5 top places to eat and drink while in Northland for the Women’s Rugby World Cup games
If the only thing you love more than rugby is good food and tasty drinks, we’ve got you covered! Read on for our top picks on where to eat and drink during the Women's Rugby World Cup games in Whangārei
Astroboy
AstroBoy
One of Whangārei’s newest hotspots Astroboy, is so cool it’s out of this world. The east meets west menu features items like Cheeseburger Spring Rolls, Soft Shell Crab burgers and Astro Fried Cauliflower (this one is totally underrated in our opinion!) and the cocktails have names like Moon Rocks, Light Year and Korean Zombie. No need to make a reservation unless you have a group over 20, but beware, once you settle into one of the comfy booth seats you might not want to leave.
Loco
In the Whangārei Town Basin, this cool and colourful bar has a South American-inspired tapas menu and some of the tastiest cocktails around. If the food, drinks and people-watching isn’t enough entertainment for you, they often have live music and Salsa Sunday Sessions too.
Aqua Restaurant
Situated inside the Hundertwasser Art Centre, this restaurant has superb views and a delectable menu. You’ll see plenty of local ingredients like kingfish from Ruakaka, oysters from Paroa Bay and artisan sourdough breads from Pine Nut Bakery in Bream Bay. Pre-book a tour through the Hundertwasser Art Centre so you can check out the forested rooftop too!
Biggie Bagels
Biggie Bagels
This epic spot is always heaving with people, but rest assured, you won’t have to wait too long to satisfy your tastebuds with their speciality sourdough bagels. There’s something for every taste here, from the crowd-pleasing Notorious B.L.A.T. (bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and cream cheese) to the Cypress Dill (cream cheese, smoked salmon, dill and lemon) and the ever-popular KRS-Yum (roasted lamb, sprouts, and tomato with tzatziki). The coffee is just as good as the bagels too!
McLeods Brewery and Pizza Barn
It’s pretty unlikely you haven’t heard of this spot, because not only is it a local favourite, the craft beer they produce has been picking up awards left right, and centre for years now! It’s only a short detour from State Highway 1 on the road between Auckland and Whangārei, and the legendary pizza’s are totally worth it. If you’ve got the kids in tow, there’s a great playground for them to hang out on while Mum and Dad sample the brews (just make sure you’ve got a designated driver because you’re bound to find one you want to keep “trying”).
The Duke of Marlborough
Bonus spot
The Duke of Marlborough
If you have a little time spare, head on up to the Bay of Islands. For any kind of foodie, no trip to Northland is complete without a stop in at The Duke of Marlborough. From waterfront sunset drinks to a full 3-course meal, the great service, freshest ingredients, and stunning views mean you won’t be disappointed. Top tip: Aunties House Made Fried Bread is one menu item you must try!