Centrale at Clarence is the restaurant inside the Clarence Boutique Hotel, a stylish and avant-garde escape set within Tauranga's grand historic post office. The building dates from 1905, and the venue wears its heritage gracefully: 1900s charm and modern comfort meet European elegance and New Zealand character, just steps from the centre of the city.
In the kitchen, the essence of fresh Kiwi produce meets Mediterranean-inspired cooking. Expect a delightful array of small plates, handmade pasta and grilled specialties — flavours drawn from around the Mediterranean sea, served in a room that suits a casual meal just as well as a special occasion. Hours are generous, with the restaurant running from 7am on weekdays and from midday on weekends, until late.
The restaurant is part of a larger boutique hotel experience. Guests can stay overnight in a Deluxe Queen Room, Executive King Room, Premier King Room or the Beachfront Apartment; private occasions can be hosted in the Pavilion, Board Room or Private Dining area; and gift vouchers cover everything from a delightful meal to a luxurious overnight stay. Owners Noel Cimadom and Kim Symthe sum up the ethos simply: offering guests the vacation they deserve.
Centrale at Clarence sits in the beating heart of Tauranga, inside the Clarence Boutique Hotel — a stylish, avant-garde escape created within the city's grand historic post office. The building dates to 1905, and its handsome bones set the tone for everything that happens here: a blend of 1900s charm and modern comfort, where European elegance meets New Zealand heritage. Step inside and you'll find a restaurant humming with conversation, thoughtfully designed corners at every turn, and a team whose whole purpose is helping guests seize every moment of their stay. It's the kind of place that suits a leisurely breakfast, a celebratory dinner or a whole weekend away.
The hotel is the work of owners Noel Cimadom and Kim Symthe, whose philosophy is disarmingly simple. “The reason for our success is no secret,” they say. “It's the simple idea that we strive to offer our guests the vacation they deserve.” That idea shapes the whole property. Four accommodation styles — the Deluxe Queen Room, Executive King Room, Premier King Room and a Beachfront Apartment — cater to travellers seeking luxury, comfort or a stunning view, and the team dedicates itself to making every moment of a stay enjoyable and memorable.
The restaurant is built around one appealing idea: the essence of fresh Kiwi produce meets Mediterranean-inspired cooking. The menu is a delightful array of small plates, handmade pasta and grilled specialties — food meant to be shared, savoured and lingered over, with flavours drawn from around the Mediterranean sea. Order widely: the small plates invite sharing, while the pasta and grill dishes are made to anchor the table.
It is a versatile room, equally suited to a casual meal and a special occasion, and it keeps generous hours. On weekdays the kitchen starts at 7am; on weekends service begins at midday. Both run until late, so breakfast, long lunches and dinners all unfold beneath the heritage architecture of the old post office.
Centrale and the Clarence are also a vibrant hub of events and experiences. The hotel hosts its own upcoming events throughout the year, and private occasions can be tailored to three versatile spaces: the Pavilion, the Board Room and the Private Dining area. Gift vouchers round out the offering, redeemable against a delightful meal, a refreshing drink or a luxurious overnight stay — a flexible gift for birthdays, promotions or simply saying thank you.
Location is one of the property's quiet strengths: this is the centre of Tauranga, with the wider Bay of Plenty at the doorstep. The hotel curates recommended activities and exclusive discounts for its guests and Clarence Club members — avocado tours that promise to start your avocado adventure, the Bay Explorer, and Mauao Adventures — unlocked with the promo code STAYINPLAY. The events programme and local guides are updated regularly, making it easy to build an itinerary without leaving the front desk. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a longer, unhurried stay, the Clarence positions itself as a launchpad for discovering the hidden gems of the region. And the group's hospitality doesn't stop here: sister venue Alpino brings Italian warmth to The Mount, just down the road.
Practicalities are easy. The restaurant opens on weekdays from 7am until late and on weekends from midday until late; the hotel front desk runs 7am–9pm on weekdays and 8am–9pm on weekends. Tables and suites can both be booked online, and the team is happy to help on +64 7 574 8200 or at [email protected]. Come for a plate of handmade pasta, stay for a night in a heritage building — Centrale at Clarence makes a convincing case for both.