room. The team also hosts workshops, meetings and conferences, with sharing snack platters and conference lunch options handled in-house.

Hours run from 4pm until late Monday through Friday, and from 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday. Book a table, ring the friendly team, or follow along on Facebook — and whatever you do, come hungry. Leaving hungry, after all, is a crime.

Signature items

• Redneck Ribs®
• The Cross Roads
• Rockin' Ribeye®
• Prawn Star®
• Mussel Mania
• Dixie Chicken®

Menu

Pork

• New Porker — Slow-roasted pork belly with crispy crackling and cider jus, mashed potato and seasonal greens.

Salad

• Comanche Salad — Grilled chicken, poached egg, cos lettuce, streaky bacon, anchovies, parmesan and croutons in caesar-style dressing.

Sides

• Buffalo Chips — Lone Star's signature thick-cut chips.
• Straight-Cut Chips — Classic skinny fries.
• Kumara Wedges — Roasted sweet potato wedges.
• Buttered Mash — Creamy buttered potato mash.
• Crispy Cauliflower — Golden roasted cauliflower.
• Chilli Rice — Rice with a kick of chilli.
• Sautéed Seasonal Veges — Whatever's fresh and in season, sautéed.
• Lone Star Coleslaw — The house coleslaw served with the prime cuts.
• Green Salad — Fresh simple greens.

Steaks

• Wrangler Sirloin — 220g sirloin with onion purée, buffalo chips, coleslaw and a complimentary steak sauce.
• Stir Crazy Sirloin® — 300g sirloin with onion purée, buffalo chips, coleslaw and your choice of steak sauce.
• Rockin' Ribeye® — 300g ribeye with onion purée, buffalo chips, coleslaw and your choice of steak sauce.
• From the Ranch — A signature cut of premium meat selected by the chef — ask your server for today's local special.

Burgers

• Glen Campbell Chicken Burger — Grilled free range chicken breast, red onion, Swiss cheese, bacon, gherkins, lettuce, tomato and aioli in a sourdough bun.
• Gerhard Burger — Beef pattie with red onion, Swiss cheese, bacon, gherkins, lettuce, tomato and aioli in a sourdough bun.
• Vegetarian Option — Swap any burger protein for a vegetable pattie at no extra cost — just ask.

Chicken

• Cajun Chicken — Pan-seared breast in secret Cajun spices with spicy sauce, sour cream, jalapeños, coleslaw and chilli rice.
• Dixie Chicken® — Chicken breast in creamy garlic and white wine sauce with spring onion, carrot, corn and herbs, with buffalo chips and coleslaw.
• Jonny Stash — Herb-crusted breast stuffed with mushroom, spinach, cheese and sundried tomato, with chunky mushroom sauce, chips and coleslaw.

Dessert

• Saddle Up Sundae — Two scoops of ice cream with Chantilly cream, dark and white chocolate sauce, wafers and roasted almonds.
• Kiwi Pavlova — Mini pavs with Chantilly cream, vanilla bean ice cream, fresh fruit and berry coulis.
• Crème Brûlée — The classic dessert with a Lone Star twist — ask about the current flavours.
• For A Few Doughnuts More — Classic Italian-style doughnuts, made for sharing with two spoons.

Seafood

• Blue Pacific — Fish 'n Chips — Market fish fillets in Steinlager beer batter with straight-cut chips, tartare sauce and salad.
• Rock the Boat® — Market fish dusted in seasoned flour and grilled with fresh herbs and parmesan, with mash and salad.
• Prawn Star® — Tiger prawn cutlets sautéed in garlic, chilli and coriander butter, served with rice and salad.

To Share

• Cowboy Bean Dip — Blended and served hot with sour cream and oven-baked flour tortilla chips.
• Baked Garlic Loaf — Oven baked with a lashing of Lone Star garlic butter.
• Outlaw's Loaded Melt — Garlic loaf half topped with melted cheese, guacamole, garlic butter and bacon.
• Dixie Chips — Loaded buffalo chips smothered in Dixie sauce and bacon, topped with a cheese melt.
• "Chief" Chicken Nibbles — Blanched in soy, honey and spices, smothered in the famous hoisin, orange and sesame sauce.
• San Quentin Squid — Crispy salt and pepper calamari served with a citrus aioli.
• Prawn Star® (Starter) — Tiger prawn cutlets sautéed in garlic, chilli and coriander butter, served with rice.
• Midnight Nachos® — Corn chips piled with spicy beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños and chicken, beef or roasted veges.
• Southern Fried Chicken — Nibbles and breast entree dusted in seasoned flour, fried crisp, with mustard pickle dipping sauce.
• Quesadilla — Two flour tortillas with spicy chicken, beef or roasted vegetables, guacamole, sour cream and jalapeños.
• Mussel Mania — 500g of NZ green-lipped mussels steamed in lemon, white wine and garlic cream, served with ciabatta.

Legendary Ribs

• Redneck Ribs® — The ribs that made them famous — full length spare ribs in hoisin, orange and sesame sauce.
• BB King Ribs — St Louis rib fingers — tender, meaty and packed full of flavour.
• The Cross Roads — Where two legends meet: half Redneck Ribs®, half BB King Ribs.
• Trail Serve — A starter-size serve of the legendary ribs, with buffalo chips.
• Maverick Serve — The classic main serve of legendary ribs, with buffalo chips.
• Outlaw Serve — The serve for two — a full platter of legendary ribs to share.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lone Star Napier located?

On the corner of Marine Parade and Emerson Street in Napier South, right on the waterfront with ocean views from the outdoor area.

What are Lone Star Napier's opening hours?

Monday to Friday from 4pm until late, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am until late.

What is Lone Star Napier known for?

Its legendary pork ribs — Redneck Ribs®, BB King Ribs and The Cross Roads — plus steaks, burgers, seafood and big American-style family favourites.

Can I book a function at Lone Star Napier?

Yes. The bar is available for free hire for up to 40 guests, ideal for work functions, birthdays and small wedding receptions, and the semi-private Mezzanine floor seats up to 25.

Does Lone Star Napier host meetings or conferences?

Yes — the restaurant hosts workshops, meetings and conferences with exclusive dining options including share snack platters and conference lunches. Get in touch to find out more.

Are there vegetarian and gluten-free options?

Yes. A vegetable pattie can replace the protein in any burger at no extra cost, and many dishes across the menu — including the ribs, steaks and mussels — are marked gluten-friendly or dairy-friendly.

How do I contact or book at Lone Star Napier?

Call the restaurant on 0224191397, book a table online through the Lone Star website, or reach out via the Lone Star Napier Facebook page.

Tips

• {"body":"The outdoor seating looks out over the ocean — perfect for a relaxing drink or dinner with the sea air.","title":"Grab an outdoor table"}
• {"body":"The semi-private Mezzanine floor takes up to 25 people and is a favourite for family gatherings and birthdays.","title":"Book the Mezzanine for groups"}
• {"body":"The bar with multiple TVs is free to hire for functions of up to 40 guests — work dos, birthdays, even small wedding receptions.","title":"Hire the bar for free"}
• {"body":"Doors open at 4pm on weekdays but from 11:30am on Saturday and Sunday, so weekend lunch is on the cards.","title":"Weekends start earlier"}
• {"body":"Want something different with your steak or ribs? Let your server know — side swaps are on the house.","title":"Swap your sides"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Bills itself as the leading family restaurant in Napier — everyone's a VIP.","dietary":"Many dishes marked gluten-friendly, dairy-friendly or vegetarian; veg pattie burger swap at no extra cost."}