Finding the best family-friendly restaurants in Gisborne means looking for places with a proper kids menu, room for the whole whānau and food the adults will enjoy too. These family restaurants in Gisborne cover pub classics, harbourside grills, Italian pasta and pizza, tandoori curries and Southwestern ribs, most with smaller meals, kid-sized desserts and bookings for bigger groups. The Rivers on Gladstone Road and The Wharf Bar & Grill on the Inner Harbour are good places to start.
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Claim this spot →1The Rivers
The Rivers is an Irish-flavoured pub and restaurant on the corner of Gladstone Road and Reads Quay, describing itself as family friendly with a well-priced menu and generous portions. The menu runs from fish and chips, burgers and the house Guinness pie to steaks, seafood platters and pizzas, and a dedicated children’s section makes it an easy choice for a relaxed family meal in town.
Services
- Children’s menu with chicken tenders, battered fish bites, mini hotdogs and a lil one’s cheeseburger
- Mini kids platter, milkshakes, spiders and kiddie sundaes
- Pub classics including the Guinness pie, bangers and mash and fresh market fish
- Steaks, pizzas, vegetarian dishes and sharing platters
- Table reservations online
Highlights
- Open seven days, from 11am Monday to Saturday and 12pm on Sunday
- Gluten-free options marked across the menu
- Guinness on tap, craft beers and cocktails for the adults
Location & Contact
Name: The Rivers
Address: Corner Gladstone Road & Reads Quay, Gisborne
Phone: 06 863 3733
Website: therivers.co.nz
2The Wharf Bar & Grill
The Wharf Bar & Grill overlooks the Gisborne Inner Harbour at 60 The Esplanade, with a large alfresco dining area and an open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs at work. Rebuilt after a fire in January 2016, it cooks everything in-house from premium cuts, fresh seafood and local produce, and runs a separate pre-teens menu for children under 13.
Services
- Pre-teens menu with hotcakes, fish strips, chicken tenders, a burger and creamy chicken pasta, each with a free dessert
- Kids feast platter for sharing at parties
- Weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Lunch and dinner menu of seafood, burgers and grills
Highlights
- Large alfresco area looking over the harbour
- Open kitchen design
- Online takeaway ordering and gift vouchers
- Walk-ins welcome, with bookings recommended at peak times
Location & Contact
Name: The Wharf Bar & Grill
Address: 60 The Esplanade, Gisborne
Phone: 06 281 0035
Website: wharfbar.co.nz
3Portofino
Portofino on Peel Street serves traditional Italian food in the centre of Gisborne, close to the banks of the Taruheru River. Part of a family-owned group of Italian restaurants established in 1980, it offers an all-day menu of pasta, risotto and pizza alongside a kids menu for children 12 and under, which suits families wanting a sit-down meal in the CBD.
Services
- Kids menu (menu per bambini) with spaghetti bolognese, macaroni napoletana, chicken fettuccine and pizzas
- Single-scoop gelato for children
- Pasta, risotto, pizza pane and antipasti
- Takeaway menu
- Booking enquiries for groups
Highlights
- Family-owned restaurant group established in 1980
- House gluten-free pasta available
- Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner
Location & Contact
Name: Portofino Gisborne
Address: 12-14 Peel Street, Gisborne
Phone: 06 868 5700
Website: portofino.co.nz/gisborne
4Bollywood Stars
Bollywood Stars is a tandoori Indian restaurant at 355 Gladstone Road, with a real tandoor oven, a long list of curries and a dedicated kids menu. It is a practical pick for families who want Indian food with milder options for younger diners, and most dishes are also available for takeaway and delivery.
Services
- Kids menu with kids butter chicken and rice, chicken nuggets and chips, and fish and chips
- Tandoori entrees, curries and naan from the tandoor
- Takeaway and delivery
- Catering
Highlights
- Bring your own wine
- Open seven days from 10am
- Sister restaurants in Napier and Hastings
- Gluten-free options on the menu
Location & Contact
Name: Bollywood Stars Gisborne
Address: 355 Gladstone Road, Gisborne
Phone: 06 863 2954
Website: bollywood.co.nz/locations/gisborne
5Lone Star Gisborne
Lone Star Gisborne sits in Shed One on the Inner Harbour at 60 The Esplanade, serving the chain’s Southwestern-style menu of ribs, steaks and burgers. Kids mains come with a free drink and a choice of chips, mashed potato or rice, and the restaurant has a function room overlooking the marina for birthdays and family celebrations.
Services
- Kids mains including mini hot dogs, kid-sized pork ribs, fish and chips and a kid’s minute steak
- Ribs, steaks, burgers and seafood
- Online table bookings
- Function bookings for birthdays and celebrations
- Online ordering
Highlights
- Free kid’s drink with every kids main
- Function room seating 50 to 70 guests with a marina view
- Open seven days, with dinner from 5pm
Location & Contact
Name: Lone Star Gisborne
Address: Inner Harbour, 60 The Esplanade, Shed One, Gisborne
Phone: 06 868 3257
Website: lonestar.co.nz/restaurants/gisborne
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Gisborne at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| The Rivers | Open seven days, from 11am Monday to Saturday and 12pm on Sunday |
| The Wharf Bar & Grill | Large alfresco area looking over the harbour |
| Portofino | Family-owned restaurant group established in 1980 |
| Bollywood Stars | Bring your own wine |
| Lone Star Gisborne | Free kid's drink with every kids main |
How to Choose the Right Family-Friendly Restaurant in Gisborne
- Check for a dedicated kids menu with smaller portions and prices, not just a smaller serving of an adult dish.
- Look at opening hours, since some kitchens open only for dinner while others serve lunch or weekend brunch.
- Book ahead for larger family groups, birthdays and school holidays, especially at harbourside venues in summer.
- Ask about dietary needs such as gluten-free pasta or milder curry options before you order.
- Consider the setting: outdoor seating near the harbour gives restless children more room than a compact city dining room.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gisborne Family-Friendly Restaurants
What makes a restaurant family friendly?
A family-friendly restaurant usually has a separate children’s menu, relaxed seating, space for prams or groups, and food that comes out quickly. Many also add small extras such as a free dessert or drink with kids meals.
Which family restaurants in Gisborne are near the Inner Harbour?
The Wharf Bar & Grill and Lone Star Gisborne are both at 60 The Esplanade on the Inner Harbour, within walking distance of the marina. The Rivers, Bollywood Stars and Portofino are in the CBD around Gladstone Road and Peel Street.
How much does a kids meal cost at a restaurant in Gisborne?
Kids meals at a Gisborne restaurant typically sit well below adult mains, and some venues include a drink or dessert in the price. Menus change, so check the restaurant’s current menu online before you go.
Do I need to book a table for a family meal?
Walk-ins are welcome at most restaurants, but booking is a good idea for groups, weekends and school holidays. Many venues take reservations online, and larger celebrations can often use a function room.
Are there gluten-free options for children?
Many Gisborne restaurants mark gluten-free dishes on their menus or offer gluten-free pasta or burger buns. Tell staff about any allergy when you order so the kitchen can advise what is safe.
Can we get takeaway from a family restaurant instead of dining in?
Yes. Many family restaurants in Gisborne offer takeaway menus or online ordering, which is handy for tired children or a meal at the beach.
Where can I find more ideas for a family day out in Gisborne?
Gisborne District Council lists local parks and playgrounds, which pair well with a lunch or early dinner out. See the Gisborne District Council website for facilities around the city.
How We Chose the Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Gisborne
Every business in this guide was found by searching for family-friendly restaurants in Gisborne, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Gisborne, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.