South Island, New Zealand Food Guide: 7 European food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Akaroa

June 11, 2020 Darleen Reid

Find out what European restaurants to try in Akaroa. The French are known as the world’s most romantic people, so it makes sense that Akaroa—site of New Zealand’s first French settlement—is an ideal spot to set the scene for love. Hold hands with your paramour and stroll along the provincial harbor, where dolphins, penguins, and seals bob and chatter in the sparkling ice-blue water. First-class accommodations, quaint French bakeries and succulent restaurants are the perfect ingredients for a romantic getaway.
Things to do in Akaroa

7. The Wharf

75 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand French, Seafood, European, Asian, New Zealand Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Liv [email protected] +64 3-304 7842 http://thewharfakaroa.co.nz
The Wharf

The Wharf Akaroa, relaunched at the end of August 2019 as a premium seafood restaurant and bar after undergoing refurbishment. The restaurant seats 100 a la carte inside and flows onto the terrace that seats an additional 65 with a spectacular view of Aka

Reviewed By apriln510

Came here for dinner on a Sunday night, so not busy. Service was excellent and the food was very good. I personally did not like the dressing for the chips, an aoli or simply tomato sauce would have been better. My dessert was not overly sweet, but could have used either a large scoop of ice cream or and addition of cream as pudding very cakey. Still I enjoyed our evening. Thanks for your review apriln510were glad you enjoyed or evening with usaioli or ketchup, chocolate or vanilla ice cream, both personal preferences.regardsrichard

6. Rona's

42 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand International, European, Fusion, New Zealand Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Table Service, Outdoor Seating [email protected] +64 3-304 8533 http://www.ronas.co.nz
Food
Service
Value
Overall Ratings

4 based on 121 reviews

Rona's

Laid-back dining, living room and garden serving simple but seasonal-with-attitude dishes, happily rooted in a style of cuisine seldomly experienced in New Zealand. Roasting, smoking, preserving & infusing are just typical ways you'll experience your food

Reviewed By Tom H

We had been recommended Rona’s restaurant by two different people before we arrived in Akaroa, but found it was closed due to lack of staff, however, a few days later it reopened with new staff and so we decided to see if it lived up to the reputation. While it was not as incredible as we had been led to believe, the food was plentiful and mostly very good, some of it even excellent. We were able to have Rioja wine, which made a change from the normal wines on offer and the only criticism is that the French waitress did not know what digestifs (liqueurs) were available, and we ended up drinking angostura bitters which were disgusting. Surely a French style restaurant should have a stock of Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Pastis or Cognac... otherwise, I would heartily recommend Rona’s with its new staff, who by now should have found their feet.

5. The Brasserie Kitchen And Bar

41 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand Cafe, European Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +64 3-304 8585 http://www.thebrasserie.co.nz/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 688 reviews

The Brasserie Kitchen And Bar

"The Brasserie is one of Akaroa's best restaurants. Your hosts, Carlos and Saowani invite you to step into their beautiful garden and escape the hustle and bustle outside. We have all day menu with electic and French European influence as well as Asian in

Reviewed By Teresa W

Initially went indoors to order. The cafe is petite, so we went outside into the lovely garden where there are many tables. There was a little chicken scratching around, so very quaint. And an old dog in the distance following perhaps his master. The wine was good . The lunch menu included seafood chowder, written on the fence but not on the menu inside. Do try it - its fabulous! My partner had the salmon - superb. Definitely go for a lovely relaxing lunch, filled with calming ambience and excellent food.

4. Bully Hayes Restaurant & Bar

57 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand Bar, Seafood, European, Soups, New Zealand, International, Contemporary Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Wine and Beer, Waterfront [email protected] +64 3-304 7533 http://www.bullyhayes.co.nz/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1128 reviews

Bully Hayes Restaurant & Bar

Akaroa’s Premium Dining Spot. Open 7 days year-round for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee or Tapas and a drink in the sun. Sensational panoramic views of Akaroa Harbour whilst you dine in any of our indoor and outdoor areas. We also offer a sheltered cour

Reviewed By ElliotC22

Food was gorgeous both mornings, there was something in the holindays sauce it was to die for!!! Next day I had the pancakes they were beautiful I would have preferred my blueberries fresh on top on or the side with the cream instead if cooked into the pancake they were very hot.

Akaroa Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Akaroa

3. The Trading Rooms Restaurant and Pantry

71 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand Seafood, New Zealand, European Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Late Night Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Cash Only, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +64 3-304 7656 http://thetradingrooms.co.nz/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 768 reviews

The Trading Rooms Restaurant and Pantry

Semi-fine dining dinner atmosphere and casual lunch experience, fine wine selection, beautiful sunset harbour views from the terrace. The Trading Rooms is a timeless historic venue, perfect for your special occasion. Peak Season Opening Hours: From 11:30-

Reviewed By cardnoa

My first visit was on a beautiful day so sat outside at table with my lab and had the tastiest burger ever with scrumptious french fries and a beer. Attended to by very friendly staff who were happy with my dog at my feet. I will be back!

What to do and see in Akaroa, New Zealand: The Best Places and Tips

2. The Little Bistro

33 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand French, European, New Zealand, Contemporary Dinner Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Street Parking, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +64 3-304 7314 http://www.thelittlebistro.co.nz
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 943 reviews

The Little Bistro

The Little Bistro focuses on providing sustainable, local and seasonal bistro cuisine, which highlights our connection to Akaroa and Banks Peninsula. Focusing on locally grown, organic produce.

Reviewed By SiberianSayan

This is a great little restaurant on Akaroa's main drag. The food was quite well done -- certainly high quality, but not top of class. They had a reasonable selection, and everything was tasty. The wine was incredibly overpriced -- 3x the price you would pay for a local bottle of wine (as in, we visited the winery earlier that day -- it's only an hour away -- a bottle was $20, and they were selling for $60). This kind of pricing might be expected for a fine dining experience or for an imported wine that took quite a lot of effort to acquire...and "fine dining" is what The Little Bistro is trying to sell, but falls short. The dining tables are quite close to one another and the chairs are hard, wooden, and uncomfortable. This would be understandable if we were on Manhattan where this is normal for a high-end restaurant, but doesn't make sense in a little seaside town on the Banks Peninsula. Service was quite good -- and along with presentation was the closest we came to "fine dining". Definitely recommended, but something like No. 31 in Hanmer Springs small town fine dining done right.

Where to eat Seafood food in Akaroa: The Best Restaurants and Bars

1. The Wharf

75 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520 New Zealand French, Seafood, European, Asian, New Zealand Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Liv [email protected] +64 3-304 7842 http://thewharfakaroa.co.nz
The Wharf

The Wharf Akaroa, relaunched at the end of August 2019 as a premium seafood restaurant and bar after undergoing refurbishment. The restaurant seats 100 a la carte inside and flows onto the terrace that seats an additional 65 with a spectacular view of Aka

Reviewed By apriln510

Came here for dinner on a Sunday night, so not busy. Service was excellent and the food was very good. I personally did not like the dressing for the chips, an aoli or simply tomato sauce would have been better. My dessert was not overly sweet, but could have used either a large scoop of ice cream or and addition of cream as pudding very cakey. Still I enjoyed our evening. Thanks for your review apriln510were glad you enjoyed or evening with usaioli or ketchup, chocolate or vanilla ice cream, both personal preferences.regardsrichard

Most Popular French food in Akaroa, South Island, New Zealand

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