I’ve always been a fan of takeaways—so much so that even during busy work trips, I’ll often order one for a quick lunch between meetings. Plus, the fact that I’m not the best cook makes me love takeaways more.

Since I regularly travel to Wellsford, it caught my attention when one of our team’s researchers mentioned that the town has a surprisingly good takeaway scene.

So on my visits, I made it a point to check various takeaway spots in Wellsford. Here are the places that didn’t leave me regretting my order.

1. The Ocean Chinese 

Address: 136 Rodney Street

Contact Details: +6494238818

Operating Hours: 

• Wednesday to Saturday, Monday – 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM 
• Tuesday – 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM 
• Sunday – 12 PM to 8:30 PM 

Ocean Chinese Restaurant skips the MSG, which is rare for takeout spots.

I kicked things off with the prawn egg fu yung. The omelet pockets were golden and stuffed with sweet, juicy prawns and crunchy bean sprouts. I liked that they didn’t drown it in oyster sauce.

I paired it with the beef fried rice, loaded with juicy beef strips and plenty of scallions.

The sweet and sour fish caught me off guard. I was prepared for it to be either too vinegary or too sweet, but they struck the perfect balance. The fish itself was flaky and fresh.

A regular told me their go-to is the vegetable chow mein. The noodles are wok-tossed till they’re perfectly chewy. 

They don’t skimp on the veggies too. It’s packed with snap peas, carrots, cabbage, and other vegetables that keep their crunch.

The only letdown was the BBQ pork noodle soup. The broth tasted more like warm water than real stock. Additionally, the pork was dry, lacking the caramelized edge I had hoped for. The noodles were springy, but even they couldn’t rescue the bowl.

Delicious Chinese takeaways

“Delicious Chinese takeaways!!!  Had repeat orders multiple times, never been disappointed.  Generous portions, authentic flavor, so good!!! :)”

• Jody Huey Google Reviews 

Big tick of approval from us

“As a Kiwi who does the North Island haul more often than I’d like to admit, I was well and truly over soggy McDonald’s pit stops. Pulled into Wellsford starving, spotted The Ocean Restaurant on the corner, and decided to risk it for the fish ‘n’ chip biscuit. With a hangry gym honed Māori partner beside me and me finally having my first proper feed at 6pm, we played it safe with a fish burger, the $11 pack (fish, two sausages, chips) and, to really test the limits of my calorie counting soul, a container of BBQ pork fried rice. Let me tell you, for someone who critiques food like an underpaid Gordon Ramsay, I was borderline emotional. Every bite was bang on. Saucy, crispy, fresh, hot, and packed with flavour. I was delivering compliments like a MasterChef judge between mouthfuls. We agreed it was too good to waste in one sitting, so we saved some for the road, only because we had 2.5 hours left to drive and knew we’d be slumped in silence if we kept going. Portions were chef’s kiss. Quality over quantity, but still enough to hush the moans of any big eater in the passenger seat. And props to the lovely staff who asked if we needed cutlery and napkins, hospitality like that doesn’t go unnoticed. Big tick of approval from us. If you’re passing through Wellsford, skip the convenient Macca at the gas station and go get properly fed here. You won’t regret it.

Will 100% detour for this place again. Next time, I’m bringing a fork, an empty stomach, and zero self control.”

• Arie Mctainsh Google Reviews 

2. Butter Chicken Box

Address: 95 Rodney Street

Contact Details: +6499452525

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

Website

Butter Chicken Box is for anyone craving classic Indian cooking done right. 

The Butter Lamb is worth the trip: tender tandoori lamb in a tomato gravy that’s rich but not heavy. The sauce is creamy enough to smooth out the spices, and the meat stays front and center. 

Their garlic naan is blistered and chewy, just right for scooping up every last bit of sauce.

Regulars told me to get the vegetable samosa, but they disappear fast. I got lucky and managed to snag two.

They’re crisp and packed with cumin-scented potatoes and peas. I liked that the filling stayed firm, and the mint chutney on the side brought a fresh, herby kick.

For those into seafood, the scallops masala dish is a solid pick. The scallops are plump and just caramelized on the edges, then covered in a tangy tomato-onion masala that’s both familiar and bold.

The Dum Chicken Biryani gets a lot of love for its saffron rice and chicken thighs that fall right off the bone. One person did warn, though, that the portion is on the small side.

Hands down the best Samosas 

“Hands down the best Samosas I have ever had. And I don’t even like Samosas that much. (Really wanted a quick snack that went with the delicious mint sauce 😅). The big samosas are filled with ( what it seems) homemade deliciousness. Definitely will buy them again ( multiple !!!!) on my way up.Had the Lamb Rogan Josh the last time and that was good, too.

Try the Samosas with mint sauce !!!”

• Claudia Perkins Google Reviews 

Very tasty and beautifully presented Indian food

“Very tasty and beautifully presented Indian food. Super friendly staff. Its a food court but the chairs and tables were clean. Reasonably priced. I will stop there for a meal again.”

