Other restaurants in Pacific
-
Shoreline
A spiffy, modern cafe-bar-restaurant right on the beach. Punters chill on the sunny deck, lingering over panini, pizzas, pasta or fresh fish, but you can also just pop in for coffee and a jumbo muffin. Erratic winter hours; take-away booth out the back.
reviewed
-
Bloody Mary’s
Bloody Mary’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an experience, especially at dinner. You walk on sand floors, sit on coconut stools under a thatched roof and are surrounded by exotic plants. The food impresses, too; you choose your meal from an extensive display at the entrance, with a presentation in English. Fish lovers will get a buzz here, with a tantalising array of lagoon fish and pelagics, but dedicated carnivores are also well catered for, with meat cooked the American-barbecue way. A bit touristy, but it’s a concept that has been cult since 1979, and it’s a favourite with celebrities, so go with the flow.
reviewed
-
Bushmans Centre
The Bushmans Centre is an overly rustic cafe-shop with a pathological distrust of possums, animal rights activists and Aucklanders. Inside is a souvenir shop and the Bushmans Museum, laying on blokey bush humour with a 20-minute video on local industry, anti-possum displays and some giant eels. The cafe offers snacks like possum jerky, possum pie and possum pâté. Outside in a paddock are chamois and thar that look happier than the caged possums inside.
reviewed
-
Le St James
Don’t be deterred by the odd location – the place is hidden in the back of a small shopping centre in Vaitape – for once inside, you’ll find French specialities with a bow to local ingredients, such as blanc de volaille aux cèpes et riz à l’ananas (poultry with cep mushrooms and rice with pineapple). Let the sea breeze whip through your hair while dining alfresco on the deck above the lagoon. Lunch is a tamer (and less expensive) affair, with salads, burgers and grilled fish.
reviewed
-
A
Bodhi Tree
Closed until further notice.
Christchurch’s only Burmese restaurant is also one of the city’s best eateries. Don’t come expecting bold flavours from neighbouring Thailand, but look forward to subtle food crafted from exceptionally fresh ingredients. Standout dishes include the le pet thoke (pickled tea leaf salad) and the ciandi thoke (grilled eggplant). Meat and seafood also feature. Dishes are entrée-sized so drum up a group and sample lots of different flavours. Bookings are essential.
reviewed
-
B
Kai Kart
Owned by a mussel farmer, the seafood at this tiny caravan of cuisine is exceptionally fresh. The sweet-as-sweet blue cod could be the best fish you’ll ever have, and the mussels with spicy satay sauce aren’t far behind. Park yourself in an interior booth, grab an outside table, or eat your goodies on the beach. Don’t blame us if you’ve finished them before you get there.
reviewed
-
C
Duo
Just off Invercargill’s main drag, the elegant Duo has good-value lunch specials (all $15) and a more expensive evening menu. Standout menu items include smoked salmon, herb-and-feta-crusted pork steaks, and oven-baked blue cod. The wine list travels mainly to nearby Central Otago for some hard-to-find boutique tipples.
reviewed
-
D
Indian Café
This open-plan, saffron-coloured Edwardian villa houses an Indian restaurant that keeps the bhaji raised with impressive interpretations of Anglo-Indian standards, such as chicken tandoori, rogan josh and beef madras. Share the mixed platter to start, then mop up your mains with one of 10 different breads.
reviewed
-
E
Lotus Heart
Closed until further notice.
