Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7am-9pm)
Fill up the trolley, and don't forget your Gisborne oranges.
(274 Gladstone Rd;
Villaggio
MAP
CAFE
$$
GOOGLE MAP
( 06-863 3895;
villagio@threechefs.co.nz
;
57 Ballance St; mains lunch $18-26, dinner $28-36; 8am-4pm Sun-
Wed, to late Thu-Sat)
North of the river, push through the gate of this old art-deco house which
has been stripped back to supersmart red, white and wood fundamentals. The menu offers
fresh takes on classics (seafood chowder; fish and chips), plus colourful Med-style dishes
(spaghetti with tomato, goat cheese and herbs; Moroccan vegetable tagine). Loiter in the
garden over lunchtime wines.
USSCO Bar & Bistro
( 06-868 3246;
www.ussco.co.nz
;
16 Childers Rd; mains $30-42; 4.30pm-late)
Housed in the restored
Union Steam Ship Company building (USSCO - get it?), this place is all class. Silky kit-
chen skills shine in a highly seasonal menu featuring the likes of soy-glazed pork belly
with caramelized yams, parsnip puree and toasted nut salad. Devilishly good desserts, plus
plenty of local wines and NZ craft beers. Generous portions, multicourse deals and live
piano tunes.
MODERN NZ
$$$
Drinking & Entertainment
Smash Palace
( 06-867 7769; 24 Banks St; 3pm-late Mon-Thu, 2pm-late Fri, noon-late Sat, 2-11pm Sun)
Get juiced at
the junkyard: an iconic drinking den in Gisborne's industrial wastelands, full to the gun-
wales with ephemera and its very own DC3 crash-landed in the beer garden. Occasional
live music.
BAR
Rivers
(cnr Gladstone Rd & Reads Quay; 11am-late Mon-Sat, from noon Sun)
This well-run, British-style pub
does the business, offering steak-and-ale pie, proper pudding, big-screen telly and pool.
PUB
