BEACH BAR

bar — Papamoa · Tauranga

About BEACH BAR

BEACHBAR is the Bay of Plenty's only beachfront bistro & bar, established in 1988 at 559 Papamoa Beach Road, with ocean views over Papamoa Beach and the Pacific. The venue offers an all-day, European-inspired bistro menu built on the freshest quality products, sourced as locally as possible.

Alongside the bistro, BEACHBAR runs a separate bar side — Pāpāmoa's only beachside bar, set in what was Bluebiyou's old function room in Pāpāmoa Domain. The bar is a no-fuss, no-booking casual venue with live music, Sky Sports TV and beach vibes, distinct from the bookable bistro dining experience.

The bistro menu spans small and large plates, salads, platters, steaks, burgers and desserts, backed by a drinks list covering beer and cider on tap, bottled beer, cocktails, and a wine list running through rosé, sparkling, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, shiraz and merlot.

BEACHBAR, Papamoa: The Bay of Plenty's Only Beachfront Bistro & Bar

Established in 1988, BEACHBAR sits at 559 Papamoa Beach Road with what it calls the Bay of Plenty's only genuinely beachfront position — ocean views over Papamoa Beach and the Pacific from a bistro and bar built specifically to make the most of that setting.

Two Venues, One Address

BEACHBAR actually runs as two distinct spaces. The bistro side offers an all-day, European-inspired menu built on the freshest quality products, sourced as locally as possible, and is where the venue's full food and wine list comes into play. The bar side — Pāpāmoa's only beachside bar — is set in what was previously Bluebiyou's old function room in Pāpāmoa Domain, and runs as a no-fuss, no-booking casual venue, with live music, Sky Sports on TV, and the kind of beach-vibes atmosphere the venue says you won't find anywhere else nearby.

A European-Inspired Bistro Menu

The bistro's small plates lean into fresh seafood and Mediterranean flavours: Pacific Oysters served with shallot mignonette or tempura battered, Yellow Fin Tuna Tataki with ponzu and wasabi mayo, and Fresh Kokoda built on market fish, coconut cream and charred pineapple. Larger plates move into heartier territory, including a Cioppino seafood stew of mussels, scallops, prawns, calamari and market fish in a tomato and nduja broth, and a 12-hour braised Lamb Shoulder built to share between two, finished with a central otago jus.

For those after something to share further, the Surf N Turf platter brings together salt and pepper squid, fried chicken, pork belly gyros, market fish tacos and tempura prawns, while a Charcuterie platter covers shaved prosciutto, salami picante, baked brie and local curd cheddar. Burgers, salads, steaks and a dedicated kids menu round out a genuinely wide spread, alongside desserts like Tiramisu, a Biscoff Cheesecake, and an Affogato finished with a choice of amaretto, baileys or frangelico.

A Drinks List to Match

BEACHBAR's drinks list runs from beer and cider on tap — including Heineken, Tiger, Export Ultra and Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale — through bottled options and a rotating monthly special, to a cocktail list featuring an Aperol Spritz, a Strawberry Mojito, and the venue's own Beach Bar Espresso Martini. The wine list covers rosé, sparkling, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, shiraz and merlot, drawing on producers from Marlborough, Central Otago, Hawke's Bay and across the Tasman.

Visiting BEACHBAR

BEACHBAR is closed Mondays, and open Tuesday through Sunday from midday until late. Bookings can be made online for the bistro, and the venue also sells gift cards. Staff ask to be told of any food allergies before ordering, with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options marked throughout the menu.

For anyone in Papamoa after beachfront dining with an ocean view, or a relaxed, no-booking beach bar with live music and sports on the TV, BEACHBAR offers both experiences from the same stretch of sand.

Signature items

  • Cioppino
  • Lamb Shoulder (Two to Share)
  • Surf N Turf Platter
  • Market Fish
  • Big Blue Burger
  • Beach Bar Espresso Martini

Menu

Kids

  • Fish & Chips — Kids serving
  • Crispy Chicken Sliders & Chips — Kids serving
  • Cheeseburger & Chips — Kids serving

Sides

  • Herb Baby Potatoes — Side dish
  • Fries — Side dish
  • Sautéed Scallops — Side of four scallops
  • Sautéed Prawns — Side of five prawns
  • Seasonal Vegetables (GF) — Side dish
  • Garden Salad (GF) — Side dish

Drinks

  • Beer & Cider (on tap) — Heineken, Heineken Silver, Tiger, Export Ultra, Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale, Cider, rotating Monthly Special
  • Bottled Beer — Heineken, Heineken 0%, Golden Light, Sol, Monteiths Black, Export Citrus 2%
  • Cocktails — Aperol Spritz, Strawberry Mojito, Beach Bar Espresso Martini, Limoncelle Spritz, Classic Margarita, Spicy Coconut Margarita
  • Wine — Rosé, sparkling, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, shiraz and merlot from NZ and Australian producers

