Roots Bar

Roots Bar in Tākaka absolutely lives up to its alliterative motto—“beats, beers, burgers, bands”— providing stacked burgers and specials in a welcoming, relaxing space. 

Start with one of the 12 on-tap beer offerings, many from local Tasman breweries such as Hop Federation, Eddyline and The Mussel Inn just down the road, with even more domestic brews available in cans behind the counter. Then dig into their menu of burgers and hearty dishes made with local wild-caught, harvested or fished ingredients, wherever possible. It’s rife with gems such as the “Cost of Living” smashburger topped with cheese, onion, naughty mayo and a side of shoestring fries (now $22.70), or flavourful specials like Jamaican wild goat curry.

The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, with comfy seating inside the cosy bar and a private, partially-covered outdoor courtyard centred around an open fire sculpted to resemble a tree root. 

And, of course, there’s almost always a gig scheduled on the weekend. Check out Roots Bar’s Instagram for details of upcoming bands and DJs.