Where to eat
Oysters from the harbour, tacos by the beach and a brewery over the hill.
Most nights at Salt & Pepper end with the BBQ going and something fresh from the harbour on the table. But when you don’t want to cook, here’s where we’d go. Hours change with the seasons, so check before you head out.
In Ōhope and Ōhiwa
- Tio Ōhiwa Oyster Farm, Wainui Road: Māori-owned and farming Ōhiwa oysters since 1968. The takeaway shop sells oysters fresh from the harbour, plus burgers and chips, and they run harbour tours too.
- Port Ōhope General Store & Café, Harbour Road: just up the road from the houses. Coffee, fish and chips, burgers, pizza, frozen yoghurt, and bait and ice for the fishing.
- Fisherman’s Wharf, Port Ōhope: casual dining on a deck over the harbour, with steak, seafood and fish tacos, and fish and chips from the takeaway window. Evenings, Wednesday to Sunday.
- Cadera, Pōhutukawa Avenue: the only Mexican restaurant in the Eastern Bay, with a sea-view deck and a lawn for the kids. Go for the fish tacos and a margarita. Closed Mondays.
- Moxi Café, Pōhutukawa Avenue: good coffee and brunch from a smart container fit-out. Walk-ins only.
- Quay Café, Pōhutukawa Avenue: all-day breakfast and ice cream, with a patio looking towards the beach.
- Ōhope Beach Tavern and C’Vue Restaurant, Bluett Road: the local pub, with à la carte dining several nights a week.
Summer extras: Dream Bean Coffee carts pop up at West End and the wharf from spring to autumn, Munchies Gelato sets up at West End on sunny afternoons, and from 26 December to 31 January the Wharfside summer hub at Port Ōhope has a beer pop-up and food trucks. See Christmas and New Year in Ōhope.
In Whakatāne, 15 minutes over the hill
- Mata Brewery, Coastlands: brewing in Whakatāne since 2005, with a dozen taps. Get a tasting paddle and a pizza. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Roquette Restaurant & Bar, Quay Street: riverside dining with seafood and steak. One of the better dinners in town.
- The Comm, The Strand: a Good George bar and kitchen, open daily.
- The Bean Coffee Roastery, The Strand: roasting its own beans in-store since 2002.
- L’Atelier French Pastry Shop, Commerce Street: started at the Sunday market. The chocolate and almond croissants are the order.
- The Corner Kitchen, Pohutu Street: home of an award-winning lamb and kūmara pie. Weekdays only.
- Café Awa, The Strand: coffee and food with river and wharf views.
- The Wagon, The Strand: gourmet burgers.
- Spice Junction, The Strand: North Indian, good for a group takeaway night.
- Gibbo’s on Wheels, on the wharf: fish and chips with a harbour view.
- Julian’s Berry Farm & Café, Huna Road: pick-your-own strawberries in season, real berry ice cream, a playground and mini golf. Closed Tuesdays.
Cooking in
Both houses have full kitchens and a BBQ. For supplies, Whakatāne has PAK’nSAVE on King Street and New World on Kakahoroa Drive, and the Sunday Market at Mitchell Park is good for local produce. If you catch your own dinner, see our fishing guide.