Quails Nest Eatery

About Quails Nest Eatery

Perched above the Waiwhakaiho River valley just five minutes from central New Plymouth, Quail's Nest Eatery is where modern dining and Mother Nature converge. It is the restaurant arm of One Burgess Hill, a family-run accommodation and retreat owner-operated since 2006, with the eatery opening in December 2020 as its newest chapter. Native bush runs along the river bank below, and the room is designed around the outlook — cosy, relaxed and vibrantly unhurried.

Brunch, lunch and dinner (night plates Wednesday to Saturday) are built on local seasonal produce with a drop of Taranaki flair. Plates range from small to large, with share plates and platters in between, so the kitchen flexes from a solo corporate lunch to brunch with the crew through to bigger functions.

The drinks list is a destination in its own right: specialty coffee and creamy shakes, wellness lattes and smoothies, craft beer including local Shining Peak pours, Martinborough and Hawke's Bay wines, and a cocktail list of house originals like the Ember Margarita, Miss Quail and The Feijoa Affair — plus a not-tails line-up for non-drinkers.

In summer the 100m² covered deck and lawn come into their own, with cocktails and lawn games, plush outdoor seating and a dog-friendly policy across the outside areas. It is a little patch of paradise that still sits only minutes from the suburbs of New Plymouth.

Quail's Nest Eatery: Seasonal Dining with a View Over the Waiwhakaiho River, New Plymouth

Follow Burgess Hill Road out of New Plymouth for about five minutes and the city quietly falls away. At the top, perched above the Waiwhakaiho River valley, sits Quail's Nest Eatery — a place the team describes as where modern dining and Mother Nature converge. Native bush lines the river bank below and the rush of the rapids carries up the hill, while the eatery keeps things warm and low-key: cosy sophistication, relaxed vibrancy, and a big outlook onto Taranaki's wilder side.

The eatery is the newest chapter of One Burgess Hill, a family-run accommodation and retreat that has been owner-operated since opening in 2006. The wider property has been slowly coaxed out of wild scrubland and farmland into a minimalist sanctuary, and when the eatery opened in December 2020 it extended that philosophy to the plate: let the setting do the talking, keep the food seasonal and local, and add a drop of Taranaki flair.

From brunch to night plates

Quail's Nest serves brunch and lunch from 8.30am, Tuesday through Sunday, with night plates running Wednesday to Saturday for dinner. The menu moves between small and large plates, with share plates and platters in between — a format built to flex from the corporate traveller's solo lunch to a long brunch with the crew, and out to bigger functions. A dedicated function menu handles group occasions, and bookings for any group over ten are arranged directly by phone or enquiry form so the right space can be set aside.

Keep the weekly rhythm in mind: on Tuesdays and Sundays service wraps at 3.30pm, so dinner is strictly a Wednesday-to-Saturday affair, and the eatery closes on public holidays.

A drinks list with a local accent

Coffee is taken seriously — flat whites, long blacks and chais for the traditionalists, thick shakes and iced coffees for the afternoon slump, and a wellness latte of goji, raspberry, strawberry and beetroot for the curious. The cocktail list leans into house originals: the Ember Margarita shakes chilli tequila with watermelon and lime, Miss Quail pairs strawberry with Cointreau and vodka, The Feijoa Affair layers feijoa, raspberry and white chocolate crumb, and the Twilight Espresso covers the after-dark coffee-and-vodka brief. Sangria Rouge arrives by the 500ml jug for the table.

Non-drinkers are properly catered for with a not-tails list — the pomegranate-and-thyme Floozy No Fenton, a lavender spritz and a berry botanical — alongside low- and zero-percent beers and an alcohol-free sparkling spritz. Wine travels from Martinborough (Luna sauvignon blanc, Poppie's pinot gris, riesling and rosé) and Hawke's Bay (Red Metal syrah, Craggy Range merlot cabernet), with Wairiki Estate chardonnay and pinot noir in support. Beer runs from the classics to Taranaki's own Shining Peak brews.

