Matakana Food, Wine & Craft Beer: Where to Eat and Drink

Beer tasting at the Sawmill brewery near Matakana.

Eat, Drink & Explore

There’s plenty to discover around Matakana when it comes to good food and local drinks.

Start with the Saturday farmers' market, stop for lunch at a vineyard, try a local beer or pick up something for dinner. There are plenty of places to eat and drink within a short drive of Tepee, from farm shops and gelato to breweries, restaurants and good takeaway options.

Here are a few of our favourites.

Start at the Matakana Village Farmers' Market

Saturday mornings are a good time to head into Matakana.

The Matakana Village Farmers' Market takes place beside the river from 8am to 1pm, with stalls selling fresh produce, bread, pastries, cheese, coffee and other local treats.

Pick up something for breakfast, wander around the market and see what's in season. It's an easy place to start a day exploring the area.

Lunch at Brick Bay

For lunch, head to Brick Bay Wines and make some time to explore the Sculpture Trail while you're there.

The Glass House restaurant sits among the vines, overlooking a lake. Try their seasonal menu and taste some of their wines - It’s a lovely way to spend a few hours, particularly on a sunny afternoon.

Local Beer at Sawmill and 8 Wired

The Matakana area has a good craft beer scene, too.

Sawmill Brewery is just a few minutes from Matakana Village and has its own beers on tap at the Smoko Room, along with food made with local produce.

In Matakana Village, 8 Wired Barrelworks takes a different approach, with a focus on barrel-aged sour beers alongside hoppy IPA's, Saisons, Porters and Stouts.

If you're into craft beer, both are worth adding to the list.

Something Sweet at Charlie's Gelato Garden

After the beach — or whenever you feel like it — stop at Charlie's Gelato Garden for a scoop or two.

There are plenty of flavours to choose from, with gelato made using local fruit and seasonal ingredients. It's an easy addition to a day around Matakana.

Dinner, Pizza or Fish and Chips

For dinner, Rothko at Sculptureum offers a more considered dining experience, while Matakana Market Kitchen is an easy option in the village.

If you're after something more casual, pick up a pizza from Fired at Omaha Flats, fish and chips from Leigh Eats, or takeaway from Jin Jin or Viet Q in Matakana.

Back to Tepee

After a day of markets, vineyards and local breweries, it's a short drive back to Tepee. Settle into your tepee or spend the evening outside around the fire.

You can also book a session in our forest sauna — a warm, quiet way to finish the day.

Book your stay at Tepee