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For hearty, authentic Chinese food, head straight to Dumpling House, a wholesome eatery serving up friendly vibes and even better dumplings. After operating for 12 years and opening two venues, this family-run establishment has truly made its mark on the Hamilton food scene.Owner Lei Wang comes from a long line of dumpling makers—her great grandfather even made dumplings for the Chinese Royal family!

And lucky for Hamilton locals, she and her mum found roots in New Zealand, bringing generations of secret techniques and flavours to their restaurants on Grey Street and Bryce Street. It’s hard not to feel at home when you step into Dumpling House. Lei Wang sums it up perfectly when she says “over the years, customers have become regulars and regulars have become friends.”

Walking in to big smiles and greetings, Erik and his team work like a well-oiled machine to bring you an authentic experience of fresh, fast and affordable Vietnamese food, right here in Hamilton. Plentiful windows look out to the busy street corner, making for prime people-watching on the side of feasting on comforting dishes that transport you to the streets of Vietnam. Authentic Vietnamese flavours can get lost in the Western world, but Erik has made it his mission to revive them. And with 15+ years of experience in the food industry, he’s just the man for the job.

Having spent many years doing the market, festival and event rounds with their OG food truck, On A Roll have clocked up a devout following of local foodies from all around Hamilton. So, we weren’t the only ones who were pretty wrapped when the doors to their permanent Vialou Street spot opened in 2021. The eatery itself is the embodiment of good vibes. You’ll notice industrial cement blocks contrasted with bold feature walls and a larger-than-life tiger mural. Accented with warm wood tones, leather seating and bohemian lighting, they’ve simply nailed the aesthetic. Known for their flavour-packed take on Asian-fusion bites, On A Roll is a serious crowd-pleaser when it comes to dining out with the crew. Our advice? Sharing is caring, so order one of everything because we guarantee you’ll want to taste it allllll.

With its signature red interior and exterior, murals, and neon lights, it’s a vibrant space, topped off by the background of friendly chatter, clinking cutlery, and attentive staff moving from table to table. With different levels of spice, vegetarian and gluten-free options (as well as the cheeky option of taking home some of their incredible frozen dumplings for a lazy weekday meal), even people with dietary requirements can enjoy the glorious Chilli House cuisine.

Offering an expertly crafted menu, calming decor and even executive meeting rooms for hire, it’s the ideal place for a catch-up with colleagues. The interior styling alone is everything you’d want from your weekday coffee spot. Bright open spaces are complemented by cooling hues across the tiling and feature walls, while warm timber accents, lush greenery and rattan chairs make this Hamilton café an inviting destination to order up a treat and smash through those emails.

Cream Eatery flung its doors open in early 2021 and it’s been a hit from day dot. Owners Luke and Chrissy Houghton sure know a thing or two about creating dishes people love to devour. Luke himself is a trained chef, while Chrissy is an expert at whipping up mega-impressive cakes. Lucky for our taste buds, this is a match made in heaven.

One thing is for sure—only good things come out of Riverbank Lane. Those who know the area will be well aware this place has it all: a café, a bar, a hairdresser, a barber, and a bookshop. We love it so much, it made the cut for our round-up of New Zealand’s best hidden laneways.So it’s safe to say when Café Kopi found a home in this community, we were pretty stoked. The vibe of this little caffeine haven is pretty chic, to say the least. You’ll find sky-high concrete walls adorned with exposed copper pipes, flanked by dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Complemented by warm wooden panelling and dappled sunlight on a good day, there’s no better place to while away the afternoon.

In the heart of Hamilton’s vibrant Riverbank Lane, with its cosmopolitan Melbourne-like ambience, you’ll discover Rüdi’s—a micro-bakery that perfectly marries Nordic minimalism with artisan passion. The interior, painted in serene shades of deep blue and pristine white, resonates with a cool, understated elegance. Concrete floors contrast with warm wooden accents and fresh botanicals, creating a space that feels both modern and welcoming. After spending over a decade abroad working in other fields, Stefan (architectural and interiors photographer) and Fern (director in innovation) returned to New Zealand in 2021 with their young family.

Tucked away in a corner of Hamilton city is an enchanting little laneway that evokes the charm of Italy, with its pottery and art studios, water fountains, and curated gardens. This is where you’ll find the adorable pink facade of Hello Rosie. The tiny vegan haven is more than just a feast for the eyes, their menu is chock full of nostalgic comfort food that’s good for the soul.

Bamboo Sweets is an artisan chocolate shop nestled in Hamilton’s Casabella Lane, dedicated to crafting exceptional chocolates that promise to sweeten your day. With a commitment to using premium ingredients and modern techniques, Bamboo Sweets ensures that every creation is of the highest quality. The focus on small-batch production ensures big, bold flavours in every mouthful, making it a must-visit destination for any chocolate lover.

A few steps inside Harper Inc and you know you’re in dangerous territory... Dangerous because you’ll find yourself amongst some of the most beautiful contemporary fashion in New Zealand at the moment, where leaving empty-handed is a very hard thing to do.Proud to be a small family business, the mother-daughter duo involved are true shopaholics themselves and thought it only right to bring their passion to the streets of Hamilton. In the store, you’ll find a heap of products from well-known designers from NZ as well as across the Tasman.

