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.
Nikau Restaurant
Review
About
Located within Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands, Nikau Restaurant offers true New Zealand cuisine and wines and cocktails served with traditional "kiwi hospitality". A relaxing house bar adjoins the Restaurant and outdoor seating is available adjacent to the swimming pool. Our Head Chef, Matt is happy to cater for those with dietary requirements and offers a great kids Menu. Let our Restaurant Manager, Sumit and his team look after you and relax!
Features
CUISINES
Bar, Contemporary, Pub, Fusion, New Zealand
Meal types
Breakfast, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free off-street parking
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Free off-street parking
Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 6:30 AM
Sunday
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Monday
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Thursday
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
6:30 AM - 9:30 AM5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Contribute
4.2
39 reviews
Excellent
23
Good
7
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Rhonda2014
Paihia19 contributions
May 2020 • none
Thank you so much for such a delicious meal delivered right to my front door. As a single person it is very difficult to get a takeaway delivered, so for the price of $15 with free delivery I was so appreciative. The meal was fantastic with plenty leftover for my lunch the next day. To be delivered on time and hot in a great usuable bag (a bonus) was fantastic.
Written May 17, 2020
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.
katiesX9797EJ
Kia Ora All Rhonda
Thank you so much for taking the time to provide your feedback! We are so pleased that you enjoyed the roast. We will be doing this every Sunday so just give us a call of you would like to order again!
Nga mihi
Katie
Written May 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brendan P
2 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
We very rarely rave about restaurant experiences but this time we have to. We had the restaurant to ourselves (pity everyone else didn't know what they were missing out on!) and seated near the warming fire. Personal service from Katie the GM ensured our every need was attended to and the meal that was carefully prepared by Zane the head chef, was outstandingly tasteful. We enjoyed a great selection of gluten free tapas the best of which were made up of pork belly, calamari and kumura.
Written July 24, 2020
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.
katiesX9797EJ
Kia ora Brendan,
Thank you so much for your kind comments, this is really appreciate and as always a great team effort.
We hope to see you again soon!
Nga mihi, Katie Buksh
Written August 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
alwaysmoving_8
Christchurch68 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Ate there two nights. First night had the Panko Crumbled Hoki and the Tomato Linguine Pasta. Both were excellent. Second night had the Lamb Shank and my wife had the Prime Beef Nachos. Again, both were excellent. Also had the Crispy Calamari both nights. Enjoyed them both. First glass of the House Cabernet tasted as if the bottle had been left open too long. House Syrah was quite good.
Food is better than the regular pub food that we had in Paihia. Good place to get away from the tourist food and crowd.
Written January 4, 2020
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.
Katie B
Kia Ora!
Thank you for the great review- we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future!
Nga mihi
Katie Buksh
Written January 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kellzwetz
3 contributions
Jan 2023 • business
First to dine tonight and won’t do it again, beef cheek pasta 🤮 pasta over cooked and the flavour of everything is disgusting it actually tastes like dog food, the beef cheek flavour is all through it like a pot of boiled meat with noodles thrown in.
Crispy pork belly- note the first word CRISPY not, pork belly rubbery and top soft, you could tell it has been reheated.
Chicken pizza that looked like a pre frozen packet pizza with some fresh cheese put on top and shoved in the microwave
We returned the pasta and advised them it is not nice, I ate half the pork belly and the kids took away the pizza for night snacks to try not to be rude any further, Only to have a $150 bill for food that was not pleasant and no discount or apology given.
Called back later to order dessert and the lady on the phone needs a hug or to go home for the night 😜
Surely they can’t get breakfast wrong!!! Fingers crossed for the morning
Written January 25, 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.
IkiB
Sydney38 contributions
Mar 2025 • couples
The dishes that were made ok were average minus. Some dishes were just made poorly.
Expensive relative to experience and looong wait while the big groups in the hotel are getting their food.
Managers attitude appalling.
Written March 8, 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.
Debbie Patten
I am so very sorry to read this. Would you reach out to me and tell me more. debbiep@scenichotels.co.nz
Written March 10, 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Joanne S
Auckland5 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
Nice atmosphere and the food was plenty for breakfast. They also did room service during opening hours to the hotel at no extra charge. Nice.
