The 11 Best Mount Maunganui Cafes
We have been fortunate to live in Mount Maunganui and the surrounding areas for many years. During this time we have visited many Mount Maunganui cafes, some are still thriving while others have moved on.
What we enjoy about them is the range of options, main menus (vegan to gluten-free), kids menus, and cabinet food plus of the different varieties of coffee.
Below is our list of the best Mount Maunganui cafes and these are in no particular order. I also included an honourable mention for a new place with great treats on a summers day
Best Mount Maunganui Cafes
Cafe Eightyeight
One of the things we love about Cafe 88 is the food displayed on the counter, it’s hard to resist
This cafe is located in the Mount CBD, from the outside, it looks small but don’t let looks deceive you. It’s narrow but continues back and opens into a little courtyard area.
It is the perfect spot to have a break, chat and sample the many delights of this cafe.
There are tasty homemade treats, from a variety of muffins to scones as well as a range of cakes and slices. The challenge is just picking which ones to eat.
The sign says it all
They also offer a breakfast and lunch menu if you are looking for something a little more filling. Again there is something here to tickle anyone’s taste buds.
Finally and certainly not last the range of coffee and teas will once more keep everyone happy and wanting to return for more.
The entrance into Cafe 88
Opening Hours: 7 am – 3 pm 7 days a week Website: Cafe 88
Address: 88 Maunganui Road
Wairarino Water & Adventure Park – Family Pass (Get your discount tickets here)
Tay St Beach Cafe
Tay Street cafe entrance and outdoor seating, it’s such a great spot to relax and eat
Located about halfway down Marine Parade, this place has the area all to itself and you can see why… no one could compete.
You have the option to eat inside or out however, we often pick up a coffee and a treat and head across the road to the beach.
They have an excellent selection of coffee (Havana) and cabinet food (cakes and slices) which include gluten-free and raw if you are looking for something quick and easy.
Popping across the road to the beach from Tay Street Cafe
They also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus which change regularly with the seasons. The food is a fusion of Asian and Traditional and we have never been disappointed eating here.
Opening Hours: 7 am – 2.30 pm 7 days a week
Website: Tay St Beach Cafe
Address: 154A Marine Parade
The Beach Hut and Lital Cafe (formerly Deckchair)
One of the many delicious lunches at The Beach Hut
Deckchair was is one of our favourites and has been one of the top Mount Maunganui cafes for a long time. Located at the foot of Mauao and opposite the main beach, this place has it all.
Now under new ownership, the food and beverages are still amazing. There are a couple of menu’s and we certainly enjoy the the vegan options.
There are other cafes within this area but to us, Deckchair is the pick of the bunch.
One of finest cuppas at The Beach Hut
We usually stop here to pick up a coffee (Hawthorne) and a quick bite before making our way around or up Mauao or if we are having a day on the beach.
The variety of food from the menu’s are tasty, we recently visited with our american friends and family. They loved the food! There is also a variety of other cabinet food from muffins and scones to sandwiches and treats.
No better way than to relax on a summers day with one of finest Sand bank smoothies at The Beach Hut
They also offer an all-day breakfast menu and lunch menu from 11.30. Both menus cater to all dietary requirements.
Opening Hours: 6.30 am – 3.30 pm 7 days a week
Website: The Beach Hut
Address: 2 Marine Parade
Classic Flyers Aviation Museum – Entry (Get your discount tickets here)
Mixture Eatery
Entrance into Mixture Eatery, it has a great atmosphere and you can either sit inside or outside
On the corner of Maunganui Rd and Hinau St. Often packed Saturday and Sunday morning with as it sits just across the road from Blake Park.
The cabinet food is amazing and there is plenty to choose from meat lovers to vegetarians to gluten-free. There is something in the cabinet for everyone.
So much selection, it really was hard to choose
If the cabinet food doesn’t take your fancy then there is a menu that certainly will. With breakfast, brunch, and lunch all on offer.
There is also a range of beverages for you to pick from, great coffees, juices, and smoothies. Along with plenty of sitting whether inside or out.
Make sure you check this place out.
