Kohi Beach Eatery & Store

About Kohi Beach Eatery & Store

Kohi Beach Eatery sits on Tamaki Drive in Kohimarama, straight across from the sand, and runs on beach time. Doors open at 7am for coffee and the Early Risers breakfast, the kitchen carries through brunch and lunch, Happy Hour takes over at 3pm, and from Thursday to Saturday there's full dinner service until late. Sundays run to 5pm, turning to drinks and snacks from 3pm.

The menu covers both moods: chocolate French toast, truffle-spiked rolled omelettes and crumbed fish tacos by day; market fish, soy glazed lamb ribs, cider braised pork belly and share plates like Pacific rock oysters and seared tuna taquitos by night. There's a kids' menu, a New Zealand-leaning wine list, proper cocktails, and desserts from yuzu crème brulee tart to baked chocolate gateaux.

It's one part of a small family: the Kohi Beach Store on Averill Avenue handles early coffee, quick eats, online orders and Island Gelato, while KOHI fish pops up in summer. Expect the Friday oyster special, summer Sunday live music, functions and gift vouchers.

Kohi Beach Eatery: All-Day Beachside Dining on Tamaki Drive, Kohimarama

On the beachside stretch of Tamaki Drive in Kohimarama, Kohi Beach Eatery runs to the rhythm of the water across the road. Doors open at 7am, when early swimmers and dog walkers drift in for the Early Risers breakfast, and the kitchen keeps moving through brunch, lunch and Happy Hour before dinner service takes over Thursday to Saturday, running until late. Sundays stretch to 5pm, easing into drinks and snacks from 3pm — with the branding looking out towards Rangitoto across the harbour, it's a room that makes the most of where it is.

Kohi Beach is really a small family of spots. A short walk away on Averill Avenue, the Kohi Beach Store opens at 6am for takeaway coffee and quick eats, takes orders online for people on the move, and scoops Island Gelato from 10am. Come summer, a third personality — KOHI fish — joins the lineup before closing again for the cooler months.

The food

Daytimes are classic beachside cafe done with polish. Breakfast runs from fruit and nut granola with rhubarb rose compote and avocado toast on whipped feta to a chorizo scramble with harissa and salsa verde, herb rosti with pulled ham and hollandaise, and a chocolate French toast with hazelnut choc whip and cherry compote. The soft rolled omelette, folded around NZ black truffle and mornay cheese sauce, is the plate people mention afterwards.

Lunch leans heartier: a hot chicken sandwich with gochujang glaze and crisscut fries, crumbed fish tacos with charred pineapple salsa, ricotta gnocchi with wild mushrooms, and red wine braised beef shin ragu over pappardelle. Come evening the menu swings bigger — market fish with preserved lemon beurre blanc, soy glazed lamb ribs, cider braised pork belly, Angus sirloin, and a beef shin with roasted bone marrow and smoked polenta built for two. Starters are made for sharing, from Pacific rock oysters and market fish ceviche to squid fritti and seared tuna taquitos, with sides like baked haloumi in hot honey and crispy potatoes with gruyere rounding out the table. Smaller appetites get their own kids' menu, and desserts stay tempting all day: yuzu creme brulee tart, coconut rice pudding with mango sorbet, baked chocolate gateaux.

Rituals worth timing

A few traditions give the week its shape. Happy Hour runs daily from 3 to 6, and on Fridays the oyster special kicks off at 3pm and continues until they're gone — regulars know not to leave it too late. In summer, Sunday Sessions bring live music from 3 to 6. The wine list leans New Zealand and Australia, from Marlborough sauvignon blanc to Central Otago pinot noir, with champagne for the big moments, alongside cocktails like the Aperol spritz, French 75 and a flat white martini built on the house espresso. Non-drinkers are looked after too, with mocktails, smoothies and cold-pressed juices.

The eatery takes online reservations, hosts functions and sells gift vouchers, and a steak night special often appears alongside the day, night, kids and drinks menus. Staff ask you to flag any allergies or dietaries, a small surcharge applies to credit card and Paywave payments, and public holidays carry an extra one. Whether it's a flat white at 7am, fish tacos after a swim, or lamb ribs and pinot noir to finish the week, the idea stays simple: good food and drink, right by the water, all day long.

