Taupō, also sometimes written as Taupo, is a town in the center of New Zealand’s North Island situated on Lake Taupō, the largest freshwater lake in the country. Across from the lake, you can see Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in the country and the home of the Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro mountains. We stopped in Taupō on our way down to Wellington (you can check out my vegan food guide to Wellington here) because we wanted to see the park itself and the Kuratau Lagoon. It’s a beautiful, walkable town right on the lakefront with plenty of restaurants and things to do. There are no vegan or vegetarian-only restaurants but you won’t have trouble finding vegan food. So, if you eat a plant-based diet like me, here are a few places to check out that have vegan food in Taupo.
Roots Waffle Cafe
We made it a habit to stop to get coffee every morning before we set off on the next leg of our road trip so in Taupō, we took a pit stop at the Roots Waffle Cafe. It’s a dog-friendly cafe and they have vegan waffles! I got an iced chai latte and a vegan version of The Classic with cream, maple syrup, and cinnamon sugar. It was a great small bite before we hit the road.
The Cozy Corner
The Cozy Corner is another cafe that serves coffees and teas, and their menu is clearly labeled. Vegan breakfast options include the soy tofu scramble, nurture bowl, coconut porridge, and toast. There are also options for lunch, in the case for grab and go needs, and desserts. Everything is fresh and perfect for a light bite.
Lotus Thai
This wouldn’t be one of my food guides without a recommendation for a Thai restaurant (my favorite cuisine). Lotus Thai is a non-vegetarian restaurant serving authentic Thai food. There is a separate vegetarian section on the menu (some are vegan already), but patrons are advised to let the staff know if they’re vegan so they can help accommodate.
Suncourt Indian
I’ll put this disclaimer again but I’m not big on recommending Indian restaurants because I never try them and the food just doesn’t compare to what I’m used to. However, Taupō has quite a few highly-rated Indian restaurants and Suncourt Indian is one of them. It’s not secret that if you’re struggling to find vegan food, going to an Indian restaurant is probably your best bet. They have a separate vegetarian section on their menu and their food is cooked separately. A lot of these dishes should be vegan-friendly or can be made so, like samosas, daal tadka, aloo gobi, masala dosa, paranthas, and more.
Master of India
Another Indian restaurant in Taupō, Master of India has a 4.7/5 star rating on Google with over 1,300 reviews. I can’t tell you if the food’s any good, but that rating might be a good indication. They have so many vegetarian options on their menu, many of which should also be vegan-friendly, and I would recommend talking to your waiters/waitresses.
As a general rule of thumb, avoid any dishes that include the words ‘paneer’, ‘makhani’ or ‘malai’. Paneer is an Indian cottage cheese (not vegan-friendly), ‘makhani’ refers to a dish made with ‘makhan’ or ‘butter’, and ‘malai’ is a layer of cream used in dishes. Usually, daals (like daal tadka) and potato or vegetable-based dishes are okay for plant-based diets, as long as nothing is cooked in ghee (clarified butter).
Waterside
As is in the name, Waterside is an almost lakeside restaurant with fantastic lake and mountain views. We had gotten here late for dinner and it was almost empty, but worth it. Nothing on the menu is labeled vegan as is, but there are a few vegan options available, including the soup of the day, fush & chips, and apple crumble for dessert. The beef burger may be swapped with a plant-based patty, but I would ask first if it’s vegan-friendly or not. I had the fush and chips, which was a battered and fried tofu, that came with a sauce and salad. It was quite good, and it was steaming hot when it was served. I almost burned my tongue!
Vietnamese Joint
If you want fresh, authentic Vietnamese street food, check out Vietnamese Joint if you’re looking for a quick bite. They’re also located near the waterfront and in the heart of town, just steps away from the “Love Taupo” sign and across the street from the ‘World’s Coolest McDonald’s’. They have a few options labeled vegan as is, including rice, vermicelli noodles, summer rolls, and spring rolls.
The Doughnut Box
Don’t let the name get you confused: The Doughnut Box doesn’t just dish out donuts. They serve gelato and coffee too! This is the perfect place to stop by if you’re searching for something sweet. According to HappyCow, they have four different vegan gelatos and non-dairy milks for coffees. A review states that vegan cinnamon donuts are available upon request.
Social Club
If you’re looking for food, craft beer, and coffee, check out Social Club. They have a few vegan options like the vegan warrior breakfast, polenta fries with aioli, olives, vegan fish tacos, fish and chips, and a vegan fish burger. They also have a vegan-friendly apple and rhubarb dessert. Their menu is clearly labeled, so you won’t have any trouble eating here.
Lava Glass Cafe
If you visit the Lava Glass Art Gallery and Studio, their cafe has a few reported vegan options: blueberry buckwheat pancakes, a plant-based savoury bowl, and a Moroccan kumara burger. However, right now, it looks like there’s only a vegan version available for the creamy mushrooms on sourdough entree.
Did I miss any other vegan food in Taupo? Let me know below!
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