Dine Like a Local: 10 Top Restaurants on Waiheke Island You Can’t Miss!
David Sims
| Last Updated: February 2024 I’ve always believed the best way to explore a place is through its food. And let me tell you, my waistline can certainly attest to the amount of exploration I did on Waiheke Island.
Every time I go, my only plan (aside from not missing the ferry back) is to eat my way around the island – and boy, do I always do just that! Waiheke Island literally has everything from burgers to seafood.
So, for all the foodies like me, I won’t gatekeep the best of the best restaurants I’ve dined at on Waiheke Island. I’ll even throw in a few tips on what to order!
1. Ki Maha
Address: 1 Fourth Avenue, Onetangi Beach, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +6493722565
This restaurant serves up an impressive selection of dishes that are both flavorful and beautifully presented. It’s a favourite among locals and tourists alike, and once you dine here, it’s easy to see why.
Start your meal with their waffle fries served with sour cream and chives—a crisp and savoury appetiser that sets the tone for the rest of the meal.
For your main dish, give their prawn spaghetti a try. The saffron and champagne sauce is divine. Or, if you’re more of a meat lover, you can’t go wrong with their speckled park sirloin.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on their coconut ceviche. The coconut marinade gives the ceviches a sweet, tropical flavour that is balanced by the heat of wasabi.
2. Fenice Cafe & Restaurant
Address: 122a Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6493728711
If you’re a fan of pasta, don’t miss out on their homemade mushroom ricotta ravioli. Truffle, mushroom, parmigiana, and of course ricotta, makes this dish heavenly. The addition of truffle definitely gives this pasta a luxurious taste.
For pizza fanatics, get their prosciutto pizza. It’s got pesto, mozzarella, baby spinach, prosciutto, and balsamic dressing (different I know, but it tastes good).
Not feeling either of those things? Give their duck a try with shiitake risotto, grana padano and a little red wine.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling adventurous and want to sample a variety of dishes, go for the Taste of Fenice. This 3-course meal is a chef’s choice, offering you a surprise selection of some of their best dishes.
3. The Oyster Inn
Address: 124 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6493722222
Kick-start your meal with their pan-fried market fish. It’s served with mussels, seaweed butter, leek, and cabbage. It’s a beautiful blend of flavours that will make your tastebuds dance.
For the pasta lovers out there, the mussels linguine is a must-try. It’s the kind of dish you’ll wish you had unlimited servings of.
If you want something a little different though, their spicy gochujang eggplant is reminiscent of Korean cuisine, smothered in a rich gochjang and cashew sauce. Hearty, spicy, and you’ll hardly miss meat with this dish.
Pro Tip: One of the best things about The Oyster inn is that it’s obviously an actual inn. So, if you’re in need of a place to rest after dinner, simply settle into one of their cosy rooms.
4. Arcadia
Address: 39 Palm Road, Palm Beach, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6492189112
Feast your eyes and your tastebuds on their prime steer scotch fillet steak. Served with manchego and chive croquettes, and greens, it’s a meat lover’s dream come true.
If you’re more into plant-based dishes, give their lentils a try! Paired with smoked beetroots and artichoke hearts, roasted red capsicum, baby spinach, goat cheese, and crispy kale— it’s hearty and flavorful.
Or, if you love seafood, check out their fish of the day. Line caught fish served up fresh, so it’s a must-try for any seafood enthusiast.
Pro Tip: Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or any event, this place has you covered. Just be sure to call in advance to book your event.
5. The Archive Bar & Bistro
Address: 126 Church Bay Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6493729050
Archive Bar Bistro promises and delivers a unique and delicious dining experience.
The taro leaf rotolo is like a love letter to vegetarians and those who are dairy-free. The te waipounamu salmon is also a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
But I’d be remiss not to mention their Jerusalem harvest—smoked eggplant, roasted courgette, avocado, and tons of good stuff. It’s hearty, delicious, and totally guilt-free.
