Coastal Flavours & Smoky Bites

Explore a mouth-watering mix of fresh local seafood and smoky BBQ flavours, all set against the stunning Whitianga Marina.

Located within the lively New World Whitianga Eat Street, the festival brings together local food vendors, community groups, and well-known chefs from around the country.

With coast meating country on every plate, your tastebuds are in for a treat.

Big flavours are officially on the menu for 2026!

Big flavours are officially on the menu for 2026!

Barbecue ribs with sides of coleslaw and pickles in a cardboard takeout box
Seafood paella with shrimp, mussels, chicken, rice, and lemon wedge in a white bowl on a weathered wooden surface.
Several opened oyster shells on a white tray.
Basket with root vegetables, chopped onions, chopped green onions, cilantro, and lemon wedges. A large brown bowl with shredded cabbage or coleslaw. A person’s hand in the background, and kitchen items on a countertop.
Fried fish tacos with shredded purple and green cabbage, drizzled with mayonnaise, served on a soft tortilla.

Low, slow and seriously good

We said Coast Meats Country, and these two are bringing the smoke. This year, two incredible, award winning barbecue teams are rolling into Whitianga, serving up the kind of smoky, slow-cooked goodness that deserves plenty of napkins and absolutely no table manners.

Black Label
Barbecue

We’re excited to welcome Black Label Barbecue back to Whitianga, with their mobile smoker fired up and some seriously good low and slow barbecue on the menu.

Behind Black Label are Shaun & Alia, Season 1 winners of Cooks on Fire and the founding couple and owners of Black Label Barbecue in Rotorua.
They’ve picked up plenty of trophies and awards along the way, but at the heart of it all is what they love doing - cooking proper barbecue over smoke and fire.

They’ll be slinging their Smoked Pork Belly Lollipops, and because you guys love ’em so much, they’re making sure there’ll be PLENTY of ribs coming off the smoker too.

Close-up of a cooked, glazed sausage spiraled on a skewer, with a caramelized surface.
A woman and a man pose together outdoors, with a whole roasted pig hanging behind them, decorated with meat hooks and metal balls, at an outdoor event under a partly cloudy sky.
A person wearing black gloves slicing cooked bacon on a white cutting board.
Hot dog with grilled bun and toppings, served in a white paper tray.

Smokin’ Oak Barbecue

These guys seriously know their way around a smoker.

Matt and Heather have been firing up the low and slow since 2012, collecting multiple competition BBQ titles along the way, including New Zealand Reserve Grand Champions and winning Season 2 of TVNZ’s Cooks on Fire.

They’re bringing authentic American-style barbecue to Oceans Festival, with meat smoked low and slow over oak alongside handcrafted burgers, tacos and BBQ favourites.

smokin' oak - meat smoker
A grilled sandwich with beef, cheese, and pickles, served with a side of barbecue sauce on a white paper with 'Smoking Oak Barbecue' printed on it.
Close-up of a cooked slice of beef brisket.
Three tacos filled with shredded meat, pickled onions, and sauce, presented in a paper tray with 'Smokin Oak BBQ' branding, on a wooden surface.

The Festival Menu Just Keeps Getting Better in New World Whitianga’s Eat Street

  • Sugarfish - Oceans Festival

    Sugarfish

    One of the Coromandel’s favourite caterers, Sugarfish serves up fresh local flavours and crowd-favourite dishes - festival food done right.

  • SUNZ Seafood

    SUNZ Seafood

    Coromandel seafood specialists serving up fresh kina and pāua, hand-harvested by local divers and processed right here in Whitianga - ocean-fresh flavours straight from the source.

  • Coromandel Oyster Bar

    Coromandel Oyster Bar

    Fresh from the Coromandel seas, the Coromandel Oyster Bar will be serving beautiful fresh oysters with a selection of tasty sauces - a true taste of the coast and an Oceans Festival must-try.

  • Dive Zone Whitianga

    Dive Zone Whitianga

    Dive Zone Whitianga with their famous beer-battered butterfish bites - crispy, golden festival favourites served hot and fresh in the buzzing Eat Street.

  • Paella Pan

    Paella Pan

    From French market beginnings to festival favourites, this passionate catering team serves delicious crowd-pleasers and brings years of Oceans Festival experience to the plate.

  • Whitianga Lions

    Whitianga Lions

    Whitianga Lions served up hearty festival favourites, from creamy mussel chowder to fresh fish burgers - great food supporting their community fundraising efforts.

  • Hungarian Fried Bread

    Hungarian Fried Bread

    Serving up traditional Hungarian fried bread, this popular stall delivers crispy golden lángos with a soft centre, topped with sweet and savoury favourites made fresh to order.

  • Sea 2 You

    Sea 2 You

    Fresh South Westland whitebait takes centre stage in these classic sandwiches - simple, authentic and packed with delicate flavour straight from New Zealand’s pristine waters.

  • Awa Coffee Cart

    Awa Coffee Cart

    Awa Coffee Cart serves premium Riley coffee, pouring everything from rich hot brews to refreshing iced drinks - the perfect festival pick-me-up, made fresh to order.

  • Delicious Dosa

    Delicious Dosa

    Authentic South Indian dosas, freshly made and packed with flavour – deliciously crisp, full of tasty fillings and perfect for something a little different on your festival food adventure.

  • Coastal Kitchen

    Coastal Kitchen

    Serving up fresh, bold coastal flavours, Coastal Kitchen brings colourful, flavour-packed poke bowls and other tasty treats to the festival – fresh, vibrant and perfect for a day by the water.

  • Coastal Cones

    Coastal Cones

    Keeping things cool and sweet, Coastal Cones will be serving up creamy soft serve ice creams and icy slushies – the perfect festival treat when you’re ready for something refreshing.

  • Whangapoua Catering

    Whangapoua Catering

    Serving up tasty festival favourites packed with flavour, with plenty of delicious options to keep you fuelled throughout the day – come hungry and discover your next festival favourite.

  • Love Dem Apples

    Love Dem Apples

    Bringing a sweet festival treat with a difference, Love Dem Apples takes crisp Granny Smith apples and hand-rolls them in soft, chewy caramel before loading them with delicious toppings – crunchy, indulgent and definitely not your average toffee apple.

Logo of New World Whitiana featuring a stylized globe with the letters NW in the center, and the words "New World" in red and "Whitianga" in black below.

Proudly Supporting Eat Street

We’re proud to have New World Whitianga sponsoring Eat Street in 2026. Led by Kerry Stanley and his team, they’re passionate about hiring local, supporting local and giving back, with their support reaching many community organisations, events and sporting groups across the area.

A huge thanks for helping us bring New World Whitianga’s Eat Street to life!

Blue illustration of a fish on the left, a cow in the middle, and a cowboy hat on the right.

Coast Meats Country