Taupo, Turangi & Tongariro Wine, Dine & Shop

Taupo Restaurants, Cafes, Wineries & Shops

The Great Lake Taupo region is world famous for its diverse selection of restaurants, cafes, suburban delis, food markets, fast food and takeaways. The Taupo region offers fresh, diverse cuisine with influences from the local markets and provinces.

Being host to the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, it is no wonder that the Great Lake Taupo region is world-famous for trout fishing. Turangi Tongariro, situated at the southern end of the lake, is known as the ‘Trout Fishing Capital of New Zealand’, a perfect place to base yourself if fly-fishing is your thing. You need a license to fish which can be purchased at the i-SITES or local fishing shops.

You won’t find trout on the menu but most restaurants will be more than happy to prepare and cook them for you. Just ring beforehand to let them know you’ll be bringing in your catch.

The Great Lake Taupo region is proud to produce Taupo Beef, the first locally produced beef that has been given the environmental ‘tick’ from Waikato Regional Council. The endorsement recognises that the beef was produced in a manner that protects the excellent water quality of Lake Taupo. This grass fed, free-range beef is aged for a minimum of four weeks before it is sold at selected restaurants.

Several local restaurants such as the Bantry and Plateau Restaurant have won the “Beef and Lamb Cuisine Award” with many serving wild food dishes on their menus.

If you like your coffee, you can be assured that you will get only the best cuppas in the Great Lake Taupo region. Many cafes have won prestigious coffee awards over the recent years including the New Zealand Coffee, Top Barista, Café Magazine Best Café and NZ Coffee Festival & Awards.

Head on down to Taupo’s first boutique premium wine establishment Scenic Cellars, which stocks over 3,000 different wine labels and over 100,000 bottles of rare and fine wines from all over the world. The store was also the second retail premises in the southern hemisphere to install an Enomatic Tasting Machine in a retail store, allowing customers to self-taste domestic and international wines.

Match your meal with a fine Taupo wine from local vineyards. The climate and soil are ideal for Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir varieties.

For all you shopaholics out there, the inviting shopping in Taupo Town Centre carries all of the big designer labels, but in a boutique setting. Eclectic shops, outdoor-adventure stores and quaint cafes also fill the tree lined streets, so park for free, take a stroll and shop till you drop.

For more information about what's happening within the Taupo Town Centre, check out our Taupo Events.