ACCESSIBLE DINING IDEAS
The coastal Bay of Plenty is full of delicious places to dine. Many of our restaurants and cafes are close to the water so after a day at the beach you can head out for a bite to eat! Here’s a few of our top recommendations.
Tauranga
The Clarence Hotel & Bistro: This stunning hotel, built in 1903 in Edwardian Baroque style, is home to the Clarence Bistro and Bar Centrale – one of the Bay’s most delicious dining experiences! The Clarence is great for accessibility, with lots of space between tables in both the inside and outside dining areas. The accessible carpark has lots of space and is located right next the accessible ramp into the building. Disability access is well signposted and there’s a good ramp with friendly gradient. The door into the building opens outwards but the doorway width is great. The bathroom door opens outwards so assistance may be required in some cases, but the doorway width is great and there is plenty of space inside the bathroom.
Hop House: Located in downtown Tauranga, the Hop House has a great selection of craft beer and yummy pizza. It is good for accessibility although some wheelchair users would require assistance on the ramp to the area at the back/toilets. The bar is high but the bar staff provided= great service to help negate this.
Barrel Room: Another of Tauranga’s downtown craft beer spots, the Barrel Room has a massive selection on the drink menu. The gin tasting board is excellent, not to mention delicious tacos and potato wedges. The accessibility has been well thought out with wide entranceways, and a wheelchair friendly bar and toilet.
Sugo: This Italian-inspired aperitivo bar and restaurant is located on the newly developed Wharf Street. Accessibility has been well thought out with good ramp access to the building. Door access into the building swings both ways, nice and wide although quite heavy so assistance may be required for some wheelchair users. The bar and dining area is great for accessibility, with lots of space between tables allowing wheelchair users to mobilise within the dining area even when all tables and seats are occupied. Same goes for the outdoor dining area. The bathroom door swings one way so wheelchair use may need some assistance, with plenty of space inside the bathroom, a good handrail and basin allowing for wheelchair users' legs to fit under the basin while washing hands.
Waihī Beach
Flat White: Experience true beachfront dining – you can’t get much closer to the beach than Flat White! This iconic café has been part of the Waihī Beach community for over 16 years. It is worth making a trip out to visit – or better yet, stay a few nights in this lovely coastal town.
There is a good wheelchair ramp leading into the restaurant and an accessible bathroom.
Mount Maunganui
The General: Located in downtown Mount Maunganui, The General is a locals’ favourite with amazing food (make sure you try the Turkish Eggs!) Call in for breakfast or lunch seven days.
Satori Lounge: Located on the Southern end of downtown Mount Maunganui, Satori Lounge is a contemporary fusion sushi restaurant with a creative flair. There's a wooden ramp for wheelchair access around the side of the building with plenty of space at the top of the ramp with an outward-swinging light door. The layout has been well thought out for accessibility, with adequate space between tables. Bathroom door swings one way so assistance may be required, plenty of bathroom space with a handrail and good basin allowing for wheelchair users' legs to fit underneath.