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.

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  • 1. HUHU Cafe

    $$$

    This spot out in the country offers food up there in quality with the best urban-chic cafés. The contemporary New Zealand–style menu has a mix of smaller and larger plates that (mostly) stay under NZ$30. The drinks menu features popular New Zealand wine varieties and craft beer. Dinner is available Wednesday to Sunday, but lunch is only on the weekends.

    10 Waitomo Village Rd., Waitomo, Waikato, 3977, New Zealand
    07-878–6674

    Known For

    • Good wine list for such a small and isolated place
    • Traditional rewana (Māori bread)
    • Local Te Kuiti slow-cooked lamb shoulder

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Mon.--Fri.
  • 2. Twelve Tables Bar and Eatery

    $$

    Situated at Waitomo's General Store (which itself offers limited grocery items and souvenirs), this versatile eatery can serve as a café if you're just looking for a coffee with a scone or biscuit, but it also offers fresh cabinet-style food such as paninis and bagels that can be prepared on the spot, as well as a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Grab a comfortable and sunny spot near the window in the lounge-style seating area if you can, but there are plenty of standard tables and chairs. The outdoor deck is a good choice in the summer. Decor is fairly sparse, but there are some nice photos (for sale) of New Zealand landscapes on a couple of the walls. The eatery opens by 8 am each day.

    15 Village Rd, Waitomo, Waikato, 3943, New Zealand
    07-878--8613

    Known For

    • Slow-cooked sheep shank
    • Closing early (by 7 pm nightly)
    • Right next to i-Site
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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Recommended Fodor’s Video