11 places to fuel your ride

1. Baked With Love

Rated #1 on TripAdvisor for desserts in Taupō, Baked With Love should be your go-to if you’re after a sweet treat! Their Cakery serves up fresh, decadent sweets that are famous among locals. Not only this but their epic fresh-baked sandwiches and mouse traps are a great option to take with you for your day on the bike. Gluten-free, keto, dairy-free and vegan options are readily available.

2. Luna’s Gelateria

Been riding for a couple of hours in the beaming morning sun, and you need a little something to cool you down? Head to Luna’s Gelateria, the parlour, to grab a gelato or sorbet in the town centre.

A staple treat in Taupō town, Luna’s has hit the ground running, becoming a hot spot for a cool treat, currently pleasing the masses with 20+ flavours (including eight Dairy Free). Not into cones? Then get your gelato/sorbet made into an indulgent thick shake or milkshake!

3. Café Baku

Rated #1 on TripAdvisor for Coffee and Tea, Café Baku is known best by locals for its exquisite cabinet selection and friendly staff. Open till late afternoon, pop in for an Allpress coffee and tuck into one of their freshly baked muffins or slices over some banter with friends and family as you enjoy the lake views.

4. Two Mile Bay Sailing Club

This unique restaurant and bar lets you sit on the water while you enjoy a local craft beer and woodfire pizza. The Two Mile Bay Sailing Club is located perfectly at the midpoint of the Great Lake Pathway, making it an ideal stop on your bike journey. Park up, grab an ice-cold beverage and a table on the sand to soak in the scenery. If you feel like taking a dip in the crisp water, the Sailing Club offers hire of sailboats, stand-up paddle boards and kayaks; they even have a floating trampoline!

5. The Fish Box

About one minute off the Great Lake Pathway is the bright green building in Rainbow Point, serving classic ‘fish n chips’ in true Kiwi style. Freshly sourced ingredients make up The Fish Box menu, which ranges from trevally, paua fritters and crumbed brie to burgers and battered Mars Bars! Grab your Fish Box and head back down to the lake for a sunset dinner. 

6. Kefi at The Hub

Easily spotted from Wairakei Drive with the geometric patterned Sikorsky helicopter outside, Kefi at The Hub is perfectly situated on the Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam Trail, across the road from Craters Mountain Bike Park and directly adjacent to FourB Bire Hire & Tours. Their gravy-licous poutine is a rider favourite, and they are praised for their large Keto selection.

7. Kinloch Store

Regarded highly amongst locals for their ciabatta burgers, woodfire pizzas and coned ice cream, the Kinloch Store is the go-to for a delicious meal by the waterside.

In summer, people flock to pick up a pizza baked in the onsite woodfire oven, from the classics like Margarita and Hawaiian, to the more exotic Chicken & Cranberry and Salmon & Cream Cheese. Cool off during or after your ride with a waffle cone of ice cream (triple scoop condoned!) and enjoy it sitting on Kinloch Beach, just a few steps from the Store.

8. Beach 243

Nestled along the scenic Great Lake Pathway, Beach 243 offers mountain bikers the perfect pit stop to refuel with stunning lakefront views. With a casual waterfront setting, it's the ideal spot to savour delicious family favourites while basking in the summer's gentle breeze.

Their menu showcases the finest New Zealand produce, so be sure to treat yourself to their mouthwatering Beach 243 Breakfast or the irresistible Cast Iron Skillet Pancake – a meal so good, you might want it all to yourself!

9. Creel Tackle House & Café, Tūrangi

A must-visit if you are riding in Tūrangi, Creel Café offers a unique setting as you walk through the connected fishing tackle store to get to the café cosily tucked behind. If you're heading to the Tongariro River Trail, the Creel Café should be on your pre-ride-coffee list!

Their Brioche selection is the stuff of local legend, the Hangover Pie is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and the coffee is consistently perfect. The atmosphere is charming, and you’ll often see anglers in full gear stopping by for their weekly tackle and coffee pick up.

10. The Dam Café, Whakamaru

“Good food made daily the way grandma used to” is the slogan for this hidden gem on State Highway 32. The Dam Café is a hungry bikers saviour! It is the only daytime eatery in Whakamaru, a quaint town you can visit while riding the Waikato River Trails. With plenty of space to park the bike, re-energise with a toastie, big breakfast or milkshake.

11. Ata's Bar & Eatery, Mangakino

When you find yourself in Mangakino, don't miss the chance to visit Ata’s Bay & Eatery for a hearty breakfast or brunch. Their coffee is simply superb, and their hash stack is a must-try! This cozy cafe is a hidden gem, offering a relaxing atmosphere where you can unwind, have a chat, and savor the moment. It's the ideal spot to recharge your energy before hitting the road again, especially after a morning of exploring the breathtaking Waikato River Trails.