Trip Itineraries - Indonesia | 15 minutes

CURATED GUIDE TO UBUD

Gorgeous Lavender at Mudbrick Vineyard.

Photo By: John Doe
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The full, comprehensive guide to Ubud. Find out where to stay, what to do and so much more.

There is something absolutely magical about Ubud. It’s a unique combination of the gorgeous temples, the Monkeys hanging out in forest, the endless rice terraces, and the amazing culture that really makes Ubud so unique. Planning a trip to a new place can be a daunting task, so I compiled all of my findings here; from where to stay, what to eat, where to go, how to find my favorite shopping spots and more.

I have included everything in this guide including: Reasons to Visit, How to Get There, Getting Around, Where to Stay, What to Do, Best Beaches to Visit, Best Wineries to Visit, and Where to Eat & Drink. 

City skyline

One of the stunning beaches on Waiheke.

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Birthday Sparks

Views at Kennedy Point Vineyard.

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““It’s easy to get swept away in Ubud with the religious ceremonies in the streets, the gorgeous temples, the stunning rice terraces- there’s so much to take in and experience.” 
- Lindsey Farrah
When we originally booked our trip to Bali we only planned to stay in Ubud for 3 days, however once we arrived we decided to extend our time there to 5 days. There is just so much to see and do there that we felt like we could’ve spent an entire month discovering this unique city.

We really enjoyed Ubud because it’s a city that offers such an eclectic mix of everything. We visited waterfalls, explored temples, visited monkeys, ate some amazing food, went shopping for locally made goods, relaxed by the spa, visited rice terraces and more. The best part is that all of these things were within an hour’s drive of downtown Ubud. It’s a very accessible city that's easy to get around, and there really is something for everyone.

Read more about renting a scooter here.
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So, if you are planning to trip to this magical epicenter in Bali, these are the places I stayed, the things I most enjoyed, and more. 

Where to Eat & Drink

There are tons of amazing places to eat and drink throughout Ubud.  While we loved these places, I would also recommend just wandering around this bustling city to see what restaurants and bars catch your eye.  There is cuisine from around the world, so take your pick and dig in! I found that Google ratings are very common here so if you want to check out some reviews while choosing a place, definitely check out Google.

List of Services

Getting Around

Getting lost on our scooter amongst rice terraces and small villages was a highlight of our trip. Renting a scooter was not only convenient but also an adventure in itself.

There are tons of ways to get around Ubud; choose from pre-booked cars, taxis or scooters.

Before visiting Bali I read tons of articles, trying to find the best way to get around during our upcoming trip. Since we were visiting so many areas of the island, getting easy and inexpensive transportation was a priority for us.

Several articles that I read pointed out that roads are windy and can have crazy traffic; so these sites recommended that if you did not have experience riding a scooter then take a taxi. I found that this is fair advice for some areas, but not all areas. Other websites recommended booking car services in advance for getting around. So, I decided to go and make a decision first hand about what type of transit is best.

Before our trip I did some research and found inexpensive companies online for pre booking cars from the airport. But, I decided that getting a taxi would probably be less expensive, so I decided to just land and wing it. So, we landed at the airport and grabbed a taxi. I definitely regretted that decision. I do not enjoy haggling at all, and catching a taxi at the airport requires some very aggressive haggling. Not exactly what I want to do when I am on holiday. We ended up finding someone to take us to our hotel who was perfectly nice; however he definitely overcharged us and drove a sketchy car. So, my advice would be to pre-book a car service for transit from the airport to your hotel. 

Once in Ubud, we saw a ton of tourists riding scooters so we decided to rent scooters so that we could explore this area without any hassle. By this point we had had some practice on the calm, remote roads of Pecatu and Nusa Lembongan which was helpful, because traffic & drivers in Ubud can be crazy! If you don’t feel fully comfortable riding a scooter, you may want to opt for walking around or taking taxis here. There are plenty of taxi drivers on the street so finding one is easy and can be inexpensive if you haggle with them. However, we felt comfortable riding the scooters which gave us the freedom to really explore Ubud. The hotel we stayed at, Calma Ubud  rented scooters on site so it was very convenient. You'll find that most accomodation offers on site scooter rentals.

Overall, using scooters for transportation is the cheapest and easiest way to be able to really experience Ubud. We really enjoyed getting to ride around small beach villages and through unique rice terraces. So, if you are up for some adventure- go for the scooter!

