Tawa's International Food Festival
4 - 21 June 2026
From street eats to sweet treats,
...discover Tawa's hidden gems
Embark on a delicious journey around the world right here in Tawa! From beloved local favourites to exciting new tastes, our local cafés, restaurants, and takeaways are offering the very best global flavours.
Be sure to check out our Event page and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the details on how to be in with a chance to win some great prizes.
Dietary requirements and food allergies
Every effort has been made to provide accurate information on the web page. If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, please ensure you check with each individual eatery.
Restaurants
Indian Flavours
Food Festival Special: Goat Curry
A rich journey through authentic Indian spices and tradition.
Address: 216a Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 280 0804
Hours: Wednesday to Monday: 10 am to 9 pm, Tuesday: 4 to 9 pm
. Goat Curry Experience the authentic taste of our signature Goat Curry - a beautifully spiced traditional dish featuring tender goat slow-cooked in a rich, velvety gravy infused with garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and hand-selected Indian spices. Full of depth, warmth, and flavour, it’s served with fragrant basmati rice for the perfect comforting meal. A true crowd favourite that brings the heart of Indian cuisine to the festival. Gluten-free and halal Prepared in a kitchen that handles gluten. Indian Flavours also has gluten-free, halal and vegetarian options available. Vegan options on request.
Kinnari Thai Restaurant
Food Festival Special: Stir-Fried Crispy Pork & Mixed Vegetables
Vibrant Thai flavours in the heart of Tawa.
Address: 124 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 8555
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12 to 2 pm, 7 days a week: 5 to 9 pm
. Stir-Fried Crispy Pork and Mixed Vegetables Savour the irresistible crunch of Thai stir-fried crispy pork, tossed with vibrant mixed vegetables in a rich, flavour-packed sauce. Crafted from a treasured family recipe passed down through generations, every bite delivers the perfect balance of savoury, aromatic, and slightly sweet notes. It’s a timeless taste of Thailand - bold, comforting, and made with pride. Gluten-free, with vegetarian & vegan options available Kinnari Thai Restaurant also has gluten-free, halal, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Madam Saigon
Signature Dish: Creamy Chicken Curry with Rice or Roti (also available with prawns (+$2) or veg)
Fresh, fast and flavour-packed Vietnamese favourites.
Address: 209 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 2322
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday & Sunday: 11 am to 3 pm & 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday & Saturday: 11 am to 3 pm & 5 pm to 9:30 pm
. Creamy Vietnamese Chicken Curry served with rice or roti A fragrant, soul-warming dish rich with coconut cream, zesty lemongrass, and tender chunks of chicken, carrots, and potatoes simmered to perfection. Served with your choice of fluffy rice or warm, flaky roti, it’s a comforting fusion of delicate aromatics and hearty flavours. Prefer something different? Enjoy it with succulent prawns (+$2) or as a delicious vegetarian/vegan option - equally satisfying and full of vibrant taste. Gluten-free, halal, with vegetarian & vegan options available. Prepared in a kitchen that handles gluten and soy. Madam Saigon also has gluten-free, halal, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Sprig + Fern Tawa
Food Festival Special: House made pastrami with colcannon stuffed potato, horseradish sour cream
Your local tavern with craft beer, hearty meals, a dedicated kids’ area and a dog-friendly vibe.
Address: 99 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 1111
Hours: Monday to Friday: 11:30 am to late, Saturday & Sunday 10 am to late
. House made pastrami with colcannon stuffed potato, horseradish sour cream A hearty festival favourite featuring house-made pastrami served with a colcannon-stuffed potato and finished with a punchy horseradish sour cream - comfort food with a gourmet twist. Sprig + Fern Tawa also has gluten-free, halal, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Taste of India
Signature Dish: Butter Chicken
Classic Indian comfort food served with genuine hospitality.
