ROAM occupies one of Napier's Six Sisters Buildings, giving this licensed Marine Parade cafe a direct relationship with the bay and one of the city's recognisable heritage rows. Owner-chef Brad Simpson and his wife Rochelle brought years of hospitality experience, including a long stretch in Melbourne restaurants, to a venue built around thoughtful food and genuinely welcoming service. Their emphasis on Hawke's Bay producers makes the setting more than scenic: coffee, food, wine and beer form part of the cafe's everyday identity, with local makers threaded through the offering.
Breakfast and brunch move confidently between comfort and detail. Folded free range eggs arrive with avocado, house chilli crisp, coriander and fried shallots, while cured Akaroa salmon is paired with dill yoghurt, capers, pickled onion and a soft boiled egg. Sweetcorn fritters come with whipped feta and a poached egg; avocado on sourdough gains freshness from tomatoes, herbs and lemon. Overnight oats offer a lighter start, and French toast with dark chocolate dulce de leche and mandarin takes the menu in a richer direction.
The later part of the menu is compact but varied enough for a proper lunch. A salad of broccoli, kale, chickpeas and currants is tied together with tahini tofu dressing, with fried chicken, salmon or halloumi available as additions. Toasties range from Waipawa pastrami with kraut and Russian dressing to pumpkin, spinach and feta, while the burger section contrasts Nashville hot chicken with a Matangi beef cheeseburger. Cakes, slices, cookies and ROAM's cheese and herb scones fill the counter for a shorter coffee stop.
Coffee Supreme anchors the drinks list, joined by tea, raw fruit juices and smoothies, as well as a licensed selection of beer, cider and wine. ROAM also extends its kitchen beyond regular cafe service through grazing boxes, event catering and private-chef experiences, while groups can hire the restaurant for a tailored occasion. That range makes the cafe equally useful for a quick morning plate, a long lunch with a drink, or food planned for a larger gathering elsewhere in Hawke's Bay.
Address: Six Sisters Buildings, 189 Marine Parade, Napier 4110, New Zealand
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