EPICUREAN ESCAPE
Downtown Tauranga’s finest dining gems are raising the bar when it comes to exquisite cuisine. Discover a taste of sophistication at every turn.
Downtown Tauranga’s finest dining gems are raising the bar when it comes to exquisite cuisine. Discover a taste of sophistication at every turn.
CLARENCE
Tauranga’s diners know Clarence well. Set within one of the city’s landmark heritage buildings, the old post office, it offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu shaped by the seasons and driven by local produce. The relaxed yet refined atmosphere is ideal for an unhurried lunch, formal dinner or simply a glass of wine that turns into another. 51 Willow Street
SAINT WINE BAR
One of the best curated wine selections in town also comes with a selection of delicious seasonal shared plates. What screams summer better than a white anchovy doughnut, wagyu tataki or tuna crudo, washed down with a glass of Sparkling Albariño, or a Deep Down Blanc? Check the Saint Wine Bar socials for opening hours as they are subject to change each week.
105 The Strand
HARBOURSIDE RESTAURANT
Overlooking Tauranga Harbour, Harbourside Restaurant blends modern fine dining with relaxed coastal charm. Housed in a lovingly restored 1930s yacht club, it’s a family run gem where Peter and Anita Ward, their son Cameron (head chef) and daughter-in-law Nicole (maître d’) create a beautiful all-round dining experience. The menu celebrates fresh, seasonal produce from local growers, crafted into flavour-driven dishes that reflect the Bay’s bounty. With sweeping waterfront views, Harbourside offers an elegant yet unpretentious taste of Tauranga at its best.
150 The Strand
1920 CUCINA & GRILL
New to The Strand, Cucina and Grill offers a distinctive waterfront dining experience, housed in an historic 1920s building. The menu brings together Italian culinary traditions and the smoky flavours of Brazil’s Pampas grills. Share starters like Shiitake Arancini or Lamb Croquettes, then move to mains such as Pressed Pork, Lamb Rump or 12-hour slow-cooked Beef Ribs for two. Seasonal pasta and risotto, including Kumara Gnocchi and Mare e Monti, complement a relaxed atmosphere all year round.
85 The Strand
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PICNICKA
For those looking to dine in style, look no further than Picnicka. A vibrant open-air restaurant in the heart of Downtown Tauranga, Picnicka celebrates local produce, offering dry-aged meat cuts and a curated wine list. Designed for long lunches, after-work drinks and weekend gatherings, it’s a place where great food and people come together.
2/38 Elizabeth Street
TRINITY WHARF
Perched on the waterfront, Trinity Wharf’s restaurant offers stunning harbour views from both its sun drenched interiors and inviting deck. Guests can pair elegant, seasonal dishes with an expertly curated selection of wines, craft beers and cocktails. For a more indulgent experience, traditional High Tea adds a touch of sophistication. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, drinks and dinner, it’s the ideal spot to enjoy one of the best harbour-side dining views.
51 Dive Crescent
MACAU
Step into Macau Restaurant on Tauranga’s waterfront for contemporary Asian flavours and share-style dining. This award-winning spot delivers communal plates inspired by pan-Asian fusion. Think fresh local produce, Pacific twists and big bold flavours. Their upstairs lounge offers creative cocktails and sweeping harbour views, and it’s available for private events or larger groups.
59 The Strand
THE BARREL ROOM
A cosy microbar and eatery serving finely crafted drinks and flavour-packed bites, The Barrel Room is where you will always find the perfect pour. With their epic weekday lunch deals, regular live music and events, a rotating selection of beverages sourced from top breweries, wineries and distilleries across New Zealand and beyond, it’s a great haunt for after-work drinks or settling in on a weekend.
26 Wharf Street
FLORENCE BISTRO
One of Tauranga's newest restaurants, Florence Bistro is full of Mediterranean charm, with fresh pasta, grilled seafood, crisp seasonal salads and rich comforting meats at the heart of every plate. It’s unfussy, with flavour packed cooking made with love, good oil and fresh ingredients that speak for themselves. Their menu is testament to the belief that great food doesn't need to be complicated to be exquisite.
