Fodor's Expert Review Maketu Beachside Cafe

With a wraparound enclosed porch overlooking the beach, and a menu focused on fresh local seafood, this is as good a place to take time out and enjoy the superslow pace of Maketu. It's not high end—what's different here is the local quirkiness and historic location. The café sits on the shore where one of the migratory canoes, Te Arawa, landed several hundred years ago, and there are monuments here to remember this and other early history. The café also serves takeout, if you want a casual picnic on the beach. Open 10 to 7 weekdays, 9 to 8 weekends.