Michele H.'s
Hot Spots in Tauranga
- 12Me & YouTaurangaThe name of this new cafe is on everyone’s lips in Tauranga this week. The modern coffee house opened its doors, next to the famous Grindz on 1st Avenue on Monday, and is already receiving awesome reviews from coffee lovers.
- 21UpCycleGreertonThis cool new op shop opened in Tauranga’s op-shopping mecca - Greerton. All profits from the shop go towards supporting Tauranga Women’s Refuge, which helps local women and children to live free of violence and fear. Up Cycle brings the total number of opshops in Greerton to 10!
- 31The Hawker's WallTaurangaThis funky shop opened this week in Picadilly Arcade (which joins Grey St and Devonport Rd in downtown Tauranga) this week. It’s primarily a florist shop but also sells pre-loved retro and vintage clothes, home decor and other bits and pieces. I can’t wait to get in there and have a fossick.
- 43Spongedrop CakeryMount MaunganuiThe owner of this amazing bakery is local lass Danielle Cubis who makes AMAZING cupcakes, meringues, cakes - and probably a whole lot of other baked goods. She recently opened her cakery on Salisbury Ave (the road that heads to Pilot Bay) in Mount Maunganui. It’s the perfect place to call in for a coffee and cupcake before a stroll along the new boardwalk.
- 53White Lion & Co.Mt MaunganuiHigh-end fashionistas will love this store on the main street at the Mount. They specialise in mens’ and womens’ clothing and jewellery - a lot from Kiwi and Australian designers. A great place to go if you’re looking for something a bit different - a piece of jewellery or top that everyone else won’t be wearing!
Michele H.'s
Best restaurants to order seafood
- 16Mount BistroMount MaunganuiOwner and head chef Stephen Barry is renowned for his culinary mastery and he now runs cooking classes from his restaurant, a couple of hundred metres from the Main Mount Beach. You’d expect good seafood so close to the source and his paella is incredible, as are his scallops. A Mt Bistro regular even went as far as to say Barry’s paella was better than what she had tasted in Spain.
- 29La Barca Italian RestaurantMt MaunganuiThere are some great seafood offerings at this restaurant in downtown Mount Maunganui. I personally recommend the Gamberi fritti - Tiger prawns & scampi served with a giardiniera salsa. Cooked to perfection they are a seafood party for your tastebuds and are offered in entree or mains size. They also do an awesome seafood chowder served with sourdough and fluffy chilli prawns.
- 313Harbourside RestaurantTaurangaYou can sit on a deck over the harbour while eating amazing seafood dishes at this fine dining Tauranga restaurant. They serve a gluten free Coromandel oyster dish, gluten-free seafood chowder and a fresh pan-fried fish of the day. There’s also a fried oyster salad, crispy fried squid and steamed mussels in tom yum broth. If you’re after something more simple there’s even beer battered fish & chips. If you like seafood, this is a great place to dine!
- 44The Drawing RoomMount MaunganuiThis Mount Maunganui restaurant was formerly named Two Small Fish but a few years ago the owners gave it a spruce up and renamed it The Drawing Room. Most of their seafood dishes are on the starters menu and include raw kingfish, fried squid, chilli prawns and pan-fried scallops. Flick through your retro cookbook-style menu and you’ll find Hazelnut and Panko crumbed snapper and pan-fried hapuka, snapper or john dory offered as ‘mouth-water mains’.
- 56Nautilus Restaurant & Espresso BarSulphur PointThis restaurant is a beautiful water-side spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can sit out on the deck in the morning sun or at dusk and breath in the salt air. I always think sitting next to, or on, the water creates the perfect setting for enjoying a seafood meal. These guys aim to "accentuate the bounty of the sea" and offer Pacific oysters, scallops wrapped in a thin basil pancake, seafood chowder or linguini and Hanoi prawns.
