The Thirsty Whale makes the most of its West Quay position, with a deck facing Napier harbour and the Kaweka Range beyond. Yachts and fishing boats form part of the view, while fireside seating gives the restaurant an inviting alternative when the sea breeze picks up. It trades daily from late morning, opening earlier on Sunday, and becomes more animated after dark through televised sport and DJ entertainment. The combination lets it function as a waterfront lunch stop, an unhurried dinner destination and a lively bar without losing its food-led core.

The all-day menu begins with choices that can remain light or develop into a full meal. Creamy seafood chowder and salt-and-pepper squid emphasise the coastal setting, while pork dumplings and fried chicken salad move in different directions. Burgers cover local fish, char-grilled chicken, beef, venison and a halloumi-mushroom-falafel combination. Four thin-crust pizzas then stretch from vegetables to meat, chicken and seafood. This range gives afternoon diners plenty of flexibility, whether they want one substantial plate or several dishes shared across the table.

Larger mains balance traditional pub comfort with an especially broad seafood offering. Local fish and chips sit beside steak, slow-braised pork ribs, prawn and crab fettuccine and beef or chicken schnitzel. The signature seafood plate is the most expansive choice, bringing together scallops, green-lipped mussels, prawns, fish, squid and paua fritters with several distinct accompaniments. It feels designed for diners who want the harbour location reflected directly on the plate, while the roasts, grills and vegetarian dish of the day keep the menu from becoming narrowly seafood focused.

Private dining can be scaled to the occasion. The front mezzanine holds around 30 guests and retains a view over the harbour, while the self-contained Harpoon Room can take as many as 100. Groups of 20 or more can use three-course menus that move from bread or starters such as squid and pork belly into steak, chicken or fish, then finish with crème brûlée, berry ambrosia or crumble. These choices make the venue practical for conferences and celebrations as well as ordinary bookings, with the water still shaping the atmosphere.

Address: 62 West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier 4110, New Zealand

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The Thirsty Whale Bar & Restaurant Menu Menu updated on 17 Sep 2026

Breads

Garlic Pizza Bread

$15.90

Garlic pizza bread with parmesan. (V)

Grilled Ciabatta & Dips

$15.90

Five freshly baked ciabatta, char-grilled and served with home-made dips. (V, VG)

Soups

Soup of the Day

$18.90

Hot soup made from fresh local ingredients, served with toasted ciabatta. Please check with the restaurant for today’s flavour.

Creamy Seafood Chowder

$23.90

Succulent seafood in a creamy velouté and served with toasted ciabatta.

Light Meals

Loaded Wedges

$16.90

Seasoned wedges with bacon, cheese, sour cream & sweet chilli sauce.

Shrimp Cocktail

$18.90

Classic shrimp cocktail served in a bed of lettuce and tossed in our seafood sauce. (GFO)

Pork Dumplings

$18.90

Pork and chives dumplings with a soy dipping sauce.

Sticky Fried Wings

$21.90

Fresh free range chicken wings marinated in our whiskey & cola BBQ sauce served with a creamy blue vein dip & fresh celery sticks. (GFO)

Salt and Pepper Squid

$21.90

Tender crispy strips of squid served with kimchi mayo.

Pork Belly Bites

$23.90

Crispy pork belly cubes served with sweet chilli caramel, apple puree & micro greens.

Fish Tacos

$24.90

3 fish tacos with chipotle mayo & slaw.

Mussels

$24.90

Fresh steamed mussels in a creamy yellow curry sauce, served with toasted ciabatta.

Pan Seared Scallops

$26.90

Pan seared scallops served on a bacon & spring onion mash, finished with a home-made rocket pesto.

Whitebait Fritters

$34.90

South Island whitebait served on a garden salad with toasted ciabatta and chorizo mayo.

Paua Fritters

$36.90

Fresh paua fritters served on Asian noodle slaw finished with coriander & lime mayo.

