Waterside makes the most of its position beside Lake Taupō, turning the water and mountain outlook into part of the meal rather than mere background. The locally owned restaurant opens from breakfast through dinner every day, so the room shifts naturally from morning coffee to full evening service. Sunny outdoor tables suit warmer days, while a fireplace gives the dining area a cosier character in winter. Its broad hours and relaxed lakeside atmosphere make it equally practical for a planned dinner, a family lunch or an unhurried stop after time around the lake.
Breakfast is a proper menu in its own right. Diners can keep things simple with eggs cooked to order or choose a more substantial house breakfast, and several eggs Benedict variations allow the familiar format to take different directions. Waffles, omelette and granola cover sweet, savoury and lighter preferences, while a separate children's selection makes the early service workable for families. The bar is not operating at breakfast, but barista coffee, tea, juices, iced drinks and milkshakes give the morning table plenty of choice.
Later in the day, the food widens into shared plates, composed mains and generous platters. Honey prawns, mussels, lamb croquettes, pork bao and karaage chicken can open a meal, while seafood and countryside platters turn those smaller dishes into a sociable centre for the table. Main courses move from eye fillet, lamb rump and bacon-wrapped chicken to slow-cooked ribs, market fish, seafood chowder and butter chicken. Burgers, nachos and salads keep the menu accessible for a casual lunch, with plant-based substitutions available on selected dishes.
Dessert is treated with the same sense of range. Dark chocolate pâté, crème brûlée, sticky date pudding and apple crumble sit beside Waterside's extravagant freakshakes, which work as either a playful finish or a destination of their own. The licensed bar brings New Zealand wine, beer, cider, cocktails and spirits to lunch and dinner, with mocktails and other alcohol-free drinks alongside them. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan pathways are marked across the menu, and children's meal combinations add a main, drink and dessert, giving mixed-age groups fewer compromises to negotiate.
Address: 3 Tongariro Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand
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Waterside Restaurant & Bar Menu
Breakfast
Served daily between 9am – 11am. Please note, due to liquor licensing, we are unable to serve alcohol before 11am. Dietary codes: GF – Gluten Free | V – Vegetarian | VE – Vegan | A – Available.
Bacon & Eggs
Toasted ciabatta with bacon and free-range eggs cooked to your liking, served with a side of tomato relish. GFA/VA.
Waterside Breakfast
Free-range eggs cooked to your liking, bacon, sausage, crispy hash browns, tomato relish, toasted ciabatta, and creamy mushrooms. GFA.
Eggs Benedict
Ciabatta topped with bacon, eggs cooked to your liking, and smothered in our housemade hollandaise sauce. Add sautéed spinach for $3. GFA/VA.
Waffles
Warm waffles with bacon, flamed banana and drizzled with maple syrup. VA.
Omelette
An egg omelette filled with spinach, mushroom and our cheese blend, served with a side of sweet onion relish. GF/V.
Granola Bowl
Muesli, fresh seasonal and dried fruit, and our sweet berry yoghurt. V/VEA.
Kids Owl Waffles
Warm waffles shaped like an owl with fresh fruit and a side of maple syrup. Ages 12 & Under.
Lunch – Nibbles
Served daily between 11am – 4.30pm. Dietary codes: GF – Gluten Free | V – Vegetarian | VE – Vegan | A – Available.
Garlic Bread
Toasted ciabatta with a side housemade garlic butter. GFA/V.
Bread & Dips
A selection of freshly toasted bread, served with a trio of housemade dips. GFA/V.
Fries
Crispy seasoned fries served with housemade aioli and tomato sauce. GFA/V/VEA.
Wedges
Hot crispy wedges with bacon, cheese sauce, sour cream and our sweet chilli sauce. VA.
Cheesy Gravy Loaded Fries
Loaded with bacon, spring onion, ranch and our housemade cheesy gravy. GFA.
Onion Rings
Crumbed with our special seasoning, flash fried and served with housemade aioli. V.
Jalapeno Popper
Crumbed jalapeno and cheese poppers served with our chipotle mayonnaise. V.
Halloumi Sticks
Grilled or battered halloumi served with our sweet chilli sauce. GFA/V.
Wontons
Stuffed with blue cheese and candied walnuts, served with housemade fig jam. V.
Arancini Balls
Housemade cheesy risotto balls served with tomato coulis and a side of aioli. V.
