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.

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 are the people behind the counter or in the kitchen. Hospitality staff are the keys 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 Regent Room

Glasses of wine and main dishes on the table at The Regent Room.
Place Rotorua
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For a dining experience that feels like a royal affair, look no further than The Regent Room centrally located in the heart of Rotorua.

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.

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 and Wine

A table setting underneath a window looking out towards a sunny Rotorua street.
Place Rotorua
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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...

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...

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.

The Vnam Kitchen

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

Stratosfare Restaurant

Close up of salads.
Place Rotorua
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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).

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 you’re just eager to go straight to the best, keep scrolling to find out where to eat and what to order in Rotorua.

Social Club

People dining inside Social Club.
Place Rotorua
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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.

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.

Terrace Kitchen

Food on a table.
Place Rotorua Editor's Pick
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Only open for private events, this place has food at the heart of its ethos, and thanks to the talents of some super-experienced chefs you can expect some exceptional...

Eat Streat

The V-shaped roof structure of Eat Streat against a pink and blue dusky sky.
Place Rotorua
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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.