North Island's West Coast

2 Best Restaurants in North Island's West Coast, New Zealand

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.

Local Café and Eatery

$$ Fodor's Choice

Though this café shares premises with a property brokerage office, it's not your usual pie and sandwich workplace diner. At lunchtime, people from all over town descend on the Local, and you are unlikely to get a table to yourself if you don't make a reservation. However, there is usually space on the long communal table. A popular menu option is to build your own breakfast: choose how you'd like your eggs and add anything from grilled salmon and halloumi to kumara (sweet potato) rosti. Smashed avo and feta is a longstanding vegetarian and gluten free brunch favorite. It's about a 15-minute walk from the center of town, or a short drive.

Iso Café and Bistro

$$$$

Iso is a favorite with locals as well as the visiting surf set. The restaurant has a seasonal menu with European-inspired fare such as pasta and tapas, paired with wine or locally brewed beer. The friendly staff will explain the market fish and "butcher's block" specials, and they're usually good. The liveliest atmosphere is in the street fronting room (it's got the bar) but for a more intimate time, there is an area out the back.

North Island's West Coast

North Island's West Coast

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