Poppy's Cafe & Bistro

Walk into Poppy's and you'll immediately get why Robertson Street has become the quieter, more genuine end of Hastings' dining scene. This isn't about Instagram moments—it's about a team that genuinely cares about what's on your plate and how you're getting on. The menu shifts with the seasons and what they can source properly, which means you're eating things that taste like something, not like they've been sitting in a freezer since last Tuesday. Settle in at one of the tables, order a coffee that's actually been made with thought, and you'll understand why the reviews are through the roof. It's the kind of spot where regulars know the staff by name, but newcomers feel just as welcome.