Housed in an immaculately preserved 1847 building (on original whalebone foundations, no less), The Gables holds the title of New Zealand’s oldest operating restaurant – but don’t expect a dusty museum piece. By day, its picturesque waterfront setting and heritage charm beckon; by night, the now-osteria and enoteca comes alive with the clink of wine glasses and the aroma of freshly made pasta. The menu skews Italian with Northland nuances: house-made pappardelle might share the table with local seafood, all complemented by a sommelier-curated list of Italian and Kiwi wines. Effortlessly blending old-world elegance with a welcoming Kiwi informality, The Gables proves that legacy and innovation can happily share a plate.