Dark Sky Diner
affordable
Restaurant
About
Dark Sky Diner is a modern dining space located on the Takapo lakefront, offering stunning views of the lake and the Church of the Good Shepherd. The talented team at Dark Sky Diner takes diners on a culinary journey to South America with an open kitchen concept. The menu features a unique fusion of classic Kiwi ingredients and South American influences, resulting in a delightful explosion of flavors. Whether you're craving classic pub food or South American-inspired dishes, this diner has something for everyone.Why you should go
- Enjoy stunning lakefront views while dining
- Experience a fusion of modern Kiwi flavors and traditional Māori fare
- Unique blend of fine dining and stargazing at night
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I'll never travel to South Island without this trip planner again
What users say about the app
Menu and popular items
Phone
+64 3 974 0378Hours
SuSunday: 9AM–8PM
MoMonday: 9AM–8PM
TuTuesday: 9AM–8PM
WeWednesday: 9AM–8PM
ThThursday: 9AM–8PM
FrFriday: 9AM–8PM
SaSaturday: 9AM–8PM
1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
Wednesday: 9AM–8PM
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
SuSunday: 9AM–8PM
MoMonday: 9AM–8PM
TuTuesday: 9AM–8PM
WeWednesday: 9AM–8PM
ThThursday: 9AM–8PM
FrFriday: 9AM–8PM
SaSaturday: 9AM–8PM
People typically spend 15 min here
Highlighted reviews
Had a nice dinner with the kids, it was not a busy time when we arrived at 5pm. Kids meals were a good portion. Main meals we ordered salmon which was a small piece for the price but well prepared. Lamb shank was a decent size and had a good portion of mashed potato as a side. Mulled wine was great and always served hot and one of the better priced wines in NZ at $12. Lakeside cocktail great presentation. Limited selection on deserts but what was served were good portions and tasted great. Service was very friendly, attentive, always changing the water and promptly clearing plates. Beautiful view of the mountains and the church. We reserved a table via email the night before and recieved no response, we were still seated at a window seat as requested and later that evening recieved an email clarifying our reservation to which we responded we already dined there that evening. Other than that a good experience and night out.
25 April 2025 - I had dinner at Dark Sky Diner with my kiddo, which is located inside the Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo. The restaurant has a nice environment, and the customer service was very good. The staff were friendly and helpful.
I ordered BBQ pork ribs and grilled salmon. The pork ribs came in a large portion, but the taste was just average. The grilled salmon had a small portion, and the skin was not crispy like I prefer. The flavor was okay, but nothing special.
Overall, the place is good for its service and atmosphere, but the food could be better for the price. It's a nice spot if you're visiting the Dark Sky Project and want a decent meal.
I had an unforgettable experience at Dark Sky Dining in Lake Tekapo. The restaurant itself was truly magical, combining breathtaking views with delicious food and warm hospitality.
What impressed me the most, however, was the outstanding customer service. I had accidentally left behind my sunglasses, and the team went above and beyond to help me. Not only did they locate them, but they also mailed them back to me with such kindness and care. This level of service is rare and truly exceptional.
Dark Sky Dining is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience filled with beauty, wonder, and genuine heart. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting Lake Tekapo. They are truly amazing. 🌟
See all reviews
Know before you go
- Make reservations in advance to secure a good table away from cold drafts if visiting during colder months
- Try their standout dishes like lamb or Sirloin based on positive reviews
- Consider visiting during sunset for a magical dining experience with views over Lake Tekapo
Reviews
Dark Sky Diner, located at the Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo, offers a mix of reviews. Some visitors praise the excellent Māori bread and highlight dishes like lamb and Sirloin as standout choices. The ambiance is often commended for its pleasant environment overlooking the lake. However, there are mixed opinions on food quality with some finding it disappointing for the price paid. Service receives varied feedback ranging from fast food service to complaints about seating arrangements and unfriendly servers.Review score
4.0out of 5
Review score
4.0out of 5
5 stars
297
4 stars
91
3 stars
44
2 stars
30
1 star
71
Had a nice dinner with the kids, it was not a busy time when we arrived at 5pm. Kids meals were a good portion. Main meals we ordered salmon which was a small piece for the price but well prepared. Lamb shank was a decent size and had a good portion of mashed potato as a side. Mulled wine was great and always served hot and one of the better priced wines in NZ at $12. Lakeside cocktail great presentation. Limited selection on deserts but what was served were good portions and tasted great. Service was very friendly, attentive, always changing the water and promptly clearing plates. Beautiful view of the mountains and the church. We reserved a table via email the night before and recieved no response, we were still seated at a window seat as requested and later that evening recieved an email clarifying our reservation to which we responded we already dined there that evening. Other than that a good experience and night out.
25 April 2025 - I had dinner at Dark Sky Diner with my kiddo, which is located inside the Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo. The restaurant has a nice environment, and the customer service was very good. The staff were friendly and helpful.
I ordered BBQ pork ribs and grilled salmon. The pork ribs came in a large portion, but the taste was just average. The grilled salmon had a small portion, and the skin was not crispy like I prefer. The flavor was okay, but nothing special.
Overall, the place is good for its service and atmosphere, but the food could be better for the price. It's a nice spot if you're visiting the Dark Sky Project and want a decent meal.
I had an unforgettable experience at Dark Sky Dining in Lake Tekapo. The restaurant itself was truly magical, combining breathtaking views with delicious food and warm hospitality.
What impressed me the most, however, was the outstanding customer service. I had accidentally left behind my sunglasses, and the team went above and beyond to help me. Not only did they locate them, but they also mailed them back to me with such kindness and care. This level of service is rare and truly exceptional.
Dark Sky Dining is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience filled with beauty, wonder, and genuine heart. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting Lake Tekapo. They are truly amazing. 🌟
We were visiting Lake Tekapo and had low expectations of this restaurant as it was in a tourist precinct. The pizza was not nice but everything else exceeded our expectations. The serving sizes were quite big, especially the lamb shank. The seafood chowder had alot of seafood including prawns, calamari and mussels. The side of wedges was very generous too. Would recommend if you want to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the view.
The food itself was delicious. The pasta had a gf option which is good but not many more things were gf. The sauce was really nice and smooth but it needed some salt. The lamb shank was cooked to perfection. The salmon was alright, somehow the asparagus it came with was so much better, it was the highlight of the dish. The steak was juicy.
The dinner was pretty expensive though. I’m assuming you pay for the view you get of the lake except we went to dine at 7 and it was pitch black outside so there’s that. We also ordered 2 gin and tonics but were given the wrong gin, making the drink incredibly sweet and not as enjoyable.
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Phone
+64 3 974 0378Hours
SuSunday: 9AM–8PM
MoMonday: 9AM–8PM
TuTuesday: 9AM–8PM
WeWednesday: 9AM–8PM
ThThursday: 9AM–8PM
FrFriday: 9AM–8PM
SaSaturday: 9AM–8PM
1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
Wednesday: 9AM–8PM
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
SuSunday: 9AM–8PM
MoMonday: 9AM–8PM
TuTuesday: 9AM–8PM
WeWednesday: 9AM–8PM
ThThursday: 9AM–8PM
FrFriday: 9AM–8PM
SaSaturday: 9AM–8PM
People typically spend 15 min here
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