3 Best Restaurants in Whitianga, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty

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We've compiled the best of the best in Whitianga - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Lukes Kitchen

$$

Found in the tiny village of Kūaotunu, this rustic seaside restaurant started out as a caravan and is now a lively spot where you can enjoy wood-fired pizzas, seafood, and local organic coffee. Over the summer months, there's often live music and regular barbecue nights, adding to the community feel. There's also a café and art gallery adjacent to the restaurant. 

20 Black Jack Rd., Whitianga, 3592, New Zealand
07-866–4480
Known For
  • Wood-fired pizza
  • Live music in summer
  • An upbeat vibe
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues. and Wed.

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Poivre & Sel

$$$$
The existence in a small seaside town of such a high-quality French fusion eatery pleasantly surprises many visitors. French chef Samuel Goslin remains true to classical French cuisine, at the same time allowing for the Kiwi taste for less salt and less fat. His wife Severine guides the front of house with a sophisticated yet relaxed ambience, whether inside or out in the cottage garden. Seasonal and local produce features options like Ora King salmon and Coromandel scallops.
2 Mill Rd., Whitianga, 3510, New Zealand
07-866--0053
Known For
  • <PRO>French classics like garlic snails</PRO>
  • <PRO>dish presentation that is more like art</PRO>
  • <PRO>two- or three-course degustation menus</PRO>
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Salt Restaurant and Bar

$$$

Put a slightly upscale yet still casual restaurant in a popular local hotel, with a waterside location in a vacation town, and you've got this can't-miss dining spot. There is casual pub dining in the bars, but Salt, with its alfresco dining by the palm-edged marina, is the star. The menu changes with the seasons, sometimes offering free-range pork belly with marinated prawns, seafood bouillabaisse, or grass-fed eye fillet. Bar snacks include lots of fresh seafood such as Coromandel mussels. Reservations are recommended in summer.

1 Blacksmith La., Whitianga, 3510, New Zealand
07-866–5818
Known For
  • Great raw bar with oysters and ceviche
  • Steamed mussels
  • Slow-roasted ribs sharing plate
Restaurant Details
No lunch Mon.

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