Somewhere special to eat

Anita and Nigel Lynn have eating-out wrapped up in Foxton and Foxton Beach. This couple manages three busy restaurants as well as two young children, keeping locals and holiday-makers fed and watered at both ends of the day. Together they own and manage Ocean Beach Eatery, a block back from Foxton Beach; Little White Rabbit, up the road towards Foxton, was originally a Mediterranean-inspired café but has morphed into a bakery/deli-cum-lifestyle shop; and Mrs Nubbs on Foxton's Main Street, is contemporary in vibe, selling primarily Asian hawker-style food. (Nigel — whose hospitality roots go back to Wellington's fabled Brasserie Flipp — has visions of an Asian-inspired tapas and cocktail bar.) Ocean Beach Eatery is full-on “beach”, right down to the tropical wallpaper. Open from early till late, there's live music on Sunday afternoons, as well as wine tastings and gin events. With two outdoor garden areas, a food truck to offer quick bites when busy, and — of course — an ice-cream parlour in summer, it's the perfect respite from the beach.

Aim to arrive at Ocean Beach around 11am when Nigel's “sandy doughnuts” are still warm from the oven. These spongey brioche doughnuts are dusted in cinnamon sugar — not sand — and are as big as a child's head. They're enough for two but don't share. Also try the breakfast martini (yes, really) and the Bubble, a potato and pea cake with a generous serving of hollandaise, poached egg and blood pudding. Anita has plans to introduce handmade cheeses, using skills honed while spending her summers cheesemaking around Europe. Ocean Beach Eatery, 52 Signal Street. (06) 363 5042, oceanbeacheatery.co.nz; Little White Rabbit,

106 Seabury Avenue. (06) 363 7267, on Facebook;

Mrs Nubbs, 72 Main Street. (06) 210 2536, on Facebook.

Anita and Nigel Lynn.