Restaurants

The Best Restaurants In Taupo

Written by: Alice Rich
The exterior of 2 mile Taupo is lit up while people dine. One of the best restaurants in Taupo.

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. 

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Fine Dining And Special Occasions

Embra 

97A Kaimanawa Street, Taupō

Rabbit and chicken Cannelloni, mushrooms and mustard at Embra, one of the best restaurants in Taupo.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. I dig that their crockery is hand-made by local ceramicist Didi Chapman.  

Huka Lodge

271 Huka Falls Road, Wairakei, Taupō

The luxe dining room of Huka Lodge's in-house restaurant. 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. 

Sorrento Italian Dining & Wine Bar

42 Tūwharetoa Street, Taupō

An Italian mezze platter with red wine from Sorrento Italian Dining & Wine Bar. 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, plus, they only use free-range poultry and pork so even meat-eaters can feel virtuous.

Wild Roots Culinary Concepts

Wherever You Like

A beautiful earthen array of fine dining dishes created by Taupō private chef, Wild Roots Culinary Concepts. 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. Luxe. 

Casual Dining

Brantry Eatery

45 Rifle Range Road, Taupō

A beautifully executed dessert from Brantry Eatery. Image credit: Brantry Eatery  | Facebook 

The Taupō food scene wouldn't be complete without Brantry Eatery, located under the ZeaYou Gallery and run by local sisters Prue and Felicity Campbell. The menu features contemporary Aotearoa dishes informed by the seasons. Touted for a great, homely atmosphere, great portions 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. 

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Vine Eatery & Bar

37 Tūwharetoa Street, Taupō

A gorgeous pink-hued cocktail topped with a cherry from Vine Eatery & Bar. 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 à 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, it’s a total vibe. 

The Bistro 

17 Tamamutu Street, Taupō

An exquisite lamb shoulder dish at The Bistro. 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 pork belly too) or there's a six-course degustation, if you're feelin' fancy.

The Steak House Taupō

17 Tongariro Street, Taupō

A perfectly cooked steak with all the trimmings at The Steak House Taupo. Image credit: The Steak House Taupō  | Facebook 

Another of my Taupō restaurant recommendations is this. As the name would suggest, you go here for the steak. Bacon-wrapped eye fillet, scotch fillet, sirloin, porterhouse with bone marrow, rump or 35-day aged T-bone… the gang’s all here. And this carnivorous hive has been in operation since 1984 so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. All Steak House beef is grass-fed, free-range from Canterbury, as well as being Halal accredited and includes a potato dish of the day, a demi-glace sauce and your choice of steak toppers and sides. Nice. 

International Eats

Suncourt Indian

Shop 20 Suncourt Plaza, 19 Tamamutu Street, Taupō

A person tucks into the saucy chicken jalfrezi from Suncourt Indian. 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 (including a very impressive vegetarian selection). 

Malabar Nepalese And Indian Kitchen

2/40 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupō

A dish of plump chicken momo (dumplings) at Malabar Nepalese And Indian Kitchen. 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, the service is top-notch, and we hear the Himalayan Nepalese chicken curry is especially worth your while. 

Lotus Thai Restaurant

137 Tongariro Street, Taupō

Garlic pepper fish from Lotus Thai Restaurant. 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, fried rice, 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. Been saving a special bottle of vino? Lotus Thai is also BYO.

Restaurants With A View

2 Mile Bay Sailing Club

331  Lake Terrace, Taupō

Pizza and beer at 2 Mile Bay Sailing Club, one of the best restaurants in Taupō.Image credit: 2 Mile Bay Sailing Club  | Supplied 

For top-notch pizzas 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, sip on a Peroni or two all while listening to live music and get this, the first Saturday of every month they even have 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

Beautiful cocktails clink above a table filled with gorgeous food. Image credit: Bistro Lago  | Facebook 

If it's Taupo restaurants with lake views you're after (yes!), 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. P.S. I hear they also do a high tea and can only imagine how incredible it is. 

On A Budget

K’s Kitchen

250 Spa Road, Taupō

Fried chicken in many forms, by K’s Kitchen, the best restaurant on wheels in 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. What’s more, the folks at K’s Kitchen sling gluten-free fried chicken, too, aka The Holy Grail for coeliacs with a penchant for crispy bird. 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.

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. Opt for their buffet or order to go; don’t forget the wontons. 

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.

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