I once paid $40 for a plate of truffle pasta that was all hype and barely any flavor. The pasta was limp, the sauce bland, and the only thing rich was the bill.

The service didn’t help either. My garlic bread never showed up, but somehow it made a double appearance on the bill.

That meal was a bit of a wake-up call for me. So, when visiting Thames, I did my best to find restaurants worth eating at for your taste buds—and your wallet.

1. Royal Kitchen Indian Restaurant & Bar

Address: 620 Pollen Street 

Contact Details: +6478688122

Operating Hours: 

• Tuesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 2 PM, 4:30 PM to 10 PM 
• Monday – 4:30 PM to 9 PM 

Website

At just $15, I found Royal Kitchen Indian Restaurant & Bar’s lunch special a steal. It hits all the right notes: MSG-free curry, soft rice, and good naan. 

While my food took about 15 minutes, a few other diners told me they had been waiting at least 30 minutes for theirs. So, sometimes the service is quick, and other times it’s not. 

That said, the food more than makes up for it. The cheese-and-garlic naan oozed with melted paneer, pairing perfectly with their tangy tamarind sauce and punchy mint chutney. 

I love how they understand that real Indian food is legitimately spicy. Their goat curry had a slow-building heat from toasted Kashmiri chilies—not just lazy chili flakes. It made my forehead glisten without completely numbing my tongue. 

Their mushroom special lamb, their chef’s special recipe, was also quite savoury. The lamb was delicious, tender, and the mushrooms absorbed the spices. 

Drink-wise, their mango lassi is creamy but not too sugary. It was a great, refreshing finish to the meal. 

Wow it was delicious

“We were welcomed by lovely Mr Singh. He was a very pleasant guy and welcomed us enthusiastically. We ordered a few dishes and even though they were so busy preparing takeaway orders, they got our order done within 10 minutes. We had Garlic Chicken tikka, prawns tandoori, Royal chicken and 2 butter naans. Wonderfully cooked starters and amazing flavours. The royal chicken was a coconut based gravy and wow it was delicious. Just the right amount of spice with a mix of some vegetables in the gravy. The naans were fluffy and great. Thanks Mr Singh for a fantastic service”

– Charles Misquitta, Google Reviews 

The food is absolutely amazing

“Arguably one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat at! The food is absolutely amazing, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and the staff are friendly and very prompt. If you love a good hot curry (like properly hot) you have to check this place out. I’ve now enjoyed both their butter chicken and lamb korma at what they describe as a “Kiwi hot” level, and it did not disappoint, and the flavours were still amazing, so they didn’t just dump a bunch of chili or cayenne pepper in at the end to make it seem hotter (sadly an experience I’ve had at other places). Their naan bread is fresh, soft, and delicious, and their lunch special of $15 for curry + rice + naan has become a favourite of mine, so much so that I eat there at least once a week.

The restaurant is clean, tidy, and nicely decorated in a traditional Indian restaurant style, which creates a lovely ambience for enjoying their exquisite food. I don’t know what issue previous reviewers have had with delays, but our food has always been served to the table in under 15-20 minutes (often quicker), even when they are busy.”

– Zoe Holmes, Google Reviews

2. Eretas Tapas and Tacos Bar

Address: 720 Pollen Street

Contact Details: +64220112633

Operating Hours: 

• Tuesday to Thursday – 4 PM to 9 PM 
• Friday – 4 PM to 10 PM 
• Saturday – 10 AM to 2 PM, 4 PM to 10 PM 

Eretas gets right what most fusion places miss: big flavors at prices that don’t sting. Their tapas-sized plates don’t just mash up concepts—they elevate them. 

I started off with the fried chicken bao. The crispy, juicy thigh was drizzled with tangy gochujang and kewpie mayo, all cradled in a pillowy steamed bun. 

The gochujang brought a quick flash of heat that faded into mellow, creamy sweetness. I had to stop and savor it for a second.

The heirloom tomato and burrata dish was another winner. It featured juicy tomatoes, sharp red onion, and buttery burrata floating in grassy olive oil. The pistachios gave it that extra crunch and made the whole thing pop.

