BAD HABITS
BAD HABITS is a vibrant bar, deli, and liquor store in Paihia, celebrated for its award-winning burgers, prime steaks, and creative cocktails.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
BAD HABITS
Highlights
Must-see attractions
BAD HABITS is a vibrant bar, deli, and liquor store in Paihia, celebrated for its award-winning burgers, prime steaks, and creative cocktails.
Share Starters
Opt for sharing starters to enjoy a wider variety of the menu offerings.
Visit During Off-Peak
To avoid crowds, consider visiting during less busy, off-peak times.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American, Steak House, Bar Food
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+64 9 402 5540
Address
76 Marsden Road, Paihia 0200, New Zealand
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Best Burger in NZ
Renowned for serving what many claim to be the best burger in New Zealand, featuring a juicy patty, melted cheese, and a signature sauce.
Legendary Tomahawk Steak
Indulge in a succulent Tomahawk steak, cooked to perfection and served with a delicious pepper mushroom sauce. A must-try!
Vibrant Cocktail Creations
Experience artfully crafted and delicious cocktails, garnished to impress. Perfect for starting or ending your meal.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Share Starters
Opt for sharing starters to enjoy a wider variety of the menu offerings.
Visit During Off-Peak
To avoid crowds, consider visiting during less busy, off-peak times.
Try Specialty Drinks
Explore unique gin selections and specialty drinks like Jack Daniels creations.
Embrace Local Flavors
If new to New Zealand cuisine, be adventurous and try diverse menu items.
Tips
from all over the internet
Share Starters
Opt for sharing starters to enjoy a wider variety of the menu offerings.
Visit During Off-Peak
To avoid crowds, consider visiting during less busy, off-peak times.
Try Specialty Drinks
Explore unique gin selections and specialty drinks like Jack Daniels creations.
Embrace Local Flavors
If new to New Zealand cuisine, be adventurous and try diverse menu items.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners rave about BAD HABITS, frequently highlighting exceptional dishes like the Tomahawk steak and the highly acclaimed 'best burger in New Zealand'. The creative cocktails and friendly, attentive service also receive widespread praise. While the atmosphere is generally loved, a few patrons noted that service could be more attentive during peak times.
"If you're searching for the best burger in New Zealand, your journey must lead you to Bad Habits in Paihia. Hands down, this was the best burger I've had in the entire country. The beef patty was perfectly grilled, juicy, and full of flavor. Paired with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh coleslaw, the combination was unbeatable, and their signature sauce tied everything together into absolute perfection.
But the experience didn't stop at the food—the cocktails were simply delicious! Not only were they mixed to perfection, but they were also garnished so beautifully that every Instagram post is bound to make your friends jealous.
The service? Exceptional. The waiters were extremely friendly, making us feel welcome from the moment we stepped in. The waiting time was minimal. To top it all off, everything was incredibly affordable, making it an absolute must-visit.
If I have one regret, it's that I didn't go there on both of the days I spent in Paihia. If you're in town, do yourself a favor—go to Bad Habits. You won’t regret it!"
Andreas S
"The attendant at our hotel gave us recommendations for a few places in town, but we decided to walk the entire beachfront area. Of all of the options, the menu at Bad Habits was varied, interesting and reasonably priced. There were people outside eating, talking and having fun, and the inside was packed. We walked past at least 10 other places to come back to Bad Habits!
There are so many options on both the drink menu and the food menu that it took us a while to Make choices. We tried some Jack Daniels specialty drinks, and they were both beautiful and tasty. I chose the lamb cutlets and had beautiful tasty perfectly done lamb! My friend had the Italian lamb meatballs with pasta and was equally pleased with the flavor and quality. It was delicious! I would not hesitate to try anything on their menu.
The wait staff was friendly, efficient, and sincerely attentive.
I am from the USA, and this was the best all around dining experience I have had in the last 15 days in New Zealand!"
Juanita Braun
"We stumbled across this place last night while workout up north,
and this was a unique place, steakhouse, restaurant, bottle store etc, all in one.
We had the steak, some prawn starter, garlic bread, and was all good.
Friendly service, was very quiet, but imagine gets busy in peak times.
The creamy mushroom sauce with the steak was good :)"
Steve Hall
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
BAD HABITS is most famous for its widely acclaimed 'best burger in New Zealand' and its exceptional Tomahawk steak. The creative cocktails are also a major draw.
Yes, BAD HABITS is highly praised for its delicious and beautifully garnished cocktails, with many reviewers recommending them.
Absolutely. They are renowned for their steaks, particularly the Tomahawk steak, which many consider one of the best they've ever had.
Many visitors, including locals and those on short trips, find BAD HABITS so enjoyable they return for subsequent meals.
While specific hours aren't detailed, reviews suggest it can get busy during peak times, implying off-peak visits might be preferred for a quieter experience.
Yes, reviewers consistently mention that the food and drinks are not only delicious but also very affordably priced, offering great value.
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Restaurants in Paihia & Russell
We all have bad habits, but this one is a true Bay of Islands icon. You arguably won’t find a bar as cool as this anywhere else in New Zealand. You can pick up a bottle of your favourite tiple, choose some nice juicy steaks to cook at home from the butcher’s counter, sample local cheeses from the deli, or stay for a spectacular meal and perfectly prepared drinks at Bad Habits.
Home - Tipsy Oyster and Co
A fantastic restaurant, exceptional gin room, live music venue, butchery and deli all in one?. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Bad Habits in Paihia. Enjoy local Bay of Islands produce, a huge range of quality wines, spirits and liquors, a warm welcome and – as voted many times over – the best steaks in town.
Wine and Dine on Island Time
If you’re keen to check out more of Northland’s wine and spirit scene, then you’ll find a huge selection at Bad Habits in the heart of Paihia. This hybrid bar, deli, and liquor store has all the vibe and probably the largest local selection in the region.
Where to Eat in Paihia: Cafés, Restaurants, and Local Favourites
Bad Habits is one of Paihia’s most relaxed and eclectic hangouts. Unlike your typical pub, it’s got leafy interiors, neon lighting, and an ever-changing menu of casual bites and drinks.
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