Mount Maunganui, a picturesque coastal town in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island, offers visitors a diverse and vibrant food and drink scene. The town boasts a plethora of restaurants, cafes, and bars catering to various tastes and preferences, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, organic produce, and sustainable practices. One of the defining features of Mount Maunganui's culinary landscape is its commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients, often sourced directly from nearby farms and fisheries. This emphasis translates into menus featuring dishes like akaroa salmon sticky rice bowls, green-lipped mussels, and monteiths beer battered fish and chips, showcasing the abundant seafood and locally raised livestock available in the region. Additionally, many establishments offer vegetarian and vegan options, such as chilean-style pumpkin bruschetta with cashew nut cheese or vegan fish and chips made with banana blossom and lemon panko.
The town's wine bars and restaurants showcase an extensive selection of New Zealand wines, craft beers, and cocktails, allowing visitors to sample the best local libations while enjoying their meals. Similarly, The Tauranga suburb of Mount Maunganui (also known as The Mount) has long been a summertime beachside destination. Each year, the main drag comes alive with holiday-goers on their way to climb Mauao’s summit and watch cruise ships depart from Pilot.