Karaage Chicken
Sliced chicken soaked in our housemade marinade, then fried and served with our hoisin mayo and a slice of lemon. GF.
Satay Skewers
Marinated grilled chicken served with our peanut satay dip. GF.
Seafood Fritters
Housemade fritters made from a medley of calamari, prawns, scallops, red onion and capsicum served with our hoisin mayo. GF.
Calamari
Salt and vinegar calamari, served with our balsamic reduction and roast pepper hummus. GF.
Lunch – Platters
Served daily between 11am – 4.30pm.
Waterside Platter
Mussels immersed in our creamy bacon and sweet chilli sauce, salt & vinegar calamari, seafood fritters, honey prawns, smoked salmon, fish bites and a selection of lightly toasted bread with housemade dips. GFA.
Countryside Platter
Karaage chicken, onion rings, halloumi sticks, pork bao buns, satay skewers, jalapeno poppers, arancini balls and a selection of lightly toasted bread with housemade dips.
Lunch – Main
Served daily between 11am – 4.30pm.
Steak
Your choice of cut served with crispy fries and our housemade diane sauce. Add Salad: $7. GFA.
Fush & Chups
Beer battered market fish served with crispy fries, housemade tartare and a wedge of lemon. Add Salad: $5. GFA. VEA – Tofu.
Mussels
Fresh green lipped mussels (your choice of half doz or full) cooked in our housemade creamy bacon and sweet chilli sauce, served with garlic toasted ciabatta. GFA.
Pork Ribs
Slow cooked ribs in our BBQ honey soy glaze finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Add Fries: $5. GFA.
Lamb Ragout
Slow cooked lamb ragout with fettuccine, confit mushroom and topped with parmesan cheese. GFA.
Lasagne
Our housemade beef bolognese layered between fresh lasagne sheets, served with your choice of fries or a fresh salad.
Nachos
Corn chips topped with our black bean mix, jalapenos, cheese sauce, housemade guacamole and sour cream. GFA/V.
Butter Chicken
Free range chicken immersed in our housemade butter chicken sauce and served with basmati rice. Add Naan Bread (contains gluten) for $5. GF. VA – Halloumi.
Seafood Chowder
A medley of seafood immersed in our creamy housemade chowder and served with garlic toasted ciabatta.
Lunch – Salads
Served daily between 11am – 4.30pm.
Seafood Salad
Sautéed prawns and deep fried calamari, topped with rice noodles and served on a tossed salad of slaw, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and our sesame soy dressing. GF.
Satay Salad
Grilled or buttermilk fried chicken, tossed in a salad of spinach, lettuce, coleslaw, red onion and crispy noodles then mixed with our housemade satay dressing. VA – Plant Based Tenders.
Lunch – Chef Specials
Served daily between 11am – 4.30pm.
Soup of the Day
Our Chef’s soup of the day served with freshly toasted bread. GFA/VEA.
Fish Of The Day
Our Chef’s special that changes daily.
Lunch – Burgers & Sandwiches
Served daily between 11am – 4.30pm.
Beef Burger
Housemade beef patty with bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato relish, lettuce, tomatoes and aioli. Topped with a baby pickle and served with crispy fries and aioli. GFA. VA – Plant Based Patty.
Chicken Burger
Grilled chicken and halloumi with lettuce, fresh tomato, aioli and our housemade sweet chilli sauce. Served with crispy fries and aioli. GFA. VA – Plant Based Patty.
Steak Sandwich
Sirloin cooked to medium and served in turkish bread with onion rings, smoked cheese, onion relish, lettuce and aioli. Served with your choice of fries or a fresh salad. GFA. VA – Plant Based Tenders.
Lamb Sandwich
Pulled lamb, our tomato salsa, ricotta, fresh lettuce and housemade chimichurri aioli. Toasted in turkish bread and served with your choice of fries or a fresh salad.
Panini
Buttermilk fried chicken with our cranberry sauce, aioli, brie cheese and spinach. Baked in a panini and served with your choice of fries or a fresh salad. VA – Plant Based Tenders.
Lunch – Dessert
Served daily between 11am – 4.30pm.
Chocolate Pate
Our famous velvet dark chocolate pate, with white chocolate sauce and espresso cream. Add Kāpiti Ice Cream: $2. V.