The deck, the lawn and staying a while

The encouraged move here is simple: claim a comfortable seat with a glass of wine and watch the sunset over the valley. In summer that plays out on the 100m² covered deck or out on the lawn, where cocktails and lawn games are very much the point and plush outdoor seating invites you to settle in. The deck and outside areas are dog friendly, so four-legged companions are welcome too. It adds up to a little patch of paradise that somehow sits only minutes from New Plymouth's suburbs.

Good to know before you go

Bookings can be made online or by phone on 06 769 6911, and any group over ten should contact the team directly. Children are welcome, though the venue is honest that it has not been designed with kids in mind — and with elevated balconies and gardens, all children need to be supervised by an adult. Payments are kept simple: one payment method per person, with bills either split evenly across the group or paid by individual items. Planning a celebration cake? There is a $3 per person cakeage fee, the team asks for advance notice, and they cannot store the cake for you. Gift vouchers are available if you would rather let someone else choose the view.

Signature items

• Ember Margarita
• The Feijoa Affair
• Miss Quail
• Sangria Rouge
• Wellness Latte
• Fenton Street Floozy

Menu

Wine

• Sauvignon Blanc — Luna, Martinborough.
• Pinot Gris — Poppie's, Martinborough.
• Chardonnay — Wairiki Estate 'Matriarch'.
• Riesling — Poppie's, Martinborough.
• Rosé — Poppie's, Martinborough.
• Pinot Noir — Wairiki Estate.
• Syrah — Red Metal, Hawke's Bay.
• Merlot Cabernet — Craggy Range, Hawke's Bay.

Coffee

• Flat White — Smooth espresso with silky steamed milk.
• Latte — Espresso topped with plenty of steamed milk.
• Cappuccino — Espresso, steamed milk and a foam cap.
• Mochaccino — Espresso meets chocolate, finished with milk.
• Long Black — Espresso poured over hot water.
• Americano — Espresso lengthened with hot water.
• Short Black — A straight shot of espresso.
• Vienna — Espresso dressed with whipped cream.
• Chai Latte — Spiced chai with steamed milk.

Cocktails

• Twilight Espresso — Vodka, espresso & coffee liqueur.
• Fenton Street Floozy — Gin, pomegranate, thyme & citrus.
• Ember Margarita — Chilli tequila, watermelon & lime.
• The Feijoa Affair — Vodka, Chambord, feijoa, raspberry, citrus & white choc crumb.
• Miss Quail — Strawberry with Cointreau, vodka & citrus.
• Plum Gin Fizz — Gin, lemoncello, prosecco, plum & citrus.
• Whiskey Sour — Whisky, Cointreau, lemon, sugar, egg white.
• Sangria Rouge — Red wine, brandy, cherry, fruit & florals — 500ml jug.

Craft Beer

• Highwayman APA — Shining Peak pale ale, hoppy and aromatic.
• Bogworks Pilsner — Crisp craft pilsner.
• Fanny Fanthams — Shining Peak brew, a local favourite.
• Kereru Hazzee — Hazy ale that's also gluten-free.
• Tuatara Hazy — Juicy hazy ale.

Low & Zero

• Steinlager Light 2.5% — Lighter lager at 2.5%.
• Heineken 0% — All the lager, none of the alcohol.
• Export Citrus 2% — Citrus twist on a low-alcohol lager.
• Little Fake 2.5% — Low-alcohol easy drinker.
• Anthea Spritz White 0% — Alcohol-free sparkling spritz.

Classic Spirits

• Vodka — Zoa Pure, straight or mixed.
• Gin — Juno, neat or in a cocktail.
• Tequila — Jose Cuervo.
• Rum — LWF Original White, Appleton's Estate or Sailor Jerry's Spiced.
• Whiskey — Jameson's, Jack Daniel's or Jim Beam bourbon.
• Brandy — St Remy.

Tea & Hot Drinks

• English Breakfast — Classic black tea, regular or large.
• Earl Grey — Bergamot-scented black tea.
• Peppermint — Caffeine-free herbal infusion.
• Green Tea — Light, clean green leaves.
• Matcha — Ground green tea whisked to order.
• Hot Chocolate — Chocolate stirred into steamed milk.
• Lemon, Honey & Ginger — A soothing citrus-and-honey warmer.

