Whakatane Restaurants

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One look at the Whakatane Sportsfishing Club and I was hooked.
We had booked into the White Island Rendezvous Motel across the road with a boat tour to White Island in mind and the prospect of being able to walk home after a little imbibe seemed a good enough reason to turn out for dinner on the Wednesday night we were in town. It turned out that our timing was fortuitous. Each Wednesday night the club conducts raffles and a membership lucky draw that attracts a full house.
The club has a better than average kitchen and a great number of eating options from basic bar snacks to light meals and more substantial fare such as steaks and naturally enough seafood meals. The snacks like Turkish bread and dips ($7) were very reasonably priced. Even the bigger meals (7 options) like Sirloin Steak grilled with 2 eggs, salad and chips ($18) and Chicken Royale – chicken breast filled with camembert & peaches wrapped in filo-pastery and drizzled with plumb sauce, with salad and fries ($23) represent value for money.
There is a choice of seven Seafood options ranging from Seafood Chowder ($10.5) to Crumbed Scallops with dipping sauce, salad and chips ($20).
Kids meals are available for $6.
The club house overlooks the river and there are outdoor summer dining areas.
Open from 11am till late, 7 days.
Plenty of car parking and disabled access.
The place was buzzing by the time we arrived and we had a most enjoyable time interacting with the locals who organized a couple of spare seats at their table. They made us feel very welcome to their fine club house which features many gamefish trophy casts on the walls.

Favorite Dish: We chose to eat Fish and Chips ($11) and Salt and Pepper Calamari ($14) washed down with wine by the glass and some local beer from the tap.
An interesting side of the service was the policy of returning used glasses and plates to the kitchen to save on staff requirements. Another innovation not seen before was a fridge away from the bar with beer glasses with tagged handles. Take your own glass as you walk to the bar and without so much as a word your brew gets poured into the glass. A great way to expedite service and cut down paid staff numbers.
Another local custom that I have not seen back home in Queensland - buying tallies (26ozs bottles) and pouring your own beer at the table.
All in all, a top night. No wonder the membership numbers being selected in the draw were up over six thousand. The club hosts New Zealand's largest Tuna Tournament held annually in late January, so no doubt there are many members who live all over the country and beyond.