Madam Woo is a beloved fixture in Hamilton’s dining scene, and for several years now, it’s been wooing its customers with far more than just its delicious food. Its central location, its modern but cosy ambience, and the infectious energy of the staff are the perfect ingredients to create an experience that’s going to leave you wanting more… and we haven’t even started on the menu. At the heart of every great restaurant lies great food, and Madam Woo is no exception.

Dot & Winnies is an owner-operated café situated in the heart of Hamilton, renowned for its welcoming atmosphere and memorable food. Inside is spacious, comfortable and versatile, meaning it’s perfect for everything from large gatherings to more intimate get togethers.Its name is a heartfelt nod to the owners’ grandmothers, Dot and Winnie, both of whom were passionate about baking, cooking and all things hospitality. Their legacy of warmth and care is infused into every aspect of Dot & Winnies, from the smile and wave you receive at the door to the homemade recipes made with love.

Printable event guide.

The soulful sounds of the sitar, the soaring melodies of the violin, and the rhythmic pulse of the tabla come together in a harmonious blend of traditional Indian classical and contemporary Western music. This innovative fusion creates a rich tapestry of sound that transcends cultural boundaries, transporting listeners on a sonic journey from West to East. From the intricate ragas of Indian classical to the improvisational spirit of jazz and Western Classical Music featuring:

Want to get your hands dirty with clay?

Or just here for the party vibes? Either way, you’re invited!

When: 31st Dec from 8pm - Midnight

Price: $55 per person

We’re all about good times, great company, and a kiln-full of fun! Everyone’s welcome—whether you’re here to create or just celebrate.

Let’s make this New Year’s Eve unforgettable together!

Book NOW:

E-mail: sam@potterystudio.co.nz

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Each show is being recorded and pitched to Netflix.

Tickets from $20, $25 cash at the door.

After a sold out series of shows last November and an appearance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Coombe and Craig are hitting the road again and this time they are making it bigger!

Catch two of New Zealand’s top up-and-coming comedians this summer as they head out across the North Island with special guest Annie.

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Come down to Nivara Lounge to witness the best beatboxers in New Zealand go head-to-head with each other in an all new never seen before beatbox battle concept that will have you wanting more!

This event will be hosted by Crkzu, who is returning to New Zealand for the 24/25 summer!

The venue lawfully has a capacity of 110 patrons, so make sure to arrive on time, as you do not want to miss out!

The doors will open at 8pm; Performers and Beatboxers please arrive at 6pm if you wish to do a sound check!

Message Crkzu if you want to participate or perform at the event!

More information will be coming soon, click 'going' if you can make it and we will see you there!

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Whether you already love making zines or want to step up to sharing your creativity in printed form - nau mai, haere mai, welcome! Suitable for ages 14 years and older.

A zine is a small, handcrafted booklet, made from original or re-purposed writing and images. It's a great way to publish and share your own art, poems, opinions, or photos.

And if you already know how to zine, just come hang and make with us in a zine-friendly space.

We can koorero, write, glue, compose, stitch and disseminate our creative genius, our truth, our joy!

Suitable for ages 14+ years

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Inspired by the Museum's current exhibitions, these hands-on sessions will expand your child’s knowledge of art and science through creative crafting techniques. Suitable for ages 7-13 years.

$45 per session, booking fees may apply. Includes entry to Exscite for your child on the same day. Limited spaces!

Suitable for ages 7 to 14 years

Say goodbye to 2024 and ALOHA to 2025 at SkyCity Hamilton!

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Get ready to ring in the New Year, with a splash of tropical paradise!

Festivities kick off at 6pm, where you can collect your free entry wristband to go in the draw to win a share of our LUAU LOOT. Make sure you get in quick, as we have a limited number of wristbands available!

Hula your way into the New Year with an exciting line up of live entertainment:

Catch PACIFIC ELVIS live at Number Eight Bar

GROOVE STREET will be taking over the stage at Amuse Bar & Kitchen

Plus, their usual line up of delicious food and drink will be available for purchase all night long!

You won't want to miss this - so grab your best summer florals and enjoy the fun!

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1st and 2nd of March 2025 coming to a venue near you! A big thank you to BUSit for offering FREE bus rides to all our HCD events!

This is an event not to be missed, let’s come together and celebrate our children and whaanau!

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Keystone is your spot for live music this New Year's Eve. If you're in Hamilton on Tuesday the 31st of December, come bring in the New Year with Keystone!

Printable event guide.

Summer music sessions

Fridays in Garden Place

12.30pm - 1.30pm

All live music sessions are weather dependent.

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It's going to be an unforgettable summer of live music in Garden Place with an electrifying mix of DJs, sensational singers, and sax bringing live music to the central city!

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6th December - Sean Lurman

13th December - ARLO

20th December - Darz Keefe

17th January - DJ KUDZ

24th January - Carl Watkins

31st January - SAM DIEGO

7th February - JAE

14th February - Darz Keefe

21st February - TW3AK & CYPHR

28th February - Andrew Price

7th March - RNG

14th March

21st March - CULLY

28th March

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Names of all musicians will be added soon.

If you are a local musician and would like to be involved in the summer music sessions contact:

Vicky - admin@hamiltoncentral.co.nz

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Experience the energy and creativity of tomorrow’s future shapers.