The Local Legends Behind Porirua’s Best Food and Drinks

Executive chef Valerie Askew and her husband Steve are the culinary heroes behind this cosy neighbourhood bistro. Fondly known as ‘that Polish place’, Topor has established its reputation as the ultimate foodie destination in the seaside suburb of Plimmerton. 

Hearty and flavoursome Polish fusion dishes are beautifully presented, accompanied by house-infused vodka shots, and delivered with excellent service. The menu is chock full of Eastern European classics like pierogi, bigos, and golabki alongside more modern dishes exquisitely crafted with the freshest, tastiest local ingredients.  

Dining at Topor is akin to having your Polish grandmother lovingly re-create all of her most treasured recipes for you - it doesn’t get any more authentic than that!

For Thai food with some serious vibes, you can’t go past Tuk Tuk Thai. No matter what night of the week you go, this vibrant eatery will be pumping. With touches of Thailand occupying every inch of the large space, you can’t help but feel transported to ‘The Land of Smiles’ itself. 

From its humble food truck days until now, Tuk Tuk Thai’s food has always been top-notch. Classic dishes like Pad Thai and Green Curry will never fail to satisfy, and the Lamb Shank Masamuun Curry is truly legendary. Owner, Daeng Neuang-keo, strives to provide an authentic and educational foodie experience, which her team execute to perfection every time.

Abandoned Brewery founder Tim Ward is a bit of a rebel at heart. He’s a fan of checking out what the rest of the beer industry is doing and deliberately heading in the opposite direction. 

What was once literally an abandoned brewery in Lower Hutt is now a microbrewery and taproom in Central Porirua with a laidback everyone-is-welcome kind of vibe. Every inch of wall, pillar, and beam at Abandoned is adorned with colourful graffiti. There’s even a living mural space for kids to leave their own mark on the place. 

Pick your pint from the rotating menu of classics and new creations, creatively displayed as a collection of handwritten cardboard signs. And when hunger calls, grab some Japanese-style fried chicken from the friendly folk at The Karaage Kid to go with your brew.

In her converted garage micro-bakery, self-titled Grand Duchess of Shortbread, Anita Vogt, bakes goods that are fit for kings and queens. Initially a fundraising venture for her daughter’s school exchange trip, once the word got out about the finest shortbread in all the land, the demand never stopped.

The Regal Shortbread Co. not only produces six different flavours of their namesake buttery goodness, but award-winning gingernuts to boot. Other moreish goodies are also baked daily, including South African Rusks and Milk Tarts, inspired by the Duchess’s South African roots.

Tītahi Bay locals Anna and Jeff felt their community needed a café where people from all walks of life could meet and feel at home. Despite having zero hospitality experience, these local heroes opened t bay café in late 2020. What began as one couple's dream has become an iconic establishment that serves and supports the Tītahi Bay community and beyond.

With a menu to rival any inner-city Melbourne café, a cozy beer garden and eclectic vibrant decor, t bay café really punches above its weight. An inclusive menu with bucketloads of vegan and gluten-free options is definitely a bonus, but the kid's play area and dog-friendly spaces are a big part of what makes this local café a welcoming place for everyone.

Beer engineers Dave Gould and Oliver Smith envisioned a space where aspiring craft brewers could make their brewing dreams a reality. Their ultimate goal? To get more people making and drinking good local beer. 

With a dedicated maker space and in-house hydro mechanic tech, The Beer Engine is a supportive haven for newbie brewers. The industrial, loosely steampunk-inspired taphouse in Tītahi Bay serves up brews made on-site alongside a collection of Aoetoroa’s finest craft beers from small local makers. 

You’ll find a real community spirit at The Beer Engine. Collabs between local makers are a common occurrence, and the ‘anonymously shout your mate their next beer’ initiative is pretty neat.