Smith & Co Café

If you’re after a cosy spot for afternoon tea with a side of fascinating local history, Smith & Co Café is the place to be.

Connected to Rotorua’s famous archaeological site, the Buried Village, this place is steeped in over a century of history. The original tearooms first opened in the early 1900s, but were rebuilt by Violet and Reginald Smith after a fire and the Great Depression, reopening in 1931 and operating in the same building ever since. The past is very much part of the café: third and fourth generations of the original patrons still come by for a spot of afternoon tea to this day.

The food is deliberately simple and comforting. They are known for their freshly baked scones (with jam and cream, naturally), best paired with a pot of loose-leaf English Breakfast. Cabinet staples include mince & cheese and bacon & egg pies, all handmade and baked in their kitchen.

There’s some lovely nature surrounding the café, and they stay well connected to their local community, hosting events and open days that give locals an opportunity to visit and learn about the area’s history.

After more than a century of tea service, this charming little spot is a great example that there’s no need to complicate the formula: friendly service and a good cup of tea have kept generations coming back.