Coastal kai
Packed with restaurants, cafes and artisanal food and drink producers, the Kāpiti Coast is well worth the easy drive from Wellington,
The annual Kāpiti Food Fair is quickly becoming one of Aotearoa’s must-attend foodie events. Last year it attracted 11,000 visitors and over 200 vendors. But with its multitude of eateries and food producers – and Transmission Gully firmly in place – the Coast is worth a visit any time of year.
Cafes
The Sheffield St industrial area in Paraparaumu is home to a number of Kāpiti producers, including sustainable roastery Dark Horse, where you can enjoy enjoy a cup at the flagship espresso bar and garden, and small batch roaster The Roastery. You can take a tour here, too.
In Waikanae, Griffin and Pops Boot Market sells organic baked goods and produce as well as organic, fair trade coffee – you can grab a cup or some beans to take away, or enjoy on site. Paekākāriki’s The Perching Parrot, just a block from the beach, is known for its scones and muffins as much as its coffee, and is a good spot for gluten-free goodies.
Raumati Social Club, with its full breakfast and lunch menus and liquor licence, is perfect for those who fancy a meal.
Drinks and casual dining
There are two breweries in Sheffield St: Tuatara Brewery’s large tap room and beer garden is a great spot to sample some locally-brewed beers while munching on bar snacks, while Duncan’s Brewing operates a cellar door for takeaways; watch its website for the date of its next pop-up bar.
Waterfront Bar & Kitchen does pub menu classics and drinks from 11.30am till late; true to its name, it’s right on Raumati Beach. Waikanae’s Long Beach Tavern also serves all day – there are brunch, lunch and dinner menus, but what you really want is a pizza – while sister restaurant Salty’s Diner, in Paraparaumu, boasts a Tex-Mex style menu.
Restaurants
The jewel in Paraparaumu’s crown is hatted restaurant 50-50. Chef-owner Helen Turnball’s open kitchen turns out a six- or nine-course tasting menu that changes regularly, according to what’s seasonal and locally available.
The Coast is also home to a range of excellent international restaurants. Passo offers fresh, modern Italian food; The Himalayan Kitchen specialises in momos and Himalayan, and other curries; there’s fun Mexican street food downstairs at Hola, and a lounge bar and grill upstairs; and Thai Lagoon, in Raumati Beach, has some of the best Thai food this writer has tasted in a long while.
Local producers
Kāpiti is home to many growers and artisanal producers. Some have physical stores, some are sold in retailers around the motu, most take online orders – and many are present at the Saturday morning Waikanae Community Market, well worth a visit.
A number of olive growers thrive in the warmer climes; look out for oil from Noble Estate, Totara Tunnel and Kāpiti Olive Oil. Tironui Sourdough and Kāpiti Artisan Bakehouse make bread to dip in that.
Kāpiti Candy Co, Kāpiti Chocolate Factory and Louis By Louis Sergeant are among those serving up sweet treats; more health-conscious local products include Glam Food’s low-carb, low-sugar condiments, porridge from Goldies Wholefoods, and plan*t’s plant-based foods.
As well as a number of craft breweries, a growing number of distillers are based in Kāpiti. Imagination Gin, The Bond Store and Lemon Fellows are labels to look for.
- The writer attended Kapiti Food Fair in 2023 as a guest of Kāpiti Coast District Council.