About Manakau's Famous (Manakau Market)
Manakau's Famous sits on State Highway 1 at the Kāpiti–Horowhenua border, on the site many locals still call the Manakau market. The owners, who have run restaurants in the district for 16 years, took over the old Soo's Brown Acres produce stall in 2018 and turned it, step by step, into a from-scratch food stop with garden seating. They still keep feijoa and plum orchards, and that fruit ends up in the ice cream.
Real fruit ice cream is the classic order, with at least six fruit choices each day and orchard plums and feijoas when they are in season. The burger list runs from a small single to an Oklahoma smash and a southern fried chicken burger, alongside wings, calamari, hand-cut chips, poutine and loaded chips. Smoothies, juice, cakes, slices and coffee fill out the counter.
It opens Tuesday from 8:30am to 5pm, Wednesday to Friday from 8:30am to 7:30pm, Saturday from 9am to 7:30pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and it is closed on Mondays. Wednesday is pizza night from 4:30pm, with ten pizzas including a vegan or dairy-free option; texting your order ahead saves a wait. You can eat in the garden or take your food away, and catering is offered too.
Lavender Creek Farm in Ōtaki is about 10 minutes south. Its website does not list open days, so contact them before you go.
What to do
- Order a real fruit ice cream, with orchard plums or feijoas in season
- Try an Oklahoma smash burger with hand-cut chips
- Come for Wednesday pizza night from 4:30pm
- Eat in the garden or take your food away
- Text your order ahead to skip the wait
Season, hours and prices
- Hours
- 2026: Tue 8:30am–5pm; Wed–Fri 8:30am–7:30pm; Sat 9am–7:30pm; Sun 10am–5pm; closed Mon
Good to know
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- Closed on Mondays
- On Wednesday pizza nights, pre-order by text to avoid waiting
- Burgers ran from NZ$11 to NZ$24.50 on the menu checked in October 2026
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Creek Farm · about 10 minutes away
Lavender Creek Farm is just south in Ōtaki; check with them on visiting before combining the two.
Getting there
Questions
Is it open on Mondays?
No. It is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday.
When is pizza night?
Every Wednesday from 4:30pm.
Can I order ahead?
Yes. Orders can be sent by text to 020 4132 6121.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of the Wairarapa & Kāpiti Coast, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
