12 Best Restaurants In Taupo 2023
Looking for the best restaurants in Taupo? Look no further! We’ve got you covered with a list of the top 12 restaurants in town. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly meal or an exquisite fine dining experience, we’ve got you covered. So read on to see which restaurants made our list!
What makes a great restaurant?
There are many factors that come into play, but some of the most important ones include good food, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere.
A great restaurant will have dishes that are both tasty and creative, using fresh ingredients to create memorable flavors. The service has to be friendly and accommodating, with staff ready to help with anything you need. The atmosphere is important too. It should be cozy and inviting, making you feel at home.
Factors to consider when choosing a restaurant
When choosing a restaurant, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The most important factor is undoubtedly the food. The best restaurants will have inventive and delicious dishes that will tantalize your taste buds with great value for money.
Another important factor is the service. The staff should be friendly and helpful, ready to attend to your every need. They should also be knowledgeable about the dishes on the menu, so they can help you make the best choices.
Budget is also something to keep in mind when deciding where to eat. Are you looking for a tasty meal that won’t break the bank? Or maybe you are wanting to celebrate a special occasion in which case you will want a restaurant to offer an experience to remember.
You should also take into account whether or not the restaurant is family-friendly if you are bringing children. So before making a decision, consider all of these factors and choose the restaurant that’s right for you!
How to find the best restaurants in your area
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in your area, there are a few things you can do to make sure you find the perfect spot for you.
The first thing to do is ask around. See if any of your friends or family have any recommendations for great restaurants in your area. They’ll likely know of a few spots that you haven’t heard of before, so it’s worth asking!
Another great way to find good restaurants is by reading online reviews. Try doing a Google search for “best restaurants in [your city]” and see what comes up. Reading online reviews can be a great way to get an idea of the quality of food, service, and atmosphere at different restaurants in your area.
Finally, don’t be afraid to venture out and explore! Try new restaurants all the time and see which ones are your favorites. There’s no need to limit yourself to just the ones that are close to home. So get out there and explore your area’s culinary scene!
In this case, we have done all the hard work for you! Below are the restaurants we consider the best, in their respective category, in Taupo.
Best Restaurants in Taupo
1. The Steak House Taupo
The Steak House Taupo is our top pick for the best restaurant in town. We might be biased because we spent a wonderful evening here celebrating our anniversary. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, making it the perfect spot for a date night or special occasion. But it’s not just the atmosphere that makes this restaurant great – the food is amazing too. The steak is cooked to perfection, and the sides are delicious and hearty.
The service is great as well. The waiters are knowledgeable about the items on the menu, can make recommendations when requested, and are happy to help you with any dietary requirements. Their wine list is exquisite and I definitely recommend you pick one of their reds to go with your perfectly cooked steak. You really can’t go wrong with The Steak House Taupo!
2. Indian Affair Taupo
Normally, I wouldn’t be inclined to put an Indian restaurant on the list as they are normally a dime a dozen. But Indian Affair is the exception to that rule. They offer superb Indian cuisine, a warm and friendly atmosphere, and great value for money.
The banquet for two is an absolute winner and will ensure you leave the premises full and completely satisfied. It offers a wide variety of all their best dishes and is a great way to try foods you otherwise would never know existed, let alone know how good it tastes!
This might very well be the best Indian / Nepali food you will eat in New Zealand.
3. Social Club
Now for a wonderful find for our vegan friends. Not only does The Social Club offer sublime views of the lake, but their vegan fish and chips are the best, if not the only one, in Taupo.
They have earned their spot on this list by really caring about sustainability and showing that through what comes out of their kitchen. This means that the food served at The Social Club is all traceable, from the free-range meat to their eggs. So besides their vegan and vegetarian options, they are doing the best they can to be good for our environment.
There are some welcome twists in the meals too. The polenta chips they serve are the star of any meal and instead of serving the standard sides, the mains come with potato gratin and veggies.
4. Waterside
Probably the best mussels in town. If you are a seafood fanatic like us, you are going to love Waterside Restaurant. They are open 7 days a week from 11 am to 9 pm. Both their lunch and dinner menu offers a variety of seafood options such as the Waterside Platter, Oysters, and Seafood Cocktail.
We can highly recommend the seafood Salad. At $23 it is an amazing value for money as you will be presented with sautéed scallops, prawns, and calamari. That this dish is a winner can clearly be seen from the raving reviews, many of which mention the seafood salad.
If you are looking to treat yourself, save some space for their Freakshakes which are freakishly good! Definitely share one though as they are HUGE. With great food and views, this is just the best place to end a delightful day at the lake.
5. Plateau Bar + Eatery
If you are in the mood to treat yourself to a Seafood Platter, make sure to try out Plateau Bar + Eatery. The green-lipped mussels in coconut broth are divine as is the grilled calamari. If you are still a bit peckish after, try the market fish sliders.
They offer an all-day Tapas style menu with loads of options for you to try and share. We love tapas because, as I am sure you can agree, food is best when shared with loved ones. And even though I am a firm believer that Oysters should be had as natural as possible, the Nori Beer Battered option is worth a try.
Since this is also a bar it is the perfect place to get lost for a couple of hours on a rainy day or spend an evening with friends.
Best Italian Restaurants in Taupo
6. Portofino
One of the indicators of a quality restaurant is the number of patrons on any given night. In the case of Portofino, it gets so busy that we recommend booking a table to avoid missing a great meal.
As much as we love this restaurant, we do want to give a fair warning about how busy it really is. If you want a quick meal and be out the door in less than an hour this isn’t the place for you. If you are looking for a great night out, have a couple of glasses of wine, and are willing to wait for great food, you are in for a treat.
As much as all the dishes on the menu are great, try and keep some space for dessert. From the Panna Cotta to the cheesecake and the profiteroles, all the desserts are just a party waiting to erupt in your mouth.
7. Sorrento
Let’s be honest — It doesn’t get much better than good Italian food paired with a voluptuous glass of quality wine. At Sorrento, you get the best of both worlds.
Normally I am a pizza gal all the way but in this case, I would recommend you try any of their mouth-watering pasta dishes such as the Lemon Prawn Spaghetti or the Penne Pomodoro Secco with Sundried tomatoes, spinach, feta, and a creamy garlic sauce.
The ambiance is lovely too! With a roaring fire to keep you warm and wooden features it is the perfect setting for a romantic evening filled with lots of carbs, laughter, and delightful wine. Don’t forget to try the Tiramisu as this classical Italian dish will complete your already perfect evening.
Best Family Restaurants In Taupo
8. Spoon & Paddle
By far the best child-friendly restaurant in town, if not the best cafe in the whole of Taupo. Unfortunately, due to staffing and other issues, the owners of Spoon & Paddle have decided to temporarily close the restaurant but they will reopen again SOON. So definitely reach out to them and see whether they are open if you are planning a trip to Taupo soon, you won’t regret it.
Between their mouth-watering waffles, baked goods, cabinet food, and hash stacks, you just simply can’t go wrong! Bring your little ones and enjoy delicious food and an enjoyable time for the kids outside in the play area.
If you really want to spoil your little ones, order them the Gingerbread French Toast with vanilla cream and syrup. If not for them, order it for yourself, it is just that good!
9. The Storehouse
Another one of our favorite spots (and we don’t even have kids yet) is The Storehouse. This laid-back cafe is always buzzing and we can understand why. Their chicken waffles, and everything else on the menu, are to die for and the atmosphere is always friendly and positive.
We came there to find a place to work and charge our laptops and felt right at home. I had the Buddha bowl while my husband gorged on the chicken waffles. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be back here the next time we pass through Taupo.
Besides great food (and amazing coffee), they have a dedicated and stylishly designed kids’ play area inside so great for a rainy day too!
10. Cobb & Co
If you are looking for a true family restaurant, pleasing both the kids as well as the grandparents, you will be in good hands at Cobb & Co. This easygoing restaurant might not be as fancy as some of the other options on this list, but their service is friendly and speedy, so you will be well on your way before the little one (or gran) needs a nap.