Signature items

• Friday Oysters
• Soft Rolled Omelette
• Chocolate French Toast
• Crumbed Fish Taco
• Soy Glazed Lamb Ribs
• Early Risers Breakfast

Menu

Kids

• Egg on Toast — Simple and familiar for little humans.
• French Toast with Fruits — Sweet favourite, kid-sized.
• Spaghetti and Meatballs — A guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
• Kohi Hot Dog — Served with tomato sauce.
• Crumbed Fish and Chips — Beachside classic for kids.
• Chicken and Chips — Crispy and simple.
• Green Salad — Parmesan and dressing.

Sides

• Onion Mascarpone Dip — Chives and housemade crisps.
• Broccolini — Hollandaise, parmesan and hazelnut.
• Kumara Sourdough — With marmite brown butter.
• Charred Cauliflower & Hummus — Pomegranate and parsley.
• Baked Haloumi — Hot honey and fennel parsley salad.
• Crispy Potatoes — Mustard dressing, gruyere cheese and parsley.
• Beetroot — Tahini yoghurt, orange, hazelnut dukkah, mint oil.
• Cos & Rocket Salad — Green goddess dressing, parmesan and pangrattato.
• Criss Cut Fries — With roasted garlic aioli.

Desserts

• Coconut Rice Pudding — Mango sorbet and coconut crunch.
• Yuzu Creme Brulee Tart — With macadamia and kiwi.
• Baked Chocolate Gateaux — Cherry compote and whipped mascarpone.

Breakfast

• Fruit & Nut Granola — Rhubarb rose compote, kiwi, Greek yoghurt and mint.
• Avocado Toast — Whipped feta, dukkah, pasture egg and soft herbs.
• Chorizo Scramble — Crispy potatoes, harissa, salsa verde, pickled red onion.
• Pasture Eggs on Toast — Dusty's sourdough and whipped butter; add bacon.
• Chocolate French Toast — Hazelnut choc whip, cocoa crumble and cherry compote.
• Herb Rosti — Pulled ham, pasture eggs, hollandaise and greens.
• Soft Rolled Omelette — NZ black truffle, mornay cheese sauce and potato crisps.

Cocktails

• Mimosa — Orange and prosecco.
• Aperol Spritz — Aperol, prosecco and soda.
• French 75 — Gin, Quartz Reef methode traditionelle and lemon.
• Raspberry Breakfast Martini — Malfy Arancia gin, prosecco, raspberry and lemon.
• Passionfruit Mojito — Rum, passionfruit, lime, mint and soda.
• Jungle Bird — Cuban spiced rum, cappelletti, pineapple and lime.
• Margarita — Classic or spicy, with lime and a salt rim.
• Mango Margarita — Classic or spicy, with mango and a salt rim.
• Whiskey Sour — Jameson, lemon and agave.
• Americano — Tanqueray, campari, vermouth and orange.
• Flat White Martini — Vodka, flat white liqueur and house espresso.

Mocktails

• Virgin Amaretto Sour — Zero-percent amaretto, lemon and agave.
• Virgin Passionfruit Mojito — Passionfruit, lime, mint and soda.

Beer & Wine

• Happy Hour Pours — Daily 3-6pm: prosecco, rose, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and Peroni.
• Beer & Cider — Peroni, Sawmill pilsner, hazy IPA and pale ale, Balter Hazy IPA, Pure Blonde and Somersby cider, plus low-alcohol options.
• Wine by the Glass & Bottle — NZ and Australian pinot noir, syrah, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, chardonnay and rose.
• Champagne & Sparkling — French champagne through to Central Otago and Australian sparkling.

Early Risers

• Eggs on Toast Special — Eggs on toast with a side and a small coffee, daily 7-9am.

Lunch & All-Day

• Beetroot Salad — Burnt orange dressing, goat cheese, hazelnut and mint.
• Charred Cauliflower — Haloumi, baby spinach, chickpea and pomegranate dressing.
• Hot Chicken Sandwich — Gochujang glaze, creamy slaw and crisscut fries.
• Crumbed Fish Taco — Charred pineapple salsa, aji verde and slaw.
• Ricotta Gnocchi — Roasted pumpkin puree, wild mushrooms, kale and walnut.
• Beef Shin Ragu — Red wine braised, with pappardelle, pecorino and cavolo nero.

