The Food Guide to Takaka: Places to Eat & Food Tours

© Dancing Sands Distillery

The Best Food Tours in Takaka

While Takaka is best known for its artsy charm, it’s also home to a growing artisan food and drink scene. From local producers to unique tasting experiences, this Golden Bay town is quickly becoming a destination for food lovers.

Dancing Sands Distillery Tours

While Takaka might be more known for the arts, it has an up-and-coming artisan scene with some food and drink-producers opening their doors for tours and tastings. One such venue is Dancing Sands Distillery, who not only offers free tastings of their gins at their cellar door but can take you on a private tour of their distillery.

Learn about the five-step distilling process, explore the unique botanicals they use, and how they develop each gin. The tour concludes with a guided tasting experience.

Catch and Dine at Anatoki Salmon

Try the freshest chinook salmon that you can catch yourself at Anatoki Salmon. The salmon farm and cafe offers free fishing around its lake where you pay per the weight of your catch!

After you’re successful, bring it to the cafe where they’ll either hot-smoke it in your chosen flavour, prepare it for you sashimi style, or have it vacuum-packed to takeaway. Your catch can be enjoyed alongside steaming ciabatta bread, coleslaw, fries, salad or whatever you prefer off the menu.

Saturday Falvours at Village Market Takaka

For a taste of fresh produce and artisan goodness from around the bay, head to the Village Market Takaka on Saturday mornings between 9 am and 1:30 pm.

Browse, taste and buy local organic produce, cheese, honey, meat, mushrooms and eat street food cooked on-site including pizza, Asian food, dumplings and pulled pork. There are usually buskers at the market to further enhance this fun community event.

More Food Tours in Takaka

• Indulge in artisan chocolates at Choco Loco
• Do a tasting at the Kiwi Spirit Distillery
• Try award-winning craft beer at Mussel Inn
• Experience Golden Bay’s restaurants and cafes.

For more details on each experience, see the 8 Things to Do in Takaka for Foodies.

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The Best Restaurants in Takaka and Golden Bay

From artisan chocolate cafes to brew-pubs and more, Golden Bay offers an exciting array of restaurants, cafes and takeaways.

Where to Eat: The Best Restaurant in Takaka

Famous across New Zealand is Mussel Inn (1259 Takaka Collingwood Highway), boasting award-winning craft beer from its very own brewery as well as leading the way in environmental initiatives. The restaurant has a rustic laidback feel and serves up local and European-style cuisine with the likes of Anatoki salmon, pavlova, Choco Loco chocolates and, of course, mussels.

Where to Eat: International Restaurants in Takaka

For a taste of global flavours, The Dangerous Kitchen (46 Commercial Street) serves up hearty wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and creative salads, making it a go-to for international comfort food. Pair your meal with a craft beer or fresh smoothie in a lively atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Roots Bar (6 Commercial Street) offers a fusion of flavours to enjoy alongside cocktails or local brews, often accompanied by live music.

Finally, Takaka Infusion (84 Commercial Street) blends global café culture with Takaka’s creative charm, offering wholesome meals, good coffee, and a vibrant artsy vibe.

Where to Eat: New Zealand Restaurants in Takaka

If you’re after something more Kiwi, head to The Naked Possum (291 Rameka Creek Road, Rameka Valley, about 10 mins from Takaka). Nestled in the bush, this rustic spot is famous for its wood-fired pizzas and hearty platters made with local ingredients.

Back in town, De-Lish Delicatessen & Café (78 Commercial Street) is a favourite for fresh sandwiches, salads, and cabinet food showcasing New Zealand produce.

Both spots highlight the laidback, locally sourced flavours that define Golden Bay dining.

Where to Eat: The Best Cafés in Takaka

One notable place not to miss in Takaka is Choco Loco (47b Commercial Street), pop in for a tasty pastry, cake or biscuit with a coffee in a mug that you get to choose from the “cup library”. Taste and make up your own chocolate gift box to take home.

Golden Bay’s cafes are also worth sitting down, such as The Courthouse Café (11 Elizabeth Street, Collingwood) set in a charming historic building and serving homemade Kiwi pies, a range of wraps and paninis, quiches and more. They are also disposable cup free!

Finally, back in Takaka, The Wholemeal Café (7110/60 Commercial Street) is an iconic stop in town, pouring specially chosen coffee with beans sourced from Timor off the coast of Australia and serving meals with local ingredients wherever possible. Just walk in and enjoy the cosy ambience and smell of freshly baked muffins!

For more recommendations on where to eat, see fine dining in The Luxury Guide to Takaka, romantic restaurants in The Honeymoon Guide to Takaka, family-friendly cafes in The Guide to Takaka for Families, and cheap eats in The Guide to Takaka on a Budget.

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Alternative Things to Do in Takaka

While it’s easy to get caught up in the tastes of Takaka, there’s actually some non-food activities that are pretty darn good. Some of those include:

• Walking to the clear waters of Te Waikoropupu Springs
• Roaming around Labyrinth Rocks
• Doing a horse trek or hike at Wharariki Beach
• Taking a tour of Farewell Spit
• Enjoying the views of Golden Bay on a scenic flight
• Kayaking in the quiet northern waters of the Abel Tasman National Park
• Doing the Heaphy Track Great Walk
• Hiking to Rawhiti Cave
• Doing a cave tour of Ngarua Cave

… And the list continues! Check out the details of these activities and others in the 10 Amazing Things to Do in Takaka and 10 Amazing Things to Do in Golden Bay.