Lunch Salads

Crispy Chicken Salad

$23.90

Southern fried chicken strips tossed in fresh salad garden greens with cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, parmesan cheese and finished with a smokey chipotle dressing.

Caesar Salad

$27.90

Classic chicken and bacon with cos lettuce, croutons, parmesan and a creamy Caesar dressing, topped with a poached egg. (GFO)

Pork Salad

$25.90

Thai-style crispy pork salad. (GFO)

Thirsty Burgers

All burgers served with crispy fries.

Beer Battered Fish Burger

$26.90

Today’s locally caught fresh fish golden lager battered served in a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, home-made tartare sauce & aioli. Served with crispy fries.

Char-Grilled Chicken Burger

$26.90

Char-grilled chicken breast, served in a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, smoked chipotle mayo and aioli.

BBQ Bacon Beef Burger

$29.90

Char-grilled Angus beef patty, served with grilled bacon in a brioche bun with lettuce, cheese, tomato, beer battered onion rings and aioli.

Vegetarian Burger

$24.90

Grilled haloumi, portobello mushrooms and falafel served in a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle mayo and aioli. (V)

Grilled Venison Burger

$28.90

Award Winning Burger. High country premium venison patty served in a brioche bun with waxed cheddar, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onions, plum sauce and aioli.

Thirsty Thin Crust Pizzas

Vegetarian Pizza

$24.90

Spinach, red onion, tomato, artichoke, capsicum, mushrooms, cheese and basil pesto swirl. (V)

Meat Lover's Pizza

$28.90

Bacon, beef strips, chorizo, red onion, mushrooms, cheese and BBQ sauce.

Chicken Pizza

$26.90

Chicken, spinach, red onion, brie cheese & cranberry drizzle.

Seafood Pizza

$29.90

Prawns, calamari, shrimp, fresh local fish, cheese, red onion, baby spinach and hollandaise sauce.

Mains

Nana's Roast

$19.50

Your choice of roast beef or pork, served with roasted potato, kumara, pumpkin, cheesy brocolli, cauliflower and finished with a red wine jus.

Bangers 'N' Mash

$19.90

Locally made sausages served on creamy mash potato with a pea puree and finished with an onion gravy.

Vegetarian Dish of the Day

$22.90

Please check with the restaurant for today’s creation. (V)

Classic Fish & Chips

$29.90

Locally caught fish cooked in your choice of beer battered OR panko crumbed. Served with crispy chips, a fresh garden salad, home-made tartare and tomato sauce.

Steak, Salad & Chips

$29.90

180g sirloin steak cooked to your liking. Served with a fresh green salad, crispy chips and your choice of sauce: diane, garlic mushroom, garlic butter, peppercorn OR red wine jus. (GFO)

Baby Back Ribs

$31.90

Slowly-braised pork spare ribs with our own bourbon BBQ sauce. Served with wedges and a fresh green salad.

King Prawn & Crab Meat Fettuccine

$34.90

Lime, chilli and coriander pesto.

Beef Schnitzel

$32.90

Panko crumbed beef schnitzel served with a fresh garden salad, chips and onion gravy.

Chicken Schnitzel

$32.90

Fresh free range chicken breast cooked in herb panko crumbs, served with spiced potatoes and a garden salad, finished with a creamy sweet chilli & tequila sauce.

Catch of the Day

$36.90

Fresh locally sourced fish prepared differently each day. Please check with the restaurant for today’s catch. (GFO) (CGF)

Steak, Eggs & Chips

$48.90

250g scotch fillet steak, cooked to your liking, served with a fried egg, crispy chips and a garden salad. Served with your choice of sauce: diane, garlic butter, garlic mushroom, peppercorn or red wine jus. (GFO)

Seafood Extravaganza

$55.90

Our Signature Dish. Pan seared scallops on bacon & spring onion mash, fresh steamed NZ green lipped mussels in a garlic & chilli wine broth, prawn cutlets on Indonesian egg noodles, fresh fish cooked in panko crumb, crispy squid and paua fritters served with chipotle mayo & lemon wedges. (GFO)

