Taste the bay in four days
The Coastal Bay of Plenty knows how to do delicious. Our sunny, warm micro-climate makes perfect growing conditions for fresh local produce and the flourishing population of the region has seen an explosion in incredible eateries you simply have to try.
Drop in at the markets, explore the restaurants and cafés, taste the freshest of fish and discover local artisans of craft beer, cheese, wine, chocolate, berries and kiwifruit.
Time
4 Days
Highlights
Explore local markets, restaurants and cafés, taste the freshest produce, sample local craft beers and discover locally produced cheese, wine, chocolate, berries and kiwifruit.
Proximity
By Car:
From Auckland: 2 hours and 45 minutes
From Hamilton: 1 hour and 30 minutes
From New Plymouth: 4 hours and 15 minutes
From Napier: 3 hours and 45 minutes
From Wellington: 6 hours and 30 minutes
Waihī Beach
Lunch with a view
Lunch at Flatwhite Café is a must when visiting the Bay of Plenty. Set right on the beachfront, it offers relaxed dining with ocean views, spacious decks, and a menu full of local favourites. Open seven days from 8am until late. Or head to The Secret Garden for a laid-back escape with tropical vibes, a tiki bar, and Mexican street food.
Chocolate heaven
Watch chocolate being made freshly in front of you at Chez Moi in Waihī Beach. This artisan chocolatier uses beautiful ingredients including Lewis Road products and oranges, lemons and mint from the garden.
Highlights
New Zealand's best artisan chocolate, beachfront dining.
Katikati & Te Puna
Wine tasting
Continue on your Bay of Plenty foodie journey with a wine tasting experience at Leveret & Mills Reef Winery in Katikati. Discover the estate’s premium tasting room as the wonderful staff guide you on a journey of their new releases and current vintages.
Nourish your tastebuds
With a delicious menu, scrummy savoury cabinet options, incredible coffee and the best salads in town, Nourish has something for everyone.
Sip cider
A local favourite in Te Puna, The Cider Factorie is the perfect spot for a laid-back lunch and a tasting paddle. Overlooking the water and nestled along the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga cycle trail, it’s an ideal stop for cyclists and foodies alike.
Get off the eaten path
Take a food tour with Taste of Plenty to discover the Bay's hidden foodie gems. Discover locally made ice-cream, honey, cured meats and chocolate while you chat with the producers themselves.
Make your own Gin
For something hands-on, visit Matahui Distillery and try their 'make your own gin' experience. You’ll create your own bespoke botanical blend while learning about the distilling process from the experts.
Experience a working avocado orchard
Join Avocado Tours in Katikati for a guided experience through a working avocado orchard. Learn all about this beloved superfruit and enjoy tasty avocado treats along the way.
Highlights
Wine & cider tasting, make your own gin, and visit an avocado orchard,
Tauranga
Visit the Tauranga Farmer’s Market
Buy direct from Bay of Plenty producers and artisans. Open every Saturday from 07:45 am to 12:00 noon, the Tauranga Farmers Market is the place to go for the freshest local eggs, veggies and fruit, yummy pastries, macadamias, local chutneys, smoked fish and more.
Pick up a classic Kiwi lunch from Bobby's Fish Market
A Tauranga institution known for its fresh fish and crispy, no-fuss fish and chips right on the waterfront. Grab your takeaway and enjoy it by the ocean for one of the city’s simplest and best dining experiences.
Waterfront dining in the Tauranga City Centre
A meal at Harbourside is the perfect end to a day of culinary adventures. Enjoy exquisite cuisine made with the finest organic and local ingredients as you take in views across the blue expanse of the Tauranga Harbour. For something more casual but just as iconic, head to Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market at Fisherman’s Wharf, we reckon it might just be the best fish and chips in the country. Fresh off the boat and straight to your plate, you can also pick up fresh seafood to take home.
Where to stay
Clarence Hotel: Built in 1906, this amazing building was once Tauranga’s Post Office. It has now been refurbished into a boutique 10-room hotel, fine dining restaurant and funky bar and bistro.
Highlights
Produce markets, epic brunches, waterfront dining and Māori Japanese fusion food.
Mount Maunganui
Brunch at Eddie’s
Just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Mount Maunganui, Eddie’s offers amazing coffee and delicious breakfasts as well as speciality pastries made by skilled bakers on site. Yum.
Ice cream from Mount Made
Known for its iconic black hokey pokey ice cream (yes, it's black), Mount Made is a must-visit for ice cream lovers. Their small-batch creations are handcrafted using local ingredients like Solomon’s Gold chocolate, Bionic Coffee and Sommerfield’s strawberries.
Taste award-winning rum
Visit Best Behaviour's Mount garage, meet the makers, and sample their bold small-batch flavours - from a mānuka smoked rum to a native botanical rum.
Dinner at Izakai
Izakai Bar & Eatery is a delicious and innovative food fusion story. Blending together Māori and Japanese cuisine with the values of manaakitanga and sustainability, this is a unique dining experience that’s a must-do for foodies. Try a hand-crafted cocktail with true local flavour, take in the subtle and elegant Māori inspired design and taste the food that has everyone talking.
Highlights
ice cream, rum, māori-japanese fusion