Michele H.'s
My favourite Bay of Plenty restaurants
- 122Comida TaurangaTaurangaThis is top of my list for my husband and I. I can’t confidently walk past this place at the moment - if I plan to dine on The Strand in Tauranga - without feeling like another restaurant choice might leave me disappointed. I love the fact you can order a selection of tasty tapas and pizzas. No visit is complete without their calamari and the meat platter is great to share between two. Then for dessert the churros (which always remind me of my visit to Disneyland) are sooo good dipped in hot chocolate sauce.
- 27Gold MelaOtumoetaiIf you’re a parent wanting to escape for date night, this place is great. It’s located in Otumoetai - a suburb a few kilometres from the hassles of parking in town. There’s an amazing wine list to match the French cuisine. Keeping it authentic the restaurant is owned by friendly Freddy the Frenchman, who has employed a French chef. I usually order the pan-seared fish with hollandaise sauce or the chicken breast stuffed with mushroom and spinach and wrapped in prosciutto. Hubby also commented on how well his organic eye fillet was cooked too. The dessert list is impressive, but my favourite is the decadent chocolate pudding filled with hot chocolate sauce. YUM.
- 319Takara Japanese RestaurantTaurangaThis has to be the best place to get Asian-style cuisine in Tauranga. Their spacious restaurant on The Strand has a large outdoor area, making it a nice place to dine alfresco and watch the world go by. I’m pretty much a teriyaki chicken girl and love a good tempura prawn but I’m yet to find any tasty morsel at Takara that I don’t enjoy. It’s also a great place for big groups and the birthday boy or girl gets treated to happy birthday - complete with music - and an impressive free dessert.
- 43Little India TaurangaTaurangaIf I want a yummy curry - this is where I head. It’s a great Friday night option, either after a few drinks on The Strand or for quick and tasty takeways. I love that fact that when I order my favourite - Chicken Korma with a garlic naan - there’s usually enough left for a tasty lunch on Saturday too. The staff are friendly and the service is fast. There’s a handy loading zone out the front so even if it’s busy on The Strand there’s still somewhere to stop while you run in and collect your takeaways.
- 548The PhoenixTaurangaThis restaurant - again on The Strand in Tauranga - is taking out fifth spot on one dish alone - their $15 Thursday night chicken burger. It’s served with a few fries and some tomato sauce but the burger could easily stand alone. It’s a good ‘chick size’ meal filled with a generous amount of grilled chicken (which isn’t dry at all) some yummy sauces and enough salad to make you feel better about your food choice. The special gourmet burger menu also includes cute pork sliders which I haven’t tasted but have seen demolished by other women.
Michele H.'s
Best place to get a craft beer
- 111Brew Craft Beer PubTaurangaSince 2013, Paul Croucher and Nigel Gregory have been running this craft beer pub on The Strand in central Tauranga. They already had a successful Brew Bar in Rotorua and decided to meet the market in the Western Bay. They sell a wide range - including low alcohol craft beer - and are renowned for offering great live music on a weekend summer evening. decided it was time Tauranga had its own pub focused on the best craft beers New Zealand has to offer. BREW has the full range of Croucher Brewing beers on tap, including the latest seasonal releases, along with an ever-changing selection of other great NZ craft beers (on tap and in bottles), wines and ciders. Plus we have a wonderful Gastropub style menu chock full of our take on hearty classics.
- 21Mount Brewing Co.Mount MaunganuiThis bar on the main street of the Mount is relatively new but has a local back story stretching nearly two decades. The Meikles set up their own brewery at the Mount 17 years ago and in 2012 teamed up with seasoned bar owner Matt Hayward to bring their product to the punters. They bar now sells their seven core beers as well as seasonal beers such as the Mermaid’s Mirth and Resin Head Hoppy Red.
- 31Fitzpatrick's Brewing Co LtdPyes PaFitzpatrick’s Brewing Co was opened at Pyes Pa in 2012 by local couple Craig and Catherine Fitzpatrick. You can order their range of five brews online or head to their Pyes Pa brewery to fill a flagon on Friday nights between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. You can also get it on tap at local restaurants Mills Reef and Sommerset Cottage in Bethlehem and Vaudeville at the Mount.
