North Island's West Coast Restaurants

Throughout western North Island, provincial city restaurants and small, tourist-town cafés feature an overall sophistication you might not expect away from major urban centers: think wholesome and hearty fare, local organic produce, good espresso and loose-leaf teas, high-quality New Zealand wines, plus local craft beers. Counter food is generally fresh salads, paninis, filled rolls, sweet or savory pies, and homemade soups.

Dinner menus in the higher-end restaurants include the chef's latest creations using high-quality New Zealand eye fillet of beef (beef tenderloin), fish, lamb racks, pork fillets, and chicken. The best chefs change menus regularly to focus on fresh regional and seasonal ingredients. You will also find Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Mexican, Turkish, and Italian restaurants, even in smaller centers. "Smart-casual" is about as formal as attire gets.

Sort by: 5 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. The Shack

    $$

    At this buzzing corner café, surfers—here for the great coffee and organic, free-range food—cram the couches and Formica tables beneath walls decorated with hanging plants, surfboards and Raglan beach scenes. The menu is huge and the meals hearty, starting with breakfast at 8. Dishes hail from around the globe: Mexico, Thailand, and more. The dinner menu (Thursday through Saturday only) is seasonal and plates are designed for sharing. There's also a selection of organic beers, wines, teas, smoothies, and juices.

    19 Bow St., Raglan, Waikato, 3225, New Zealand
    07-825–0027

    Known For

    • Locally sourced coffee, produce, and beverages
    • Retro, casual beach vibe
    • Gluten-free, paleo, and vegan options all available

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Wed.
  • 2. George's Beach Club

    $$

    This restaurant is actually a short walk from the beach, but the atmosphere is right, if a little kitschy. Seafood is predominant on the menu (try the seafood chowder or the smoked kawahai fish cakes), but there's also an extensive selection of wood-fired pizzas. The menu matches everything with a beer or cider from the Waikato-based Good George Brewery, but you can also order wines and cocktails. Sit yourself down on a swing chair or around one of the wooden picnic-style tables and check out the colorful artwork, surfboards on the wall, hanging pot plants, and 'street' signs to other famous surf places like Bora Bora and Waikiki. 

    2 Bow St., Raglan, Waikato, New Zealand
    07-825--0565

    Known For

    • Cold lager in the summer, mulled cider in the winter
    • Tempura fish and chips with pickles and aioli
    • Both indoor and outdoor dining
  • 3. Iso Cafe and Bistro

    $$$

    One of the newer eateries in town, Iso has established itself as a favorite with locals as well as the visiting surf set (it's connected to a surf shop). Bagels are a brunch special, along with the Ozone-brand coffee, but the restaurant really comes into its own in the evening when you can pick up a wine or locally brewed beer along with European-inspired fare such as tapas or pasta. But there are also burgers as well as a tasty Buddha bowl that combines brown rice and veggies. The friendly staff will explain the market fish and 'butcher's block' specials, and they're usually good. The liveliest atmosphere is in the street fronting room (it's got the bar) but for a more intimate time, there is an area out the back.

    23 Bow St., Raglan, Waikato, 3223, New Zealand
    021-198--7983

    Known For

    • Good daily fish and meat specials
    • "Nasty Burger" with beef, bacon, caramelized onions, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and chimichurri aioli
    • Outdoor seating on footpath

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
  • 4. Orca Restaurant and Bar

    $$$

    This waterside restaurant has big windows, big views, and big tasty menus. Brunch is served every morning, and dinner brings out the chef's creativity. For lunch, look for platters, flatbreads, burgers, and salads. Orca also has a casual bar, where you can watch the sunset over the harbor, play a game of pool, or listen to live music on weekends. Beers from Raglan's own Workshop Brewing Co. have pride of place at the bar.

    2 Wallis St., Raglan, Waikato, 3225, New Zealand
    07-825–6543

    Known For

    • Signature braised beef cheek with balsamic pickled onions and garlic mash
    • Best dining views in Raglan (look for the orcas!)
    • Excellent food and wine pairings
  • 5. Rock-it Kitchen

    $$

    Occupying a 100-year-old shearing shed, the funky, rustic Rock-it serves casual Kiwi fare and local Raglan Roast coffee. The menu is small but wholesome; try the all-day brunch, beef sliders, and soups for lunch, either inside or out on the huge deck. It’s 3 km (2 miles) from town on the way to Ocean Beach. It is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday only.

    248 Wainui Rd., Raglan, Waikato, 3297, New Zealand
    07-825–8233

    Known For

    • Country atmosphere
    • Aged prime Scotch fillet with truffle agria mash and smoked vine tomatoes
    • Alternative access (you can paddle a kayak up the Wainui estuary to get here)

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.--Thurs.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video