The Best Restaurants In Taupo
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | Urban List NZ
Forks at the ready, Taupō isn’t just about hitting the slopes or whiling away hours on the lake. It’s also an absolute treasure trove of eateries putting it high up the list of foodie heaven hot spots. From casual dining to fancy eats, and always with a seasonal spin, take a gander at what’s on offer then dig in.
Here are my picks for the very best restaurants Taupō has to offer.
Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Aotearoa again—get us in your inbox here.
Jump to:
Fine Dining And Special Occasions
Embra
97A Kaimanawa Street, Taupō
Image credit: Embra | That Green Olive
Kickstarting my Taupō dining guide is Embra, where Kiwi cuisine meets French and British cooking techniques and sophisticated kai joins down-to-earth vibes. Delightfully, too, the menu doesn’t stop at seasonality—the team at Embra are actively doing what they can for the planet, sourcing locally grown, organic produce, using earth-friendly cleaning products and saying a hard no to anything single-use.
Insider Intel:
- Their crockery is handmade by local ceramicist, Didi Chapman.
Huka Lodge
271 Huka Falls Road, Wairakei, Taupō
Image credit: Huka Lodge | Website
For fine dining, Taupō hotspot Huka Lodge is hard to beat. Specifically, its in-house eatery, which is a perfect fit for what is world-renowned accommodation. Their menu, which changes daily, features sustainably-produced ingredients and an enviable wine selection. Feast in the main lodge or enjoy a more intimate experience in their wine cellar, orchard or jetty pavilion.
Insider Intel:
- Huka Lodge features on Condé Nast's Traveler's Gold List 2026, in acknowledgement of its internationally-renowned status as one of the world's best. Slay.
Sorrento Italian Dining & Wine Bar
42 Tūwharetoa Street, Taupō
Image credit: Sorrento Italian Dining & Wine Bar | Supplied
For a taste of Italia in the heart of Taupō make a beeline for Sorrento Italian Dining & Wine Bar. Here, local ingredients transform into sensational Italian dishes that’ll have you waving your arms around in delight. Got allergies? No problem. Sorrento can whip up gluten-free pasta or bread on demand, and they’ve got vegan cheese on hand too.
Insider Intel:
- The folks at Sorrento use only free-range poultry and pork so even meat-eaters can feel virtuous.
Wild Roots Culinary Concepts
Wherever You Like
Image credit: Wild Roots Culinary Concepts | Supplied
If you’re overwhelmed by choice (we’ve all been there), or just can’t even when it comes to dinner, have dinner come to you instead. That’s right, Wild Roots Culinary Concepts is a private chef that delivers bespoke fine dining to wherever you’re inspired to eat. And if you’re hooked after the first bite you’ll be stoked to know Chef Nikki can take care of your meal and food requirements for your entire Taupō stay, if you so choose.
Insider Intel:
- Chef Nikki also does self-serve food boxes, which arrive 90% complete with easy instructions for adding the final touches.
Casual Dining
Brantry Eatery
45 Rifle Range Road, Taupō
Image credit: Brantry Eatery | Facebook
The Taupō food scene wouldn't be complete without Brantry Eatery. The menu features contemporary Aotearoa dishes informed by the seasons. Touted for a great, homely atmosphere and a bangin’ wine list, plus a popular annual events lineup—including Gin High Tea and a Hunter Gatherer foodie affair—this spot makes for a great feed. Get their chocolate mousse dome on your plate, stat.
Insider Intel:
- Brantry Eatery is run by local sisters Prue and Felicity Campbell.
You might also like:
- How To Spend An Action-Packed Weekend In Taupō
- Where To Eat, Play & Stay In Ruapehu
- Rotorua's Best Restaurants & Cafes
- Best Restaurants in Auckland
Hare & Copper
Unit 2, 134 Grace Road, Tūrangi
Image creidit: Hare & Copper | Instagram
Just outside Taupō, Hare & Copper is a worthy place to refuel after a day of adventuring. The eatery and bar’s menu is giving a fusion sort of vibe with sichuan-spiked dumplings appearing beside gochujang glazed fish, truffle fries, miso wallaby tail, and tempura veges tossed in horopito salt. Needless to say, there’s enough variety for every appetite to be sated, including any dietaries which you can trust will be well catered to.
