Bennetts Café is casually chic. Located just alongside the Chocolaterie and across the Market Square from the Gelateria, this is the place to indulge in a signature hot chocolate or treat friends to a fine dinner. The courtyards, French fountains and fireplaces offer a tranquil and charming ambience that needs to be experienced, with plenty of tables both inside and outdoors. A blackboard menu (view here) and simple pleasures such as cakes, brioches and panini delight the daytime customer. In the evening however, a seasonally changing menu (view sample here) showcases the creativity of head chef Jennifer Perry and her team. Jen has been cooking internationally with the likes of Peter Gordon and Natalia Shamroth before settling at the Café. Her emphasis is on fresh produce and she is excited about the many local boutique producers she can draw on to create stunning dishes. Dinner guests are advised to book ahead – Jen and her team look forward to pampering you.

The Café at 52 Moir Street, Mangawhai is open for breakfast and lunch daily, and for dinner Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Phone (09) 431 5072.