Long weekend lunches

With all this hot weather, and I’m definitely not complaining, Aucklanders will head to the beaches in droves again today - most in search of a swim, a picnic and at some point, a shady spot to escape that sun.  But if you’re looking for a more relaxing way to spend your Anniversary Day or any summer Sunday come to think of it, why not jump on the North Western Motorway and head for Riverhead. 

The sign says it all - NZ's oldest riverside tavern

Nestled on the banks of the upper Waitemata Harbour you’ll find NZ’s oldest riverside tavern - The Riverhead.  Fabulous decks and grassy lawns look out over the Riverhead inlet which provides a real challenge for boaties, with boats only able to navigate to The Riverhead’s jetty two hours either side of high tide.  As you can see from the photo below, it was low tide the day we had lunch on their deck.

Overlooking Riverhead inlet at low tide

Funnily enough when I mentioned to my Dad that we’d been to the Riverhead pub for lunch, his first question was “how many bikies were there?” None it happens that day but when my parents called in for lunch the following week, having been at the Huapai Golf Club down the road, there were a large number of gleaming motorbikes parked outside.  Things have changed dramatically from the early 90s when Dad was in the beer industry and The Riverhead Tavern attracted a somewhat different bikie crowd!

Enjoying lunch on The Riverhead's decks overlooking the inlet

The Riverhead is now a Gastropub with a very extensive menu which will keep everyone happy, from salads, steaks, pasta, fish and chips to pizza and a kids menu too.  Open 7 days for lunch and dinner with brunch available from 10am on weekends, its only 20 minutes from Auckland’s CBD.  It was extremely busy on the Sunday we went so recommend you make a booking on 09 412 8902.  And if you love live music, Sunday afternoons (and some public holidays too) is the time to go and kick back on the grassy lawns - check out the website for details.  The Riverhead

The Riverhead's haloumi pear and rocket salad

And don’t forget to stop in at Boric Food Market on your way home to pick up some local produce for the week ahead or grab a coffee and enjoy sitting on their shady deck, before you get back on the road. Boric Food Market

Enjoy your long weekend no matter what you decide to do - I might just head for the local beach, it’s only a short walk away!

Michelle