The 50 best cheap eats in Rotorua

I had very high expectations for this place after hearing multiple raving reviews. The food was excellent, risotto mozzarella balls were crispy and full of flavour, pork belly was melting in the mouth and the salad it came with was outstanding. Where things went wrong was the service, we were asked about our drinks orders before we even set down, the waiter literally stood by our table while I was looking at food menu to take our order. It was two of us (my son and I), we ordered beef sliders from the kids menu and mozzarella balls and pork belly for me. The sliders arrived and my son finished his dinner before my entree even arrived. As soon as an empty glass was put on the table it was picked up and we were asked if we wanted another drink. I was still chewing my last mouthful when the table was cleared and a dessert menu was placed in front of us. 2 min later we were asked if we wanted anything else, when we answered no the bill was promptly brought to our table. We had our dinner and got ushered out within 35 minutes of getting there. It’s not a fast food place, it’s not a cheap place, it wasn’t busy. It was our last night of holidays and we wanted something special, well… it wasn’t.

Food was amazing. Very friendly and happy staff. Happy to give advice/ their opinions on food when asked. Everything tasted amazing and was cooked to perfection 👌. 100% recommend this place and we will definitely make it one of our regulars. They even had blankets available for customers if it got to cold, were not needed though as there is outdoor heating. Definitely give this place a go.

Absolutely delicious food! We went yesterday and ordered the pork belly, easily the best pork belly I’ve ever had (perfectly rendered)! Topped off with the brownie cookie and it’s delicious salted caramel sauce. We wanted to taste everything on the menu so we came back again tonight and picked different dishes. Kind and polite staff too!

One of the first few we are in rotorua. Absolutely loved the place, chicken was nice, lamb wasn't gamey and extremely tender, the leek and fish cakes were rather interesting, might not be for everyone and the tenderloin was okay. To me the real highlight was the salad, I love the side salads. Honestly overall pretty solid, can visit again if I'm ever back in the area Love the ambience too. Nice warm cozy vibes.

I got the lamb salad and my man had the chicken wings. He got a cider and I had the tokyo tom cocktail. We travelled from Hamilton so it was really good quality food, and we got a table that was outside. It was lovely. Staff were darlings. Thank you.

We had the best girls’ lunch at Atticus Finch! Everyone left happy and full — the food was absolutely divine. We shared a delicious spread: the Streaky Bacon Burger, Roti, Gochujang Tofu, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Ginger Sesame Fried Chicken, Fried Haloumi, and Chop Chop Salad. Everything was packed with flavour, but I can’t stop thinking about that Gochujang Tofu 🤤 — hands down my favourite! Highly recommend for a relaxed lunch with great vibes and even better food.

We saw the menu when walking by and decided to return for dinner. It far exceeded our expectations!! The cocktails were PHENOMENAL, I highly recommend the Passion of the Finch, the Mr Radley and the Blushing sour. The sirloin was also absolutely delicious. We will be returning here for sure!!

A good brunch venue with a unique flavour profile that was delicious. We were the first here on a Wednesday morning, and the service was good. We had two flat whites which were very tasty alongside the eggs and bacon on toast, and the French toast with bacon. The chef had forgotten the bacon but this was cooked and corrected within minutes. This had been recommended both in a blog and a visit New Zealand book, and we certainly would recommend a visit. The French toast came with coconut yoghurt and homemade compote which had an Indian spice taste. These were great additions to breakfast!!

Staff were lovely and sweet. Our food was so yummy and the presentation was 10/10. We went back again next day for drinks for our drive back home and would definitely go back again. Lovely people and service, very welcoming.

Such quick service and some of the best South American/ Mediterranean style cuisine I've had EVER. Waitresses are very friendly and host quickly. The food is very reasonably priced and they give Huge portions. NZ Must Do check!

Really nice. Can't believe how cool the bar down the back is, and to have the enclosed areas outside at the back - great to bring kids. Coffee is good as well. Check out my photos- they had a ridiculously giant sausage roll for sale in the cafe...

We ordered entrées for dinner, it was a first time here. The Jalapeños were quite spicy but to my liking. We weren't really fond of the Chilli prawns.The meatballs and baby ribs were nice. The garlic cheese bread was YUMMY! I also enjoyed the Coconut Green Tea, good size pot.

Good food, good service. Took some time for food to be served, but it was still worth it. Ordered the fajitas which was awesome! (Waitress recommended chicken, another said prawns was her favourite, so up to you). I enjoyed the abracadabra steak as well. Lovely ambience and not too expensive, so try it!

Pretty nice food, good service and nice atomasphere. They cater to dietary requirements and have loads of gluten free options. 4/5 stars for the bitter coffee, other than that it was good.

The best place I've been to to celebrate a birthday so far. My niece absolutely enjoyed her 21st here. Thew buffet was above my expectations. Not like all the other buffets, and the view wasn't absolutely spectacular. The gondola ride was included in the package as well. The customer service was brilliant. Everything was amazing. A must do. Thank you to everyone at Stratosfare, I'll definitely be back.

Stunning scenery and plenty of things to do up there. It really is a beautiful view and a great family dining experience. With that said, for the price of the buffet, I expected the food to be nicer. It wasn't bad, but somewhat on par with Valentines. Hence why my expectation was a little higher. The service was an absolute stand out though. This was the difference between a 3 star rating and a 4 star.

My partner and I came here for our Anniversary, and although there were so many elements that made our evening magical, our highlight was the outstanding service from lovely Xiangchi ☺️ She was so bubbly and attentive! Also, the staff were thoughtful and signed an anniversary card for us which was really special. The food was superb! A wide variety for everyone! The atmosphere was inviting and well decorated. I would like to say well done to the Staff members here, we would definitely visit this place again 💛

I loved eating here me and my sisters came here on holiday to celebrate my eldest sister‘s birthday they were very nice even signed her a card and brought out a little plate that said happy birthday to her we were very pleased with the food and the variety the only problem I had with this place was that we had to go on the gondola to get up and down before this I’ve never been on the gondola so that was freaky lol. The staff were really friendly especially this guy I think is the owner he told us seen as we were the last people that we Didn’t need to leave immediately and we could go take photos On the balcony with the view of the Gondolas going up and down Which was very nice of him. 10/10 Experience would recommend

We had an amazing experience at Stratosfare Restaurant! 🌟 The dinner buffet was absolutely delicious with a great variety of food, and the ambiance was both perfect and stunning — such a beautiful setting. All the staff were warm and friendly, especially Yasmin and the F&B Supervisor, who went above and beyond to make our anniversary extra special. They surprised us with a complimentary anniversary platter and a heartfelt greeting card signed by the whole team. It was such a thoughtful gesture that made our evening unforgettable. Thank you, Stratosfare, for such a wonderful celebration! ❤️

Recently celebrated my birthday at lunch at Stratosfare. When we mentioned it was my bday the lovely receptionist gave us a seat by the window with magic views over Rotorua out to the lake. Was a very wide range of food to suit every appetite beautifully presented. The staff then presented me with a surprise slice of yummy cheesecake decorated with flowers and candle. Certainly made it a very special day.🌹

The first view of Rotorua when we entered was absolutely stunning. But after trying the food, I was really disappointed. The selection was very limited, and about half of the food was cold dishes. The bakery section only had one type of bread, and the dessert options were just two kinds of fruit—orange and mixed fruit—along with some dry, lunch bar-quality cake pieces, pudding, and ice cream. There were also very few meat options. I can tell they really tried to cut down the cost. Based on the food alone, I wouldn’t even give it one star, but because of the beautiful view and the friendly staff, I’m giving it two stars. Next time I visit Rotorua, I’ll probably just ride the gondola and choose a better restaurant for the same price

First of all, massive thanks to John and Sarah (the owners) for pouring their heart and soul into the food! I can confirm that their chimichangas are on another level, I’d happily drive all the way from Auckland again just to taste that glorious combo of saucy goodness and perfectly cooked dish. And Sarah, please, I beg you, do not take the chimichangas off the menu! The place is a divine food experience. I’ve gone on many rants about food spots (mostly good), but here’s one more reason this one stood out — I’ve never seen my partner finish an entire plate of anything before. Ever. This was a first. I rest my case.

It’s not often you can walk into a restaurant and know the food is going to be exceptional before you even sit down. This is one of those places. Warm, welcoming & cozy atmosphere. Service was above and beyond without missing a beat. Each component of the meal was bursting with flavours that complemented each other beautifully. I will definitely be going back.

Just had a fabulous evening at Saboroso. Superb food, great atmosphere and exemplary service! Thanks so much for making me a zero alcohol, no sugar mojito ❤️

My new favourite latin/caribbean restaurant in the country. Exceptional service from Sarah, delicious food from John. We over ordered entrees and mains and didn't have space for dessert...

Having visited twice before and being convinced it was superb, I returned last night hoping to savour it once more. Unfortunately, it was temporarily closed. Please note it will remain closed until 26th September.

Super delicious food, amazing service, great atmosphere. Sarah and her husband (sorry I don’t his name) are so lovely and accomodating. The drinks were so great, food was the best we’ve had in a while and will definitely be back soon. Pictured is Sangria, passion fruit margarita, Tres Amigos, Tostadas and Chimichangas.

Was wonderful to return to eat at this intimate restaurant. The service from Sarah is so gracious and attentive. Despite all the tables reserved for this evening our drinks and food were served in a timely manner. Margaritas are top notch. Food delicious. We ordered the calamari and escabeche to start. Both excellent. Mains were the prawn stew and chimichanga de Pollo. It is worth booking ahead to eat in this friendly restaurant. We are never disappointed with our meals at Sabroso. Tasty food, served with love.

This is a historic site. It still has the atmosphere of the past. The food is excellent and the beers 🍻 on tap are perfect and a variety to choose from. Easy to get your way around and its close to Eat Street where all the restaurants are located. Another must visit 👌👍😊

Just had an amazing dinner and drinks at the Pig & Whistle! Super nice waitress helped us with all our requests. Food was delicious and generous portions! Beautiful old building with a modern atmosphere. Thanks so much!

We went here and ordered the fish and chips and open brisket sandwich. The food was quick and portions really hearty. The fish was beer battered and fried which was really great in terms of texture. You will need to flavour it alot on your own though. The curly fries were fried and seasoned well - fresh and not stale or soggy. They also gave you a decent amount for the side salad as well. For the brisket, the portion was good - the meat could have had a little more seasoning but overall it was good. Lastly‼️ there is a really GOOD amount of vege options for vegetarians!!! And theres items for vegans as well - we assumed there wouldn’t be because it is a pub but we were pleasantly surprised when we got here in person :)

I couldn't get into the pot pie. The way it's served is challenging to eat without making a huge mess. The flavor wasn't my personal favorite. On the flip side the pulled pork burger was delicious and absolutely massive. The pork was tender. Everything on it was delicious and fit well.

I'm sold on this joint!!! I've never done a review before. Our group of South Aussies needed a feed on our first night in Rotorua. We called ahead to book a table at the Pig and Whistle, and they kindly squeezed our group of seven in — we were all really glad they did! My beef brisket was an amazing introduction to the area, perfectly paired with a local beer paddle. Between the great beers, delicious food, and awesome atmosphere, the people running the place were a breath of fresh air — super helpful and genuinely happy. We’ll be back soon to try something else!

Visited here on an overnight stop in Rotorua and couldn't have asked for more! As vegans we were unsure if there would be many options, pleasantly surprised to find a solid selection of vegan options on the menu! We had chicken tacos which were absolutely lovely and great portion size, with side of chips and some vegan mayo. There was a great selection of beers on tap, a fireplace in the dining area, and sports showing in the main bar. Overall cosy, great value (we spent around $110 but that included 4 beers), would go back again if we are back in the area!

Service was great and food was amazing. Great mix of vegan options and traditional pub food. We got one of the last tables available so would recommend booking if you're heading there on a busy night. I had the brisket which was awesome and a good amount of food.

