Road trip north? Here's where to eat!
Home » Blog » Annabel McAleer » Road trip north? Here's where to eat!Driving north from Auckland? Here's where to stop and grab a bite—plus you can vote for your favourite, in the Manaakitanga Awards.
Above: The culinary delights on offer at Takatu Lodge, a finalist in the Most Sustainable Business Award
If you're into slow food or smart tourism, take part in the public voting for the Manaakitanga Awards (Rodney District’s hospitality and tourism awards). The list of finalists is the definitive list of stop-and-have-a-bite points for your next jaunt north of Auckland.
For the best locally produced fresh food in the area try:
Charlies Gelato Garden in Matakana makes artisan gelato and sorbetto from scratch, not from a pre-mixed base. Try the Tiramisu! Production and packaging is eco-friendly.
The Great Dessert Company in Puhoi offers sweet treats like Lime & Passionfruit Crush, Macadamia Chocolate Cheesecake, Apricot and Peach Schnapps Cheesecake and Classic Citron Tart, all made on the premises.
Heron’s Flight Vineyard in Warkworth focuses on fresh, local ingredients with a menu offering Italian, Indian, Persian and Maori dishes. They’ve teamed up with Charlies and offer a sorbetto made from their own Dolcetto wine—a finalist in the ‘slow dish' category.
Chrissy’s Natural Preserves in Helensville makes a delectable range of jams, jellies, lemon and organic honey, and marmalade as well as gourmet pickled bananas and prunes in port or gin. Their ‘Chutney to Die for’ made from organic ingredients is another ‘slow dish' contender.
Ascension Wine Estate in Matakana offers a slow dish of roasted beetroot tart with local Whangaripo Buffalo Cheese Co labneh and garden greens.
And in the running for the Good-sponsored Most Sustainable Hospitality Business Award are:
- Heron’s Flight Vineyard, which follows sustainable ecological principles including water conservation, the use of recycled materials, energy-efficient building design, and the biodiversity of the surrounding heritage gardens.
- Kaipara Views Eco Lodge, which offers self-contained, carbon-neutral, wind-powered accommodation—as well as stunning views over the Kaipara Harbour.
- Takatu Lodge, which recently earned the Qualmark® Enviro-Gold award for its energy efficiency, conservation initiatives, waste management, community activities, and water conservation.
