Cuisine Wine

Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant

Setting
In one of the most picturesque parts of Church Bay, this is without doubt Waiheke’s best-known vineyard restaurant. And indeed, it’s hard to beat Mudbrick’s spectacular west-facing cityscape views (which are particularly exquisite at sunset), along with its lovely patchwork of terraced French-inspired potager gardens. Combined with the sort of charmingly rustic architecture that seems entirely appropriate in this setting, a visit to Mudbrick is a magical experience.

Things To Know
Bring your camera – there are countless glorious vistas to snap. Formal (but not overly fussy) dining is available inside or seize the day and enjoy the relaxed style outside. This is one of New Zealand’s most successful cellar doors, with superb small plates and platters to match the lovely wines.

Our Picks
The reserve chardonnay is delicious, and an expensive but hugely impressive Bordeaux-style red, Velvet (2013), is unforgettable.

Mudbrick Vineyard Restaurant
Large, spacious, airy and stylish, with plenty to look at through a wall of floor-to-ceiling French doors. Inside, there’s a smart bar and a huge open fire, while the wonderfully varied menu draws on a lot of Mudbrick’s own garden-grown produce. The cellar door also operates as a bistro-style eatery with an eclectic range of platters. If dining in the restaurant itself, try the fish of the day matched with Mudbrick’s chardonnay.

Hours 7 days lunch and dinner (reservations advised)