Ten Taupō and Tūrangi restaurants have been recognised in the 22nd edition of the prestigious New Zealand ‘food bible’.
Taupō town has two acclaimed ‘two-hat’ restaurants — Embra and The Bistro — with seven other local eateries, plus one Tūrangi entry, listed in the publication showcasing New Zealand’s outstanding talent and hottest venues. Each location has been independently assessed by a national judging panel.
The new listings are Bistro Lago at The Hilton Taupō, freshly-minted Bombay Bistro, French Market, Lionel’s, and Incredible India, joining Brantry Eatery, Embra, Hare & Copper (Tūrangi), Plateau Bar & Eatery and The Bistro.
For Embra and The Bistro, the award of two-hats recognises ‘consistently outstanding’ cuisine.
The Cuisine Good Food Awards and Cuisine Good Food Guide profile the country’s hottest talent and restaurants. In 2026 more than 400 venues made the national guide, showcasing outstanding hospitality establishments right across the country from fine dining to metropolitan and neighbourhood favourites.
Love Taupō General Manager Patrick Dault says “this is big ups to our vibrant hospitality scene and, while the Michelin Guide has only touched our big centres, the Cuisine Guide has a national focus.”
“Taupō very definitely has what it takes to attract serious foodies. Our Taupō and Central North Island hospitality scene has a genuine vibrancy, and locals know that, but it’s always a thrill to see national recognition and endorsement of the quality of our hospo stars.”
“Out-of-towners and international visitors alike are discovering that it’s worth staying in Taupō for a few extra nights to allow time to experience our dining scene.”
“The busy year-round schedule of weekend events in Taupō is a significant driver for local hospitality businesses, and coming up soon the annual Treats of Taupō food festival, running this year from 26th September until 4th October, should be an excellent time to come to town to experience our food story.”
The Cuisine Good Food Guide 2026 Taupō restaurants:
As far as hotel restaurants go, this Bistro’s menu is a fine example of how food can be presented to local and international visitors. Recently appointed Exec chef Rudolph Segers has had experience around the world and more recently at Blanket Bay. Local ingredients are incorporated to his sophisticated full menu that includes housemade black pudding, free range brick chicken, lots of choice from the grill and excellent carefully plated vegetable dishes.
Like many Indian restaurants, Bombay Bistro has a full menu of Indian cuisine favourites. The goat curries draw in many diners in the know. Beautifully balanced spices in both the goat curry masala and the goat dhuna, a drier style, make for excellent dining. Start with pani puri or dahi puri and then order several dishes to share. The kids will love the mild butter chicken and rice.
Locals swear this restaurant is too often overlooked, saying it’s been a favourite for many years. Head here for a seasonal three-course set-dinner menu which offers a choice of four entrées, four mains and a mouthwatering selection of classic desserts. All plates are well balanced with thoughtful garnishes and accompaniments. Outdoor dining is great on warm nights and there’s a contemporary art gallery upstairs.
Embra [Cuisine Good Food Guide, awarded 2-hats]
Embra brings a fresh take on modern New Zealand dining, combining French and British influences with the best seasonal produce the region has to offer. Owned by chef Phill Blackburne and co-owner Nora Blackburne, the restaurant has quickly earned a reputation as one of the region’s standout dining destinations. A Taupō local, Phill refined his craft in Edinburgh under acclaimed chef Dominic Jack before returning home to create a restaurant that celebrates the flavours of Aotearoa. Sustainability sits at the heart of the experience, with a menu that changes regularly to reflect what’s in season and locally available.
French Market
A sophisticated deli that’s well worth a visit to top up supplies of gourmet foods when in Taupō. Chef/owner Marie Legoux, formerly a top chef in France and at Huka Lodge, stocks shelves, cabinets and chillers with stunning pastries, artisan breads and cheeses, and all manner of pantry delights. Stop by for great coffee and fill your shopping basket with perfect picnic fare.
Chef Andrew Wood is living his dream in this much admired restaurant at the southern end of Lake Taupō. Think Argentinian, Asian and spicy Mexican flavours. Start with bao buns, tempura veggies or grilled beetroot, feta and water cress and then your choice of mains that includes tahr, wallaby and octopus. Fireside dining on wintry nights or outdoors through the summery evenings.
Close to the Lake Taupō waterfront with a large menu of Indian specialities, this busy restaurant is recommended by locals. Start with a selection of snacks and share one of the four venison curries and an aromatic rice dish, biriyani which features goat, chicken, lamb or vegetarian. All the favourite accompaniments – naan breads freshly baked, chutneys, salads – are here, along with simple dishes for the children.
A recent and welcome addition to the lakeside’s dining scene, this is an all-day restaurant that becomes an excellent destination at night for dinner. The menu is contemporary with dishes thoughtfully and carefully created with great favour combinations. Pasta lovers will like the modern take on classic dishes, or choose from four large mains that are likely to include beef eye fillet, pork chop, fresh fish in a bouillabaisse with clams and fennel, or a slow-roasted lamb shoulder.
This lively, hospitable eatery in the centre of town has been a popular destination for locals and visitors forever. Lots of lovely vegetables, seafood and sharing small plates to start followed by a succinct menu of tasty main courses, all made under the watchful eye of a former staffer of nearby Huka Lodge.
The Bistro [Cuisine Good Food Guide, awarded 2-hats]
For more than 14 years, chef Jude Messenger and his wife Tiffany have built The Bistro around one simple philosophy: keep it simple but nice. That approach shines through in every part of the experience, from the warm hospitality to the seasonal, produce-led menu that celebrates local ingredients without unnecessary fuss. It's the sort of place where everyone feels welcome, whether you're enjoying a special dinner or bringing the family along. The menu changes with the seasons, but every dish is grounded in classic flavours and thoughtful cooking. Relaxed, genuine and consistently good, The Bistro is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant every town wishes it had.
Cuisine Good Food Guide 2026
More than 400 establishments feature in the Cuisine Good Food Guide 2026 which is New Zealand's only national and independent restaurant guide. The restaurants span the length of the country and showcase the top hospitality establishments, from fine dining and regional destinations to metropolitan and neighbourhood favourites.
The 19 category winners and 110 hatted restaurants – including the American Express Restaurant of the Year and Tātaki Auckland Chef of the Year – were announced at the Cuisine Good Food Awards on 24 August. The list was curated by a national panel of judges.
