Dine Around The World in Rotorua

Spa City Noodle Bar specialises in Sichuan-inspired noodle dishes, well-designed for quick and affordable lunches and dinners. What used to be an empty bike shop has been transformed into a modern eatery through the use of clever colourways, stylish overhead storage and neatly labelled condiments at every table. The menu champions homemade dumplings and noodles, featuring spicy, sour beef noodle soup with tender brisket and classic Dan Dan noodles. While signature entrees like Japanese-style, Korean-glazed chicken bites and calamari in a Mexican Mojo sauce broaden the Asian-fusion experience. The vision is to shatter the tired takeaway stereotype and elevate Rotorua’s food scene by setting new standards in Chinese cuisine and restaurant design, one delicious bowl at a time.

River’s Catch brings good ol’ fish and chips with Filipino flair. Fifteen years after immigrating from the Philippines, nurses Izzy and Norman pivoted careers to pursue Izzy’s culinary passion, with their daughter Zeta cleverly christening the venture River’s Catch, a subtle nod to her younger sister River. House favourites include the signature Tackle Box, featuring fish and chips with Asian slaw and miso dressing, and homemade sauce for that unique flavour punch. Other popular items are the Adobo fish tacos and the smash burgers, both are juicy, tasty, and consistently fly out the door. There are Filipino flavours subtly infused throughout the menu, which showcase the family’s heritage while still catering to the local scene.

For all things Mexican, El Mexicano Zapata Express has the answers. Since opening in 2017, the restaurant has been a vibrant homage to Latino heritage and community. Inside, you’ll be embraced by a riot of colour: Latino-inspired murals by local artists, festive sombreros, decorated tables, and co-founder Eduardo’s handpicked playlist setting the mood. Each weekend, Eduardo, his guitarist son Chris, a former Royal Ballet dancer turned salsa-coach, light up the stage with their musical talent. The menu traverses Mexico, Peru, Chile and Argentina with uniquely made enchiladas, weekend Incan-style ceviche served with kumara and cancha, daily-fried corn chips and mouth-watering home-made sauces.

Mekong Buffalo is a centrally located restaurant celebrating bold Southeast Asian flavours and culture. The name is a nod to the mighty Mekong River and the continent’s resilient water buffalo, and the menu predominantly draws inspiration from dishes that are native to Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Every scratch-made dish, from street-style dumplings, pillowy bao buns and rich curries to the signature Tamarind soft-shell crab, is crafted with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and a comforting Kiwi twist. With its striking plating, shared-style dining and relaxed atmosphere, Mekong Buffalo is Rotorua’s go-to for memorable Southeast Asian cuisine.

Black Label Barbecue is Rotorua’s ultimate destination for authentic low-and-slow barbecue. Retaining neon traces of its night-club past, the smokehouse pairs spacious family-friendly fun with a sunny patio overlooking a giant blue wood-fired barbecue and a dedicated smaller barbecue just for its famed pumpkin pie. Signature dishes include the 15-hour smoked brisket, beef short ribs, mac’n’cheese, and the legendary Joker smash burger that helped keep the lights on during COVID. Community is king here, with predominantly locally sourced ingredients, fellow pitmasters’ rubs on the shelves, co-management of local events, and a vision to unite people through fire, food, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like home.

Te Pā Tū is an immersive Māori cultural experience set in a re-created indigenous village surrounded by towering tawa trees and blazing bonfires. Offering seasonal evening events aligned with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), visitors can enjoy traditional dance, music, storytelling, and rituals along with a canopy-covered lantern-lit walk and a lavish multi-course feast featuring both hāngi and Māori fusion cuisine. Tū Te Ihi, the winter Matariki celebration (May - October), explores ancient concepts tied to the stars and Māori new year, while Tū Te Rā (November - April) focuses on stories of warfare and peace. Each experience mixes cultural richness with seasonal kai, making Te Pā Tū a powerful journey into the heart of Māori tradition.

Yamato is a humble eatery that lets its food do the talking, from bowls of hot sticky rice, thick udon noodles and steaming miso broth to exquisite sashimi and sushi rolled before your eyes at the U-shaped bar. With kimono-clad staff pouring complimentary green tea and Japanese-trained chefs crafting every dish using time-honoured techniques, the open-plan kitchen invites you into the heart of preparation. Since opening in 2001 as one of the city’s first Japanese restaurants, Yamato has always embodied the aesthetic, culture and precision of Japan itself; attentive yet unobtrusive service, purity of ingredients and the long-lasting traditions experienced in the land of the rising sun.

Vietnamese food lovers, rejoice: since opening in December 2017 as Rotorua’s first Vietnamese restaurant, The Vnam Kitchen has been perfecting southern-style classics - sweet, spicy noodle soups, fried rice, spring rolls and smoked meats, served sizzling hot by its ever-smiling team. This bustling, no-frills spot keeps it real with framed photos of every dish lining the walls so you know exactly what’s coming, and its share-friendly ethos lets you mix and match plates for the ultimate flavour journey. Authentic, affordable, and always welcoming, The Vnam Kitchen delivers a genuine taste of southern Vietnam right in the heart of Rotorua.

Sabroso wraps you in a cosy, colour-splashed haven where laid-back Latin American vibes meet homestyle recipes from kitchens across Central and South America and the Caribbean. Dimly lit and unhurried, Sabroso invites you to relax back into a menu brimming with Spanish-named dishes (each with a handy description) infused with classic flair: start with the tangy Escabeche de Pescado, follow up with a super yummy, cheese-oozing Chimichanga, then cap off the evening with a delightful sweet treat. Friendly hosts greet you like an old friend, guiding your journey through famous margaritas, select Latino cocktails, a curated wine and beer list, and refreshing soft drinks.