90 Devonport Road
THE HOP HOUSE
The Hop House offers some of the best hand-crafted burgers and pizzas in town. Quality ingredients and house-made sauces combine to deliver a flavourful experience at an affordable price. Add in a tasty brunch menu on the weekends or their famous Sunday Roast Lunch and you can't go wrong. Good beer and coffee, as well as great vibes and friendly service, is a top priority for this family-owned bar and eatery.
12 Wharf Street
Plenty under twenty
In part two of Plenty Under Twenty, Stacey Jones hunts out the best cheap eats under $20 that the Tauranga region has to offer.
In part two of Plenty Under Twenty, Stacey Jones hunts out the best cheap eats under $20 that the Tauranga region has to offer.
words STACEY JONES
Rikarika
I put the call out to the local community recently, asking for their favourite meals under $20, and the response was meatier than a pie from Patrick’s Pies — hundreds of recommendations flooded in.
So, after a fair bit of eating (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it), here’s my pick of the best cheap eats in the Bay of Plenty this month. From dumplings to falafel, sushi to curry, these are the top spots serving up serious flavour without breaking the bank.
The Rising Tide
Weekday wins
If you’re happy to dine out earlier in the week, you’re onto a winner-winner dumpling dinner. Let’s start with a ridiculously good deal over at The Rising Tide on a Monday in Mount Maunganui – and now at their new spot in Ōmokoroa.
For just $15, you can treat yourself to five mouthwatering dumplings paired with a pint of craft beer. I’d recommend the mushroom dumplings, but they’ve also been branching out with limited-edition flavours like lemongrass and lamb. Yum.
East of the middle
Next up is one of my all-time favourites: Falafel Metro. They serve up the crispest falafel known to humankind, wrapped in a house-made pita softer than a fluffy white cloud for just $17. Total steal. Even the most die-hard carnivores won’t miss the meat here.
Japanese feasts
If Japanese is your vibe, Chidori Ramen might just take the crown for the best meal under $20 in the BOP. I’ve been going there since the day they opened, and my go-to is the patina ramen with extra chashu and a ramen egg — it never lets me down. Pro tip: their set meals are a great deal too, and the chicken karaage is a personal favourite.
Happy Fryday
Right next door is Chicken Fryday, a fried chicken lover’s dream. Half a Korean-style fried chicken sneaks in at $19.50. Slather it in wasabi mayo for a flavour punch, or, if you’re feeling brave, go for the hot and spicy sauce — it’s hotter than Satan’s breath and will leave you sweating like you’ve just run a marathon.
Rikarika
Sushi secret
Still in the Japanese lane, pop into Rikarika — the new spot where Falafel Metro once stood. Their sushi is arguably the best in the Bay, thanks to husband-and-wife team Brian and Rika, who take a near-religious approach to perfecting their rice. Grab a sushi set for just $15, or if you’re after something lighter, a mini rice bowl for $12. I’d recommend the tofu teriyaki. Plus, the owners are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Bananarama
Just a hop, skip and jump from Rikarika is the wildly underrated Banana Blossom Café, serving up Malaysian Cheesy Chilli Fried Eggs for $18.50 — a fusion combo of absolute yum. And if your wallet can stretch just a smidge over a crisp $20, their laksa at $29.50 is all manners of “fork yeah”.
Best of the rest as voted by locals
• For the locals in Matua, Head Loco got plenty of shout-outs for its Japanese grubs.
• Kebab lovers, Kebab Istanblue in Mount Maunganui is a go-to.
• Early risers, Pronto Burger does a $9 breakfast combo, including coffee – absolute steal.
• Curry cravings? House of Spice in Fraser Cove serves up generous portions, and all their curries are under $20.
• Vietnamese food enthusiasts, Pho Vina (just off Wharf Street) dishes up authentic, soul-warming goodness for under $20.
The secret’s out — I’ve taken over @bop.eats, and I’m officially dedicating my life (and my stomach) to uncovering the best eats in the Bay. That means I’ll be diving even deeper into the best eats across the region, starting with another round of budget-friendly bites that prove you don’t need to spend big to eat well.