• Andre de Wet Google Reviews 

3. Ready Roast

Address: 142 Rodney Street

Contact Details: +6494238646

Operating Hours:  Tuesday to Sunday – 12 PM to 8:30 PM 

Ready Roast is what you’d get if Thanksgiving lunch came in a takeout box. They’re known for their roast meals—beef, pork, lamb, or chicken.

The roast pork is a popular favourite. Customers get shatteringly crisp and juicy, well-seasoned meat, all covered in a rich gravy that gets into every nook. 

A regular told me the roast chicken is just as good. When I tried it, I found it to be moist and packed with flavor. It was also so tender that you barely need a fork.

Another regular said the rolls and sandwiches are perfect for work lunches. I grabbed one myself, piled high with beef and absolutely swimming in gravy.

I like that they go big on both portions and flavor. For the price, they don’t skimp on quality.

The only quibble I heard was about the lamb. Someone said it was a bit on the dry side. The flavor was there, but it didn’t have the tenderness of the pork or chicken.

Very good meal

“Very good meal, clean premises, quite busy, staff remembered what you had ordered and bought your takeaways to you when ready instead of just calling out the order”

• Beverly Martin Google Reviews 

The food is always delicious

“We LOVE Ready Roast. We pop in for dinner every time we’re driving down the line from Whangarei. The food is always delicious, generous portions, service is quick and friendly. Could do with some background music for the restaurant ambience BUT this doesn’t take away from our experience at all. Hands down best roast place we’ve been to. 5/5.”

• Laura Perry Google Reviews 

4. Pizza Stop Wellsford

Address: 126 Rodney Street

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM 

Website

Pizza Stop Wellsford’s Netflix Night deal—large pizza, garlic bread, a drink, and chocolate mousse—is essentially designed for solo, treat-yourself nights. 

Their peri peri lamb pizza is one I’d definitely get again. The tender, smoky lamb strips had a spicy kick from the peri peri sauce, balanced by a cool mint yogurt drizzle. 

Each bite had a crunch from the hand-tossed crust, which held up against the toppings without turning soggy.

A regular I chatted with swore by the butter paneer pizza. They appreciated how the creamy tomato gravy and melted cheese complemented the paneer cubes, which remained soft rather than becoming rubbery.

Their sides aren’t too bad either. The spicy, cheesy garlic bread nailed the garlic flavor without being greasy. 

The jalapeño bites, though, could’ve been crispier. I also thought it was a little too salty. 

Bonus points, though, for the eco-friendly packaging—it kept my pizza from going soggy.

It’s our first choice for takeaways 

I actually don’t like pizza, or well, I didn’t like pizza until I tried Pizza Stop. Hands down the best pizza around. It’s our first choice for takeaways and never a disappointment. The service is amazing too. And if by chance you don’t eat all of your pizza, it’s just as good heated the next day.

• Ashlee J Google Reviews 

Their prices and their freshness of pizza just 👌

“Love love love this place. Their prices and their freshness of pizza just 👌. So happy to have a great local pizza place, customer service is top notch and they always remember my order when I call through. 100% recommend”

• Melissa Wymer-Tisdale, Google Reviews

5. Nik’s Kebab and Pizza

Address: 191 Rodney Street

Contact Details: +6494238659

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM 

Nik’s is the spot for fresh, healthy Middle Eastern flavors that won’t empty your wallet.

The lamb on chips is reason enough to swing by. Tender, garlicky lamb strips get piled over a heap of crispy fries, then drenched in tangy yogurt sauce and dusted with smoked paprika. 

The flavors hit all the right notes, although the fries went soggy by the time I returned to my hotel. It’s a bit of a messy eat, but totally worth it.

A regular swore by the chicken and lamb kebabs. The chicken gets a lemon and herb marinade before hitting the grill, so it comes out juicy with a bit of char. 

The lamb picks up a gentle smokiness from the charcoal. He likes to load everything into their soft pita and finish it with a big spoonful of their punchy garlic sauce.

Just a heads up: Friday nights can be slow. I waited 25 minutes for my order, and the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed—they forgot my extra garlic sauce.

So fresh, amazing quality

“EXCEPTIONAL! Wow i am so impressed. So fresh, amazing quality. The hummus was flavoured beautifully. Veges were top grade fresh and flawless. Chicken was so tender and juicy. This man takes great pride in his work, you can see it in how he greets customers and keeps his workplace tidy and clean. Really fantastic, thanks so much :)”

Great value too!

• Jenny A Google Reviews 

The food is superb and the owners awesome

“You look through the door and the first thought is “Hmmm, not sure about this place.” … Ignore that thought!! The food is superb and the owners awesome and friendly 😀

Since this review they’ve done a mini renovation .. looking good!”

• Mark Smith Google Reviews