Where to Stay on Any Budget

Ubud is definitely a place that everyone should experience and the good news is that everyone can experience it, on any budget. It’s a unique city in the sense that accomodation ranges from extremely low budget all the way up to the budget of a royal prince. These are some accommodation options for you no matter what category you fall under. These recommendations are hotels I either stayed at or researched using my favourite review website, TripAdvisor. I only included hotels which had 5/5 Bubbles by many reviewers, and I also vertted through Instagram photos, reviews and more to make sure these properties are places I would stay myself. 

Beach on Waiheke Island

One of the gorgeous beaches on Waiheke Island.

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Downton Oneroa

This area is filled with cafes, boutiques, art galleries and more.

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Backpacker Status

Luxury Range

Super Luxe

Treat Yo Self

You Must Be Royalty

What to Do

There is so much to do on Waiheke Island, and I find that many people have completely different experiences while visiting the island. Some people go there purely to visit vineyards. Others go for a relaxing weekend at the beach. No matter what you are looking for, Waiheke offers something for every time of vacationer. Alec and I really love to mix it up and do as much as possible, so we experienced a lot of different things while on the island. This is the list of our favorite experiences on Waiheke.

1. Hop Around the Stunning Vineyards

Over the years I have been lucky enough to visit Napa, Sonoma, the Yarra Valley and some other gorgeous wine regions. Something about wandering around vineyards is so enjoyable and I also love sampling a glass or two. What makes Waiheke so unique and interesting is that the vineyards have stunning views of the crystal-clear blue waters that surround Waiheke Island. One of the vineyards is actually right on the beach, and another has views of Auckland in the distance. They all have something unique and stunning to offer, but some of my favorites included Cable Bay and Mudbrick. 

Read more about the wineries on Waiheke. 
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Man O' War Beachfront Tasting Room

We really enjoyed Man O' War's beachfront tasting room.

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Wine at Man O' War Vineyard

The wine here is amazing! I highly reccomend giving the rose a try.

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2. Spend Time at the Beach

If you are planning a trip to visit Waiheke, then you should definitely spend as much time at the beach as possible. There are tons of beaches located around this island and each one is unique in its own way. These are my favourite beaches on Waiheke that we discovered during our trip. I really loved Oneroa Beach and Man O’ War beach, but honestly each and every beach was so different, so exploring them was half the fun.  

Read more about the beaches.
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Bean bags & City Skyline at Cable Bay Vineyard

We loved relaxing in the bean bags on this property and we could see Auckland in the distance.

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Wander Around Cable Bay Vineyards

This is a gorgeous property to wander around.

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3. Shopping

Downtown Oneroa is one of the most adorable little towns I have ever been to. It ranks in my top three little towns right next to Nantucket in Massachusetts and Downtown Annapolis in Maryland. There are lots of cute shops, art galleries, cafes, and an amazing gelato shop. You have to spend a few hours wandering around and enjoying this area. The best part? When you’re done you are a 2 minute walk from the stunning Oneroa Beach. My favorite places in downtown Onera were The Island Grocer, an adorable little grocery store featuring local artisanal items, and Island Gelato Company which is an amazing open air shop made from a shipping container featuring unique gelato flavors. Okay I’m drooling now just thinking about it, haha.

Stunning Sunset at Mudbrick Vineyard

If you can, stop at Mudbrick Vineyards to catch a sunset.

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Amazing Dinner at Mudbrick Vineyard

We had one of our best meals ever at their restaurant, The Archive Bistro & Bar.

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4. Hike & Bike

Waiheke has a vast variety of hiking and biking trails that vary in level of intensity. So, after you eat that big gelato cone you can hit one of the many hiking trails to explore the island. Getting around by bicycle is also very popular, and a lot of people opt for electric bikes as Waiheke is actually quite hilly. Either by foot or by bike, there are tons of opportunities to get active.

Stunning Views at Stonyridge Vineyard

We loved taking in the views of the rolling green hills at Stonyridge.

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5. Self-Arranged Culinary Tour

I have been to New Zealand twice and each time i’ve been there I have been absolutely blown away by the food. New Zealand has a focus on fresh, wholesome, local ingredients in their dishes and you can taste the difference. The culinary scene on Waiheke Island was definitely a highlight of our trip, so I highly recommend hopping around and trying as many different dishes at as many different places as possible. Remember, there are a lot of walking trails so you can walk some of it off!  

Tasty Tapas at Casita Miro

The tapas here were delicious!

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Spanish-Inspired Decor at Casita Miro Vineyard

This vineyard had the most unique, Spanish-inspired decor.