Sides

GFO: Gluten Free Option available | DFO: Dairy Free Option available | V: Vegetarian | VG: Vegan

Green Salad

$7.90

Green salad with balsamic dressing. (DFO, GFO, V, VG)

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

$9.90

Creamy mashed potatoes. (V)

Crispy Fries

S $9.90 / M $11.90

Crispy fries served with tomato sauce or aioli. (V)

Fresh Steamed Vegetables

$10.90

Fresh local steamed vegetables. (GFO, V)

Roasted Seasonal Vegetables

$10.90

A medley of local vegetables roasted in herbs. (GFO, V)

Fried Egg

Extra fried egg.

The Little Whale Menu

The Kid’s menu that will keep them safe at sea all day!

Mac 'N' Cheese

$9.90

Macaroni in creamy cheese sauce.

Platter for Little One

$10.90

Chicken nuggets and hot dogs served with salad and fries, a children’s favorite!

Nachos

$11.90

Ground beef mince finished with grilled cheese and sour cream.

Junior Cheeseburger

$12.90

Grilled beef patty with cheese and tomato served with fries.

Belgian Waffles

$13.90

Belgian waffles served with bacon, cream and maple syrup.

Fish and Chips

$14.90

Freshly crumbed fish served with fries and salad.

Chicken Fettuccine

$15.90

Chicken, bacon and spinach fettuccine.

Kid's Desserts

Ice Cream Sundae

$10.90

Vanilla ice cream with your choice of a chocolate, strawberry or caramel sauce.

Banana Split

$12.90

Vanilla ice cream with bananas finished with a chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

Desserts

Enjoy the Thirsty Whale desserts menu!

Berry Ambrosia

$15.90

Berries, cream, marshmallow and meringue combined and topped with grated chocolate.

Ice Cream Trio

$16.90

3 flavours of ice cream served with fresh Hawkes Bay fruits. Please check with the restaurant for today’s flavours.

Creme Brulee of the Day

$16.90

Baked custard and caramelised sugar served with fresh fruit and biscotti.

Mississippi Mudcake

$16.90

Served with whipped cream, vanilla bean ice cream and berry compote.

Rhubarb Apple Crumble

$16.90

Home-made crumble, served with white chocolate & raspberry ice-cream and finished with fresh whipped cream.

Affogato

$22.90

Kapiti vanilla bean ice cream with a double shot of espresso served with your choice of Baileys or Frangelico.

Breakfast

The Thirsty Whale breakfast menu is available every day from Open to 3PM. GFO: Gluten Free Option available | DFO: Dairy Free Option available | V: Vegetarian | VG: Vegan

Belgian Waffles

$16.90

Fresh home-made Belgian waffles served with berry compote, maple syrup and whipped cream. (V)

French Toast

$18.90

Fresh home-made French toast served with streaky bacon, fried banana and maple syrup. (GFO)

Bacon & Eggs

$19.90

Bacon, eggs cooked to your liking and a hash brown on toasted ciabatta. (GFO)

Creamy Mushrooms & Bacon

$21.90

Sautéed portobello mushrooms and chunky bacon bits in a creamy sweet chilli & garlic sauce, served on toasted ciabatta. (GFO)

Eggs Benedict

$26.90

Poached eggs on toasted ciabatta with hollandaise and a choice of: Smoked salmon and spinach; Grilled bacon and spinach; Portobello mushroom, spinach and tomato. (GFO)

Full Whale

$28.90

Bacon, sausages, eggs cooked to your liking, hash browns, mushrooms and grilled tomato served with toasted ciabatta. (GFO)

Dinner – Breads

Available every day from 5pm till 10pm. GFO: Gluten Free Option available | DFO: Dairy Free Option available | V: Vegetarian | VG: Vegan

Garlic Pizza Bread

$15.90

Garlic pizza bread with parmesan. (V)

Grilled Ciabatta & Dips

$15.90

Five freshly baked ciabatta, char-grilled and served with home-made dips. (V, VG)

Dinner – Soups

Available every day from 5pm till 10pm.

