Where to Eat in Otorohanga: The Best Restaurants and Bars

March 22, 2018 Lean Nau

Otorohanga is a north King Country town at the southern end of the Waikato region in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 53 kilometres (33 mi) south of Hamilton and 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of Te Kuiti, on the Waipa River. It is a service town for the surrounding dairy-farming district. It is recognised as the "gateway" to the Waitomo Caves and as the "Kiwiana Town" of New Zealand. Until 2007, Otorohanga held a yearly 'Kiwiana Festival.'
Things to do in Otorohanga

1. The Thirsty Weta

57 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Takeout Bar, Pub, New Zealand, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night +64 7-873 6699
Excellent
35%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 289 reviews

The Thirsty Weta

Reviewed By Allgoodthyngs - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom

Not what we'd expected at 5pm, we were hoping for some good New Zealand nosh however the menu at this time was poor and little more than bar snacks. Enjoyable but nothing to get excited or rave about.
More worrying was the state of the tables, sticky yucky! Nothing a good clean couldn't put right and can clearly understand previous reviews- the yucky seems to attract lots of flies which was totally off putting whilst trying to eat and guard your food!
Combine this with the poor, almost aggressive attitude of the big guy and we were out of their pronto never to return. So many other great places to eat why put up with dirty tables and poor attitudes.

2. sushi corner

86 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Sushi, Asian +64 7-873 9043
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

sushi corner

Reviewed By Wildwoodatheart - Santa Rosa, California

This is about as close as you can get to fast food sushi, other than running into the supermarket and buying the pre-made stuff. This is like a sushi deli. You walk in and see all the various sushi on display. You tell them what you want, mixing and matching. Then you pay per piece. The sushi was pretty good. There were no bells and whistles, no real creativity in the sushi rolls, like you see in the U.S. But the fish was fresh, and there was always the option to add wasabi to spice things up. There are a couple of tables in the space where you can sit and eat. It's not a pretty place; there's no real ambience. The price is right, though, very inexpensive. This worked for us for a quick lunch.

3. Castle 91 Indian Restaurant Cafe Bar

91 Maniapoto Street | 91 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Indian, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +64 7-873 8612
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

Castle 91 Indian Restaurant Cafe Bar

Reviewed By Matt C - Melbourne, Australia

I eat a fair bit of Indian food and this was fantastic! In the Main Street of town it's called a cafe/bar but it really sells great Indian food!

4. Lavish Bar & Restaurant

11 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Waitstaff, Reservations, Buffet, Seating, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Delivery, Takeout, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards Bar, Cafe, International, European Breakfast, Drinks, Lunch, Dinner HK$31 - HK$110 +64 7-873 8734
Excellent
47%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
16%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 24 reviews

Lavish Bar & Restaurant

Lavish Bar & Restaurant is located on Maniapoto St, Otorohanga.our all day menu offers you a wide range of cuisines all over the world Lavish bar is biggest and Best relaxing place in small town Otorohanga, just 10 minutes before the Waitomo Caves. You will find Bar at the Back, nice family restaurant at the front with combination of modern decor and natural country look, private meeting room, conference and party room upstairs. pop in for nice coffee, food with local or imported wine, beer. Lavish bar is the only place where you can order your food to be deliver or take away with your favorite beverages ( coffee, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, rtd, spirts ). So dont bother to drive in town just jump to our website or call us . we will deliver to your motel,camper van park or your home. In other words we can say this is combined Delivery option for restaurant and liquor shop/bottle store . You can order online from us by clicking the ORDER ONLINE button and we will deliver our delicious food directly to your front door.We look forward to serving you

Reviewed By Flash2004 - New Plymouth, New Zealand

We're always a little nervous trying a new Cafe or restaurant and we already have our favourites when travelling through this town but yesterday we took a chance and discovered Lavish. We're both thrilled we did, we met Satvir Singh the proprietor and he was the perfect host. Not that you really need one in a Cafe, but doesn't it go a long way when there is one! His coffee was outstanding and it was no fluke because my second flat white was even better. Breakfast, Omelette for her and lavish breakfast for me, were generously large, great components to it and cooked superbly. They had the sauces I like too which is rare, A great place to enjoy, licenced too. Its at the top end of town opposite the motorbike shop and next to the Mitsubishi dealer.