Insider Intel:
-
If you’ve got kids in tow, at this spot they’ll eat for less than a $20 note with kid edits of the classic fish and chips, chicken burger and fries, fries slathered in tomato sauce, or the holy grail: ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Plateau Bar & Eatery
64 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupō
Image credit: Plateau Bear & Eatery | Instagram
The Plateau Bar & Eatery has been serving Pacific Ring of Fire-inspired plates to hungry bellies for over 20 years. Kids will be treated to their own menu of battered fish and chips, fried chicken and fries or BBQ pork skewers and fries (all which can be made gluten free or dairy free), with chocolate brownie or Duck Island ice cream for dessert.
Insider Intel:
-
Swing by any day between 3 and 5pm for Happy Hour deals on tap beer, house wine, cocktails and snacks.
Vine Eatery & Bar
37 Tūwharetoa Street, Taupō
Image credit: Vine Eatery & Bar | Facebook
Four words: huge sticky date pudding. As if you needed any further reasons to visit Vine Eatery & Bar, the menu is a mix of Mediterranean and local flavours served a la carte or as a tasty series of tapas. As for the drinks, you’ve got Allpress coffee, Harney & Son’s teas and an extensive selection of whisky, craft beer, wine and cocktails. From sticky sweet n’ sour tempura cauliflower wings to serrano ham croquettes with manchego cheese and sriracha aioli, the menu pulls influence from across the globe.
Insider Intel:
- Vine has a private dining space called The Vintage Room that's great for everything from work shindigs to birthdays, and beyond.
The Bistro
17 Tamamutu Street, Taupō
Image credit: The Bistro | Instagram
Blessing your tastebuds with the best European fare around is The Bistro. Run by Jude Messenger (whose credentials include Peter Gordon's The Sugar Club in London) and his wife Tiffany, this is where you go for smoked fish chowder and olive oil poached prawn tails, butternut squash cake and golden crackled pork belly, and warm Belgian chocolate cake and ruby grapefruit sorbet. The kids' menu is also tops (they get that pork belly, too).
Insider Intel:
- Feeling fancy? Tap into their six-course degustation.
The Steak House Taupō
17 Tongariro Street, Taupō
Image credit: The Steak House Taupō | Facebook
It's 50 shades of steak here, with everything from bacon-wrapped eye fillet, scotch fillet, sirloin, porterhouse with bone marrow and rump, to 35-day aged T-bone. And this carnivorous hub has been in operation since 1984 so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. All Steak House cuts include a potato dish of the day, a demi-glace sauce and your choice of steak toppers and sides.
Insider Intel:
- All Steak House beef is grass-fed and free-range from Canterbury and is Halal accredited.
Suncourt Indian
Shop 20 Suncourt Plaza, 19 Tamamutu Street, Taupō
Image credit: Suncourt Indian | Facebook
Suncourt Indian is a legend of the Taupō food scene, serving up traditional, time-honoured recipes that will keep you coming back for more. They have more awards than they do items on the menu, which is a smorgasbord of all things Indian from chaat, dosa and pani puri through to more naan and curry than you can ever hope to down in one sitting.
Insider Intel:
- There's a very impressive vegetarian selection here.
Malabar Nepalese And Indian Kitchen
2/40 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupō
Image credit: Malabar Nepalese And Indian Kitchen | Facebook
One of the best restaurants Taupō has to offer, Malabar Nepalese and Indian Kitchen will not disappoint. From traditional Indian fare to Nepalese momo dumplings, you’re sure to leave feeling satisfied. A go-to destination for many a return visitor and the service is top-notch.
