Planning a dinner in Mount Maunganui or somewhere in Tauranga? The challenges are aplenty – bringing tables together, splitting bills, begging the waiter to please let us squeeze in just ONE more chair! 

Most people don’t realise that it’s not them – it’s the venue. Some spots really aren’t just built for big crews, and that’s okay! Fortunately for you, our team has a special list up our sleeves of all the group dining spots worth your time.

If you’re in the Bay of Plenty, here are the only places to consider booking!

1. Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar

At Fife Lane, the venue itself is an experience – from its stylish, open-plan design to the spa-like bathrooms. Because of the modern interior and flow of space, it’s an ideal spot for various events like weddings and birthdays.

What earned our favour for special occasions is the quality of their service. The waitstaff are all attentive, and the pacing of the courses was well-managed. They even have personalised gestures (like signed anniversary cards), which elevated the experience.

The menu is packed with many dishes that you’ll often find in more high-end locations. In particular, we were obsessed with their beef Wellington, which had a level of tenderness that almost melts in your mouth.

For tapas-style sharing, the liver parfait and filet steak are good options, considering the portions and how easily they can be cut down. They have an extensive cocktail selection too, with a highlight on their signature dessert cocktails.

The place is among the more expensive options on this list. If you want to enjoy a full dining experience here, expect to spend at least $100.

Additionally, you’ll be best off making a reservation at least 2 weeks ahead of time to secure a table.

Beautifully presented food 

“We dined here to celebrate the start of a ‘hens weekend’ and I highly recommend Fife Lane for any special celebration. Our table ordered a selection of all entrees, starters and sides, tapas style and found there was plenty to share (we had loads of leftovers). Flavours were amazing, and it was beautifully presented- we couldn’t fault any of our selection. The liver parfait was devine, as was the softshell crab 😋👌Great selection of cocktails available too.”

Sam Roff | Google Reviews

Delightful food and attentive service

“It was a magnificent evening. Perfect for our wedding anniversary.

Waitress was attentive, food was delightful. Such a lovely setting.”

Lizzie Dee | Google Reviews

2. Umami Fusion Kitchen

Known by locals for their creative Japanese-Asian fusion menu, Umami Fusion Kitchen accommodates large groups with ease. We find it to be a solid spot when it comes to various events, particularly for birthdays and small work functions. 

During our visits, we observed how they can easily cater to groups of 12 to 20, thanks to their flexible seating. For private functions, there’s a dedicated room with a single large table. It’s not the best for big events, but pretty ideal for more intimate or casual ones.

We liked that they featured a good mix of familiar Asian food, including beef tataki, yellow curry with chicken thighs, and baby potatoes. We also loved their deep-fried eggplant and chocolate wontons, which are perfect sides for every meal.

Their staff were also commendable, as they handled dietary requirements and last-minute food adjustments with ease. We visited on 5 separate occasions, and the service was fast and personable every time.

The food is actually generally good, but there were a handful of times when the meat felt a bit uncooked. However, this doesn’t seem to be an ongoing problem, and the overall experience remains a solid one.

Caters to a large group

“Devine food! Great service and catered to our large group of 20 people very well especially with diet requirements. Will be back for sure couldn’t rave about this place and food enough! 👌🏻 …”

Charlotte Fairhurst | Google Reviews

Knowledgeable staff and amazing food

“Our first time to Umami Fusion Kitchen. Great atmosphere and amazing staff. A different experience as all the food is shared. We were a group of 12 and their system was new to most of us. Tom , the young waiter was absolutely brilliant. He explained how it worked to one end of the table, then came down to the other end and went through it again to make sure everyone was clear. He knew all the dishes, how they were prepared, the spice content  (as some of us couldn’t tolerate spicy dishes) and the quantities. It was hard to order shared dishes for 12 so we deviated from their normal protocol and ended up ordering a starter each and a main each which we just shared.”

Brian Nicholson | Google Reviews

3. Jais Aben Restaurant

Located in downtown Tauranga, Jais Aben has flexible spaces perfect for events of various group sizes and needs. They have two private rooms: the family room that can accommodate up to 12 guests, and a function space for up to 50 guests.

