The Thirsty Whale Bar & Restaurant
A lively bar and restaurant with stunning waterfront views, known for its extensive seafood menu and hearty pub-style dishes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
The Thirsty Whale Bar & Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A lively bar and restaurant with stunning waterfront views, known for its extensive seafood menu and hearty pub-style dishes.
"Outstanding food and service with amazing views - a must-visit in Napier!"
Consider visiting without a booking
They might accommodate you even if busy. Booking is recommended for peak times.
Don't miss signature dishes
Try the mushroom garlic sauce on steak or the cheesecake with vanilla ice cream.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, Pub
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+64 6 835 8815
Address
62 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier 4110, New Zealand
Website
thethirstywhale.co.nz/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Stunning Waterfront Views
Dine with panoramic views of Napier Harbour and the ocean. Perfect for a relaxed meal or social gathering.
Abundant Seafood Offerings
Indulge in a wide array of fresh, local seafood, including oysters, fish and chips, and seafood platters.
Generous Portions and Value
Enjoy top-quality food with surprisingly generous portions, offering great value for money.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Consider visiting without a booking
They might accommodate you even if busy. Booking is recommended for peak times.
Don't miss signature dishes
Try the mushroom garlic sauce on steak or the cheesecake with vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy pizzas and cocktails
The bar offers a good selection of drinks and the pizzas are a popular choice.
Vaccine pass checks
Be prepared for thorough vaccine pass checks at the entrance.
Tips
from all over the internet
Consider visiting without a booking
They might accommodate you even if busy. Booking is recommended for peak times.
Don't miss signature dishes
Try the mushroom garlic sauce on steak or the cheesecake with vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy pizzas and cocktails
The bar offers a good selection of drinks and the pizzas are a popular choice.
Vaccine pass checks
Be prepared for thorough vaccine pass checks at the entrance.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Thirsty Whale is praised for its outstanding food quality, generous portions, and exceptional service, particularly its fresh seafood and waterfront views. While many enjoy the hearty pub grub and extensive drink selection, some reviewers found the food to be fairly bland or lacking in presentation and originality. Reservations are recommended during peak times, and vaccine pass checks are in place.
"Great variety of options on the menu. A collection of sea faring maps and memorabilia on the walls. Good selection of wines to accompany your tastes. We had the seafood extravaganza and the slow braised lamb shank. Both meals were delicious and a bit more than we could get thru. Great value and spot on service."
Randy DeGraw
"Friendly staff. Usual menu for this type of Restaurant: Lots of deep fried stuff, burgers, pizzas, etc. Fairly bland food with little presentation imagination. Meals of normal size for the money but lacking flair or originality. Large space and can be very busy. Best to book if you plan to dine at a peak time. Bright and airy surroundings. Reasonable selection of drinks. A popular venue."
Grahame Johnston
"This is one of my favourite spots to come to when I visit Napier. The food is always good, my favourite is the crispy chicken salad, Yum Yum. We’ve had breakfast, lunch and dinner here on numerous occasion. The owners and staff are absolutely lovely. We always have a good time here. If you have a big group of people you can book the upstairs room. The whole place has amazing views onto the pier. We booked the upstairs room for some family and friends the day after we got married. We had a lovely lunch and we were very well looked after. Thanks team"
Debbie Raulet
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Signature dishes include the mushroom garlic sauce on steak, cheesecake with vanilla ice cream, and various fresh seafood options like oysters and fish and chips.
While booking is recommended, especially for peak times, you might still be accommodated if you visit without a reservation.
The restaurant offers a lively atmosphere with cool decor, a lit-up bar, and a cozy fireplace, complemented by stunning waterfront views.
While the menu focuses on seafood, there are options like vegetarian pizzas mentioned.
The restaurant serves food from morning to night.
Gluten-free options are available, and the restaurant is mentioned in a list of Gluten Free Hawkes Bay Restaurants.
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Bar & Restaurant.
Overlooking Napier harbour, the Thirsty Whale Bar & Restaurant is a prime spot to meet up with friends, whilst you sit back, relax and drink in the panoramic scenery. Sit on the deck and absorb the fresh open air as you indulge in an eclectic menu, complimented with local and international beverages. Enjoy the Kaweka mountain range and furthermore the Napier Harbour, adjacent to the Thirsty Whale deck – A photo opportunity you wont want to miss!
How to Spend 1 Day in Napier, NZ -
After a fairly full-on day you’ll be feeling pretty knackered, however I know the perfect cure for just that!. No trip to Napier is complete without having a meal at the Thirsty Whale Restaurant & Bar over in the Ahuriri Precinct. There are many other excellent restaurants in Napier’s growing Ahuriri Precinct with an excellent nightlife scene, but The Thirsty Whale is by far my favourite.
List of Restaurants in Napier for 2020. Best Places to Eat in Hawkes Bay
In fact, the restaurant would pamper you with delight menus from morning to night. You can simply enjoy egg benedict with vegetable and salmon tops for breakfast as well as Muesli and Fruit Stack or its signature dish called The Full Whale. In main courses, the restaurant offers a long list of pizza, salad, burger, soup, and steak with rich sea-ingredients in each sub-category.
Best Seafood Restaurants in Napier
The Thirsty Whale Bar & Restaurant, situated on Ahuriri’s vibrant West Quay marina, is a lively venue known for its extensive seafood menu and stunning waterfront views. With a focus on fresh, local ingredients, this restaurant combines a relaxed atmosphere with hearty dishes, making it a go-to for seafood lovers and social gatherings in Napier.
Gluten Free Hawkes Bay Restaurants and Takeaway Menus
Bay Espresso in Hastings has no menu available, but can choose from many other options such as The Ale House Loaf Locally baked Speight’s loaf, either garlic or plain. or Speight’s Dipping Platter Mixed platter of freshly baked breads served with chefs own spreads dukkah, hummus, pesto, olive oil & balsamic reduction. from The Speights Alehouse.
Best Restaurants Napier – Creative Napier
The Thirsty Whale Restaurant Bar offers amazing views out over Napier harbour and the ocean beyond. It’s a thriving place to meet friends with drinks or to share a meal. The bar at the Thirsty Whale stocks an impressive variety of drinks from New Zealand and further afield.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit