Mussel Inn

A staple for over thirty years in Golden Bay, The Mussel Inn is your go-to for wholesome food, delicious in-house brews, dance-worthy live music and possibly a roaming weka or two.

With a single-room building inspired by the classic Kiwi farmhouse and a sprawling courtyard with communal picnic table seating, The Mussel Inn is designed for mixing, mingling and making new friends. The menu is simple but delicious, with plenty of options for sharing, from nachos and steamed mussels to garlic bread and even a classic bowl of sossys. They also offer a rotating range of craft beers and non-alcoholics made at the brewery next door, many with amusing names like the Captain Cooker Manuka Beer, Pale Whale Ale or Lemming Aid (aka “lemonade”). 

The Mussel Inn’s long-standing commitment to sustainability is visible everywhere you look. They grow vegetables for the kitchen and chillis for their beer in the garden and have been composting long before it came into vogue. Apples and feijoas for their range of ciders are also grown on a small orchard nearby and fertilised with grain from the brewery. They’re a dedicated Weka recovery area too, which is why there are always a few inquisitive feathered friends wandering the grounds.

Quiz nights and gigs are a regular part of the scheduling. You can find a list of what’s coming up on their website, but it’s safe to say they’ll have you dancing in no time.