We’re happy to note that their menu carries many flexible options. Some offerings include three-course meals, grazing tables, and canapé packages. They also support dietary preferences with vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.

Their signature dishes are absolutely divine – we loved their duck pappardelle with the slow-cooked duck ragu blending perfectly with the pasta. The lamb rump has a nice seared crust, with a beautiful, meaty taste. 

The ambience is also among the best we’ve seen. It has this nice, upscale feel with its open windows, balcony views, and tasteful lighting. There’s even live piano music from Wednesday to Saturday.

Just take note that if you’re arriving during peak hours (typically lunch and dinner), parking near the restaurant is almost impossible. The sweet spot is booking after 5:00 PM on weekdays when the spaces are a lot more open.

Absolutely delicious food

“Look no further!  I highly recommend this restaurant. We had a company dinner at Jais Aben recently.  There were about 52 of us.  Peter worked with me all through the pre-planning process to ensure our function would be a success.  We were given an awesome welcome and the service was fantastic.  The food was absolutely delicious and the team went out of their way to ensure we had a great time.  A beautiful venue for sure!”

Liz Widelko | Google Reviews

Lovely meals

“My partner and I had a lovely meal here tonight. Portions are on the smaller side perhaps ( excluding the cheesecake ) but everything we ate was beautiful, including all veg, salad and sauces . The burnt butter sauce that was paired with my flounder was stunning.  The service was very attentive and friendly.”

Naomi Tanner | Google Reviews

4. The Freeport with Cleaver & Co

What we liked best about The Freeport is that they have a solid range of function spaces that can accommodate up to 150 guests. Furniture can be easily arranged based on the type of event, including corporate and family celebrations.

The menu is simple, but we like that they offer many familiar food classics for a big, hearty meal. Some of their best-sellers include their beef brisket, burgers and fries, and the smoked salmon bowl.

Prices are generally within average rates, with each person expecting to spend around $30 to $40. With more orders in place (over 5 dishes), though, we calculated the average to be $70 to $80 per person. This already includes drinks and desserts.

Their efficiency with large groups was also observable. When we arrived as a party of 10, all of our orders arrived within 15 minutes, which surprised us.

Plus, the venue itself has a safe outdoor area for kids and is accessible for those with mobility needs.

The only downside is that the food sometimes comes out a little less well than expected in terms of quality. With a little more consistency with dishes, we’re sure they can take things to the next level.

Speedy food service

“I was there as part of a large group, expected food to appear at different times because of that. Food came out quickly, for the whole group and was great”

Ian H | Google Reviews

Very pleasant experience

“We combined our group + kids with family visitors + kids from Australia on one of the Leaners just outside. It was very pleasant and with good service. The kids could run around the outside area safely without bothering anyone.”

Brevet Skilton | Google Reviews

5. The Phoenix

As a Monteith’s Craft Beer Bar, The Phoenix is that ideal spot for a casual, spontaneous eat out with friends. The setting is polished, but it still has that relaxed feel, making it flexible for birthdays or a night out with workmates.

They carry a lot of high-quality comfort food, perfect for friends who want a no-fuss dining experience. Some popular options include their chicken burger, Tex-Mex pizza, and pork belly bites.

Everything is well-cooked, with just the right level of taste that’s easy to mix and match with any dish. Portions are generous too, so it’s easy to share food with your company even if you order individual plates.

For families, it’s nice that they have a kid-friendly menu. Plus, their team is super attentive and proactive, often making suggestions to make big groups feel more comfortable. 

While they do have platters, there aren’t any set menus available for groups, so it’s up to your buddies to strategise with your orders. Take note that the venue can be quite loud too, though many say they love the energy of the place.

Great service and food

“Great service and food, friendly helpful staff. The steak was cooked how I like (medium) and veges were fresh. We had a group of 11 and we were well looked after. Would recommend”

Kyran Ferguson | Google Reviews

Serves customers well

“Just one of 2nd best place I would definitely go back. They serve the food really well either solo or in groups. I have not tried all their food varieties, however, one of my favourites was the calamari and Seafood platter. Just really taste so good and soft. Clap clap to that. I would definitely recommend this place. The staff are really handy and making sure that their customers are well served. So hands up to your hardwork. ^-^”

ReN Calapardo | Google Reviews

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