Soup of the Day

$18.90

Hot soup made from fresh local ingredients, served with toasted ciabatta. Please check with the restaurant for today’s option.

Creamy Seafood Chowder

$23.90

Succulent seafood in a creamy velouté and served with toasted ciabatta.

Dinner – Entrées

Available every day from 5pm till 10pm.

Shrimp Cocktail

$18.90

Classic shrimp cocktail served in a bed of lettuce and tossed in our seafood sauce. (GFO)

Sticky Fried Wings

$21.90

Fresh free range chicken wings marinated in our whiskey & cola BBQ sauce served with a creamy blue vein dip & fresh celery sticks. (GFO)

Salt & Pepper Squid

$21.90

Tender crispy strips of squid served with kimchi mayo.

Pork Belly Bites

$23.90

Crispy pork belly cubes served with sweet chilli caramel, apple puree & micro greens.

Mussels

$24.90

Fresh steamed mussels in a creamy yellow curry sauce, served with toasted ciabatta.

Pan Seared Scallops

$26.90

Pan seared scallops served on a bacon & spring onion mash, finished with a home-made rocket pesto.

Whitebait Fritters

$34.90

South Island whitebait served on a garden salad with toasted ciabatta and chorizo mayo.

Paua Fritters

$36.90

Fresh paua fritters served on Asian noodle slaw finished with coriander & lime mayo.

Dinner – Old Favs

Available every day from 5pm till 10pm.

Vegetarian Dish of the Day

$22.90

Please check with the restaurant for today’s creation. (V)

Caesar Salad

$27.90

Classic chicken and bacon with cos lettuce, croutons, parmesan and a creamy Caesar dressing, topped with a poached egg.

Nana’s Roast

$29.90

Your choice of roast beef or pork, served with roasted potato, kumara, pumpkin, cheesy brocolli, cauliflower and finished with a red wine jus.

Beef Schnitzel

$32.90

Panko crumbed beef schnitzel served with a fresh garden salad, chips and onion gravy.

Chicken Schnitzel

$32.90

Fresh free range chicken breast cooked in herb panko crumbs, served with spiced potatoes and a garden salad, finished with a creamy sweet chilli & tequila sauce.

Baby Back Ribs

$31.90

Slowly-braised pork spare ribs with our own bourbon BBQ sauce. Served with wedges and a fresh green salad.

Chicken Parmigiana

$34.90

Panko crumbed chicken breast topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmesan. Served with crispy chips and a salad.

Pork Belly

$35.90

Pork belly rolled in cumin & coriander seeds, braised in a summer ale with hints of orange, served on creamy mashed potatoes with baby spinach & apple vanilla puree, finished with a red wine jus. (GFO)

Lamb Shank

$40.95

Slowly braised New Zealand lamb shank on creamy mashed potatoes & wilted greens finished with a red wine jus. (GFO)

Dinner – Seafood

Available every day from 5pm till 10pm.

Classic Fish & Chips

$29.90

Locally caught fish cooked in your choice of beer battered OR panko crumbed. Served with crispy chips, a fresh garden salad, home-made tartare and tomato sauce.

Catch of the Day

$36.90

Fresh locally sourced fish prepared differently each day. Please check with the restaurant for today’s catch. (GFO)

King Prawn & Crab Meat Fettuccine

$34.90

Lime, chilli and coriander pesto.

Seafood Extravaganza

$55.90

Dinner – Steak Selection

All steaks are served with your choice of: a rosemary & garlic rosti and steamed vegetables OR chips and a garden salad. Sauce options for steaks (excluding Surf n Turf): diane, garlic butter, garlic mushroom, peppercorn OR red wine jus.

