It’s picnic time, and here’s how you can make the most of your day in the sun. Don’t waste precious beach time trotting around the supermarket getting supplies – pop into one of our amazing local restaurants, grab a tasty takeaway and head to beautiful Takapuna Beach. Here are our top recommendations.
Pizza on the promenade
Situated in The Strand, and a convenient two-minute walk to Takapuna Beach is Sal’s Authentic New York Pizza.
Originating in 1975, Sal’s is the best authentic NY pizza you’ll find outside The Big Apple. Meat lovers will adore The Brooklyn – a delicious trio of speciality pepperoni, sausage and Italian meatballs set on a crispy base made from Sal’s signature slow-risen dough.
Thai takeaway by the seaside
For some delicious, comforting but healthy takeaways to enjoy on the beach, look no further than Wok ‘N’ Noodle.
There’s an extensive menu of mouth-watering Thai and asian fusion dishes, perfect for the entire family – from those wanting pure taste and comfort, to those wanting a delicious but not-too-bad-for-you stirfry with a few veggies, or the gym bunnies after meals with the most protein – their entire menu is customisable to your lifestyle or dietary needs, down to using sugar-free oils for cooking! Check out their signature Pad Thai with Chicken, their Drunken Fried Rice for those spice-lovers, or their Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
Bonus tip: Call first or order online for pick up when you’re on your way in, so you can walk straight in and pick up to get max beach time!
Poké in the park
For a fresh and healthy picnic takeaway, you can’t beat Poké Poké.
Inspired by the Hawaiian dish poké – cubes of marinated fresh fish tossed with sesame and seaweed – Poké Poké offers a modern spin on the original dish, with sauces and marinades made in-house with fresh local produce. Choose from their special recipe poké bowls or build your own.
Sushi in the sunshine
Love Japanese food? Well, so does DoDo Sushi & Donburi in Lake Road. It’s the place to go to grab a delicious Japanese picnic takeaway. Choose from a comprehensive menu ranging from sushi snack rolls and teriyaki donburi to all-in-one bento boxes and deep-fried katsu meals. The dishes are beautifully presented, and they’re loaded with umami to enhance the ingredients with meaty and complex flavours.
Ice cream by the ocean
Don’t let the moment melt away – finish your fabulous Takapuna picnic with a creamy indulgence. At Duck Island Ice Cream you’ve got 24 flavours to choose from, including a range of vegan options. Exotic flavours include Blueberry Buttermilk Gooey Butter Cake and Maple Honeycomb Smoked Almonds.
And if frozen yoghurt is your jam, then Kiwiyo Self-Serve Frozen Yoghurt is the place to go. It’s packing waffles and pancakes, frozen yoghurt and sorbets, smoothies, sundaes and shakes, so you’ll have a hard time choosing just one flavour explosion.
