Restaurants in Waikato & The King Country
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Orca
A day started at Orca’s window seat, looking over the water, with some eggs Benedict and a superb coffee is a day well launched. Come back in the evening for seafood paella, wine appreciation nights and live music.
reviewed
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Huhu
Easily the best choice, you won’t be disappointed if you come here twice a day. Slick and modern with charming service, it has great views from the afternoon-tipple-friendly terrace and sublime contemporary NZ food. Graze from a seasonal tapas-style menu (large or small plates) of Kiwi specialities such as rewana bread and beetroot-coloured urenika potatoes. Free wi-fi, too. Downstairs the Huhu Store sells designer NZ gifts.
reviewed
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Red Cherry
With happy staff and a cherry-red espresso machine working overtime, barn-like Red Cherry offers coffee roasted on-site, delicious counter food and impressive cooked breakfasts (perhaps oat hotcakes or a breakfast risotto). It’s Cambridge’s best cafe by a country mile (it’s actually a country 4km out of Cambridge on the way to Hamilton). There are a couple of tables outside, too, if you feel like sniffing the bucolic splendour.
reviewed
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Boatshed Cafe
The Boatshed Cafe on the lakeside (take Gorton Rd from SH1) sells mainly homemade food, some of which is gluten- and dairy-free. The rowing boat of Olympian Rob Waddell is part of the decor – he used to practise here. Basic kayaks can be hired for $20/40 per half-/full day or better ones for $25/50. You can paddle to a couple of waterfalls in around an hour.
reviewed
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Singer HaBARdashery
A classy operator on the Hood St strip, Singer is a moody tapas and wine bar occupying the oldest stone building in Hamilton – a former haberdashery. Expect a dizzying selection of wines and beers, great coffee, satisfying brunches and zingy tapas (try the ‘Needle’: eye fillet, mushroom, scallop, chorizo, and haloumi skewered on a knitting needle).
reviewed
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D
La Commune
La Commune Vegetarians and ecowarriors rejoice! Not only does this bohemian place deliver fresh, well-presented meals, it has a selection of vegan wines, good magazines, funky 1950s furniture and a commitment to recycling and ecofriendly products. Special treats are the Thursday buffet ($10) and live music on the weekends.
reviewed
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Scott’s Epicurean
This gorgeous joint features swanky leather banquettes, pressed-tin ceilings, great coffee and an interesting and affordable menu: try the sweet orange breakfast couscous or the ever-popular spaghetti aglio e olio. Service is friendly, it’s fully licensed, and a charming outdoor area beckons in the warmer months.
reviewed
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Bosco Cafe
It’s not damning it with faint praise to say that Bosco is the coolest place in Te Kuiti. This excellent industrial-chic cafe offers great coffee, tempting food (try the spinach, feta and pine-nut tart) and sweet service. It comes into its own on a sunny afternoon when the doors swing open onto Brook Park.
reviewed
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Vinnie’s
Run by a long-lost New Yorker, Vinnie’s looks like a truck stop from the outside, but inside it’s all Hawaiian prints, reggae tunes and surf movies flickering on the walls. On the food front it’s burgers, salads, wraps, cheese-steaks, pizzas and its ‘famous’ meatloaf. Free wi-fi is available, too.
reviewed
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Workman’s Cafe Bar
Truly eccentric (one wall is lined with art-deco mirrors while another holds an impressive collection of busts of African women), this funky eatery has built itself a reputation that extends beyond Matamata. The poached salmon Benedict is quite possibly the best in the country.
reviewed
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Out Of The Fog Cafe
Transport this uber-stylish cafe into any major city and it would get by just fine. The food is delicious and reasonably priced, the coffee is excellent and the electric fire will make you want to linger on cold days. Sadly, it’s just open on weekends.
reviewed
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Hydro
On the east side of the river (you can walk here along the water’s edge), Hydro has converted an old block of neighbourhood shops into a fun cafe with tables spilling onto the pavement. Great for brunch and light meals with novel taste combinations.
reviewed
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River Kitchen
Heralded as Waikato’s ‘Best New Cafe’ by Cafe magazine, hip River Kitchen does things with simple style: cakes, gourmet breakfasts and fresh seasonal lunches (angle for a slice of the Spanish duck pie), and a barista who knows his beans.
reviewed
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Riverside Lodge
On the riverbank just off King St, this family-friendly bar and bistro serves excellent shellfish, substantial pub meals or mini pizzas for a filling snack ($9). There are a couple of pool tables and the Eagles’ ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ on the juke.
reviewed
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Awakino Hotel
The river spills into the Tasman at Awakino (population 60), a small settlement where boats shelter in the estuary while locals find refuge at the down-to-earth (or down-to-sea?) Awakino Hotel.
reviewed
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Onyx
All-day Onyx occupies a lofty space, with onyx-black furnishings and a warm-toned timber floor. Wood-fired pizzas are the mainstay, plus salads, tortillas, sandwiches, steaks, cakes and good coffee. At night it’s almost urbane.
reviewed
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River Run Cafe
The River Run Cafe has whitebait on the menu during the season (mid-August till the end of November), as well as everything from burgers, pies and cooked meals to ice cream and homemade cakes.
reviewed
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Palate
Given this restaurant’s deserved status as the best in the central North Island, it’s surprisingly reasonably priced. Chef/owner Mat McLean delivers an innovative mod-NZ menu and free tasters between courses.
reviewed
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Canvas
The restaurant in the Waikato Museum offers classy dining with a lovely outlook. If you're just taking a sightseeing break, the light meal options ($16 to $18) are delicious – try the pumpkin ravioli.
reviewed
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Flax
Some locals say this place ain’t what it used to be, but it’s still the only place in Taumarunui where you can get a haloumi and semidried tomato tart. There are art-hung walls and an inventive modern menu.
reviewed
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Aloha Market Place
It’s takeaway without the grease, Japanese surfer-style. Grab some delicious rolled-to-order sushi, some udon noodles or a donburi rice bowl and head for the harbour. Reduced hours in winter.
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Behr Burger
Awesome gourmet hamburgers are the go at this buzzy main-street nook. ‘The Chief’ (NZ rump steak, honey-smoked bacon, a free-range egg, cheddar cheese, salad and aioli) will plug any hungry gaps.
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Redoubt Bar & Eatery
The sister establishment of Te Awamutu’s Redoubt, Matamata’s version is just as good: thin-crust pizzas, chowder, steak sandwiches and live music every Friday. Oh, and plenty of Monteiths!
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Zephyr
With Che Guevara's noble face gazing from the wall you can expect great Cuban coffee. Settle in for tasty counter food ($6 to $8) or a mix of Cuban, South American and Mexican dishes.
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Cafe Oasis
It’s a strange combo – from the name you’d expect felafels but instead you get blaring FM radio and a menu that’s half authentic Thai, half classic European. Fusion be damned.
reviewed
