Madame Social occupies a waterfront corner in Ahuriri, with views across the water shaping the mood as much as the food. Owners Steve and Sarah describe the restaurant as a modern Asian fusion eatery and bar with a European twist, and the room is designed for long lunches, dinner, drinks and social gatherings. Its mix of polished interiors and a prominent bar makes it feel equally at home hosting a date night or a larger celebration.
The menu begins with plates that encourage mixing and passing. Charred edamame carries black bean and sea salt, Hong Kong-style calamari combines chilli, garlic and black beans, and burrata is matched with roti, gochujang honey and peanuts. Dumplings filled with pork and pāua bring black vinegar and Sichuan pepper, while crisp pork-belly bao and tofu bao give the table both meat and plant-based options.
Larger dishes continue the cross-cultural approach. Red-skin Peking duck arrives with pancakes and hoisin, Hawke’s Bay lamb becomes a Penang curry, and crisp-skin snapper is paired with tamari, Vietnamese mint and a green herb sauce. Braised short rib comes with kimchi slaw and chilli-peanut crisp, while the house fried rice folds pork belly and bacon through peas and XO sauce. A chef’s sharing menu links several of these flavours into one progression.
Desserts are as deliberately composed as the savoury plates, from a yuzu meringue smash to pandan-coconut parfait and chocolate cake with mango and black sesame. The bar pours Hawke’s Bay wine alongside Asian-inspired cocktails and beer, making it possible to visit as much for drinks as dinner. Seated and cocktail-style functions can be tailored to different group sizes, and the daily social-hour ritual reinforces the restaurant’s easy transition from waterfront afternoon to evening.
Address: Corner of West Street and Customs Quay, Ahuriri, Napier 4110, New Zealand
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