DEGUSTATION GUIDE: MT MAUNGANUI
Mt Maunganui is packed with local goodies. With a thriving surf culture and laid back lifestyle, we can see why it’s fast becoming the destination on everyones minds. Here’s our edit of top eateries to hit when your not at the Main.
Image @elspethbakery
Eddies & Elspeth
Our Pick For: Best Brunch Spot
I may be slightly bias as a local here but i'm pretty sure the almond croissant they make at Elspeth Bakery is one of the best i've ever eaten in my life. I'm allowed to say this because I used to live next to Lune in Melbourne (NY Times awarded best croissant in the world) and eaten my fair share there. Waiting an hour for a handful of pastries was great but ask me if id do it again? I'd say pop down to Elspeth instead. Lots of other bunch delights here plus Supreme coffee - you cant go wrong really. You can only go very very right.
Image George Cafe
George
Our Pick For: Best Coffee
Found in the heart of Mount Maunganui, George is widely regarded as one of the best 'have a yarn & coffee' joints you'll find down these ways. Serving Allpress coffee, roasted to perfection, its easy to see why its a local favourite.
Behind the counter are locally sourced goodies, all vegan and hearty as ever, the perfect match to go with your cuppa we say. Come on down! Ya people watching fiends.
91 Oceanbeach Road, Omanu, Mount Maunganui 3116
Image @soulboul
Soul Boul
Our Pick: Best Smoothie Bowl / Best People Watching
Delicious, nutritious goodness is what these two epic gals are dishing up behind the counter at Soul Boul. Their specialties lie in their ability to master the ancient art of Superfoods by sourcing the highest quality ingredients, supporting local business & going organic whenever possible. Soul Boul have recently made the move to a permanent location on the main strip of Mt Maunganui. It gets the best mid morning sun and best for people watching too. We're so pumped to see what this duo come up with in their new space. Keep an eye out!
Image @palacemount
Palace
Our Pick: Best Burger
Alright.. your belly’s rumbling, you wanna go somewhere that feels like home. It’s ok! We all need comfort food sometimes. Palace will fix you right up. A family run business, these guys are the epitome of what being a Mt local is all about. Good food, no bull, good vibes all round. They even stock natural wines for that saucy soul who loves a good natty. Hit these guys up for your 12pm fuel up.
PSA: We strongly advise against scrolling their Instagram if you’re hungry.. bad move on our end
Image @elcartelnz
El Cartel
Our Pick For: Best Mexican
El Cartel delivers punchy, authentic flavours from the streets of Mexico City. Serving up crowd faves of tacos, nachos, burritos, quesadillas and burrito bowls. Toppings include pulled beef, pork and chicken, and Miguel (owner / operator) marinates and cooks the meat in his own style, topping
it off with fresh housemade salsas. There are delicious vege options too, including nopalitos con queso (cactus with cheese).
Image @ricericebabynz
Rice Rice Baby
Our Pick: Best Vietnamese / Most Instagrammable
We are quite frankly obsessed with these guys. With a name like Rice Rice Baby where can you go wrong. Their logo? Cute little cherries? I mean.. Its just begging for you to come in and take as many pictures as possible. Your iphone camera roll will be a blur of bright pinks and vibrant tablecloths. This could easily be the most instragrammable place on our list.
We haven't even started on the food! Authentic traditional (but very fun) Vietnamese. Its a winner in our eyes. Try the crispy pork spring rolls. You wont regret it.
Image @alpinomount
Alpino
Our Pick: Best Italian
Its often hard to find a pizza joint thats to everyones liking. Some like their pizza woodfired, some like it NY style, some like it sitting on the couch in their PJ's at home watching The Office re-runs on a Saturday night. I digress - Alpinos is here to please them all.
A local favourite, it gets the best afternoon Aperol Spritz sun which turns into warm pizza delight in the early evening. Its got all the warmth, flavour, and vivaciousness of Italy melded together with NZ's beautiful local produce.
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Fife Lane
Our Pick: Best Fancy Date Night
Think classy cocktails with mood lighting amid the natural textures of wood and brick. View a selection of aged meat displayed in a custom glass, meat locker inspired by butcheries of the past, or choose from our specially selected vintage wines stored with care in our designated wine room. If you're looking to impress on your first date, or maybe your parents are in town - this is the perfect place to show off your exquisite culinary taste.
What we love: They use fresh, local and sustainable produce. Only working with the best of the best and making sure they’re giving back to the pockets who deserve it most.
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Mount Made
Our Pick: Best Ice Cream
I scream you scream we all scream for small batched ice cream! Mount Made ice cream are your go‑to for experimental flavours, vegan delights, plus gran’s classics in the mix.. you’d be silly to skip this one. Extra brownie points for using local ingredients where possible, they’ve won over our soft serve hearts. Grab a delicious looking scoop to top off your Palace burger. Lord have mercy on your tummy.
Image @solerawine
Solera
Our Pick: Best Wine Bar
Although one of the newer faces on the block, Solera have already begun to solidify themselves among the 'must visits' if you're passing through the area. Largely a wine bar they focus exclusively on the small New Zealand wine producers. Still thoroughly enjoy all the popular grape varietals, their true love however is showcasing the lesser-known varietals and blends. Their chefs work tirelessly to create and design an innovative sharing menu that is best described as modern hearth cooking, with a focus on local ingredients.
Sea People
Our Pick: Best New Kid On The Block
Scooping up some of the best creamy goodness (and all plant based mind you) we’re loving the flavours coming out from the team at Sea People. Getting onto the collaboration train, they’ve teamed up with brands such as Honest Rum and Unkle Wine to create some mouth watering flavours. Drop in to their HQ’s at 143 Maunganui Road.
143 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui 3116