Salads

  • Seaside Caesar Salad (GFO) — Cos lettuce, crispy bacon, anchovy dressing, croutons, soft boiled egg
  • Mediterranean Salad Bowl (GF, VGO) — Greek salad, falafel, hummus, tzatziki, marinated chickpeas, dukkah
  • Rocket Salad (GF) — Cider poached pear, local curd cheddar, candied walnuts, aged balsamic, parmesan

Steaks

  • 250g Scotch Fillet (GF) — Baby potatoes, capsicum caponata, port wine jus
  • 200g Eye Fillet (GF) — Baby potatoes, capsicum caponata, port wine jus

Burgers

  • Big Blue Burger — Angus beef patty, gherkins, bacon, swiss cheese, lemon aioli, ketchup, fries
  • Chicken Burger — Crispy chicken, crema slaw, pickles, kaitaia fire mayo, nashville seasoning, fries
  • Classic Fish Burger — Beer battered market fish, shredded lettuce, swiss cheese, house tartare, fries

Desserts

  • Tiramisu — Mascarpone, strawberries, freeze dried berries
  • Lemon Tart — Mixed berry compote, vanilla ice cream
  • Biscoff Cheesecake — Caramel drizzle, whipped cream, cookies
  • Kids Cone — Vanilla or chocolate ice cream
  • Affogato — Double espresso, vanilla ice cream, choice of amaretto, baileys or frangelico

Platters

  • Surf N Turf — Salt & pepper squid, fried chicken, pork belly gyros, market fish tacos, tempura prawns, mussels, capsicum caponata
  • Charcuterie — Shaved prosciutto, salami picante, baked brie, local curd cheddar, marinated olives, house pickles, caramelised onion conserve, baked garlic baguette

Large Plates

  • Fish & Chips — Beer battered market fish, fries, garden salad, house tartare
  • Market Fish (GFO) — Vietnamese salad, herbs, ginger lime dressing, house smoked chimichurri
  • Cioppino (GFO) — Tomato & nduja broth with mussels, scallops, prawns, calamari, market fish, potato, fennel, baguette
  • Prawn Linguine (VGO) — Confit garlic, red chilli, grana padano
  • Pork & Scallops (GF) — Cauliflower & horseradish puree, bok choy, soy glaze
  • Lamb Shoulder (Two to Share) (GF) — 12 hour braised lamb, parmesan rocket salad, garlic herb baby potatoes, central otago jus
  • A Dozen Mussels (GFO, DFO) — Aromatic white coconut curry, toasted baguette

Small Plates

  • Baked Baguette — Garlic & herb butter
  • Marinated Mixed Olives (GF, VG) — With hummus, pita and local curd cheddar
  • Pacific Oysters — Shallot mignonette (GF) or tempura battered
  • Crispy Calamari — Salt & pepper, aromatic herbs, lemon, kaitaia fire mayo
  • Yellow Fin Tuna Tataki (GF) — Ponzu, wasabi mayo, crispy capers, shallots
  • Prawn Cocktail (GF) — Lettuce & cocktail dip
  • Fresh Kokoda (GF, DF) — Market fish, fresh lemon, coconut cream, charred pineapple, nori & prawn cracker
  • Half Dozen Mussels (GFO, DFO) — Aromatic white coconut curry, toasted baguette
  • Korean Fried Chicken — Sticky soy sauce, boneless chicken thigh, lemon aioli
  • Pork Belly Gyros — Mediterranean spiced pork belly, mixed salad, tzatziki, fresh pita

Frequently asked questions

Where is BEACHBAR located?
559 Papamoa Beach Road, Papamoa Beach 3118, Bay of Plenty.
What are BEACHBAR's opening hours?
Closed Monday; Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm until late.
Is BEACHBAR both a restaurant and a bar?
Yes, it has a bistro side with a full food and wine menu, and a separate no-booking beach bar with live music and Sky Sports.
Do I need to book?
The bistro can be booked online; the bar side is a no-fuss, no-booking casual venue.
Does BEACHBAR have a kids menu?
Yes, including Fish & Chips, Crispy Chicken Sliders & Chips, and a Cheeseburger & Chips.
Are there gluten-free, dairy-free or vegetarian options?
Yes, many dishes are marked GF, DF or VG, or have an option available — inform staff of any allergies before ordering.
Can I buy a gift card?
Yes, gift cards are available to purchase.

Tips

  • {"body":"Signature seafood stew and a 12-hour braised lamb shoulder built to share.","title":"Try the Cioppino or Lamb Shoulder"}
  • {"body":"Live music, Sky Sports and beach vibes, separate from the bookable bistro.","title":"Visit the bar side for a casual, no-booking drink"}
  • {"body":"Table bookings can be made online for the bistro dining side.","title":"Book the bistro ahead"}
  • {"body":"Available to purchase for gifting.","title":"Buy a gift card"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"A dedicated kids menu is available.","dietary":"Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options marked throughout; inform staff of any food allergies before ordering."}