The 14 Hottest Tauranga Restaurants Changing the Food Scene
David Harris
| Last Updated: March 2024 The hunt for the perfect meal can turn any traveller into Indiana Jones, navigating the city with a rumbling stomach as their compass. Our first time in Tauranga was no different.
Armed with Google Maps and a healthy dose of scepticism, we set out to find the best restaurants in Tauranga. And boy did we find the very best spots.
So join us as we take you through all the best restaurants in Tauranga, one by one.
1. Clarence Tauranga
Address: 51 Willow Street, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 10:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6475748200
Clarence Tauranga is the kind of place that makes you feel right at home the moment you step through the door. The ambience is cosy, and the food—well, it’s nothing short of spectacular.
The fettuccine is a must-try. It’s cooked to perfection and literally melts in your mouth. And don’t even get me started on the pork milanese.
Crunchy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, it’s a dish that will make you question every other pork dish you’ve ever had.
And if you’re in the mood for a classic Italian staple, lasagne is a no-brainer. It’s hearty, flavorful, and simply divine.
Pro Tip: Do yourself a favour and order the truffle ham pizza.
2. Sugo
Address: 19 Wharf Street, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday – 4:30 PM to 9 PM
- Tuesday – 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Wednesday & Thursday -12 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6475714138
Sugo serves up a truly unique dining experience. From the moment you walk in, you’re treated to an ambience that is both cosy and chic. And the menu is filled with a wide variety of delicious options to satisfy any palate.
The creamed gorgonzola and pancetta tagliatelle is a symphony of flavours that will have you humming with every bite.
The 200-gramme 21-day-aged eye fillet is a must-try for all meat lovers. Paris mash, green leaf and parmesan salad, and Café de Paris butter sauce are the perfect complements to this steak.
But the star of the show, my friends, is the baked potato gnocchi. With buffalo mozzarella, sugo di pomodoro, cherry tomatoes, and basil, this dish is a love letter to Italian cuisine that will have you coming back for more.
Pro Tip: Make sure to ask your server for the pasta of the day.
3. Gengy’s Restaurant
Address: 159 Durham Street, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 5 PM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +6475770922
Gengy’s is a foodie’s paradise that you just can’t afford to miss! What sets Gengy’s apart from the rest is the sheer variety of choices it offers.
From meats to fresh seafood, crisp vegetables to an assortment of marinades, the options are nearly endless.
But what makes Gengy’s different is that you are the master of your own meal. You pick your ingredients, you mix and match your sauces and spices, and then you sit back and watch as the chefs work their magic on the hotplate.
You get to enjoy delicious and personalised dishes that are exactly to your liking.
Pro Tip: You can repeat this process as many times as you want! You can keep going back for more and experience an endless array of flavours and combinations.
4. The Redoubt Bar & Eatery
Address: 53 The Strand, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +6475799935
Redoubt oozes charm and sophistication, the kind that instantly puts you at ease. And the food is absolutely exquisite.
The prawn and chorizo linguine is a total game-changer. The wild salmon and beetroot salad is another winner—fresh, vibrant, and packed with goodness.
But the pièce de résistance at Redoubt has to be the duck breast. Served with kimchi, cauliflower, beans, crispy polenta chips, pear relish, and jus, it’s a dish that screams culinary brilliance. Each bite is an explosion of flavours that will have you swooning!
Pro Tip: Try the lemongrass crème brulee. This dessert is the perfect endnote to a perfect meal—sweet, tangy, and utterly delightful.
5. Good Locals Pyes Pa
Address: 83 Pyes Pa Road, Pyes Pa, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6475764663
Goodlocal Pyes Pa is a haven for food lovers. Their menu is a delightful mix of hearty meat dishes and healthy, veggie-filled bowls.
The Angus Scotch steak is a meat lover’s dream come true. Grass-fed scotch, potato and herb gratin, carrot puree, ginger bok choy, Café de Paris butter, and Port wine jus—it’s a dish that will have you coming back for more!
If you’re looking for something a tad lighter but equally delicious, the nourish bowl is the way to go. It’s a bowl full of goodness that will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.
Pro Tip: The Peanut Butter Banoffie is a dessert that’s in a league of its own. Caramel-roasted bananas, whipped peanut butter cream, flaky salt, and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
6. Golden Rice Thai Cuisine
Address: 110 Devonport Road, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6475718330
Golden Rice is the place to be if you’re looking to satisfy those Thai food cravings. As soon as you step into Golden Rice, you’re welcomed by a warm and cozy ambiance that instantly transports you to the bustling streets of Thailand.
Kickstart your meal with their Thai curry puffs. Follow it up with some cashew nuts, a dish that’s as crunchy as it’s delicious.
But the real showstopper at Golden Rice has to be the panaeng curry. A traditional Thai dish that’s brimming with flavours, it’s a must-try for all curry lovers out there.
Pro Tip: Get their Thai milk tea or coconut water. Both are perfect accompaniments to the spicy and rich flavours of the panaeng curry.
7. Great Spice
Address: 4/44 Bureta Road, Otūmoetai, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 2 PM & 4:30 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +6475702244
If you’re a fan of rich, aromatic Indian cuisine, then trust me when I say that Great Spice is a spot you simply cannot miss. Their menu is an explosion of traditional Indian flavours with a modern twist. From the punjabi chicken rara to the rara goat, every dish promises a delicious adventure for your taste buds.
The punjabi chicken rara, a famous cuisine of boneless chicken pieces and meat mince, is cooked with chopped capsicum, fresh onion, ginger, and garlic in a thick gravy. This dish is a must-try for anyone craving bold flavours.
As for their rara goat, the goat meat isn’t harsh or tough, but rather tender and full of flavor. We know goat can be something people shy away from, but this dish will change your mind.
