8 Best Restaurants in Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

It might be way out in the bush, but this restaurant could stand proud in any big city. Dine inside or out, beneath the trees, and watch the chefs in the open kitchen adding wood to the pizza oven or creating contemporary cuisine with organic-farmed beef and lamb and vegetables straight from the garden. For flavor and innovation, try the chef’s choice of three seasonal tasters. This is a great option for family dining---there’s so much space and a little playground---and it’s actually only about 10 minutes away from either town, Waihi or Paeroa. Accommodation is available too, from $180 per night.

Named for the origins of one of the owners (the other is from Thames) this café is as cool as you would expect being that it's Melbourne inspired. The high stud ceiling and communal courtyard create a welcoming space to enjoy a diverse menu with dishes ranging from falafel to bao buns and paella. There's also a great selection of pastries and cakes. Café Melbourne is part of The Depot, a restored heritage building home to a number of small specialty stores worth browsing post coffee.

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.

The food and the view will vie for your attention here, as you dine on contemporary New Zealand cuisine. The menu is created largely from local artisan produce, and you can admire Tauranga Harbour from the stunning waterfront location. The quite pricey à la carte menu encompasses starters or starters to share as well as light meals that can be appetizers depending on the size of your appetite, mains, and desserts. From the grill, meats come with a choice of butters and sauces. Reservations are recommended, particularly if you want a spot on the over-water balcony.

The meat and produce in this café and store all come from the owner’s very own farm, Kairaumati Hereford Stud. The meat is processed on-site, the sausages are made from an old family recipe, and the free-range eggs, honey, vegetables, jams, and pickles are all homegrown. For lunch, there’s a range of burgers (regarded widely as the best on the peninsula), toasted sandwiches, hot chips, muffins, and cakes, plus real fruit ice cream. You can dine in the garden, then pick up some farm-fresh meat and condiments to enjoy later.

This café’s small shared plates feature an eclectic fusion of Asian and classic European flavors with a strong Kiwi touch. Try the ostrich tataki (seared) or tuna fillets with beetroot, orange, and horopito (a pepper-flavored native plant). Sit inside in candlelight or under the trees in the buzzy garden with the locals.

The spacious, airy dining area at this restaurant, with its large windows and wicker and wood decor, has been carefully designed to evoke a country picnic—while still feeling as stylish as you would expect from a central Tauranga establishment. Picnicka's menu is designed to be shared, with a range of plates that use local produce cooked over a wood fire, or served fresh; choose from dishes like barbecued cos lettuce, fresh market fish, and spiced lamb skewers.

Located on a corner of Whangamata's main street, this café is perfectly positioned to catch the morning sun. This makes it an ideal spot to grab coffee or breakfast either outside in the sunshine or inside the airy, wood-accented café. Lunch is served from 8 am to 2 pm, and features the classics (mushrooms on toast and Turkish eggs) alongside more creative options, like the loaded toast with buttermilk fried cauliflower, hummus, and haloumi.