Written February 1, 2022
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.
Carlou
5 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
Beautiful atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious meal. My husband said his lamb shanks were the best he’s ever had.
Written January 3, 2020
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.
Katie B
Kia Ora!
Thank you for the great review- we look forward to welcoming you back in the near future!
Nga mihi
Katie Buksh
Written January 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Frits v
Auckland Central18 contributions
Nov 2019 • couples
The restaurant was relaxed. With friendly and adequate service. The menu card is varied with New Zealand but also Italien food.
We had the braised New Zealnd lam Shank and the Vegan Wrap.
Written November 10, 2019
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.
Katie B
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to review Nikau Restaurant. We are pleased that you enjoyed your experience and look forward to welcoming you back in the near future.
Kind regards
Katie Buksh, general manager
Written November 12, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Clive P
Auckland262 contributions
May 2019 • couples
The food here is outstanding and there's certainly no chance of leaving hungry. The restaurant is rightly well known for it's sea food chowder. Heaps of a wide variety of seafood in a lovely creamy base. It was the best presented soup I've seen with very artistic garnishing. Fabulous. The problem was that it was a meal in itself...and then I had ordered lamb shank. This also was massive and very tasty. My wife's chicken looked good and she said it tasted great.
Great staff....professional and friendly. If I could give it 6 stars I would
I great surprise....recommended
Written May 17, 2019
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.
Katie S
Kia ora CliveP-T,
We appreciate your valuable feedback and I will ensure this is passed onto our hard working team.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Nikau Restaurant in the near future.
Warm regards
Katie Buksh
Written May 19, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lellley
North Island47 contributions
Apr 2019 • couples
Absolutely wonderful meal, cooked to perfection and extremely tasty. The beautiful Sarah was our waitress and that girl is lovely and very professional. Would love to eat here every week 🌸
Written April 27, 2019
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.
Mitchembo
Albany173 contributions
Mar 2019 • friends
Lovely food and very interesting menu. Good variety and most enjoyable. Great wait staff. The duck and the pork belly are highly recommended. Excellent dining experience.
Written March 26, 2019
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.
D5234UWtimb
22 contributions
Jan 2019 • couples
We arrived and were seated in an area that was very hot. Had to ask several times for aircon to be turned on. I had the main. A steak that I could not chew as it was gristly, and chips that were too salty and my wife had the tortilla. The thick crusted tortilla was deep fried and had minimal filling. A disappointing experience.
Written January 30, 2019
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.
Katrina P
Northland Region37 contributions
Sep 2018 • couples
When we arrived at the reception area there was no one to greet us. One waitress walked past and completely ignored us. Eventually another waitress arrived and took us to a table. We were given menus but not given a drinks menu. A while later they came back to take a drinks order. It took even longer for them to come back to take meals order. There was 9 people in the restarant. 5 were already eating and two arrived just after we did. The meal took more than 40 minutes to arrive. when it did the soup was cold and the steak was smothered in an overpowering sauce. It really spoilt our night and hence we did not go there for the complimentary breakfasts during our two night stay
We were very disappointed in the lack of service and meals. Would not recommend unless the staff are better trained on customer service and the chef has a look at menu.
Written September 23, 2018
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.
Trisha826
248 contributions
Mar 2018 • friends
I visited here with a Tour Party for 5 nights and we experienced Breakfast------Buffet Dinner----and set dinner. The breakfasts were all that you could ask for and very nicely presented. The dinner buffet excellent and we had 2 nights running and each night completely different which was a nice change to having the same things on the menu each night. Service and staff very obliging.
Written March 23, 2018
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.
Kerry K
Gold Coast80 contributions
Dec 2017 • solo
I stayed two nights and just ordered room service. First night Steak/Second night Falafel in flatbread. Delicious. Staff delivering food very obliging and friendly.
Written December 7, 2017
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.
Showing results 1-15 of 38
Best moderately priced restaurants
See all
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing