Must-see restaurants in Lake Taupo Region

  • Storehouse

    Taupo

    Taupō's coolest cafe is just outside the town centre, filling an old plumbing store over two warren-like levels. Indoor plants drape over warehouse beams…

  • Replete Cafe & Store

    Taupo

    Under the same ownership since opening in 1993, this fabulous spot is one-half cafe and one-half shop selling designer kitchenware, ceramics and souvenirs…

  • 2 Mile Bay Sailing Centre Cafe & Bar

    Taupo

    There’s nowhere more lakefront than this Two Mile Bay cafe-cum-pizzeria-cum-bar that's as chilled as the lake (and the Bob Marley tunes). The main dining…

  • Oreti Restaurant

    Lake Taupo Region

    With lake and mountain views, Oreti restaurant could get away with average food. But the kitchen doesn't compromise, serving fun filo pastry–wrapped…

  • Lakeland House

    Lake Taupo Region

    Destination dining with a view across Lake Taupō and a menu that stays faithful to its favourites: generous pastas, salads, chowder, pan-fried snapper…

  • Cafe Baku

    Taupo

    You know you're onto a good thing when the cabinet items – ham, cheese and asparagus vol-au-vents, keto rolls, corn fritters piled high, bacon scrolls –…

  • Bistro

    Taupo

    Bistro is in danger of underselling itself with its ‘simple but nice’ strapline, given its ability to turn local and seasonal produce into creations such…

  • Creel Tackle House & Cafe

    Lake Taupo Region

    One of the best cafes in Tūrangi is a tiny room behind a tackle shop with gear aplenty. On native rimu-wood tables, you can tuck into the likes of a…

  • Body Fuel Cafe

    Taupo

    Forgive the corny phrases on the wall ('espresso yourself', 'stay grounded', etc.), Body Fuel delivers something for everyone. From raw breakfast salads…

  • Cadillac Cafe

    Lake Taupo Region

    Step back in time at Cadillac, which is decorated with vintage chairs, posters and an impressive toy collection from the 1950s and ’60s. Classic board…

  • Merchant

    Taupo

    Championing NZ artisan producers and importing specialities from abroad, this grocery on the town fringe is a fruitful stop for those looking to stock up…

  • Pauly's Diner

    Taupo

    Two brothers from Auckland set up this popular burger joint in an old fish and chipper, and it seems they've got the formula just right (selling out isn't…

  • Plateau

    Taupo

    An ambient place for a handle or two of the Monteith’s range, popular Plateau delivers in the food department, too. Its menu of modern pub classics…

  • @Siam

    Taupo

    This modern Thai street-food cafe is a local favourite. It's the kind of menu where you won't know what to order because you want to try a little of…

  • Southern Meat Kitchen

    Taupo

    Calling all carnivores! SMK slow-cooks beef brisket, pulled pork and shredded chicken on an American wood-fire smoker. It arrives with mac 'n' cheese,…

  • Cafe Ninety Nine

    Taupo

    With a Tiffany-blue colour scheme, local products for sale and 'green dollars' for customers' excess fruit and vegetables, this cafe is all about…

  • Brantry

    Taupo

    Run by two local sisters and operating out of an unobtrusive 1950s house, the Brantry reigns as arguably the best in the region for well-executed,…

  • L’Arté

    Taupo

    If Alice in Wonderland lived in a mosaic world, this is what it would look like. Teacups balancing on flowers (dubbed 'tea totems') and oversized chairs…

  • Hydro Eatery

    Lake Taupo Region

    Cavernous and colourful, with local art for sale on the walls, Hydro is the town’s earliest riser if you’re chasing trout. It commands an elevated…

  • Kefi

    Taupo

    Nab a popular street-side table at Kefi, which is Greek for joy. Inside the decor is a little 'cafeteria', but don't let that put you off. This is the…

  • Malabar Beyond India

    Taupo

    Our pick of Indian restaurants in Taupo, Malabar has a broad menu but is especially good at vegetarian dishes, such as dal makhani made with black lentils…

  • Rust

    Lake Taupo Region

    This burger bar, so new it hasn’t had time to gather rust, is furnished with high stools and one soft cowhide couch. It serves unusual burgers, such as…

  • Ploughman's Restaurant & Bar

    Taupo

    This Tudor-style pub is fronted by a lovely outdoor deck, while indoors English paraphernalia dominates, from a full suit of armour to bulldog cushions…

  • Licorice

    Lake Taupo Region

    Look for the giant licorice allsort on the roof of this roadside cafe, 8km north of Turangi. The coffee's good and comes with an allsort on the side,…

  • Monsoon Splash of Spice

    Lake Taupo Region

    Don't be fooled by the office-like look of this Indian joint, it could be the best takeaway in town. Pick a protein in classics like korma and vindaloo,…

  • Rose on Roberts

    Taupo

    Amid the faux-Tudor style of what was formerly an English pub, Rose on Roberts surprises with a menu offering innovative spins on hearty classics, and a…

  • Indian Affair

    Taupo

    Eschewing the staid, traditional curry house vibe in favour of varied – if not clashing – floral feature walls and pearly high-back leather chairs, this…

  • New World

    Lake Taupo Region

    Self-caterers should head to this big, centrally located supermarket.

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