In the middle of Hunter Street Newcastle, one of two main arteries of the city with King Street being the other has a little Novocastrian Institution trading there in amongst the Bridal shops.
It’s not a take away shop, it not a restaurant and is not a cafe. It is none of these and it is all three and what an eatery. It is the Hamburger Haven or the Haven as it’s referred to, and it is a local legend. I know what you’re saying; local legend is an advertising cliché. Well The Haven is the exception that proves the rule.
The Haven is mentioned in local songs, featured in books and short stories, and has features in local newspapers on a regular basis. And it is a place where local born celebrities visit when coming back into the city like the Newcastle Knights and Mikey Robins, who always stops in to order the same thing when he’s in town.
You might not think it’s flashy, you might not like the decor and you might walk past thinking it’s nothing more than a little take away shop and ignore its existence. But for whatever reason you have for not going in there, you are shooting yourself in the foot because has some of the best food in the city. And unlike many other eateries who are way to glitzy for their own good, The Haven lets the food do the talking and well as their fiercely loyal employees and army of loyal customers, all of who are treated like family.
And a family affair it is. It is owned by the Hanwrights, Bruce and Barbara who have run the establishment for many a happy year. Their eight, yes eight, children have all worked there and a number of them still do. Other family members have worked there as well as have many friends who are accepted into the family. This is also a family that has produced many a talented chef.
The other reason the Haven is so loved and respected is the menu and it rivals any restaurant in the city. The burgers, being what they are most famous for, are as varied as the rest of the menu with beef, chicken, lamb, pork, chilli sausage and veggie on offer with every extra you care to have. Sandwiches, toasted or otherwise, and foccacias with fillings that melt in your month are a popular favourite. And all the other fast food fair are present like potato scallops, chicko rolls, cocktail fish and the best tasting chips I personally have ever eaten.
But it doesn’t stop there. They have frittatas, a range of pasta dishes, curries, stir-fry’s, pizzas, stews and soups, and a whole menu board of different salads. The coffee is up there with some of the best local cafes and you can enjoy them with fresh muffins, caramel tarts or cheese cake. And the best part of the whole eating venture is all of these fresh dishes are made on site by the people serving you, ordering in only the base ingredients before creating heaven on a plate, just like the big restaurants.
I personally attack the gourmet pies and the specials and I have never been let down by anyone of these tasty morsels that pass my lips. And I love the summer salads. And that is another thing about the Haven; its large and unique menu rotates. There are different menus for the summer and winter months, different menus for day and night time services, and weekly specials so you’re always guaranteed a wide range and will be spoiled for choice.
Why does this little article seem like a PR piece? Well, because it is. The Haven is approaching hard times. They are not there just yet but it would be a shame if the owners had to sell the business because I doubt the people who would buy it would keep it the way it is or at very least the menu. It the business is sold, some idiot will properly want to turn it into a Kebab shop and trust me, and Newcastle doesn’t need another one of those. We have too many as it is.
What is starting to take its toll is the late night opens. On many nights they stay open anywhere between midnight and 4:00am. Not bad for a business that open at 7:30am every morning. The times change and with less people in town at that lat hours these days and people being seduced by large shopping mall eateries and flashy family fast food restaurants a true original is being over looked.
Many places Novocastrians call home or places that make them feel better by just being there are slowly dying and being replaced by shallow yuppie versions of establishment no one want to go to. Trends, financial and cultural focus groups and studies have killed icons in this town because they can’t compete with big franchises and I’m sick and tired of it.
If you walk down certain parts of the city, there are vacant shop fronts all over the place. It has happened, and still is happening with, pubs and clubs. They are bought and fixed up like the flashy place in bigger city areas like Sydney and they remain empty for most of the week. All the character is gone like Jack Nicholson at the end of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, looks good but nothing is there.
So don’t let the legend die. I say, next time you’re in Newcastle, go and check out the place. I think you will be surprised. The busy but helpful staff and the awesome food speak volume more so than any loud and annoying ad campaign. It is a step Novocastrians need to take to save their cityscape. First say enough is enough, leave the house and help save the Haven and then save another place you care about. Love your home; don’t let it turn into a giant mall.
The Haven is heaven, I eat there every chance I get and they love me for it. Came in and feel the love, but eat the food.