Opening Hours: 6.30 am – 4.00 pm 7 days a week
Website: Mixture Eatery
Address: 436 Maunganui Road
General Pool, Wave Machine & Hydroslide Entry – Baywave Aquatic & Leisure Centre (Get your discount tickets here)
Little Guy Bagel And Brew
Entrance into Little Guy Bagel and Brew, great spot with a great atmosphere
Located on Maunganui Rd, Little Guy Bagel And Brew has only been open for the last couple of years but is already turning into to of the Mount’s much-loved cafes.
It often looks full as people enjoy sitting our the front but don’t let that put you off as there is a shady garden at the back.
The food is as the name states, bagels and here you can order from an extensive homemade bagel menu. From the NYC, Vida de taco, Pickled prince, and even a vegetarian option (Turk).
They even offer grilled and cream cheese options along with your sweet bagel selection too. The coffee is from little drum so you can’t go wrong.
This really is a great spot for a bagel and brew.
Opening Hours: 6.00am – 2.00pm Monday to Friday. 8.00am – 2.00pm Saturday and closed Sundays
Website: Little Guy Bagel And Brew
Address: 373 Maunganui Road
Mount Hot Pools – Entry (Get your discount tickets here)
George Cafe – Currently Closed
Love the way they hang the bananas above the coffee machine
This cafe is situated in a small shopping area in Omanu, just on Ocean Beach Road. Just around the corner is Omanu surf club and a great beach perfect for families. This place is very popular with the locals.
The George Cafe offers a variety of food to meet everyone’s desires. In fact, I would say the George Cafe is predominantly vegan (or plant-based).
The cabinet food at George’s Cafe is all vegan and I was in heaven.
There is a breakfast menu including waffles, organic açai bowl, free-range eggs, muffins, and treats as well as a variety of smoothies and hot beverages.
All vegetables are sourced from their own organic garden, how awesome! And their free-range eggs are from the cafe’s home. The bread is freshly baked too. They serve organic roast Allpress for their coffee which always hits the spot.
The outside area in the back, quiet and relaxing
Opening Hours: 7.00 am – 1.00 pm 7 days a week
Website: George Cafe
Address: 91 Oceanbeach Road
Vitality Organics
Waiting for our smoothies
Situated just outside the Mount CBD on Maunganui Rd. This place might not be your cafe type but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be on our list. It is our favourite spot for superfood smoothies and organic coffee.
On the menu are delicious Elixirs and the list is extensive from a Turmeric Latte, Matcha Latte, Maco Mocha with Shrooms just to name a few.
Two delicious smoothies, Goodness Greens and Immunity Booster… so good!
Or why not try a superfood smoothie again there is a variety to meet everyone’s taste buds.
My favourite is the Goodness Greens. And if you’re looking for a Bliss bowl then this is the place to order one. These are topped with Granola, hemp seeds, and coconut chips.
The challenging part is deciding which bowl to order.
The staff here are lovely and friendly and they have great a relaxed atmosphere where people like us return again and again.
Opening Hours: 8.00 am – 3.00 pm 7 days a week
Website: Vitality Organics
Address: 322 Maunganui Road
Gratitude Wholefood Eatery
The entrance into Gratitude Wholefood Eatery, great service and friendly staff.
Right in the heart of downtown Mount Maunganui. This is a vegan cafe and the food here is really nutritious and delicious. They also offer gluten free options.
There’s a selection of healthy menu and cabinet food here all full of flavour is a great range of coffee beverages to meet everyone’s wants and needs.
Cabinet food and all vegan. On this day Lukas spent 10 minutes trying to narrow down his choices
The portions here are huge and will definitely fill your belly.
The staff are incredibly welcoming and always have a smile on their face.
Our boys love eating here, it takes them ages to select the food they want to eat as there are so many great options. But in the end, they pretty much pick the pancakes and they are so yummy.
Lukas enjoying his falafel wrap, following by a date scone. Finally not choosing the pancakes.
We love the way they changed their business operations (in these trying times) to meet all the needs of all their customers. Everyone can dine together out on the sidewalk seating or grab their food and coffee as a takeaway option.
Opening Hours: 7.30am-3pm Every Day
Address: 7 Prince Avenue
Website: Gratitude Wholefood Eatery
Catchy Cafe
The outside sitting area at Catchy Cafe
Right in the heart of the CBD is Catchy Cafe. It might be a little bit of a challenge to find if it’s your first time but just look for the Cruise Deck, head inside, and towards to back you will see Catchy Cafe.
