Eastern Waiheke is where you go for a beachfront lunch at Man O' War Vineyards, an Italian long lunch at Poderi Crisci, weekend Syrah at Passage Rock Wines & Restaurant and gin at Waiheke Distilling Co.
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Winery restaurants · Eastern Waiheke
★ 4.5 from 1,379 Google reviews
You reach the far north-eastern end of Waiheke by a long, winding gravel road, by the Explore ferry straight into Man O' War Bay, or by boat onto the beach, and that journey is part of the day out.
Winery restaurants · Eastern Waiheke · $$$
★ 4.5 from 370 Google reviews
Drive to the quiet end of Waiheke, down a gravel road that feels like it leads nowhere, and you arrive in a valley that looks a lot like Tuscany: gardens, vines on the hills, ducks and geese on the lawn and a restaurant looking out over the whole thing.
Pubs and bars · Eastern Waiheke
★ 4.6 from 196 Google reviews
You drive out past Onetangi, along Orapiu Road towards Stony Batter, and leave the hop-on hop-off crowds behind at a working vineyard with vines running down towards a view of Te Matuku Bay and the Hauraki Gulf beyond.
Pubs and bars · Eastern Waiheke · $
★ 4.7 from 170 Google reviews
You'll find it at the quiet eastern end of Waiheke, up a long drive along Cowes Bay Road, where a family distillery sits on the ridge above the bay with a spray-free garden that grows a good share of the botanicals in your glass.
Waiheke Distilling Co sits on the ridge above Cowes Bay, where a family has turned old pasture into a spray-free botanical garden and built a garden bar around gin and vodka made on site. You settle in for a sunny afternoon with Neapolitan pizza from an Italian chef, a lawn that fills up on a fine day and a tasting paddle that makes the decision easy.
The Eastern Waiheke list has four places, and the drive is part of the day: the road to Man O' War Vineyards is about a 40-minute scenic drive from Matiatia before it turns to gravel near the end. The Explore ferry runs direct from Auckland's Viaduct Harbour in around 90 minutes, and plenty of people sail in and walk up the beach for lunch. Book ahead for tables and tastings and check the days each place opens, since Passage Rock cooks from noon on Saturday and Sunday only.
Yes, booking ahead is worth it at all four places. Man O' War Vineyards takes reservations for lunch and tastings, especially for groups of 12 or more, and Waiheke Distilling Co recommends booking a table because the lawn fills on a fine day. Passage Rock Wines & Restaurant asks you to book for holidays and bigger groups, while Poderi Crisci takes group bookings and set menus.
You can drive: the road to Man O' War Vineyards is about a 40-minute scenic drive from Matiatia before it turns to gravel near the end. You can also arrive by water, with the Explore ferry running direct from Auckland's Viaduct Harbour in around 90 minutes, and plenty of people sail in and walk up the beach for lunch.
Man O' War Vineyards is open five days a week, Wednesday to Sunday, while Poderi Crisci is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and stays open after 9pm. Passage Rock Wines & Restaurant cooks from noon on Saturday and Sunday only, and Waiheke Distilling Co's Garden Bar is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm.