Address: 174 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 7212
Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 11 am to 2 pm, Tuesday to Sunday: 5 to 9:30 pm
. Butter Chicken The signature Butter Chicken is a crowd favourite for good reason - tender, succulent pieces of chicken simmered in a luxuriously rich tomato sauce, infused with butter and a hint of honey for the perfect balance of savoury and subtle sweetness. Creamy, comforting, and full of flavour, it’s a timeless classic that keeps people coming back for more. Gluten-free and halal. Prepared in a kitchen that handles gluten. Taste of India also has gluten-free, halal, dairy-free and vegetarian options available. Vegan options on request.
The Borough
Food Festival Special: Turkish Pide
Where locals gather for great food, drinks and atmosphere.
Address: 162 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 7308
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10 am to late, Friday to Sunday: 9.30 am to late
. Turkish Pide Discover the irresistible charm of Turkish pide - a traditional boat-shaped flatbread, baked to golden perfection and loaded with flavour. Choose from a savoury favourite topped with tender beef sirloin, capsicum, onion, and mushroom on a rich tomato base, finished with fragrant garlic butter (also available dairy-free). Or enjoy the delicious vegetarian option, featuring a vibrant mix of spinach, mushrooms, and feta on a garlic butter and mozzarella base, with a dairy-free version available too. Warm, hearty, and bursting with taste, it’s a true crowd-pleaser. Vegetarian and dairy-free options available. The Borough also has gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Yum Yum House
Usual Dishes Available
A family favourite for classic Chinese comfort dishes.
Address: 2 Oxford Street, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 8188
Hours: 7 days a week: 5 to 10 pm
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Cafes
Daily Fix Cafe
Food Festival Special: Dubai Chocolate Donut
Keeping things simple with bold flavours and sweet indulgence to fuel your festival fix.
Address: Outlet City, 24 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 417 1262
Hours: 7 days a week: 10 am to 5 pm
. Dubai Chocolate Donut Sink your teeth into this indulgent delight - a pillowy donut generously filled with rich, velvety Dubai chocolate, then lavishly drizzled with a decadent chocolate and luscious pistachio icing. Sweet, nutty, and irresistibly luxurious, it’s a treat that feels as opulent as it tastes. Vegetarian, contains nuts Daily Fix Cafe also has gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
El Porteno
Signature Dish: World Famous Cheese Scone
Local gem serving up Kiwi classics.
Address: 139a Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 4155
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7 am to 3 pm, Saturday: 8:30 am to 2 pm
. World Famous Cheese Scone Made with real butter and generous amounts of real cheese, these legendary cheese scones have earned a reputation as the best in Tawa - some say even the world. Golden and crunchy on the outside, soft and perfectly moist on the inside, each oversized scone is packed with rich, savoury flavour. Even better when lightly toasted with lashings of butter, they’re the kind of comfort food people come back for again and again. Vegetarian El Porteno also has gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Nada Bakery
Food Festival Special: Tiramisu
Iconic Tawa bakery crafting award-winning cakes, pies and bread.
Address: 4/72 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 4233
Hours: 7 days a week: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
. Tiramisu Indulge in a classic Tiramisu crafted from a top-secret family recipe - rich, velvety, and irresistibly authentic. Vegetarian Nada Bakery also has gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
Tawa Village Bakery & Coffee Shop
Food Festival Special: Crispy Chicken on Rice or Chips with the Chef's Special Sauce
Hearty comfort food with big portions and bold flavour.
Address: 198 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 6888
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 am to 5 pm, Saturday: 6:30 am to 4 pm, Sunday: 8 am to 3 pm
. Crispy Chicken on Rice or Chips with the Chef's Special Sauce Golden, crispy chicken served with your choice of fluffy rice or crunchy chips, drizzled in the chef’s signature sauce - a mouth-watering blend of garlic, sweet soy, and creamy mayonnaise. Halal Tawa Village Bakery & Coffee Shop also has gluten-free, halal, and vegetarian options available.