Cheesecake
Our Chef’s special cheesecake that changes daily, set uniquely in a pot with oreo soil, and served with Kāpiti vanilla ice cream. GFA.
Vanilla Brulee
Our creamy vanilla brulee served with berry compote and sorbet. V.
Sticky Date Pudding
Warm date pudding topped with butterscotch, served with Kāpiti vanilla ice cream and fresh whipped cream. GF/V.
Apple Crumble
Our spiced apple mix topped with crumble and served with Kāpiti vanilla ice cream. VEA.
Banana Split
Flamed banana with your choice of vanilla or chocolate ice cream, wafers, sprinkles and your choice of chocolate, caramel, or raspberry topping. GFA/V.
Classic Ice Cream Sundae
Vanilla or chocolate ice cream, with wafers, sprinkles and your choice of chocolate, caramel, or raspberry topping. GFA.
Freakshakes
An extravagant milkshake loaded with ice cream and unique toppings. Five Flavours: Chocoholic (chocolate), Waffle (caramel), Berry White (raspberry), Fudge (Gluten Free) and a monthly special. GFA.
Lunch – Kids Menu
We have a colour in kids menu (ages 12 and under) to keep the kids busy and highchairs available for the little ones. $18.50 for a combo (main, drink & dessert).
Main
Beef Lasagne, Beef Burger, Minute Steak, Chicken Nuggets, or Battered Fish. Then choose your side between fries, potato, or vegetables.
Dessert
Vanilla ice cream sundae, with your choice of chocolate, caramel or strawberry topping.
Drink
Fizzy: Coke, Lemonade, or L&P | Juice: Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry, or Apple.
Dinner – Entrée
Our dinner menu is available from 4.30pm. 2 Courses for $55, 3 Courses for $65*. *Courses that apply to our $55 & $65 promotion. *Special is not available in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.
Soup of the Day
Our Chef’s soup of the day served with freshly toasted bread. GFA/VEA.
Honey Prawns
Honey marinated prawns sautéed with capsicum, and served on fresh lettuce with glass noodles. GF.
Mussels
Green lipped mussels cooked in our creamy bacon and sweet chilli sauce, served with garlic toasted ciabatta. GFA.
Bao Buns
Steamed bao buns filled with our smokey BBQ pulled pork, red onion and fresh slaw.
Lamb Croquettes
Twice cooked lamb croquettes served with our mint jus and salsa verde.
Chilli Chicken
Diced chicken soaked in our homemade marinade, then fried and served with sauteed red onion, capsicum and spring onion in a chilli dressing. Finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. GF.
Quesadilla
Toasted tortilla filled with our chilli bean mix and cheese blend. V.
Dinner – Nibbles
Our dinner menu is available from 4.30pm.
Garlic Bread
Toasted ciabatta with a side housemade garlic butter. GFA/V.
Bread & Dips
A selection of freshly toasted bread, served with a trio of housemade dips. GFA/V.
Fries
Crispy seasoned fries served with housemade aioli and tomato sauce. GFA/V/VEA.
Wedges
Hot crispy wedges with bacon, cheese sauce, sour cream and our sweet chilli sauce. VA.
Cheesy Gravy Loaded Fries
Loaded with bacon, spring onion, ranch and our housemade cheesy gravy. GFA.
Onion Rings
Crumbed with our special seasoning, flash fried and served with housemade aioli. V.
Jalapeno Popper
Crumbed jalapeno and cheese poppers served with our chipotle mayonnaise. V.
Halloumi Sticks
Grilled or battered halloumi served with our sweet chilli sauce. GFA/V.
Wontons
Stuffed with blue cheese and candied walnuts, served with housemade fig jam. V.
Arancini Balls
Housemade cheesy risotto balls served with tomato coulis and a side of aioli. V.
Karaage Chicken
Sliced chicken soaked in our housemade marinade, then fried and served with our hoisin mayo and a slice of lemon. GF.
Satay Skewers
Marinated grilled chicken served with our peanut satay dip. GF.
Seafood Fritters
Housemade fritters made from a medley of calamari, prawns, scallops, red onion and capsicum served with our hoisin mayo. GF.
Calamari
Salt and vinegar calamari, served with our balsamic reduction and roast pepper hummus. GF.
Dinner – Main
Our dinner menu is available from 4.30pm.
