Taste of tradition
One word sums up this Tauranga restaurant: Classic. A classic setting, classic cuisine, and classic vibes make it a local favourite for a reason.
words Hayley Barnett
Mention Harbourside to a Bay local and you’ll hear nothing but good things. As the pinnacle of traditional fine dining here, it offers everything you need from a waterfront eatery – stunning views, great food, friendly service, and a refined yet unpretentious vibe.
Having bought the restaurant back in 2011, husband and wife team Peter and Anita Ward know how lucky they are to own such a perfect spot on the Tauranga Harbour. There’s nothing else quite like it.
Peter had been managing Harbourside for four years when they jumped at the offer to purchase the restaurant. In that time he’d learned exactly what their clientele expected, mainly because they’d tell him.
“Consistency is key,” says Peter. “Even now, if you take something off the menu we’re nearly run out of town.”
The menu is full of classic dishes with a blend of Kiwiana and South Pacific tastes, as well as time-honoured European fare. Only slight variations are made during the change of menu each season.
“Many people here have traditional values and tastes and they simply want consistent quality,” explains Peter. “We provide that quality and consistency without throwing anything out there that’s too left field. It’s important to meet your market.”
Known for its simple fish and chips, these days other favourites consist of agresto crusted lamb backstrap and the popular Harbourside Seafood Chowder. This isn’t the place to come for an experimental, risky food adventure. Here you know what you’re getting every time.
It's all in the family for Harbourside, with Peter, Anita, Nicole and Cameron running the show.
And most of the staff stay consistent too. These days, it’s a family affair with Peter and Anita’s son, Cameron, running the kitchen as head chef, Cameron’s wife, Nicole, as maître d', and their son, 18-year-old Taylor, running the bar. Mixing family and business aligns with their ethos of providing a warm, welcoming atmosphere, where they treat their guests like family. It’s a formula that works and owner Peter isn’t about to do anything silly like change it.
“For us when we first arrived in Tauranga, Harbourside became our staple,” says Peter. “We’d get a table outside, order a wine and fish and chips. It was our favourite spot to be.”
That’s exactly what they want to continue offering to diners: a perfect experience in a tranquil setting, where you’re comfortable enough to order the fish and chips.
