Perched on the upper reaches of the Waitematā Harbour, The Riverhead is New Zealand's oldest riverside tavern and has been a place of refreshment and stories for more than 160 years. Fishermen, farmers, smugglers, clergymen and constables have all passed through its doors, and the tavern has grown into one of the country's most characterful hospitality destinations while keeping its down-to-earth Kiwi spirit intact.
Today The Riverhead is home to three distinct spaces. The Landing Restaurant offers relaxed, river-view dining beside an outdoor deck framed by 100-year-old oak trees, with a seasonally crafted menu of fresh, modern New Zealand dishes made from scratch using local and regional produce (all meat is sourced from certified halal suppliers). The Portage Bar is the laid-back local's corner, with pool games, live sport on the big screens, satisfying food, a family-friendly welcome and a sunny outdoor courtyard. The Boat House is the venue's private wedding and function centre, with an indoor space opening to expansive decks and a sweeping lawn; it also opens to the public on selected summer Sundays for 'Sunday Live'.
Both The Landing and The Portage Bar are open 11am to late, every day, and the tavern can be reached by road or by water. Whether it's a long lunch, a drink in the sun, a birthday dinner or a full riverside celebration, the welcome is the same warm, unpretentious one the tavern has been known for since the 1850s.
Perched on the upper reaches of the Waitematā Harbour, The Riverhead is no ordinary pub. With a story stretching back more than 160 years, this historic riverside tavern at 33 York Terrace in Riverhead, Auckland, has earned its reputation as New Zealand's oldest riverside tavern — and one of the country's most iconic hospitality destinations.
Over the decades its walls have welcomed fishermen and farmers, smugglers, clergymen and constables. Celebrations have echoed through the building, secrets have been shared at the bar, and countless memories have been made. Today, The Riverhead remains a place of refreshment, connection and colourful stories, blending its rich heritage with the down-to-earth Kiwi hospitality it has always been known for.
The Riverhead is home to three distinct spaces, each with its own character — and each taking its own bookings.
**The Landing Restaurant** is the tavern's relaxed, river-view dining room. Set beside a spacious outdoor deck and framed by 100-year-old oak trees, it serves fresh, seasonal dishes crafted with care. Menus are built around local and regional produce, with every meal prepared from scratch by the kitchen team in a modern New Zealand style — approachable, flavourful food, from classics with a twist to something new. Private dining is also available.
**The Portage Bar** is the laid-back local's local: a welcoming spot for a cold drink and great company, with lively conversation, pool games and live sport on the big screens. The food is delicious and satisfying, families are always welcome, and when the sun's out the outdoor courtyard is the place to be.
**The Boat House** is the tavern's wedding and function centre. Its beautiful indoor space opens out to expansive decks and a sweeping lawn, making it a stunning setting for weddings — its specialty — as well as family celebrations, milestone birthdays and corporate functions. It's available for private hire, and opens to the public on selected Sundays during summer for the popular 'Sunday Live' sessions.
The Landing's menu reads like a love letter to modern Kiwi cuisine. Sharing plates include fresh or beer-battered oysters with homemade tartare sauce, garlic and mozzarella ciabatta, and The Landing Board — a generous platter of smoked fish rillette, pulled beef croquettes, kiwi onion dip, salami, olives, artisan cheese and dips. Cheese lovers can build their own platter from one to three cheeses.
Smaller plates range from pan-fried vegetable dumplings with sesame soy ponzu to a twice-baked goat cheese soufflé with candied fig, and a duck and shiitake risotto with master stock reduction and kumara mousse.
Among the classics, two dishes have earned a place in Riverhead folklore: the famous **Riv's Ribs** — smokey BBQ pork ribs with seasoned fries and green salad — and **The Riv Burger**, a 180g beef patty stacked with crispy bacon, Swiss cheese, garlic aioli and the house relish, served with beer-battered fries. A peri peri spiced tofu vege burger covers plant-based diners, alongside New Zealand sirloin steak, a kids menu, and a lineup of sides and desserts. Meat is sourced from certified halal suppliers.
The Landing Restaurant and The Portage Bar are both open 11am until late, every day. Bookings can be made online, with each space handled individually — so book directly with the Landing for a restaurant table, or enquire separately for functions in the Boat House.
One of The Riverhead's charms is how you arrive: the tavern's 'Getting Here' options cover travel by road or water, befitting its spot on the upper Waitematā Harbour. Gift vouchers are available for those wanting to share the experience, and the venue hosts regular events including Christmas functions and seasonal celebrations.
Whether you're settling in for a long lunch by the river, a drink in the sun, a birthday dinner or a full-scale riverside wedding, The Riverhead delivers the same warm welcome it has offered for more than a century and a half — unpretentious, relaxed and genuinely satisfying, just as it's always been.