Arun the manager was very welcoming. We came close to closing time but since their kitchen was still open they took our order which was so nice of them. Pizzas were delicious Chips nice and crunchy Garlic bread was dripping with garlic butter- super yummy

Best lamb shanks I've ever eaten. My wife has celiac and had no issues and great tasting food as well. I would definately go back.

Served by Lucky (I think), he was super friendly, and the food he suggested is also delicious including Cocktails. We ordered pasta for the kid and got it quickly, which makes my son happy.

Went here last week during school holidays. The staff were very welcoming. Our older boy ordered the Pepperoni Pizza and he said it was the best he ever had!!! We also ordered for the Tuscan Chicken Alfredo....even our youngest thought it was YUM! Mum ordered a cocktail and it came with 2 jelly sweets on the straw. Our boys were so excited looking at that and as usual they wanted to have it. But the very next minute the manager came in with a plate of those same jelly sweets for the boys to have. Now that is attention to detail!!!! As parents, we were happy that even something as small as the boys wanting a sweet was noticed and taken care of. We definitely will be going back again whenever we are is Rotorua as we loved both the service and food here. Definitely worth a try.

Highly recommend Order the pork porchetta and the rib eye. Perfectly cooked meat and large serving size. Wanted the crayfish and prawn ravioli but was sold out. Will come back to try next time Lovely wait staff. Clean tables. Nice atmosphere

We enjoyed our meal here. We dined around Saturday 6,30pm It was easy to get a table Our meals arrived quickly They were all delicious 😋 We had Kids Spaghetti Formaggi Pizza Insalata Rucola Followed by a Trio of Sorbet~ lemon🍋 orange 🍊 and mixed berry 🍓🫐 Service was lovely and attentive

Went there around 5pm on a Friday night, and had a quiet dinner before everything got busy. The environment is lovely with a good indoor-outdoor flow. Food was decent but nothing really stood out. (FYI Seafood chowder had bacon in it.) Spent over $120 with two entrees, two mains and one drink.

We really enjoyed the Kebab wrap and Garlic fries. There was only one person as cook/cashier/waiter when we were there but he was doing all he could to make it seem like there was a whole team working. The kebab was very satisfying and the garlic sauce on the fries was a nice new flavor I hadn’t had before.

We heard the place was good and the owner was kind, well spoiler: the food was delicious and the owner was amazing. No exaggeration, will be recommending people travel to NZ to eat here. Clean place, well decorated, extremely welcoming. The place is magic. We had the traditional noodles with lamb and the Berber with falafel but honestly think anything you get here would be great.

It was my first day in Alibaba and i saw a young Nepalese guy name Nirmal and he recommended me Berber thats was totally worth it and i love it. I will high recommend to go you all there.🔥🔥gonna visit again

Alibaba Restaurant never disappoints! Exceptional food, rich flavours, and amazing service. Every visit feels worth it — pure quality and satisfaction.

I little disappointed given that this place had a very good Google rating. The pasta was well cooked with great flavour. But that was only nice part apart it. Pizza tasted OK but the base was undercooked. Service was very slow also and it wasn't very busy at the time. Good vibe and atmosphere.

Awesome lunch spot in Rotorua. Loved the kascrutes (similar to gyros) with freshly baked wrap and ingredients. Special thanks to the fit bald guy working there that ran a block to return a water bottle that we had left.

There was only one young man working around dinner time and there was a sudden rush of customers. He did call for backup and a little while later he had an extra pair of hands to catch up on orders. He handled the pressure like a champ and was transparent about the wait with every customer. The wait was well worth it. I enjoyed the Berber Rice Meal with lamb. I appreciate that they took time preparing each order rather than rushing to get customers out the door. Another group ordered pizza which looked delicious. Will have to order that the next time around.

First time here, we waited for our drinks but unfortunately the waiter had forgotten to order them so drinks arrived halfway through our meal. The place had a great vibe and felt spacious. The meal was on the small side and the mash potato i requested was quite runny. But chicken was nice, however the highlight was the Ambrosia dessert but was very sweet. The sorbet (with the cheesecake was very sweet and ice cream would be a better fit).The food presentation could do with some work.

Sione greeted me as I walked past, normally I hate this, but it felt like there was no pressure as he was so warm and welcoming. The food was delicious and served with a smile. I had a very pleasant experience. $64 got me the entree/main special, a drink and dessert.

This place is dog friendly! Which is a huge bonus for us having well behaved dogs. They even brought us a bowl of dog water. We ordered 3 kids meals, 2 adults meals. Hot chocolates and coffees. The kids meals were a good size. Really yummy. The kids loved them. And they loved their hot chocolates. Our coffees were lovely. Burger in adult meal was lovely. I however found my lamb shanks just a abit dry with no beautiful reduced sauce to go with it. But all in all we really enjoyed the meals, drinks and atmosphere. Would go again for sure.

We came here for a light lunch a few months ago. It was a bit chilly, but the heaters and blankets in the outdoor seating area kept us plenty warm. I had the soup of the day (mushroom) with a side of toasty bread. The Mac & cheese was really good. My friend and I both got boozy caffeinated drinks which were great.

​Our recent visit to "AMBROSIA" was focused exclusively on their dessert selection, an impromptu decision made right as the restaurant was preparing to close for the evening. Despite the late hour, the experience was marked by exceptional hospitality and truly outstanding culinary execution. ​The first impression was set by the front-of-house staff—either the manager or our waiter—who greeted us with a level of professionalism and genuine warmth that immediately made us feel welcome, rather than an inconvenience. This gracious approach, particularly at the very end of a busy shift, is a testament to the restaurant's high service standards and culture. ​The highlight, however, was the desserts. We selected the Black Forest Cake and the Classic Apple Pie, and both were nothing short of outstanding. The Black Forest Cake was rich, perfectly balanced, and moist, a sophisticated take on a classic. The Apple Pie was comforting yet refined, featuring perfectly cooked fruit and a flaky, buttery crust that elevated it far beyond the ordinary. ​Commendations are absolutely due to the Culinary Team. The desserts were clearly crafted with precision and passion. For an experience focused entirely on pastry, "The Dining Room" delivered excellence that left a lasting positive impression. This establishment is highly recommended, whether for a full meal or simply for a perfect, late-night indulgence

Had the 2 course meal for $30 and it did not fail to slack on anything Starter was chefs soup broccoli potatoes and blue cheese! Main: Canterbury lamb shank Definitely bee back the food was great!

Love this place. Always of high standard. Our waitress Sarah was helpful, moved us to another table as we were a little cold by the open window. Sarah was also extremely familiar with the menu and was really welcoming and friendly. Definitely the best restaurant, I think on Eat Street 🥂

Such a pleasant place with amazing foods! Staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. We ordered plum wine tasting sets, all 5 of them are super tasty and strong enough! The Yuzo tonic was huge and yummy as well! This place definitely deserves 5 stars!

I really loved the portion, even if it was a tad expensive for the amount. We had a nice lunch on the lighter side, with enough food leaving us full and satisfied and not enough to overwhelm. The atmosphere and service is beautiful, and the food as well; flavourful, mouthwatering and everything good. Would come back here again!

The food was absolutely awesome, and the service was really good — the team was friendly and attentive throughout. I gave 3 stars for the atmosphere only because I was hoping for a more traditional Japanese-themed setup to complete the dining experience. Still, the quality of the food and service more than makes up for it. Definitely another restaurant I’ll look forward to visiting whenever we’re in Rotorua. Cheers, Yamato!

We had two rice bowls, sushi and a salad. The chicken rice bowl was average but tasty. The beef rice bowl was amazing. The steak was cooked perfectly and had a wonderful crisp. The biggest sushi roll chunks my wife has ever had. The flavor was 5/5.

Food was very delicious but portions were small for the price (mayo should come as a side rather than extra). Service was great.

We got the chefs selection for $98 (the boat thing) awesome!!!! So yum! The endamame beans, pork tonkatsu😋 (so good!) The Eel nigiri, (melting eel😋) a couple hot Sake's and a couple Asahi's. All up, a couple hundred bucks, but we'll worth it, you'll leave full and not bloated! Highly recommend, and we will keep returning to try the rest of the menu!

We are visiting from Australia and this place is legit sits right up there with the best Japanese that Sydney/Melbourne has to offer. Miso soup was full of flavour (not the packet/pre-mix) Sashimi / salmon was fresh and beautifully cut. Sushi Rice was cooked to perfection.

Had a lovely dinner and breakfast here while staying at the hotel. The staff was friendly and helpful. Dinner was really nice with wonderful flavors and everything was very fresh. I had a pumpkin vegetarian dish that tasted great! The continental breakfast was lovely as well with fruit, bread, pastries, cereals and juices and coffee and tea - just right for our check out morning. Overall very nice. I’d visit again.

We had the degustation with wine matching and couldn't have been more disappointed. The food was all average at best other than the mushroom croquette which was the only item with any real flavour. The wine matching seemed to get smaller and smaller with each course until there was barely a taste of Pinot with the main course. The service was poor never clearing any glasses or plates until the next course came out, and as soon as the last course was put on the table they told us the bar and kitchen was now closed at 8:45pm. I would not go back or suggest anyone does until The Regent decides they actually want to try and provide an experience to be proud of.

A group of six attended the regent for a Christmas high tea. We were very disappointed on the service and food. No one came to give us water or offer us drinks for over 20mins and we had to ask if someone could come and offer us drinks, we were never offered another drink. Our food came and looked like it had been made the day before, and someone went to the local bakery chose three square cut them up and the same with the sandwiches. The bread in one side was dry and the other soggy, it was not worth $45 per person . Extremely disappointed and will not be back.

Thanks to a Chuffed Gifts gift, we had High Tea at The Regent and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great service, nice finger food and tea. Very elegant - thanks, Team.

This Restaurant does not deserve any rating. I'm not one to give reviews but I'm forced to write this review so people can save their buck and probably find a better place to eat out in Rotorua. I ordered a Dry Martini which was basically water with a hint of gin/vodka. Entrée and Mains were appalling with no taste or seasoning and lack of effort for the price they charge in the name of a fine dining restaurant. Pics in the review are of my mains - Venison loin with a blob of potato mash and boiled veges with no seasoning at all and My wife's Entrée - Scallops, which was basically a plate full of boiled scallops with Baileys sauce again with no seasoning or flavour. Really disappointed with this place not recommended for sure.

Had a lovely girls early Christmas lunch last Wednesday. A glass of bubbly, dipping breads, choice of 4 mains, dessert, coffee and Xmas pies, all for $50. Always a good experience.

I book a table at the Regent quite frequently as they are guaranteed to serve good wine, excellent cocktails and wonderful food. Whether I am meeting a friend for tapas and a chat, or booking for a special birthday treat, the regent never disappoints. The wine list is excellent and they make great cocktails but the thing I like best about the Regent is the service. Staff are impeccable but are also warm and friendly, everyone is made to feel welcome. The chef prepares food that is thoughtful, exciting and well crafted. My guests always appreciate their evening at the Regent and I look forward to every time I go there.

Absolutely fantastic food, Just like the motto: 'Just good honest Food' its food that's not just cook and served it is crafted and cured a task which takes time but gets you the pinnacle of the meats flavour and texture which normal only comes from gourmet restaurant... so if your looking for down to earth prices and the best burgers and cooked meats then this is where you want to buy it!

Food was great. The Samosa were huge, biggest I’ve ever gotten. Flavors were really nice. Spice wasn’t really there for a 2/3 level of heat, but all in all a very nice place to eat. We were outside and the vibe was nice. Service was great, refilled waters right away, food came out fast. Portions are a good size for the price.

The food was goods not the best Indian we’ve had, but still good. Would go back if we are in Rotorua and crave Indian. Same can be said for the service. Not above and beyond and by no means rude. Overall, average.

Amazing experience great ambience authentic Indian food Mohit was incredibly helpful in deciding of a menu go to must try with thoroughly enjoy the experience 5 / 5 will come back again

Just wow! My friend and I went to Indian Star and had such an incredible experience. We had Butter Chicken and the Garlic Naan and it was nothing but perfection - especially the chicken was perfectly cooked & the sauce was sooo creamy! We actually fell in love with Indian food thanks to this restaurant! Huge recommendation when you’re in the area!

