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The Works is a distinctive restaurant in Gisborne, located at the inner harbour in a historic brick building that forms part of the city’s industrial past. Rich in heritage and closely connected to the local community, it offers visitors a chance to enjoy dining in a space that reflects Gisborne’s history while celebrating the region’s local produce.
The building is the last remaining section of the original Kaiti Freezing Works, once an important part of Gisborne’s working waterfront. Over time, the space served multiple purposes, including sausage production, dry storage, and carpentry workshops upstairs. For many locals, the building is woven into personal and collective memory, with generations having connections to the site. Today, The Works Restaurant stands as the only retained portion of the original structure following the demolition of the wider complex in the mid-1990s, preserving a tangible piece of Gisborne’s story.
Now reimagined as a welcoming dining space, The Works offers casual lunch and daytime dining during the week, with weekend breakfast available from 10am. The relaxed atmosphere makes it well suited to long lunches, weekend catch-ups, or a laid-back meal while exploring the harbour area. Reservations can be made online, making it easy to plan ahead, especially during busier periods.
For visitors staying at Accommodation in Gisborne, The Works is easy to include in a day out. It is a pleasant walk from Waikanae Beach Motel on a fine day and is well positioned for a meal after visiting Kaiti Hill, with the restaurant located at the base of the hill near the inner harbour. Its central harbour-side setting makes it a convenient and memorable dining option for those staying nearby.