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Best Beaches to Visit

There is so much to do on Waiheke Island, and I find that many people have completely different experiences while visiting the island. Some people go there purely to visit vineyards. Others go for a relaxing weekend at the beach. No matter what you are looking for, Waiheke offers something for every time of vacationer. Alec and I really love to mix it up and do as much as possible, so we experienced a lot of different things while on the island. This is the list of our favorite experiences on Waiheke.

List of Services

Best Wineries to Visit

Read all about the vineyards I feel in love with during my trip to Waiheke.

Over the years I have been lucky enough to visit Napa, Sonoma, the Yarra Valley and some other gorgeous wine regions. Something about wandering around vineyards is so enjoyable and I also love sampling a glass or two. What makes Waiheke so unique and interesting is that the vineyards have stunning views of the crystal-clear blue waters that surround Waiheke Island. One of the vineyards is actually right on the beach, and another has views of Auckland in the distance. They all have something unique and stunning to offer, and this is my list of the best vineyards I visited during my trip.

1. Man O’ War

This stunning vineyard is located off the beaten path, as it’s the furthest location possible from the ferry on the island. However, I highly recommend you rent a car and head here. (Read my post about renting a car on Waiheke here). The drive was about 40 minutes through rolling green hills of cattle and sheep. Once we arrived we found the tasting room was located on a grassy, beach-front property. They offer free tastings which was a plus, and they also have lovely food you could order either from their kitchen or from the food truck on site. They have gorgeous tables spread across the lawn, all with stunning waterfront views. I had a glass of rose her which was wonderful, and my partner had their cab. We got the charcuterie and relaxed on the lawn and very much enjoyed ourselves. All in all, this was a gorgeous property with the perfect vibe for a relaxing Saturday. 
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Man O' War Beachfront Tasting Room

We really enjoyed Man O' War's beachfront tasting room.

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Wine at Man O' War Vineyard

The wine here is amazing! I highly reccomend giving the rose a try.

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2. Cable Bay Vineyards

This property is located on a hill, overlooking the gorgeous water with Auckland seen in the distance. They have bean bag chairs and tables with comfy seats spread all over the lawn for everyone to have a seat and take in the views. The wine here was lovely and I recommend grabbing a glass of rose. We were not able to check out the tasting room as it was closed for the Easter holiday.  
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Bean bags & City Skyline at Cable Bay Vineyard

We loved relaxing in the bean bags on this property and we could see Auckland in the distance.

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Wander Around Cable Bay Vineyards

This is a gorgeous property to wander around.

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3. Mudbrick Vineyard

We went here for the sunset and it was spectacular! The property is located very high up with 180 degree views of the water. They have tons of stunning gardens that you can wander through. We decided to have dinner here since we read rave reviews online. Our meal was absolutely spectacular! Read my post about our dinner here.
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Stunning Sunset at Mudbrick Vineyard

If you can, stop at Mudbrick Vineyards to catch a sunset.

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Amazing Dinner at Mudbrick Vineyard

We had one of our best meals ever at their restaurant, The Archive Bistro & Bar.

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4. Stonyridge Vineyard

This property is large and lovely, however it was much more crowded and touristy than some of the other vineyards we went to. It is still definitely worth checking out as it’s a very large property with tons of vineyards and olive trees that you can wander through. This property doesn't have a view of the water, but rather a view of the rolling green hills which is gorgeous in a completely different way.
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Stunning Views at Stonyridge Vineyard

We loved taking in the views of the rolling green hills at Stonyridge.

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5. Casita Miro

We enjoyed this vineyard because the vibe and decor was so unique and different than the others we visited during our time on Waiheke. Rather than traditional decor, Casita Miro is decorated with Spanish accents; the walls are covered in playful tile art and the entire place is bright and bustling. The menu here features tapas, and we decided to grab a quick snack here. Based on the bartender's recommendation we got the Baked Goat Cheese Croquetas served with honey and toasted almonds. O-M-G they were amazing! I would definitely go back here for a proper lunch or dinner. We didn’t try any of their wines here although it's nice to note that they also make their own spirits which is unique for a vineyard.  
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Tasty Tapas at Casita Miro

The tapas here were delicious!

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Spanish-Inspired Decor at Casita Miro Vineyard

This vineyard had the most unique, Spanish-inspired decor.

