Five reasons to visit Gisborne

Millton, New Zealand's first biodynamic vineyard, makes for an educational visit. Photo / Supplied

Fine dining is just one fun way to keep busy in Gizzy, writes Megan Singleton.

1. Millton Vineyard

Have a taste at New Zealand's first biodynamic vineyard, created by James and Annie Millton in 1984. Organic wine producers are making a splash on the wine scene here and abroad, and a visit to the Millton cellar promises to be an education for the palate as well as the brain. There's more to it than no herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and a bunch of other 'cides! You'll also learn how the rhythm of the land is captured in each bottle.

2. Dome Cinema

Owned by the delightful Sally Shanks, the old gentlemen's club with its incredible glass dome ceiling is now Gisborne's hidden gem. It's a cinema showing mainly art house movies where the audience sits on oversized double beanbags each with a side table for their wine and pizza. At intermission, Sally rings the gong to announce the break, pizzas are ordered, drinks are topped up and during the second half, dinner arrives.

3. Tamarind

For the best Indian in all of Gizzy, they told me, go to Tamarind. And so I did. This unassuming Indian restaurant down the far end of Gladstone Rd is nothing to look at, and in fact you would drive right past if your GPS didn't tell you otherwise. The decor is family friendly and low-key (read into that what you will) but the food is fabulous and the staff delightful. A cheap and cheerful night out with great food.

4. Portside

Premium accommodation right on the water, this Heritage Boutique Collection property would have to be one of the nicest hotels in Gisborne. There were three of us so we had an adjoining room, with a large lounge, kitchen and dining space, and a bedroom. Next door was a queen-sized room. It's only a couple of blocks from the main drag and near cafes, restaurants and a path for walking/cycling in the sea air.

5. Ussco Bar & Bistro

For a fancy meal out make a reservation at Ussco. It's so popular that even on a Tuesday walk-ups were being turned away. Housed in a historic shipping company building a block away from Portside, I loved the brick walls and tin ceiling, but it was the food I was really there for and it didn't disappoint. I went for the fish with turmeric butter and poached prawns on creamy potatoes.

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