SPOTLIGHT ON: HOOKED

HOOKED SPOTLIGHT ON:

At what point can a cafe justifiably be referred to as a ‘local institution’? The moniker of local institution does sit well with Hooked, the cafe and beer garden located on the Marahau waterfront.

Having opened for business almost twenty years ago, Hooked occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of many local residents. It also leaves a lasting impression with a good chunk of the countless visitors to the Abel Tasman who have found themselves quenching their thirst and satiating their hunger at Hooked over that almost twenty year period.

Located right on the Marahau waterfront, the view across Tasman Bay changes dramatically throughout the day with the ebb and flow of the tide. With the largest tidal range in the country at up to 5m, the tide oscillates between lapping against the rocks directly opposite Hooked to a retreat hundreds of metres away, out across the sand flats. Tractors towing water taxis on their trailers and kayakers paddling out into the Abel Tasman come and go as do the Oyster Catchers and other birds that feed in the tidal pools. The islands in the Astrolabe Roadstead are clearly visible to the north and the Marlborough Sounds across Tasman Bay can be seen in most conditions along the horizon in the distance.

The path leading to the main entrance of Hooked is flanked with a well-tended and clearly much-loved garden. The easterly-facing outdoor dining area along the front of the cafe has the best views of Tasman Bay and is the perfect place for the early light. The beer garden along the northern side of Hooked catches the last of the afternoon sun and its often ethereal glow. The daily happy hour from 4:00pm to 6:00pm draws in a great mix of salty sea-dog types and visitors to the area. The interior of Hooked is like a classic Kiwi beach house adorned with a range of retro nautical objects. Even after several visits to Hooked you’ll still find something new and interesting to look at that may have gone unnoticed on previous visits.

Hooked has always taken the whole coffee thing seriously so even the harshest of coffee snobs can be found nodding approvingly into their double-shot, almond-milk flat whites. The wine and beer selection at Hooked is almost entirely a local affair. Local craft-brewery Sprig & Fern have beers and apple cider available on tap and the wine selection is almost exclusively from the Nelson and Marlborough regions.

The cuisine at Hooked is a fantastic mix of Kiwi classics such as lamb, and the locally caught seafood in combination with a fusion of international influences such as Pacific style raw fish ceviche, Chinese Bao Buns and Italian pasta. Regardless of the style, the crew at Hooked only use the freshest, highest quality raw ingredients they can lay their hands on.

Hooked is owned and operated by the Alborn family and has been managed by Zoe Alborn since it was opened in 2002. Zoe is a wonderful host and manages to instill the same qualities into the rest of the team.

Hooked opens for the season in September and closes again for three months from the end of May.