Eye Fillet
Cooked to your liking and served with our housemade gratin, seasonal vegetables, salsa verde and Waterside jus. Add Two Grilled Prawns: $6. GF.
Lamb Rump
Succulent lamb cooked to medium and drizzled in Waterside jus, served with lamb croquettes, seasonal vegetables, tomato soil and mint gel. GFA.
Chicken Breast
Chicken breast wrapped in bacon and stuffed with sundried tomatoes, feta and basil. Served with garlic potato gnocchi, spinach and our housemade mushroom sauce. GFA.
Pork Ribs
Slow cooked ribs in our BBQ honey soy glaze, served with fresh slaw, crispy fries and aioli. GFA.
Fish Of The Day
Our Chef’s special that changes daily.
Fush & Chups
Beer battered market fish served with crispy fries, fresh salad, housemade tartare and a wedge of lemon. GFA. VEA – Tofu.
Seafood Salad
Sautéed prawns and deep fried calamari, topped with rice noodles and served on a tossed salad of slaw, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and our sesame soy dressing. GF.
Seafood Chowder
A medley of seafood immersed in our creamy housemade chowder and served with garlic toasted ciabatta. GFA.
Lamb Ragout
Slow cooked lamb ragout with fettuccine, confit mushroom and topped with parmesan. GFA.
Butter Chicken
Free range chicken immersed in our housemade butter chicken sauce, served with basmati rice and fresh naan bread. GFA. VA – Halloumi.
Beef Burger
Housemade beef patty with bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato relish, lettuce, tomato and aioli. Topped with a baby pickle and served with crispy fries and aioli. GFA. VA – Plant Based Patty.
Nachos
Corn chips topped with our black bean mix, jalapenos, cheese sauce, housemade guacamole and sour cream. GFA/V.
300g Rump Steak
Cooked to your liking and served with crispy fries and our housemade diane sauce. GFA.
Dinner – Platters
Our dinner menu is available from 4.30pm.
Waterside Platter
Mussels immersed in our creamy bacon and sweet chilli sauce, salt & vinegar calamari, seafood fritters, honey prawns, smoked salmon, fish bites and a selection of lightly toasted bread with housemade dips. GFA.
Countryside Platter
Karaage chicken, onion rings, halloumi sticks, pork bao buns, satay skewers, jalapeno poppers, arancini balls and a selection of lightly toasted bread with housemade dips.
Dinner – Dessert
Our dinner menu is available from 4.30pm.
Chocolate Pate
Our famous velvet dark chocolate pate, with white chocolate sauce and espresso cream. Add Kāpiti Ice Cream: $2. V.
Cheesecake
Our Chef’s special cheesecake that changes daily, set uniquely in a pot with oreo soil, and served with Kāpiti vanilla ice cream. GFA.
Vanilla Brulee
Our creamy vanilla brulee served with berry compote and sorbet. V.
Sticky Date Pudding
Warm date pudding topped with butterscotch, served with Kāpiti vanilla ice cream and fresh whipped cream. GF/V.
Apple Crumble
Our spiced apple mix topped with crumble and served with Kāpiti vanilla ice cream. VEA.
Banana Split
Flamed banana with your choice of vanilla or chocolate ice cream, wafers, sprinkles and your choice of chocolate, caramel, or raspberry topping. GFA/V.
Classic Ice Cream Sundae
Vanilla or chocolate ice cream, with wafers, sprinkles and your choice of chocolate, caramel, or raspberry topping. GFA.
Freakshakes
An extravagant milkshake loaded with ice cream and unique toppings. Five Flavours: Chocoholic (chocolate), Waffle (caramel), Berry White (raspberry), Fudge (Gluten Free) and a monthly special. GFA.
Dinner – Kids Menu
We have a colour in kids menu (ages 12 and under) to keep the kids busy and highchairs available for the little ones. $18.50 for a combo (main, drink & dessert).
Main
Beef Lasagne, Beef Burger, Minute Steak, Chicken Nuggets, or Battered Fish. Then choose your side between fries, potato, or vegetables.
Dessert
Vanilla ice cream sundae, with your choice of chocolate, caramel or strawberry topping.
Drink
Fizzy: Coke, Lemonade, or L&P | Juice: Orange, Pineapple, Cranberry, or Apple.
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Taupō
- Chicken burger Typical in Taupō: $27.00 $27.00
- Butter chicken Typical in Taupō: $24.90 $25.00
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