4 Best Restaurants in Whanganui, North Island's West Coast

The local newspaper used to be produced in this historic building, but the premises now house a friendly café that doubles as a retro clothes and arts store. A large communal wooden table takes pride of place near the streetside windows, so this is a great place to chat with locals or just people-watch while you enjoy a cup of organic, fair-trade coffee. It is also known for its biscuits and cakes; the gluten-free chocolate and prune tart with blackberries is a popular choice.

This relaxed bar–restaurant specializes in pizzas, burgers, light meals, salads, and meaty main courses. It's also a music venue and hosts weekly quiz nights. There's a strong Kiwi character here, with wool presses for bar stands and giant screens for watching sports.

Join the locals at this cozy café, spread throughout the veranda, garden, and several intimate rooms of an old, mostly yellow villa. It serves a full breakfast/brunch menu with all the classics as well as wholesome, house-cooked lunches. It's located across the road from the river and a two-minute drive from the city center. The cafe caters well to vegetarians and vegans (try the haloumi stack with roasted kumara, wilted greens, and smoked capsicum [roasted red peppers]) but for meat eaters, one of the best things on the menu is the ginger beer pulled-pork burger.