Porirua's restaurant scene is modest but the city has the best Pacific food in the Wellington region — Samoan and Tongan takeaways, Cook Islands bakeries, and a strong umu (earth-oven) culture for family gatherings. The Pataka cafe is the safe central option for a sit-down lunch. For Saturday morning brunch the cluster around the Plimmerton foreshore — particularly Aperitivo — is the local favourite.