Lunchbar Eighty8 — Restaurant in Hamilton

This place has fast become one of the best in the area - and for good reason, there's just not enough time to do a deep dive on exactly what makes it so good.

But God knows we're going to give it our best shot.

Open from as early as 6am, the warmth & smells of freshly baked pies ad infinitum tend to waft down the streets soon as you park up - and on bitterly cold mornings like those of late, it's very much a welcome sign.

Typical bakery fare would greet you on entry - from the left you start with a selection of gourmet sandwiches & readycooked meals [I'd recommend the Chicken Salad, it's delicious] adjacent to their housemade cakes & slices [their Blondie & Peppermint Slices are a treat, trust].

The pies on offer in the warmers every morning, I mean ... options by the truckload is probably the best way to describe it; aside from the usual favourites like Steak/Mince & Cheese, there are also a few newer options too - Palusami, Boil Up & even the Lobster pie are just too good to not wanna try.

Their Kowhai coffee setup is a vibe as well, can't go wrong with a pie & coffee combo on the go - something I've learned to appreciate more, being a regular fixture to their establishment.

All up, the place is a true gem among giants - given its somewhat secluded location, it's not hard to understand why they're steadily growing in terms of popularity; the team is always happy to help any & every customer come rain or shine, they're true hospitality maestros in situ.

Speaking of, one has to wonder if they do catering ... maybe I'll ask, on my way through to collect my usual pie & coffee order to...

When lunchbar first opened it was amazing, yesterday my kids and I went to get some food from here, I got a steak and cheese which I’ve always loved, my daughters got Paua pies, I also got a chowder and a raw fish. My pie was amazing but unfortunately my 2 daughters and my son ended up having a sore tummy, my daughters are teenagers and they shared their pies with their 2 year old brother, all 3 of my kids ended up with a sore puku my son had diarrhoea and was vomiting, and yes it was from the paua pies and they were the only thing my kids had eaten in the morning. I’ve usually enjoyed the food from there but the chowder had a weird aftertaste and the raw fish has way too many veges. Maybe I’ll bring a chowder in 1 day and let yous taste it because your chowder was not nice at all. I’ve spent most of my night awake with an upset toddler...

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🥧Lunchbar Eighty8 📍88 Rimu Street, Maeroa, Hamilton 3200

Lunchbar Eighty8 locates in Hamilton and also have brunch in Otahuhu Auckland.

the first pie we try is caramalized (car-a mo-lized) pork pie is a delightful treat, slighty sweet with a hint of pepper and rich of caramelized onions taste. the pork inside is tender and juicy, making each bite flavorful

The garlic prawn pie is rich and creamy, though it can feel a bit salty and heavy toward the end. Inside, there are plenty of prawns—around six to seven—perfectly tender and juicy

there are also some rarely found pies such as lobster, corn beef, and sliverside pie, it gives me the reason to visit again

Overall, I highly recommend Lunchbar Eighty. They have a great variety of pies, and the quality is top-notch. I’d rate them...