The Huddle
Signature Dish: Burger & Chips
Recently renovated bar where good times, great food and live sport come together.
Address: 191 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 4763
Hours: 7 days a week: 9:30 am to 12 am
. Burger & Chips Sink your teeth into burger perfection at The Huddle, with five delicious options to choose from. From the classic beef cheeseburger and crispy southern chicken to smoky pulled pork, coastal catch fish or the garden delight vegetarian favourite, every burger is served with seasoned fries for the ultimate comfort food feast. Vegetarian option available The Huddle also has vegetarian and vegan options available.
Urban Eatery Cafe and Bakery
Signature Dish: Mince and Cheese Pie
Modern café flair meets decadent handmade treats.
Address: 232 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 2888
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 7 am to 3:30 pm, Sunday and Monday: 8 am to 3:30 pm
. Mince and Cheese Pie Urban Eatery’s famous Tofiga mince and cheese pie is packed with rich, savoury flavour and has earned a massive 9.9 rating from Kosmos. A local favourite with a cult following, this legendary pie is comfort food at its very best. Urban Eatery Café and Bakery also has vegetarian options available.
Eat at home
New World Tawa
Celebrate the Festival in the Comfort of your own Home
Your passport to global flavours, all under one roof.
Address: 35 Oxford Street, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 3831
Hours: 7 days a week: 7 am to 9 pm
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Times Square Spices
Celebrate the Festival in the Comfort of your own Home
Spice up your kitchen with authentic South Asian ingredients.
Address: 199 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 8383
Hours: 7 days a week: 9 am to 8 pm
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Takeaways
BBQ Chaska
Food Festival Special: : Beef Bihari Kebab
Authentic Pakistani charcoal BBQ (Halal) food truck.
Address: Outlet City, 24 Main Road, Tawa (outside Chipmunks)
Phone: 027 541 2750
Hours: Saturday & Sunday: 11 am to 6 pm
. Beef Bihari Kebab Tender strips of beef, marinated in a traditional Bihari spice blend, and expertly skewered and charcoal-grilled for a smoky, melt-in-your-mouth sensation. Served with naan bread, salad and yogurt chutney. Halal All food is halal, and BBQ Chaska also has gluten-free options available.
Coffee Joint
Food Festival Special: Award-winning Passionfruit Slice
The best little coffee cart in Tawa serving gluten-free treats.
Address: Outlet City, 24 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 022 497 9649 (text orders only)
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6 am to 1 pm, Weekends & Public Holidays: 8 am to 2 pm
. Award-winning Passionfruit Slice Indulge in Coffee Joint’s award-winning, gluten-free passionfruit slice - a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy treat that’s earned rave reviews and local bragging rights. Gluten-free, vegetarian. Prepared in a kitchen that handles gluten Coffee Joint also has gluten-free, vegetarian and coeliac options available.
Gorgeous Goose Cakes
Food Festival Special: NYC Nutella Cookie
Creating stunning custom cakes, cupcakes and sweet treats for all occasions.
Address: 1/182 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 027 410 1050
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 am to 5 pm, Wednesday & Saturday: 9 am to 7 pm
. NYC Nutella Cookie TBA Vegetarian. Gorgeous Goose Cakes also has gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan (?) options available.
Jamano Kitchen
Food Festival Special: Lu Sipi inspired slow-braised lamb, coconut & spinach with crisp manioke chips
Pacific catering made simple and delicious with walk-in Wednesday takeaways.
Address: 3/182 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 027 289 9259
Hours: Wednesday takeaway lunch: 11 am to 3 pm, catering requests by appointment
. Lu Sipi inspired slow-braised lamb, coconut & spinach with crisp manioke chips A Tongan special of tender lamb with coconut, onion and spinach, wrapped in silverbeet leaves and slow-braised for a rich, traditional Lu Sipi–style finish. Served with crisp manioke chips. Finished with our house coconut chilli oil, crispy onions, toasted sesame seeds and fresh spring onion. Gluten-free, contains sesame. Prepared in a kitchen that handles gluten and soy. Jamano Kitchen can customise to individual dietary requests.
