What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Holy Guaca-Moly
Review
About
Open on the waterfront of Paihia is Holy Guaca-Moly, a new and vibrant contemporary restaurant and bar with Mexican cuisine. Featuring a fresh & dietary friendly menu, Holy Guaca-Moly is bringing a new flavour to the Bay of Islands.
Features
CUISINES
Mexican, New Zealand
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
PRICE
₱₱ - ₱₱₱
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Delivery
Digital Payments
Dog Friendly
Family style
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Non-smoking restaurants
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Television
Visa
Wine and Beer
Does this restaurant specialize in New Zealand style food?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 12:00 AM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Monday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Contribute
4.2
23 reviews
Excellent
15
Good
2
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
2
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Tessa2691
13 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
Best food in Paihia! We have been here for 4 days, sampling our way through Paihia’s restaurants. We have eaten almost everywhere and I am so sad that we came here in our last night! I would have definitely come here again!
Order the ceviche, I know you might think you don’t like raw fish but order it anyway, you’ll change your mind. And order dessert, we had the churros and they were perfect. The waitstaff were friendly and efficient and the meals were served quickly.
Written October 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
miffie69
Edinburgh52 contributions
Feb 2024 • solo
Good, reasonable priced menu . I opted for the Prawn Cocktail washed down by a recommended local “Chilli” Beer ! Nice , clean modern establishment with knowledgeable and attentive staff ! Would recommend 👍
Written February 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Thank you so much for your review and I am delighted you enjoyed your visit!
Written June 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Travelfun001
Oakville3648 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
We had dinner and really enjoyed our meal. Shared the beef quesadilla and chicken nachos. Both were delicious and had a lot of meat in/on them. Nachos didn’t have a ton of chips which is what we expect at home.
The side of guacamole was very good and is fairly priced. They have a house made hot sauce that was very good (not too hot) or Tabasco sauce for extra heat.
Portions are very large so order accordingly. The couple at the next table couldn’t believe the size of the burritos.
Written February 11, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara B
2 contributions
Oct 2024 • family
We ordered takeaways and I had the Quit Beefin - 2 x soft tacos with marinated beef cheek $23.50 - quite expensive even compared to Auckland prices so I was expecting something amazing. Unfortunately this is the first time in my life that my dinner was absolutely inedible. When I went to eat these there was so much fat and oil soaking through the tortillas that there was no way anyone could eat these. I tried to peel these off and eat some of the beef cheek (which unlike most tacos was the only thing inside) but basically had to throw out. Kids had nachos and were able to eat theirs.
Written October 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reisenerd
Frankfurt427 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
After all the burgers in New Zealand we wanted to try something different and went to the Mexican.
The restaurant is very modern, not exactly authentic.
Unfortunately, the food did not convince us. The burrito tasted average and was not exactly well seasoned. Dir dips to the nachos were surprisingly tasteless.
Service and and beer matched that but was not enough for a delicious evening.
Conclusion: If you want delicious and authentic Mexican food, you should avoid the restaurant.
Automatically translated
Written January 26, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex-Edwards
78 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
I’ve been to crafty local a few times before and it had good food at a good price, inviting atmosphere and friendly staff. I gather it’s recently under new ownership, so I’m sure they need some time to get settled in. However, I found their Sunday dinner ‘average’ at best.
Written September 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith Andrews
St. Albans61 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
Not a bad Mexican style food restaurant. Good range of Mexican dishes on the menu, based on tacos, bread or rice. Service a bit brush. Beer a bit over priced.
Written December 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Hi 549 Keitha,
Thank you for your visit to Holy Guaca-Moly. We really appreciate you taking the time to leave your review. We are sorry to hear you felt rushed as we always encourage our staff to always be attentive, but not to make customers feel rushed in any way.
I am also sorry to hear you think our beer prices ae over priced. We actually have one of the most competitive beer tap pricing in Paihia and offer full English 570ml options. 'Pints' in NZ have no regulation, which is why we try to ensure the customer knows what they are getting for their money. This is something that few other restaurants in the area actually advertise when you ask for a 'pint'.
We would like to welcome you back anytime and try to improve on your previous experience.
Thanks once again
Written December 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SDtraveler100
San Diego16 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
Excellent choice of beers on tap and snacks located right in the heart of Paihai.
Beer, food and service were all excellent even though 2 cruise ships were in town.
We had the pub sharer for two and two draft pints. All the sharer items were piping hot and delicious.
Written February 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Thank you so much for your review and I am so glad you enjoyed your visit. We look forward to welcoming you back soon
Written June 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sally l
7 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
An awesome place whether it’s breakfast lunch or just a drink, top quality food throughout, the breakfasts particularly are excellent. Friendly staff, full range of drinks with draft beers and really cool vibe and music… a real find in Paihia and our favourite place to just hang out. Thank you.
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Hi Sally, I am so glad you enjoyed your visit. Thank you for choosing The Crafty Local
Written June 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
brickensontour
Ireland11 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
This place has it all. Friendly staff, delicious meals that are very reasonably priced, something for everyone on the menu. The decor is fabulous and the drink selection top notch. A kids area for the little ones too! Thank you Crafty Local, I will be back
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Thank you so much for visiting. We hope to welcome you back again soon
Written June 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
glennomeister
Wellington546 contributions
Mar 2024 • solo
This has opened up some time in the two years since I last visited Paihia. Thank goodness. There is Phat House (love them!) out toward Haruru but of course not walkable. There is CBK who are hardly the craft beer haven they advertise themselves to be and really the only thing of note about them is that some of the seating is almost-on-the-water.
But now there's this real craft beer place with lots of taps and the variety you'd expect, right in the middle of town centre. Huzzah!
Visiting from the Wellington area it was great to see lots of Wellington and Hutt Valley options. But seeing as I was up north I stuck with options from the central north island upward, e.g. Northland's own McLeods.
Written March 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Hi Glenn. Thank you so much for your kind review. I can confirm we opened our doors in November 2023. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit and look forward to welcoming you back again soon
Written June 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NZ Traveller
10 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Walk past the other craft bars this one has it all. Great to see a brand new venue in the BOI with a really cool fit out. Staff are enthusiastic, friendly and make you feel like you are in your local. Which brings me to my only gripe, "The Crafty Local" doesn't have a tap for the local brewery. All their beers are excellent and just around the corner. Everybody wants to drink the local beer and it just aint there.
Written December 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Hi NZ traveller. Thank you so much for your kind review. I am sorry we didn't have a 'local beer' on during your visit. Our tap beers are continually changing from amazing brewers all over Aotearoa. We do regularly have local brewery beers on tap and are constantly rotated. We really hope to see you again where you can try one of these local Bay Of Island Brews
Written June 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Go45080661693
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • family
Great food and the flavours were delicious and with great service and we highly recommend them
To anyone in paihia Bay of Islands
Written November 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reuben Garrett
9 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
Not great unfortunately. The menu is all pretty underwhelming. I had the nachos, the cheese was like plastic and the beef was dry. The chips tasted stale. All up was just not good food.
The staff were pretty nice. And the ginger ale was cold. So that’s good.
Written November 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan Cook
Hi Reuben,
As a brand new restaurant still finding its feet when you visited in November, we apologise that we may not have been the well oiled machine we have evolved to now.
We really appreciate all feedback and have input this into our service and with an evolving menu. We would love to welcome you back to try is out again soon and hope we can improve on your previous experience.
King Regards
Written December 4, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sandy M
Auckland4 contributions
Sep 2024 • friends
Bright, friendly, very tasty - make sure you stress ‘not too hot’ if necessary - very good service & excellent location by the waterfront
Written October 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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