Warm and inviting Indian restaurant in Rotarua’s Eat Streat. We ordered entree size chicken tikka,butter garlic naans, rice, curries- mild Butter Chicken, Medium Fish Masala, Medium Dal Moong and Hot Lamb Madras which was Indian hot and hotter than usual standards.

I got the pepperoni and hot honey pizza. The pizza was nice but there too much honey which overttook the other flavours

Palak paneer was so good, breads was good. Food was so fantastic we forgot to take photos when it was served. There's chai masala too

Lovely place. You must book especially if you are going there on the weekend. Friendly owner good service and nice food. Salsa was amazing among other things. Gracias amigos!

It really was the best Mexican food I have ever had, and I’ve eaten a LOT of Mexican! The staff were friendly and attentive and lots of smiles. I wish I was staying in Rotorua for longer to sample more of the menu. We shared Chicken Enchiladas and Elotes (Grilled corn on the cob) with Churros for takeaway desert. So delicious I forgot to take photos before it was half gone!

Myself and my husband walked past this beautiful restaurant and it was packed so we knew that the food was amazing! We waited to be seated as there were no available tables, we ordered and OMG our meal was fast and beautiful!!! Absolutely loved it! The best Mexican food in NZ!

I LOVE Mexican food and this place was the BEST! 10/10! We had a huge selection, my daughter had the nuggets and chips and loved em, we had the Jalepeno poppers (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) And the El Queso Con Chirzo was the bomb! The Chimichanga was the best I've ever have. The service was great! Again just the best! Thanks heaps!

Today I dined in at el Mexicano and the food was woofing awesome! I loved the steak and pork belly from the ceilo dish we ordered. Would highly recommend dining in here.

Absolutely Love This Place! I’ve been coming back to this Mexican restaurant in Rotorua ever since my first visit and every time, it’s just as amazing as the first! The food is always fresh, full of flavour, and perfectly seasoned you can really taste the authenticity in every bite. What truly makes the experience special, though, is the outstanding service. Christopher is always friendly, attentive, and goes out of his way to make sure everything is just right. He and the rest of the crew create such a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. It’s rare to find a place where both the food and the service are consistently exceptional, but this restaurant nails it every single time. Definitely one of my favourite spots in Rotorua, can’t wait to come back again!

Our family (2 adults and 2 kids) had an awesome meal at El Mexicano Zapata Cantina! The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, and the service was fantastic. My daughter and I had the paella. It was absolutely delicious and full of flavour. My son loved his BBQ chicken, and my wife really enjoyed her chicken quesadilla. Definitely one of the best family dining experiences we’ve had in a while — we’ll be back for sure! 🌮🌯🇲🇽. Highly recommend making a reservation as this place gets very busy.

OMG it was very good. We didn’t think much of it. Came because the hotel recommended… We had Eggs Benedict and the Omelet of the day (spinach, onion, cheese and bacon). The bread tastes like it is homemade…Also 2 coffees. Everything was great and tasty. Price affordable. Definitely recommend.

Highly recommend this place to everyone who want to celebrate a special day! I had the lamb there and it was juicy, tender, and savory! Entree shrimp was fresh and bouncy as well. Their service was beyond the top! Christian is so professional and friendly! We had good time there and definitely will go back again!

It was pretty quiet when we went because we’re Mexican, so we eat dinner late, but I ordered the fish of the day and wow 🤩 delicious! The fish was perfectly cooked and the sauce was creamy and flavorful! Everyone else also seemed to enjoy their food with the exception of the pumpkin soup which lacked flavor. Good dining experience overall!

The prices are on the higher side, but the food was tasty and well presented. Service was good too.

Chose this place because it was very close to our motel. We both had scotch fillets. My husband's medium-rare one was delicious but my rare one was tough and had a reasonable amount of gristle through it - at over $50 I was not expecting that. It tasted good though and the accompanying diced mushrooms were exceptional. Our berry crumbles were delicious. The service was exceptionally friendly, attentive and refreshingly professional. I loved that there was no music.

We visited Urbano Bistro with our 7-year-old daughter hoping for a pleasant family meal, but left underwhelmed and frustrated. While the service was genuinely good—staff were friendly and attentive—that was about the only positive. My wife’s chicken dish was the sole highlight; it was well-executed and flavorful. Unfortunately, everything else fell flat. My tarakihi fish was painfully average, tasting like something reheated from a supermarket freezer section. The accompanying salad was equally uninspired: limp lettuce with a few haphazard chunks of apple. No dressing, no seasoning, no effort. The real letdown was my daughter’s kids’ menu beef nachos. What arrived was a greasy, stodgey mess—dripping in oil, heavy, and completely unappetatable. She took one bite and pushed it away. I tried it to see if it was salvageable and nearly gagged; it was that oily and dense. For a children’s dish, this was unacceptable. Portions were generous in size but not in quality, and the prices were frankly outrageous for such mediocre (and in some cases, inedible) food. We’ve had far better meals at nearby restaurants for less money. The restaurant itself was clean, but the atmosphere was nonexistent—sterile lighting, no music, no warmth. It felt more like a cafeteria than a bistro. Verdict: Skip Urbano Bistro unless you enjoy overpaying for supermarket-tier food in a soulless setting. There are plenty of better options for family dining in the area. One star for the service and my wife’s chicken—everything else was a miss. Fat Brothers in the CBD was outstanding.

Absolutely beautiful meal. My work colleague and I both had the lamb rump, it was perfectly cooked and accompanying vegetables were delicious. Special of the day dessert - rhubarb and strawberry crumble was a delicious blend of flavours. 10/10 on all counts. Thank you for a lovely evening

Great place to go for breakfast. The customer service was absolutely awesome. Such kind and friendly staff who will actually have a chat with you. Food is delicious and it's a cute little place.

My Favourite Husband was running the Rotovegas marathon today. Which meant I had many hours to kill, alone, on one of the busiest days for the town. Picnic was on the sunny side of the street and right next to the finish line for the event so I assumed it was going to be packed and consequently slow. I was mistaken. Mistaken, because I am never wrong. Ask my Favourite Husband. I don’t generally like eating alone, but I didn’t fancy a generic hotel breakfast where we had stayed the night before. So I channeled my inner brave grown up, and ventured in. Friendly staff, plenty of tables and very reasonable prices. I sat outside in the sun. And within minutes my almond milk chai latte came in a decent sized mug. Not long after, my eggs Benedict arrived. I’d thrown all caution and dietary requirements to the wind, I was part of a marathon by default after all, and I ordered it as it came. Bread and all. Look, I’ll be honest, my expectations were not high. Dammit, I’ll admit it, I actually was wrong. This was perfect. Very generous on the bacon and cooked to crispy, yet succulent perfection. Perfect eggs. Delicious hollandaise. But people, the piece de resistance … the little side of garlicky, basil pesto. Perfection. Next time my Favourite Husband does something silly in Vegas, I’ll be back. Great work. Great value. Great service.

Food 4/5 Service 4/5 Atmosphere 3/5 The egg on toast was good. Serving size was good too. Apple crumble was excellent with vanilla icecream. Cappuccino was ok.

Eating out / ordering takeout meals seemed to be a challenge for my 2-week trip to NZ (Nth Is) - never quite getting what we hoped would be the best version of what we had ordered. But Picnic Cafe in Rotorua was one of a tiny group of exceptions. Breakfast is usually governed by the "soft, warm and savory" rule and what we got was this and more (as hashbrowns are the crunchy exception to the above guidance!!). Tasty and generous, served quickly despite being reasonably busy with friendly/polite service. The prices were also reasonable if even a fracture better than most others. We were lucky to get a parking spot directly out front however being in the central city area parking may be more challenging at other times. This is one that I have saved to my favourites for future trips.

We all agreed on a 5 but I’d give a six if I could - delicious Shakshouka.

picnic breakfast was excellent, amazing hash browns. they also have cut out the puzzles from the papers so there’s lots to choose from which is great!

Had a lovely breakfast for a group of 8 here. They were very accommodating for our large group and straight away ensured that we were seated. Coffee came very quickly and tasted great. Food was slightly smaller portioned for the price but it’s expected at a tourist town. Service was friendly and welcoming.

The Moroccan chicken salad was exceptional. We bought two to go after trying it in house. We would have preferred our coffee a bit hotter especially on a rainy day though.

I came here for breakfast and unfortunately left underwhelmed. The interior feels more like a school canteen than a cosy café, and the only good spot is the outdoor seating where you can at least enjoy the view. From the entrance through to the inside, the place looked visibly dirty, which really put me off. The staff taking orders seemed too serious and didn’t even offer a greeting, which set the tone for the visit. The food itself was just okay – nothing to complain about but nothing memorable either. Overall, I’d only consider this café as a last option.

Food is cooked well and very enjoyable meal Everytime we come service is always excellent was very busy today but still not a long wait not much options on the menu but everything is yum

Great view of the lake! good food but serving’s on the smaller side. not a fan of their chai latte

A beautiful view of the lake with great coffee and food. Awesome staff. Definitely worth the visit.

Great food, friendly and efficient service and lots of parking. We managed to get a table with a view and even saw a little black mittens cat strolling by next door. The (dairy free) banana smoothie was delicious (but a little on the sweet side), the lemon, ginger honey tea was good too. The seafood chowder was very wholesome and had good flavours to it - bread was a little small. The creamy mushrooms with bread was really nice, very generous serve. We took away a strong cappuccino, and that was good too.

We came to try it out on our way through and unfortunately it didn’t live up to its ratings. The view is amazing, but the cafe is noisy due to the design. Very hard to hear anything. The food was very average. We had items out of the cabinet (which they had a large selection) but the food was just ok. Nothing to write home about. The only item any of us would re order was the custard slice. The boys had iced coffee and iced chocolate. Which both were good. I had a hot large coffee. It was brought out way after everything else and was a touch burnt. Sadly there isn’t enough positive here to bring us back again.

Absolutely loved my experience at Le Cafe de Paris in Rotorua! The food was fantastic, especially the crepe — generously portioned and absolutely delicious. The crepe has a touch of sweetness, so if you're not big on sweet treats, I’d recommend letting them know your preference. The cafe exudes a charming French vibe that truly made me feel like I was transported straight to France. The staff were polite and friendly, and service was impressively quick. Overall, a wonderful spot for a taste of France in Rotorua — I’ll definitely be returning!

Absolutely loved the experience of dining at Le Cafe De Paris in Rotorua. What a beautiful atmosphere, the staff were so friendly and welcoming and made you feel at home as soon as you walked in the door. I loved all of the Paris memorabilia, it took me back to when I visited Paris and now I want to go back. The food was absolutely delicious! We ordered toasties and French crepes… superb! The crepes were incredible, and melted in the mouth. Food came out so quickly! I cannot wait until my next visit, I will definitely be back sooner rather than later. Merci

I have never been to Paris but I am guessing that when you enter Le Cafe De Paris that is what a cafe might feel like in Paris France. The atmosphere is amazing. The pictures all over the walls. The smell of fresh baked goods and food being prepared takes you far away yet you are here in this little fantastic cafe. Watching the owner make the crepes was great. She was so skilful. The food was amazing and the everyday breakfast was so with the value. It’s a shame I have never been to this place before even after coming to Rotorua since 2002. We had the everyday breakfast, crepes suzettes, almond croissants, pot of tea and a Latte. Lovely service and great food.

The owner is French - very authentic food. She is also very nice and friendly. The food is excellent and so is the coffee. This is one of our favorite restaurants in Rotorua. The only complaint I have is that it is rather pricey; we mostly go on special occasions. If it were less expensive, we would definitely go more often. Note that the restaurant itself is not very large so it does tend to fill up during normal meal times.

