Top Restaurants in Te Anau
Best New Zealand food near Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand
Reviews on New Zealand food in Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand. A gateway to Fjordland National Park, the quaint and peaceful township of Te Anau is nestled on the edge of a lake of the same name—the perfect site for jetboating or fishing. Embark on one of many day-long or multi-day hiking or walking tracks, then return to town to restore your body with a soak or massage at a spa and a delicious café meal. Nature lovers will marvel at the Te Anau glowworm caves, the Wildlife Park and Ivon Wilson Park, where rare Takahe birds flutter freely.
Things to do in Te Anau
10. La Dolce Vita Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 64 reviews
La Dolce Vita Restaurant is an Latin American & Italian homemade cuisine located in the heart of Te Anau, Southland.
Reviewed By cmb2
While spending 6 days in Te Anau, we visited what locals suggested were the best restaurants in town. Surprisingly, this place was not on their radar because for some reason, the locals don't consider Italian cuisine as being very good. We'd already had dinner at another Italian place another night which was just so-so, and we took our chances here for better Italian. We were not disappointed, at all! The cavatelli appetizer with feta, tomatoes & greens was superb. Choice of local beers & wines is limited, but very good. Hubbie ordered a small pizza for himself while I had the risotto fungi. Both were very good, but neither were as outstanding as our appetizer was. Service was not rushed but attentive, which is what we wanted, and we were allowed to enjoy each other's company while not having to worry about making room for the next customers. We found after spending 3 weeks on both North & South Islands, New Zealanders don't quite have the knack of Italian cuisine like one gets at some places in the USA or in Italy, but this place probably made the best valiant stab at trying to get it better than any other Italian restaurant we found in the entire country.
9. Black Dog Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 44 reviews
A casual dining experience. Kai iti (meaning 'small plates' or 'little food') is our New Zealand take on the popular Spanish tapas, available daily 4pm-9pm throughout the summer season and 4pm-8.30pm throughout the winter. Relax and unwind at our cosy bar
Reviewed By Barbet55
We came expecting great things after reading reviews in Tripadvisor.The only food on the menu were a cheese or a fish board(no tapas) and we had one of each. These were large portions and nice but not exceptional.We asked the server for advice regarding the wine as we were undecided between two but she just said she didn't know. No samples were offered and no attempt to ask someone who might have some idea. Overall this is an average bar, the staff lack knowledge in what they are serving and the selection of food is small.
8. The Moose Bar & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3 based on 482 reviews
A family friendly restaurant and bar located on the shore of Beautiful Lake Te Anau. We have it all, from an exciting kids menu to a whole range of styles of our signature dish - The good ol' steak! Whether you chose to sit in our fantastic beer garden an
Reviewed By holidaymaker282
We went to the Armadillos restaurant within the moose and we were really disappointed. It would be ok for a cheap meal but my pork at least was not worth the $30. It was a bit 1980s and the verge tasted like the freezer. Kids all commented their fries were weird and the ice cream was solid. I do wonder if the freezer is set too high or food is in there too long? Service was ok with our waitress polite by all means, but not exactly enthusiastic. No wine list at present was a bit annoying. So many better options in Te Anau for a meal.
7. The Ranch Cafe Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1120 reviews
Successful family owned restaurant operating now for over 20 years. Our team works hard in providing exceptional service, quality food within a great atmosphere.
Reviewed By JS30MR
Found this place when searching for somewhere to watch the rugby World Cup and decided to go for dinner too. Looked pleasant from the outside but the service and lack of atmosphere inside made it feel awkward - in hindsight we should have cancelled our order and left but we chose to give it a go. The monkfish and smoked salmon stack had 5% salmon 95% monkfish (which was ok because the salmon was very dry and the monkfish wasnât bad!). Also had the fish and chips which was more like fish goujons but was ok. Some people who came in afterwards had a different waitress who was a lot less awkward and spent time describing the specials - we didnât even get told there were specials. Saw the waitress and chefs having a row over portion sizes (which were small considering they advertise big portions). Waitress also accidentally dropped a bit of fish off someoneâs fish and chips - for a minute I thought she was going to put it back but she just took the meal out with 2 goujons instead of 3! A pint and a half of tap beer/cider and 2 meals was $70 plus the 1.5% credit card charge. Wonât be returning.
6. Bailiez Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 378 reviews
Reviewed By WanderingGourmand
we chose the restaurant as there appeared to be a high proportion of locals as opposed to tourist lunching there: big mistake!our very simple order took a long time to be served, as it had clearly been overlookedthe starter of mussels in a chili and garlic sauce was totally lacking in flavour - certainly no garlic could be detected - and was over-saltedmy order of fish and chips was passable, but the fish was clearly cooked from frozen, wherelse my wife's order of salmon was cooked at too high a heat, such that the albumin had been forced out and coated the exteriorit didn't help that the waitress who was meant to be attending to our table was extremely unpleasant and rather aggressive - the only such occurrence during our whole trip, fortunately
5. Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso Da Toni
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1173 reviews
Excellent Italian Food, with fast friendly service, Excellent selection for Carnivores, Vegetarians and Vegans Comprehensive wine list, Peroni on Tap Traditional Italian Pizza cooked New Zealands only rotating Wood fired oven.
Reviewed By Scubaskier
Called and Fen told heâd have a table when we showed up at some future time that evening. Good on his word. We happen to share the Bella (prosciutto, arugula & mozzarella) pizza (all are wood fired, 12â sized, thin crust) and a rocket (arugula), pear & pecorino salad. Both outstanding. I loved adding a little drizzle of their chili olive oil onto my slices. The place was rocking, but the staff was really efficient, helpful and friendly. No moss under their feet. Great choice when in Te Anau.
4. Kepler Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 877 reviews
Latin American inspired Italian dishes. Pasta, Pizza, Postres. Delicious meals that are sure to tempt your tastebuds. Gluten Free and Vegetarian options available.
Reviewed By reneeroaming
Had a wonderful meal here, staff were very friendly and very attentive. We shared the seafood platter to start at the recommendation of our waiter and it didn't disappoint. The flavours were amazing and everything was so tasty it left you wanting more. We had the Paella and the chicken mignon for mains and both had great flavours and we were far too full by the end to eat it all or even consider dessert! Would definitely go back.
3. The Fat Duck
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1451 reviews
Cosy, inviting atmosphere serving great local cuisine, coffee and drinks.
Reviewed By AusTourists
Nice to place to have dinner or just chill out for drinks. Free wifi is available. It's very busy at night time comparing to all the other restaurants in town.
Te Anau Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Te Anau
2. MacKinnon Room
Overall Ratings
4 based on 236 reviews
Reviewed By CathieP_12
We stayed at the Distinction Hotel on our Tauck Guided tour of New Zealand in Te Anau, New Zealand! A lovely restaurant with morning breakfast buffet & delicious local fare dinner! Lamb & Fish dishes are the most popular! Restaurant is located in lobby area of hotel with views of lake Te Anau! Would highly recommend!Dear CathiePThanks for your kind recommendation and we are delighted to hear you enjoyed your meals and sincerely hope to see you back again in the not too distant future. RegardsBrent Stander
1. Redcliff Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1669 reviews
Reviewed By AlisonS815
Recommended by a tour guide for excellent meal at reasonable prices, we ate here after enjoying a full day Fiordland tour. Service was friendly, staff found time to talk while maintaining efficient service. The presentation was imaginative and quality of food excellent. Accompanying wine was good. An excellent meal.
