7 minute read
New kids on the block
from Henry | Summer 2022
by ninetyblack
5 hot hospitality spots to visit this summer
Who’s excited for summer coffee dates, dinners, and drinks? With summer socialising comes the opportunity to get to know some great new hospitality venues that have opened recently. From high-end cafes to quirky brunch spots, here are some awesome new hangouts to visit in Rotorua and Taupō. Grab your mates and check them out!
Mavericks Gastropub
Junction on Fenton
Great flavours meet authentic hospitality at this new Rotorua café. Junction on Fenton serves highquality breakfast and lunch in central Rotorua. They focus on providing excellent food and beverage options, along with training options for the next generation of hospitality superstars. You’ll be warmly welcomed at this unique destination café that provides students with a fast-paced commercial learning environment under the expert guidance and management of a highly experienced crew. Junction on Fenton aims to demonstrate the spirit and normalisation of biculturalism, particularly through education and food choices.
Find them 1167 Fenton Street, Rotorua 07 245 7009
junctiononfenton.nz
Boasters at Eleven-Eighty
Boasters is an inner-city Rotorua coffee roastery, now with a coffee house café serving up their delicious beans espresso style. It’s a great relaxed space popular among locals and tourists alike, thanks to great coffee alongside locally sourced cabinet food. There’s a tempting selection of food ranging from the healthy to the naughty, and the business prides itself on a sustainable mindset, so you can feel good about treating yourself. Pick up a bag of their coffee to enjoy at home, packaged in compostable coffee bags.
Find them 1180 Haupapa Street, Rotorua 021 345 269
boasters.co.nz
Junction on Fenton
Harri Sharman
Roots Waffle
Roots Waffle
Love waffles? This place is for you! Roots Waffle Café brings gorgeous, fluffy Belgian-style waffles to Taupō. There’s a huge range of sweet and savoury waffles to delight the senses, including a buttermilk fried chicken waffle topped with spicy maple and pecan maple butter. The menu takes inspiration from the owners’ South African roots, with traditional dishes like the bobotie waffle and ‘eggs bene on safari’ waffle. Gluten friendly and vegan waffles are also available, alongside a range of sweet and savoury cabinet options. There’s also great barista coffee, roasted by Mojo Coffee. It’s an ideal spot for families, with a fun children’s play area, and baby changing facilities. Enjoy the pet-friendly outdoor seating area, where all tables also have hooks for dog leads. They can even whip up a ‘puppaccino’ for your pooch!
Mavericks Gastropub
One of Taupō’s newest eateries, situated in the modern development of Wharewaka on Lake Terrace. The gastropub and conference facility have drawn inspiration from an oldworld aviation theme. Inside you’ll find a quirky vintage aviation-inspired interior, including a replica WWII US Navy spotter plane hanging from the ceiling! The service is attentive and laid-back, and diners can expect an extensive, eclectic, somethingfor-everyone menu – think steak, seafood, Mexican and Kiwiana classics. If you’re after something more casual, the newly opened Hard Deck Garden Bar serves up a more casual fare with loaded fries, scallop and bacon burgers, and platters to share. With views over the lake and mountains this is the ideal place to be in summer.
Find them 650 Lake Terrace, Taupō 07 377 3543
mavericksgastropub.co.nz
Roquette
The newest eatery on our list, Roquette’s Taupō opening in December has excited fans of their Whakatāne restaurant. Bringing their high standard of food, with a focus on fresh, fine ingredients, to a contemporary and intimate setting, the new location will bring a taste of the coast to central Taupō. Opening from mid-December, just in time for festive celebrations.
Find them 13 Tongariro Street, Taupō 07 213 2449
roquette.co.nz
Rotorua's Hot picks
RotoruaNZ.com
Velocity Valley
Live out your wildest dreams with an array of unique NZ adventure activities. Agrojet, Shweeb, Freefall Xtreme, V-Force, Swoop & Rotorua Bungy. Solo and family packages also available.