This organic, vegetarian eatery does curries, freshly squeezed juices and filled pita pockets. There’s another more central branch above the i-SITE in Cathedral Sq with longer opening hours, which operates as a more spacious restaurant with tasty veg pizzas and casseroles (mains $8 to $16).
reviewed
-
Organic Market & Café
Rejecting Stirling’s pompous tendencies, hirsute Hill-types flock to this vibrant, hippie cafe. It’s the busiest spot in town – and rightly so; the food’s delicious and everything’s made with love. Gorge on bruschetta, plump savoury muffins, great coffee and wicked Portuguese custard tarts.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Driving Creek Cafe
A large selection of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, organic and fair-trade delights awaits at this funky mud-brick cafe. The food is wonderful – beautifully presented, fresh and healthy. Once sated, the kids can play in the sandpit while the adults check their email.
reviewed
-
G
Sweet Mother’s Kitchen
Perpetually full, predominantly with young cool cats, Sweet Mother’s serves dubious takes on the Deep South, such as burritos, nachos, the po’ boys and the New Orleans muffaletta. Key lime pie is about as authentic as it gets. It’s cheap, cute, has great cakes and gets good sun.
reviewed
-
Blue Duck Inn
Beside the Cobungra River, about 30km north of Omeo, you’ll find the legendary Blue Duck Inn Hotel, popular with fly-fishers, canoeists and bushwalkers. Comfy self-contained cabins sleep up to eight. The hotel serves superb country meals and there’s a good riverside barbecue area.
reviewed
-
H
Beach House Café & Bar
Serving the best brunch and coffee in town, this chipper roadside cafe garners more than its fair share of the passing trade. Sit on the front terrace or back deck and reconstitute with green eggs and ham, fish and chips or seafood chowder. Good counter food, too.
reviewed
-
I
Onba
Quirky Onba is a bit of everything – brilliant breakfast cafe, great lunchtime cook-house and happenin’ evening tapas and wine bar. Local art adorns the walls and food-art is done in the kitchen. Buy a coffee (or anything) and get 30 minutes complimentary wi-fi.
reviewed
-
J
Indian Star
Getting rave reviews from travellers, this is one of several Indian eateries around town, elevating itself above the competition with immaculate service and marvellous renditions of subcontinental classics. Generous portions and a good vegetarian selection.
reviewed
-
K
Pimarn Thai
As gaudy as every good Thai restaurant should be – there’s plenty of gold and glass bling on the walls and around the necks of the serving staff. The lengthy menu features all Thailand’s blockbuster dishes, including a tasty pad thai.
reviewed
-
L
Bella Cucina
A top-shelf Italian eatery has been long overdue in Queenstown – as of 2008 that role has been taken by this beautiful kitchen. Fresh pasta and risotto are highlights while the pizza is good for sharing. Beautiful, simple food done just right.
reviewed
-
Parua Bay Tavern
A magical spot on a summer’s day, Parua Bay Tavern is a friendly pub set on a thumb-shaped peninsula, with a sole pohutukawa blazing red against the green water. Grab a seat on the deck, a cold beverage and a decent pub meal.
reviewed
-
M
Kilim Café
Authentic Turkish cuisine in a rather smart cafe environment, adorned with suitably Ottoman cushions and wall hangings. Kebabs, felafel, hummus, dolmas, pide and meze – all fresh and every one tasty. Eat in or take away.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
N
Orca
A day started at Orca’s window seat, looking over the water, with some eggs Benedict and a superb coffee is a day well launched. Come back in the evening for seafood paella, wine appreciation nights and live music.
reviewed
-
Grassy Club
The chef in the restaurant here can be hit-and-miss, but at least he’s ambitious. Expect creative mains utilising produce from around the island (often involving cheese) served attentively in discreet surrounds.
reviewed
-
Pipi
Shockingly pink with candy stripes and mismatched furniture, Pipi cheekily thumbs its nose at small-town conventionality. The food focus is on simple pasta dishes and Roman-style thin-crusted pizza.
reviewed
-
Point
In a prime sunset-watching spot overlooking a jetty, this BYO place is Derby’s best, with delicious seafood. The barramundi and croc steaks are popular. It also does takeaway.
reviewed
-
O
Nakontong Thai Restaurant
Although the bright lighting may not induce romance, the tangy Thai dishes should provide a warm glow.
reviewed
