Central Fire Station Bistro - Napier

I had the Carpaccio Venison as a starter and the Roast Pork Belly with roasted vegetables for my main course. It was an excellent Sunday night meal, particularly the venison. If you don’t mind paying for quality, the Central Fire Station Bistro is a must-visit in Napier.

I can't believe we waited so long to visit this restaurant! I had tried to make a reservation a couple of times in the past, but it was always fully booked—now I see why. Everything about our experience was outstanding: the food, the service, and the atmosphere. I really appreciated the beautiful design of the historic building, both inside and out. The staff were genuinely happy and friendly, which added to the overall experience. The food was truly excellent.

The staff were incredibly accommodating, and the food was both creative and showcased the chefs' passion. My only suggestion would be to enhance the gin menu. It didn't seem very extensive, and I don’t recall it being listed on the menu. When I inquired about the gins, the staff seemed unprepared to discuss local options and the distinctions between dry, botanical, herbaceous, and citrus varieties. I also think that incorporating dehydrated fruits could elevate the experience to match the exceptional quality of the food and wine. The decor was pleasant, and the restrooms were clean. The food was served at a good pace, and the floor staff and chefs did a commendable job. However, a bit more managerial oversight could help elevate the bar offerings to align with the outstanding quality of the food, which is deserving of an A+.

This is an exceptional restaurant. The food was truly exquisite and was equal to that we recently experienced in Michelin Star restaurants in France. The young female waitress was extremely well informed about the dishes and this was most impressive. The decor is very tasteful. There was an extremely good selection of drinks to choose from. Definitely deserves the very highest recommendation.

Best in Napier, actually possibly best in NZ. We loved the wine the platter and the mains. We eat in the best restaurants in Auckland and many major cities in the world globally. Still we were blown away by the taste the experience and the quality of the dinner we had here.