If you’re spending any time on New Zealand’s North Island, you may want to consider adding a stop on your road trip at the Coromandel Peninsula, as well as stopping by Cathedral Cove, one of the country’s most iconic views and hikes. The walkway was closed when we visited in late Nov ’24, but we spent the afternoon at Hahei Beach after stopping for a quick lunch. There are quite a few vegan-friendly places to check out in the Cathedral Cove area too.
Check out an incomplete list of places to find vegan food in Cathedral Cove below.
Blue Ginger
Blue Ginger is a restaurant serving up Asian fusion cuisine with rotating seasonal menus, and they are also alcohol-free! Having been around for 17 years, they are “Whitianga’s longest-established owner-operated eatery”, They have an entire plant-based menu, featuring dumplings, crispy tofu, a Buddha bowl, and a few more options.
Luke’s Kitchen
This iconic seaside restaurant couples wood-fired pizzas with the perfect views. Luke’s Kitchen serves up a whole host of delicious food, but their pizza is what they’re most known for. You can add their house made cashew mozzarella cheese to any of their pizzas for an additional charge and you can veganize a few of their menu items as well; just ask!
UMU
Umu is one of the top-rated restaurants in Coromandel, and they do have a few vegan options, though they are limited, including a vegan pizza and Vietnamese noodle salad. They don’t have a website so you’ll have to go for yourself to find out.
Hot Water Cafe
On our way to Hot Water Beach, we stopped at a cute little gem of a place called Hot Waves Cafe completely unexpectedly. There’s indoor and outdoor seating (though the indoor seating was basically outdoor with all the windows and doors open). My cousin and I split the roasted beet and maple walnut quinoa salad (minus the crumbled feta), and hot chips (though I didn’t touch the aioli). I believe there may have been an option for a vegan ice cream, but I would confirm.
Star & Garter
This is, unfortunately, my third mention of vegan pizza on this list, but Star & Garter does serve up pizza pies and also offers vegan cheese for an additional charge. The Margherita and Colville pies can be made vegan with the cheese substitution.
Hula
If you’re having trouble finding some other vegan options, you can stop by Hula. Their menu changes seasonally, but they always have vegan-friendly options on their menu and in their cabinet. According to HappyCow, their daily muffin is always vegan.
Marina Bay Eatery & Bar
Marina Bay Eatery & Bar dishes out primarily Asian food, with small sharing plates as well. Vegan-friendly options include the agedashi tofu, vegetarian yellow curry, oven-baked miso eggplant, and more but you will have to specify that you are vegan.
Stoked
Stoked Public House‘s menu is incredible with a few vegan options to boot and is clearly labeled. As of this posting, vegans can order the garlic flatbread, chargrilled halloumi, fries, broccoli, and even a vegan dessert (the vanilla pannacotta!). They also offer vegan cheese for any of their pizzas for an additional charge.
Cooked
For something entirely different from anything else I’ve shared thus far, check out Cooked for Mexican food! Many of their menu items can be made vegan if they aren’t already (i.e. the burrito, the veggie tacos, etc.), and you can also get vegan cheese on the side.
Earth Store
If you’re running low on snacks or groceries or just need a pick-me-up coffee, visit the Earth Store for all of your needs. They reportedly have a ton of vegan and gluten-free options.
The Harbour House Cafe
Another place to grab a bite is The Harbour House Cafe. Their menu is clearly labeled and a few of the vegan-friendly options (or items that can be made vegan) are the vegan breakfast burrito, vegan beans on toast, and vegetarian nachos that can be made vegan.
Did I miss any spots with vegan food in Cathedral Cove? Let me know below!
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