Très bien! What a lovely café in the heart of Rotorua! We came across Paris Café while walking around the city centre and were greeted by such friendly staff. We ordered a big brekkie and two crêpes to share—banana & Nutella, and lemon & sugar. Both were delicious! I loved the aesthetics of the café—decorated with charming French-themed details, it had such a cute and cozy vibe. It was quite packed, but that just added to the lively atmosphere. A great spot for both sweet tooths and savoury lovers. Highly recommend!

Absolutely love this cafe and the food served here. Watching the galettes in the making is pretty special, and the omelettes are outstanding. Great coffee too, and the staff are super friendly. Highly recommend!

Le Café de Paris is a real gem in Rotorua — it feels like you’ve stepped straight into a Parisian café. The food is absolutely delicious and beautifully presented; fresh pastries, perfect coffee, and generous portions at very reasonable prices. The staff are warm, friendly, and genuinely welcoming, creating a relaxed atmosphere where you feel like a regular even on your first visit. The café itself is spotless, with a lovely French ambience and plenty of seating. It’s rare to find this level of quality and value together. Highly recommended for breakfast, brunch, or just a great coffee and croissant. Will definitely be back!

What a delicious meal we had. Quick service and great food! We definitely recommend this place.

In late August, we arrived at 7:40pm and the kitchen closes at 8:30pm. We were the only diners but they made us a delicious meal. The reception area, bar and dining rooms were lovely and clean.

Excellent meal and drinks recommend Had the pork belly fantastic moist with the crispy crackle, seafood chowder plenty of fish and shrimp Excellent service

Great burgers and steak, service was wonderful the menu is not the same as website less options

Came to dine and was very pleased we did great food and service

Great food, weird vibe.

I love this market great atmosphere. Great stalls. All sorts of food. Yum.

Shifted to kuirau park unknowing since last week we heard! So the winds were blowing cold in the evening so load up on the clothes! Near the playground so it’s good for the kids to burn while we take turns to buy food and eat together. Oven baked pizza ham and pineapple was yummy with chewy crust base nzd23. deep fried prawn, fatty pork + Charsiew noodle soup was fantastic to warm the stomach, plus a nzd10 meaty hotdog to end the day for our family of 2+2. Wanted to soak leg but winds were too cold didn’t prep the kIds enough warm clothes today!

🌃 Rotorua Night Market is an absolute gem! Stepping into this vibrant hub, I was pleasantly surprised by the infusion of Asian culture in a predominantly Western setting. Open only on Thursdays, the atmosphere is electric, with palpable enthusiasm evident in the bustling crowds, long queues, and contagious joy all around. One standout attraction is the automated donut station, a testament to the Western penchant for technological innovation. It's fascinating to witness how technology enhances even the simplest pleasures. Moreover, towards the end of the market, a Chinese stall beckons with irresistible offerings, boasting the most value-packed meals. True to Asian hospitality, despite the bustling queues, the stall owners are incredibly kind and efficient, ensuring prompt service and delicious fare. Their mention of winning accolades for their street-side stall only adds to their credibility. If you find yourself in town, I highly recommend paying a visit to Chinese Siu Mei. It's an experience not to be missed, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the rich tapestry of flavors and cultures that make Rotorua Night Market a must-visit destination.

Been to countless night markets in Auck, this was however more spacious and plenty of room for buyers to mingle and enjoy the evening vibe. Held on a Thursday weekly from 5 to 9pm . Lots of new stuff to try out . Dont miss If your in Roto for a visit.

Great experience. Enjoy the variety of cultures, meals, smells...also live singers. Nice evening walk with music and great food. Night market between 17-21h.

Good range of food trucks! Unfortunately it's mostly food available & only a few non food stalls.. Was looking forward to shopping for local craft or inedible Rotorua souvenirs.. Recommended for the experience though...

We definitely love the wide range of food stalls and other items. Buskers at both ends of the market with appreciative crowds sitting and having a feed while listening. The crowd level was reasonable with a number of stalls with queues. We decided to buy sourdough bread, almond croissants and sweets. The bakery products were top-notch. Unfortunately I couldn't remember the name of the stall business.

Very impressed with the mains here. Both the spicy lemongrass beef and the grilled lemongrass pork vermicelli salad was of high standards. The broth from the noodle soup was so good and especially nice in cold weather. The beef pieces were tender but slightly lacking in flavour by itself but luckily the broth makes up for the flavour. The lemongrass pork was so yummy and tender, cannot complain about that dish at all. The vermicelli tofu roll was a bit underwhelming for me. Plain flavour and relies on the sauce too much. Overall though, one of the better Viet restaurants I have been to in NZ.

Second time ordering food from here. i am always impressed with the quality and flavour. I did an order through Uber eats and both dishes arrive hot and yummy. I ordered the Grilled Pork Baguette and Pork Fried Rice both tasty but the baguette was my favourite.

Great friendly service. Food was delivered quick and was super tasty. Great flavours and option to add your own spice to the level you want from the table sauces. The grilled chicken noodle soup was really good.

Delicious food and great service! Everything we ordered was super tasty and came out really fast. The staff were friendly and attentive, prices are really reasonable and awesome quality. Definitely recommend if you’re craving Vietnamese food!

I came here about a year ago and loved the pho and other dishes — everything was really tasty back then. Tried it again recently because I remembered how good it was, but this time was really disappointing. The noodles were overcooked, short, and broke apart easily, and the portion was much smaller than before. Later, I talked with a friend and they said they had the same experience too. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be coming back again.

Worst food. I ordered a salad. Recieved my salad drowning in a weird tasting liquid. Ordered salad. Not soup. My son ordered lemon grass chicken on rice. Don't buy it. You pay just under 20 bux and get mostly rice a lettuce Wheres the actual chicken. Way over priced for the quantity you receive and really is not that great at all.

It was our first time in Rotorua and tried this Vietnamese restaurant because of the good reviews. And oh boy, we really loved their food that we ate there twice! We tried their Lemongrass Pork Chop + Crispy Chicken + Fried Noodles with Chicken / Pork and all were good and portion was big. Would love to go back here when we visit Rotorua again.

The food here is absolutely incredible! Truly authentic Indian homestyle cooking that feels like it was made with love straight from someone’s kitchen. Every dish is rich in flavor, perfectly spiced, and tastes just like the comfort food I grew up with. Portions are generous, ingredients are fresh, and the warmth in every bite makes this place stand out. If you’re looking for genuine Indian home cooking, this is the spot— kadhi Pakora highly recommend!

Heard alot about this place . The food was pathetic no salt no taste. Bhel puri expired bhel was used so soft texture that almost seemed spoilt same with the dhai sev puri . Veg chowmin was so bad it was like they poured tomato ketchup and soy sauce. When we asked them to pack the remaining food a person came inside and took the remaining food to pack inside when he was packing he was eating from the plate it so weird to see

Delicious and great value ! We had a big thali for 2 (4 curries, 4 breads, rice, 2 samosas and an onion salad). Everything was full of flavors. The owners are very nice ☺️ highly recommend !

One of the best place to enjoy Indian cuisines at best price and the services from staff and owner are amazing. They are friendly and happy to serve you :) Must visit :))

Yum!!! Decided to order Uber eats due to the deals that were running atm, really glad I did because it was delicious and the portions are large.

Absolutely loved the experience at Delhi Hut! 🌟 If you're looking for authentic, delicious, and pure vegetarian Indian food, this place is a gem. The flavors were rich and traditional, reminding me of homemade food. The sweets were fresh and perfectly balanced. The staff was super friendly, and the service was quick. I also really appreciate that they have vegan options and outdoor seating. Great atmosphere, clean setup, and even good if you want to relax while watching some sport. Highly recommended for anyone craving genuine Indian snacks, sweets, or meals. I’ll definitely be coming back! 🙌

Few days into our trip we were craving for a home cooked meal and the food here felt just like that - Amazing freshly cooked and simple meal just like home. There are several curry options to choose from and the staff is very warm and welcoming too. Highly recommend this place!

This lane called Eat Street on Rotorua has fantastic restaurants and pubs and some come with live bands. A must visit location where you have so much to choose from 👍👍👍

It's ok overall, it does come off as touristy. Folks will sometimes call at you if your just browsing the menus which is a bit annoying. I've found a mix of quality here. Edit: added photos You can also walk around the area, your right next to the lake walk here. It's a decent area overall.

So much options to choose from! my favourite was Mac's steak house. quick service of food and venison dish waa really good with mushroom risotto! would recommend!

MAC STEAKHOUSE had fish and chips..and lamb shanks..very very nice...pleasant staff..will return

We went at lunch time during the week. It’s summer now. A la carte is always a vibe. Definitely a place to visit if you’re in Rotorua.

Mac’s steakhouse serve Delicious food , good price and live environment.

Eat Street Rotorua is a fantastic spot for dining and drinks in the heart of the city. There’s a nice selection of restaurants offering a wide range of foods to suit any taste — from casual bites to more refined meals. It’s also a great place to relax with a drink, with plenty of ales, wines, and creative cocktails on offer. The central location makes it easy to get to, and the lively atmosphere carries on well into the evening. A perfect place to enjoy good food, good company, and a vibrant Rotorua vibe.

Great meal really enjoyed it and recommend this place for steak meals We ordered the mussel bowl garlic bread bone marrow natural and deep fried oysters and and the stone grill surf n turf box for two Everything was yummy and cooked well we enjoyed the sauces that came with it and meat was very tender and flavourful also enjoyed cooking it ourselves will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu atmosphere is great very welcoming and warm even though we sat outside on a rainy day the heaters worked well a lot of tables to dine on staff were excellent and attentive water was cold

My husband and I enjoyed a lively lunch ch here. We were the only customers at the time but the food was really quick to be served which is always a bonus! I had a chicken pesto linguine and he had pork ribs served with chips and salad which we both thoroughly enjoyed. The pasta was so creamy and tasty. Alot of space available for diners. Nice bar. Lovely customer service as well.

We were craving something meaty and smoky, and it delivered. A solid dining experience all around. We got the lamb ribs. They were so delicate they fell right off the bone, and beautifully coated in chimichurri that elevated the natural flavour of the lamb. The sticky pork bites were succulent and tender, with perfectly rendered fat and a nice tangy apple-garlic glaze. We also shared the smoked chicken and pesto linguine, rich and creamy. A little too creamy for my liking and the pesto flavour could’ve come through a bit more. Still, the chicken and bacon combo worked really well.

We had lunch today and I must say that the foods were so tasty, super yummy and appetising! We couldn’t stop saying “this is really good!!” The chef did his job making our tummies really happy! He even did above and beyond for putting pineapple for my son’s pizza as he always wants his pizza with pineapple. The waiter was helpful and made sure we can have good deal on their menu! Oh boy! This is going to be our go-to now when we visit Rotorua again!! Thank you, CBK! It was an incredible dine in experience for us! :)

One table is available here, which is a great when more than two is dining out. So, our table was reserved and we did not hesitate on what we were ordering. (We thought we over ordered lets just say not much was taken home 😁) The service was very efficient and polite the wait for our food was not long at all, you were also given an option have it all served together eg: like your pudding soon after your main meal. I would like to mention that my moko spilt her coke and was very distressed about it the waitress was very polite and helped calm her down (most appreciated

Their 2 person shared platter for $65 was phenomenal value, steak cooked perfectly, chowder was amazing and sides were excellently seasoned. Only minor improvement would be to take the lobster tail off the grill a tad earlier. Bone marrow also delicious but bit pricey. Service was attentive without being overbearing, waiter offered a tasting of ciders when I wasn’t sure which I wanted. Will definitely be back next time I’m in town!

Fantastic, fresh craft beers, and they seem to keep their lines in tip top shape. Great food. Excellent service - the waiter remembered me and was consistently friendly and professional. Definitely recommend!!

Ella is the best! Amazing young lady and sweet! Food has always been great here, but tonight my pork was a little tough and do not have crackling. Love dining here though. 🥰

Super busy day today due to Matariki night. However the staff were professional. On top of that the food from this lonestar is really good compared to a few other branches that I have been to. We were not that hungry so we ordered from the light menu. The quesadilla was crispy and the amount of filling was just right. The burrito however was too heavy for me. We were expecting more rice and beans but it was just full of meat even though it was from a light menu. It didn't taste bad but I got tired of it quickly and really wished they had a more balanced taste. The guac and the tortilla chips were good though.

