The Duke Restaurant & Bar sits at 1747 State Highway 2 in the Pakuratahi valley, a quiet rural stretch of Upper Hutt, and holds a 4.2 rating on Google. Country restaurants along a state highway live or die on the little things. The good ones keep their menus tight, cook well from what's reliably in season, and treat a slow weekday with the same care as a packed holiday weekend. It pays to check opening hours and ring ahead before travelling, since rural kitchens often close earlier than city ones, and the road over the Remutakas gets busy on long weekends. Expect a relaxed welcome, generous plates and a room that draws passing travellers and locals alike. For anyone driving SH2 between the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa, The Duke is a well-rated country stop right on the route in Pakuratahi.