Snacks & Starters

• Pacific Rock Oysters — Half dozen or full dozen; Friday special from 3pm until sold out.
• Manuka Smoked Marinated Olives — Smoky marinated olives to start.
• Market Fish Ceviche — Corn chips, aji verde and cherry tomato.
• Kohi Fried Chicken Bites — Chipotle mayo and McClure's pickles.
• Squid Fritti — Preserved lemon mayo and spring onion.
• Seared Tuna Taquitos — Lemon crema and charred pineapple salsa.
• Smoked Fish Pate — Seeded toast and cornichon.
• Duck Liver Mousse — Toasted brioche with pear & fig chutney.

Coffee & Soft Drinks

• Iced Latte, Mocha, Chocolate or Matcha — Chilled cafe classics over ice.
• Berry Iced Matcha — Fruity iced matcha special.
• Yuzu & Espresso Tonic — Yuzu, mint and soda.
• Peach & Thyme Soda — Stone fruit with a herbal note.
• Blended Iced Coffee — Coffee, mocha or chocolate, blended.
• Smoothies — Berry, green and tropical blends, plus an espresso-oat option.
• Cold-Pressed Juice — Carrot-ginger-apple, beetroot-apple or cucumber-kiwi-pineapple.
• Hakanoa Chai Latte — Sweet or spicy.
• Matcha Latte — Green tea whisked with milk.
• Honey, Lemon & Ginger — Hakanoa honey, served warm.
• Hot Yuzu — Citrusy warm drink.
• Noble & Savage Tea — English breakfast, earl grey, chamomile, peppermint, sencha, strawberry & plum.

Dinner - Bigger Plates

• Market Fish — Preserved lemon beurre blanc, warm farro salad and walnut.
• Soy Glazed Lamb Ribs — Cucumber salad and sweet & sour dressing.
• Cider Braised Pork Belly — Kumara puree, fennel apple slaw and mustard.
• Angus Sirloin — Grilled mushroom, parsnip and sweet soy.
• Beef Shin for Two — Roasted bone marrow, smoked polenta and salsa verde; serves two.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kohi Beach Eatery located?

237 Tamaki Drive, Kohimarama, on Auckland's bayside. The separate Kohi Beach Store is at 3C Averill Avenue.

When is dinner served?

Thursday to Saturday evenings, from 5pm until late, with the night menu's bigger plates available from around 4.30pm.

Do I need a reservation?

Walk-ins work for daytime, but you can book the eatery online at kohibeach.co.nz/reservations — recommended for Thursday to Saturday dinners.

What is Happy Hour?

It runs daily from 3pm to 6pm, with special pours including prosecco, rose, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and Peroni.

When is the oyster special?

Every Friday from 3pm until sold out — arrive early if you want a dozen Pacific rock oysters.

Is there food for kids?

Yes, there's a dedicated kids' menu with egg on toast, spaghetti and meatballs, Kohi hot dogs, crumbed fish and chips and more.

Can I order from the Kohi Beach Store online?

Yes — takeaway coffee and eats can be ordered online for pickup, and Island Gelato runs at the store from 10am to 8.30pm.

Tips

• {"body":"The Early Risers special runs daily 7-9am: eggs on toast with a side and a small coffee.","title":"Beat the crowd at 7am"}
• {"body":"The oyster deal starts at 3pm every Friday and continues until sold out, so don't leave it too late.","title":"Friday oysters go fast"}
• {"body":"Sunday Sessions bring live music 3-6pm in summer; note that from 3pm on Sundays it's drinks and snacks only.","title":"Summer Sundays have a soundtrack"}
• {"body":"Night service runs Thursday to Saturday until late — book online, and watch for steak night specials on the menus page.","title":"Dinner is a Thu-Sat affair"}
• {"body":"Pair the eatery with the Kohi Beach Store on Averill Avenue — coffee and eats from 6am, Island Gelato from 10am, and online ordering if you're in a hurry.","title":"Make it two stops"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Dedicated kids' menu plus smoothies and gelato at the nearby store.","dietary":"Tell staff about any allergies or dietaries — the menu asks you to flag them.","payments":"Cards and Paywave accepted with a 2% surcharge; 15% surcharge on public holidays."}