Another great feature is that they have a separate kid’s play area, giving you time to catch up with your relatives while resting assured your children are playing safely.
The winner has to be the menu though. Kids can choose from colorful drinks such as Green Slime, Traffic Light, or Pink Panther. The food options are just as creative too. The mains are presented in a cool wagon and the desserts are shaped like animals. There are even options for toddlers too!
Fine Dining Restaurants In Taupo
11. Embra
According to locals, Embra offers the best food experience Taupo has to offer. When looking at their menu and wine list we can see why. Their attention to detail, attentive staff, and next-level food will have you coming back for more.
Even the chef has been known to personally bring your next course and take his time to explain your meal in front of you as well as the heritage and inspiration behind it. We highly recommend you try the food and wine combination while you are there.
As you would expect from such a classy establishment, the menu offers a variety of innovative and seasonal options that will undoubtedly enchant your tastebuds from your entree until dessert.
You can choose from either the three or the five-course menu. Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind experience and go all out with the five courses and wine combination, you won’t be disappointed!
12. Bistro Lago
Executive Chef Adrian Walker brings you some of the best food in the region with New Zealand grown ingredients. This elegant restaurant is located at The Hilton Taupo and offers breathtaking views of the lake and the snow-capped mountains that lie beyond it.
Whether you are looking for a scrumptious lunch or celebration a special occasion at dinner, their all-day menu has something for everyone’s taste. But it doesn’t stop there; the bottomless breakfast is a must-try and for $45 per person great value for money. You can literally order every dish on the breakfast menu and share it with your table.
Since the view is so incredible we would recommend booking in for lunch or early dinner. No matter what time of day you go, the warm atmosphere of the restaurant with its classic wooden floors and wonderful service will ensure a remarkable atmosphere.
Since the chef tries to create dishes with ingredients that are in season, it is hard to recommend a particular dish as the menu is always changing. However, if you find yourself at Bistro Lago anytime soon, the Forest Mushroom Gnocchi and Lamb Rump are exquisite.
How to make a reservation at a restaurant
Did you see anything you liked? Below are some quick tips for making a reservation at a restaurant as there are a few different ways that you can go about it.
The first option is to call the restaurant directly and speak to a representative. This is the most common way to make a reservation and is generally the quickest option.
The second option is to use an online reservation service. This is a great option if you are looking for a specific time or date that is unavailable through the restaurant’s phone line.
The third option is to use an app like OpenTable. This app allows you to search for restaurants in your area and make a reservation directly through the app. It also provides customer reviews and ratings so that you can pick the perfect spot for your night out.
What to do if you have a bad dining experience
Unfortunately, sometimes you might catch a bad break and the usually outstanding restaurant leaves a bad taste in your mouth (pun intended). What do you do?
First of all, don’t wait until you leave to voice your complaints!
If you are having a bad dining experience at a restaurant, your first step should be to speak to a manager or your waiter directly. They may be able to help resolve the issue and make your experience more pleasurable, fix the mistake that was made, or improve the quality.
If the issue is not resolved, you can ask for a refund or to have your meal comped.
If you do not feel comfortable speaking to a manager, or the issue is not resolved, you can write a review on Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, or another online review site. Be sure to include details about your experience so that others can learn from your negative experience.
Things to do close to Taupo
One of the most amazing things about Taupo is the central location of the city on the North Island of New Zealand. From Taupo, it is only a two-hour drive to Cambridge and less than three hours to to the Coromandel district.
If you are still planning your North Island travels, make sure to check out our North Island travel posts. Wondering what is the best way to travel around NZ? Read more about the best ways to travel here.
Conclusion: Finding The Best Restaurant Taupo Has To Offer In 2023
No matter what your taste, budget, or occasion, Taupo has a restaurant for you. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 12 best restaurants in Taupo as of 2023.
Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or something more upscale, there’s sure to be a spot on our list that will tantalize your taste buds. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next night out!