Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 07-576 6889;
www.somersetcottage.co.nz
;
30 Bethlehem Rd, Bethlehem; mains $30-40; 11.30am-2.30pm
Wed-Fri, 6-9pm Mon-Sat)
The most awarded restaurant in the Bay, Somerset Cottage is a
simple-but-elegant venue for that special treat. The food is highly seasonal, made from the
best NZ ingredients and impressively executed without being too fussy. Standout dishes
include baked cheese soufflé, duck with coconut kumara and the famous liquorice ice
cream.
Drinking & Entertainment
Brew
(
www.brewpub.co.nz
;
107 The Strand; 4pm-late Mon-Thu, 11am-late Wed-Sun)
The long concrete bar
here has room for plenty of elbows, and plenty of glasses of Croucher's crafty seasonal
ales, pilseners and stouts (pray the Ethiopian coffee stout is on tap). The vibe is social,
with communal tables and plates of bar food designed to share ($8 to $28). And no TV!
Winner.
CRAFT BEER, PUB
Phoenix
(
www.thephoenixtauranga.co.nz
;
67 The Strand; 10.30am-late Mon-Fri, 8.30am-late Sat & Sun)
Rising
phoenix-like from the northern end of the Strand, this sprawling new gastropub pours fine
Monteith's beers (once niche, now mainstream) and serves meaty pub meals (mains $20
to $34; try the pork ribs). Dressed-up drinkers; Red Hot Chilli Peppers on the stereo.
PUB
Crown & Badger
(
www.crownandbadger.co.nz
;
cnr The Strand & Wharf St; 9am-late)
A particularly convincing black-
painted Brit boozer that does pukka pints of Tennent's and Guinness, and food along the
lines of bangers-and-mash and BLTs (mains $17 to $29). Things get more energetic on
weekends with live bands.
PUB
Rialto Cinemas
MAP
CINEMA
GOOGLE MAP
( 07-577 0445;
www.rialtotauranga.co.nz
;
Goddards Centre, 21 Devonport Rd; tickets adult/child $18.50/12.50;
opens 30min before screenings)
Home to the Tauranga Film Society, the Rialto is the best spot in