Lovely birthday celebration restaurant for whole the family. Everything was tasty and fresh. Recommend dishes, prawn star, ribs, garlic loaf, mussels, Dixie chicken and the milky bar pud!! Leigh our waitress was amazing service too! They even brought m out a free pavlova and candle for the birthday girl.

Our waitress Ella was absolutely wonderful, she made the experience cosy and inviting. The food wasn’t as great as it usually is, might be a different chef vut it was still yum. Always love coming here for the country vibes

My partner and I went there on the evening Wednesday 29 October. Sam hosted us, and even though it was her second day, she was absolutely so professional. The place.. divine, and the atmosphere and variety of food/drinks were great.

First of all the waitresses were really cheerful and polite and introduced themselves to us. Secondly they asked us the right questions concerning our meal and were very attentive to us. The food tasted delicious and were of the right portion for one person. My husband and myself were pleasantly impressed by this Lone Star. Thanks for a lovely meal and evening.

We have been to lone star twice now and were impressed both times. The first time however the mussels were in a pot and kept warm which was amazing. And the service was fantastic even though they were incredibly busy. Unfortunately the second time the mussels weren't as good and got cold quickly as they were in a bowl (this is an upper management decision and nothing to do with the restaurant 😊) but the manager did offer to take the mussels off the bill because they were not great. I take my hat off to anyone who treats their customers like this. AMAZING!! We will be back. Hopefully with pot mussels again

We booked a table for a family of 10 (little worried we may not have been seated) Enjoyed the atmosphere was fascinated by the robots who were serving patrons. (This is the future I suppose) they also stress if the aisle is blocked. 🚫 😐 😍 We all enjoyed our meals if anything we over ordered 🤣😆 They have a little arcade for kids as well.

Dined with a party of 3. Seating hostess was polite and helpful. We were seated quite fast and our meals didnt take to long to arrive on the robot. Waitress checked on us to see if we were happy with our meal. Which we were. Clean and tiday. Great staff. Not too badly priced.

The foods are great. Services are good with the courtesy of the staffs make the atmosphere even better. Reasonably priced. Overall …. 👍

Just like the old days! Except the servings of Cobb Crunches are smaller, and they are a slightly different texture and taste. And the mocktails are all slushies now, but still good.

Massive portions! Our son loved the robot and his fish and chips (you can take the kid out of Yorkshire but you can’t take Yorkshire out of him!) Food was really tasty and definitely family friendly

Food was good love the robot the puzzle chart on the menu.Ethan was a bubble kind server and didn’t hesitate to go back to the kitchen to get my burger and chips my burger to the right temperature as my first burger was luke warm. Thank you kindly.

Great atmosphere,family friendly and the staff and service are both fantastic! Sadly both pasta dishes that we ordered were lacking,the seafood tasted like it has been frozen,the bacon was un der cooked and was probably ham not bacon! And the pasta was over done and simply too much cheese,would it kill you to garnish the pasta dishes too? The chicken salad and burger looked great and tasted amazing so well done for that!

We ordered eggs on toast, shashuka eggs, mince on toast. Scrambled eggs. Tbh, not the best experience the eggs are a bit runny and soggy. My friend ordered shashuka. She said it’s 👍 with good seasoning. Also, mince on toast is well-seasoned with a nice depth of flavor. It hit the comfort food spot, but it was a bit too oily. Overall, the food are decent and I would recommend to visit.

A decent spot in Rotorua with promise! Not a bad option, and one that seemed less busy on the day. A good range of options available! The open steak sandwich, despite not being “open” (just an observation), was well executed. The onion rings were a fun addition. The sauce I’d wanted from the menu wasn’t available, and staff didn’t ask what alternative I’d like — not a big deal, but it would’ve been nice if they had. It was also a little tricky eating from a high-rimmed plate; maybe serving the fries separately would help. At least everything was tasty! The chicken and bacon waffles were phenomenal — neatly presented, perfectly cooked, and needed nothing fancy. I ordered a white chocolate mocha but received a regular one, still delicious, and not worth the hassle of changing after waiting. Still, a quick order check with customers could help avoid small mix-ups, especially when it’s not too busy. Maybe it was just a one-off error, but it would be good to check this with customers in the future.

We enjoyed hearty, tasty food here and came back twice as the coffee and breakfast was so good. The Mini Beni was just perfect.

Food as very well presented and very flavorful... Vegan meals and options were great. We had the vege stack and it was AMAZING our 4yr and 1yr old smashed them and I had to order another for me! Chicken burger and Mince on toast was also yum! Coffee and food came out fast and the service was great. Serving size could have been slightly bigger for the Burger and Mince on toast but we will be back next time.

the food was soooooo good and they were very generous with the portions! highly recommend the open steak sandwich & the chicken fungi!! 10/10 🤩

Went today and sampled their breakfast/brunch. I had equivalent of a big breakfast, where to start.. well presented! Tasted as good as it looked! I genuinely say this is the best breakfast I have had in Rotorua in a long time by far! And I've had a few! No exageration! Coffee was good too! And my friend agreed! Recommend!

Food here was pretty good. Venison burger was lovely and moist with a beautiful gamey venison flavour. I liked that there weren't too many extra toppings and seasonings to take away from the flavour of the patty. The patty was quite small so a bigger patty would have been great. The lentil and kumara soup was a hearty and warming delicious soup. The only thing holding it back from a 5 star was just a few inconsistencies. The baked goods weren't quite as tasty. The frittata lacked flavour, and the snickers slice didn't have any peanut flavour. Plus, it had a very odd sandy texture that was off-putting. The service could be improved. 2 different waiters brought us a portion of the frittata, and some drinks arrived at the table quite late on in our meal. Our table felt very sticky and probably hadn't been cleaned in a while

We had our wedding reception here and what amazing time it was. Kaylee and the team really did the most amazing job with our special day. The way they catered to our every need and made us and our guests feel most welcome. The new design of the premises was loved by us and all of our guests. The food was delicious with so many options and a beautiful wide selection of drinks on offer for us and the guests, we just want to thank Kaylee and the team for making our day so effortless. Please don’t hesitate to pop in and visit these guys if you are looking at hosting an event in Rotorua.

Stopped here by chance - it is fantastic. Great food and coffee and a beautiful environment with an amazing children’s play area tucked off to one side with plenty of quiet spots for adults. Good to see local art on the walls. Friendly helpful staff. A must if you are looking for a great breakfast/lunch in Rotorua. Noticed it is a bar in the evening - wish we had known yesterday.

I've been to a couple of events at Terrance kitchen. It is such a cool vibe and the staff are so lovely! The indoor/outdoor flow is perfect, the kai is yummy, and did I mention the staff are amazing! Highly recommend considering Terrance Kitchen for your next event.

I had brunch here and it was excellent. The interior design, food, atmosphere, staffs..everything is very satisfying. The weather wasn't great but I will definitely be here for sunny day again. The portion of the food was just right maybe a bit a lot for me. It would be better if you eat them when it's served. Waffle was great but I ate it a bit late so it was a bit cooler. Still I like the sauce and dressing. Good place for brunch =)

Great services and atmosphere, both indoor and outdoor. Both chicken salad and vegan skillets had great flavours. The fried chicken tasted crispy and fresh, wasn't greasy at all; the beans in the vegan skillets added extra texture to the dish. Definitely coming back another time!

Absolutely loved the vibe at this cafe/restaurant. Clean, sophisticated, beautiful outdoor area... the staff were friendly and attentive. The food DELICIOUS! A good mix of vegetarian options and great brunch lineup. This was my second visit and I was just as satisfied as the first. Highly recommend this if you have a day or two in Rotorua 😊 The mushroom bruschetta (with GF bread) and Eggs Benni were $22 each just to give you an idea of price. 🤑

The food and service were excellent. All our dishes were delicious and well prepared. The server was extremely attentive throughout our dinner. Highly recommend.

Cutting corners. We went there for lunch and ordered their pad thai noodles (both chicken and vegetarian version). We asked for hot for the vegetarian version but there was no spice added at all. Moreover, the vegetables were mushy because they were FROZEN vegetables. Additionally, the noodles when served were not actually hot but more warm to lukewarm which showed that it needed more time to be properly cooked. Lastly, the customer service could have been better. The waiter did greet and give us menus but never came back to check in on us or the food. We were served once in the beginning when they took the order and had gone all the way to payment with no additional service. This is quite unusual as we’ve been to other Thai places before and they are usually great customer service. Just to preface, this place was not super busy either - there were quite a few empty seats when we went for lunch. All in all, for the price you are paying (which is a bit pricier), the service and the food quality is not justified or matched here. There are many other Thai places in Rotorua that are better worth your time and money. They also serve you fresh vegetables :)

We came here for dinner after a long day of trekking around. We both wanted something warm and on the lighter side since it was late in the evening. I got the soup, which came with a huge order of rice. The portion for the soup was also deceptively large too. The bowl didn't look all that big but they did fill it with vegetables and chicken breast meat. I couldn't finish everything. The flavors were solid and service was pretty fast for how busy it was.

Really bad. We ordered spring rolls and the corn fritters and they were greasy and deep fried, the spring rolls seemed to be cheap freezer style ones. It was inedible so we cancelled our mains. I'm leaving this not only review only to warn others, but also to inspire these guys to up their standard. 😠

I recently dined at Wild Rice Thai Rotorua in Rotorua, New Zealand, and it was a delightful experience! 🌟 The restaurant's cozy ambiance and friendly staff made me feel right at home. The food was incredible each dish bursting with authentic Thai flavors. 🍜 I highly recommend trying their Green Curry and Pad Thai, both of which were cooked to perfection. If you're in Rotorua and craving Thai cuisine, Wild Rice Thai Rotorua is a must visit spot! 🍽️

Me and my partner had our anniversary dinner here last week after going for a nice spa nearby. Man the food was hot and fresh! We appreciated the lovely waitress checking on us regularly to see how the meal was, she was even accommodating to our special requests. We enjoyed some chargrilled pork, roti breads, mixed plate entrees. The Thai iced tea is delicious too. We love everything about this restaurant, we usually come here for a family birthday etc. Keep up the great service guys! Love the authenticity and genuine care from your staff.

Had a great experience here. The restaurant is very clean and has comfy table and chairs. Hats off to the attended who made us welcome and looked after us so well all through. Food came much earlier than expected as the restaurant was buzzing. Delicious food at a fair price. The lady owner was nice, kids were given a free bottle of drink. Highly recommended, A++

The food was amazing. Can do a spicy level however you want. Lots of options according to the meat you want. Been to others thai restaurants too but this place was lit. And staff are really friendly and attentive.

We stopped in for late lunch and really enjoyed it — the pizzas were delicious and the entrées were great too. The menu had plenty of vegetarian options, which was a big plus. The only downside was a bit of an odd smell inside the restaurant (a dehumidifier would definitely help). We sat outside instead, which made for a much nicer experience. Overall, tasty food and worth a visit!

We visited Mamma Rosa not for pizza (though the wood-fired aroma was incredibly tempting), but for dessert — and we’re so glad we did! The tiramisu was the best we’ve ever had. It was perfectly soaked biscuit layers with sweet, creamy goodness. The brownie was also rich and moist, with a scoop of ice cream that balanced it beautifully. Outstanding desserts!

An authentic Italian atmosphere within the restaurant and the service was excellent. We're both vegetarian and there was a whole section of pizza options on the menu catering for us which is something we don't often find in pizza restaurants. The food arrived and it was amazing. From the hand-made base to the toppings and and that extra flavour you get from a wood fired oven. We were truly happy. Keep up the great work.

We ate here last night - and so glad we did! We got there early so it was empty but wasn’t long before others came. Best pizzas we have ever had! The homemade hand stretched bases were so light and delicious and the toppings were fresh! We also got the caprese to share for entree and it was such a fresh way to start the meal! Will def be back when we are in Rotorua!

