Guidebook for Rotorua
Food Scene
Recommended cafes, restaurants and takeaway establishments
Capers Cafe + Store
1181 Eruera StIt has the most fantastic dessert cabinet in the city.
Urbano Bistro
289 Fenton StDelicious, fine dining. Lovely desserts.
Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant
1118 Tutanekai StBest Indian food in the city.
Stratosfare Restaurant
178 Fairy Springs RdBest buffet meals in the city
Great, casual dining and coffee -popular wit the mountain biking crowd.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Zippy Central Bar & Cafe
1153 Pukuatua StGreat, casual dining and coffee -popular wit the mountain biking crowd.
Fat Dog Cafe & Bar
1161 Arawa StWarm and inviting atmosphere - good food and good value.
Lovely coffee, food and atmosphere. Great for breakfast or brunch.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Artisan Cafe
1149 Tutanekai StLovely coffee, food and atmosphere. Great for breakfast or brunch.
The Fainting Goat
1154 Tutanekai StreetGreat shared platters and social spot for groups
Lovely food - great homemade pies, pork belly, fish n chips and selection of buffet food
Bula Takeaways Rotorua
2 Kokako StreetLovely food - great homemade pies, pork belly, fish n chips and selection of buffet food
Eastwood
Longmile RoadLovely setting next to the Redwoods. Great coffee and pizzas
Trail Kitchen
33 Waipa State Mill RoadGreat for breakfast or brunch or sustenance during or after a mountain bike ride
Must visit for great casual breakfast/brunch options. Lovely coffee, delicious home made soups and incredible ciabatta bacon & egg or lamb sandwiches
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Ciabatta Cafe & Bakery
38 White StMust visit for great casual breakfast/brunch options. Lovely coffee, delicious home made soups and incredible ciabatta bacon & egg or lamb sandwiches
Drinks & Nightlife
Brew Bar or Ponsonby Road Bar or Sobar for a drink and conversation. Also lots of great cafes and restaurants in one cosy block all under cover.
134 Einheimische empfehlen
Eat Street
Tutanekai StreetBrew Bar or Ponsonby Road Bar or Sobar for a drink and conversation. Also lots of great cafes and restaurants in one cosy block all under cover.
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside
Tutanekai StreetClarke's Bar - nice bar for evening drinks and buffet dinner.
Great pub food, live music Thursdays to Saturdays, and great beer.
48 Einheimische empfehlen
Pig & Whistle, Historic Pub
1182 Tutanekai StGreat pub food, live music Thursdays to Saturdays, and great beer.
Great food, craft ales and the best atmosphere on 'Eat Streat'
44 Einheimische empfehlen
BREW | Craft Beer Pub
1103 Tutanekai StGreat food, craft ales and the best atmosphere on 'Eat Streat'
Parks & Nature
You can see boiling mud and steam in a lovely, central setting for free.
59 Einheimische empfehlen
Kuirau-Park
Ranolf StreetYou can see boiling mud and steam in a lovely, central setting for free.
Lovely, world famous walks and mountain bike trails on the edge of the city.
150 Einheimische empfehlen
Redwoods Treewalk
Tarawera RoadLovely, world famous walks and mountain bike trails on the edge of the city.
Lovely, thermal pools with a variety of sizes and temperatures in a rural setting surrounded by geothermal activity about 25 kms south of the city.
66 Einheimische empfehlen
Thermalpools im Waikite Valley
648 Waikite Valley RdLovely, thermal pools with a variety of sizes and temperatures in a rural setting surrounded by geothermal activity about 25 kms south of the city.
Lovely walks, mountain bike trails, treetop canopy walk and only 5 minutes from the city centre or 10 minutes from my house.
117 Einheimische empfehlen
Redwoods – Whakarewarewa Wald
Lovely walks, mountain bike trails, treetop canopy walk and only 5 minutes from the city centre or 10 minutes from my house.
Great for a 'shinny dip' or full hot tub soak or just a relaxing beer or coffee. A special venue.
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdGreat for a 'shinny dip' or full hot tub soak or just a relaxing beer or coffee. A special venue.
