Wine and Dine in the Coromandel

The Coromandel has no shortage of places to wine and dine, from friendly tapas bars to fancy affairs at wineries or even a bistro in a converted church! Sampling the local cuisine should be high priority when deciding on things to do in the Coromandel: we’ve detailed six of our favourite eateries in our corner of the Coromandel below.

Mercury Bay Estate at Cook’s Beach

Right next door to Mercury Ridge, this boutique, family-owned vineyard has gorgeous views of Mercury Bay – here for lunch, you can dine on their delicious authentic Italian pizzas, while you try the wine which they make onsite. The grapes on their block are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but they also use grapes from the Hawkes’ Bay, so they have a good range of wines.

The Hive Purangi near Cook’s Beach

Open during the summer months, The Hive is a funky establishment with outdoor seating under the kiwifruit vines and festoon lights, and groovy tunes and décor. The menu is beautiful and fresh, designed to be shared – from salt and Sichuan pepper squid, to miso glazed tofu, to a crispy pork belly burger, you won’t be disappointed. You can drive to The Hive or take a small boat/kayak up the estuary at high tide: there’s a pontoon on the river outside.

The Church Bistro at Hahei

For a more formal dining experience, head to The Church Bistro for dinner. The restaurant is housed in an original church building from the 1900s – relocated from Taumarunui. This makes it a special setting, with beautiful kauri beams and original floor. The service is impeccable and the food here is delicious: notable dishes are the beef cheek, the eye fillet, and the pan-seared tuna with squid ink. They also have an extensive wine list.

KaiZen at Go Vino at Cook’s Beach

Tucked away at Cook’s Beach, this restaurant and bar creates divine tapas-style sharing plates – mussels with white wine cream sauce and polenta bricks, Mumbai chaat, pork roast or ostrich fillet are examples on the innovative menu, as well as plenty of desserts, and the mix changes often. The wine list is enormous, and the cocktails are also great. The large courtyard outside is a lovely place to sit: drinking and dining al fresco on comfortable, stylish furniture is not a bad way to pass an evening in Cook’s Beach.

Mercury Ridge

If you’re staying here at Mercury Ridge, of course you can enjoy a delicious breakfast right here with us (it’s included with your stay), setting you up for a day of exploring the area or simply relaxing in paradise. With views over the bay, you can dine on homemade muesli, fresh fruit, yoghurt, croissants, egg benedict or pancakes – or let us know about any dietary requirements and we can cater just for you.

Luke's Kitchen at Kuaotunu Beach

Luke’s Kitchen is an airy and casual seaside restaurant in the laid-back village of Kuaotunu, where Luke and the team create epic wood-fired pizzas right in front of you, with toppings all from locally-sourced ingredients. They have a range of beers on tap, regularly host live music, and there’s a café and art gallery attached. This is a 45-minute drive from Cook’s Beach, but it’s a lovely area to explore.

We hope you enjoy visiting some of our great restaurants in the area – let us know if you’d like any details or help with reservations, we’re always happy to assist here at Mercury Ridge.

Posted by Mercury Ridge on October 18, 2021