In Ohakune

Eateries tend to come and go in little Ohakune, but a good feed at any time of day is never far away. Most of the food trucks and restaurants are on Clyde St. (the main drag through town) and along Goldfinch Street. The Cyprus Tree at 77 Clyde St (tel. 06/385-8857; daily 4:30pm–10pm), is a welcoming spot where you can enjoy a mulled cider by the log burner or chill out with a craft beer in the summer. It, too, has jumped on the share plate trend, so expect Mediterranean-inspired small plates (calamari and octopus, spiced lamb roti, and beetroot and citrus salad).

For breakfast, Birchhill Bakehouse, 19 Goldfinch St. (tel. 06/385-8288; Tues–Sun 7am–2pm) serves coffee, housemade pastries, and picnic supplies within its bodega. If you ask, they’ll even sell you a half loaf of fresh bread so you can make a sandwich for your outdoor adventures.  

For a cold drink, head over to the tasting room at Big Mountain Mead & Ruapehu Brewing Co. at 17 Goldfinch St. The beers (IPAs, stouts, and APAs) tend to be more traditional, while the mead is borderline experimental. It’s super dry and incorporates local ingredients (like horopito and kawakawa), without a hint of sweetness. In 2023, the Brewing Co. ★★ opened the town’s most anticipated après ski venue on Goldfinch St. The 250-seat restaurant has views of the surrounding mountains, a 50-seat retro cinema (paying homage to the site’s original use) and regular live music events.

In National Park Village

The village stills struggle with it image as a truckstop, but you’ll get a lively dining experience at Schnapps Bar, corner of SH4 and Findlay Street (tel. 07/892-2788; daily 10am–late). You’ll recognize it by the enormous driftwood kiwi sculpture and mini golf outside. Predictably for an outdoor-adventure type of region, the lamb shanks served on potato and kumara (sweet potato) mash is the top seller.

In Whakapapa Village

There’s not a lot of options in Whakapapa. If you’re self-catering, the best place to shop for groceries is at the New World in Ohakune. Otherwise, you might find yourself sharing the Terrace Restaurant and Bar at the Skotel  with parties of hungry hikers or skiers, but you won’t go away with a rumbling stomach. It does breakfast and dinner for guests and others (no lunch) and is open daily.


The Ruapehu Room is the one true fine dining option in the area, and the food comes with even finer views. It's the flashy restaurant at the Chateau Tongariro Hotel, and its an elegant step back in time in sumptuous surroundings, but this is still a family establishment and children are welcomed. Not surprisingly, the most popular dish is the Chateaubriand for two, which tastes and looks great. Main courses are between NZ$30–NZ$40. Breakfast is 6:30–9:45am, dinner 5:30–10pm.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.