Palate Restaurant

About Palate

Palate is a Hamilton culinary institution, independently owned and operated by locally trained chef Mat McLean since 2005. 

In 2024 Palate made its move to SkyCity Hamilton sitting in the heart of Hamilton’s main street.

Owners Mat and Larissa see the move as part of the evolution of Palate and an opportunity to offer Waikato diners more. 

The restaurant is now open Tues – Thurs for lunch, Tues – Sat for dinner, and everything in between on Fridays. 

The new venue offers some distinct spaces, from the chef table where you have front row seats to the action in the kitchen, to the casual couches where you can enjoy a tipple and tasty tidbit while watching the world go by.  Then of course there is the dining room with its distinct calm and classic Palate feel.

The Palate menus showcase the best of the Greater Waikato’s bounty of fruits, vegetables, truffles, meats, seafood, and cheese. Other quality suppliers from the rest of the country are brought onboard as needed.

Mat is acknowledged as one of the country’s top chefs, known for his contemporary flavours, strong technical skills, continuing ability to surprise and delight his customers, and for Palate’s thoughtful wine cellar, now in Larissa’s capable hands.

Mat is a three-time winner of Cuisine magazine’s Good Food Awards’ regional restaurant of the year, and he has earned Cuisine’s coveted two-hat rating three times. 

Palate Restaurant is independently owned and operated as a tenant of SkyCity Hamilton. The Premier Rewards programme is not available at Palate Restaurant for earning points and members are not eligible for any Premier Rewards discounts on food and beverage at this venue.