Sirloin

$45.90

300g sirloin cooked to your liking. (GFO)

Scotch Fillet

$47.90

250g scotch fillet cooked to your liking. (GFO)

Surf ‘N’ Turf

$53.90

250g scotch fillet cooked to your liking. Served with fresh prawns in creamy white wine sauce. (GFO)

Eye Fillet

$46.90

200g eye fillet cooked to your liking. (GFO)

T-bone

$59.90

450g T-bone cooked to your liking. (GFO)

Dinner – Thirsty Burgers

All burgers are served with crispy chips.

Beer Battered Fish Burger

$26.90

Today’s locally caught fresh fish golden lager battered served in a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, home-made tartare sauce & aioli. Served with crispy fries.

Char-Grilled Chicken Burger

$26.90

Char-grilled chicken breast, served in a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, smoked chipotle mayo and aioli.

BBQ Bacon Beef Burger

$29.90

Char-grilled Angus beef patty, served with grilled bacon in a brioche bun with lettuce, cheese, tomato, beer battered onion rings and aioli

Vegetarian Burger

$24.90

Grilled haloumi, portobello mushrooms and falafel served in a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle mayo and aioli. (V)

Grilled Venison Burger

$28.90

Award Winning Burger. High country premium venison patty served in a brioche bun with waxed cheddar, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onions, plum sauce and aioli.

Dinner – Thirsty Thin Crust Pizzas

Available every day from 5pm till 10pm.

Vegetarian Pizza

$24.90

Spinach, red onion, tomato, artichoke, capsicum, mushrooms, cheese and basil pesto swirl. (V)

Meat Lover’s Pizza

$28.90

Bacon, beef strips, chorizo, red onion, mushrooms, cheese and BBQ sauce.

Chicken Pizza

$26.90

Chicken, spinach, red onion, brie cheese & cranberry drizzle.

Seafood Pizza

$29.90

Prawns, calamari, shrimp, fresh local fish, red onion, baby spinach and hollandaise sauce.

Dinner – Sides

Available every day from 5pm till 10pm.

Green Salad

$7.90

Green salad with balsamic dressing. (DFO, GFO, V, VG)

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

$9.90

Creamy mashed potatoes. (V)

Crispy Fries

S $9.90 / L $11.90

Crispy fries served with tomato sauce and aioli. (V)

Fresh Steamed Vegetables

$10.90

Fresh local steamed vegetables. (GFO, V)

Roasted Seasonal Vegetables

$10.90

A medley of local vegetables roasted in herbs. (GFO, V)

Fried Egg

Extra fried egg.

On Tap

Asahi

$13.50

Balter XPA

$13.50

BRB Light

$10

BRB Pilsner

$10.90

Bottled Beer

Corona

$10

Corona Cero

Heineken

$10

Heineken Zero

Bottled Cider

Monteith's Apple

$10.50

Somersby Apple Cider

$10

Somersby Berry Cider

$10

Fresh Juices

Apple

$5.50

Cranberry

$5.50

Feijoa

$5.50

Orange

$5.50

Non Alcoholic Drinks

Cola

$4.50

Diet Cola

$4.50

Ginger Ale

$4.50

Ginger Beer

$6.50

Coffee

Americano

$5.50

Cappuccino

Caramel Latte

Chai Latte

Teas

Berry Sensation

Chamomile

Earl Grey

English Breakfast

Cocktails

Bay Breeze

$16

Vodka, cranberry juice and pineapple juice.

Dark & Stormy

$16

Dark rum, muddled limes, ginger beer and a dash of bitters.

Cosmopolitan

$18

Vodka, triple sec, lime juice, cranberry juice and simple syrup.

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Fish and chips Typical in Napier: $30.00 $14.90
Eggs benedict Typical in Napier: $26.90 $26.90
Americano Typical in Napier: $5.00 $5.50
Chai latte Typical in Napier: $6.00 $6.00