Mention henry to receive a 10% discount on packages.
1335 Paradise Valley Road, Rotorua 0800 949 888 velocityvalley.co.nz
Skyline MTB Park
Skyline MTB Park gives riders easy access to 12-kilometre of world-class downhill mountain biking, featuring trails with varying terrain for all ability levels.
NZ’s first all-season Gondola assisted bike lift park. Open from 10am daily.
178 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 07 347 0027 skyline.co.nz Skyline Luge Rotorua
Skyline Luge Rotorua offers gravity fuelled thrills for the whole family. With incredible lights, tunnels and five tracks to choose from, a visit is a must do for everyone!
3 new tracks with corkscrews, tunnels and amazing lights! Book online today!
178 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 07 347 0027 skyline.co.nz
Rotorua Canopy Tours
Soar through the trees and experience ancient NZ forest like never before – in two unforgettable zipline adventures. This is a must-do multi award-winning adventure not to be missed!
Voted the world’s best experiences by TripAdvisor.
147 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua 0800 226 679 or 07 343 1001 canopytours.co.nz Off Road NZ
Adventures that are perfect for everyone. From our self-drive 4WD Bush Safari, to the Monster 4X4 Thrill Ride, and heartracing Raceline Karting, this truly is the adventurer’s playground of their dreams.
Exceptional Packages Available
193 Amoore Road, RD2, Rotorua 07 332 5748 offroadnz.co.nz
Redwoods Treewalk
A Rotorua must do! A suspended bridge walk captures the beauty and ambiance of the forest from a bird’s eye perspective. Daytime for nature and night time for magic !
A Rotorua must do
1 Long Mile Rd, Rotorua treewalk.co.nz
Motion Entertainment
New Zealand’s largest all-weather entertainment mall with 10 attractions under one roof! Bowling, laser tag, indoor tramp park, kids playland and more! Fun for all ages, free parking.
Book your fun online and use the discount code henry for 10% off!
366 Te Ngae Road, Lynmore Junction Rotorua 0800 HAVE FUN (0800 4283 386) motionentertainment.co.nz
Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua
Soak in a cedar hot tub on the forest’s edge, complete with tub-side bar service. Share your adventure beside a campfire or over a refreshing beverage from our unique café and bar.
Receive a free Shinny Dip foot hot tub with any drinks purchase.
13/33 Waipa State Mill Rd, Whakarewarewa 0800 73 77 68 secretspot.nz Lakeview Golf & Country Club
Lakeview Golf & Country Club is a unique free-draining 18 hole, par 72 course with undulating fairways and challenging greens where everyone is welcome! Contact us to book your tee time.
Mention henry to get a $10 discount on our $45 green fees
704 State Highway 5, Hamurana 07 357 2341 lakeviewgolf.co.nz
Amokura Glass
Amokura Glass is Rotorua’s only hot glass studio and gallery. Our workshop is open to the public Friday through Monday with workshops running on Sundays.
Watch our artists create hand-blown glass or take a workshop to try it yourself
153 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs 027 608 6545 amokuraglass.com Horse trek through native bush and working sheep and cattle farms with stunning views of Lake Okareka, Lake Tarawera and Mount Tarawera. Rides and horses to suit all abilities from beginners to experienced riders.
Redwoods Altitude
A tree top experience like no other: 25 jungle bridges, 3 flying foxes, 2 spirals and an optional big jump. Fully guided and harnessed, allow 2.5 hours. Combo includes fast pass entry to Nightlights and Treewalk. A Rotorua must do.
All 3 for $150pp – (includes Treewalk Day, VIP (fast pass) Nightlights & Redwoods Altitude)
1 Long Mile Rd, Rotorua 027 536 6355 redwoodsaltitude.co.nz Reading Cinemas Rotorua
Reading Cinemas Rotorua is Rotorua’s first class 5 screen cinema complex. The cinemas feature huge screens, first release movies in 2D and value packed candy bar deals!
