As a world-class holiday destination, Rotorua is renowned for its award winning restaurants, Maori Hangi dining and contemporary cuisine using the freshest of New Zealand flavours combined with international flair. Of course it isn’t just the great food that leaves a fabulous taste in your mouth, combine that fabulous cuisine with superior wines from nearby regions and exceptional customer service and you can see why Rotorua truly is an international holiday destination.

The large selections of eateries in Rotorua offer a range of menus to suit your tastes, budget and dietary requirements. Enjoy hearty, healthy cafe meals, organic fare, homemade style deli foods, fast-food takeaways, ethnic restaurants, authentic Maori cuisine, family dining, pub meals and fine dining… welcome to the gastronomically delightful world of Rotorua.

Visitors to Rotorua will appreciate the close proximity of cafes, restaurants and bars located in the heart of Rotorua on Tutanekai Street. Known as ‘Eat Streat’, the block has been transformed into a pedestrian-only precinct for alfresco dining and an outdoor venue for live musicians to entertain diners. Eat Streat food and wine outlets include Nuvolari, Indian Star, Mac’s Steakhouse, Scotty’s Bar, Herbs Place, Seismic Gastrobar, Lewishams, Freos Café, Café Ephesus, Café Solace, Triple 1 Five, Lady Jane’s Ice Cream Parlour and Arawa Wines and Spirits.

If you are missing local tastes from your home country or just want to enlighten your senses with something new, there are some great restaurants and take-outs that might just fit the bill (or tastebuds). Abracadabra Cafe & Bar enjoys a Moroccan theme and offers tasty food at affordable prices, or for a little Italian you could try Ciccio, Zanelli’s or Papa Luigis, while Sabroso serves Latin American cuisine in a fun environment. There is also plenty of Thai, Chinese, Indian, Korean and Japanese restaurants and take-away joints to suit your dining budget. Many ethnic restaurants allow BYO wine, so make sure you check this out when you make a reservation.

Family dining is also plentiful with restaurants such as the legendary Lone Star, Wimpy Family Restaurant and Valentines, or you could always treat the family to some takeaways from Hell’s Pizza, Kebab Diner, Subway or the always delicious, Kiwi fish ‘n chips to be enjoyed sitting by the lake.

Evening dining is also in abundance and most restaurants and pubs can be easily located via foot or short taxi trip. Many of the international hotels offer comprehensive dining, such as the Atrium in the Rydges, The Grill in the Duxton and the Nikau Restaurant located in the Millennium Hotel. For dining with a difference enjoy a dinner and cruise aboard the Lakeland Queen or experience an authentic Maori Hangi and show at Matariki. A special night out deserves a special restaurant, I suggest either Peppers on the Point or the contemporary Urbano Bistro for upmarket dining and service.

With so many restaurants available, from seafood to fresh local fare, it is probably a good idea to drop into the local Visitor Information Centre for further dining advice.