Tasty Tapas and Fine Wine at Deliciosa Hawke’s Bay

A bustling, vibrant atmosphere, vine leaves above you and excellent wine and tapas before you; this is one of the best in Hawke’s Bay’s eclectic dining scene.

Deliciosa has served up Hawke’s Bay’s finest produce for almost a decade. The restaurant focusses on showcasing local produce with a Mediterranean twist; dishes are served tapas style for a long, slow, grazing session with friends over wine.

“We have a huge passion for Hawke’s Bay wine,” says Deliciosa restaurant manager Alex Coupland.

“But we’ve also got a carefully curated international wine list. We use the Coravin wine extraction system, which enables us to serve our really special wine collection by the glass and re-seal the bottle without exposing the wine to oxygen.”

The team work closely with local winemakers to source wines with character and those that will best match Deliciosa’s delicious food. The award-winning beverage menu is also home to taste-bud-tinglingly-good craft beer and ciders.

“Working in hospo, I’m always looking to try something different and our range of craft beers and ciders really do it for me. You’ll find me here enjoying a craft beer when I’m not working!” says Alex.

The rustic ambience is a big part of the dining experience; the covered, heated and candlelit outdoor patio is perfect for al fresco dining, even in the cooler months. The restaurant echoes the feel of tiny, back-street Spanish restaurants but has a distinctive New Zealand flavour. It’s casual, but not too informal, vibrant, but not rowdy.

Dishes regularly change, depending on what is available locally and seasonally, but there’s a few favourites which keep bringing the crowds back. A rustic charcuterie and antipasto plate offers a generous selection of cheese, olives, chorizo and artichokes. There’s crispy pork belly with pomegranate jus; their famous salt and pepper squid and mouth-watering mushroom and pancetta arancini with salsa verde and citrus marscapone.

“One of my (many) favourites is the waygu beef dish with red chimichurri,” confides Alex. 

“And there’s a new-ish chicken and chorizo chilli bake with lime crème fraîche and tortilla wafers that’s had great feedback. It’s another one of my favourites, so hopefully we can keep it as a menu staple.” 

Alex says the talented Deliciosa are “crazy fast” and very creative in the kitchen – which is less than 12 square meters.

“I’ve seen them put out a top-quality dish every minute or two, it’s impressive!”

Deliciosa at a glance:

Where: 21 Napier Road, Havelock North

When: Monday and Tuesday from 4pm, Wednesday – Saturday 11am until late

Best for: Groups. Parties over 15 can request Deliciosa’s $45 set menu

Must try: Seven spice wagyu beef

Nab a First Table booking at Deliciosa here