Our 5 favorite Mangawhai Restaurants
Mangawhai is one of those places that is full of surprises. With stunning coastal views and dramatic rolling hills, a harbour that is bursting with atmosphere and some of the best food in Northland – you’ll be spoiled for choice on your next family holiday here (we have over 50 mangawhai baches for you to check out!).
But let’s talk about the FOOD. Mangawhai is one of those unassuming destinations that blows visitor’s away by the excellent culinary scene. From family-friendly, affordable dining options, to restaurants that are worth the splurge – your appetite won’t be disappointed here.
We’ve found five of the tastiest Mangawhai restaurants – sure to delight your taste buds…
1. Mangawhai Tavern ($$)
Located in a 19th century building, the Mangawhai Tavern is as much about historical culture as it is creating fantastic culinary experiences and a fun atmosphere! Their family friendly dining area is perfectly placed so that any sport enthusiasts can easily pop over to the sports bar and the garden bar is often complimented with a local musician playing great tunes throughout the afternoon and night. They offer perfectly chilled local brews, stone fired pizzas and ocean views for miles – what more could you honestly want?
Cuisine: Pub food
Price: $10-$25
Address: 2 Moir Street, Mangawhai
Opening times: 11AM-1PM
Contact: 09 431 4505
2. Bennetts of Mangawhai ($$)
Bennetts of Mangawhai is reason enough to visit this Northland town in the first place, and is considered somewhat of an institution here! Their kid friendly, cosy atmosphere is perfectly complimented by their coffee and hot chocolates. While they offer a range of delicious savoury items on their brunch menu, those with a sweet tooth will really enjoy the Bennetts chocolate shop located just next door. Plus, we must admit, they have the best date scones in Northland (you heard it here first!).
Cuisine: Brunch
Price: $4-$30
Address: 52 Moir Streeet, Mangawhai
Opening times: 8AM-4PM
Contact: 09 431 5072
3. Frog and Kiwi ($$$)
One of the best Mangawhai restaurants is Frog and Kiwi. This French restaurant is a rare find for NZ and offers some of the best French cuisine in the country (yeah, we went there!). They offer a French themed menu for breakfast and lunch, but the real winner is their dinner. If you decide to treat yourself and dine here, you might as well do it right. Order their snails for a modest appetiser, their duck or lamb kidneys for the main and top it off with their chocolate fondant for dessert. But not to worry – for those that are vegetarian or gluten free, there are plenty of mouth-watering options for you too. Last but not least – there’s plenty of French wine to sip on as well!
Cuisine: French and European
Price: $10-$38
Address: 6 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai
Opening times: 8:30AM-2:30PM; 6PM-10PM
Phone: 09 431 4439
Hours: Sat + Sun 8:30-2:30 / 6PM-2:30PM
4. Sandbar Eatery Mangawhai ($$$)
Specialising in local produce and brilliant coffee, Sandbar Eatery Mangawhai is a beloved favourite amongst locals and visitors alike – and for good reason. For breakfast, make sure to get their eggs benedict topped with freshly whipped hollandaise sauce and grilled bacon. If you’re there for lunch or dinner, their burgers are paired with a brioche bun and freshly cut fries that will leave your taste buds thrilled. But their prawn tacos come in a close second! While the prices are a bit higher, the contemporary dishes on offer make this place a must visit while on holiday!
Cuisine: Café, Contemporary
Price: $4-$32
Address: 7 Wood Street, Mangawhai
Opening times: 9AM-3PM; 6PM-9PM
Phone:09-431-5587
5. Tau Lin Chinese Takeaways ($)
When it comes to getting an easy yet tasty Mangawhai takeaway, Tau Lin Chinese is the place! After along day at the beach, takeaways become a necessity. You might not expect this unassuming takeaway shop to be the obvious go-to in this Northland town, but trust us, it’s a very pleasant surprise! Offering the best of both worlds, they have wontons, chop suoy and egg fuyong for those wanting Chinese, but also do the classic fish and chips or burgers for those wanting more of a Kiwi classic. A win-win in our book!
Cuisine: Chinese
Price: $5-$15
Address:6 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai
Opening times: 11AM-9:30PM daily except Mondays
Phone: 09 431 4371
Are you craving a family holiday in Mangawhai yet? Now that your meals are all sorted, check out our Mangawhai holiday homes and start planning your next trip now!
