The Crafty Local
What makes your venue the Best Gastropub in New Zealand?
Discover unparalleled excellence at The Crafty Local, your premier destination for a gastronomic journey in the Bay of Islands. Our commitment to local flavours is evident in our menu, meticulously curated with sustainable, locally sourced produce. Elevate your dining experience with our cozy English-style pub sofas, live sports, and an ocean-view terrace.
What sets us apart is our exclusive dedication to New Zealand-only, locally run breweries, bringing you a unique and diverse selection of craft beers. From chilled-out breakfast vibes to electrifying live entertainment, The Crafty Local is more than a gastropub – it's an embodiment of New Zealand's finest, a celebration of local pride, sustainability, and an unrivaled dining ambiance.
Describe the experience your customers have at your establishment – what is your food and beverage offering and why do people come back for more?
We are an English style gastropub offering hearty home-cooked style meals that you wouldn't be mistaken for being in the Great British countryside. However, we also love local, and our comprehensive menu offers an all day dining experience with no compromise on local fresh quality produce. Our bilingual, friendly and knowledgeable team help welcome visitors from all over the world to what we believe is the best gastro pub experience in New Zealand.
We take immense pride in championing the incredible craft of New Zealand's breweries. Our commitment is simple – we exclusively feature beers from New Zealand-owned and operated breweries, with no room for international labels. Here's why we believe in the strength of Kiwi brews:
1. Local Brews, Local Pride:
Step into a world where the best of New Zealand's brewing talent comes together. We've curated a beer selection that exclusively showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of local breweries. From bold IPAs to smooth lagers, each pour is a tribute to the ingenuity and passion of our Kiwi brewers.
2. Supporting Homegrown Excellence:
Why look beyond our shores when we have a wealth of brewing talent right here in New Zealand? By exclusively featuring local breweries, we actively contribute to the growth and success of our homegrown beer culture. It's about supporting our neighbors and celebrating the diversity of flavors that New Zealand has to offer.
3. A Beer Journey Through New Zealand:
Embark on a beer journey that traverses the unique landscapes and flavors of New Zealand. Our curated selection represents the rich tapestry of brewing styles across the country, allowing both locals and travelers to explore and savor the distinctiveness of Kiwi brews, pint by pint.
4. Craftsmanship Over Conformity:
We believe that New Zealand's breweries are a testament to innovation, quality, and a refusal to conform to the ordinary. Our taps and bottles overflow with brews that reflect the individuality and character of each brewery, making every sip an adventure in craftsmanship.
5. A Toast to Local Identity:
In a world of globalized choices, we've chosen to embrace the richness of our local identity. By featuring only New Zealand-owned and operated breweries, we invite you to raise your glass to the uniqueness of our brewing scene and savor the distinctive flavors that make Kiwi beer truly exceptional.
Tell us how you showcase NZ produce / offerings? Does your menu change with the season and how is it locally influenced. How do you accommodate allergy and dietary requirements?
At The Crafty Local, we take pride in bringing the vibrant and diverse flavours of New Zealand to your plate. Our commitment to showcasing local produce is at the heart of everything we do. Our menu is a celebration of the seasons, with an emphasis on sourcing the freshest and finest ingredients from local producers. We understand that dietary requirements are as diverse as our culinary inspirations. Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have specific preferences, our chefs are dedicated to crafting exquisite dishes that cater to your unique needs. We ask customers to let us know about any dietary restrictions, and we'll gladly create a personalized dining experience for you. Beyond the plate, we are committed to sustainable practices, supporting local communities, and minimizing our environmental footprint.
What are your key points of difference and how have you managed to deliver them?
What makes us stand out from the rest is our English roots with New Zealand pride. Offering UK classics like bangers and mash, house-made scotch eggs as well as hearty lamb shanks, Sunday roasts and New Zealand only local breweries. We believe by saying no to big international brands stands up for what it means to be Kiwi and have our own identity, while still being open and inspired by the world around us. We also offer Northland's only English-hand pulls, shipped in from Blighty herself. These draft pumps allow another division of beers to be served as well as our CO2 and Nitro tap options. Another aspect that lifts us one step above the competition
Big international owned brands would be the easiest route, which is why we have gone the extra mile to differentiate ourselves to offer a truly different and unique gastropub experience.
For our youngest visitors we have a play pen area where they can play, chillout on bean bags or kick back and enjoy children's entertainment on their own TV. This is in addition to our retro games machine, offering a choice of over 2000 different classics to enjoy, all complementary of course. While at the table, all of our children's meals come with a free activity goody bag to keep them occupied while the whole family can enjoy a hearty feed together.
Please describe your commitment to sustainability.
We hold sustainability in very high regard, as do many of our supplier breweries. We are proud to stock New Zealands first and only fully green brewerery as well as others making huge headway in the sustainability market. By sourcing many of our products from local suppliers, even down to the passionfruit we use in our cocktails, we take extreme steps to keep our carbon footprint to a minimum. We prefer our footprints to be in the sandy beaches we look over in the beautiful Bay of Islands setting.
Have you won any awards in the recent past? Tell us about them.
Having only opened our doors in November 2023, we have not yet had the opportunity to flex ourselves in the award categories. We want that to change and show everyone what the Crafty local has to offer.
Please describe how you create ambience.
where every visit is a journey through ambiance, crafted to enhance your experience. Our unique setting blends the charm of a cozy English-style pub, the thrill of live sports, and the breathtaking backdrop of an ocean-view terrace.