5. Origin Coffee Espresso Bar and Roastery

7 Wahanui Crescent | Railway Station, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Takeout, Outdoor Seating Cafe HK$16 - HK$55 +64 7-873 8550
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 30 reviews

Origin Coffee Espresso Bar and Roastery

Origin Coffee is a coffee company that runs out of a operational train station in Otorohanga New Zealand. We offer great coffee, cakes, slices and toasties from our espresso bar while also shipping ground coffee and roasted beans throughout New Zealand. Origin also offers NZQA certified Barista training to the hospitality industry standards. Come check out our guided tours that show coffee from plant to cup.

Reviewed By Emma_L_T_1 - Melbourne, Australia

Lovely coffee and cute little space to sit inside or outside. Great to know the beans are sustainably sourced, makes it taste all the better. Friendly staff too, especially the lady who has just started! Thanks guys!

6. Hot Roast Meals

146 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Fast Food +64 7-873 8812
Excellent
50%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Hot Roast Meals

Reviewed By b121 - Newcastle, Australia

I had an excellent roast meal here. Excellent steamed vegetables and roast potatoes. They cater for vegetarians. Free parking out the front. They are open at night. Staff are friendly. Fast service. You can sit down and eat in the restaurant or take away.

7. O Cafe

35 Maniapoto Street | Waikato, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Parking Available, Accepts Credit Cards Cafe, New Zealand, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Brunch, Breakfast HK$47 - HK$110 +64 7-873 8714
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

O Cafe

Ōtorohanga's newest eating establishment, Ō (pronounced 'or'), offers home-style healthy food with an industrial rustic vibe. With a strong focus on keeping it local, the café has the town at its heart and prides itself on providing fabulous food and Allpress coffee through fabulous customer service. Gluten free & other alternative dietary options available. We sell giftware and New Zealand made preserves, as well as fresh artisan ciabatta and five grain breads. We also provide an out-catering service for large or small functions, pick-up or Delivery within the Otorohanga township.

Reviewed By Punit M - Auckland

The experience with the café wasn't bad until my daughter (not even 3 years) vomited and as parents we were quite embarrassed and looked to clean up immediately needless to say but attended to her first in the bathroom.
The owner expected my 10 year old other daughter in the mean time to clean and asked the same of me when I returned which I was happy to and started cleaning. All okay no worries, until he started commented on what she should have eaten and that she should not have taken a bite from my wrap ordered at that café. .
This person is a disgrace on the hospitality business.

8. Ronnie's Cafe

48 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible Cafe Lunch, Brunch, Breakfast
Excellent
29%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
42%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 24 reviews

Ronnie's Cafe

Reviewed By Brian M - Herndon, Virginia

Ronnie's was a quick stop for our tour bus after visiting Ruakuri Caves in Waitomo. Lots of prepared sandwiches, fruit bowls, desserts, etc. enabled our group of 25 to eat and clear out in 40 minutes or so. My wife was able to order a chicken and avocado Sandwich on gluten-free toast, as gluten-free options were not apparent in the food cases.
Ronnie's is a decent place, set up to handle high customer volume. I liked the small bookshelf with used books for $1.00 (NZD) each near the bathrooms... so I bought one for the plane trip home.

9. The Lazy Trout

School Acces Road | Waitomo Caves Hotel, Otorohanga 3977, New Zealand +64 7-878 8204
Excellent
40%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
20%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 5 reviews

The Lazy Trout

Reviewed By Pinki24 - Melbourne, Australia

We were spending a night at the Waitomo Caves Hotel and noticed that there was a restaurant in the premises and decided to eat in. The decor and surroundings were elegant and relaxing. The wait staff could not have been more attentive or friendlier. The food on offer was reasonably priced and everyone on the table were absolutely delighted with their choice. Being a vegetarian, I was disappointed that there was nothing on offer except for a salad minus the meat, but the onion rings made up for that. It would be great to see at least one main meal on offer for vegetarians in future.
We were the only ones in the restaurant that night and were very surprised as the restaurant is so pretty, the food delicious and the price so reasonable. I thoroughly recommend a visit if you re in the area.

10. Jasmine Thai Restaurant

87 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga 3900, New Zealand Reservations Dinner +64 7-873 8989
Excellent
41%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Jasmine Thai Restaurant

Reviewed By Gretta W - Otorohanga

We dine here semi regularly especially when we have our grand children with us as they so enjoy rice and the special touches that this restaurants chefs add to their dishes. The seafood is always good as are all the dishes we have tried. Family friendly and quick service. There are wines and beer available, a Television which plays films about travel destinations, high chairs, take- away menu also. Good value meals.

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