If you’re looking for some of the best seafood restaurants in New Zealand, look no further than Tauranga. Situated by the gorgeous coastline of the Bay of Plenty, the city of Tauranga is renowned for its seafood scene and has a number of excellent seafood restaurants to choose from. From casual eateries to fine dining restaurants, there’s something for every budget and palate. Here are some of the best seafood restaurants in Tauranga that you should try.
Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park
Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park is the perfect place to enjoy a hot springs experience with a delicious seafood dinner. With its scenic location, the hot springs offer an ideal place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and the onsite restaurant serves delicious seafood dishes. From Tauranga caught mussels to local white bait, the menu is always changing depending on what’s in season. The restaurant also offers a variety of hot-smoked seafood dishes that are worth trying.
Jimmy’s Pies
Jimmy’s Pies is a popular seafood restaurant located in the heart of downtown Tauranga. Their speciality is seafood pies, made with fresh local seafood, herbs and spices. The menu also offers a selection of seafood cocktails and other dishes, such as seafood chowder, seafood risotto and seafood platters. The perfect place to indulge in some delicious seafood, Jimmy’s Pies is a must-visit.
The Fish Basket
The Fish Basket is an award-winning seafood restaurant located in the Mount Maunganui area. The restaurant is known for its delicious range of seafood dishes, featuring freshly caught fish, crayfish, scallops, mussels and more. The menu also features a variety of classic seafood dishes, such as fish and chips, fish tacos and seafood pies.
Black & Gold
Located in downtown Tauranga, Black & Gold is a popular seafood restaurant that specialises in modern New Zealand seafood cuisine. The restaurant serves dishes made from local and seasonal seafood, as well as delicious signature dishes. Try the smoked seafood platter, the Waikato caught scampi and the Bay of Plenty snapper for a truly unique seafood experience.
Must-Try Dishes
- Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park – Hot-smoked seafood dishes
- Jimmy’s Pies – Fresh seafood pies
- The Fish Basket – Freshly caught fish, crayfish, scallops, mussels and more
- Black & Gold – Smoked seafood platter, Waikato caught scampi, Bay of Plenty snapper
Seafood Restaurants to Avoid
- The Seafood Shack – Poor quality seafood, small portions
- Top Catch – Overcooked seafood, slow service
- Fisherman’s Den – Limited range of seafood dishes, overpriced
When it comes to finding the best seafood restaurants in Tauranga, there’s no shortage of options. However, there are a few restaurants that should be avoided. The Seafood Shack, Top Catch and Fisherman’s Den are some of the restaurants that have been known to offer poor quality seafood and subpar service.
The Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand is renowned for its seafood, so it goes without saying that there are plenty of excellent seafood restaurants to choose from in Tauranga. If you’re looking for an unforgettable seafood experience, then these are the best seafood restaurants in Tauranga that you should try. From Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park to Black & Gold, each of these restaurants offers something unique. So, if you’re looking for the freshest seafood in town, then you’re sure to find it at one of these top seafood restaurants in Tauranga.
Finally, when visiting the seafood restaurants in Tauranga, remember to check that the seafood is fresh and the service is up to standard. That way, you’ll be sure to have an unforgettable seafood dining experience.
