3 Best Restaurants in Golden Bay and Takaka, Upper South Island and the West Coast

In the lovely old former Collingwood Courthouse, on the main crossroads into town, this laid-back and popular café makes good use of local produce. Their big breakfast and eggs Benedict will set you up for a trip to the beach or Farewell Spit or Heaphy Track. Look also for the cinnamon pinwheels and panini, the pies and muffins, and daily blackboard special. The coffee is good, too, and all breads are made in-house. There are indoor and outdoor tables, but it gets packed in summer.

This café and pizza place makes some of the best cakes and pastries in the area, many of which are also gluten-free and vegan. Outdoor seating is both on the main street and out the back, in a shady garden. The pizza menu is excellent, which can be ordered takeaway or dine-in—although the dinner menu is otherwise quite limited. They also host some great local artists' exhibits, so be sure to check out the walls inside. 

Set in the old Tākaka movie theater, this long-running institution is synonymous with the alternative feel that is Golden Bay. The breakfast and lunch menus are substantial and wholesome, or you can choose from the extensive cabinet range. There's usually a good curry on special, and their famous curly fries are a must. There's plenty of room to find a table, even at the height of summer. Eat indoors or out, and you’ll be joined by all walks of the local community.