You don’t have to be an event planner to know that getting groups together isn’t the easiest. Whether it’s your workmates or even your own family, not everyone is going to agree on literally everything.

But hey – thanks to our crew with pitless stomachs (and sad wallets after these crazy eat-outs!), we finally found some group dining spots in Tauranga that just know exactly how to treat groups like royalty.

Skip the beaches for now and hit these top-notch restaurants for some real crew bonding! 

1. CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen Tauranga

CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen is ideal for groups who love flexible dining options without breaking the bank. Each person can only expect to spend $60 to $70, and they can already enjoy a wide range of food options.

Their shared entree platter is a good option, followed by mains like their craft burger, chicken bacon pesto linguine, or salad. The portions are just right, with flavours that are hearty but not overwhelming.

There’s also an option to cook your own steak tableside on a stone, which is a fun way for groups to enjoy the evening. There are also indoor and outdoor seating options, so there are choices depending on your mood. 

When it comes to service, the food arrived promptly, and the servers were all welcoming when asked for recommendations. Even during our visit on a busy night, everybody appeared composed and jolly. 

We may be nitpicking here, but we found parking to be a bit of a challenge here. There are paid street options, but the nearby spaces are still pretty limited. It would be best to plan ahead or arrange drop-offs with your company.

Generous servings and excellent staff 

“A great place for a group, good food, generous servings, lots of choice. A lot of video screens if thats what you are in to, the staff were excellent.”

Tracey-jayne Boroughs | Google Reviews

Made sure we were happy

“Zahria our waitress was great.  made sure we were happy with out food.  that we always had drinks. friendly. always smiling.  enjoyed by our group”

Michelle Wood | Google Reviews

2. Dam Da

Dam Da has that modest and quiet exterior you’d easily think to skip if you don’t know much. Fortunately, our team found it to be one of the best spots in the city for Korean cuisine that never fails on every visit.

When it comes to food, their Korean fried chicken is the best – crispy and juicy enough to rival the joints you’ll find in Seoul. Meals are often served with noodles and fries, so one order is filling enough for a hearty lunch. 

There are no set menus for groups, but the restaurant has flexible enough space for multiple guests to sit together. Plus, individual meals can be easily shared, including mozzarella sticks and soups (the pork backbone one is a fave).

The staff and service complete the dining experience. They serve fast, even during busy lunch hours, with very little wait time in between meals (even for dishes that appear to be complicated to make).

The downside is that there are limited drinking options, so you can’t pair your Korean chicken with beer or soju. Though they have bubble tea and Korean coffee, we’re hoping to see improvements in this area soon.

Great staff and delicious food

“Our family stopped by for lunch, and everything was perfect. The food was so delicious, complimentary side dishes(kimchi & seaweed salad) were great as well and the staff was very welcoming and friendly. Best Korean restaurant in Tauranga!”

Min K | Google Reviews

Surprisingly great experience

“Best Korean Fried Chicken in Tauranga. Went here with a group of work colleagues and was very pleasantly surprised. It’s a bit of an unassuming place in terms of location and decor but the food is great. I got the cheese hot dog (pure battered mozzarella cheese by the way), mala seasoned fried chicken and a taro bubble drink. All delicious and the serving size is huge, so didn’t need the cheese hot dog in the end. Had to get a takeaway container. Excellent value for money. Would recommend to anyone to try this place.”

Fraser Worthington | Google Reviews

3. Nectar Restaurant

Nectar is a great spot for both planned events and sponty, casual meetups with friends. They can accommodate small groups of 10 for an intimate dinner, while also offering spaces for up to 100 guests.

Speaking of which, they have a sunlit garden bar that’s ideal for 40 to 60 guests. The main restaurant can be booked for big gatherings too, complete with features such as presentation screens and configurable furniture.

As for food, our team recommends checking out their “feed me now” option. It’s ideal for sampling various dishes at a fair price point. Our favourite has to be their Korean fried chicken gua bao with its crispy chicken and pillowy bao bun.

Their food and beverage packages are also customisable, so you can mix and match based on your group’s preference. The Canape options start at $24 per person, and the drink menus come with beer, wine, and signature cocktails.

We’d just like to note that certain dishes have smaller portions compared to the prices. We recommended being strategic with orders, so you can freely share food items and get the most out of your bill.

Amazing food 

“Came with a big group of workmates and got the share menu. Food was amazing and great service! Definitely recommend”

Kirsten Bird | Google Reviews

Excellent service

“Excellent food and service, highly recommend the ‘Feed me now’ option for a great time with friends at a sharp price.”

Bjorn Van Dam | Google Reviews

4. The Phoenix

This craft beer bar got on our radar with its popularity among locals and tourists. It’s also ideal for various types of gatherings, including birthdays, family get-togethers, or meetups with workmates.

Our team noted that they can easily manage a table of 10 and up guests. The service remained fast, and they were even able to move up to a different spot when we complained of high noise levels.

Speaking of which, the place really does get noisy during peak times in the evenings. You may want to skip this for more intimate gatherings, though you may not mind it if food and chat are your cup of tea.

As for food, they serve classics such as chicken burgers, pizzas, and calamari. Everything is tasty with generous portions, and you can tell all ingredients were cooked just right and served hot.

Value for money is a strong suit too, considering most meals fall within the $30 to $50 range. There are no set menus for groups, but we appreciate that they have a kid-friendly menu that makes them attractive for families.

Helpful and friendly staff

“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

Great food variety 

“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

5. Gengy’s Restaurant Tauranga

With its spacious interior and casual Mongolian-style dining concept, Gengy’s has the space for birthdays and team dinners. It’s even friendly among kids, as well as those with accessibility needs (wheelchair use).

Diners can select their own ingredients from a range of meat, seafood, vegetables, and sauce options. They can then watch them sizzle on a large open grill, which is simply a fun way to enjoy a big feast.

For those who love sampling various dishes, the all-you-can-eat dinner buffet is a great start. We recommend trying out their shrimp fried rice as it’s rich in seafood portions, as well as the BBQ options for the tender and juicy meat.

We also liked that the buffet includes soup, dessert, and sometimes pancakes. There’s a modest drink selection too, as well as many vegetarian-friendly options. This makes them a flexible choice for any time of the day.

Because of its setup and popularity though, the place can feel untidy, especially with the sticky floors. It’s also pretty loud when full, but considering the prices, there isn’t really much room for complaints.

Affordable food

“We all had a great experience, amazing food and  service and very affordable for all you can eat. Highly recommend for large groups and functions.”

Monique | Google Reviews

Enjoyable food for a great price

“Great place for a big group celebration. People always enjoy the food because they choose it…magic, no moaning about too hot or too mild or that you didn’t see onions on the menu 😁. You see it before its cooked so you own it. Great price, reasonable drinks selection and dessert is all anyone could ask for! We rate it very highly!!!”

Shirley Lyford Aureliano | Google Reviews

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