Beach Cafe Maraetai

About Beach Cafe Maraetai

Beach Cafe Maraetai is a coastal eatery situated directly across the road from Maraetai Beach in Auckland. Known for its picturesque ocean views and relaxed coastal setting, the cafe welcomes diners indoors or outside by the window to watch the waves and sunset over the water.

The kitchen serves a broad menu spanning early morning breakfast and brunch staples through to evening dinner plates. Offerings range from eggs Benedict, porridge, and corn fritters to hearty burgers, bao buns, pastas, slow-cooked meats, and fish and chips, accompanied by coffee, drinks, and Mövenpick ice cream. Regular Friday and Saturday dinner services and occasional live music make it a versatile gathering spot for families, groups, and seaside walkers alike.

Beachside Comfort and Panoramic Views at Beach Cafe Maraetai

Sitting directly across from the shore along Maraetai Drive, Beach Cafe Maraetai offers front-row seats to one of Auckland’s most scenic coastal stretches. Whether dropping by after a peaceful morning walk along the waterfront or settling in for an evening meal as the sun drops behind the horizon, the venue pairs genuine seaside relaxation with a generous, crowd-pleasing menu.

Oceanfront Dining from Morning to Evening

The cafe is positioned so diners can take in the expanse of Maraetai Beach, with options to sit outdoors in the ocean breeze or by large interior windows overlooking the water. Operating daily from early morning, it serves breakfast and brunch throughout the week and extends its hours on Friday and Saturday nights for dinner service from 6:00 PM onwards, occasionally featuring live music to accompany the evening atmosphere.

From Comforting Brunches to Hearty Big Plates

The kitchen balances casual cafe favorites with substantial dinner fare. Morning diners regularly opt for breakfast staples like eggs Benedict with salmon, warm porridge, and corn fritters served alongside barista-crafted coffees. For lunch and dinner, grazing plates like southern fried chicken with chipotle aioli, stuffed bao buns with tandoori chicken or tofu, salt and pepper squid, and prawn croquettes make sharing easy.

The mains, known locally for generous portion sizes, lean into hearty comfort food. Highlights include slow-cooked New Zealand lamb shank resting on potato mash with kumara skins, barbecue pork ribs, Angus beef and buttermilk chicken burgers, and IPA-battered fish served with handcut agria chips. Pasta lovers gravitate toward the truffle and portobello mushroom pappardelle tossed with shaved parmesan.

Sweet Treats and Community Charm

Beyond cooked meals, Beach Cafe Maraetai is well known to beachgoers as the local spot scoop-serving Mövenpick ice cream, making it a natural stop for a seaside cone. With its bright dining room, welcoming table service, and takeaway options to enjoy right on the sand across the street, the cafe serves as a versatile anchor for the Maraetai community.

Signature items

• Slow Cooked BBQ Pork Ribs
• Fish & Chips
• Truffle & Mushroom Pasta
• Slow Cooked Lamb Shank
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Eggs Benedict with Salmon

Menu

Dessert

• Mövenpick Ice Cream — Selection of premium Mövenpick ice cream scoops

Beverages

• Cappuccino — Freshly espresso brewed with textured milk
• Iced Coffee — Chilled coffee served over ice

Breakfast & Brunch

• Eggs Benedict with Salmon — Poached eggs and salmon on toast with hollandaise
• Corn Fritter with Bacon — Corn fritters accompanied by bacon, side salad, and sauce
• Porridge — Warm breakfast porridge bowl

Mains & Big Plates

• Slow Cooked BBQ Pork Ribs — Slow-cooked BBQ ribs served with potato mash and salad
• Truffle & Mushroom Pasta — Pappardelle pasta with portobello mushrooms and shaved parmesan (chicken optional)
• Fish & Chips — IPA battered fish served with handcut agria chips, salad, and tartare
• Slow Cooked Lamb Shank — NZ lamb shank served with potato mash, lamb gravy, and kumara skins
• Angus Beef Burger — Juicy Angus beef burger on a toasted bun
• Buttermilk Chicken Burger — Crispy buttermilk chicken burger

Sides & Casual Bites

• Handcut Agria Chips — Freshly cut agria potato chips
• Cheese Loaded Wedges — Potato wedges topped with melted cheese
• Nachos — Crispy corn chips layered with toppings

Small Plates & Grazings

• Stuffed Bao Buns — With tandoori chicken or tofu, herb yogurt, and pickled onion
• Southern Fried Chicken — Crispy fried chicken served with chipotle aioli
• Salt & Pepper Squid — Tender squid served with garlic aioli
• Prawn Croquettes — Smoked cheddar, apple slaw, and chipotle
• Calamari — Cooked calamari served with side salad and sauce
• Chicken Livers — Savory brunch chicken livers plate

Frequently asked questions

Where is Beach Cafe Maraetai located?

The cafe is located at 249 Maraetai Drive in Maraetai, Auckland, situated directly across the road from Maraetai Beach.

What are the opening hours?

The cafe opens daily at 7:30 AM, closing at 5:30 PM Sunday through Thursday, with extended evening dinner hours until 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Does Beach Cafe Maraetai take table bookings?

Yes, table reservations can be made via their website booking system or by phone.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes, vegetarian selections include the truffle and mushroom pappardelle, stuffed tofu bao buns, and various cabinet items.

Can I order food for takeaway?

Yes, takeaway orders are available to enjoy across the road on the beach or on the go.

Do they serve Mövenpick ice cream?

Yes, Beach Cafe Maraetai features a dedicated Mövenpick ice cream counter.

Tips

• {"body":"Choose a table right beside the front windows for unobstructed ocean views and sunset watching over Maraetai Beach.","title":"Secure a Window Seat"}
• {"body":"Visit on Friday or Saturday evening after 6:00 PM when dinner service runs late, sometimes accompanied by live music.","title":"Evening Dinners"}
• {"body":"If tables are busy, pick up classics like fish and chips, calamari, or Mövenpick ice cream to enjoy on the grass across the road.","title":"Grab Takeaway for the Shore"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Family-friendly environment with dining tables suitable for children.","dietary":"Vegetarian options available, including tofu bao buns, mushroom pasta, and cabinet selections.","accessibility":"Wheelchair accessible dining space accommodating chairs and walking frames."}