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Rotorua has the area's most diverse dining scene. You can order anything from Indian to Japanese fare, or, for true local flavor, try a M?ori h?ngi (a traditional meal cooked in an earth oven or over a steam vent). Hawke's Bay is another hot spot; its winery restaurants emphasize sophisticated preparations and food-and-wine pairings. Around Eastland, which is so laid-back it's nearly horizontal, the choices are simpler, and you'll be treated with the area's characteristic friendliness. One thing you won't find on any menu is fresh trout. Laws prohibit selling this fish, but if you catch a trout, chefs at most lodging establishments will cook it for you.
Dressing up for dinner, or any other meal, is a rarity, expected at only the most high-end lodges and restaurants.
This restaurant, while simple, is also an impressive eatery. The modern interior has a contemporary bistro vibe; the food follows suit, focusing on what’s fresh and seasonal. Try the kūmara (sweet potato) and ginger soup with a vanilla and lemon grass foam, crackled pork belly with kūmara and pickled red cabbage, and finish with a Belgian chocolate and hazelnut parfait.
The menu is updated seasonally at this converted 1950s town house on a suburban street not far from the shores of Lake Taupō. Sisters Prue and Felicity Campbell know what they're doing and use the best local ingredients and cook to satisfy all palates. Wines include those from emerging and boutique vineyards. Upstairs is an art gallery.
The pleasing scent of spices may entice you into this large, open restaurant. Half of the space is a delicatessen that sells preserves and specialty foods, such as chutney made from kūmara (a local sweet potato) and a rub made from kawa kawa (a spicy native herb).The menu follows the seasons and is continually changing (always posted on the website); there are also seasonal events. After you eat, wander to the dessert cabinet and choose from goodies like the chocolate-cherry frangipani tart.
Enter this weathered blue bungalow to experience the innovative cooking and fresh produce Pacifica brings to the New Zealand dining scene. The five-course degustation menus with matched wine change daily and reflect the chef's creativity and commitment to using the finest local products. You need to book ahead for this restaurant.
This café has been drawing the crowds for breakfast and lunch for 30-plus years, thanks to consistently excellent food. In the morning, try the Complete Replete Breakfast: honey-cured bacon, tomato relish, poached eggs, roasted field mushrooms, and grilled focaccia. Boston Beans with smoked tomatoes or satay chicken slaw are popular at midday. Plus there is an array of coffee and smoothies. Adjacent is a very good homewares store.
The massive cedar doors, high circular roof, and open wood fire give this well-regarded restaurant at Craggy Range Winery a rustic character. Although the menu is loosely country French, the "rustic" cuisine here is far from unsophisticated. Start with venison tartare or the twice-baked goat cheese soufflé; then move on to mouthwatering main courses like wood-fired whole fish with fried potatoes and aioli. For a sweet finish, the eclectic dessert menu features a classic vanilla crème brûlée. On warm evenings, you can dine on the terrace with views of Te Mata Peak.
Whether you are after an espresso and something small as a pick-me-up, or a hearty breakfast before an adventure or lunch after, this café will deliver. Everything is made from scratch whether it's the macarons, cakes of all flavors, or delicious savories and sandwiches. Gluten-free and vegan options are available, too, and they will pack a hamper to go.
If you are not good at making decisions, Eat Street could drive you crazy. This area at the northern end of Tutanekai Street is covered with a retractable roof and has 15-odd restaurants and bars that tempt tourists and locals with a variety of cuisines. The place is certainly buzzing at night.
The eclectic style and fine food here attracts young, old, and everyone in between. The comprehensive menu features a mix of old favorites and seasonal additions. The psychedelic blackboard menu details the day's latest. For dessert, try the caramelized banana waffle with vanilla ice cream. If you are traveling with children, there is a kid's menu, too.
On sunny days, you can sit outside on the patio here and enjoy the varied menu. In winter, a large fireplace warms the rustic interior, and candles on the tables enhance the scene. Either way, the service is efficient and friendly. One good choice from the menu is the slow cooked oxtail stew with seasonal vegetables and mash; you can cap your meal by ordering the cheesecake of the day. Gluten-free and vegan options are available. It is very popular with locals, so booking ahead is always recommended.
The name of this 1940s landmark winks at its previous incarnation—a police station. Expect pub fare at its absolute best, with standards such as seafood chowder, Kentucky bourbon pork belly, New Zealand lamb salad, and their famous pigtail fries. In summer, finish off your meal with a snooze under the enormous elm tree outside. Large, high-definition TVs in the garden bar make this the perfect place to watch the big game. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, you can catch live music, too.
A casual place to hoist a few pints while dining on hearty pub fare, the Rivers is popular with Gisborne locals. Ignore the modern exterior—inside stained-glass partitions separate the dining alcoves, which have brass chandeliers, dark woodwork, and green leather upholstery. Guinness pie with creamy mashed potatoes and chicken calypso topped with a tangy mango sauce are two favorite dishes that are always on the menu. Also on offer are platters and seasonal specials.
This lovely old-world pub in the heart of Havelock North has the largest selection of tap beer in Hawke's Bay. The pints mix with reasonably priced pub fare, including Scotch fillet, Irish sausages, and hearty beef-and-Guinness pie. If you like a good pub quiz, then the brain-testing competition it hosts the first Tuesday of each month may be just the ticket with entry fee money going to local charities.
For a meal with a view of Lake Taupō, try Waterside with its huge picture windows and deck for sunny day dining. The team pride themselves in excellent food matched with a great drinks list and friendly service. The cooking is simple and hearty, fish-and-chips, steak, and as a bonus a menu for children. If you are in the sharing mood there are also platters covering seafood or traditional food from the land.
This eatery in the former Gisborne Freezing Works embraces its industrial roots (note the large driveshaft and pulleys on the brick walls). The menu builds on local products and seasonality, from cheeses to fruit, scallops to calamari. The sticky pork ribs served with a rich barbecue sauce, potato wedges, and coleslaw is one popular choice; the panfried fish of the day in white wine sauce is another.
