FG Smith Eatery

Chow down on Smith’s winter soup bowl, Asian greens, soft boiled egg, noodles in a pork hock broth. Light, hearty and warming and just the sort of tasty creation you expect from this popular eatery.

If you’re gluten intolerant and pining for some good old deep-fried fish and chips, although a pricey option at $18, I thoroughly recommend trying Smith’s tempura fish with tartare sauce and shoestring fries. It’s where I get my fix. Traditionally tempura is made with a rice-based batter and it also makes a lighter mix, but due to its price wheat is often substituted. If deep frying or fat isn’t your thing there’s also pan-fried fish fillets, almond and verjus skordalia, green pea and mint crush, or the market fish crudo, fennel confit, apple and basil.

If you’re gluten intolerant and pining for some good old deep-fried fish and chips, although a pricey option at $18, I thoroughly recommend trying Smith’s tempura fish with tartare sauce and shoestring fries. It’s where I get my fix. Traditionally tempura is made with a rice-based batter and it also makes a lighter mix, but due to its price wheat is often substituted. If deep frying or fat isn’t your thing there’s also pan-fried fish fillets, almond and verjus skordalia, green pea and mint crush, or the market fish crudo, fennel confit, apple and basil.

On a sunny day FG Smiths courtyard and kitchen garden is a great place to chill and sample the chef favourites made from fresh seasonal Hawke’s Bay produce. There are wonderful breakfast power smoothies and interesting gluten free options like tempura fish accompanied by Smiths tartare sauce and shoestring fries, or try the more daring ox cheek with peanuts, chilli lemon, cucumber pickle on flat bread, and choose a wonderful Hawke’s Bay wine to match. Take some time to browse Aroha and Friends designer store next door.

Boasting some of the best coffee in town, with a great kitchen-garden courtyard, it’s an uber-cool place to eat with a yummy plate menu, craft beers and a Hawke’s Bay focused wine list.

This place has the best coffee ever. It’s also a nice place to sit in the courtyard and enjoy a boozy lunch. Fantastic industrial-style building and a great tapas menu. There’s a gorgeous Kiwiana-style fashion / art shop called Aroha and Friends. FG Smiths has a pretty cool atmosphere and they’re pretty relaxed and child friendly.