Manuka

Pizza the Way it Should Be.

Food

Service

Atmosphere

After a relaxing ferry ride across Auckland's Waitameta Harbour, and a game of soccer on one of the local sports fields; the team and myself began our hunt for a quality feed. After much deliberation we settled upon 'Manuka', right on Devonport's main street.

From the moment we walked in, we knew we had made a sound choice. We were instantly greeted with ''Hey guys, come right in" from a young waitress who seemed to know a something about soccer. We spent the next 10 minutes chatting to her about the game before even looking at the menu already laid out in front of us.

Even for a small settlement like Devonport, this place seemed packed on a Saturday afternoon. Such could only lead one to assume that the quality of the food is the cause. On recommendation from the waitress herself, I ordered a Smoked-Chicken wood-fired pizza. However, Manuka's menu is far from restricted to plain pizza. Also offered are breakfasts, and toasted sandwiches which from talking to one local at the opposite table “will fill you up for lunch and dinner”.

The service was astoundingly quick despite the general busyness of the place. In less than 15 minutes I was devouring the best pizza in my life. Containing in-house smoked chicken, brie, roasted cashews, and spinach with a cranberry sauce; the smoked chicken was the unanimous favourite among the team.

If you come here I recommend that you request to be seated outside - something we missed out on due to lack of tables; and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that can only be created by such a tranquil place as Devonport. 

Now, please excuse me as I get back to organising another Devonport soccer match (ahem...pizza feast) next weekend.