Sightseeing
Great for swimming, boating, walking around and only 10 minutes drive from the city.
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Tarawera RoadGreat for swimming, boating, walking around and only 10 minutes drive from the city.
Lovely lake for swimming and walking around. Great playground for children at Boyes Beach.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Lake Okareka
Lovely lake for swimming and walking around. Great playground for children at Boyes Beach.
Lovely lake for swimming, walks, dining (at the Landing). Take a water taxi and visit Hot Water Beach.
24 Einheimische empfehlen
Lake Tarawera
Lovely lake for swimming, walks, dining (at the Landing). Take a water taxi and visit Hot Water Beach.
Lovely gardens and an opportunity to see the geothermal features of Rotorua - boiling mud and steam - for free! Best seen on a gloomy, misty morning for ethereal, other-worldly experience.
41 Einheimische empfehlen
Kuirau Park - Schlammpools
Kuirau StreetLovely gardens and an opportunity to see the geothermal features of Rotorua - boiling mud and steam - for free! Best seen on a gloomy, misty morning for ethereal, other-worldly experience.
Waimangu Vulkan Tal
587 Waimangu RdGreat geothermal visitor experience
Arts & Culture
Mitai Maori Village
196 Fairy Springs RdFor an authentic Maori cultural and dining experience.
An authentic Maori cultural/dining experience with Maori arts and crafts thrown in.
123 Einheimische empfehlen
Te Puia station
An authentic Maori cultural/dining experience with Maori arts and crafts thrown in.
Essentials
Countdown Fairy Springs
54 Fairy Springs RdNearest large supermarket
PAK'nSAVE Rotorua
Amohau StreetBest value, large supermarket in Rotorua
Four Square Koutu
48 Koutu RdNearest supermarket to the house.
Entertainment & Activities
Reading Cinemas
1281 Eruera StMultiplex and all tickets to all sessions now $12
Ten Pin Bowling, Laser Tag, Escape Rooms, Trampolining and much more for rainy days or fun with the kids.
43 Einheimische empfehlen
Motion Entertainment Rotorua
366 Te Ngae RdTen Pin Bowling, Laser Tag, Escape Rooms, Trampolining and much more for rainy days or fun with the kids.
The world famous (and very first) concrete track luge, mountain biking and other activities
198 Einheimische empfehlen
Skyline Rotorua
178 Fairy Springs RdThe world famous (and very first) concrete track luge, mountain biking and other activities
The best mountain biking in NZ is in the Redwoods an neighbouring forests, parking and access is at the Waipa State Mill Road.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Waipa State Mill Road
Waipa State Mill RoadThe best mountain biking in NZ is in the Redwoods an neighbouring forests, parking and access is at the Waipa State Mill Road.
The Blue Baths sometimes host excellent themed entertainment and dining experiences. They have a lovely new bar upstairs and you can also swim in the old baths.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Blue Baths
Queens DriveThe Blue Baths sometimes host excellent themed entertainment and dining experiences. They have a lovely new bar upstairs and you can also swim in the old baths.
Hobbiton Movie Set station
501 Buckland RdEssential visiting for Lord of the Rings fans.
Iconic tourist spot. Visit the Kiwi House in Otorohanga on the way. This was the first Kiwi House where kiwis can be viewed in their nocturnal habitat (but during the daytime) in New Zealand.
142 Einheimische empfehlen
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
39 Waitomo Village RdIconic tourist spot. Visit the Kiwi House in Otorohanga on the way. This was the first Kiwi House where kiwis can be viewed in their nocturnal habitat (but during the daytime) in New Zealand.
Go for an indulgent hot tub or just have a 'shinny dip' while you enjoy a coffee, beer or wine in gorgeous natural surroundings.
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
13/33 Waipa State Mill RdGo for an indulgent hot tub or just have a 'shinny dip' while you enjoy a coffee, beer or wine in gorgeous natural surroundings.
ZORB™ Rotorua
525 Ngongotaha RdLots of fun rolling down the side of Mt Ngongotaha