At Taste it's all about the kitchen. It's well stocked; everything from Scanpan pots and pans,…read moredesigner glassware, a big range of Maxwell and Williams to quirky aprons and oven mitts. They have a great baking section, with loads of decoration tools. They also do a brilliant range of kiwi cookbooks. Because it is designer, it is on the pricier side, but I've always found it perfect for gifts. They also do a great gourmet food range of sauces and dips. My Uncle loved the Tamarillo jelly we gave him for Christmas; he used it for pork glazing, yummo! It's a large, well laid out store...the kind you just pop into but then manage to spend 30mins browsing in.

Yes Nosh in Matakana is not the discount supermarket, however the supermarket for the foodie who…read moreknows there food. If you're passing through Matakana Village or perhaps spending a weekend up the coast close to Matakana why not give yourself a big splurge with fresh and packaged gourmet food. I was in the mood to do some cooking, and thought I would get some courgettes which were tempting me from the outside stand for my stir fry. Once inside, I just wanted to grab a whole bunch of moreish foods just because. My reason got the better of me, and I decided on a few loaves of Coupland's Bakery pre packed sliced bread, a container of deli olives and and the courgettes. They have a really neat variety of products from all around the world, so really an international food shopping experience. You must be warned that after a few chosen pieces from Nosh your bill does add up fast, so make sure you know your budget because you may just splurge without realizing.

A splendid place to get all your delicatessen and gourmet food needs. A great cheese and small…read moregoods selection, excellent dry goods like pastas and canned/jar foods, a nice variety of fruits and vegetables and helpful friendly service. If you need food items that are exotic or gourmet, or your taste buds need a tickle, this is the best place to find it when you are in the Matakana/Omaha/Leigh and Snells Beach area. A true Matakana gem.

Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, this is a hidden gem. You can taste a wide variety of Puhio…read moreValley's natural cheeses, and learn about the creation process. The cheese lady (sorry I forgot her name) was great about ensuring we ate certain cheeses in order for our palate, which was delightful advice. We ended up eating there, and I'm so happy we did. In our two week NZ tour, the sandwich from here (salami, brie, chicken, and veggies) was by far the best thing I ate. The cheese melted wonderfully and the combination of flavors with sauces was drool worthy. I wish we didn't get stuffed quickly, because I've heard their ice cream is amazing (one trip regret). Also, I have to say the price was so reasonable. You'd expect fr a fancy cheese place to have high priced meals, but my sandwich was massive for a small price, and the pizza my husband got was juicy not greasy, and also a super shocking low price for as large as it was.

There is something magical about a factory shop. Especially if it's a factory that makes cheese,…read moreyogurt and ice cream. Puhoi valley cheese was fully packed today at 1pm. So I just ordered some award winning ice creams and some coffee. The ice cream is fantastic, so creamy and yummy. Same thing can't be said about the coffee, it was almost as weak as water. I m not a big cheese person, but I can't resist a bargain. So I bought the single cream Camembert that is on special. If it wasn't pouring down outside, I would take a stroll around the grounds and maybe even had a play on the swings to work off those guilty ice cream calories.

The BEST food we've had in the South Pacific thus far! This place is busy but you're able to find a…read moretable, they have a chocolate shop on one side and a cafeteria on the other, and please stop here! We ordered the CB Big Breakfast and it was very country style. The sausage is some of the best I've ever tasted and the bacon had such a great flavor! The vibe is very laid back and the staff is SO polite! What a breath of fresh air!

Excellent coffee and food The coffee at this popular cafe is…read moreexcellent - nice and strong! On Friday nights, Chocolate Brown does the catering at the Warkworth Bowls Club. We had a delicious grilled tarakihi and very good spinach and ricotta cannelloni with a fantastic vegetable buffet! This was a great and reasonably priced Friday night dinner!!

Manāki (meaning to look after, care for, show respect or kindness to in Maori) are the world's…read morefirst sustainable producer of fresh New Zealand whitebait. I have only tried whitebait once - at Soul Bar & Bistro a few years ago, so was very excited to check out Manāki Whitebait's fritter stand at the Matakana Village Farmers' Market a few weekends' ago. We arrived just before 8am, so were the first in line - YAY! The whitebait fritter itself was dreamy - it is a whisked mix of eggs, whitebait and salt and pepper, served on a slice of Ringawera bread, with a squeeze of lemon. Simple, yet delicious. I recommend making this your first stop at the Matakana Village Farmers' Market, because upon receiving my whitebait fritter, there were already about 20 people waiting! I spoke to a man from Orewa who drives to the market every Saturday, so he and his wife can have a whitebait fritter for breakfast - sounds like a great idea! Highly recommend.

The Honey Merchant is the most delicious smelling store in Matakana. Tucked away behind the main…read moreroad this little store hides. When I visited it was a little empty, but this was because their exports had been so high recently. You can see why they are successful, the honey is beautiful. I tried the Manuka blend and it was so good I took the jar home for $36. Afterwards I looked back thinking it was a bit of a silly purchase, but the jar is still going and everyone in the house loves it. They also do a lush cosmetics range. The body wash set went down a treat with nana and they do some high end natural skin care which I'll try once I'm a high roller

Taking a walk in the charming village of Puhoi, I came across a small and quaint little store…read morecalled Mustardmakers. Obviously Mustardmakers sells mustard, and most people will know them from the Matakana Market, but I encountered their spicy apricot flavoured mustard by chance, and now this is the only place where I will be buying my Mustard. I was surprised to find out that they are now so famous that you can buy their products all over the world, and that the product range even includes mayonnaise. All I know is that the mustard goes great with a ham sandwich, German sausages and almost anything else.

WOW!!! What a market!…read more Produce, dairy, pies, eggs, cheese, plants, fish, breads, olive oils, sweets, savories, liqueur, beer, knife/scissor sharpener, etc. etc. etc. All first class from friendly people, at fair prices. I will be back in two weeks and will have a light breakfast at home so I can enjoy the hot foods here for an early lunch. Best to arrive by 10am. Parking is a couple of blocks away.

Right. Now I see why so many Aucklander's have packed their bags and settled an hour North -…read moregorgeous beaches (Omaha, Tawharanui and Snells to name a few) , a laid-back lifestyle and this absolute gem of a market! Full of fresh, locally grown produce, there's everything here from cashew nut butters, to buffalo meat, to fresh figs (if you come after March, that is) as well as gorgeous flowers. Not too mention the options for breakfast/lunch are plentiful! Although we'd heard the croque monsieur was a must, we just couldn't go past the buffalo burger served in a fresh bun with lettuce, tomato, melted buffalo pecorino and beetroot relish. So so juicy! To finish we popped around the corner for a simple lemon and sugar crepe. Oh and we may or may not have got a fresh strawberry ice cream to share on the way out.... Well worth the 40 min drive from the North Shore. Matakana, we will be back soon! p.s no dogs allowed but they have dog sitters by the entrance who, for a gold coin, will look after your pooch whilst you roam around the market!