As a treat at the end of our stay in Mangawhai 8 of us (2 families of 4) went to Sail Rock for a meal. I had read reviews about the salt & pepper squid, so definitely wanted to try it! Between us we had steak, fish platter, butter chicken, cajun chicken salad and a pizza. Everyone wanted to lick their plates! The salt and pepper squid melted in your mouth and was a winner! Our two friends who had the fish platter just loved us! Our son loved the butter chicken, which our daughter and her friend returned to have the next day. The manager served our desserts and we were thrilled with all the service which was outstanding. Great gluten free options as well which is rare! 10 out of 10! We will be back… a restaurant worth visiting! Well done!!!!

We had good time in Managwhai this holiday season and different food different taste!!!.

Simply at Sail Rock, the food is ok, but my favorite Fish medley has disappointed me because of something came on my table. I still remember the Fish, I had in August… I still apologize to my friend whom I had recommended, Ohh no!!! it came something else in my table… we were group of people from Auckland.

Fish Medley- Not recommended, over cooked, and not to regular recipe… has changed and ruined the way it was.
Steak- Good.. It’s Angus, Recommended
Shank- Good
Butter chicken (Mild)- My son just loved it,
Today, we visited one of our favorite Indian restaurant in Lincoln Rd, and my son said, it’s not like Mangawhai’s butter chicken
Butter Chicken (Hot): Recommended. My, friend from Australia said” It’s awesome”

Presentation- ok
Ambience- good
Service- average
Portion size- good

Over all- Average

We have eaten here a few times and the food is always good. They have heaps of gluten free options (genuinely gluten-free too, not just “no wheat”, which is nice!) and the salt and pepper calamari is absolutely a.m.a.z.i.n.g – almost worth a weekend trip up to mangawhai just for that. Yum.

I’ve been to this place several times and I will definitely continue to dine there. The menu is nothing particularly exceptional, just quality pizza and tradditional kiwi fare (i.e. lamb shanks, roast pork); that said everything is well prepared, servings are adequate and the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting.

No five star establishment but it delivers everything it promises and the service is very friendly. A great place to unwind after a day on the water.

Carrot Cake. I have travelled in many countries and I have not found a carrot cake like this. It is baked on the premises and it is delicious. You get value for money.

On a recent Holiday to Auckland and surrounding areas, we stayed a night at Mungawhai Heads. We ended up having a meal at Sail Rock Cafe, Margaret was our Host and was fantastic.
We had the Salt and Pepper Calamari also a Butter Chicken as a Main..WOAH that Butter Chicken is AMAZING!! (Thanks Margaret – And the Chef)
Then to top it off, the Raspberry and white Chocolate Cheesecake was to Die for. We would highly recommend a visit to Margaret and her team at Sail Rock Cafe

It was lovely saturday, very sunny day, we had good time in Mangawhai. Myself and my partner from Auckland. We were planning for dine back in auckland, but again changed our plan once we had grabbed one info leaflet from info-centre… quite a number of places to eat on leaflet.
Evening, we need to cash out for some reason, so we went to wood st to cash out, then we decided to go to sail rock just a steps ahead,…..
It was unusual to see curries in their menu along with other menu, doesn’t look indian cafe/ restaurant, but my partner said, why don’t I try butter chicken, and I took salt and pepper, my always favorite…ohh my partner just said, wow!!! he has never had butter chicken like this, never tested like this in auckland, he always eats butter chicken when he goes out for indian curries… squid was good too, service was good enough, and place looks nice, good set up…

Highly recommend, atleast try once, but it won’t last by one.

We will surely visit again… Butterrrr chickenn…hmmmm

We had a really nice dinner there last night, I had a small pizza and my boyfriend had the cannelloni which he really enjoyed and we shared the apple crumble which was delicious. We found the staff very friendly and enjoyed the man playing the piano, which we thought was something different. If we come back to Mangawhai, we would definitely come back here.

only ever eat at sail rock when we are in mangawhai, nice atmosphere and we are always made to feel welcomed also great place to watch the rugby late at night and get a sundae

Myself and my wife ate there last night. The food was delicious and the service was impeccable. We had not booked, yet we were warmly received and served promptly. This is the second time that we’ve dined here and will not be the last!

Have eaten here for over 15 years and it gets better and better. The new menu and especially the curries are just great.
The coffee as ever remains wonderful and the recent addition of pastries makes for a perfect morning coffee break.

great coffee, a more widely appealing menu and some great new dishes courtesy of a new chef. You will not find a more authentic, multi-layered and creamy butter chicken in nz… hands down. they’ve kept the famous squid too. But it’s the fresh ideas on their new menu which have won me over.

it is such a shame when you have a world class dish served somewhere not worthy of its deliciousness.

the salt and pepper squid at sail rock cafe is to die for and worthy of travelling great distances for. however the attitude and hospitality of the staff (in particular the manager-owner) greatly lets the place down. several diners i know will not return here and unfortunately a great dish such as the squid is not enough to over ride the unpleasant dining experience.

such a shame

Visited Sail Rock about 18 months ago and had a bad experience but thought we would try again for a late lunch. Unfortunately, food choices hadn’t changed much, iced chocolate tasted like frothy milk, food was just ‘ok’ but not enough to make me come rushing back.