From fancy fine dining to low-key eateries, those in the Rotorua restaurant business know that the way to any customer’s heart is through their taste buds.

Find anything from Latin American inspired food, burgers cooked on a manuka wood grill, authentic Japanese sashimi, and loaded fries, because if there’s one thing this town understands, it’s the need for variety. Rotorua restaurants won’t leave you hanging when there’s a specific craving come dinner time.

Dine Around The World in Rotorua

Server delivering a tray of Japanese food at Yamato.
Rotorua is certainly known for its geothermal wonders and cultural heritage, and when you’re a destination that attracts visitors from all over the world, it’s only apt that the culinary scene is also deliciously diverse.

El Mexicano Zapata Express

Plates of food being delivered by a server at El Mexicano Zapata Express.
Place Rotorua
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First opening in 2017, El Mexicano Zapata Express is located in a spot once occupied by the beloved Joe’s Diner, famous for staying open until 2 or 3am and earning a...

Pig & Whistle

Outside of the Pig & Whistle heritage building with a red telephone box and large tree.
Place Rotorua
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The Pig & Whistle is the quintessential Rotorua pub, where warm, friendly hospitality meets generous meals and a lively atmosphere.

Mekong Buffalo

Colourful mural on the wall behind a table and chairs in the dining room of Mekong Buffalo.
Place Rotorua
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In the heart of Rotorua’s CBD, Mekong Buffalo is a restaurant celebrating bold Southeast Asian flavours and culture.

Black Label Barbecue

Busy dining room full of customers sitting at tables at Black Label Barbecue.
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Black Label Barbecue is Rotorua’s hot spot for a genuine barbecue fix.

Spa City Noodle Bar

The interior of Spa City Noodle Bar.
Place Rotorua
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Spa City Noodle Bar, located in the heart of Rotorua, is a vibrant and modern eatery specialising in Sichuan-inspired noodle dishes.

Ani’s Gin Bar & Tapas

A beautiful plate of food on a white table at Ani's in Rotorua.
Place Rotorua
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One hundred per cent Māori owned and featuring exclusively New Zealand-based produce and drinks, dining at Rotorua's Ani’s Gin Bar & Tapas feels like you’re...

Te Pā Tū

Bowls of weaved bowls on a table at Te Pa Tu in Rotorua.
Place Rotorua
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Te Pā Tū in Rotorua is a celebration of Māori culture—history, traditions, aspirations, and, of course, kai (cuisine).

Poco Tapas & Wine

A table setting underneath a window looking out towards a sunny Rotorua street.
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The entranceway to Poco Tapas & Wine (“Poco” meaning “a little” in Spanish) in Rotorua isn’t immediately evident from the street, but once...

The People Behind the Places: Meet Rotorua’s Hospitality Heroes

A man wearing a chef's outfit holding a tray of Maori food.
What separates a good restaurant or café from a great one is the people behind the counter or in the kitchen. Hospitality staff are the key to bringing a venue to life, and Rotorua has no shortage of hospitality heroes. From chefs with decades of experience to community champions and service aficionados, here are the people who go above and beyond to make their customers’ experiences special.

The Fainting Goat

Customers dining in the sunny front courtyard of The Fainting Goat bar.
Place Rotorua
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A fun, funky and family-friendly gastropub located in the heart of Rotorua’s CBD, complete with a pinball machine.

Yamato

A waitress holding a bowl of food.
Place Rotorua Editor's Pick
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Bowls of hot sticky rice, thick udon noodles and hot miso broth sound like your kind of thing? Then you best get yourself down to Yamato.

Sabroso

Entrance to Sabroso restaurant.
Place Rotorua
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Full of classic Latino warmth and hospitality, you can expect to feel like more of an old friend here than a customer.

Stratosfare Restaurant

Close up of salads.
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Get your hungry self to this brilliant eatery, leagues above when it comes to the Rotorua dining scene (both metaphorically and literally).

Terrace

Looking into the kitchen.
Place Rotorua Editor's Pick
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Strategically situated at the recently redeveloped Rotorua lakefront, this exceptional venue offers a number of beautifully designed event spaces paired with modern,...

Social Club

People dining inside Social Club.
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Social in name and character, this eatery is a bright and vibrant place to park up with a group of friends any time of the day.

From Filled Cronuts to Fresh Fare, Here's Your Guide to Rotorua's Foodie Scene

Syrup being poured onto a plate of brunch.
Whether you’re short on time or just eager to go straight to the best, keep scrolling to find out where to eat and what to order in Rotorua.

The Vnam Kitchen

The interior of the Vnam restaurant.
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Vietnamese food lovers, Rotorua has the place for you.

Eat Streat

The V-shaped roof structure of Eat Streat against a pink and blue dusky sky.
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Ever-changing fluorescent lighting and activity from hungry wanderers make this bustling inner-city food alley a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike.