Aihe

About Aihe

Aihe Restaurant & Bar sits on the waterfront at 75 Beach Road, Akaroa, with breathtaking views of French Bay and the Akaroa Harbour. Described as one of the finest places to eat in Akaroa, it serves modern European cuisine built around a large selection of seasonal dishes, seafood and local favourites made with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.

Aihe is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner every day, with alfresco waterfront seating, specialty cocktails, Guinness on tap, and a strong list of Aotearoa New Zealand wines. The lunch menu leans heavily into seafood and Fiji-style curries alongside European classics, while breakfast covers everything from a full cooked breakfast to vegan and gluten-free options. A dedicated dessert menu and kids menu round things out, with the restaurant describing itself as a family-friendly spot that sticks to quality food made from fresh produce.

Dietary needs are clearly catered for throughout, with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and nut-containing items marked across the menu, and staff happy to help with any specific requirements.

Aihe Restaurant & Bar: Waterfront Fine Dining in Akaroa

Perched right on the water at 75 Beach Road, Aihe Restaurant & Bar looks out over French Bay and the Akaroa Harbour, earning its place as one of the finest spots to eat in this picturesque coastal village. The restaurant serves modern European cuisine, built around a large selection of seasonal dishes, seafood and local favourites made with the freshest ingredients Akaroa has to offer.

Breakfast Through to Late Night

Aihe runs a genuinely full day of service, opening for breakfast at 9am and continuing through lunch, happy hour and dinner into the evening. Breakfast covers everything from the full Aihe Breakfast — toasted ciabatta, tomato, mushroom, sausages, bacon, agria hash, poached eggs and hollandaise — through to Eggs Benedict with a choice of bacon, seared salmon or mushroom, a vegetarian Eggs on Potato Rosti, a Vegan Breakfast, fluffy Pancakes, and a build-your-own Omelette. For something extra, a Mimosa or Bellini from House of Canella makes for a proper breakfast cocktail.

A Seafood-Led Lunch

The lunch menu strongly emphasises seafood alongside European classics. Entrées range from Grilled Tiger Prawns with chilli garlic butter to Seared Tuna, Scallops with green pea broth and prosciutto, a hearty Seafood Chowder, and Crispy Squid with chilli jam and aioli — alongside options like Paneer Croquette, Dhal Salad, Chicken Tikka, and a Cheese Platter for sharing.

Mains keep the seafood focus going with Akaroa Salmon, Grilled Fish, a Saffron Seafood Risotto, and Prawn Linguine, alongside a Chicken Burger, Beef Burger, Pork Belly, and a 250g Beef Rib Eye Fillet with chimichurri emulsion. Aihe also runs a dedicated Fiji Curries section, served with basmati rice, spanning Butter Chicken, Masala Lamb, Wild Goat Curry, Fish Curry, Black Tiger Prawn Curry, and a vegan Pumpkin Curry — an unexpected but well-loved addition to the menu. Side dishes cover the essentials too, from Fries and Potato Wedges to Charred Greens and Roasted Potatoes.

Dinner, Drinks and Dessert

From 5pm, the dinner menu continues Aihe's European cuisine with a modern twist, served alongside specialty cocktails and Guinness on tap — a distinctive pairing for a restaurant with this much seafood on the menu. A dedicated dessert menu rounds out the evening for anyone with a sweet tooth, while a kids menu keeps things family-friendly, reflecting Aihe's own description of itself as a family-friendly cafe and restaurant that sticks to quality food made with fresh produce.

Catering to Every Diet

Throughout the menu, dietary needs are clearly flagged — gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and nut-containing dishes are all marked, and the restaurant explicitly invites guests to let staff know of any requirements. It's a level of care that runs from the breakfast table through to the dinner service.

The Setting

Beyond the food, Aihe leans into its location: alfresco dining with a view, a modern interior, and a well-stocked bar featuring Aotearoa New Zealand wines and specialty cocktails. Whether it's a late breakfast catch-up, a relaxed lunch by the water, or an intimate dinner as the sun sets over the bay, Aihe positions itself as the local Akaroa restaurant for every occasion — with one of the most picturesque waterfront views the village has to offer.

A 15% surcharge applies on public holidays, worth noting when planning a visit around a long weekend.

Signature items

• Akaroa Salmon
• Seafood Chowder
• 250g Beef Rib Eye Fillet
• Grilled Tiger Prawns
• Aihe Breakfast
• Saffron Seafood Risotto

Menu

Dinner

• Dinner Menu — European cuisine with a modern twist, specialty cocktails and Guinness on tap, served from 5pm until late

Dessert

• Dessert Menu — Delectable dessert options to finish the night

Breakfast

• Aihe Breakfast — Toasted ciabatta, tomato, mushroom, sausages, bacon, agria hash, poached eggs, hollandaise
• Eggs Benedict — Choice of bacon, seared salmon or mushroom, toasted ciabatta, agria hash, poached eggs, hollandaise
• Eggs on Toast — Toasted ciabatta, poached eggs, hollandaise
• Eggs on Potato Rosti — Spiced hummus, spinach, tomato, poached eggs, feta, pumpkin seeds, sesame (v)
• Vegan Breakfast — Toasted ciabatta, agria hash, tomato, mushroom, spinach, spiced hummus (vg)
• Pancakes — Fluffy pancakes, berry compote, maple syrup; add bacon or ice cream
• Omelette — Plain, ham, or vege omelette served with toasted ciabatta

Kids Menu

• Kids Menu — Family-friendly meals made with fresh produce

Lunch Mains

• Fish n Chips — Battered blue cod, tartare sauce, green salad (gf on request)
• Chicken Burger — Fried chicken thigh, beetroot mayo, leafy greens, tomato chilli jam, fries
• Beef Burger — Bacon, beetroot mayo, leafy greens, tomato chilli jam, cheese, fries
• Saffron Seafood Risotto — Prawns, mussels, spinach, parmesan, black truffle olive oil (v on request)
• Prawn Linguine — Mushroom, courgettes, spinach, tomato cream, Italian herbs, parmesan (v on request)
• Akaroa Salmon — Gourmet potatoes, spinach, ginger soy, red pepper coulis, salsa verde (gf)
• Grilled Fish — Gourmet potatoes, spinach, cauliflower puree, salsa verde, pistachio crumb (gf, n)
• Pork Belly — Crispy slaw, fennel, apple puree, mirin soy glaze (gf)
• 250g Beef Rib Eye Fillet — Onion soubise, tomato, seasonal greens, chimichurri emulsion (gf)

Side Dishes

• Fries — Tomato ketchup, aioli
• Potato Wedges — Sour cream, sweet chilli sauce
• Charred Greens — Lemon vinaigrette, toasted almonds (gf, n)
• Roasted Potatoes — Garlic herb butter (gf)
• Fried Potatoes — Cucumber yoghurt, fennel (gf, df on request)
• Green Salad — Fresh green salad

Fiji Curries

• Butter Chicken — Chicken thigh, tomato and silk cream sauce (gf)
• Masala Lamb — Tender lamb leg, spiced masala gravy (gf, df)
• Wild Goat Curry — Wild-caught goat leg, garam masala gravy (gf, df)
• Fish Curry — Grilled fish, tomato cream sauce, coconut chutney (df, gf on request)
• Black Tiger Prawn Curry — Rich tomato coconut sauce, coconut chutney (gf, df)
• Pumpkin Curry — Pumpkin coconut sauce, spinach, almonds, toasted coconut (vg, gf)

Lunch EntréE

• Homemade Baguettes — Mushroom butter (v)
• Soup of the Day — Ask your server
• Paneer Croquette — Spiced beetroot, coconut cream, saffron aioli, cashew (v, n, vg on request)
• Dhal Salad — Moong dhal, coconut, sesame, peanut, cucumber, carrot, pomegranate, chilli, coriander (v, df, gf, n)
• Grilled Tiger Prawns — Chilli garlic butter, black garlic yoghurt, fennel (gf)
• Seared Tuna — Chilli salt, coconut, oranges, mango, black pepper caramel (gf, df)
• Scallops — Green pea broth, prosciutto, bacon crumb (gf)
• Seafood Chowder — Prawns, mussels, fish, toasted ciabatta
• Crispy Squid — Chilli jam, aioli (df)
• Chicken Tikka — Crispy slaw, spicy mayo, peanut, sesame, chilli citrus dressing (gf, n)
• Chicken Dumplings — 8 pieces, chilli garlic nam jim (df)
• Fried Chicken — Chilli mayo, ginger soy, sesame
• Lamb Springroll — Curried lamb, agria, green peas, smoked red pepper, tzatziki
• Cheese Platter — Mango chutney, cashew nut, grapes, crostini (v, n)

Breakfast Add-Ons & Drinks

• Breakfast Sides — Agria hash, bacon, salmon, hollandaise, mushrooms, spinach or sausages
• Mimosa / Bellini — Breakfast cocktail from House of Canella

Frequently asked questions

What are Aihe's opening hours?

Daily — breakfast 9am–11am, lunch 11am–5pm, happy hour 3pm–5:30pm, and dinner from 5:30pm until late.

What cuisine does Aihe serve?

Modern European cuisine with a strong seafood focus, plus a dedicated Fiji curries section.

Are there vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free options?

Yes, a wide range across breakfast and lunch, clearly marked (gf, df, v, vg, n) throughout the menu.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, Aihe is family-friendly with a dedicated kids menu.

What's a signature dish?

Akaroa Salmon and the Seafood Chowder are standouts, alongside the full Aihe Breakfast.

Is there a surcharge on public holidays?

Yes, a 15% surcharge applies on public holidays.

Where is Aihe located?

75 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520, on the waterfront with views of French Bay and the Akaroa Harbour.

Tips

• {"body":"Aihe sits right on the waterfront, so a reservation helps secure a table with a view.","title":"Book ahead for a water view"}
• {"body":"Akaroa Salmon and the Seafood Chowder highlight the restaurant's seafood focus.","title":"Try the local seafood"}
• {"body":"Happy hour runs daily from 3pm to 5:30pm.","title":"Make the most of happy hour"}
• {"body":"Many dishes have gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan options available on request.","title":"Mention dietary requirements"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Family-friendly restaurant with a dedicated kids menu.","dietary":"Extensive gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan and nut-containing options marked throughout the menu.","payments":"A 15% surcharge applies on public holidays."}