‘Hamilton’s living room on the river’: Riverside restaurant Regatta set to open mid-August

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Regatta co-owner Paul Gittings said he wants the riverside restaurant to be ‘effortless and easy’ for diners.

Diners are set to be welcomed to Hamilton’s new riverside restaurant, Regatta, around mid-August as construction reaches the home stretch.

The project has been hailed as a sign of momentum on the city’s riverfront, with local leaders calling redevelopment on the river integral to revitalising the CBD.

Regatta co-owner Paul Gittings, who is also behind Hamilton and Raglan eateries Frank Food and Wyld, said he wanted the restaurant to be “Hamilton’s living room on the river”.

The restaurant offers sweeping views of the Waikato River.

“We just want to open the doors up to anyone to come in and enjoy the space, so we want it to feel approachable, we want it to feel effortless and easy when people come in.”

While the Grantham St restaurant was originally meant to open in April, construction delays have pushed the launch to about mid-August.

Gittings was hoping the restaurant would be up-and-running by August 15, which was the final day of Hamilton Rowing Club’s corporate regatta.

Regatta’s main entranceway features a nod to the area’s boating history.

“We’ve already got a couple of sort of small functions tentatively booked for mid and late August,” he said, adding he was keen to incorporate the river into any opening events.

Since the renovation got underway the former rowing club HQ has been completely gutted with new joinery and walls throughout, and extensive work on the roof. Furniture was set to arrive in the next week, and the kitchen was being installed.

After months of work, Gittings said it was satisfying to see the restaurant start to come together visually.

A sneak peak of the restaurant’s main dining room.

“It’s quite enjoyable because I’m able to sort of look at a space and see what it could be, and I can kind of visualise it in my mind…it’s super exciting.”

The restaurant’s design was inspired by late 1960s décor, he said, and was in-keeping with the building’s heritage.

Small details, such as an oar which serves as the door handle at the main entrance, pay tribute to the venue’s rowing club roots, while inside, floor to ceiling windows mean diners will be able to see the Waikato River from anywhere in the room.

Work had also begun on the menu, which Gittings described as “New Zealand-esque…unfussy but super thoughtful and delicious plates that people can order for themselves or order to share”.

While putting the finishing touches on the interior and the menu, he was building the team to run the restaurant. A restaurant manager and duty managers have already been hired.

Well-known Waikato chef Andrew Clarke, who has previously worked at the Lawrenson Group and the Victoria Street Bistro, is also coming onboard as Regatta’s executive chef.

All up Gittings expected Regatta to have about 30 staff, though he added the final count will depend on employees’ availability.

After months of work, he was excited to put the finishing touches on the restaurant.

“We're just really excited to watch it all come together now…we’re looking forward to getting into the fun stuff, building the team and finalising our menu.”