Bay of Plenty restaurants shine at Menulog Restaurant Awards

Bay of Plenty restaurants have impressed at the annual Menulog Restaurant Awards. Photo / Supplied

Two Bay of Plenty restaurants have proven they slice, dice, fry and boil with the best at the Menulog Restaurant Awards.

Among New Zealand's most popular eateries were Pāpāmoa local Thai Thani, taking out the Most Noods Sent category and Rotorua's Air Indian Restaurant won Best Drink'n'Dine Deal.

The two awards celebrated the restaurants serving up 2020's trending dishes as judged by orders, ratings and reviews on Menulog.

Thai Thani owner Ian Frost said after living in Thailand for nearly a decade, he was inspired to represent his favourite cuisine when he settled back in New Zealand.

"Our food is special because we focus on using fresh produce and making every meal from scratch. We love Thai cuisine and that love shines through in our dishes – keeping our customers coming back for more."

Thai Thani creates fresh and exotic flavoured Thai food ranging from Pla Rad Prik (whole snapper) through to its signature Taste of Thai Thani with pineapple, mango and capsicum.

Air Indian Restaurant serves authentic Indian cuisine including everything from butter chicken and Lamb Korma to Chicken Biryani and delicious Prawn Malabari.

Air Indian owner Dinesh Prasad said the restaurant was seeing more and more orders coming through online.

"We have been running this restaurant for nearly 12 years and it's been very interesting seeing how online ordering has increased our business. There has definitely been a shift to takeaway orders – especially this year."

Other Bay of Plenty Restaurants recognised in the Menulog Restaurant Awards this year:
• Castle 91 Indian Restaurant – Tauranga
• Curry Mehak Indian Takeaway – Rotorua

Mr Pizza, a family-owned restaurant in Helensville northwest of Auckland, won the People's Choice Award for its fusion of Italian and Indian cuisine.

Gisborne's Bollywood Stars Tandoori Restaurant won Best Orange Dish.

Menulog commercial director Rory Murphy said:

"Restaurants like Thai Thani, Air Indian Restaurant, and Mr Pizza are a testament to the importance of local restaurants. The culture they have built up around what they do, the service they provide and the delicious food they deliver keeps customers coming back."

The awards also celebrated 30 of the most popular restaurants by cuisine in local areas around the country ranging from Khane Bahar Indian Restaurant and Bar-Takeaway in Whangarei through to Indian Spice down south in Dunedin.