2 Best Restaurants in Waihi to Paeroa, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty

Located right on the beachfront, the views at this coastal chic café are hard to beat. Floor-to-ceiling windows take full advantage of the café's beachside position, so you can watch the waves roll in whether seated inside or out. The menu covers all the New Zealand favorites, from eggs Benedict for breakfast to fish and chips, pizzas, and burgers for lunch. In the evening, you can order the likes of squid linguine or sous vide lamb.

Hidden down a side street (look for the sign on the main street), you'll find this gourmet home-cooking surprise. This café gem serves breakfasts, muffins, scones, cakes, and shortcakes alongside build-your-own bagels and counter "sammies" crammed with choices of grilled meats, haloumi, and vegetables. The focus is on free-range, organically grown ingredients. Set in a 1914 heritage building that was originally a bank gold refinery, they also offer a boutique one-bedroom accommodation, the Refinery Guard’s Cottage, and an adjacent open plan Miner’s Cabin. Prices are from $99 per night.