The Helm Bar & Kitchen sits on Hamilton's city fringe close to Waikato Stadium, balancing the energy of a sports pub with spaces suited to a settled meal. The open-plan venue includes a cosy restaurant, large screens and an extensive garden bar lit by strings of fairy lights. Ample parking and local, independent ownership reinforce its role as an everyday neighbourhood meeting place rather than a venue reserved only for match days.
Lunch begins with pub classics but is not limited to them. Seafood chowder and a braised-beef pie deliver deep comfort, while fish and chips or steak and eggs keep the offering direct. Eggs Benedict can be built with bacon or mushrooms, and a toasted brioche plate layers pulled beef, hollandaise, slaw and a fried egg. Creamy fettuccine and potato gnocchi provide two pasta-led alternatives to the traditional meat-and-potatoes choices.
Burgers arrive in beef, buttermilk chicken and vegetable versions, each matched with fries and fillings that give it a distinct identity. The pulled-beef patty is paired with cheddar and pickles, the fried chicken adds bacon, Swiss cheese and sriracha aioli, and the vegetarian burger uses a seasonal vegetable patty. Greek lamb salad and a bright seasonal salad offer a lighter counterpoint, with halloumi, chicken or calamari available as additions.
The drinks programme draws on draught beer from New Zealand and overseas, supported by wine and other bar staples. Live acoustic music, televised games and the garden bar create different reasons to visit across the week, while reservations and function options help the same spaces absorb larger gatherings. The Helm is therefore most useful as a genuinely mixed venue: diners can focus on the kitchen, meet for a drink outdoors or build an occasion around sport and music.
Address: 22 Ulster Street, Whitiora, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand
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The Helm Menu
Small Plates
Available All Day. Please note that due to health and safety requirements, all seafood dishes must be consumed on-site and are not available for takeaway. Gluten Free † Dairy Free § Vegetarian VE VeganV on request
Fries
Golden crispy fries served with aioli & tomato sauce. † V
Garlic Pizza Bread
Garlic oil base with mozzarella & parmesan. † § V
Arancini
Roasted butternut pumpkin, brown butter, sage, lemon, mozzarella, parmesan. VE
Chicken Liver Pate
House-made chicken liver pate with port gel, spiced stone fruit compote, candied walnuts & charred sourdough. †
Chicken Skewers
Chargrilled chicken skewers, glazed with honey, soy & ginger, finished with charred lime, coriander & sesame. † §
Beef Croquettes
Crispy beef croquettes filled with braised beef short rib, finished with mustard cream
Slow Braised Beef Brisket Sliders
Soft sliders filled with slow braised beef brisket, red wine jus, aioli and rocket
Prawn Skewers
Charred prawn skewers finished with chilli oil, charred lime, coriander & crispy shallots. † §
Mussels
One dozen fresh mussels served in a classic beurre blanc sauce with grilled sourdough. †
Calamari
Tender calamari with nam jim, charred pineapple, labneh, mung beans & fresh herbs. †
Lamb Flatbreads
Warm flatbread, char-grilled slow braised lamb shoulder, garlic yoghurt, pickled red onion, fresh herbs, mint sauce & lime
Smoked Salmon Pave
Crispy potato pave, house smoked salmon, beetroot cured egg, pea puree, whipped creme fraiche, pickled red onion, crispy capers
Sharing Plates
Crispy Duck Fat Loaded Potatoes
Agria potatoes pan fried in duck fat until crispy, served with caramelized onion gravy, cheese curds, pulled confit duck leg and spring onions. †
Rack of Ribs
Slow-cooked pork ribs glazed in sticky Korean BBQ sauce, finished with coriander and sesame. † §
Asian Inspired Chicken Nibbles
Sticky chicken nibbles glazed in gochujang, chilli, honey & soy, finished with sesame. † §
The Helm Platter
500g Korean BBQ pork ribs, 500g asian sticky chicken nibbles, beef croquettes, lamb skewers and garlic pizza bread. †
Pizzas
Available All Day. 30. GF Base 4. Vegan Cheese 3.