It’s named the Cruise Deck because that’s what it looks like, one massive wooden deck.
No better way than to start your day with eggs, tomatoes, on smashed avocado
They offer extensive breakfast and lunch menus, including a balance of vegetarian and vegan options. With sandwiches, salads, and bowls there is someone for everyone.
If cabinet food is more to your liking then wow the choices will be tough to make. Our kids love the treats, from cakes, muffins, slices, and cheesecakes. All freshly made and go down well with a great cup of coffee or a smoothie.
Something for the sweet tooth, beautiful cheese cake, just one of themany tasty treats
The staff here are friendly and always have a smile on their face.
Opening Hours: 8.00 am – 3.30 pm 7 days a week
Website: Catchy Cafe
Address: The Cruise Deck, 169 Maunganui Road
Elspeth Bakery
Inside Elspeth’s bakery, these croissants are homemade and so good
This is a must when visiting the Mount, located on Maunganui Rd it makes up half of a wonderful collaboration between Elspeth Bakery and Eddies Brunch Parlour but deserves its own place on our list.
The atmosphere of this establishment, the fresh artisan bakery smell, and the display of the freshly baked loaves of bread is something else.
You have got to love the sweet smells of all the freshly baked breads and pastries
I’m not a big bread eater but when we visit Elspeth Bakery we usually leave with a couple of loaves.
The selection of freshly baked croissants, pastries, scones, sandwiches, and treats are all displayed in the cabinet.
The staff here is friendly and they also make great coffee.
One of Elspeth’s great coffees
When you enter the building Elspeth’s bakery is on the left-hand side.
Opening Hours: 7.00 am – 3.00 pm 7 days a week
Website: Elspeth Bakery
Address: 2A Terrace Avenue
Eddies Brunch Parlour
Outside seating at Eddies
This place makes up the other half of Elspeth and Eddies and is on the right side. Eddies as menu-based and what a menu it is.
There is a delicious range of burgers, sandwiches, big breakky, salads just to name a few.
The last time I visited I had the Mango Bowl and I’ll be ordering it again the next time I return.
Kids are also catered for with a small selection of tasty bites however our kids just jump straight to the main menu. Eddies also offer a variety of freshly made juices and smoothies.
Again staff here are friendly and always have a smile.
There is plenty of sitting either inside, in the patio area, or outside.
Opening Hours: 7.00 am – 3.00 pm 7 days a week
Website: Eddies Brunch Parlour
Address: 2A Terrace Avenue
Honorable Mention
Sea People Ice Cream
All the flavours and all plant based and of course they are so… delicious
Look this isn’t on the list of one of the best Mount Maunganui cafes, mainly because it isn’t a cafe but it deserves a mention. There are a few top ice cream shops around the Mount however this one is our family’s favourite.
Located in the middle of the Mounts CBD just behind the Harcourts Real Estate building.
This place only serves plant-based ice cream and it is amazing. Sea people offer a multiple of flavours, honestly there is a flavour for everyone.
These are served in either a tub or a freshly baked waffle cone.
Sawyer getting ready to eat… and of course get most of it all over his face
Each month 3 special flavours are created… just for that month. And if ice cream tubs or cones aren’t your style then try one of their ice cream sammies. Delicious ice cream between two biscuits.
Opening Hours: 12 pm to 9.30 pm Wednesday to Sunday (11 am on Sat & Sun)
Website: Sea People Ice Cream
Address: 143 Maunganui Road
Time to eat, great way to finish a day out
Final Thoughts
New cafes sprout up while others close down or change ownership and names.
We now live in Papamoa but it’s only a short drive to one of these cafes.
These Mount Maungnui cafes are all wonderful places visit, they offer great service, tasty food, and coffee that won’t disappoint.
The challenge is choosing which one of these Mount Maunganui cafes to visit.
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Meet the family
We are a family of 4 living in New Zealand. I’m a teacher (great profession for traveling) and my wife Connie is a section administrator. We are also proud parents of two travel-loving boys.
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Hi, I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled for over 25 years. My parents gave me the travel bug when I was 10 years old by taking my sister and I to the USA and Mexico for two months. I’ve travelled by myself, with mates, with my wife and now as a family of four. My goal is to inspire our families to get out and see the world.
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