The Dough Puncher? Yes, as it sounds, it's a bakery come mini-putt golf course. Both an interesting…read moreconcept, AND a good use of resource. When you think about it the two businesses are quite complimentary. Fancy a round of 18 but missed your morning steak n cheese? Fatigued after an intense mini-putt battle and desperate for caffeine? The Dough Puncher, you've nailed this. The mini putt is fun, the pies are tasty (good gravy/meat ratio) and the bread hearty. I especially liked their sticky berry slice. Drop the kids over the fence to putt-it-out, whilst enjoying your coffee outside under the trees = winner!

Another favourite stand at the Matakana Village Farmers' Market is Ringawera. You may recognise the…read morename as co-owner, Patrick Griffiths, originally ran Ringawera Bakery on Waiheke Island, where he lived for the past 18 years. The shop closed two years ago as Patrick was looking for a new challenge, and thus, early 2018, he opened Ringawera Cafe in Matakana - next to Morris and James art gallery. In October last year, Patrick started selling his freshly baked breads at the Matakana Village Farmers' Market. Look out for the rows and rows of pastries, croissants, beautiful breads, and baskets of baguettes as you enter the market - they are the first stall on the left. It is definitely the most well-presented stand in my opinion! His ciabatta and sourdough are my favourite breads to purchase at the market. Side note: Patrick has also opened Ringawera Bakery on Matakana Valley Road, just above the Matakana Village Farmers' Market All of his breads are baked onsite, from scratch and use quality ingredients. The smell is heavenly when you walk into his shop. You will find all of their freshly baked breads - sourdough, ciabatta (try the mini rolls!), foccacia and mixed grain loaves, plus piping hot Ozone Coffee, pastries, croissants, brioche and generously filled sandwiches to go. They also make some of the best hot cross buns!

Unfortunately there were no lamingtons when I visited Lamingtons! It was the end of a busy summer…read moreday though, and I can only assume that this means they are sooo good they had sold out. I instead went for a solid favourite of mine; the good old Steak and Cheese pie. It was DELICIOUS; the best pie I've had in years. It was proper old school, with chunky homemade pastry and so full of steak and cheese I had to eat it with a knife and fork. Yes, I took a gamble having a pie at the end of the day, but it was still fresh and bursting with flavour. I would suggest if you buy a pie eat it there, I can imagine all that yummy filling ending up in the bottom of your paper bad otherwise. There are plenty of seats, inside and out and it has a busy little atmosphere. They do loads of sweet treats also (and lamingtons I hear) which I'm lookign forward to in my next visit