The Local Guides
Eat. Adventure. Shop. Everything you want to know from a local.
Eating Out
Coffee
Coffee. Raglan’s coffee is arguably up there with the surf. You’ll smell the locally roasted beans on your way into town at Te Uku Roast Office or Raglan Garden Club. Spoilt for choices in and around town, we recommend grabbing a brew from Raglan Roast, Raglan Surf Co window or LaLa Land Hot Chocolate is the bomb! If you’re heading out to the new Rangitahi Peninsula, try The Hut for a brew and a chat!
Daytime Downtown
Small town, big passion for food and especially local produce packing a seasonal punch! For the best places for coffee in Raglan and to watch the world go by go to the The Shack on the sunny corner of the main street, it’s a total local institution. Opposite is Wyld Eatery & Bar, the bright blue child in the middle of town. Be warned, you maybe there several times a day, juice, brunch and cocktails are hard to go past. Be sure to take your own bowl or plate before heading to Aroha Sushi where the food is super fresh.
Heading to the Beaches
You can grab and go from the bakeries in Bow St but we totally recommend you swing in or paddle out to Rockit Kitchen from town. Raglan Roast Food Department does wicked pizza, coffee, icecream on the way back from the surf beaches.
At the Wharf
Fish and chips just taste better on the wharf right? Watch the boats bring in the catch, the crew are filleting onsite and the views on the deck at Raglan Fish are just awesome. The Wharf Kitchen & Bar has a brilliant all day menu and terrace to soak in the views. Don’t go past the secret coffee window.
Dinner Downtown
Days blur into nights in Raglan and so do most of our awesome eateries. Check out the great food, beers, sunset cocktail lists, garden bars and live music at George’s Beach Club, Orca Eatery and Bar, Isobar, Ulo’s Kitchen, the grand old pub in Bow St, the Harbourview Hotel, or Pirates Club Pizza has your takeaways sorted.
Looking for Caterers in Raglan?
Let us know what the occasion is and we will connect you with the right people in town whether you are catering for a group, event or corporate conference at the Raglan Sunset Motel.
Adventure
On the Doorstep | Paddle, Walk or Cycle
Head straight down to the beach at the end of the street where the tidal inner harbour moves swiftly for swimmers, kayakers, paddleboarders or for the brave who jump off the infamous Raglan footbridge. Town and around is flat, perfect for walks, cycling, the skatepark, playground or wander down to the wharf.
Read more about walking and cycling here or grab a tracks and trails map from reception to find out our favourite tracks. Hire bikes across the road or Kayaks and SUP’s from the Bow St jetty.
Take it Easy | Harbour Cruises, Golf, Movies, Massage
Cruising is the vibe so of course you will want to cruise the Raglan harbour by day or by sunset. The locals know the secret rocks and hidden ocean gems. Or go a little old school, the views from the Raglan Golf Course are stunning, delve into the rich history of the town and District at the Raglan Museum or check out the Movies at the Old School. A relaxing massage is a must.
Check out the World Famous Surf Breaks
Respect. The oceans, the conditions and the locals! Raglan surf is world renowned so head out of town to the main surf beaches – Ngaranui or Ocean Beach as it’s often known is patrolled in summer – and then you have the 3 famous left hand break points Manu Bay, Whale Bay and Indicators. Ruapuke breaking to the right is also further down the coast. Check out the surf forecasts and webcam conditions or check in with the local surf school, it’s time to #DoSomethingNewNZ!
Epic Beaches
You’re spoilt for unspoilt volcanic black sand beaches on this rugged coastline. Choose your epic drive and walking track to the main patrolled ocean beach, Ngaranui or head on to Manu Bay and Whale Bay. Ruapuke can be a daytrip so pack a picnic and plenty of water, this is remote and stunning coastline. Head down the gravel coastal road or access it from the Bridal Veil Falls Road. This is the Wild West at it’s best, look out for the sea lions.
Read more about our epic beaches here
Walking and Cycling
Bush, beach, estuaries, sand, wharves, waterfalls, mountains, there’s a track or trail for all seasons. Start with the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls on the way into town. Mt Karioi Summit, Bryant Memorial Walkway, Te Toto Gorge Look Out and the Pipiwharauroa Wind Farm Trail offer stunning views. Cyclists and mountain bikers, check the Te Ara Kakariki Ride.
