Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990

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BOOK your NZ JOURNEY
Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990
BOOK your NZ JOURNEY

Dining Highlights in the Northland

Photo: Sage, The Lindis Group

The Northland is New Zealand’s more northernmost region and a haven for sun-seekers and water enthusiasts. Activities in this area include museums, sailing and golf. Restaurants in the two largest town centers reflect the region’s fresh, local produce and coastal environment. This blog post highlights a few locations we recommend to check out if you are in this area for a few days:

Photo: Charlotte's Kitchen
Photo: Charlotte's Kitchen
Photo: Charlotte's Kitchen plates
Photo: Charlotte's Kitchen plates
Photo: Terra- Paihia
Photo: Terra- Paihia
Photo: Terra Restaurant
Photo: Terra Restaurant
Photo: The Tipsy Oyster
Photo: The Tipsy Oyster

Paihia’s Diverse Palate

Paihia is a bustling seaside town with a number of cafés and restaurants along the water. A few options include:

  • Charlotte’s Kitchen is a favorite for locals and offers a menu with pizzas and tacos- perfect for a relaxed evening under the pohutukawa trees.
  • For a more sophisticated meal, Terra is the place to focus on when downtown in Paihia. This restaurant presents a degustation-style experience, showcasing seasonal ingredients and innovative culinary techniques.
  • If tapas are more your style we suggest the ever-popular Tipsy Oyster. It’s located right across from the beach and offers a selection of small plates which are perfect for sharing.
  • For seafood you may want to try Green’s. It offer both Thai and Indian options along with a unique service: they’ll expertly prepare any fish you catch yourself!
  • There are also fish and chips stations in town, as with many seaside towns within New Zealand.

Russell’s Culinary Gems

Across the bay, lies Russell, a historic town steeped in charm. This quaint town offers its own distinct dining experiences, including:

  • The restaurant at The Duke of Marlborough hotel. Great for fine-dining aficionados, this restaurant is renowned for service and excellent cuisine.
  • For a more casual yet flavorful option, head to Hone’s Garden. Its menu focuses on fresh, local ingredients.
  • Sage Restaurant rounds out Russell’s culinary scene. Although further out of town, this fine-dining restaurant focuses on seasonal produce and contemporary New Zealand cuisine.
20170925_2-dining-room1
Duke of Marlborough outdoor seating
Photo: Sage outdoor dining
Photo: Sage, The Lindis Group
Photo: Hones - NZ herald
Photo: Hones outdoor
Photo: Hones Pergola and indoor seating

Beyond the Plate

If exploring the Northland you will find that the dining scene extends beyond the restaurants themselves. On Saturdays, don’t miss exploring the region’s farmers’ market s which are brimming with fresh fruits, vegetables, and artisan products. This area is an up and coming wine region, so a day sampling locally-made wines at a vineyard, or taking a bottle on a seafood tour is certainly a nice way to spend a day.