My top five turned into a top six...

Black Barn Growers Market

This vineyard and restaurant on the slopes of Te Mata Peak has a number of really great events including open air cinema in the summer in their amphitheatre where you can take a picnic and drink their award-winning wines in a civilised manner whilst nibbling on your chicken wings and coronation salad, and the now famous Grower's Market which also runs on Saturday mornings through summer.

[IMG1 R] It's set out in a circle under the giant plane trees with canvas awnings - kinda like an olde worlde market. All you need is a chook running round as you browse the locally produced oils, relishes, veges and wine with a hot espresso.

www.blackbarn.com


Coffee at Cuccini

There are a few cafes in the little village of Havelock North, but I like Cuccini for its brunch food and coffee as well as outdoor seating under the vines. A great spot to people-watch and plan your next move.

9 Middle Road


Strawberry Patch

[IMG2 R] People travel from far and wide just to visit the Strawberry Patch between mid-October and mid-March. They make strawberry ice cream and low fat frozen yoghurt on site and from late November you can either pick your own berries by the bucket load or by them already picked.

Pull in under the 120-year old oak trees with your own picnic lunch to eat on their wooden tables, then line up for a snow freeze treat.

www.strawberrypatch.co.nz


Lunch at Te Mata Cheese Company

Driving past Black Barn on Te Mata Road you reach the T-junction to take you to the river or out to the beach. Right on the corner if the Te Mata Cheese Company where you can taste the many cheeses made on site, order a platter for lunch and sit outside under umbrellas, or take a wedge with you for happy hour. The Te Mata Creamy Blue was awarded Champion Blue Cheese at the 2009 national Cheese Awards.

393 Te Mata Road
www.tematacheese.co.nz


Pizza at Pipi

This bright pink building is hard to miss on Joll Road, but whatever you do, don't miss it. It's open from 4pm till 10pm every night and is the closest thing to a real fair dinkum Italian experience you'll find in these parts. You help yourself to beer and soft drinks from the old fashioned fridge and they just add up the empties.

The pizza bases are so popular that they are sold separately in the local supermarket under, the Poesy label, to replicate the taste at home. But nothing can replicate the experience with mismatched furniture and candles burning, music playing. It's a popular spot, but worth waiting for a table as their pizza and pasta is delicious.

www.pipicafe.co.nz


Dinner at Craggy Range

The poshest spot in Havelock North would have to be Craggy Range. This stunning vineyard restaurant and tasting room sits right behind Te Mata Peak (great views from the peak over it) and alongside the Tuki Tuki River.

[IMG3 R] Its restaurant, Terroir, is on the pricey side but if it's a special night, then hey - you're worth it. During the winter you can enjoy the enormous fire places or if it's one of those perfect Hawkes Bay days, then lunch outside on the terrace is fab.

www.craggyrange.com


For more info on Havelock North, click onto www.villageinfo.co.nz.


For more of Megan's travel stories jump to www.bloggeratlarge.com.