Whangamata Restaurants

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25 Feb 2008 Gagas is closed for the moment - will repost when it opens!
Very nice modern, well presented meals. Usually favouring local seafood, which is what people expect to eat in Whangamata.

*** formerly known as "c o a s t" ***
I used to hail this as the place to eat at Whangamata, however my recent experience changed from that viewpoint a little!
Young staff are vibrant and I always love to see visitors working, knowing the job is a way to a means, especially when they are working their summer holidays. Our waitress was delightful and clearly from overseas, however after we received our meals, she didn't even spare us a glance. I had been given a pepper grinder that was empty and was keen to have it either filled or replaced, but getting her attention was impossible.
My drink was brought by the cocktail waitress, who reached between two of my friends, without as much as an "excuse me", and plonked down near me after reaching across the table.
Just a little time spent with staff, to ensure their serving table manners is a little more refined, would have made all the difference.

Favorite Dish: Fish. Eating fish at the coast is always a good idea.
Try the cocktails, I had the Matamata cocktail. Nice refreshing. Personal preference though would be to have wine. I'm sure someone who likes cocktails would enjoy what they serve here at GaGa's.

This shop is situated in a classic kiwi takeaway, and of course they sell fish and chips. Richies has diversified to add Thai food to their menu, adding to it's appeal.
I really love the look of this shop, it has made time stand still and has appeared similar to this for 30 years or more. It's a classic on a corner site, very well placed.

No place to sit down to eat other than one table and chairs on the footpath. You can order your takeaways and wait. They sell "wet fish" too, that is raw fish for the uninitiated.

Favorite Dish: I have it on very good authority that the seafood stick is very tasty.
I like and ate, battered fish with chips. You can ask for battered, crumbed or panfried fish, and get a piece of lemon thrown in .
Not presented in the traditional newspaper wrap, but in small paper bags which didn't provide much insulation to keep in the heat while we waited for the missed order, argghh!! But they compensated with some free tidbits for our group which was nice.