- 41Rocky Knob Brewing CompanyMount MaunganuiMount Maunganui husband and wife team Stu and Bron have created this range of four locally brewed beers. Their brews are sold in flagons at local liquor stores and on tap at Mount bars and restaurants Mount Brewing Co., Four + Water Eatery and Vaudeville. You have to give them full marks for a sense of humour with a company name like Rocky Knob and beers including ‘Hen Pecked’ and ‘Snapperhead’.
- 51Liquorland Mt MaunganuiMt MaunganuiThis liquor store - and its Tauranga counterpart - have created the Liquorland Growler Stations within their stores. A growler - in case you were wondering - is the American and Canadian word for a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel jug used to transport draft beer. The stations offer 10 craft beers on tap so you can fill you vessel and take it home to enjoy at your leisure.
Michele H.'s
Best Florists in Tauranga
- 13Blanc Designer FloristTaurangaThese guys create amazing, modern bouquets that will put a smile on any recipients face. They also sell hampers offering combinations of blooms and food - great if you’re considering a change from the traditional red roses this Valentine’s Day. My favourite is the deluxe ‘Breakfast in Bed’ gift box containing a posy, ‘bon appetit’ linen napkin, fresh croissants, strawberry conserve, and either tea, coffee, hot chocolate or mini bottle of bubbles.
- 22Te Puke FloristTe PukeThis is a small town florist with an amazing selection on offer for Valentine’s Day. Their generous, bright bunches are always fresh and beautifully presented. Among the red rose selection is a hand-tied bouquet and a trio or roses. My favourite though is the six red roses in a golden box with red ribbon.
- 32Flower CrazyBrookfieldLocated in the suburbs, this florist is easy to stop at and more affordable than some of those that are having to pay high rents in the city centre. The owner - Dave - has been selling flowers in Tauranga for more than 20 years - initally from the back of a truck. He sells a great selection and will no doubt have some of the best deals on Valentine’s Day.
- 41This awesome local business has been running for about six years, specialising in flowers and styling for weddings and events of all kinds. You ‘ll also find them at the Little Big Markets selling wildflowers and seeds. This Valentines Day they are teaming up with local bakery Spoungedrop to create amazing Valentines bouquets and decadent delights at really great prices.
- 52Despite being busy arranging beautiful wedding blooms at the moment, Rosie has teamed up with local bakeries Nona’s and Sugar Town to create some gorgeous Valentine’s Day gifts. A bunch of wildflowers and six love-themed cupcakes are available at Sugar Town or you can order your beau flowers and a hand-delivered cake and love note from Nona’s Homemade Cakes.
Michele H.'s
Best places in Tauranga to get a good cup of coffee
- 110Luca CafeMount MaunganuiLocated on the main drag at the Mount this little cafe has a big reputation. The coffee is renowned for its consistent greatness. Fight hard for one of the sun-drenched outdoor tables and sit back and relax after a shopping session or day at the beach.
- 245Love Rosie BakeryTaurangaThis cafe makes it to a lot of my lists but certainly earns its place the one for best coffee. They make a fantastic flat white to go with which ever over-indulgent decadent morsel I’ve selected from the sweets cabinet. The perfect place to escape the world about 3pm.
- 38Sidetrack CafeMount MaunganuiI love this little cafe, tucked under the apartment towers on the Main Mount Beach. It’s been there for ages under the loving care of awesome barista and owner Petra-lee. It’s a great place to reward yourself after (or before) a walk around Mauao. Another spot where it’s worth fighting for an outdoor table.
- 414The Dry Dock CafeTaurangaIn case you’re not lounging around at the Mount, this inner city cafe is a favourite to escape from work. Again, there’s plenty of outdoor seating to catch some rays while you escape from the office. The business recently expanded into the neighbouring cafe too, so there’s plenty of room indoors and out. A great place for a business meeting over a good coffee.
- 54Excelso CoffeeTaurangaHidden in Third Ave West, this place is a coffee treasure in Tauranga and a great choice if you want to enjoy your brew in more peaceful surroundings. After 20 years in the coffee industry in Tauranga, last year Excelso created a beautiful, modern place to enjoy a coffee and watch the roasting process in action.