The real show-off dish was the pork char siu tacos. It comes with sticky-sweet pork belly, a sharp cucumber-mustard relish, and a cool swipe of crema all piled onto a soft tortilla. Messy, yes—I had to grab extra napkins—but every bite was worth it.

My only gripe? The wait. I hung around for about 25 minutes before finally getting a table.

Fantastic—not only in taste but also in presentation

“If you’re looking for a great place to have dinner with drinks in Thames, this is the spot you should choose. The menu may not be extensive, but what they offer is served in generous portions with exceptional quality. I celebrated my 40th birthday here, and even though I only contacted the restaurant a few hours before, they were able to accommodate me immediately and confirmed my booking via text. Two wonderful ladies took our orders and served our drinks and food. They were energetic, kind, and made the experience even more enjoyable. A couple runs this place, and it’s clear that both are involved in the day-to-day operations. They’re always available to address any concerns and have excellent knowledge about the menu.

I’m not typically used to fusion-style tacos, but these were fantastic—not only in taste but also in presentation. They were eye-catching and delicious. I especially loved the cocktails and mocktails, and I recommend trying the additional cocktails they offer. These aren’t on the menu, but you can ask about them, and they’ll be posted on their Google page.

The staff and guests all wished me a happy birthday, which made the evening even more special.

For food, I highly recommend the fried chicken—it’s incredibly tasty, served with a soy-based sauce mixed with oil. It’s absolutely delicious! The fried chicken tacos were also a highlight—don’t miss them; your palate will thank you later. The medium-rare steak I ordered was cooked to perfection and served with a buttery gravy that complemented it beautifully. If you order the chips, they’re huge and crispy—perfect for sharing with three people. All the cocktails I tried were top-notch. We also tried the pasta, but it wasn’t to our taste—perhaps it was due to the type of pasta used. A spaghetti-style pasta would have been a better choice, in my opinion. The restaurant offers both indoor seating with beautiful interiors and a lovely backyard area for a more nature-filled dining experience. This is definitely a go-to spot for any special occasion. If you’re in the Thames area, I highly recommend giving it a try.”

– Renjith cc, Google Reviews 

Fantastic restaurant/Tapas bar

“This is a fantastic restaurant/Tapas bar. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. I texted a few hours before going to book a table. It is such a lovely place. The food was amazing.

We had the fried chicken, fried cauliflower, prawns tostado, beef tacos, zucchini fritters, sticky date pudding, a couple of cocktails and a lemon lime and bitters. I can’t fault anything as the food was so so good. It was a burst of flavours with every bite. The attention to detail was fantastic. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

– Charles Misquitta, Google Reviews 

3. Gastronomics Restaurant Cafe & Bar

Address: 428-430 Pollen Street

Contact Details: +6478689406

Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday – 5 PM to 9 PM 

Website

Gastronomics Restaurant Cafe & Bar is for foodies who like capturing the meal experience. In all the dishes I ordered, the plating was that of a five-star restaurant—elegant and social media worthy.

I began with the chef’s special sautéed mushrooms on ciabatta garlic bread. The mushrooms were earthy and buttery, stacked generously on the bread. The garlic flavor was strong enough to make me want another bite.

I especially liked the Prime Silver Fern Farm beef eye fillet. I ordered it medium-rare, and it was so tender that my knife cut through easily. Each bite was even juicier than the one before.

Red wine jus pooled around the kumara and baby potatoes. This added a deep, savory note that had me scraping the plate clean.

One regular swears by the bacon-wrapped veal tenderloins. The salty, smoky bacon sets off the delicate veal, and the creamy gratin on the side seals the deal.

The service isn’t bad either. I appreciated how my waiter stayed attentive throughout the night without hovering.

My only problem? Parking is a nightmare. In the evening, due to all the people, I could hardly find a single available space in their parking lot. 

Very friendly staff and excellent atmosphere

“Very friendly staff and excellent atmosphere, nice food, best lamb rack I ever had, we also ordered oysters, lamb shank, vanison ribs and Fettuccine，Brownies，all well served, we enjoyed our dinner, definitely a high light for our trip in Thames.”

