Summer means roadtrips and roadtrips mean cheap and easy food, often on the run. If you're out roaming the Kiwi countryside over the next few weeks, here are a few places to grab and go.
The Cove, Waipu
This Waipu favourite, located on the waterfront, is an all-day eatery with reliably good cakes and smoothies. Its separate takeaway menu features a great range of pizzas (from $21.50), burgers (from $8) and fish 'n' chips ($4 for chips, $4.50 for crispy battered gurnard).
910 Cove Rd, Waipu
Stumpy's Takeaways Riverside, Whangarei
The fish 'n' chips at Stumpy's, not far from Onerahi Beach, is held in very high regard by locals and visitors alike, with co-director Brad Leggott attributing their unique taste to his mother Cally's secret South African batter recipe. The family catches its own fish, which is smoked and filleted on site, and the cooking oil is cleaned daily. Also on the menu are store-made fish cakes, mussel fritters, paua fritters and sweetcorn fritters. There's a sister takeaway in Kawakawa.
121 Riverside Dr, Whangarei
Dragonfired Pizza, Waiheke Island
This mobile pizzeria has been a mainstay for locals on Waiheke for years. Thanks to the amazing owner, Bevan Kaan, and his friendly team this food truck, situated on the water's edge at Little Oneroa, churns out delicious Italian wood-fired pizzas ($12, extra toppings $2 each) and Mexican bread pockets (beef $14, vegetarian $10) loaded with delicious, fresh organic ingredients. Plus there's the scrummy Polenta Box ($14) made with gluten-free cornmeal served with artichokes, olives, salad, capers and salsa. Take a bottle of wine and have a picnic on the beach in the evening sun. Perfect.
Little Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island
Kaiaua Fish and Chips
The greasies from Kaiaua, just north of Miranda's hot pools, are some of the best we've tried in New Zealand, and the store has the bonus of being situated across from the estuary so you can do a little bird-watching while you scoff. Or if you drive down the road a bit, you'll be on the coast. Be prepared for a wait if it's peak summer - or maybe phone ahead if you know what you want.
939 East Coast Rd, Kaiaua
The Public Catering Company, New Plymouth
This Taranaki artisan bakery and deli in the refurbished White Hart Hotel offers a wide array of delicious treats made on site, including healthy salads, yummy pies, bread and even gelato. While you're in area, known as the West End Precinct, pop into the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre across the street.
43a Queen St, New Plymouth
Pauly's Diner, Taupo
One thing we definitely lack in New Zealand is American-style diners, but a couple of brothers have solved that problem for Taupo at least, and neither of them is called Pauly (rather, Steve and Ants). In an old fish 'n' chip shop, the pair have a small but perfectly formed menu of burgers, southern fried chicken, fries and salt and pepper squid. We especially like the sound of the Piggy Smalls burger - with a ground pork pattie, sauerkraut, bacon jam and barbecue mayo ($14).
3 Paora Hapi St, Taupo
Little Penang, Wellington
The one thing you shouldn't miss on a visit to the Harbour City capital is a feast of Malaysian cuisine - considered by many to be the best in the country. One of our favourites is Little Penang on Dixon St which serves decent-sized helpings of reasonably priced staples, such as nasi goreng ($13.90), nasi lemak (from $8.90) and roti (from $7.90) in pleasant surrounds.
40 Dixon St, Wellington
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A favourite of workers taking part in the annual wine harvest, this deli is famous for its pork belly pies ($6). It also offers great coffee, rolls, baking and deli produce, but the pies are mostly what people flock here for. Other flavours in the lineup include jerk chicken, and mince and English cheddar.
72 New Renwick Rd, Blenheim
Queenie's Dumplings, Queenstown
Queenie's has proved such a hit in the Central Otago resort town of Queenstown that the owners have opened a sister shop in Glenorchy. The menu stars dumplings (from $12 for nine), noodle soups, pork mince buns and barbecue pork on rice ($14), all made fresh each day from local meat and veges.
35 Camp St, Queenstown; 19 Mull St, Glenorchy
