The Best of Waikato: A Guide to the Local Food Scene

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Fresh, seasonal, locally grown, artisanal - and irresistibly delicious. From top cafes and restaurants and the numerous farmers' markets to award-winning cheese, ice cream and other dairy products, to seasonal asparagus or blueberries (and other berries too), from locally produced wine and craft beer to pasture-raised meats and free-range poultry, the Waikato offers a bounty of foodie experiences.

Where to Find the Best Burgers in the Waikato

In the Waikato region, home to some of the best beef and the tastiest cheese, not to mention totally crisp-fresh salad ingredients, there are some of the best places in the country to get your burger fix, gourmet or simply streetwise.
Best Burgers in Waikato
A close-up of a gourmet burger on a white enamel plate at Paddock Cafe in Cambridge. Layers of beef, melted cheese, fresh lettuce, crispy bacon, and sauce are snugly held in a toasted bun by a toothpick

Best Noodle Spots in the Waikato

Saucy, soupy, spicy and even fried, noodles are an ever-popular go-to meal, whichever way you like your noodles, there are plenty of places to get your fix in the Waikato region.
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Top Coffee Spots in Waikato

The Waikato is home to a number of skilled coffee roasters and top baristas making delicious brews - from flat whites and long blacks to cappuccino and macchiato.
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Top Ice Cream Places in Waikato

Ice cream in New Zealand is said to be creamier than anywhere else in the world – that’s because it’s made from the best and freshest ingredients, from the cream produced by our dairy cows to the juiciest fruit grown in our orchards.
Top Ice Cream Places in Waikato

Best hot chocolate spots in the Waikato

Keep warm and drink hot chocolate, happiness is hot chocolate, cuddle in a cup, hot chocolate is like a hug from the inside…Whatever your favourite hot chocolate saying is, the Waikato region is fully loaded with places to get a delicious – and just a little bit decadent – hot chocolate.
Best hot chocolate spots in the Waikato
Waikato’s Must-Try Doughnut Spots
Discovering the best doughnuts in the Waikato is a delightful adventure for any sweet tooth.
Guide to Chinese Cuisine in the Waikato
If you love noodles, you’ll love Chinese cuisine. From mouthwatering dumplings to savoury stir-fries, top-notch ramen and udon, there’s something to delight your taste buds.
Where to get the best waffles in the Waikato
Find the best waffles in the Waikato from savoury to sweet, including waffles and fried chicken, banoffee and bacon waffles and fluffy Belgian waffles.
Best Sweet Treats in the Waikato
From locally made small-batch ice cream and bean-to-bar organic chocolate to tarts, doughnuts and raw desserts - the Waikato region has much to delight anyone with a sweet tooth.
Best cocktail bars in the Waikato
Whether your cocktail of choice is a dry martini, shaken, not stirred, as preferred by James Bond, or another magical combination, the mixologists of the Waikato region have got you covered.
Top Ice Cream Places in the Waikato
In the Waikato region, which is the dairy farming heartland of the country and where berries and many other kinds of fruit are cultivated, you’re never far from a shop or eatery serving up ice cream.
Top Coffee Spots in Waikato
The Waikato is home to a number of skilled coffee roasters and top baristas making delicious brews - from flat whites and long blacks to cappuccino and macchiato.
Best hot chocolate spots in the Waikato
Whatever your favourite hot chocolate saying is, the Waikato region is fully loaded with places to get a delicious – and just a little bit decadent – hot chocolate.
Best Noodle Spots in the Waikato
Saucy, soupy, spicy and even fried, noodles are an ever-popular go-to meal, whichever way you like your noodles, there are plenty of places to get your fix in the Waikato region.
Best eateries for families in the Waikato
If you’re looking for family-friendly options for dining out, there are plenty of places in the Waikato that fit the bill.