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6. Kennedy Point Vineyard

This lovely little vineyard is the only organic vineyard on Waiheke and had some of the best wines we tried during our trip. Their wines are award winning and have a higher price tag, so it was well worth paying $3 USD per sample. While this vineyard is a little less scenic than some of the others, it still has a lovely view of the water in the distance. This is a place you come to for the wine, as that really is the highlight of Kennedy Point. We even got the chance to chat with the winemaker, which was lovely.
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Tasting Room at Kennedy Point Vineyard

We enjoyed sampling their wines and chatting with the winemaker.

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Stunning Views at Kennedy Point Vineyard

We loved the views of the bright blue water.

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7. Passage Rock

This vineyard is also a bit off the beaten path but it’s worth stopping at either to or from Man O War. It’s a gorgeous property with a few yard games and tasty food.
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Lunch With A View at Passage Rock Vineyard

The restaurant on site offers both indoor and outdoor seating, all with a view of their vineyard.

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Perfected Property at Passage Rock Vineyard

This property is pristine and it's worth wandering around.

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8. Tantalus Estate

This is one of the newer vineyards on Waiheke and it shows. The tasting room and restaurant are gorgeous and decorated with a modern flair. The property features a boardwalk that you can walk around to enjoy the property. While the property was stunning, this is lower on my list of favorites because we found that staff here to be a bit pretentious and the wine to only be so-so. Every other vineyard we visited during our time on Waiheke we found the staff to be overly warm and welcoming, so it was a bit off-putting to find the staff here to be so cold and uninterested in conversation. With that being said, I would recommend stopping here to check out the property but if you want relaxed vibes, head to one of the previous properties I mentioned.
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Games & Gardens at Tantalus Estate

This vineyard features some outdoor games and a boardwalk through their vast gardens.

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Restaurant at Tantalus Estate

This newer vineyard has some gorgeous decor both indoors and outdoors.

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Where to Eat and Drink on Waiheke

Waiheke, like the rest of New Zealand, has awesome food that focuses on fresh ingredients. These are just a few of my favourite places.

There are tons of reasons to fall in love with New Zealand and Waiheke Island and one of the reasons is the food. We found everything there to be really tasty and wholesome, as all the restaurants we visited featured recipes featuring locally sourced, fresh ingredients. One morning we had a delicious pie at Double Shot Espresso and the beef was sourced from a local farm and then prepared by the butcher next door; it doesn’t get fresher than that. Everything is as fresh as you can get it; and as they say- good ingredients make great food.
We also loved that a lot of places offered unique, progressive menu items. They took a lot of classics and put their own twist on them, making them both tasty and interesting. These are just some of our favourite places that we ate during our trip, but I’m pretty sure you can’t go wrong with anywhere on Waiheke.

The Archive Bistro & Bar

This is an absolutely amazing place to come to for a meal. The views are stunning, the property is romantic and the food is out of this world. My partner and I both agreed that the dinner we had here was one of the best meals we’ve ever had. We would put it in our ‘top 10’ of all time lists, which is huge. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner - and if you are looking for something even more high end then you can try their sister restaurant, Mudbrick, which is located right next door. Read my full review about our experience here.

Address: 126 Church Bay Road, Oneroa, Waiheke, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 372 9050
Open 7 days a week from 9 am – breakfast, lunch & dinner

Dinner @ Archive Bistro & Bar

We really enjoyed the short rib dish.

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Indoor Tables With a View

You can view the sunset from inside the restaurant.

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Island Gelato Company

This adorable, open air gelato shop is located right in downtown Oneroa and you absolutely must go there during your trip to Waiheke. It’s such a cool place, as it’s just a storage container converted into a small shop. I worked at a gelato shop during high school and I also live down the street from Melbourne’s best gelato shop- so it means a lot when I say this is the best gelato i’ve ever had! The reason it was so amazing was because of the unique and interesting flavours they offered. I got two specials which were dark chocolate, easter honey & almond praline; and spiced easter cake with cream cheese and white chocolate. OMG they were amazing. My partner had the yoghurt, lemon, thyme and shortbread; and the bourbon, banana, walnut. Yum!

Address: 124 Ocean View Road, Oneroa, Waiheke Island
Email: info@islandgelato.co.nz
Sunday – Thursday
8am - 6.30pm
Friday - Saturday
8am - 9pm (late nights during Summer only)

Island Gelato Company

The adorable Island Gelato Company, made from a shipping container.

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Tasty Gelato!

Enjoysing some delicious gelato at Island Gelato Company.

