five places for foodlovers on waiheke

For its size, Waiheke Island has some really great places to eat. Here’s five of my current favourites, in no particular order.

One // The Annex (instagram | facebook).

This gorgeous cafe (pictured above) is housed on one of the cutest little buildings on the island. Five years ago, when we moved to the island, it was empty and sad looking. Now, after being lovingly restored by Jane Burn – a super talented, creative and visionary woman – this little cafe has become one of Waiheke’s worst kept secrets. They serve coffee roasted on the island (a business that belongs to Jane and her husband Steve), tea and a selection of sweet and savoury treats made exclusively for them by The Little Tart bakery (also a Waiheke local). This place is beautifully fitted out with an aesthetic that is incredibly appealing to me – white interior with a vintage industrial vibe.

Two // 372 (website)

Named with an homage to the locals whose landline numbers are all assigned this prefix, 372 is one of Waiheke’s newest eateries. Opening late 2018, everything is sourced as locally and sustainably as possible. Head chef, Bronwyn was formerly at Te Motu where we fell in love with her food. The menu contains surprising dishes like deep fried cabbage, which is battered with chickpea flour and spices and served with curry leaves and aioli, and fried smoked potatoes served with green goddess dressing. They have two fabulous outdoor spaces – one that faces Onetangi beach and the other in a back courtyard with an outdoor fire for huddling next to on cold evenings.

Three // Too fat buns (website | facebook)

Great burgers. This place is a firm favourite of ours on nights we can’t be bothered cooking and days we’ve spent working in the garden.

Four // Tantalus (website)

Also a relative newcomer to the island, Tantalus Estate opened it’s doors in September 2016. There’s a restaurant upstairs and their brewery and bar downstairs. This is where we go when we want to really treat ourselves and much prefer it to the more popular Mud Brick and Cable Bay restaurants that visitors often go to.

Five // Thomas’s Bach (website)

This winery boasts one of the best views on the island. Up on the hill next to the airfield, there are stunning views across the island and back towards Auckland city. They have some traditional kiwi tucker and given it a modern twist and have a high tea option that went down a treat with Nic’s mum when we took her there for mother’s day one year.

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Our tiny island is close enough to Auckland to do a day trip to enjoy any of these eateries as well as many more. Whatever you fancy, I am sure you’ll find it here – we usually do!