Rotorua Restaurants

by kiwi, 4 more photos
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Rotorua street dining.

Very friendly atmosphere, with nice outdoor dining on a fine day. Staff are very helpful and the food is divine.
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Open 7 days, Lunch & Dinner; Breakfast/Brunch daily from 7.30am.
Here they are clearly trying to offer and experience, not just to feed you.
They tend towards New Zealand food, but that is a hard definition to make these days as our food here is so international now. Finally our country has come of age with food.
Take out is available on request.
Freos is licensed with nice wines available and is also a BYO restaurant - this means Bring Your Own in reference to Wine.

Theme: Eclectic/International

Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter

Comparison: about average

Address: Tutanekai Street, Rotorua.

Phone: 07 - 346 0976

Directions: The Lake end of Tutanekai Street, between Pukaki St and Whakaue St.

Website: www.freos.co.nz


	Lake Plaza Hotel: Hangi	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

By grets

on September 15, 2004

by grets
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The hangi pit

The traditional Maori feast called Hangi, is big business here in Rotorua. Many places will pay one one, we enjoyed ours in the hotel we were staying.

A hangi is a Maori earth oven, many cultures in Oceania have a similar thing. Traditionally, a large hole is dug in the ground and stones heated over a fire are placed in the bottom. Food is placed in baskets covered with wet cloths and the hole is covered over again with earth. Basically, the hangi acts like a giant natural steamer, and the food is cooked slowly underground, then dug out again.

The hotel has a permanent hangi pit where is cooks its food, and we can observe this during the day.

Theme: Local


	The Pig & Whistle: Pub Food	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

Updated By kiwigal_1

on October 19, 2004

by kiwigal_1
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Pig & Whistle Building

The Pig & Whistle is an English style pub that offers their own beer (Swine Lager and Snout Dark Ale) along with other New Zealand and International beers.

They had a "garden bar" type area that was covered in winter and furnished with patio heaters.

There is a DJ or a band playing here on Friday and Saturday nights

The menu was typical of pub style but had plenty of variety and was reasonably priced. The portions were all very large.

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter

Comparison: about average

Address: Corner Haupapa & Tutanekai Streets, Rotorua

Phone: 07 347 3025

Website: www.pigandwhistle.co.nz


	Lovely India Tandoori Restaurant: Fancy an Curry?	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

Updated By allikat

on March 26, 2006

Sometimes, only an Indian will do, and after an evening lazing in the hot waters of the Polynesian Spa, a nice chicken Korma was just what I needed!
The town was busy, but Lovely India have great staff who managed to squeeze us into an already packed restaurant and serve us promptly.

My only criticism: grated cheese does not belong on a chicken korma, and neither does a glace cherry!

Theme: Indian

Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter

Comparison: about average

Address: Tutanekai Street

Phone: 07 348 4088


	Te Wairoa Tearooms and Cafe: Colonial style cafe	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

Updated By allikat

on March 26, 2006

by allikat, 1 more photos
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Te Wairoa Tearooms and Cafe

Te Wairoa Tearooms is part of the Buried Village attraction, but you don't have to visit the Buried Village in order to enjoy them.
The building is a beautiful old colonial style place, and the cafe area opens onto a nice terrace and garden area ~ a really lovely setting.

The menu is mainly light meals, snacks, cakes and coffees.The lemon tart was scrummy, and the coffee is superb.

Theme: Other

Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter

Comparison: about average

Address: Tarawera Road, Rotorua

Directions: On the road by the entrance to the Buried Village, on the way to Lake Tarawera.


	Lake Plaza Hotel Restaurant: Bring you own......food	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

Updated By grets

on September 15, 2004

by grets
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Tucking into self-caught
trout

Rotorua has the world's best trout fishing, and a couple of men from our party had spent the afternoon doing just that. They weren't sure what to do with their cathc, but the hotel offered to cook it for them - which is what they did!

What a fabulous idea!

Theme: Other


	Tamaki Maori Village: Have a Maori Feast!	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

By ATXtraveler

on August 7, 2005

by ATXtraveler
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For those of you who like to take a taste of another culture, head on down to the Maori Village just outside of Rotorua. I was actually shocked that the Maoris eat almost identically to the American Pilgrims! We had roasted chicken, carrots, potatoes, sweet potato, cranberry, and finished off by a nice bread pudding with custard.

I enjoyed it, although i can not tell you if it really was a traditional meal.

Afterward, they do present you with how it would traditionally be prepared in an underground oven.

Theme: Local

Price: US$41 and up » Currency Converter

Comparison: most expensive

Website: http://www.maoriculture.co.nz/


	Zambique: Get your Just Desserts!	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

By ATXtraveler

on August 7, 2005

by ATXtraveler
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Zambique

Sarah and I were in the mood for a little dessert on her birthday, so we headed down to Rotorua's famous Tutanekai Street, which is the home to many great little cafes and restaurants.

The one we chose to stop in was Zambique, which looked to have quite an interesting menu, but the trio of ice creams and the other desserts got us going!

The presentation of these desserts were fabulous, with some whisked caramel topping that was delicious!

Theme: Eclectic/International

Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter

Comparison: more expensive than average

Address: 1111 Tutanekai Street

Phone: (07) 349 2140

Website: http://www.reservecuisine.co.nz/Restaurants/Rotorua/Rotorua/Zambique_rmp=0_IDM=88_IDP=1_idh=10000_Welcome_.html


	Freos: Great little pavement cafe	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

Updated By allikat

on March 26, 2006

by allikat
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Freos

Freos is a great little pavement cafe and bar, serving a variety of meals including steaks, pasta and light snacks. The cafe is licenced or you can if you prefer BYO (Bring Your Own).
We enjoyed a lazy lunchtime drink in the sun and indulged in a little people watching.

A cold Pimms and a bowl of hot chips set me up a treat!

Theme: Local

Price: US$11-20 » Currency Converter

Comparison: about average

Address: Tutenakai Street

Phone: 07 346 0976


	Chambers Cafe and Bar: A bygone era!	Tip Rating: Satisfaction:

Updated By allikat

on March 26, 2006

by allikat
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Chambers

Chambers is a really nice cafe/bar where we enjoyed coffee one morning (and the coffee was excellent!). On the walls are pictures of black and white movie stars, including my favourites, Laurel and Hardey. On the tables are old gramophone record covers for old jazz and blues artists, and there is even an antique movie projector dating from the early 20th century which the girl behind the bar (from Northern England) told us the owner had found in Auckland.

A huge frothy bowl of soy latte ~ yum!