Seoul Burner
Bulgogi beef with Napoli sauce, mozzarella, kimchi & cream cheese, finished with aioli, Korean sauce, sesame & lime
Mint Condition
Slow braised lamb with Napoli sauce, mozzarella, caramelised onion, feta, roquette, & mint sauce
Smokehouse Outlaw
Low-and-slow smoked beef short rib with Napoli sauce, fire roasted peppers, caramelised onion, smoked cheddar, pickles & house BBQ sauce
Forest Fire
Roasted mushrooms on a garlic oil base with caramelised onion, mozzarella, goat’s cheese, artichokes, fire roasted red peppers, roquette, & balsamic glaze
Low Tide
Garlic oil base topped with mozzarella, prawns, scallops, crab, red onion & fried capers, finished with safron lemon aioli & fresh dill
Sides
8
Side of Fries
Brown Butter Mash
Butter Glazed Carrots
Fennel & Apple Slaw
Seasonal Garden Salad
Creamy Mushroom, Thyme + Port Sauce
Golden Turmeric Rice
Prawn Skewer
Large Plates
Available Open – 3pm | 5pm – Late. Please note that due to health and safety requirements, all seafood dishes must be consumed on-site and are not available for takeaway. Gluten Free † Dairy Free § Vegetarian VE VeganV on request
Beetroot & Orange
Roasted beetroot & fresh orange with creamy goat’s cheese, baby watercress, candied walnuts & citrus dressing. † V. Add smoked salmon – 14
Classic Chicken Caesar
Cos lettuce tossed with grilled chicken, smoky bacon, garlic croutons, anchovy dressing & Parmigiano Reggiano. †
Seafood Chowder
Rich & creamy seafood chowder with smoked kahawai, scallops, prawns, mussels & crab, finished with herbs & lemon, served with toasted sourdough
Fish & Chips
Beer battered fish served with fries, fennel & apple slaw, safron lemon aioli & a lemon wedge. † §
Thai Green Curry
Thai inspired curry of seasonal vegetables In aromatic house made green curry with coconut, fresh herbs and mung beans. Served with golden turmeric rice. † VE. Add chicken – 8. Add fish of the day – 12
Beef & Ale Pie
Slow braised beef in dark ale, with caramelised onion & herbs, baked in golden flaky pastry, served with brown butter mash. Add blue cheese – 3. Add smoked cheddar crumb – 3
Devilled Sausages
Grilled beef sausages in a dark ale, tomato & mustard devilled sauce, served with fennel & apple slaw & creamy brown butter mash. † § VE
Wild Venison Burger
Aromatic spiced venison pattie with roquette, aioli, sweet chilli jam, creamy brie, fried egg & pickled beetroot on a buttered bun, served with fries & aioli. † VE
Lamb Ragu Rigatoni
Tender lamb slowly braised in rich tomato & red wine sauce, tossed through rigatoni & finished with Parmigiano Reggiano
Beef Short Rib
Slow braised beef short rib served with parsnip puree, red wine jus, butter glazed baby carrots, pickles and micro herbs. †
Scotch Fillet Steak
300g scotch fillet, served with fries, aioli and fried eggs. †
Scotch Fillet Steak
300g scotch fillet, served with brown butter mash, baby carrots and red wine jus
Eye Fillet Steak
Eye fillet served with creamy sherry & thyme mushroom sauce, brown butter potato mash, 63-degree sous vide egg, parmesan tuile & crispy onion. †. Add prawns – 7
Kids
15. Gluten Free † Dairy Free § Vegetarian VE VeganV on request
Chicken Nuggets
Fries, salad & tomato sauce
Fish Bites
Fries, salad & tomato sauce
Cheese Pizza
Napoli sauce & melted mozzarella. † §
Pasta
Napoli sauce & melted mozzarella. §
Sundae
Vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce & sprinkles
Desserts
Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Silky caramelised vanilla cheesecake with a perfectly burnt top, served with seasonal fruit fluid gel. †
Classic Creme Brulee
Rich vanilla custard finished with a crisp caramelised sugar crust. †
Sticky Date Pudding
Served warm with a butterscotch sauce, walnut praline & vanilla ice cream
Sorbet
Please ask your server for today’s sorbet flavour. † V
Weekly Specials
Monday to Friday Lunch deal – 20. Tuesday Burger and drink – 29. Thursday Steak eggs and chips – 29. Friday Oysters and bubbles (POA). Sunday sessions 50% off all pizzas, Sharing plates – 20, Kids meals – 9, Drink deals all weekend long
Lunch deal
Monday to Friday
Burger and drink
Tuesday
Steak eggs and chips
Thursday
Oysters and bubbles
Friday Price: POA
Sharing plates
Sunday sessions
Kids meals
Sunday sessions
Tap Beer
Glass | Pint | Jug
Heineken
Heineken Silver
Tiger
Export Ultra
Bottled Beverages
Sol
Heineken
Black
Radler
Cocktails
Rosebud
Wyborowa Vodka, pineapple, cranberry, passionfruit, vanilla & lemon juice
Mojito
Havana 3yr White Rum, mint, lime juice & soda. Classic, Passionfruit, Coconut, Strawberry
Margarita
Olmeca Reposado, lime juice, agave & salt rim. Classic, Passionfruit, Coconut, Strawberry
Espresso Martini
Wyborowa Vodka, Kahlua, espresso, sugar syrup
Wine – Whites
Small | Large | Bottle
The Grayling – Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough NZ
Stoneleigh Lighter Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, NZ
Triplebank Sauvignon Blanc – Awatere Valley, NZ
Jules Taylor – Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough NZ
Wine – Reds
Small | Large | Bottle
The Grayling Pinot Noir – Waipara NZ
Delegat Pinot Noir – Awatere Valley, NZ
Church Road McDonald Pinot Noir – Hawkes Bay, NZ
Barossa Valley Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Australia
Wine – Sparkling
Mumm Cordon Rouge – Champagne – France
Mumm Marlborough – Brut Cuvee – NZ
Makers Anonymous – Prosecco – Italy
Non – Alcoholic
Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, Sprite Zero Sugar, L&P, L&P Dry Gingerbeer, Schweppes Lemonade, Schweppes Ginger Ale, Schweppes Tonic, Soda
Keri Juice Company, Orange, Apple, Cranberry, Pineapple, Tomato
Redbull, Bundaberg Light Gingerbeer, Voyage Sparkling Water
Coffee
Small | Large | Iced
Short Black
Long Black
Americano
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Hamilton
- Fish and chips Typical in Hamilton: $29.25 $29.00
- Long black Typical in Hamilton: $5.00 $5.00
- Short black Typical in Hamilton: $4.50 $5.00
- Americano Typical in Hamilton: $5.00 $5.00
- Sticky date pudding Typical in Hamilton: $16.00 $19.00
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