Must-see restaurants in Taupo & the Ruapehu 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…

  • Blind Finch

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    After a day of play in the mountains, there's nothing better than these beast-sized burgers cooked on a custom-made manuka wood-fire grill. A burger’s…

  • Eat Takeaway Diner

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Bagels, innovative salads, and tasty American and Tex Mex–influenced dishes combine with the best coffee in town at this modern, white-as-snow spot on…

  • Chocolate Eclair Shop

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    At the time of writing, Allan Nation is 64 years old. He's been getting up at 2am to bake since he was 17. Allan learned from his late father, who also…

  • 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…

  • Knoll Ridge Chalet

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Perched at the top of the Sky Waka gondola is this gathering of three eateries – NZ's highest restaurants – including the food-truck-style Four Peaks…

  • 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…

  • Chateau Tongariro High Tea

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Wind back the years with a dainty selection of sandwiches, scones and other sweet treats with high tea in the Chateau's elegant lounge. Ask for a spot by…

  • 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…

  • Cyprus Tree

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Open year-round, this restaurant and bar serves up Italian and Kiwi-influenced dishes: think wild venison on potato-and-herb rosti to slow-cooked lamb…

  • @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…

  • OCR Eatery & Wine Bar

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Short for Old Coach Road, OCR has limited opening hours but remains a favourite among locals and visitors. Burgers, sandwiches, salads and breakfasts are…

  • 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,…

  • Powderkeg

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    The Powderkeg is the party bar of the Powderhorn Chateau, with DJs in winter and occasional dancing on the tables. Food-wise, it's also no slouch year…

  • 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…

  • Station Cafe

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    This cosy little restored railway station has cakes as timeless as the 1908 station itself – Florentines, spicy apple cakes, crumbles – as well as eggy…

  • 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…

  • Ruapehu Room

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Chateau Tongariro's elegant and formal à la carte restaurant, with white tablecloths and chandeliers. Bookings are recommended and the dress code excludes…

  • Industry

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    New to town is this grill and bar with hubcap-studded walls. Steak headlines the menu among other meaty mains, with a vegan bake for any non-carnivore who…

  • Magic Chilli

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Although the interior of this bright-orange Indian restaurant is a little odd (plasticky Italian-style table covers and metallic lotus wallpaper), this is…

  • 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…

  • Osteria

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    Warm up with a pizza or generous risotto in this contemporary Italian restaurant with rustic touches (wooden chairs, open fireplaces, old photos and the…

  • 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…