Spritz & Sparkling

• Prosecco — Fenton Street, Northern Italy.
• Sparkling Rosé — Wairiki Estate bubbles.
• Aperol Spritz — Aperol, prosecco, soda & orange.
• Mimosa — Prosecco with orange juice.

Classic Beer & Cider

• Heineken — Crisp, easy-drinking lager.
• Export 33 — An easy cold lager.
• Corona — Light Mexican-style lager.
• Monteith's Black — Dark, roasty NZ classic.
• Monteith's Apple Cider — Crisp orchard apple cider.

Shakes & Iced Drinks

• Chocolate Shake — Thick, creamy and classic.
• Caramel Shake — Creamy shake with caramel.
• Vanilla Shake — Old-school vanilla, thick-spun.
• Iced Chocolate — Chocolate and milk over ice.
• Iced Coffee — Chilled coffee with milk and ice.
• Iced Mochaccino — Coffee and chocolate over ice.
• Iced Latte — Espresso with cold milk over ice.
• Iced Matcha — Green tea latte served cold.

Smoothies & Wellness

• Wellness Latte — Goji, raspberry, strawberry & beetroot with oat or soy milk.
• Seasonal Smoothie — Carrot, orange & turmeric, blended fresh.

Soft Drinks & Juices

• Orange — Chilled orange juice.
• Feijoa — Fizzy kiwi-favourite feijoa drink.
• Tomato — Savoury chilled tomato juice.
• Coke — The classic cola.
• Sprite — Crisp lemon-lime fizzy.
• Ginger Beer — Fiery ginger fizz.
• Lemon, Lime & Bitters — Citrus fizz with bitters.
• Kombucha — Lightly sparkling fermented tea.
• Fever Tree Tonic — Premium tonic water.
• Still Water 500ml — Chilled bottled still water.
• Sparkling Water 500ml — Chilled bottled sparkling water.

Not-Tails (Zero Proof)

• Floozy No Fenton — Pomegranate with thyme & citrus.
• Lavender Spritz — Lavender with Anthea 0% blanc & citrus.
• Berry Botanical — Terps & Co gin-like with Anthea 0% blush, berries & citrus.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a booking at Quail's Nest Eatery?

Bookings are recommended and can be made online or by phoning 06 769 6911. Groups of more than 10 must phone or use the enquiry form so the right space can be arranged.

When is dinner served?

Night plates run Wednesday to Saturday. On Tuesdays and Sundays service finishes at 3.30pm, and the eatery is closed on public holidays.

Is the eatery dog friendly?

Yes — the deck area and the other outside areas are dog friendly.

Are children welcome?

Children are welcome, but the venue has not been designed with children in mind. Due to the elevation of the balconies and gardens, all children must be supervised and accompanied by an adult.

Can we bring a cake?

Yes, with advance notice. There is a $3 per person cakeage fee, and the venue cannot store your cake for you.

How does the bill work for groups?

Each person stays with one payment method. The bill can be split evenly across the whole group or paid by individual whole items only.

Where exactly is Quail's Nest Eatery?

At One Burgess Hill on 1A Burgess Hill Road, New Plymouth — perched above the Waiwhakaiho River valley, about a five-minute drive from the CBD.

Tips

• {"body":"Night plates are only on Wednesday to Saturday; Tuesdays and Sundays finish at 3.30pm, and the eatery closes on public holidays.","title":"Plan dinner midweek-to-weekend"}
• {"body":"The deck and outside areas are dog friendly, so your four-legged friend can join you for the view.","title":"Bring the dog"}
• {"body":"Aim for deck or lawn seating — the 100m² covered deck and the lawn (with lawn games in summer) are made for sunset drinks.","title":"Stay for sunset"}
• {"body":"Groups over 10 should phone 06 769 6911 or send the enquiry form so the team can set up the right space.","title":"Big group? Call ahead"}
• {"body":"Cakes are welcome with advance notice — expect a $3 per person fee, and note the venue can't store your cake.","title":"Cake logistics"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Children welcome but venue not designed for kids; supervise them near elevated balconies and gardens.","payments":"One payment method per person; split the bill evenly or pay individual items only."}