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Dragonfired

We loved this place because its owned and run by three brothers and they offer tasty, simple pizzas & calzones. This restaurant is also an open-air set up which was created from an old storage container. It’s a great place to go after a long day at the beach to grab something quick & easy. We tried their margherita wood-fired pizza and it was delicious.  The open-air location we went to is only open during the summer season; but don't fret because their main location in Little Oneroa beach is open year round.

Address: Little Oneroa Beach Reserve
text orders 021 922 289
SUMMER 7 days 10am - 8pm
WINTER Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 7pm
WEATHER DEPENDING

Dragonfired

Dragonfired on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

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Outdoor Oven

Dragonfired on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

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Casita Miro

This restaurant offers spanish tapas and tasty cocktails, so it’s definitely worth checking out. We only came here for a snack, but everything on the menu looked amazing. Based on the bartender's recommendation we got the Baked Goat Cheese Croquetas served with honey and toasted almonds. O-M-G they were amazing! I would definitely go back here for a proper lunch or dinner. We didn’t try any of their wines here although it's nice to note that they also make their own spirits which is unique for a vineyard.

Address: 3 Brown Rd, Onetangi, Waiheke Island 1081, New Zealand
Phone: 09 372 7854
Lunch: 7 days from 11:30am - 3pm
Dinner: Friday and Saturday from 6pm
Wine Tastings: Daily from 11:30am - 3pm

Tapas @ Casita Miro

Tasty tapas at Caita Miro on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

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Gorgeous Decor

Gorgeous decor at Caita Miro on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

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Cable Bay Vineyards

Cable Bay has the ultimate al fresco dining experience as the views from this property are spectacular. We grabbed two bean bag chairs on the top of the hill overlooking the vines, the water, and in the distance-Auckland, and we had some wine & snacks here. The food is tasty and the wine is nice, however the highlight of eating here is definitely the view and the ambiance. Grab an outdoor seat here if you can!

Address: 12 Nick Johnstone Dr, Oneroa, Auckland 1840, New Zealand
Phone: 09 372 5889
Email: info@cablebay.co.nz
Open for lunch Thur-Sun from 12pm
Open for dinner Fri-Sat from 6pm

Stunning Views @ Cable Bay Vineyard

Amazing views at Cable Bay vineyar on Waiheke Island, New Zealand..

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Double Shot Espresso

This tiny, open air restaurant is located right in downtown Oneroa and it’s a great place to go for brekkie. We had two flat whites and a amazing home-made pie which was locally sourced beef which had been prepared by the bitcher next door. It was awesome! 

Address: 114 Oceanview Rd, Oneroa, Auckland 1081, New Zealand
Phone: +64 27 236 8253
Mon-Fri 6:30am - 4 pm
Sat-Sun 7 am - 5pm

Home-made Pie @ Double Shot Espresso Bar

Home-made meat Pie at Doubleshot Espresso Bar.

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Espresso Time!

Grabbing an espresso at Doubleshot Espresso Bar.

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Man O’ War Vineyards

We had lunch at Mon O’ War and it was delicious. We loved our meal here not only because of the food, but also because of the views and the ambiance. We grabbed a table on their property which overlooked the beach and ordered their charcuterie. They not only offer dining options from their in-house restaurant, but they also have a food truck that is parked on the property where you can order Mexican inspired dishes. We really wanted to try this food truck however it was cash only. It’s also great to note that they offer free tastings of their wine; 3 per person, so it’s nice to have a little, free wine with your lunch if you come here.

Address: 725 Man O' War Bay Rd, Waiheke Island, Auckland, 1971
Phone: +64 9 372 9678
Opening Hours:
During Winter open: Monday - Sunday: 11am - 4pm
* Closed Christmas Day    

Cheers to Wine & the Beach!

Enjoying a glass of wine at Man O' War Vineyard.

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Tasting Room With a View

Enjoying a glass of wine on the lawn at at Man O' War Vineyard.

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Island Grocer

So this is definitely not a restaurant but it’s worth mentioning because they sell tons of amazing fresh baked breads and pastries. They have everything a traditional grocer would have but with more locally sourced, handcrafted options. We decided to have a simple picnic on Oneroa beach one day so we came here and got a freshly-baked baguette, some locally sourced cheese and honey. It was lovely! Definitely stop in here if you want a simple, tasty meal. It’s a convenient location, right in downtown Oneroa.

Address: 725 Man O' War Bay Rd, Waiheke Island, Auckland, 1971
Phone: +64 9 372 9678
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 6:30pm 

The Adorable Island Grocer.

The adorable Island Grocer.

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Freshly Baked Bread @ The Island Grocer

Fresh baked bread at the adorable Island Grocer.

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