Taupō On A Plate
When you eat in the Taupō region you’re tasting the real New Zealand – beautiful fresh produce, meat and game, prepared simply to let the flavours shine through.
The region’s pure waters and lush farmland produces ingredients of export quality, including specialities like nourishing manuka honey, grass-fed Taupō beef and lamb, wild venison and locally brewed craft beer.
And of course, there’s the trout, which isn’t sold in shops, so the only way to enjoy its unique flavour is to catch it yourself. Many local restaurants and lodges will be happy to prepare your catch for you – just call and book in advance.
Taupō’s cafe culture is up with the big cities (the local doughnuts are a coveted item), and the chefs at the region’s luxury lodges prepare food that’s among the best in the world.
Restaurants: 1 - Bistro Lago:
From lake, land and ocean to your plate is how Bistro Lago (located at The Hilton Lake Taupō) describes its seasonal New Zealand à la carte lunch and dinner sessions. Bistro Lago, with celebrity chef Gareth Stewart at the helm, brings the best of the region on offer.
On a chilly winter’s day can you imagine a main dinner serving of Taupō beef scotch fillet, duck fat agria potatoes, confit mushroom, charred onion with a beef jus…all washed down with hearty NZ Cabernet Sauvignon.
Or if High Tea is your thing, Bistro Lago’s Timeless High Tea draws inspiration from a dinner menu that was held in the 131-year-old original Terraces Hotel in May 1947 on this very site. 2 - Brantry:
This award-winning eatery has built its reputation on top quality New Zealand cuisine that is unique to Brantry with
a sophisticated wine list to create a unique dining experience.
Brantry House, a charming character home, collaborates with ZeaYou Gallery, who provides incredible New Zealand art, nestled within a lovely cottage garden & hosts a cosy open fireplace. It’s the perfect place to enjoy great food & company.
Brantry Eatery is open for dinner from 5.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday, as well as lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am till 2.00pm. Bookings are essential.
Brantry Eatery is run by well-known Taupō sisters, Prue and Felicity Campbell, along with a passionate team of chefs and hosts who will welcome you to enjoy their great food, art and wine, in a relaxed casual atmosphere. 3 - Two Mile Bay Sailing Club
Established in December 1989 by Tony Landl. Back then the business consisted of a few yachts and a couple of hobbie cats and was a complete seasonal sailing hire business operating in the summer months on Lake Taupō.
After a lot of effort and time Tony secured a liquor licence for the Two Mile Bay Sailing Club in 2006. The initial liquor licence allowed them to serve alcohol between the hours of 12pm-2pm. The fact that they secured this initial licence was ground breaking. From this point on they extended the club’s licensed hours from 8am-10pm which allowed them to operate the business year round.
2017 saw the succession plan take place with Tony’s two sons buying Tony out of the business. 2018 was a year of dramatic growth with the new outdoor area becoming licensed and landscaped, Peroni tap beer being added and new larger pizza ovens.
Today they are famous for pizzas and live music every Friday and Sunday, inside this unique location, situated over Two Mile Bay, Lake Taupō.
4 - Vine Eatery & Bar:
Their talented chefs invite you to indulge in the dishes that have inspired the New Zealand and Mediterranean influenced menus. An extensive tapas menu is designed to be shared, but they also offer a full a-la-carte menu for those wanting a more NZ traditional approach to dining.
A full bar specialises in whisky, craft beer and a huge wine selection reflecting over 25 years in hospitality. They also offer fabulous coffee by Allpress Espresso and Harney & Son’s Teas.
There are many spaces at Vine Eatery to enjoy. Sit around the fireplace, a variety of table and booth settings indoors and out, or for groups of ten or more there are private rooms upstairs – The Balcony and The Vintage Room.
Specialising in Long Table Shared Plate Dinners, Vine Eatery & Bar is the perfect place for larger groups who are looking for something a little different and entertaining. For more casual gatherings they have amazing platters full of fresh delicious meats, seafood and local produce. 5 - Hare & Copper (Turangi):
Hare & Copper Eatery is a shared dream between husband and wife team, Andrew Wood, Executive Chef, and Liliana Calva, Operations Manager.
Andrew’s first introduction into the culinary world was as a kitchen hand working for pocket money at the age of 14. Graduating as the top student from Weltec Polytechnic Chef School, Wellington, Andrew has spent the last 20 years working his way up in a number of different kitchens in the Hawke’s Bay, Melbourne and most recently Wellington where his last job was as Head Chef of El Matador Café, Asador Grill and Bar on colourful Cuba St. in Wellington.
From well-known cafes, bistros and fine dining restaurants, Andrew has a broad range of skills and experience.
Andrew and Liliana have taken over what used to be River Vineyard and Restaurant, Turangi. They intend to bring back to life what the locals and previous customers describe as ‘the perfect spot to hang out’.
Their vision is to offer a great range of food and beverages people can enjoy in a beautiful setting, with exceptional customer service to ensure they have a truly memorable experience.
Cafés: 1 - Creel Tackle House & Café (Turangi):
Totally mouthwatering, Creel Café’s brioche has become somewhat of a Lake Taupō institution and is one of many reasons its guests keep returning again and again. Whether you are out on the trails, biking or walking, going for a drive or catching trout, Creel Café is the prefect place to pick up your lunch or sit and soak in the atmosphere.
From the good old days on Taupahi Road, the tackle shop and guiding business was established in the early 1920s by Joe Frost a famous guide who operated out of Taylor’s camp. He operated the store for some thirty years from 1920 to about 1950 when he sold out to Geoff (Pop) Sanderson.
Such was the fame and reputation of this shop, the structure was bought and shifted down the street and restored on the present location beside Creel Lodge.
Jason and Tracy Belthune are now the proud new owners of the Creel Tackle House and Café, and both love meeting regular and new customers. They previously owned Troutbeck Fishing Lodge for eight years, so are happy to be back in Turangi.
They are both looking forward to keeping the quality and customer service that The Creel is known for, and are especially pleased that all the staff are staying on.
2 - Café Baku, Taupō:
Situated at 42 Roberts Road in Taupō, Café Baku has one of the best views south, across Lake Taupō, to the majestic mountains of the Central Plateau.
Try one of their Bacon & Egg bagels with hollandaise sauce, accompanied by a body warming coffee of your choice. Or if you’re feeling a bit decadent then a slice of Chocolate Brownie will suffice…won’t it? 3 - Baked with Love:
Since swapping the corporate world in Auckland for the hospitality industry of Taupō, Kim and Scott Forsythe have hit the ground running. They both have a real passion for food, love and art.
After purchasing and running a small, successful café, they have now set up Baked With Love – aiming to make people happy through sharing their love of food!
Kim & Scott have a large range of gluten free savoury and sweet option, including their famous Gluten-Free Doughnuts that people have started travelling from all over the North Island for. Their Keto, Vegan and Dairy-Free ranges are growing too. 4 - Cozy Corner:
Touting themselves as Taupō’s ‘Hidden Healthy Café’, at Cozy Corner you’ll find nourishing and delicious food.
The owners of Cozy Corner believe that eating healthy and fresh food from the land is good for your mind, body and soul. They strive to bring you the freshest ingredients to create innovative meals that are equally as healthy as they are delicious.
Food is made fresh in the kitchen using only the best quality produce. Low in saturated fats, sugar, salt and refined ingredients, their aim is to follow the principles of balance and moderation.
“And their coffee?” I hear you ask. ‘Ripe’ is their coffee of choice. They are a small batch Wellington-based roaster with great attention to detail and flavour. Cozy Corner is pleased to be the only café in Taupō that offers Ripe Coffee Beans.