I have lived in Havelock North for 6 years and live down the road from Blackbarn. My husband and I regularly go to Blackbarn for lunch just the two of us, however when ever friends and family visit from out of the Bay we always take them to Blackbarn. The food is good, the wine is great, the scenery is beautiful and the service is better than any where else. However, I am feed up with Blackbarn not updating their menu on their website. Getting there to order the most amazing dish that I can’t wait to have as I have seen it on their website and they do have the dish that I want. To me this is not good enough as other vineyards are on to it much faster than Blackbarn. It will a long time before we go there again or even take other quests to Blackbarn. Such a shame.

Great wine, great view, good food, okay service. Sums it up really.

The maitre d let the place down, I think he thought we were in some haughty Paris restaurant not rural NZ, what a buzz kill.

We went as a large group and had booked most of the place out. What gets you first is the view over the vineyard flowing out over Hawke bay in the distance.

For our group we had fixed three course menu and all dishes were fantastic. They even added an extra zing to the pork belly that has become standard on most menus.

If you are looking for fine local wine and a fresh local taste, this is the place.

Only a short drive from town.

Really disappointed. We had so many recommendations from friends to go so we went to celebrate our anniversary. The table we sat it was covered with so much dust even all over the glasses. The wait staff overlooked it until I asked them to change our glasses due to the dust. The exchanged glasses had watermarks all over them. Bad start really, then they got our wine wrong and when they asked how our food was I asked a question and they actually didn’t answer and walked away. The food was lovely but the wait staff ruined the experience. I do not expect this at this calibre of restaurant so I do not speak favourably to my friends of our experience and there are other great wineries in the area to spend your money at.

We took our family from overseas out for lunch here on the 28th Dec 2011. Even though we didn’t have a reservation they made us a table and took our orders straight-away. The entree was served shortly after but the mains were served 45MININUTES after entrees all cleared up. This was quite intolerable because we had quite a tight schedule for the rest of that arvo. The mains were all a bit TOO SALTY for our tastebuds. Presentations, floor-staff service and food taste (apart from the over-saltiness) were good 7/10. We ran out of time to order desserts but had beautiful cups of coffees. Amongst all the many winery restaurants I don’t think we’d be returning anytime soon.

We had lunch at Black Barn on my partner’s birthday and it couldn’t have been better … the food was superb (pork belly that we still dream about); the service was spot on, attentive without being in your face; it was a gorgeous day and the surroundings were perfect. All in all a truly fabulous experience

Faultless simplicity. Great food, professional service and a lovely wine tasting to follow. Never though Hawkes Bay could make a good Pinot…

Love it love it love it!

On my first time, I came with no booking. Looked in with my partner and saw how packed it was and started to walk out.

The front of house ran out to us to the car, and asked if we wanted to dine, as she had a table for two. She escorted us in and was seated immediately and introduced to our waitress.

Our waitress explained the wines n such great detail, asked us what tones we liked and made her recommendation. It was spot on! So good we bought two bottles upon leaving.

Outstanding local organic food (The beans tasted out of this world), outstanding service, totally impressed.

Will definitely be back. 10/10 instead of 5/5. Hawkes Bay should be proud!

I am a regular visitor to Black Barn and visit with my clients (wine tourists) at least 4 times a week. Day after day I find that the service is seamless and very professional. Executive Chef Terry Lowe consistently produces amazing seasonal menus focusing on local seasonal produce. His Pork Belly on Kumara mash with Pineapple Salsa is a real local favourite. As well as the food our clients can’t get over the stunning views from the restaurant out over the Heretaunga Plains. Another summer favourite is dinning in the sunken terrace outside which is surrounded by citrus trees and covered by grape vines.

The main of Lamb was perfectly cooked, but the desserts were very disappointing, and not good value for money. The Lemon one’s ice cream had melted, and the cake was tiny. The other dessert was a white raspberry panacotta, and this was also tiny, although tasty – not worth $14. If you are a big dessert fan, skip dessert, and head off to Rush Munro’s.

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- Stunning table views across Hawke’s Bay from the hills to the city to the sea
- Beaut Sav Blanc & Merlot Cabernet Franc
- Shade under the vines, entertainment – a real destination winery

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I have eaten everywhere in the bay and It shows. I have had countless wedding, lunches there. Every place runs hot or cold, We have never ever had a bad experience. Its not the french café but its never disappointed and you’d say no. That why the win the best dish each year here in the Bay.