Coast

Overview

With three locations; Browns Bay, Oneroa on Waiheke Island, and now Orewa, the Deep Creek boys are really making their mark on Auckland's seaside spots.

With possibly the best perch in the Hibiscus Coasts beachside town of Orewa, Coast Bites and Brews takes up two levels and sits right across the road from the beach, the upper level with quite glorious views of the Hauraki Gulf. No imaginative idea has been spared in the fit-out, with recycled furniture, cozy cushions, and quirky glass lampshades. All in all its the kind of salty vibe that makes you feel somewhere a little further from home; think Mount Maunganui or Sydney's Northern Beaches. Pitched as "a throwback to the days when you could head down to your local village, hang out with great friends, drink exciting brews, and eat fantastic food", it certainly has added something that had previously been missing in this part of town.

Grab one of their very own handcrafted brews and take a seat outside on their crafty wooden tables. My pick would be the Pontoon in a Monsoon, inspired by Americas West Coast IPA's but made using a variety of our best hops with a touch of toffee and a slight hint of tangerine. Also on tap are a revolving selection of Deep Creeks seasonal brews, which makes sense being in a location that embraces the surfy summer sun and cozy winter gloom. For non hop-heads there is a well put together wine menu and some interesting variations on cider, including what the bartender described as a "love it or hate it" Feijoa Cider.

The food menu is similar to Deep Creeks other locations, with the option of having surf and turf focused tasting platters and small bites to accompany the brews and yarns, or if you were thinking more of a full service sit-down meal there is the option for that with a surprising amount of thought given to gluten-free and vegetarian customers.

The staff were accomodating, knowledgeable, the music was good, its a happy place to be and if you wanted an idea for a Saturday food jaunt, or you're after a beer and something to eat on the way up north, this is the spot. If this is your local, I am rather jealous.