MOUNT MAUNGANUI FOOD GUIDE

11/07/20

I recently spent a whole month staying at a dreamy beach side cottage in Mt Maunganui, and because my husband is working from home we were able to get out and explore what Mt Maunganui had to offer. We went to loads of food places for brunch, lunch and dinner, we went everywhere that google suggested and what friends suggested, and I have compiled a list of my highlights below!

Palace Burger, 217 Maunganui Road

Always the number one place I’ll visit! You won’t get a better burger in Tauranga in general. Their service is great, the American diner vibe is cool for a group, and the burgers are affordable and tasty AF. My favourite is the chicken classic and the maple butter wings. They usually do $1 wings on Sundays and $10 burgers on Monday’s. If you’re only around the Mount for a day, make Palace a priority. 

Holy Crepe, Marine Parade

Heavenly tasting crepes at the ocean front just along from Mount Maunganui’s mountain base. I’m not one to crave a crepe but this one was glorious. A picturesque backdrop as well. 

Good Burgers, 6/1 Marine Parade

Just along from Holy Crepes is this new burger and crepe joint, it has a modern American diner feel as well as having such friendly staff. There are a few cafes in this area, most are super standard mall vibe places but I definitely rate Good Burgers highest out of them all. 

Bamboo, 2/217 Maunganui Road

Amazing Asian fusion cuisine with the best chicken bao I’ve ever had (and had three times whilst I was living nearby). They have great happy hour deals daily where you’ll snag a beer and a bao for $15. The cornflake karaage chicken is the bomb too. 

Spongedrop Cakery, 10 Salisbury Avenue

A little classic bakery/cafe that backs on to the corner of the park. The perfect spot to bring kids and dogs to, or to throw back a sweet treat in between your Mt Maunganui shopping. Spongedrop have delicious cupcakes with cream cheese icing that made me go back time and time again. I wouldn’t rate the coffee but it’s a great pit stop for a cup of tea and a raspberry white chocolate and cream cheese cupcake. 

Eddies and Elspeth, 2A Terrace Avenue

My friend Erin recommended this brunch spot to me and I was delighted to find out that it was just walking distance from where I was staying. We came here to use the WiFi and work a few times, the filter coffee was excellent and the cabinet food was delicious. My favourite part about this place is the selection of freshly baked breads that you can purchase and take home. 

Astrolabe, 82 Maunganui Road

This is honestly probably the most well-known bar around here, and is a popular spot for visitors to attend over summer. During winter it doesn’t go off in quite the same way however when we went on a Tuesday evening during June it was PACKED. Why? They do a $10 burger, beer and fries combo. Craziness. That’s cheaper than Maccas. The burger isn’t a slider either, it’s a full sized brioche burger that isn’t skimped on fillings. The beer is full sized as well. What a deal! Don’t walk, run.

Mum’s Dumplings, 3/332 Maunganui Road

Best deep fried dumplings in Mt Maunganui, period.