The Italian salad stood out as one of the finest salads I've ever tasted. It boasted freshness with its combination of mozzarella, olives, and tomatoes. The Mamma Special Pizza was also delightful. However, the $45.00 bottle of wine listed was disappointing. The wine selection was quite limited, leaving little variety to choose from. Despite this, I would revisit solely for the salad, as it was truly exceptional. The staff was attentive, and the food was delivered promptly.

Pizza is fantastic. Would've given a higher rating for food but my Ceasars salad was a bit on the 'mean' side portion wise heaps of salad and no egg. Chicken and croutons very small.

Firstly, if you are looking for an Italian restaurant this is not the place for you because they only serve you Pizza and Salad. I have to admit while I was searching for a place to eat with my partner, I was a bit worried about "can an Indian chef make good pizzas?" Amazingly, they actually made really good salads and pizzas!!! Service was great 👍 Pizzas were so delicious 😋 Handmade, wood fire oven, the size is perfect for a person to fully enjoy the pizza. No wonder they earned 4.5 here, they do deserve it and I love it!

Fantastic Italian Experience in Rotorua! Giovanni Rotorua delivers on all fronts—delicious food, warm ambiance, and outstanding service. The dishes were beautifully presented and full of authentic Italian flavor, especially the lasagna and creamy mushroom chicken. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, making us feel right at home. Plus, there's plenty of parking, which makes the visit even more convenient. A must-visit spot in Rotorua for food lovers!

I picked up a takeaway order from Giovanni's Italian Restaurant and it was fantastic. I can honestly say they serve the best Italian food in Rotorua, and the quality really shows. I ordered the Gnocchi with Bolognese sauce and was impressed by both the flavor and portion size. The Bolognese was rich and hearty, clearly slow-cooked to perfection, and the gnocchi were tender and perfectly prepared. The serving was massive, definitely great value for money. I also tried their Quattro Formaggi Pizza with added spinach and bacon. The four cheese blend was incredible and my additions complemented it beautifully. The crust had that perfect balance of crispy and chewy that you want in a great pizza. Both dishes were absolutely amazing. You can tell they use quality ingredients and take real care with their cooking. The takeaway service was really quick too, which was perfect when I was hungry and ready to eat! If you're craving authentic Italian food in Rotorua, Giovanni's is the place to go. I'll definitely be returning soon!

Amazing food. Went there last night and had the carbonara pasta and gnocchi bolognaise. Everything was tasty. Definitely recommend. Service was good, chef was very friendly and the atmosphere was great with some classical Italian music.

A True Taste of Italy! We had a wonderful dining experience at Giovanni Italian Restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warm hospitality and a cozy, authentic atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious — every dish was rich in flavor and beautifully presented. The pasta was fresh and cooked to perfection, and the wood-fired pizza had the perfect crisp and chew. We especially loved the tiramisu — one of the best we’ve ever had! The service was attentive and friendly, even with our large group. The staff made sure we were well looked after without being intrusive. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a genuine Italian dining experience. We’ll definitely be back!

Beautifully made fresh pasta and flavourful pizza. This place takes pride in their food. Was only my first visit and so looking forward to going back. It was a bit busy and only two people working but the wait was worth it.

Really enjoyed our meal last night at Giovanni’s Lovely atmosphere and tasty food. Service was great too. Would definitely go back and highly recommend

Fantstic service, and excellent food. Sadly my stomach is not large enough to eat everything on the menu. Will be back again - Highly recommend 😋😋😋

Went here lastnight for dinner with my little family. Nice selection of food! and everything was cooked to perfection😍 We dine at alot of buffets, one our fave is Auckland Cordis Hotel. But this one is by far one of our faves, lovelovelove 👏👏👏 My fave was the Delish Pesto Pasta😜 (My 10yr Old son has never had pesto before and he enjoyed a whole plate of it) Fresh Fat and Creamy Oysters👌 Quality Rawfish👌 King sized prawns👌 Well cooled mussels👌 Spiced Butter chicken👌 (My 9yr old daughter would not eat octopus but when she ate the creamy seafood chowder I was suprized she ate a whole bowl) We cleaned out the oysters👀 and when I requested for more the guy served it to us😂👌 Beautiful presentation with the desserts, loved the selection of Ice cream or sorbe👌 I never made it to the desserts cause the food was just awesome! And thats a first tbh😂 Enviroment was clean, quiet and the service was great! When my kids compliment the food, on every plate they dished, its a 5 STAR for dining for sure‼️💯🔥 Thank you for having us✌️

We always enjoy our dining experience here . Could have a few more food selections but the oysters definitely make up for it

To the management and staff, my family and I would like to thank you so much for a great dining experience. Food was delicious and promptly replenished as soon as a dish was emptied. Well worth it and the waitress was very entertaining to our children. The front of house gentleman was exceptionally outstanding and very welcoming. All in all we all went home with full and happy bellies and will be recommending Chapman’s Restaurant to our families and friends. This is my 4 th time dining at the buffet and it never disappoints. Also thanks for my birthday gift of a free buffet. Nga Mihi Dianne Wallace

Incredible food, especially the seafood. The fish was outstanding and fresh. Amazing service from the staff and it was a special way to celebrate my Mum's 65th birthday. Highly recommend the sticky date pudding too! Thanks so much for an awesome evening with top notch service and beautiful food.

Always enjoy my Chapman's experience anytime we're down from Auckland. Staff is always friendly, food is always great although could do with a bit more variety. In saying that, the endless supply of fresh oysters more than makes up for it. See you next time we're in RotoVegas!

We were a group of 18 adults and Jaimee made us feel so welcome and checked in our drink levels etc through out the night, cleared our dishes and took photos for us! Food was yummy, the roast beef and the oysters were a favorite 😍 Pudding was yummy as too.... mmmm mango mousse 💯 Great service and great food with beautiful friends.....

Caitlin was personable, and efficient, customer friendly .we really like her, had her 3 nights that we stayed here.

We went to Happy Hour last night. 3 cocktails I wanted could not be made due to lack of ingredients. Husband wanted a bourbon and coke.... Had to wait 15 minutes for this while she goes to get coke. The cocktail was not a double as requested it was barely a single. Very disappointed. HPpy hour was a sad hour so went to the Pullman where it was exceptional service.

We dined here on Monday night and got the Caesar salads (both types). They were well made salads with a slight twist (croquettes and mushroom balls). There is a fireplace inside the dining area which would be nice in cooler months. Service was also good. Would give this 4.5 star.

We've really enjoyed the dinner menu here. Meats are cooked perfectly and very tasty (though, for someone who loves eating more vegetables and salads, you may want to order another side dish / dish)

We came here the other day while staying at the Prince's Gates hotel. We had the early bird three course menu. The entree was kumara soup and the camembert wedges. The kumara soup is quite yum, pairs well with the bread and the portion was generous. Compare to the soup, the wedges was just ok. I think it is lacking some component, maybe needing a salad with it. It doesn't make sense how much you get with the soup option and the cheese wedge option being only 4 cubes of it. The mains we had was the rib eye steak and the chicken. Both options was the highlight of the meal, very well cooked, every components of the dish was excellent. Love the mash potato, roasted veges together. For dessert we had the caramelised custard and the brownie. The custard was too well-done, as it actually gone past the creaminess and become eggy. The orange citrus taste was not bad, the shortbread was just average and could be better. The brownie was good, but could be better pair with a lighter flavour ice cream like vanilla as chocolate kind of overlaps and becomes flavour fatigue after a strong flavoured meal. All in all, the early bird three course meal was still very enjoyable and will highly recommend it to others.

One of the best places to dine in Rotorua. We had our dinner here the first night arriving to Rotorua and it was such a wonderful experience ! The staff was very nice, polite and professional. He greeted us with the warmest and most welcoming attitude. The food was excellent, everything was delicious and well displayed. Restaurant layouts and ambiance is super elegant and fabulous. I have nothing to complain and I am highly recommended this place. Our trip to Rotorua wouldn’t be that great without Duck’s Bar & Restaurant. A huge thanks to the owner, the manager, the chefs and the staffs in here, please carry on with the hard work and we will definitely come back here in the future :)

We were there for lunch. Expect lesser food options compared to a normal cafe or restaurant. Food prices were slightly on the high side with relatively smaller portions. Ambience was great and suitable for a high tea setting.

We were dining here twice and had an amazing experience. The food was delicious. We were impressed with the service and atmosphere in this restaurant. Thanks a lot❤️

Eat here!!!! When visiting Rotorua, we wanted to try food that featured ingredients from the area. Ani’s Gin Bar and Tapas delivered!!! We had comfort foods like arancini (Italian rice balls with cheese), fries, and chicken wings and local foods we had never tried like kahawai, a delicious smoked fish that they fried in a croquette. I’m not a big fish person but I LOVED it!!!! My husband’s favorite was the cream paua and pancetta ravioli. Paua is a local abalone like shell fish. We got vegetarian croquettes made from kumara, a local root vegetable. They were delicious and had a great red pepper and cashew sauce. For dessert we had the cinnamon spiced fried bread bites! They were amazing beignets like desserts with caramel and crème pat!!!! I’m not a big gin person and has a delicious glass of wine. Everything was sooooo wonderful that I got the deconstructed bao to take home for breakfast. The service was amazing too!!! Our waiter was the nicest and explained things we had questions about. The food came out fast but was clearly made to order and super fresh! This is probably the best place I’ve eaten all year and was definitely the best place we ate on our trip. The price point is incredible for the quality of food. The tapas style is great because it allowed us to try lots of things. This experience made our trip. Thank you to the amazing cook and the wonderful waiter!!! We are so filled with gratitude for the food and the whole experience. I’ve put a picture of the menu below with red marks by the items we got. Definitely go here!!!!

This place is a real hidden gem, all the food was amazing and delicious, and the cocktails were also amazing! It’s in an unassuming location away from the central restaurants but it is 100% worth it, if you are ever in Rotorua please go! I really hope this place gets the recognition it deserves, it’s a local Māori family owned business serving up the most amazing food.

The food, staff and vibes at Ani's were outstanding. The kai was incredibly flavoursome and great for sharing, and the selection of gins from Aotearoa extensive. The pork belly was crunchy and crispy on the outside but melted in the mouth, the beef cheek was so tender it could have been broken apart with a spoon, and the pikopiko and watercress pesto was delicious. Everything was amazing, perfectly cooked and beautifully seasoned. Staff were friendly and cheerful with great sense of humour.

Exceptional dining experience tonight with my partner! All meals we had were delicious, but their pan fried fish sliders took the prize tonight - and that’s even from a partner that doesn’t normally like fish (sorry forgot a photo as was that tasty)!! Hats off to the ladies here for a great experience and tasty meals!! Would highly recommend and also re-visit.

Have just had an amazing dinner. Shared beautiful tapas smoked fish croquettes and mushroom and cheese arancini chicken nibbles and then pork ribs. Desserts were great fried bread finger licking good. My brother and sister in law tried several of the gin flavours and enjoyed all of their choices favourite bring the grapefruit gin.

Small intimate place off the main road. At first unassuming but you quickly recognize the good service and fantastic food. Recommend trying the cocktails which are $17 each from 5:00pm - 6:30, very tasty and boozy. The garlic bread was so soft and plenty of it, crispy heihei to die for, arancini is a must for cheese lovers, and the kumara croquet are delightful with the red pepper paste and micro greens. These chefs know what they are doing! The cheesecake and mousse for dessert will not disappoint with great presentation. Ani's gin bar is a wee gem you will find if you look beyond the usual eat streat location. I hope they continue to grow and nab themselves bigger premises to host more patrons as this wee secret is uncovered. Will definitely be going back!

I recently visited ANIs with some friends, and although there was a bit of a wait due to limited staffing, the experience was well worth it. The food was exquisite, and the passionfruit mojito was exceptional. The atmosphere added to the experience, providing a relaxing and enjoyable setting.

