Best kept secret in Hastings, well it was but now it seems everyone knows about Bistro 103. Def consider ourselves regulars, quite often go for Friday drinks and end up staying for dinner (if they are not booked out). And the Tuesday night steak meal specials are crazy good value. Mike and Sophia are wonderful hosts, nothing is ever too much for them. Only wish that Hawkes Bay had more places like this. Good food, great value, friendly atmosphere and a pleasure to visit each and every time.

Recommended by a local whilst checking out the shops in town. We were not disappointed! The service was warm and helpful, menu had a good selection without being fussy. Meals arrived hot and awesomely tasty. Excellent local beer Mike’s organic. Next time we are passing thru we will definitely eat here. Highly recommended.

I have been to Bistro 103 quite a few times now, and its just fantastic!! i cant say enough good things and will always recommend it.
The food is great, and the hostess is absolutely lovely!! you feel so welcome. they are very knowledgeable about wines and food.
I will go back in a heartbeat!!

We visited Bistro 103 on a Friday evening and found the ambiance, menu and service excellent. Two of our group were vegetarians and were able to find good items on the menu for their tastes. Most of all we enjoyed not having to compete with loud music when enjoying our friends’ conversations. We will return!

Best place to eat in Hastings, without a doubt. One of the best in the Bay.

I have eaten at 103 a few times now and am always impressed by the quality and freshness of the food, the care and attention to detail that goes into it’s preparation and presentation, and the genuine warmth of the welcome and service that Mike and Sophia provide to returning or first time patrons.

We recently booked for a group of 22 from work, and without exception every one of us had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the food. This is no mean feat with a large group, and to have a 100% success rate is a testament to Mike’s ability in the kitchen.

Most recently I have been calling in for a quiet drink with two or three friends and sampling the small bites menu. All of which is great – the standout flavours have been the freshly made fish bites (more of a goujon, and how many places have “fish bites of the day”!!) the spreads are delicious, especially the mushroom one!! Washed down with a cold ale selected from what must be Hawke’s Bay’s best and most varied selection of NZ beers and craft ales.

I can (and have) recommended eating at 103 to any and everyone who enjoys good food in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Cheers

I love this place….even if they don’t have a separate vego dish!

I’ve been in the food trade for 30 plus years and enjoyed the simple and superbly cooked food, which is well presented with out being over the top.

The true mark of good food is taste and the meals I have enjoyed on each visit has fulfilled this requirement. The service was wonderful, helpful and knowledgeable with out condescension which is all to often the downfall of other ‘up market’ eateries.

Im in Hastings twice a year for business and Bistro 103 is with out doubt something to look forward to in a world overly populated by tacky bread and something cafes and corporate fast food plastic.

Family outing, quiet night as we booked for 6pm. Little miss 2 and 5 sorted as soon as we where seated with kids things to do bag.
Ability to split kids meals made for stress free eating but only after trying to figure out what I wanted to eat. Wished we were staying another night in town as would/will return to sample more. Generous servings flavorsome meal, what could have been a stressful ordeal with the kids became a pleasant meal. Thanks to the team.

Absolutely recommend anyone to dine at Bistro103 the service was excellent, food over and above my expectations, the menu was well explained, I loved the surroundings, the lighting was just right, When I come back to Hastings I will definitely bring some friends, the steak was cooked to perfection and the garlic that came with the bread…….(I would love the recipe).
Best regards,

Fantastic signature dish – beef roulade so tender, and the cabbage full of flavour. The waitress lady was so smiley and pleasant – the chef even delivered our dessert! A must place to visit and return!! Thank you.

This is one of our favourite places to dine – it is fab that Hastings has such wonderful fresh and delicious food. Sophie and Mike are very welcoming and the service is great. The small bites menu is awesomely priced and great for a quick after work drink. We have been with and without kids (offered crayons, paper and other toys)and although our preference is without, kids are very welcome. The tuesday night special is sure to be a hit and I would love the recipes for those light and airy potato dumplings and the creamy vegetable, bacon and barley soup with crispy shallots mmmmm ….mmmm

Best restaurant of it’s kind in Hastings. Fresh wholesome food, cooked very well and affordable. The chef will happily leave the mushrooms out of the pasta and the hostess provides friendly unobtrusive service. The $4 happy hour from 5.30 – 6.30pm is excellent value.

This was my first visit but it won’t be the last. If you know what True Bistro Food is, then this place is well worth a try.

I commend this bistro to anyone who knows what true bistro dining is. The young couple who are the owner operators were attentive, helpful to a pair of out-of -towners and went out of their way to ensure our meal was to our satisfaction. My wife and I were very happy with the seafood and the steak was as good as any I have eaten. We were taken with the interesting ale list- although chose the wine – a well chosen selection is available. We were glad of the time to listen to good music while waiting for our table and had a welcome respite from a hectic day. The dessert was delicious.

We visited Bistro 103 on the recommendation of the reviews already posted (and because we’d often wondered what was behind the quirky looking entrance).

We were disappointed.

The restaurant is cavernous with seating for just 24 diners, the lighting was good and on a cold autumn night the heaters were welcome. The kitchen is half open to the dining area but we couldn’t hear any cooking noises the whole time we were there.

We shared a starter of house bread and dip with roast garlic, but this was a little spoilt by the waitress telling us she wouldn’t be responsible for our garlic breath! The bread was fresh and although the dip was tasteless, the garlic was roasted beautifully.

The fish of the day was butter fish which was quite rubbery and overcooked. I was puzzled by the vegetable accompaniment which was sliced potato, tomato and bocconcini doused in basil pesto. The cheese just didn’t go with the dish and was also rubbery. It may have worked if the cheese had been grilled but it looked and tasted boiled.

The spare ribs came as a large plate filling portion, with side dishes of salad and fries. The ribs were quite wet looking and the BBQ sauce tasted like Watties. The fries were crisp and the salad fresh.

We had creme brulee and cheese platter for desert, both were OK.

When paying the bill we commented that there wasn’t a vegetarian choice, which we’d found disappointing. We were told that we could have chosen the pasta without chicken. Actually I’d like the choice of a vegetarian dish on the menu, not an afterthought without the meat.

On the whole the place was soulless, lacks atmosphere and the food isn’t all that.

Oh and call me a cynic, but most of these reviews have been written by people who all joined at a similar time and only reviewed Bistro 103.

A great place to exceed your expectations – divine, fresh, tasty food in very generous portions. The menu has an option for everyone! The service is exceptional yet not intrusive. The restaurant is beautifully clean and well presented and laid out. It is incredibly well priced and highly recommended for a fabulous evening out. (Give the 18+ Lemonade a go – it is amazing!)

“Hastings Best Kept Secret!”
The food, service and atmosphere has us returning again and again! The food is outstanding – nothing in Hastings compares.

amazingly good food, intriguing winelist and superb professional service. Does Hastings know what a treasure is in their midst? This place beats anywhere in Havelock North hollow.

This is definitely our new favourite eating place. We’ve eaten here several times and all the food has been outstanding. Service is great too and place has a lovely relaxed atmosphere.

A true gem in Hastings, brilliant service, yummy food at a good price and a great atmosphere. Would recommend to all.