– Stephanie Luo, Google Reviews

A great selection to choose from

“Absolutely loved our meals! Everything tasted amazing and the presentation was fantastic. A great selection to choose from, we ended up all getting something off the specials board. The lobster was incredible. My husband raved about the venison ribs and my daughter absolutely loved her gurnard, melted in her mouth. The desserts were equally as delicious. Will definitely be back when next in Thames!”

– Rebekah Rochefort-Rennie, Google Reviews 

4. Nakontong Thai Restaurant

Address: Nakontong Thai Res & Cafe Level 1/728 Pollen Street

Contact Details: +6478686821

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM 
• Saturday & Sunday – 5 PM to 9 PM 

Facebook

Nakontong Thai Restaurant brings diners the bold, authentic flavors of Thailand. Their green curry alone proves it. 

I enjoyed every spoonful of the creamy coconut milk green curry laced with lemongrass and galangal. The slow-burning heat bloomed with each bite.

A regular diner I spoke to praised their take on holy basil duck. She liked how the duck was crispy and came tossed in a fiery mix of chilies, garlic, and that unmistakable peppery basil.

Their pad thai was also delicious. The perfectly cooked noodles came in tangy tamarind sauce, crunchy peanuts, and plump shrimp. It’s not the gloppy, sugary mess some other spots serve.

Another person told me the pineapple fried rice is worth the price. The rice is studded with sweet pineapple and cashews and is usually served in a hollowed-out pineapple for extra flair.

My only complaint is that the wait to be seated was longer than the wait for my food. I had a reservation and still waited at least 30 minutes.

The food was made fresh

“We had some dinner with some friends. Lovely dinning experience. With a lovely Thai atmosphere. The food was made fresh. The staff was also professional with the service. The service with getting our orders to the table took a bit of time. Which is understandable with being a busy evening.”

– Jerry Spoerl, Google Reviews 

Absolutely delicious

“Even though the place was buzzing, our meals and drinks still came out nice and quick. The spring rolls were crispy, fresh and full of flavour. The green curry with chicken was fragrant, creamy and had just the right amount of spice, while the yellow curry with beef was rich, tender and absolutely delicious. The service was so welcoming and friendly too, which made the whole experience even better. Hands down one of the best Thai meals we’ve had. We look forward to coming back :)”

– Hannah Ireland, Google Reviews 

5. Kebab Express

Address: 451 Pollen Street

Contact Details: +6478689683

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 9 PM 

Website

Kebab Express leans hard into that smoky, charred grilling, turning even the simplest cut of meat into something craveable. While regulars swear by the juicy chicken, I decided to try the lamb plate.

The lamb came piled with fresh parsley and a scatter of red pepper flakes. What really got me, though, was the caramelized crunch on the edges from the grill—enough to make me want to order it again.

The Turkish bread was soft and brushed with olive oil, and somehow managed to soak up all the lamb juices without getting soggy.

Plus, the garlic sauce was so creamy I had to ask for more. That sauce, tangy from yogurt and sharp with raw garlic, is what regulars here call the glue that holds everything together.

There was a small hiccup—a woman at the next table got double-charged for her falafel wrap. The staff sorted it out right away, but it’s a good idea to double-check the bill. 

The grill plates were excellent 

“We stopped here while passing through town on our motorhome trip with two hungry kids and needed a quick dinner option. The grill plates were excellent — the meat was flavoursome and perfectly cooked, the salad fresh and crisp, and the sauces really tasty. Great spot for a casual, satisfying meal. Highly recommend!”

– Birgit K, Google Reviews 

A truly out of this world flavour 

“We live in Auckland and all my family & friends know this place, hands down the best food experience we ever had in the Coromandel & Auckland region, highly recommend the kofta and chicken plate, the owner kindly made us a fresh salad to go with it, a truly out of this world flavour and perfection with every element, 10/10 won’t do it justice you have to actually try it for yourself.  I also appreciate the high standard of hygiene and service, a pleasant place to hang out.”

– Husni S, Google Reviews