Lyxe Sushi
Usual menu available
Fresh, fast and flavour-packed Japanese favourites.
Address: Outlet City, 24 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 4988
Hours: 7 days a week: 10 am to 5 pm
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Oxford Fish and Chips
Usual menu available
Classic Kiwi takeaway serving fish and chips, alongside many Chinese favourites.
Address: 2 Oxford Street, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 8166
Hours: 7 days a week: 10:30 am to 9 pm
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Seafood Plus
Usual menu available
Your go-to for fish and chips, burgers and Chinese food.
Address: 193 Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 3788
Hours: 7 days a week: 11:30 am to 9 pm
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Supreme Fast Food
Food Festival Special: Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Tofu Sauce, with Rice/Mapo Tofu with rice
Traditional fish and chip takeaway also serving delicious Chinese food.
Address: 216b Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 027 884 7528/04 232 9838
Hours: 7 days a week: 11 am to 9 pm
. Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Tofu Sauce, with Rice Savour rich, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly in a flavourful preserved tofu sauce, served with rice - or try the delicious Mapo Tofu option for a bold and comforting plant-based feast. Gluten-free, halal, with vegetarian & vegan options available. Supreme Fast Food also has gluten-free, halal, and vegan options available.
Tawa Food Market
Food Festival Special: CJ’s Hāngī
Local dairy providing a unique Māori hāngī meal with CJ’s secret sauce.
Address: 214b Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 8270
Hours: 7 days a week: 7:30 am to 7:30 pm (Hāngī available Tuesday to Friday from 11 am)
. CJ’s Hāngī Savour the rich, earthy flavours of CJ’s Hāngī - a uniquely crafted Māori feast that delivers smoky, slow-cooked goodness in every bite. Generous portions of tender pork chop and juicy chicken are paired with perfectly cooked potatoes, kūmara, cabbage, and traditional stuffing, all brought together with CJ’s signature secret sauce. Deeply comforting and consistently delicious, it’s a true taste of Aotearoa with a flavour you won’t forget.
The Fitness Portal
Food Festival Special: Neapolitan Protein Shake
Fuel your body with clean, energising smoothies and shakes.
Address: 10 Surrey Street, Tawa
Phone: 04 260 3340
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 8 am to 2 pm
. Neapolitan Protein Shake Our Neapolitan Protein shake brings the classic trio together in every sip - chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry blended into one fun, nostalgic flavour. A shake that tastes like dessert but works like serious nutrition. Made in New Zealand with premium grass-fed whey, it delivers the highest quality protein you can trust in every serve. Low in sugar, high in protein and epic on the taste buds. Vegetarian
The Pink Pineapple Bakery
Usual menu available
Local favourite selling sandwiches, pies and chicken dishes
Address: 214a Main Road, Tawa
Phone: 04 232 6146
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 5:30 am to 5 pm
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Wired Pup Coffee
Food Festival Special: Deluxe Cadbury hot chocolate with Tatua chocolate mousse
Amazing coffee, iced drinks and milkshakes, with a range of dairy-free alternatives (and a warm welcome for dogs).
Address: 204b Main Road, Tawa
Hours: Monday: 9 am to 2 pm, Tuesday to Friday: 7:30 am to 4 pm, Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm.
. Deluxe Cadbury’s hot chocolate with Tatua chocolate mousse A rich, velvety hot chocolate that brings together the best of the UK and New Zealand. Made with luscious Cadbury chocolate sauce, a nod to the iconic Birmingham-born confectionery brand, and topped with silky Tatua chocolate mousse from right here in New Zealand, this deluxe drink is a celebration of two cultures in one decadent cup. Gluten-free. Wired Pup Coffee also has gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
