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The Hungry Archaeologist

Glyn Daniel wrote a guide book to the archaeology of parts of France called - The Hungry Archaeologist in France: A travelling Guide to Caves, Graves and Good Living in the Dordogne and Brittany (Faber and Faber 1963). 

As he said in the preface; "Only the most arid archaeology flourishes in France (or elsewhere) without good food and wine". 

This page is dedicated to elsewhere.

The eating establishments here are linked by the graphic from the cultural tourist pages on this site.

Dining in New Zealand:

  • Tipping is optional.
  • BYO means bring your own wine. A service charge will apply. Beer is usually not allowed - the restaurant prefers to supply this itself.
  • Courses follow British styling. An entree is an appetiser course, not the main course.
  • Coffee is usually taken at the end of a meal. The exception is breakfast. At other meals most will understand American custom and serve it earlier, if asked.
  • A bistro type service is through ordering meals at a counter and buying drinks at a bar.  It is common in clubs and pubs and almost always inexpensive. You may need to go to a salad bar or hot servery for vegetables. Don't expect anything exotic on the menu!
  • Clubs such as RSA and sports clubs welcome non-members but you need to sign in as a guest to keep them legal. 
  • You may get propositioned in a bistro or club to buy tickets in a raffle. It will be drawn on the spot once they are all sold. They usually support local sports clubs. 
  • Common chains are McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Sizzler, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendys, but see the Glyn Daniel quote above.
Northland

Paihia

  • Mako Beach Bar 50 Marsden Rd Paihia  - (09) 4028952.  The backpackers love it. Great view and affordable food. 

Tutukaka

  • Schnappa Rock Restaurant and Bar - www.schnapparock.co.nz - Corner Marina Road and Marlin Place, Tutukaka - (09) 4343 774  Great restaurant at a great place.

Mangonui

  • Mangonui Fish Shop - Beach Rd, Mangonui - (09) 406 0478. Built over the water - you can't miss it. Often voted NZ's best fish and chip shop. Dine in or take away.

Russell

  • Gannets  -  York St, Russell - ( 09) 403 7990   www.gannets.co.nz - Fish and Italian style - very attentive  
  • Tuk Tuk - 19 York Street Russell - (09) 403 7111 - Thai, friendly.    

Dining in New Zealand

Auckland

Northcote

  • Sausalito Cafe 124 Queen St Northcote Point - (09) 480 9600 Italian cuisine, bar and bistro. Popular with the locals and patrons of the art house movie theatre next door.

Devonport 

City

  • Orbit - www.skycity.co.nz -in the Sky Tower -  (09) 363 6000  If you don't like looking at the Sky Tower this is one way to avoid it. Look out from it! A fine restaurant with excellent service. Park in the Sky City basement. Closed some weekdays in winter.
  • Cin Cin On Quay - www.cincin.co.nz - (09) 307 6966 On the waterfront. Fine dining. 
  • Satya -  271 Karangahape Road, Newton - (09) 377 0007  Superb south Indian food.
  • Midnight Express - 59 Victoria St. - (09) 303 0312 Middle Eastern. Quick service, long established. You need to book on popular nights because it is quite small. Park at Sky City.  
  • Sitting Duck Cafe - Westhaven Marina, Westhaven - (09) 376 0374 Inexpensive and right on the harbour. A gem.
  • Wine Chambers -  www.winechambers.co.nz  -  33 Shortland Street Auckland City (09) 309 8191 European food in the heart of the city. Great service

Mt Eden

  • De Poste - 466 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden- (09) 630 9330 - Belgian styled bar and bistro in an old post office. Popular with the locals.

One Tree Hill

  • Cornwall Park Restaurant - www.cornwallparkrestaurant.co.nz  - One Tree Hill - (09) 630 2888 At the northern base of the cone. Lunch and breakfast only. An ice cream bar is along side. A green oasis. Has a fairly grey-haired clientele so it has a conservative cuisine, but well done and with an excellent service. Try their high tea.
Panmure  
  • Hansan Vietnam Restaurant  - Ellerslie Panmure Highway - (09) 570 6338  Great food, much patronised by Auckland's Asian residents.  The plates arrive when they are ready so don't expect a leisurely meal. Service friendly. Great value
Titirangi
  • Barossa Restaurant - 400 Titirangi Rd Titirangi - (09) 817 5252  Nice outlook - try the chowder!
Matakana
  • Cosi at Morris & James Cafe-Bar -  getcosi.com -   48 Tongue Farm Road, Matakana -  (09) 422 7484  In the famous pottery.

Takapuna

  • Palace of India - 17 Huron St Takapuna - (09) 489 9911  Long established Indian. Conventional but well done.

Mission Bay  
  • Santa Lucia Restaurant   - www.santalucia.co.nz - 51 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay - (09) 528 6631  Busy, friendly - and with that name obviously Italian. 
  • Fish Pot Cafe - take away (eat them on the beach) or dine in. A local institution.
  • Mecca Mission Bay  www.meccacafe.com/missionbay.htm  85 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay, Auckland Phone: (09) 528 0017 Cafe in the garden or dine in a heritage building.

Waiheke

  • Passage Rock Winery - www.passagerockwines.co.nz - (09) 372 7257-  438 Orapiu Rd.   Has a pizza cafe. Limited hours in winter.
  • Thymes Tables - 8 Miami Ave, Surfdale, Waiheke Island - (09)372-3400 - Plat de jour in the evenings only, or buy from the deli downstairs if you want to be choosy.

Howick

  • Barracuda Restaurant and Cafe-  www.barracudarestaurant.co.nz - 23A The Parade, Bucklands Beach - (09) 534 4943 Your editor's wife is a regular - she recommends it! Check the opening hours. 

Maraetai

  • Bach'n www.bachn.co.nz - 249 Maraetai Drive, Maraetai, Manukau  - (09) 536 7182. Only open some evenings, but daytime all days. Great sea view and nice food.

Dining in New Zealand

Bay Of Plenty

Tauranga

  • Soho Restaurant - 59 The Strand, Tauranga - (07) 577 0577  Nice setting on The Strand - dine el fresco or indoors.

Waihi Beach

  • Waihi Beach Memorial RSA - 99 Beach Rd - (07) 863 5688 - Basic homely food - popular with the locals - nice view. You will need to sign in as a guest.
  • Cactus Jacks Family Restaurant - 31 Wilson Road - Waihi Beach - (07) 863 5160.  Fun place. 
  • Sparkling Waters Restaurant -  Bowentown Fishing Club  Pio Road (07) 863 5689.  Pub bistro type arrangement with a nice outlook over the harbour.  You may need to sign in as a guest. Good food.  

Rotorua

  • Tandoori Palace.  - 1152 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua,  (07) 348 8122. Rotorua seems to have lots of Indians. This one has a conventional menu but well cooked and very friendly service.

Whakatane

  • Wally's on the Wharf wallysonthewharf.googlepages.com - The Wharf,  2 The Strand, Whakatane,  (07) 307 1100. The fishburger was just great and the rest of the menu looked pretty good to. Take-away with a few seats for those who can't wait.  The fishing boats are right there so it should be super-fresh.  

Dining in New Zealand

East Coast

Gisborne

  • Fettuccine Brothers. - 12 Peel St, Gisborne  (06)-868 5700. - Italian obviously - very attentive service and great food.

Dining in New Zealand

Otago

Dunedin

  • Thai Land. - 903 George Street, North Dunedin,  (03) 479 0324  Packed with locals on a Saturday night. They loved it - we did too. Bistro style.

Dining in New Zealand