Guidebook for Thames Food & Eating
FOOD / DINING CHOICES
*Please check individual websites for open hours*
Here in Thames there are over 35 cafes which of which most open early from 7am and close by 3 or 4pm
Night dining restaurants open generally at 5.30pm closing off their kitchen orders by 8.30pm and shutting their doors between 9 & 10pm varying. eg
The GBD,
Gastronomics,
Nakontong Thai,
Royal Kitchen Indian
Kebab Express Turkish
Eretas (tacos, desserts and more)
are all recommended.
There is also a range of take-out / eat in fast food places.
New in 2024: Nepalese in Pollen Street.
New in 2024: Korean chicken in Pollen Street
Turkish ( Kebab Express) *
Japanese. (Midami Sushi -day time)
Chinese (Golden Dragon),
Thai, (Nankontong Thai)*
Pizza, (Pizza Hut, Dominos)
Fish &Chips, (Central Seafoods;
The Wharf for Estuary side casual meals );
McDonalds & KFC
Thames Workingmen's Club (Roast type dinners)
The Junction is one of the earliest hotels in Thames. Relaxed
for after work drinks, or a special meal. Great for family or business gatherings. Good menu with locally sourced meats and vegetables. Friendly host.
The Junction Hotel
700 Pollen StThe Junction is one of the earliest hotels in Thames. Relaxed
for after work drinks, or a special meal. Great for family or business gatherings. Good menu with locally sourced meats and vegetables. Friendly host.
Nakontong Thai
728 Pollen StRoyal Kitchen Indian Restaurant & Bar
620 Pollen StCoffee is great, good atmosphere, courtyard, in an old brick complex with deli and artisan shops, Not open Saturday night or Sunday nights.
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Cafe Melbourne
715 Pollen StCoffee is great, good atmosphere, courtyard, in an old brick complex with deli and artisan shops, Not open Saturday night or Sunday nights.
Dave is a great host, originally from Australia - makes a great coffee & moccachino with sweets in a small cafe with 3 different seating areas in the Grahamstown section opposite St James Church. Open during the day only and not on Sundays.
Coco Coffee Bar
661 Pollen StDave is a great host, originally from Australia - makes a great coffee & moccachino with sweets in a small cafe with 3 different seating areas in the Grahamstown section opposite St James Church. Open during the day only and not on Sundays.
The fish is so fresh at this 'fish and chip' cafe with bar, under cover bar-leaners to sit at and out door seating (with the seagulls), all with a peaceful view of the river and sometimes fishing boats unloading.
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The Wharf Coffee House & Bar
Queen StreetThe fish is so fresh at this 'fish and chip' cafe with bar, under cover bar-leaners to sit at and out door seating (with the seagulls), all with a peaceful view of the river and sometimes fishing boats unloading.
This is where the prize-winning meat pies are made. This is a lunch bar -come-bakery with a good reputation and a large range of sandwiches, wraps , scones, cakes, PIES and fried foods. Typical old fashioned kiwi country fare.
The Bakehouse Cafe
525 Pollen StThis is where the prize-winning meat pies are made. This is a lunch bar -come-bakery with a good reputation and a large range of sandwiches, wraps , scones, cakes, PIES and fried foods. Typical old fashioned kiwi country fare.
The cheese is made on site and is notably delicious with some awards. The coffee and teas are served either at tables in the cheese shop or under big trees out in the yard where children can feed the guinea pigs, rabbits, goats and Alpacas.
The Cheese Barn at Matatoki
4 Wainui RdThe cheese is made on site and is notably delicious with some awards. The coffee and teas are served either at tables in the cheese shop or under big trees out in the yard where children can feed the guinea pigs, rabbits, goats and Alpacas.
Drinks & Nightlife
Friendly staff, old hotel building , history, sometimes live music , quiz night.
Good menu with tasty food.
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Grahamstown Bar and Diner
700 PollenFriendly staff, old hotel building , history, sometimes live music , quiz night.
Good menu with tasty food.
Sightseeing
Go into a mine shaft with experienced guide(15 mins, see the original stamper battery at work.
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Thames Goldmine Experience
Tararu RoadGo into a mine shaft with experienced guide(15 mins, see the original stamper battery at work.
Kauaeranga Valley Road End
Kauaeranga Valley RoadSt. George's Anglican Church
602 MacKay St150 yr old original church 1870
St James Church
650 Pollen StBuilt around 1870 - original church
Take a shirt guided tour through an original goldmine shaft, experience the mier's life, sed how gokd was extracted in the working battery.
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Thames Goldmine Experience
Tararu RoadTake a shirt guided tour through an original goldmine shaft, experience the mier's life, sed how gokd was extracted in the working battery.
Thames Goldmine Experience
Tararu RoadParks & Nature
It's a must do for walkers, hikers, photographers. Check first with the DOC centre for conditions and track availability (me be closed sometimes for maintenance
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The Pinnacles
It's a must do for walkers, hikers, photographers. Check first with the DOC centre for conditions and track availability (me be closed sometimes for maintenance
Various sports clubs here including Petanque (Mondays 2pm, Wednesday & Friday 10am); Croquet; Tennis;
Walking pathways; Band Rotunda
Thames small gauge Railway;
Bird Hide
Victoria Park Thames
200 Albert StVarious sports clubs here including Petanque (Mondays 2pm, Wednesday & Friday 10am); Croquet; Tennis;
Walking pathways; Band Rotunda
Thames small gauge Railway;
Bird Hide
Square Kauri
Tapu Coroglen RoadDepartment of Conservation - Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
995 Kauaeranga Valley RdDepartment of Conservation - Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
995 Kauaeranga Valley RdDepartment of Conservation - Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
995 Kauaeranga Valley RdDepartment of Conservation - Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
995 Kauaeranga Valley RdDOC centre is where you check in to walk to the Pinnacles. It is a visitor centre where you will find facts and dioramas of the formation and habitats of the Coromandel Ranges and peninsula. A short walk through native bush leads you to a model log dam andxhistory of logging in early Thames days( 1800's.)
Department of Conservation - Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
995 Kauaeranga Valley RdDOC centre is where you check in to walk to the Pinnacles. It is a visitor centre where you will find facts and dioramas of the formation and habitats of the Coromandel Ranges and peninsula. A short walk through native bush leads you to a model log dam andxhistory of logging in early Thames days( 1800's.)
Arts & Culture
The Treasury
705 Queen StHistory, references and stories of Thames and the area.
Modernised displays, fascinating history of Thames and the gold rush era told in audio visual, displays and dioramas. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff volunteers.
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Thames Museum
Cochrane StreetModernised displays, fascinating history of Thames and the gold rush era told in audio visual, displays and dioramas. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff volunteers.
More History and old buildings
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Thames School of Mines and Mineralogical Museum
101 Cochrane StMore History and old buildings
The Depot/ Melbourne Cafe
Carson's Bookshop
600 Pollen St Excellent range of books, magazines, stationery and art works
It's unique. !50 year old hardware store in the same family for 5 generations! Gold panning equipment, farming, general hardware - a real country hardware store with great service.
Read Bros Hardware Ltd
308 Pollen StIt's unique. !50 year old hardware store in the same family for 5 generations! Gold panning equipment, farming, general hardware - a real country hardware store with great service.
Hunting & Fishing
103 Kopu RdEverything the hunter and fisherman could want.
Lynne's
500 Pollen StGreat variety of gifts, artwork, house wares, handbags, scarves, etc
Getting Around
Info Bus Stop Cafe
200 Mary St