Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cise wine and beer list also focuses on quality fare, and next door the Hazel's Counter deli
is also worth visiting.
River Kitchen
(
www.theriverkitchen.co.nz
;
237 Victoria St; mains $10-18; 7am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat & Sun; )
River
Kitchen does things with simple style: cakes, gourmet breakfasts and fresh seasonal
lunches (angle for the salmon hash), and a barista who knows his beans. It's the kind of
place you visit for breakfast, come back to for lunch, then consider for breakfast the next
day.
CAFE
$$
Chim Choo Ree
( 07-839 4329;
www.chimchooree.co.nz
;
14 Bridge St; mains $30-34; 11.30am-2pm & 5pm-late Mon-Sat)
In
an airy heritage building beside the river, Chim Choo Ree focuses on shared plates like
tuna tartare, smoked potato ravioli and Sichuan pork belly, and larger, equally inventive
mains using duck, lamb, venison and snapper. Local foodies wash it all down with a great
wine list and flavourful New Zealand craft beers.
MODERN NZ
$$$
Palate
MAP
MODERN NZ, FUSION
$$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 07-834 2921;
www.palaterestaurant.co.nz
;
20 Alma St; mains $34-38; 11.30am-2pm Wed-Fri, 5.30pm-late
Mon-Sat)
Simple, sophisticated Palate has a well-deserved reputation for lifting the culinary
bar across regional NZ. The innovative menu features highlights like red roasted duck
with yams, scallops, shiitake and a chilli broth. The wine selection is Hamilton's finest.
Drinking & Nightlife
The blocks around Victoria and Hood Sts make for a boozy bar-hop, with weekend live
music and DJs. Friday is the big night of the week.
Wonderhorse
MAP
(
www.facebook.com/wonderhorsebar
; 232 Victoria St; 5pm-3am Wed-Sat)
Look for the subtle
spraypainted Wonderhorse logo on the footpath and follow the white arrow to this cool
COCKTAIL BAR
