I came to Sugar Boat in February for my girlfriend’s birthday, and was looking for a special occasion, and I got what I was looking for! Prior organisation via email meant we were very well taken care of, with a place on the top deck ready for some cocktails and tapas on our arrival, then when we moved downstairs Earl and our waitress were very attentive, surprising us with a complimentary dessert & singing happy birthday to her. We were both very happy, very well fed, and a little bit tipsy on our walk back to Paihia thanks to Earl’s great cocktails! Many thanks!

We recently had the pleasure of dining at The Sugar Boat in Paihia. We started off with drinks in the bar, were made very welcome by Earl and the team, and experienced the most amazing tapas-ask for the vegetarian fritters if they don’t appear on the menu! Dinner followed downstairs in the gorgeous atmospheric hull of the ship. The food was fantastic (well done Jeff and Rose) and we were treated to an amazing sunset as well. This is an experience not to be missed-thanks to all for a great dining experience.

Dear friends,

Me and my girlfriend traveled New Zeeland a short while ago. In the last
part of our trip we visited Paihia. We stayed at a camping in the north
part of the village.
The last day we took along walk to the water falls. On our return we
stopped for a glass of wine at the Sugar Boat. We were soaking wet, since
the weather was not friendly, this particular day. We only intended the
very one glass of wine when we came.

Despite our wet appearences we were not only welcome but morover met with a
warm and friendly attitude not found anywhere else on New Zeeland. This is
not critic to the rest of New Zeeland. We were met by friendly people all
over the place. It was just that people were so friendly on the Sugar Boat
that I need to tell someone about this. Everybody working there were great.
Since we were so pleased we stayed, not only for the glass of wine, but
also for some more wine, food and drinks.

The tapas were of a kind we have not had before and they were absolutely
delightful. We tried to by the chef and bring her with us to Sweden, but
some practical problems stopped us from doing so.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that this was our best restaurant/bar
experience during 3,5 weeks of wonderful visit in beatuful New Zeeland.

Thanks and best regards/Göran and Anneli from Sweden

The boat is beautiful, the setting is romantic, the sunset was out of this world, the staff are friendly, helpful and fun, the food was creative and inovative and served well, cocktails by barman Andy were fun and fanciful. A true dining experience in the most stunning place in the world. Make it the place you go to first as you will want to go again!

I dined at the sugar boat recently and found it absolutely amazing. The boat, the views, the service and the food everything was to die for.

We were greeted by Earl who has a wide range of knowledge on the food and drinks and the perfect drop to go with our meals.

Andy was behind the bar whizzing up cocktails left, right and center and he knows his stuff! He made us feel very welcome and has a good chat to us while we were in awe at the surrounding views of the Bay of Islands.

we ate our meal down below i would comment on everything i ate but i do not think there is enough characters in this review to explain the beauty of the food we consumed.

After eating we made our way back up to the bar and met Jeff and Rose from in the kitchen and gave them our compliments on the evening.

Had such a great time in Paihia and the sugar boat made it an even more memorable visit.

Thank you very much to the Sugar Boat crew cannot wait to get back and try the rest of the menu,


All the best for 2011
Kaylea Pamment,
Tauranga

I’ve lived in The Far North for 6 years and had nearly given up hope of having a dining experience that left me feeling, that my hard earned dollar wasted.

Kayaking this summer with my father, while visiting from The States, we happened upon The Sugarboat. It was resting just next to the Waitangi Bridge so we pulled the wakas in for a look around. After making reservations That evening, we returned with my wife, my daughter and one of her friends.

The service staff on board were simply, world class. We enjoyed cocktails on the top deck. Ordered our meals from there and were given the choice to go below to the dining area or be escorted down when the meal was nearly ready. We opted to stay on deck and take some fantastic photos of the family and the beautiful scenery in The Bay Of Islands.

Kirsty, our server, was very attentive to our needs and made us feel as if we were guests in her home. Earl and the bar staff were great and just as accommodating.

At meal time we were led downstairs to the dining area which, I believe used to be the cargo hold. Native Kauri, solid beams and floors. Dimly lit for great ambiance and a interesting story to be told of the days when the Tui transported sugar to all of Northland.


The meal arrived with no delays and was outstanding. Without a doubt this was the best meal out I’ve eaten since living in New Zealand.

Jeff and the rest of the kitchen pros had everything in order and the presentation was lovely.

If you are in the area this is a must dining experience. Great service, great atmosphere and great food…I’ll be back.

Matt Wetzel
Ahipara, NZ