The Experts’ Guide

When I think of food recommendations, my thoughts instantly gravitate towards Mount Made.
Glenn’s skills are seriously underrated — everything his hands touch turns to magic. There are two standouts for me. First, his cardamom buns, which are like a warm gentle cuddle in your mouth.
Next would be his three cheese & onion toastie. I know he’s famous for his amazing ice cream creationsbut everything he makes blows my mind, every time.

Johney Zee, Johney’s Dumpling House

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The burrata with heirloom tomato, basil and black olive crumb from Alpino is one of my faves.
From Satori Lounge, I love the rainbow ceviche roll topped with diced salmon and prawns, red
onion, capsicum, ginger and coriander. Also, The Nut Job smoothie from Sandbank — with a shot
of coffee added!

Connie Richards, Elizabeth Cafe & Larder

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The mortadella sandwich at Lloyd’s Deli — keep a keen eye on their socials for this one —  it’s
a special, but worth the wait. They have great choc chip cookies too. The Gonz Burger by the team
at Special Mention, and anything and everything from Breadhead — big fans of the miso and tahini sourdough. If you’re asking our two year old, he’d say the gingerbread people from Best Bakehouse and cheese scones (with very generous butter portions) from Spongedrop.

Sarah Jackson, No Biggie Food

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My new favourite dish in Mount Maunganui is the flounder at Saltwater — the most delicate fish, drenched in butter with crispy capers. It’s not something I’ve seen much locally. The best croissant
in the Bay of Plenty has to go to my local, Pocket bakery. And this is a bit left field, but go to Sugo, order the beef carpaccio, and the anchovies and pizza crust. Pop a slice of beef and an anchovy
onto the pizza crust — and that, my friends, is the best bite in town.

Cherie Metcalfe, Pepper & Me

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The Cubano sandwich from Lloyd’s Deli (hard choice as they’re all awesome), the beef short rib
from Picnicka — so tender and tasty, and jalapeño kransky from Baked on Newton is a great
cheap feed.‍

Jimmy Wheeler, Lantern 

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For something casual, I’d choose the pork belly taco at Mexico, Bayfair. It’s off-the-chain yum.
Solera at the Mount has amazing food, like the barbecue oysters, and I love everything at
Breadhead, especially the croissants.‍

Ian Harrison, Sugo

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Our go-to at the moment is the chicken pho at Viet Lane, Bayfair. Their spring rolls are pretty
good too.‍

Glenn Stubbs, Mount Made

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My favourite food would be eating a whole chicken with the extra hot sauce at Nando’s.‍

Miguel Villalobos, El Cartel

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We really enjoy Mudan restaurant — they do handmade tofu (we can’t find it anywhere else!), handmade noodles and dumplings. They make their own vegan kimchi as well (the traditional
ones are not meant to be vegan). We recommend their Chinese Home Noodle if you are a fan
of hot, saucy noodles.

Also, Rok’n Wok could be the most authentic Chinese Korean cuisine (Korean-made Chinese
food, which means not authentic Chinese). The taste from them is very close or even better than
what we taste in Korea! And Pacpac Japanese food truck would be the most authentic Japanese bento we can have here in New Zealand! Their tamagoyaki are awesome.‍

Brian Kim, Rika Rika Sushi 

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Thai2go — the pineapple fried rice has delicious, fresh flavours and is a generous portion, which always means there is some left over. For an afternoon pick me (especially when it’s hot!), Great
Fresh Fruit [in Central Parade] has real fruit ice cream.

Dan Lockhart, Fife Lane

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Places that we truly love: Mt Zion Coffee for the amazing oat milk coffee, Avenue Pizza’s roasted mushroom pizza and Mount Made ice cream.‍

Daria & Tomer Rooney, Falafel Metro‍

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Our Place team recommends...

The blueberry custard buns and doughnuts (and coffee!) from the always-friendly team at Mount Made, the ham and cheese croissant and the sourdough at nearby Elspeth Bakery are top-notch too. Other highlights include Lantern’s tiger prawn toast, Spicy Tantan Ramen from Chidori (if you have room, try the small dishes too, such as the gyoza and fried squid), and shout out to Umami in Pyes Pa for its generous serves and excellent chicken karaage.‍

Sarah Nicholson, Editor

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Falafel Metro at Red Square is the best falafel in the Bay, and it’s super affordable for those trying
to save. My pick is the Jerusalem, which comes with falafels, fresh tomatoes, Israeli pickles and
white tahini sauce.

Maddie Banks, Social Media Manager

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Soul Bowl has arguably the best smoothies you’ll ever have — I recommend the Yellow Mellow.
I’m also a fan of Gather cafe’s Sexy Toast (my pick is the dairy-free truffle mushrooms on sourdough with cashew cream), and Sea People’s incredible plant-based ice cream, especially the espresso brownie flavour.

Basti Todd, Event Manager

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I absolutely love the vegan masala dosa from Food Point — their food is so full of flavour and satisfying. I also love Pluto Juice Bar for a quick lunch. The cabinet is always packed full of fresh salads (my fave is the Asian noodle); perfect to grab and go.

Millie Guest, Social Media Manager

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Our ideal afternoon is heading to Alma on Ōmokoroa waterfront for what we think are the best pizzas in the Bay — we usually go for a Funghi or Calabria. It overlooks a next-level playground, so the kids can entertain themselves, while we enjoy our drinks.‍

Christopher & Rachelle Duffy, magazine founders

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