Restaurants

Not so long ago, finding even a decent cup of coffee here was a struggle. Things have improved a little, but the selection is still limited and there is a fairly flexible interpretation of the word "service." There's a growing cafe scene, much of it concentrated at the lake end of Tutanekai Street, known as "The Streat," although I've always found most of the eateries in this area overrated. Rotorua also has around 50 restaurants -- everything from Turkish to Korean, Indonesian to Italian, so you'll certainly never want for inexpensive fare. For a family dining experience with great views, feast 600m (2,000 ft.) up at Aorangi Peak Restaurant, Mountain Road, Ngongotaha (tel. 07/347-0046; www.aorangipeak.co.nz). It pays to reserve a table. And don't forget to try the traditional Maori hangi while you're in Rotorua. Pick up the free dining guide and The Streat cafe brochure at the visitor center.