Purple Hayes tapas & bar - Cessnock

A group of six friends and I visited Purple Hayes for lunch. Most of us ordered the lunch tapas platter for $18, which was excellent. The platter was presented on a slate slab and included at least five different tasty items, all of which were top-notch. One person in our group ordered the nachos, which were also very good. Most of us also enjoyed the desserts, which were very nice, and finished off our meal with good coffees. The venue was very nice, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I would recommend visiting for lunch if you are in the area.

The staff is excellent, the food is amazing, and the restaurant is beautiful. Parking on the main street can be a bit of a challenge for lunch, so my husband and I prefer to go for dinner instead.

We used to travel an hour to restaurant for tapas until we got recommended Purple Hayes. This place is fantastic and has the added bonus of being 5 minutes from where we live. World class quality tapas, excellent menu and friendly service. The chef at this restaurant is great and also very innovative. He is constantly coming up with excellent tapas options that are creative and tasty. They also have a themed night once a week each month, and this month is American. If you book ahead, you get a free jug of Sangria too. We are there at least once a week. Usually on a Thursday night as they have free BYO for locals. An excellent place to eat.

Good food- 5 tapas for $35 each is ok. However some of the tapas are only $10-14 each so unless you get 5 at $15 each you don't actually save money on this deal: so take caution if they ask if you want the order as the 5 for $35!Food was delicious. Not served traditional tapas style tho. They serve you one dish as a time and take plate away before bringing the next. Traditional Spanish tapas is bringing plates as they are cooked.I would say the prawn dish is overpriced $15 for 4 king prawns in chilli and garlic sauce. Similarly with the calamari.Wings really good value. Everything plated for two to share but we got pork ribs/belly in plum sauce a special dish and when it came there was a 2 and a 1 rib so not plated equally.Patatas bravas left a lot to be desired in my opinion but my partner enjoyed them. Good service very attentive.Lacked atmosphere and was very hot when we went with just two air con units. Would benefit from some tapas inspired music playing over the speakers not just general music - Spanish or at the least maybe acoustic guitar music with/without lyrics etc. Lighting is quite low in the restaurant so definitely needs music to reflect this and enhance.Will go back.

We happened to be in the area and came across Purple Hayes by chance, what a wonderful obliging team, they were fully booked, but helped us by allowing us to go in early and have a meal, which was excellent... The history that was shared by the owner the joy with which they operated and the soundings so very well done.... Great job guys - may you grow & prosper... We will be back next time through your neck of the woods... Mandy C