Opportunity on a plate in Hawke’s Bay
Renowned for its exotic flavours and topnotch cocktails, Havelock North’s favourite restaurant and wine bar Deliciosa is on the market.
The established and iconic Hawke’s Bay business is being brought to the market by Martin Sargent of ABC Business Sales.
Deliciosa Tapas and Wine was established in December 2007 by Sarah Watson, the Spanish tapas style of food reflecting her travels around Europe.
Over the past 13 years, the team has delivered continuous refinement in its food, beverage and the restaurant space.
Staying true to its roots, Deliciosa has retained the same food philosophy since its inception — packing big, punchy flavours onto shared plates – a style unheard of in Hawke’s Bay during 2007 and unmatched in 2021.
A favourite of the locals, Deliciosa has a loyal base of clientele who come for the service and atmosphere as well as the food and beverage offering.
Regular events, participation in Hawke’s Bay tourism activities, social media and the power of recommendations also ensures that Deliciosa is constantly attracting newcomers and visitors to ensure a full house.
“Here’s your opportunity to own a great restaurant, world-famous in the Bay, where great worldly things are infused with regional brilliance,” says Sargent.
Deliciosa is a 100-seat restaurant, though seating can easily increase to 120 in summer, as it shares outside furniture and area with a neighbouring coffee business.
Attracting mostly locals, regulars and domestic tourists, the business has implemented a website-based takeaway order system, which increases sales when dine-in space is at capacity.
Social media is actively employed to stay engaged with the customer base and to entice them in again and again to try favourite or new menu items.
The business receives strong referrals from neighbouring businesses and local wineries.
The restaurant has a strong reputation in Hawke's Bay as a versatile venue with customers and industry. It’s casual for everyday dining but special enough for a family, group, corporate celebrations and events including business dinners, wine awards judge’s dinners, pre-weddings, weddings and funeral wakes.
It won the Hawke’s Bay Hospitality Awards’ Outstanding Wine and Beverage list every year from 2012 to 2017.
A proven track record with almost 14 years of trading keeps the tables booked every night but also means that catering and events are an opportunity for expansion.
With an innovative menu and beverage list, Deliciosa can keep up with food trends – its bang bang cauliflower is considered one of the top 10 iconic dishes in Hawke’s Bay.
The stable, professional and mature staff is great at upselling and provides attentive service to both regulars and newcomers — knowing where regulars like to drink or sit and so on.
A buyer would need to possess a good level of financial acumen and a desire to work in hospitality or upgrade the restaurant manager role to general manager.
The owner is happy to assist in any reasonable handover/retained management period to ensure a smooth transition.
■ Contact: Martin Sargent, 021 509 744, martins@abcbusiness.co.nz