We booked for 8 adults and 2 kids (toddler and baby) and they reserved a high table for us, not great for the toddler and elder we had with us but fine. Service was great, server was lovely and food and drinks came out in reasonable time. Wasn't too busy for 6pm on a Friday night. The food was okay, I ordered the fish & chips and the kids fish & chips for my toddler. The fish was ok, batter was light and seasoned, came with an average coleslaw, not convinced the tartar sauce was actually tartar since it tasted like mayo. Chips were nice and crispy though. The kids meal however was the same as the adult meal just with slightly smaller fish fillet and tomato sauce instead of tartar. Would have been better if they were fish bites or something, my toddler didn't want any of the fish even after I cut it up for her (and she's not super fussy). Partner got the mussel bowl, said the sauce was good.

I had an amazing dining experience at SOBAR Surf & Turf with my friend! The pork ribs were delicious—falling off the bone, super tender, and packed with delicious BBQ flavor. Every bite was perfectly seasoned and just melted in my mouth. We also tried the bowl of mussels, which was equally incredible. The mussels were huge and so fresh—the best I’ve ever had! The food was excellent, the service was friendly, and the atmosphere was really nice. Definitely a place worth visiting if you love good ribs and seafood!

Our recent visit to this amazing surf and turf steak bar was nothing short of outstanding. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. Our waiter was incredibly attentive, carefully listening to the orders of four adults and three children, making sure everyone felt heard and looked after. The highlight of my meal was the steak bite poké bowl—a stunning combination of flavours and textures that truly awakened my taste buds. The ataahua mix of edamame beans, cucumbers, pickled carrots, and tender steak bites atop a bed of quinoa and salad was both refreshing and satisfying. My whānau were equally impressed with their steak meals, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed their well-prepared children’s options. Our waitress was warm and engaging, frequently checking in to ensure we were happy with our meals. We made sure to pass our compliments on to the chefs—the meals were definitely worth the price. We left feeling full, satisfied, and grateful for such a welcoming dining experience. A big shout-out to the entire team for delivering such a memorable Lunch. We’ll definitely be back!

Seafood chowder was a bit disappointment whilst the beef burger is quite good. Fish and chips is average. Overall, a pleasant experience.

The restaurant had a cozy vibe, which we appreciated. We came in around lunchtime and there were only two tables being served. We ordered a burger and a salmon meal, but it took more than 30 minutes to get our food. My kids were already hungry and getting fussy. What made it worse was another customer who came in after us got their meal faster. The food was okay—nothing special, just average—but the service definitely needs improvement.

Hands down worst experience we've had dining out, we arrived about 8.30, waiter was super friendly, she directed us to a table then gave us the menus and that was it for good 5-10 minutes, no one came to us, so went up to the bar ordered our food and drinks, obviously you'd expect the drinks and food served to your table, nope we asked another waiter he said no you have to go to the bar to get your drinks by that time it was after 9pm, then we saw him give drinks to the table next to us, really? We got our mains first, no entrees, the mussels were yum, the deep fried pickles interesting, and we asked for the loaded fries and bacon to be on the side and asked for our order to be repeated just to make sure, and as we expected the loaded fries came with all the bacon on top! Really disappointing! And when we shared our experience with the waiter she said that's what happens because it's late? Well stop serving food if you can't accommodate your customers...

Dined here with the family for a lunch. Amazing food, our 8 year old loved the chowder. He said it was a delicious, cheesy soup with a lot of seafood, which he found amazing. Everyone's meals were delicious. Definitely will be back.

The worst Japanese restaurant in my life. The ramen I ordered was cold and I didn't want to eat it, and there was a hair in the rice that came out on a plate with one corner broken. The owner didn't even say sorry... It was an unbelievable situation. My wife and I have been to Japan many times before, and this was the worst restaurant we visited in New Zealand.

Friendly, patience, talkative and accommodating owner operator. The food are flavourful, and balanced. The cook their hot food with passion and love, presented nicely, with balanced flavours and texture. They also kind, friendly, and attentive to children. Although they don't have toilets for customer, there's a public toilets nearby.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ramen at this restaurant. Highly recommended if you are into Japanese food. The meals are reasonably priced and they taste so good.

The food was amazing and the service was fantastic. Our 3 children agree they should move &Rice to Wellington.... we will definitely be coming back next time we are in Rotorua. (Or maybe we will come back to Rotorua just for the food!)

Really inexpensive and delicious japanese meals made fast. This is a great spot for a quick lunch or to grab some food to go. Had the ramen and bento box. The ramen was surprisingly good considering that it is like a fast food place.

Most of the food were generally okay but nothing really special, staff and service were good.

Excellent family owned store offering 5 types of ramen, fried dishes and sashimi/sushi. Quality is great and excellent value for money. Highly recommended.

Beautiful setting and delicious food! We visited multiple times during our mountain biking trip to Rotorua. Definitely recommend the dill pizza, hummus flatbread, and smoothies

Came here with a group for brunch and it was pretty good. I opted for the bacon eggs bene and loved the potato croquette with it - hollandaise was a little lemony for me but not a big deal! The filo seemed like a hit - we wanted to grab the last one but it was gone! Architecture of building is pretty unique and cafe has a nice modern feel

We came here for lunch and it was delicious. I had the shakshuka and others in my group got pizzas. The coffee and iced strawberry matcha were also good. This venue is lovely with heaps of potted plants and natural light. It is also in a nice location being right next to the redwoods.

Service and ambiance are exceptional. It is so nice being here. However the cafe food and the coffee could make an improvement. The Cappuccino was not much flavour and just felt very average. The tiramisu mousse cake was also not that great. If I ever come back, I would try their savoury items to see if my ratings would change.

We tried visiting Eastwood Café in Rotorua for the first time. Since we’re not from the area, it was a little tricky for us to find it—we even ended up at Biker’s Way before getting there! But once we finally found the café and parked, it was definitely worth it. The food was lovely—we ordered a sandwich,sausgae roll and a cheesecake. The cheesecake was a bit soft for my liking, but the flavor was delicious. Definitely planning to come back when we visit Rotorua again!

Came here on a sunday and got lost following the google maps directions. Better cafe access when you enter through the Redwoods Forest park than following Google maps after phoning in to ask for better directions. Ambiance is great, service is fast. Coffee was delicious. Lots of food selection from the cabinet + their menu. Cinnamon roll has soft dough but too sweet for our personal taste. Oh, they're dog friendly too!

Great Coffee and amazing breakfast! Was impressed when my eggs on toast was upgraded with relish and spinach. Beautiful atmosphere in the amazing Te Whare Nui o Tuteata building, and we followed it up with a lovely stroll among the Redwoods outside. Well worth a visit on our trip over from Australia!

We ordered a $32 Fish and Chips combo which had 4x Fish, 2x Hot Dogs, 3x Potato Fritters, 6x Battered Mussels and $3 Chips. This was enough for 2x Adults and 2x Kids. The fish was fresh and good size. It's a small shop, but they were busy. They also sell fresh fish as well. Excellent service and great value

Friendly service and lovely food. Fish and chips as well as the fried mussels, scallops and oysters were all great. Toasties were affordable and yummy too! It can get busy so do be prepared to wait - else you could phone in your order ahead of time!

Bought kina’s from here. It was delicious. It was $75 . You can buy different kinds of seafood from here. Customer service was ok. Small little shop.

Best store brough rawfish! Nicely seasoned and creamy. Could have done with a few more chopped tomatoes but ka pai. Everyone don't like them. My partner had kinas. Apart from being small he scoffed it all. We brought a small fish and chips (2x fish & scoop of chips). Chips were good and fish tasted fresh. However, the batter was thin and soggy. I also had a cheeseburger which was nice. Ultimately, the food tasted good. Definitely come back. Oh also brought a bag of oysters (in the shell)for $20. Great bargain. They jumbo ones too!

Amazing food for amazing prices. We ordered quite a bit for a big whānau but it never hurt our pockets as the packs had plenty of food in them. Seafood is very delicious and creamy. We had the biggest size kina, x2 raw fish, x2 mussels and x1 tub of oysters. Every single thing I consumed from here was worth every single cent. Would recommend this place to anyone and everyone 😊 I never got the details of the lady serving us, but she is very welcoming and a very beautiful person ❤️ Food quality ✅️👌 Customer service ✅️👌 Pricing ✅️👌 Taste ✅️👌

This would have to be Our Favorite/Best Fish'n'Chips 🐟🍿in Rotovegas! The Shop is VERY Clean & Kai Moana/Seafood in the display cabinet looked VERY Appetizing/Delicious & FRESH!. We were VERY Impressed & We both Enjoy Our Kai/Food & Honest food Critics. A nice little Fish'n'Chips Shop, Gauranteed We'll be back again & again & Again. 👌👍🏽🫶😋😋😋

Sorry I didn't take a photo was that hungry I just dug in 😋 First time ever buying from here But Brought me&my partner a $26 dollar pack and maaaan was it delicious & the oyster were fresh & TASTY scoffed them back real fast . Best Fish n chips I've tasted in Rotorua so far will definitely be coming back next trip

Award Winning pies! Lots of choices, from the classic Mince and Cheese, Potato Top, Steak and Cheese and much more. We went a bit late after lunch, so a few of the other choices had sold out. Small car park on site, otherwise parking on the road. There is a table inside that can sit 6 people. Other sweet desserts amd drinks on sale too

Absolutely delicious pies! I had their new Green Curry Chicken pie which had a nice portion of its filling and my husband had their creamy garlic prawn pie which was incredible according to him. We preferred to take away and eat the pies at ease, instead of dining in. There are tables and chairs but not the best environment to sit down and have the pie given the shop was busy, and may always be because of their good pies. 🥧 The staffs were helpful and kind! 👍🏽

The pies are really good, creamy and full of flavour. The store is humble and there are no much space to sit. More a takeaway place. Not many varieties of sweet ones. We liked steak, steak and cheese, and creamy mushroom with bacon and cheese

Tried two kinds of pies Mince & Cheese, and Steak & Cheese. Personally, I prefer the Mince & Cheese. It’s creamy, flavorful, and the pastry is nicely done. buttery and flaky. The Steak & Cheese, on the other hand, was a bit disappointing. The steak pieces were slightly tough, and the filling felt a bit dry with not much sauce.

Came here a while ago. But honestly one of the best pies I've had. Their accolades speak for themselves, but my favourite has to be the black pepper steak. To me that was the best. Had the cheese and steak but to me was abit too rich for my liking. The duck and bacon wasn't the greatest to me. But rly rly good pie. 10/10 definitely stop by if you're a tourist in the area. Amazing breakfast food.

Patrick’s Pies is an absolute gem! The moment you walk in, you’re hit with the smell of fresh, buttery pastry and it’s game over you have to try one (or three). The pies are packed with flavour, the pastry is perfectly golden, and the fillings are loaded not just sauce and air like most places. The steak and cheese is a classic done right, but the mince and curry pies are next level too. Friendly service, fair prices, and you can tell everything’s made with love. Easily one of the best pie spots in New Zealand a must-stop if you’re passing through Rotorua.

The BEST pie in the north island. I tried a different bakery every day on my travels around NZ . And this is by far the best pie I had this creamy mushroom bacon and cheese omg 🤤🤤🤤

Absolutely fantastic experience !! Staff very friendly, food amazing & cleanliness is spot on - fav PitaOut store in NZ

I absolutely love the food at this pita pit it’s always so fresh. The only issue I had is that the cafe was very dirty and there was food all over the floor. The girl who made my food I think her name was Corey looked like she did not want to be at work and seemed very annoyed at me when I was ordering. The other staff are always so friendly and bubbly maybe she was tired but next time I would've loved to feel more welcomed as your service is usually always great and food always delicious!! Thanks

What great experience. On holiday from Auckland and the staff were so friendly and happy to have a chat with their customers. Highly recommended and will visit them again before we head back home.

