A new community-driven restaurant is opening at the Whakatāne RSA.

Missions Mess signed a contract earlier this month and will launch on Monday with a new menu.

Owners Melissa and Darren Edwards say the goal is to bring back family outings.

Mr Edwards, the head chef, wants to keep prices low so families can enjoy affordable dinners out.

He also wants to help revitalise the RSA with the new restaurant.

“The menu is back to basics but at restaurant quality," said Mr Edwards.

It includes fish and chips, porterhouse steak and chef specials such as pasta of the day and other classic meals.

Mr Edwards believes that it will be the cheapest restaurant for a family dinner in Whakatāne, even without the RSA members’ discount.

The RSA is ecstatic to have found Whakatāne people to take on the restaurant, saying community is an important part of the Whakatāne RSA.

Mr Edwards has been in the restaurant this week, working with the old menu and familiarising himself with the kitchen and his staff.

The RSA will now open seven days a week rather than six, with the restaurant open each day.