Restaurant Ari is Hawke's Bay's most flavour-driven neighbourhood restaurant - bold, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired cooking rooted in local produce, in a space that feels right for a Tuesday lunch or a milestone birthday.

Founded by Simon and Emma, Restaurant Ari is the next chapter in our shared passion for thoughtful food and genuine hospitality. Ari is a reflection of everything we love about this industry: bold, seasonal cooking, warm and generous service, and a space where people feel truly welcome. For us, this isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a deeply personal project shaped by experience, creativity, and connection. It’s where we bring together our skills, our story, and our vision for what dining out can be.