The staff names Corey and Nakoda were very friendly, professional and provided 5 star customer service We are very happy to be there and we ordered the meal Flavour Savers which was delicious and with good texture very nice. We will be recommending the food and best customer service to everyone

Corey Millie Zoe Good service

The food is very tasty. Corey,Millie and Zoe are very kind to chat with us, feel very warm to eat here.

My go to when I am too lazy to cook. I always get the chicken tenders, loaded wedges & a berry smoothie.

Great location with plenty of off street free parking. Located by the lake front. Big kids playground right out the front. Lovely rooms clean and well equipped. Kids room available next to reception, definitely very handy. The pools and gym were spacious and on a Monday evening, there was plenty going on. But it did not feel crammed. Lovely warm geothermal natural water in the small pools. A larger common warm pool and also spa pools available. Room has milk from a local dairy which was pretty cool. Guest services were friendly and helpful. Our barista made 4 cuppa great coffee for us to take away lovely chats and made kids feel happy with marshmallows in hot chocolate too! Love it!

Great location, and really excellent and friendly staff, who went out of their way to help with a couple of unusual requests (like motorcycle parking out the back and receiving a package for me). Rooms recently refreshed and look great (even though bathrooms are a little dated). Was good value too. NB With Accor group hotels it is worth signing up to their points / loyalty programme called ALL Accor, as it gives you decent benefits (better parking / free Wi-Fi). I've stayed in five different hotels in Rotorua over the last 18 months, and this has been my favourite.

I recently stayed at the Novotel Rotorua and found it to be a generally pleasant experience, though a few things could use improvement. On the positive side, the hotel’s location is excellent close to the lake and within easy walking distance to shops and restaurants. The room was clean, and the staff were friendly and helpful whenever approached. Breakfast was also good with a nice variety, though it was surprising that there were no baked beans on offer. However, there were several issues that took away from the overall experience. There weren’t enough staff at reception, which meant longer waits to check in and out. The main bar stopped serving cocktails at 10:30 pm, even though it stayed open until 1 am, which felt unnecessarily restrictive. The air conditioning in the room was very poor practically non-existent, and the bed sheets were made across the bed, leaving about a 50 cm gap at the bottom, which was odd and uncomfortable. Also, the so-called “lake view” rooms are more accurately lake side, as the view is more of a glimpse than a true outlook over the lake. Individually, these are mostly minor issues, but together they add up especially for a hotel priced over $400 per night. The property is clean but in need of an upgrade, and in its current state, I’d consider it more fairly priced around $150–$200 per night. Overall, it’s a decent stay with friendly staff and a great location, but the details and maintenance don’t quite match the premium price tag.

Great location on the lakeside of Rotorua perfectly located by the town’s dining street that offers a large range of restaurants and pubs. Overall the Novotel serves up a solid experience but is a bit pricey ! The rooms are generous as is the breakfast buffet. The gym is great but I would recommend that they offer small towels instead of having to borrow a large bath towel from the pools. Staff in general are very friendly and helpful.

Great location and comfortable stay. The rooms are modern, spacious, and well-kept, with nice views if you’re lucky. Facilities like the hot pools and gym are a big plus. Service is generally friendly and professional, though check-in can sometimes be a bit slow. Breakfast buffet has a good spread, but it can get crowded at peak times. Overall, a reliable and pleasant option in Rotorua, just shy of perfect.

Check-in was courteous and efficient. Good location. Bar, restaurant and lobby are comfortable. I would not however categorise the rooms and bathroom, 4-Star. So as a whole, 3-Star is more appropriate. Stay was therefore overpriced in my humble opinion.

We booked a superior king Lakeview room. The room is old and tired. The view was actually over the outside area with the lake to the left. When we were checking in Reception, we were left standing for about 10 minutes with no one at Reception We knocked on the doors no one around In the evening we went to the bar on our way home from dinner and ordered a cocktail to be told that the bar was closing in 30 minutes and they would no longer be making cocktails It was an espresso martini not hard to make in the Lady behind the bar was stern faced When we were having breakfast, there were ants on the table On the positive side, the staff were very friendly and accommodating

Skyline Rotorua is absolutely stunning and fun. You get amazing views on the gondola. And an amazing view on the mountain of Rotorua. The zipline is super fun and beautiful and taking photos on the chairlift back up is a highlight. The luge was so fun. It’s basically racing but powered by gravity and is incredible. On the skyline Rotorua, there are amazing shops and cafes. I would love to go again.

Visited Skyline Rotorua Luge in September 2025 and it was such an amazing and fun experience for the whole family! The adventure starts with a scenic gondola ride up the hill, offering stunning panoramic views of Rotorua city, the lake and surrounding forest. Once at the top, the luge tracks are where the real excitement begins! The staff were friendly, helpful and ensured safety at all times, which made the experience enjoyable and stress-free. Everything was well-organized, from getting helmets to boarding the chairlift back up for more rides. We visited in early spring and the weather was perfect, cool air, clear skies and fewer crowds. After our luge rides, we stopped at the café to enjoy the view before heading down. Skyline Rotorua Luge is an absolute must-do activity, fun, safe and unforgettable. Perfect for all ages!

Great experience and the restaurant has nice buffet. Views are spectacular from skyline Gonzalez while watching the luge rides and mountain biking going down the hill. Love the novelty and souvenir shops too. Best part is meeting new people to converse with.

Most probably the highlight of our NZ trip! Our family (2 adults, 18 yo + 16 yo) bought the Gondola + Zipline + 5 Luge Rides Package. If there was a similar package but with 10 luge rides instead I would suggest you purchase that - it was bloody fantastic! The zipline was quick and thrilling, but the best part of our day was the luge rides. Cannot recommend this highly enough! We also had coffee and pastries from the cafe, was delicious, fresh and warm!

We did the Luge on a Saturday and the place was packed! Two out of the 5 tracks were closed, but we bought access for 2 luges only so it didn’t matter. After having it done twice we didn’t feel the urge to buy more tickets so we made the right decision. Place is well run, has a gift shop with great value stuff and it’s a fun activity in Rotorua all together! My only complaint is that they don’t provide hair nets for the helmets so you get stuck with a helmet that someone else just wore..

Went to try Gondola and ended up doing the luge too. So much fun! Wish we had more time to do luge but we had a tour booked after. But, overall was amazing!!

We loved our day at Skyline Rotarua! The Gondola up was lots of fun and we spotted some cats and rabbits below, which my 4yo loved. The views from the top were breathtaking, and the luge was lots of fun - great for all ages and you could either take it slow and scenic or go for a fast, thrilling ride. We were disappointed that only 3 of the tracks were in operation when we arrived, yet ticket prices were not discounted and we missed out on the dinosaur track which I'd told my daughter about. Loved by all in our group though! Lunch was also nice, not too expensive and we even enjoyed and an ice cream overlooking the view. You're also able to hire a locker for I think $6 which was convenient as we had a backpack.

I’ve visited this place for takeaway before, but this was my first time bringing my family in for a sit-down meal, and it was absolutely fantastic! The menu is impressive and the owner is incredibly welcoming. If you’re uncertain about what to choose, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations, the owner has great suggestions. The portion sizes are generous and the prices are very fair. Their fish and chips, along with other seafood dishes are truly the best. I can’t wait to return.

Just went there about a week ago with my family, they have a wide variety seafood options and dishes. Their lobster and abalone is all very big!! Super yummy, highly recommend for seafood lovers!! I love that we get to handpick the live lobster from the tank and they prepare for us fresh! U also get to choose the abalone and get to keep the abalone shell afterwards too! The restaurant owner told us the abalone shell can be used to make into jewelry!! Because their shell has this beautiful blue-ish purple hue and holographic effect, which us super shinny and pretty!! Anyways my family and i ordered the lobster and their black abalone. They say black abalone is a speciality of New Zealand, i guess it's true because I'm from Singapore and the only abalone i see here is those yellowish brown kind. They certainly do not have such pretty shells with shinny and holographic effect too

Oppies has award-winning fish and chips as well as a large selection of seafood and Chinese food. All of the meals I've eaten have been authentic, delicious, and plentiful. Dining in or takeaway are good options. The service is prompt, and the restaurant is clean. It may be very busy at peak times because Oppies Restaurant's food is excellent and a great value for the quality.

originally thought it was just a fish and chips shop, but once I walked in, I realized it was an impressive seafood restaurant (which also sells fish and chips). The owner is from Hong Kong, and the seafood is prepared in Cantonese and Sichuan styles. It’s fresh, delicious, and served in generous portions, though the prices are a bit on the higher side. We ordered live oysters (6pieces $40), Kina steamed eggs ($55), fresh Black Gold Abalone ($168), fish and Lamb soup ($42), combination fried rice ($25) and seafood fried noodles ($30). The owner is very friendly, if you’re staying in Watorua, it’s worth a try.

We visited Oppie recently after seeing all the good reviews, thinking it would be great — but we were really disappointed. We were really looking forward to trying classic NZ fish and chips, but honestly, it wasn’t great or even good — it was pretty bad. The chicken burger was okay — not bad, but definitely not the best burger ever. The chips were as white as the paper they were served on and undercooked. The potato cakes (“scallops”) were oily on the outside, dry in the middle, and like mashed potato on the inside. The fish was fresh, but not much better than Birds Eye fish from the supermarket. We initially sat down but realised table service is only for platters, so we ended up getting takeaway instead. The male staff member at the counter seemed frustrated (rolled his eyes) when we weren’t sure what to order and needed a minute, but thankfully a kind local realised we weren’t from New Zealand (he could tell we were from Australia) and helped explain how it worked. We’ve been pretty happy with the quality of food in NZ so far, so this was a real letdown. Our food took a while to come out and was half cold when we got it. My mum, who doesn’t even like McDonald’s, said she’d rather have gone there just to get something to eat. If you’re looking to try NZ fish and chips, I’d give this place a miss.

First time here and i must say their fish burger is the best👌 great service and great location, close by to motel we stayed at so it was very handy.

Excellent customer service, amazing environment with lots of lights and a couple of fish tanks with fish, lobsters and oysters. Their dishes are so good while the menus itself are mouthwatering. The owners offered us with a complementary dish with tea. I highly recommend this place for anyone to come and enjoy a wide range of dishes with wine or beer.

Nice McDonalds with a large semi-open air playplace. We enjoyed the Hawaiian Beef Burger Combo with fries and frozen coke and Hot Cross Bun (limited time item). The Māori decor was cool too.

A large sized McDonald's restaurant serving their classic menu. The location is easily accessible by road and on foot. There is a drive through available for customers. The staff are nice and welcoming. The seating is well maintained and appropriate for both small and large groups of people. The play area for kids is a good attraction where one can easily spend an hour.

Ordered here 3.30am - Service was great👌 Good errr not too shabby but I asked/paid for extra mac sauce, burger was still dry on both. Our fillet burgers were abit crispy and within a few minutes of reciving our order the chips were cold! I thought Auckland was semi bad but Rotorua you take that cup🫣😅 This is my rating anyways.. My kids wont complain, to be exact my 9yr old daughter said it was the best mc donalds ever🤦‍♀️😅 So big ups from the kids and thumbs down for me👍

Oh my god! This place smells as bad as the streets of Rotorua - there is a distinct smell of stale pee in the ordering area. Safe to say that i decided not to eat there. What is NZ coming to? This is a disgrace.

Our first visit to Rotorua. We decided to have a quick lunch there. There was a mixed up on our combo order but the staffs looked after it right away. The restaurant was clean. It was a pleasant visit.

New Zealand vacation day 4- came to McDonalds for a quick breakfast before heading out to see the natural geysers. Not our first choice, but glad we came by. This locations decor and atmosphere was amazing! Lots of tribal Maori art. Staff was very friendly and everyone smiling. Was great to see. Food was good as well. We noticed that the soft drinks were not as sweet as ones in Canada. A good thing!

One of the few chain restaurants decorated with Maori ornaments. Seems that the Rotorua brings the best of the culture. Service was fast and decent. The place is large, with a nice kids area, along with seats outside. Inside is spacious and well distributed. Toilets were clean and everything looks organized. It was the third time in this venue.