When in New Zealand, everyone must visit Milford Sound at some point, and if you’re visiting Milford Sound, you’ll likely stop in Te Anau either on the way there or on the way back (or your tour departs from the town). It’s a cute little town where my cousin and I stayed in an Airbnb in the heart of it, but I will be honest: this isn’t a foodie’s paradise. You will certainly be able to find vegan-friendly food options here, but I am glad that we stopped in at the grocery store first to pick up some essentials.
Here are some of the places where you can find vegan food in Te Anau:
Milford Road Merchant
On that note, however, I do highly recommend that you stop in at Milford Round Merchant. They’re open from 7AM – 4PM from Monday to Saturday, so they’re a perfect road trip side trip. We popped in just to get coffee, but we were pleasantly surprised by the selection and stopped in twice after that. They have non-dairy milk alternatives for coffee and a variety of vegan-friendly treats: dahl hot pie, double chocolate cookies with coconut, and cinnamon scrolls, which were my absolute favorite. They serve them warm, so they’re nice and gooey, and oh-so fluffy.
If you don’t want food, I picked up a print from a local artist to give to a friend when I returned home, and I also bought locally made chocolate bars with New Zealand flavors for my family. You’ll have a lot to peruse!
Paradiso Ristorante Pizzeria
If you’re looking for a warm meal after a Milford Sound cruise or trek, stop by Paradiso Ristorante Pizzeria, which has been around since 2011. They have three plant-based pizza pies made with Green Vie vegan cheese: the Ginita, the Verde, and the Autunno. You can add the vegan/dairy-free cheese to the other pies for an additional charge, For dessert, they have sorbet, but also a vegan/plant-based sticky date toffee pudding that comes with cashew caramel and plant-based gelato. Reservations are recommended.
Ditto
If you’re searching for Asian-inspired street food, look no further than Ditto. Their menu does change, but current vegan-friendly options may include: the house-roasted pumpkin seeds, the tofuie bao or tofuie bao feast buns (can be made vegan by subbing for lettuce cups), crispy tofu bowl (can be made vegan), and fries.
Radha’s
If you’ve come across my blog before, you’ll know that I’m not the biggest fan of recommending Punjabi or Indian restaurants. I cannot, in good conscience, tell you to eat at a South Asian-adjacent establishment; HOWEVER, you will have an easier time finding vegan-friendly food here. Without an online menu to look at, my recommendations are to avoid menu items that include makhan/makhani, paneer, malai, etc. and to stick with vegetable-based dishes (samosas, pakoras, veg jalfrezi, aloo/potato, etc.).
Sandfly Cafe
Located in the heart of town and open seven days a week from 7AM – 4:30PM, Sandfly Cafe is another option for coffee (with non-dairy milk options available) and drinks, as well as food. Their vegan option rotates, but HappyCow users have reported a vegan brekkie and a falafel pita wrap, as well as some sweeter options in the cabinet. Though if you’re like me, maybe pack some hot sauce in your bag.
The Fat Duck
We had a light dinner at this gastropub one night and it didn’t disappoint. It does get quite busy, especially around dinner time, so I recommend making a reservation (we had to sit at the bar). They have an entire dedicated vegan menu (which I loved) and I would have ate so much more had I been hungrier. However, I stuck with the delicious dumplings, but the sauce was a bit too salty for me. They also have pulled jackfruit wontons, a vegan burger, gnocchi, a few sides, and coconut rice pudding to wrap things up.
The Ranch Bar & Grill
If you’re looking for something late night, The Ranch Bar & Grill is open seven days a week from 8AM to 11PM. Both of their vegetarian burgers (the vege pattie and chicken plant-based pattie) can be modified to be vegan-friendly, as well as their vegetarian stack. The roast vegetable salad is vegan as is.
Mexican Tastz
Closed on Wednesdays, if you’re looking for Mexican food in Te Anau, you can come to Mexican Tastz. A HappyCow user reported that the vegetarian dishes (burrito, fajitas, tacos, etc.) could be modified to be vegan (like the mushroom al pastor tacos, chips with guac, vegetable burrito, and more).
Black Dog Bar
A newer addition to the list and another local favorite, the Black Dog Bar has a variety of vegan-friendly options, including the spicy fried cauliflower with hummus and pomegranate molasses, coconut and vanilla panna cotta (ask for no meringue), and a medley of olives. Definitely would not be my go-to, but perfect for a late-night snack after a long day of hiking.
Kea Cafe
Another newer addition to the list, Kea Cafe boasts a clearly labeled vegan menu and has coffee, breakfast, and all-day dining. As of this publication, vegan-friendly options can include: the avocado mushroom toast, popcorn cauliflower, salad, and Mediterranean roast veggie and tofu.
Are there other spots with vegan food in Te Anau that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
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