Murray Piha — Restaurant in Waitākere Ranges

We had dinner one evening here at about 7PM. The place was busy, so service was a little disorganized (and not too friendly...), but we got our order in about 15 minutes. The restaurant is a counter order carry-out style place adjacent to the southern parking area for Piha Beach with some limited covered and uncovered outdoor seating. There is not really a view of the beach from the sitting area.

You place your order at the main building counter, and then pick up your fries, fried food, drinks or ice cream at that counter. The rest of your order (tacos, burritos, etc) are picked up at a second counter further back. I did not like it that our order was separated like that. Our fish tacos were ready first, (they forgot the guacamole that I asked for on them...) and they were cold by the time our fries were ready. The fish tacos were fairly good, but small. (Especially for the price of $8 each). The fries were crispy and very good.

Overall, this is a convenient and nice little place next to the beach to get carry out and the food is fairly good, but it does seem significantly overpriced (especially for the small portions) To give you a reference, our order was 4 fish tacos, a large fries, and one ice cream cone - (no drinks!)- and it cost almost $50! So, I doubt that we will be motivated to return anytime soon or very often in the future.

On one positive note- they do accept credit cards, debit cards, and Paywave...

Murray Piha is an absolute must-visit spot for anyone heading to Piha Beach. Named after the patriarch of the property and one of the original Piha surfers, Murray is a family business that serves up some of the freshest and most delicious Mexican food you'll ever taste. Whether you're in the mood for tacos, fries, or a great cup of coffee, they've got you covered.

But what really sets Murray Piha apart is their ice cream. They have a wide variety of flavors to choose from, and they're all made with the highest quality ingredients. Trust me, you haven't had ice cream until you've had Murray Piha's ice cream. And if you're looking for something a little more refreshing, they also have a great selection of cold drinks to quench your thirst.

One of the best things about Murray Piha is its location. The spot is located on Piha Beach, arguably the best beach in the world. You can grab a bite to go and take it with you to the beach, or you can hang out on one of their bean bags and enjoy the view while you eat. Either way, you're in for a treat.

In conclusion, if you're heading to Piha Beach, make sure to stop by Murray Piha. You won't be disappointed. The food is fresh and delicious, the ice cream is out of this world, and the location is unbeatable. It's a must-visit spot for anyone looking for a great meal or a sweet treat...

Probably the best spot in terms of food and atmosphere in Piha. The Mexican menu is simple, tasty and does the job well. One thing I think could be improved is the staff though. The female server taking my order had a look and a vibe that she was just over it. Maybe it's the heat of the day, maybe it's being understaffed, I don't know. But being told "What do you want?!" when I misheard her the first time probably isn't ideal in terms of customer service. People come from far and wide to visit Piha and they are seeking good vibes and a good attitude to match the scenery. Sometimes you've just got to fake it even if you aren't feeling it when you work in hospo. I would say they probably just need to bring on an extra pair of hands to help ease the workload, e.g. Not having to take orders quickly and then turning around to manage the deep fryer at the same time. Having one person dedicated to each task would be better and maybe make the staff feel a bit happier and less stressed? Note: We visited last Sunday evening. Anyway, some constructive feedback and keep up the good work because the concept of this place is good. And some free cold water wouldn't go a-miss! Not sure if it was there or not, but I know I downed two Karma colas in like 10 minutes because...