Mills Bay Tasting Room & Eatery
You’ve heard all about our Mussels – want to give them a try?
Our tasting room & eatery is located in the Havelock Marina, right at the front of our packhouse – you’ll be eating the freshest mussels you can get!
We have a big open kitchen, so you can watch our chef prepare your food right before your eyes. Our team is super friendly and very informative, they love to answer any questions you have about mussels, as well as give you recipe ideas and inspiration.
No need to book, just come on by and find a seat, overlooking the beautiful Havelock Marina.
Open Hours
Wednesday 11 am – 3 pm
Thursday 11 am – 3 pm
Friday 11 am – 8 pm
Saturday 11 am – 3 pm
Sunday 11 am – 3 pm
The Menu
Mixed Mussel Tasting Platter
A selection of grilled, crumbed, smoked, bacon-wrapped and battered mussels served w/ a selection of sauces and crusty bread
$30
Mussel Chowder
Hearty mussel and fresh fish chowder served w/ fresh crusty bread
$15.5
Garlic Butter Mussels
Half dozen freshly shucked mussels grilled on the halfshell w/ toasty panko breadcrumbs
$12.5
Classic Steamed Mussels
In a white wine and garlic broth w/ fresh herbs, lemon and crusty bread $15.5
Pelorus Special
Half dozen freshly shucked beer-battered mussels served w/ lemon wedges and tartare sauce
$ 12.5
Fresh Beer Battered Fish
w/ homemade fries and tartare sauce $16.5
Crumbed Mussels
Half dozen freshly shucked mussels w/ a crunchy crumb served w/ lemon wedges and tartare sauce
$12.5
Mills Bay Mussel Fritter
Served on a slice of buttered white bread w/ sweet chilli sauce and salad $9.5
Fritter only $5
Dutch Style Mussel Croquette
Served in a warm bread roll w/ mustard and fresh parsley
$6.5
Crispy Shoestring fries
Served w/ homemade or tomato sauce $4.5
Green Salad
w/ rocket and parmesan cheese
$5.5
Want to enjoy Mills Bay Mussels at home, the bach, or gift them to a friend?
We offer takeaway options – you can order instore or give us a call on 035742575 and we’ll get it ready for you to pick up.
Fresh Live Mussels from our saltwater tank, sealed ‘Premium Packs’ filled with mussels, Shucked Mussels and even Mussel Health Supplements can all be purchased from our Tasting Room or Online soon.
Catering
Do you have a party or function coming up? Be in touch about our catering options.
As well as delicious mussels for your crowd to enjoy, we deliver the Mills Bay Mussels experience – interactively shucking mussels at the event, bringing along our photo booth and lots of laughs from our fun team.
For more information, contact Rachel
Reviews from our lovely customers
- K3240KLpamm
Between 4 we managed the mussel chowder which was perfect the mussel platter very perfect then we ordered more of the garlic crumbed mussels. We have been eating mussels for... read more
7/17/2019 Every year I try 1 mussel to check whether I still hate them. We got a big platter with 6 different kinds of mussels, from smoked to bacon-wrapped. They ranged... read more houdini_nz
8/09/2019 - turnerhanna Food, staff and experience are AMAZING! Food is made and served with LOVE. Would highly recommend heading to little Havelock & experience what Mills Bay Mussels call the Mixed Mussel... read more
6/04/2019 We have stopped here twice recently. First time to have a chowder (delicious, creamy, and full of flavour) with fresh bread. The second time was to have the platter to... read more Tracy W
8/12/2019 - We tried every type of mussel with their tasting platter it was GOOD!! Definitely try them out if you’re in Havelock. Check their hours though as they are currently... read more Ryan T
4/10/2019 Late Sunday lunch time turned right to the Marina and had wonderfully fresh mussels in a wide varity of ways for 30 dollars for two. Not only great tasting but... read more JosephineT679
3/04/2019 - This place is an absolute Gem! If you're in Havelock it is definitely a MUST to visit. All the food is spectacular! Excellent staff/service, excellent food, excellent prices, clean premises,... read more MichelleP5844
6/20/2018 BEST chowder EVER! I am a local and this place has nailed the chowder!! Keep it up team! It’s a shame they close during winter... LisaMoana73
2/26/2019 - If you’ve heard the mussels are good in this area, you really need to stop here. Generous portions of steamed mussels, garlic mussels, salad & shoestring chips. Didn’t have room... read more RichardLV
3/24/2019 We had a chowder for lunch and we thought we already had the best there is,but we were wrong,THIS is the best,we went back for a feast of mussels for... read more clydemaz
9/07/2019 - Had the $30 platter, was overpriced for what you got. Staff we very blunt and unfriendly. The food came out at different times when it was all ordered together and... read more MargaretPtn
12/16/2018 I am not really into mussels - being more of a clams person myself but having landed up at this restaurant with friends during a trip to NZ I decided... read more IMTIKA
4/16/2019 - Had lunch here twice and forced ourselves to indulge the whole range on the menu. The Ladies are absolutely fantastic. Michael V
11/14/2018 We were lucky enough to arrive the day of the Mussel Festival. Had a wonderful time at Mills Bay Mussels. Live band and lots of free mussels being handed... read more JocelynC1212
5/22/2019 - We stopped for lunch after visiting the marina and deciding that this informal little place looked interesting. What a find! It turned out to be one of the best lunches... read more duttonst
3/04/2018 Recommended at Apples for Charlotte as the best mussels in the "Mussel Capital of NZ". Highly recommend you try the Mussel platter for mussels every way but steamed, and absolutely... read more clgriffin
3/28/2019 - I came here 2 times because they're the best mussels I ate in New Zealand. The classic steamed are perfectly cooked and the garlic ones are sooo good. Clotilde T
6/07/2019 Mills Bay focuses on mussels and serves the very best. What honour it does for this beautiful fruit of the sea. Nola H
2/11/2019 - Passing through Havelock looking for green mussels and found this place and shared a platter for early lunch, absolutely delicious and had a lovely chat to the chef and waitress.... read more Nutkinonholiday123
10/14/2018 we loved the menu variety & quality of the Mussels & dishes, it suited both our appetites. Friendly Team CJMchch
5/23/2018
