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Throughout western North Island, provincial city restaurants and small, tourist-town cafés feature an overall sophistication you might not expect away from major urban centers: think wholesome and hearty fare, local organic produce, good espresso and loose-leaf teas, high-quality New Zealand wines, plus local craft beers. Counter food is generally fresh salads, paninis, filled rolls, sweet or savory pies, and homemade soups.
Dinner menus in the higher-end restaurants include the chef's latest creations using high-quality New Zealand eye fillet of beef (beef tenderloin), fish, lamb racks, pork fillets, and chicken. The best chefs change menus regularly to focus on fresh regional and seasonal ingredients. You will also find Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Mexican, Turkish, and Italian restaurants, even in smaller centers. "Smart-casual" is about as formal as attire gets.
The local newspaper used to be produced in this historic building, but the premises now house a friendly café that doubles as a retro clothes and arts store. A large communal wooden table takes pride of place near the streetside windows, so this is a great place to chat with locals or just people-watch while you enjoy a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee.
Just off the Square, funky Café Cuba is a perennially popular local haunt for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and after-show mingling. The menu is all classic, wholesome café fare, matched with laid-back background music. There are magazines and newspapers to peruse if you can focus with the happy chatter of locals all around.
It's hard to miss the colorful exterior of this coffee roasters on the corner of Liardet street, decorated as it is with murals from local street artist Milarky. This café specializes in coffee that is high quality and sustainable. The interior is funky and laid-back, with graffiti art, vintage furniture, and even a skateboarding bowl. Coffee comes in ceramic cups and is always excellent.
The casual yet stylish setup at this Japanese yakitori grill and cocktail bar is designed to bring people together, and it works. The menu focuses on small plates to share. Quality wines, craft beers, and sake are also available. Located in the heritage-listed White Heart Hotel, the Snug has cozy nooks and crannies plus a sheltered courtyard with a massive gas fire and barbecue. Lunch is served on Friday, but otherwise it's dinner only.
