2 Best Restaurants in Whangamata, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty

Come to this indoor–outdoor bistro for casual evening dining loosely billed as Italian with pizza, pastas, and risotto on the menu. There's also a great range of Kiwi-modern mains that feature salmon, steak, pork, and the local fish catch. There's a good range of New Zealand wines and all kinds of beers.

This café boasts of being the friendliest place in town, and the day-long crowds support the claim. Inside, you'll find good coffee, fresh pastries, and a paper roll menu (as they call it) listing fresh, wholesome breakfasts and lunches like house-smoked salmon, salads, and classic burgers. Dinner is served in December and January and over long weekends. There's a generous selection of gluten- and dairy-free options, too. It's the sort of place where surfers might be seated alfresco next to older folks out for a balmy afternoon coffee.