Read more about walking and cycling here
Fish
Go fish! Take the kids to the wharf or head out on the harbour, extra care is needed if you’re heading out over the bar. You guessed it, the local lads know the spots, talk to local charters for deep sea adventure. Orca and dolphins are frequently found in the harbour, keep your eyes on the ocean. Keep your eye on the local facebook page for the Raglan fishing competitions or check in with the locals for the latest gear and action on the water at Harty’s Fishing and Hardware.
Shop The Local Laneways
Shop
Head around the corner for a leisurely wander around the town’s unique boutiques and laneways. There’s studios, galleries, surf wear and gear, local and global fashion or home and gift stores. It’s Raglan, of course you can expect to find upcycled, secondhand books and treasures. A ten minute walk leads you past a vintage store and ceramic studio on the way to The Wharf’s pop-ups and local artisans Tony Sly pottery and Soul Shoes crafting onsite.
Downtown
The joy of somewhere different to hunt in boutique shops you won’t find in the malls. Check out local designers and makers Artisan and Merchant, Atamira, Everyone’s Store, Bohemian Gypsy and there are lots of pop-up gems or fashion recycle stores especially over the summer months. For locally made surfwears and gear head to Raglan Surf Emporium, Raglan Surf Co and Wrong Skate.
Handmade
No need for a fridge magnet as a memento of your visit to Raglan! There are some brilliant spots to find antiques, locally crafted furnishings and treasures for your home. Start downtown at Kanuka Design Gallery, and many of the boutiques stock local goodies from Raglan Candles, Raglan Soapery, West Coast Stoneware. Perhaps a custom made Motide furniture piece or watch the master potter in action down on the wharf at Tony Sly Pottery.
The Wharf
A ten minute walk along Wallis St leads you past Rivet Vintage Store and ceramic studio, The Monster Gallery, stop in and see Hayley Hamilton creating. Keep going to the new Wharf Gallery, Rick Youmans studio and long time local artisans Tony Sly Pottery and Soul Shoes all crafting onsite, masters of their crafts willing to create bespoke pieces for you.
Vintage, Retro, Secondhand Treasures
In My Good Books in Wallis St is a gem for a holiday read, further along the street is the Lions Op Shop, Rivet, Zinnia and you will find a scattering of pop-up shops around town. Ulo’s Vintage in Bow St is a top spot for vintge sportswear and frequently has pop-up markets to check out on weekends and over the summer.
Definitely worth checking out is Kaahu’s Nest, the re-use Shop at Xtreme Zero Waste. Surely one of New Zealand’s best recycle centres, it’s out past the golf course but worth the trip out of town for the best book collections with lots of titles only $1, vintage and retro finds with everything from furniture, clothing, sports gear. Check out The Wood Yard or the Metal Yard if you’re renovating.
Foodies
Surrounded by green hills and clean air, we are stoked to see so many local producers making goodness! Go hunt and gather some Raglan made goodies to enjoy while you’re here or take a little slice of Raglan home with you. Check out the chocolate, waffles and coffee from LaLaLand Raglan Roast coffee, Raglan Artisan Bread, look for the queues or follow your nose!
Raglan Food Co (hello best Coconut Yoghurt ever!), The Herbal Dispensary includes their fresh market with lots of organic goodness, Top Cut Butchery or Raglan Fish where you can grab fish straight off the boats or it is hard to resist fish & chips on the wharf as the sunsets!). Hunt and Gather Bee Co offer bee keeping experiences, Dreamview Farm raw milk is available next door at Four Square or for a different thirst, Workshop Brewing craft beer tasting is great fun on a hot or wet day!
We are thrilled to have Shop Without Packaging (SWOP) bring their waste free approach to stocking up your pantry so BYO containers when you come or grab some jars at the door
Markets
Check the facebook pages for the Raglan Growers Markets on Friday nights from 5-7pm, such a vibe, support local and eat well! The Raglan Creative Market is a great place to meet the makers on the second Sunday of the month at the Old School Arts Centre.
Well-being
Arts
Artists, sculptors, musicians embrace the coastal life inspired by it’s seasons and scenery to inspire their works. Raglan’s Old School Arts Centre is a great discovery point for local artists, studio trails and events. The Creative Market is a great place to meet the makers on the second Sunday of the month.
The annual Raglan Arts Weekend is usually held on Labour weekend and is truly an amazing showcase and studio trail of some of New Zealand’s most talented artists.
