Seven new restaurants are set to open in Mount Maunganui’s Bayfair Shopping Centre later this month, as the centre unveils its alfresco dining precinct.
The new eateries, Burger Burger, Mexico, Nandos, Izakai, Katsubi, The Freeport Tavern & Eatery (a Little Creatures collaboration) and Cleaver & Co, will open at the centre’s new dining precinct, which is part of the Tauranga shopping centre’s $115 million development.
The Bayfair Shopping Centre’s development will expand its footprint by 9000sqm to a total of 42,000sqm and specialty retail range by 50 to a total of 150 stores, including a strong fashion mix new to the centre and the region.
The first stage of the development was completed last December, increasing its retail offering.
“The development makes Bayfair a retail, dining and entertainment crowd-pleaser for the whole region, and we are thrilled to be unveiling our new dining precinct,” said Steve Ellingford, Bayfair’s centre manager.
“The precinct will complement the nearby recently opened Timezone complex and the cinema, opening in the next development stage, and includes a variety of family-friendly, casual and licensed operators, so it’s perfect for all kinds of dining, from family brunches to coffee catch-ups and date night,” Ellingford said.
Burger Burger’s first Tauranga store will feature the brand’s usual spread and refreshments it is known for.
“Burger Burger is a place for all – whether it be after shopping with your friends, taking your family out for a meal, stopping in for a quick lunch break or hanging out with your mates, there is something for everyone,” said founder and creative lead Mimi Gilmour.
Now with 10 locations around New Zealand, Mexico is bringing its street-food-inspired menu and immersive dining style to Bayfair, with marketing manager Sarah Page saying they had been looking for an opportunity to open in Tauranga for a long time.
“When the opportunity to open at Bayfair became available, we knew it was the right time and the right place to be,” she said.
Izakai features a combination of Japanese and Kiwi cuisine in an intimate space with a long bar where food and drink are served, and accentuates it with traditional Māori ingredients, culture and history.
“Our name combines izakaya and kai to make the connection between Japanese and Kiwi cuisine,” said owner and general manager Liam Millard.
Since December 2018, the centre has ushered in new-to-the-Bay retailers including Mecca Maxima, Seed Heritage, Peter Alexander, The Source Bulk Foods, Cotton On Mega, The Cosmetic Clinic, Platypus Shoes, Redcurrent, Colette by Colette Hayman, Charm, The Soccer Shop, Bailey Nelson, Recycled Boutique and Timezone.
