Paihia's dining scene is modest but functional — this is a small tourist town, not a food destination. The main street has cafes and casual restaurants that get very busy in summer. Fresh seafood is the obvious thing to eat: local snapper, crayfish, green-lipped mussels, and scallops are all available, though prices reflect the tourist location. The best option on a tight budget is to grab fish and chips from one of the takeaways on the waterfront and eat by the water.