Cider
NZ$10.00
Nouveau
Moa Rhubarb & Apple Cider
Elizabeth Cafe & Larder · Tauranga
New-zealand
Discover the best restaurants, dishes, and local cuisine in Tauranga, New-zealand. Read authentic reviews, browse menus, and find your perfect dining experience.
Tauranga's culinary scene thrives on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, particularly seafood and produce from the Bay of Plenty region. Expect a focus on clean, vibrant flavors, often incorporating Māori culinary traditions with modern techniques.
Small, delicate whitebait (tiny juvenile fish) are mixed with egg and flour to form a fritter, then pan-fried until golden brown. A classic New Zealand dish, often served with lemon wedges.
A creamy and hearty soup filled with a variety of locally caught seafood like snapper, mussels, and prawns. Often flavored with herbs and vegetables, perfect for a cooler evening.
A traditional Māori cooking method where food (typically meats, vegetables, and root crops) is cooked in an underground oven lined with heated rocks. The food is slow-cooked, resulting in a smoky and earthy flavor.
Kūmara, a type of sweet potato introduced by Māori, features prominently in Tauranga cuisine. It can be roasted, mashed, fried, or used in soups and desserts.
Feijoas, a unique subtropical fruit, are abundant in the Bay of Plenty. This crumble features the tangy feijoa filling topped with a buttery, oaty crumble.
To fully experience Tauranga's culinary scene, consider these tips for discovering hidden gems and making the most of your gastronomic adventure.
The Bay of Plenty region is home to several vineyards producing award-winning wines. Take a wine tour and sample local varietals paired with regional cuisine.
The Bay of Plenty is known as the 'Kiwifruit Capital' of New Zealand. Take a tour of a kiwifruit orchard to learn about the fruit's cultivation and sample fresh kiwifruit products.
Bay of Plenty
Tauranga's cuisine is a reflection of its rich Māori heritage and subsequent European settlement. Traditional Māori cooking techniques like the hāngī, utilizing underground ovens, were central to their diet. European settlers brought farming practices and introduced new ingredients, which over time have blended with native foods to create a unique culinary landscape.
Food in Tauranga is more than just sustenance; it's a way to connect with the region's history, culture, and community. From farmers' markets to marae feasts, food plays a central role in social gatherings and celebrations.
Attending a hākari, a traditional Māori feast held on a marae (meeting ground), is a unique opportunity to experience authentic Māori cuisine and hospitality. These feasts are often part of important cultural events.
Tauranga's farmers' markets showcase the region's abundance of fresh produce, seafood, and artisanal products. They are a great place to meet local growers and producers and sample the best of the Bay of Plenty.
Given Tauranga's coastal location, seafood is a staple of the local diet. Fishing has always been a significant part of the region's economy and culture, and fresh seafood is readily available in restaurants and markets.