Must-see restaurants in Rotorua

  • Terrace Kitchen

    Rotorua

    Overlooking the village green, this bright and breezy restaurant sources herbs and edible flowers from its own yard. Doors peel back to merge the indoor…

  • Abracadabra Cafe & Bar

    Rotorua

    Channelling Mexico and Morocco, sociable Abracadabra is a magical cave of spicy delights, from beef-and-apricot tagine to the grande burrito. There's an…

  • Artisan Cafe

    Rotorua

    A spinning wheel and a Mary Poppins–style bicycle lend a folksy feel to Rotorua's best cafe. But there's nothing old-fashioned about the town’s most…

  • Typical Maori Pounamu with Native Flora Background

    Rotorua Night Market

    Rotorua

    Tutanekai St is closed off on Thursday nights as Rotorua lays out a world of food. Buskers, coffee vans and clothing and jewellery makers are dotted among…

  • Blind Finch

    Rotorua

    This gourmet 'hamburgeria' slaps together a dozen burgers with global flavours, such as the Saigon Smile (pork crackling, pickled carrot, Vietnamese slaw)…

  • Third Place

    Rotorua

    This superfriendly cafe is away from the hubbub, with awesome lake views. All-day breakfasts are headlined by a 'mumble jumble' of roast kumara (sweet…

  • Tea & Happiness

    Rotorua

    Chiselled into the corner of a supermarket across the highway from Skyline Rotorua, Tea & Happiness has just three tables but 100% devotion to plant-based…

  • Sabroso

    Rotorua

    The love child of Venezuelan-born owner Sarah, this Latin American cantina, adorned with sombreros, guitars and salt-and-pepper shakers made from Corona…

  • Ciabatta Cafe & Bakery

    Rotorua

    This unexpected and welcoming find in an industrial complex near Whakarewarewa keeps things simple – ciabatta sandwiches done well and a well-named 'long…

  • Capers Epicurean

    Rotorua

    This slick, barn-like delicatessen-cum-cafe is perennially busy, and with good reason. Breakfasts run from potato waffles to slow-cooked chickpeas and the…

  • Atticus Finch

    Rotorua

    Named after the righteous lawyer in To Kill a Mockingbird, the hippest spot on Eat Streat plays to a theme with the Scout Sangria and Radley Sour…

  • Le Café de Paris

    Rotorua

    The greeting is très français but this little cafe walks a fine line between a traditional crêperie and the kind of cafe that Kiwi retirees gravitate to…

  • Lime Caffeteria

    Rotorua

    Occupying a quiet corner near the lake, this zesty cafe offers nostalgic breakfasts with a modern twist, such as mince on toasted ciabatta with a poached…

  • Leonardo’s

    Rotorua

    Italian restaurants bookend Eat Streat, but Leonardo’s is our favourite. The wine list is good and while the menu has few surprises – arancini, carbonara,…

  • Thai Restaurant

    Rotorua

    Our pick of the global selection of ethnic eateries along Tutanekai St, the Thai overcomes an unimaginative name with excellent service and top-notch…

  • Coconut Cafe & Restaurant

    Rotorua

    Owned by a friendly southern Indian family from Kerala, this riot of yellow and lime-green decor also serves up authentic dishes from Sri Lanka. Try the…

  • Fat Dog

    Rotorua

    With paw prints across the walls and ceiling, this casual and colourful cafe is the most child-friendly cafe in town. During the day it dishes up burgers,…

  • Gold Star Bakery

    Rotorua

    On the main road heading north, this award-winning bakery has a stellar reputation for turning out some of NZ's best meat pies. Great-value savoury treats…

  • Urbano

    Rotorua

    This hip suburban diner, with a darkened interior and streetside tables, offers casual cafe-style dining by day (cooked breakfasts, salads, burgers, curry…

  • Indian Star

    Rotorua

    This is one of many Indian eateries around town, elevating itself above the competition with immaculate service and reliable renditions of subcontinental…

  • Mistress of Cakes

    Rotorua

    A coffee and a stonking sausage roll could be just the thing when you've been walking or mountain biking in the nearby Redwoods. It also sells muffins,…

  • Pak 'n Save

    Rotorua

    Big supermarket on the downtown fringe.

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