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
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
Wouldn't normally go for a salad for lunch but this was amazing who would have thought on a tiny Town like Havelock that you would find such wicked food peted116
10/19/2018 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- 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 Awesome mussels!! The seating area is smaller than the kitchen, and that is small too. I had the platter and each of the styles was well presented and tasted great.... read more classicchch
4/22/2019 - 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 I had the garlic mussels. A little pricey and could have come with some bread to mop up the juices. But worth it. Bought some fresh mussels to take home,... read more anirt111
1/07/2019 - Fresh, plump, very tasty mussels Freshest I have had in new Zealand. Nice setting at the marina. Delicious chowder 355reviewer
3/14/2018 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 - 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 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 - we loved the menu variety & quality of the Mussels & dishes, it suited both our appetites. Friendly Team CJMchch
5/23/2018 Had the Mussel Fritter which is quite large, another member had the Mussel Chowder and lastly the Steamed Mussels. Overall opinion was DELICIOUSand value for money. michiko3977
3/19/2019 - 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 We loved the steamed mussels! Fresh, tasty and gluten free. I have coeliac disease and the staff easily accommodated for my dietary needs and we thoroughly enjoyed our mussel experience-... read more becjuly85
5/14/2018 - Wow, we stopped here for lunch, the chowder was fantastic, service friendly and quick. Would highly recommend gwen_coleman5
3/25/2019 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 - 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 This was by far the best mussels I ever ate! We shared a tasting plate and had the award winning garlic mussels - both dishes were absolutely amazing and we... read more Liesbet L
2/26/2019 - 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 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
