Eat &
Drink

Sharing a space with the South Bloc offices and neighbouring the Hamilton District Court, Anne Fern sees plenty of professionals through its doors throughout the day. Rocket coffee is available to drink onsite, or you can purchase filter or espresso beans to take away with you. Hanging pots of foliage add a hit of green to the glossy wood panelling, and from the coffee jugs to the ethos everything here is sleek and simple.

Staff look super dapper in white tees and dark green aprons, but mixed with the cheeky marketing and menu, this place is proof that a restaurant can be both suave and easy-going all at the same time. Operating from an impressive island bar, pull up a stool and watch the talented bartenders strut their stuff, or take your tipple out to the impressive patio and watch the sun set over the mighty Waikato River. Feeling hungry? Mr. Pickles opens at midday, so you can perch here for lunchtime eats onwards. Designed to share, the menu is not a fixed thing but instead revolves around what customers want to see, and the waitstaff will cheerfully remind you that what works for you, works for them.

Come evening time the music is loud, the tables are packed and the atmosphere is buzzing. Appealing to young and old, dates, groups and solo eaters, tables and brightly coloured stools are packed close together, transporting you straight to street side South East Asia.

A licensed restaurant, there’s beer, wine and a seductive sounding cocktail list, as well as house-made smoothies and sodas.

Street-side on the ground level of the Parkhaven Building, Frank has both apartment dwellers and office workers for neighbours, resulting in a beautiful mix of homely and corporate feels. Get comfy on the olive green velvet booth seats, sip on a cuppa whilst gazing out the window, or dine al fresco in the little courtyard which captures a slice of the morning sun. From the gold cutlery to the smart retro water glasses, speckled salt shakers and the pastel-coloured serving bowls, small things add up to create a real vibe here.

For hearty, authentic Chinese food, head straight to Dumpling House, a wholesome eatery serving up friendly vibes and even better dumplings. After operating for 12 years and opening two venues, this family-run establishment has truly made its mark on the Hamilton food scene.Owner Lei Wang comes from a long line of dumpling makers—her great grandfather even made dumplings for the Chinese Royal family!

And lucky for Hamilton locals, she and her mum found roots in New Zealand, bringing generations of secret techniques and flavours to their restaurants on Grey Street and Bryce Street. It’s hard not to feel at home when you step into Dumpling House. Lei Wang sums it up perfectly when she says “over the years, customers have become regulars and regulars have become friends.”

Walking in to big smiles and greetings, Erik and his team work like a well-oiled machine to bring you an authentic experience of fresh, fast and affordable Vietnamese food, right here in Hamilton. Plentiful windows look out to the busy street corner, making for prime people-watching on the side of feasting on comforting dishes that transport you to the streets of Vietnam. Authentic Vietnamese flavours can get lost in the Western world, but Erik has made it his mission to revive them. And with 15+ years of experience in the food industry, he’s just the man for the job.

Having spent many years doing the market, festival and event rounds with their OG food truck, On A Roll have clocked up a devout following of local foodies from all around Hamilton. So, we weren’t the only ones who were pretty wrapped when the doors to their permanent Vialou Street spot opened in 2021. The eatery itself is the embodiment of good vibes. You’ll notice industrial cement blocks contrasted with bold feature walls and a larger-than-life tiger mural. Accented with warm wood tones, leather seating and bohemian lighting, they’ve simply nailed the aesthetic. Known for their flavour-packed take on Asian-fusion bites, On A Roll is a serious crowd-pleaser when it comes to dining out with the crew. Our advice? Sharing is caring, so order one of everything because we guarantee you’ll want to taste it allllll.

With its signature red interior and exterior, murals, and neon lights, it’s a vibrant space, topped off by the background of friendly chatter, clinking cutlery, and attentive staff moving from table to table. With different levels of spice, vegetarian and gluten-free options (as well as the cheeky option of taking home some of their incredible frozen dumplings for a lazy weekday meal), even people with dietary requirements can enjoy the glorious Chilli House cuisine.

Offering an expertly crafted menu, calming decor and even executive meeting rooms for hire, it’s the ideal place for a catch-up with colleagues. The interior styling alone is everything you’d want from your weekday coffee spot. Bright open spaces are complemented by cooling hues across the tiling and feature walls, while warm timber accents, lush greenery and rattan chairs make this Hamilton café an inviting destination to order up a treat and smash through those emails.

Cream Eatery flung its doors open in early 2021 and it’s been a hit from day dot. Owners Luke and Chrissy Houghton sure know a thing or two about creating dishes people love to devour. Luke himself is a trained chef, while Chrissy is an expert at whipping up mega-impressive cakes. Lucky for our taste buds, this is a match made in heaven.

One thing is for sure—only good things come out of Riverbank Lane. Those who know the area will be well aware this place has it all: a café, a bar, a hairdresser, a barber, and a bookshop. We love it so much, it made the cut for our round-up of New Zealand’s best hidden laneways.So it’s safe to say when Café Kopi found a home in this community, we were pretty stoked. The vibe of this little caffeine haven is pretty chic, to say the least. You’ll find sky-high concrete walls adorned with exposed copper pipes, flanked by dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Complemented by warm wooden panelling and dappled sunlight on a good day, there’s no better place to while away the afternoon.

In the heart of Hamilton’s vibrant Riverbank Lane, with its cosmopolitan Melbourne-like ambience, you’ll discover Rüdi’s—a micro-bakery that perfectly marries Nordic minimalism with artisan passion. The interior, painted in serene shades of deep blue and pristine white, resonates with a cool, understated elegance. Concrete floors contrast with warm wooden accents and fresh botanicals, creating a space that feels both modern and welcoming. After spending over a decade abroad working in other fields, Stefan (architectural and interiors photographer) and Fern (director in innovation) returned to New Zealand in 2021 with their young family.

Tucked away in a corner of Hamilton city is an enchanting little laneway that evokes the charm of Italy, with its pottery and art studios, water fountains, and curated gardens. This is where you’ll find the adorable pink facade of Hello Rosie. The tiny vegan haven is more than just a feast for the eyes, their menu is chock full of nostalgic comfort food that’s good for the soul.