And for vegetarians, the paneer lababdar is a delicious alternative that is just as satisfying.
Pro Tip: Order the carrot pudding. It’s made out of freshly grated carrot cooked with milk, khoya, nuts, cardamom, and spices. This pudding will have you dreaming of carrots for days.
8. 88 Chinese Restaurant
Address: 801 Cameron Road, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 12 PM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6475712388
88 Chinese serves up some of the most mouth-watering Chinese cuisine you’ll ever have the pleasure of tasting.
Duck is not a usual first choice for many people, but once you try the roast duck on rice at 88 Chinese, you’ll be hooked. The duck has crispy skin and tender meat that will leave you in disbelief that it’s actually a duck.
If duck ain’t your thing, the 88 Deep Fried Chicken, a crowd favourite, is as crispy as it’s delicious. And if you’re a fan of seafood, the squid with salted egg yolk is a must-try.
Pro Tip: Try their set menu. For just 42 NZD per person, you can indulge in a variety of dishes that promise to take your taste buds on a culinary journey like no other. It guarantees a grand feast without breaking the bank!
9. Harbourside
Address: Old Yacht Club Building, 150 The Strand, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours:
- Lunch – Tuesday to Sunday 11 AM to 2 PM
- Dinner – Monday to Sunday – 5 PM to late
Phone: +6475710520
Harbourside, with its breathtaking views and delectable seafood menu, is undeniably one of Tauranga’s finest dining spots that you simply can’t afford to miss! The stunning vistas of the harbour, complemented by the warm, friendly service, set the perfect backdrop for your dining experience.
But let’s dive into what really makes Harbourside shine—the food. The menu is a seafood lover’s dream come true.
Start off with their half-shell oysters. These oysters are fresh and brimming with flavour, offering a taste of the ocean in every bite.
And the harborside seafood chowder is a must-try. A hearty mix of salmon, white fish, mussels, prawns, and calamari, it’s a bowl full of oceanic delight that will leave you craving for more. Each spoonful is a burst of rich and creamy goodness.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their Cook Island ceviche, the Ika Mata. Fresh salmon, coconut cream, green apple, avocado oil, and crispy wontons come together to create a dish that is refreshingly tangy, subtly sweet, and utterly delicious.
10. Ramen Chidori
Address: 130 Devonport Road, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +6475790002
Ramen Chidori serves up some of the most authentic and flavorful ramen you’ll ever have the pleasure of slurping. Whether you’re a fan of the classic tonkotsu or prefer a spicy tantan, Ramen Chidori has got you covered.
The spicy tantan ramen is a must-try for those who crave a fiery kick with every mouthful.
The akadama ramen, with its classic soy-based broth and tender chashu pork, is a comforting bowl of goodness that will make you feel right at home. And the kumamoto ramen, with its creamy broth and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, will have you coming back for seconds, thirds and maybe fourths.
Pro Tip: Make sure to grab some dumplings, or takoyaki, on the side.
11. Macau
Address: 59 The Strand, Central, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +6475788717
Macau has managed to create an atmosphere that’s as vibrant and exciting as the city it’s named after. The ambience is casual yet chic, making it a fantastic spot for both a fun date night and a laid-back dinner with friends.
Begin with their Macau prawns and chicken spring rolls. Served with vermicelli, fresh coriander, garlic, sweet chilli sauce, and nuoc cham dipping sauce, it’s an appetiser that packs a flavorful punch!
For the main course, you can’t go wrong with the Korean sticky fried chicken. Coated in a sweet and sour gochujang sauce, served with kimchi, cucumber, and a dollop of kewpie mayo, it’s a dish that will have you swooning with delight.
And if you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter, their poke bowls are a must-try. With soy ginger caramel marinade, seasoned rice, wakame seaweed, pickled cucumber, avocado, and pickled ginger, it’s a bowl full of freshness and flavour.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to order their cross-hatch fries. Sprinkled with togarashi sea salt and served with Japanese kewpie mayo, these fries will definitely satisfy your cravings.
12. The Phoenix
Address: 2/59 The Strand, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:30 AM to late
- Saturday & Sunday – 9:30 AM to late
Phone: +6475788741
The Phoenix is laid-back and relaxed, making it the perfect spot for everything from a family meal to a casual catch-up with friends.
Their menu consists of an array of dishes that are as flavour-packed as they are diverse. The Phoenix pizza, with chipotle chicken, mozzarella, bacon, brie, avocado, and your choice of cranberry or chipotle aioli sauce topping, is an absolute must-try. You won’t be able to stop yourself from eating every last slice.
If you’re a meat lover, the St. Louis pork ribs are a dream come true. A half rack served with house BBQ sauce, honey mustard slaw, and a corn cob—it’s a dish that will have you licking your fingers.
Pro Tip: The Phoenix Platter is the ultimate treat for those who like a bit of everything. For two to share, it includes half-rack pork ribs, chimichurri steak bites, sticky soy pork bites, cajun prawns, crispy calamari, slaw, grilled corn, onion rings, and chipotle aioli. It’s a feast fit for a king!
14. Picnicka Bar & Grill
Address: Elizabeth Towers Level 1/38 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday – 12 PM to 11 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 9 AM to 11 PM
Phone: +6475710351
Picnicka brings a unique dining experience that’s all about savouring the moment and indulging in some seriously good food. Their menu is full of dishes that are out of this world.
The house sausage with house mustard and mustard greens is an absolute must-try. The sausage is juicy, while the mustard greens aren’t too salty. The spiced lamb skewers, served with mint yoghurt and pistachios, are another crowd favourite.
Get their smoked pork ribs. Served with a BBQ glaze and a hint of chilli, you won’t want to share these ribs.
Pro Tip: Make sure to drop by during their happy hour, which runs from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Sunday