Pro Tip: Before you come here for dinner, consider making a tour reservation to sample some of Waiheke Island’s fabulous wines.
6. Aperitivo Balcony Bar & Kitchen
Aperitivo Balcony Bar & Kitchen
Address: 3/151 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +642040900448
The dishes at Aperitivo take your tastebuds on a flavour journey. Start with a bite of their pulled pork croquettes—crispy and yummy.
For your main dish, their squid-ink calasparra rice is a celebration of the sea, with octopus, mussels, lobster bisque, and saffron. It’s the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes to savour every bite.
And their potato gnocchi is definitely not your store-bought gnocchi. The baked ricotta and smoked eggplant tartare paired with the gnocchi hits all the vibes.
Pro Tip: Catch their live music to dine in style!
7. Too Fat Buns
Address: 4/118 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday & Thursday – 4 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 12 PM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +64224761980
Too Fat Buns knows a thing or two about creating a mean burger, and they’re not shy about it.
Get their beefy bun, featuring a housemade prime beef patty, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and their special aïoli. If you’re a cheese lover, you can add your choice of swiss or blue cheese.
Or go all out with their man bun. This beast of a burger comes with all the fixings. This burger is not for the faint of heart, but it is so worth it.
Pro Tip: No matter if you’re a carnivore, vegetarian, vegan, or if you have gluten and dairy free needs, Too Fat Buns has you covered.
8. The Heke Kitchen
Address: 64 Onetangi Road, Onetangi, Waiheke Island 1971, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday – 12 PM to 5 PM
- Wednesday & Thursday, Sunday – 12 PM to 7 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6493728846
The Heke Kitchen is all about serving up tasty, unfussy food made from the best local ingredients, and let me tell you, they nail it every time!
Sink your teeth into their Heke smash burger. We’re talking two house-made beef patties, cheese, and all the good stuff. If you’re feeling a little extra, go ahead and add some bacon.
But no burgers complete without fries, right? That’s where their shoestring fries come in. They’re crisp, golden, and utterly addictive.
You might tell yourself, you’ll only have a few, but once you start, these fries are hard to stop eating. And their brandy snaps are the perfect sweet treat.
Pro Tip: If you’re a whiskey fan, do not miss out on the selection of spirits.
9. Three Seven Two
Address: 21 The Strand, Onetangi, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6493728846
Three Seven Two serves up some unique and scrumptious dishes. Kick things off with their chickpea pancakes. With grilled courgettes, capsicums, harissa, tahini, mint, and pomegranate—it’s a fantastic option for all our plant-based friends out there.
Meat eaters might fall in love with their duck and ruby sauerkraut. This dish is an absolute must-try, featuring celeriac, sour cherry, and a red wine jus. The sauerkraut adds a tangy contrast to the crisp duck.
As for dessert, you simply can’t miss out on their lemon and blackcurrant meringue pie. It’s pure, sweet indulgence at its best.
Pro Tip: Get the cheese plate as an appetiser.
10. The Courtyard Waiheke Restaurant
The Courtyard Waiheke Restaurant
Address: 149 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 2 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6493729626
Nestled in the heart of Waiheke Island, the Courtyard Waiheke Restaurant is a paradise for food lovers, promising a dining experience that is nothing short of spectacular.
Start your meal off with their porcini mushroom ragu. It’s comfort food at its finest and the porcini mushrooms are *chef’s kiss*.
Or if you want something more bougie, get their NZ Wakanui ribeye steak and broccolini. Get the steak cooked any way you like it—rare, well done—you name it. The broccolini adds a nice crunch, and it’s really a classic combo that can’t be beat.
If you’ve got a thing for seafood though, you have to try their grilled banana prawns, green chilli, shallot, and curry sambal. It’s a spicy dish that will have you licking your lips for more.
Pro Tip: Do yourself a favour and order their passionfruit mojito.
