Luxury Escapes Guide to Rotorua

The most sophisticated of the cafes, restaurants and bars along Rotorua’s pedestrian-only Eat Streat – yes, that’s how it’s spelt – Atticus Finch delivers a cosmopolitan menu of shared plates with global influences. Secure a spot out the front and watch the passing parade of browsing diners, secure in the knowledge you’ve already made a wise decision on where to eat. Try the chargrilled miso prawns with kimchi mayo with a crisp Peregrine riesling, or team the Middle Eastern-spiced lamb rump with the berry and pepper notes of a Mt Difficulty pinot noir.

At Ciabatta Café & Bakery, no two loaves are the same – but they’re all equally delicious. Cherished Rotorua royalty, this bakery’s retro-cool décor perfectly matches its mouth-wateringly eclectic menu, boasting mahogany-brown soft pretzels, Swiss-style ciabatta and a dazzling array of sweet treats. We recommend seeking out the café’s iconic bacon and egg sandwich – served on a delectable parmesan and garlic focaccia and topped with aioli and barbecue sauce – that keeps regulars returning again and again.

Popular with Rotorua’s mountain bikers – look for the knobbly-wheeled transport out the front – Brew is the hoppy hub for Rotorua’s Croucher Brewing. The boisterous shared tables out front are good for meeting the locals, while inside is more cosy and quiet. Select a four-beer tasting flight from the rotating taps – including Croucher’s own brews and regular guest beers from around the country – and order from the menu of pub classics. The combination of a buttermilk chicken burger and the New Zealand-hopped Enduro Pale Ale is a good place to start.

Don’t be deceived by the compact veranda at the entrance to Abracadabra. Continue exploring past the counter and kitchen to reach a spacious outdoor deck that also doubles as a popular beer garden later in the day. Scrambled eggs with dukkah, barbecue jackfruit sliders, and chicken fajitas all feature on a menu that travels confidently from Morocco to Mexico. Versatility is the name of the game with Abracadabra morphing from an easygoing brunch and lunch cafe to a more energetic wine-bar ambience at night.

Definitely worth the five-minute drive from central Rotorua, the Factory Smokehouse & Grill has a singular focus on sourcing ingredients from local suppliers. Beef is 100% grass fed, all produce is free range, and their attention to detail includes housemade pasta and their own seasonal rum infusions. Come hungry – the huge burgers can be gravity-defying – and look forward to craft beers from Rotorua-based Croucher Brewing. Try and leave room for the Nutella mousse with hazelnut and white chocolate.

Like many places in New Zealand, migration from other countries has made Rotorua a more culturally diverse place, and the weekly Thursday night market is a fine place to meet some of the city’s more recent arrivals. Tutanekai Street is closed to traffic for the market, providing plenty of scope to stroll and snack on Argentinean empanadas, Japanese takoyaki and Sichuan dumplings. Look forward to an eclectic soundtrack of roving street performers and stalls selling locals arts, crafts and souvenirs.

With a location on the northwest edge of Lake Rotoiti – around 20km from central Rotorua – the Okere Falls Store is one of New Zealand’s best regional cafes. A fridge full of local craft beers promises easygoing good times in the beer garden, while there are excellent lake views from the sunny deck. The diverse menu is popular with Rotorua’s river rafting community – especially hearty snacks like the ‘kimcheese’ toasted sandwich – while seasonal fruit smoothies are popular during summer. Stock up on edible gifts and souvenirs of local gourmet products from the instore deli.

The clue is in the name and the logo at this family-owned cafe in central Rotorua. Owners Steven and Dana Greer have a passion for hunting, and the hearty venison burger is world-famous (in Rotorua). Beyond the occasional locally sourced game dish, Scope also delivers big breakfasts perfect to kickstart a day’s exploring, regular seasonal lunch specials, and freshly baked treats that often sell out by mid-morning. Get there slightly earlier to partner a coffee with a peach and white chocolate muffin or a pear and blue cheese scone.

The lakes and rivers around Rotorua and the surrounding Central Plateau are world-renowned for trout fishing. The best chance of success in landing a brown and rainbow trout is to hook up with an authoritative local guide, especially if you’re keen on accessing more remote back-country

streams and pools most easily reached on a heli-fishing expedition. The water in these remote locations is usually as crystal clear as gin or vodka, and the opportunity to catch trophy-winning fish brings many international anglers back to Rotorua on a regular basis.

Immerse yourself in Rotorua with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.

Transformed by a massive volcanic eruption in 1886, the spectacular landscapes around Mt Tarawera are best seen by helicopter. Taking off from the Rotorua lakefront, sky-high sightseeing trips take in Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Lake Tarawera and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, and are a brilliant way to see how the region’s violent volcanic past has created a landscape blending lush native forests, cobalt lakes, and the surreal orange and lime green Day-Glo hues of geothermal pools. There’s also the chance for a short, guided walk on the fractured summit of Mt Tarawera, ripped asunder by New Zealand’s biggest eruption in recent centuries.

Travellers have been bathing in Rotorua’s legendary thermal waters for centuries, and there’s no better way to experience them for yourself than by visiting the ultra-luxe Polynesian Spa. Enjoy a leisurely soak in any of the 28 mineral pools, including skin-nourishing baths, sky-high rooftop lagoons and breathtaking lakeside onsens. After you dry off, head to Polynesian Spa’s 88RA Café for a restorative smoothie and some of Rotorua’s best gelato.