Our Favourite Restaurants Around Kerikeri & the Bay of Islands
One of the questions we’re asked most often by guests is where should we eat?
Fortunately, there is plenty of choice. Kerikeri has everything from relaxed local favourites to vineyard dining, while Paihia and Russell have some excellent restaurants worth including in a day out around the Bay of Islands.
These aren’t intended to be a definitive list of every restaurant in the region. They’re some of the places we enjoy and regularly recommend to our guests.
Kerikeri
Kai Mata
A small boutique restaurant and one of our favourite choices in Kerikeri. The food is excellent, as are the cocktails and mocktails, making it a good choice when you’re looking for somewhere a little special without anything feeling overly formal.
Marsden Estate
Just a short drive from Treghan, Marsden Estate is a lovely choice for a leisurely vineyard lunch. The restaurant overlooks the vines and lake, with food designed to complement Marsden’s own wines.
Allow some time. This is somewhere to enjoy rather than rush.
Plough & Feather
It’s hard to beat the location. Plough & Feather sits beside the Kerikeri River, directly opposite the historic Stone Store.
It’s equally suitable for a drink or something light as it is for a full meal, and works particularly well combined with a visit to the Kerikeri Basin and Kororipo Heritage Park.
Café Jerusalem
A long-standing Kerikeri favourite serving traditional Middle Eastern food. It’s relaxed, full of character and a good choice for lunch or dinner. Takeaways are available too.
Madly Indian
A good local choice when you’re in the mood for Indian food, with an extensive menu and takeaway available as well as dining in.
Chang Siam
Authentic Thai cuisine and another restaurant we regularly recommend for an easy lunch or dinner in Kerikeri.
Paihia
Terra
If you’re spending the day in Paihia or want to make an evening of it, Terra is one of our recommendations for a special dinner.
It offers a more refined dining experience and is a good choice for couples looking for somewhere memorable during their Bay of Islands stay.
Russell
Russell is worth a visit in its own right, and lunch or dinner can easily become part of the day.
Sage at Paroa Bay
One of our favourite choices when heading towards Russell. Sage focuses on local produce and combines very good food with the beautiful setting of Paroa Bay.
It’s particularly good if you’d like the meal itself to be part of the day’s experience rather than simply somewhere to stop and eat.
The Gables
Right on the Russell waterfront, The Gables combines its historic setting with lovely views across the water. A good choice for a leisurely lunch or dinner while you’re in Russell.
The Duke of Marlborough
Another classic Russell choice, with one of the best-known waterfront positions in the Bay of Islands. Sit outside on a fine day and enjoy the view across the water while you eat.
Sometimes you just want something easy
Not every meal needs to be an occasion.
After a day exploring, sometimes it’s much nicer to pick up dinner, come back to your guesthouse and settle in for the evening.
Kerikeri has plenty of takeaway choices, including Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern food, pizzas, gourmet burgers and fish and chips. We keep a separate takeaway list for our guests, alongside our more comprehensive list of local restaurants and cafés.
Just ask us
Opening days and hours can change, particularly outside the summer season, so it’s always worth checking before making plans.
Guests staying at Treghan don’t need to research everything before they arrive. We provide comprehensive restaurant, café and takeaway suggestions, and we’re always happy to help narrow them down.
Tell us whether you’re looking for a special dinner, a long vineyard lunch, somewhere casual after a day out, or simply a good takeaway to enjoy back at your guesthouse, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Celebrate, then stay a little longer
A special occasion is even better when you have time to enjoy it. Stay a little longer and there is time for the celebration itself as well as slow mornings, favourite places and perhaps a few new discoveries around the Bay of Islands.
And if the best plan for one of those days is no plan at all, your private guesthouse and the gardens are a very good place to spend it.
Planning a special stay?
Tell us what you are celebrating and when you would like to come. We can help you choose the right guesthouse, add a few thoughtful touches and, if you would like, help with dining and experiences during your stay.
Contact Details
Email: [email protected] Tel: 64 9 407 1311
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Kerikeri?
Kerikeri has a good range of dining, from casual local favourites to more special-occasion restaurants and vineyard lunches. Some of the places we regularly recommend include Kai Mata, Marsden Estate, Plough & Feather, Café Jerusalem, Madly Indian and Chang Siam.
Do I need to book restaurants in advance in the Bay of Islands?
We recommend booking for popular restaurants, particularly for dinner, weekends and during the summer months. Opening days can also vary seasonally, so it is worth checking ahead.
Are there good restaurants in Russell and Paihia?
Yes. In Russell, we particularly recommend Sage at Paroa Bay, The Gables and the Duke of Marlborough. In Paihia, Terra and Charlottes Kitchen are two of our favourites for a special dinner.
Can you recommend restaurants during our stay at Treghan?
Absolutely. We provide guests with comprehensive restaurant, café and takeaway suggestions and are always happy to recommend somewhere to suit what you’re looking for.
Can we get takeaway food in Kerikeri?
Yes. Kerikeri has plenty of takeaway choices including Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern food, pizza, burgers and fish and chips, which can be enjoyed back at your private guesthouse.