Insider Intel:
- We hear the Himalayan Nepalese chicken curry is especially worth your while.
Lotus Thai Restaurant
137 Tongariro Street, Taupō
Image credit: Lotus Thai Restaurant | Facebook
Sometimes the soul yearns for Thai food and for those moments there’s Lotus Thai. Expect all your favourite eats—like crispy golden entree platters (yep, you know spring rolls feature), Tom Yum soup, pad thai, massaman curry, and more. Whether you stick to your usuals or try something new you can rest easy knowing everything that appears on your plate will be authentic, spiced to perfection and delivered with wickedly good service.
Insider Intel:
- Lotus Thai is BYO, so you can bring along your favourite tipple.
Restaurants With A View
2 Mile Bay Sailing Club
331 Lake Terrace, Taupō
Image credit: 2 Mile Bay Sailing Club | Supplied
For pizza with amazing views, pull up a pew at 2 Mile Bay Sailing Club. Get amongst the Dooza (ham, chorizo, pepperoni, olives, blue cheese, red onion and mushroom) or tuck into the Smoked Chicky-a tomato and cheese base with smoked chicken, cranberry jam and camembert cheese. Devour your weight in pizza and sip on a Peroni or two, all while listening to live music.
Insider Intel:
- The first Saturday of every month they host a dog and grog event so your pooch can get in on the frivolities too.
Bistro Lago
At Hilton Taupō, 80-100 Napier Road, Taupō
Image credit: Bistro Lago | Facebook
If it's Taupo restaurants with lake views you're after, book yourself into Bistro Lago. This spot sounds like something straight out of a James Bond movie and it feels like it too, thanks to its unrivalled waterside setting and swanky food and drink offering. Indulge in a menu guided by celeb chef Gareth Stewart, honing in on goodies from lake, land, and beyond. Sip on bees knees and pretty in pink cocktails, smash plates of fried bocconcini and jumbo stuffed olives, or go all out with a local lamb rack or scotch fillet followed by a hearty dessert platter, all while overlooking the ancient waters of Lake Taupō.
Insider Intel:
- We hear they also do a high tea and can only imagine how incredible it is.
Lionel’s Bistro & Bar
15 Northcroft Street, Taupō
Image credit: Lionel's | Instagram
Perched on the edge of Lake Taupō, Lionel’s is a whānau-friendly all-day bistro and bar where you can start your day with apple crumble french toast and end it with a bowl of highbrow pasta doused in tomato vodka sauce alongside a cheeky red. Kids are well catered to with their own menu and the liquid libations are a showcase of zero-waste cocktails and minimal intervention local wines.
Insider Intel:
-
Executive Chef, Ruben Lynn, lived overseas in the French Alps, which is where he got his love for pastries.
On A Budget
K’s Kitchen
250 Spa Road, Taupō
Image credit: K's Kitchen | Supplied
We couldn’t write a list of the best restaurants in Taupō without mentioning K’s Kitchen. The food truck is an icon among locals who flock to it for tasty Korean fried chicken, chips, burgers and dumplings. Their ‘moon’ bowl and burger is a culinary gem of chicken ‘twixt cheese and garlic mustard, and their ‘snow’ bowl is on par with a dusting of cheese and garlic seasoning. Get amongst.
Insider Intel:
- The folks at K’s Kitchen sling gluten-free fried chicken, too, aka The Holy Grail for coeliacs with a penchant for crispy bird.
Grasshopper Chip Bar
40 Taharepa Road, Hilltop, Taupō
Tearing into a newsprint-wrapped package of piping hot fish and chips, or wrapping your mouth around a lip-smacking helping of sweet and sour pork is practically a rite of passage when visiting Taupō, especially when it’s cold out and Grasshopper Chip Bar comes up top of the crop.
Insider Intel:
- You really ought to try their Chinese takeaway buffet.
Want more great Taupō content? Check out:
Main mage credit: 2 Mile Bay Sailing Club | Supplied
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.