10 Best Restaurants in Te Anau New Zealand

Visiting Te Anau and are you wondering what the best restaurants in Te Anau are? Then you’ve come to the right place! We have spent over a week in Te Anau to explore all the best things to do in both Te Anau and Milford Sound. Our stay at the centrally located Radfords on the Lake provided easy access to many Te Anau restaurants and cafes. After trying various restaurants and cafes in Te Anau we are happy to share with you our comprehensive guide to the best Te Anau restaurants. From the amazing Redcliff Restaurants for hearty meals, to delicious Indian food, Pizza restaurants, and the must-visit Sandfly Cafe for a coffee break. Te Anau is a small town but with many dining options!  

10 BEST TE ANAU RESTAURANTS

Redcliff Restaurant & Bar 

Redcliff Restaurant was our favorite go-to restaurant in Te Anau with hearty meals and a great atmosphere. It’s one of the best places to eat in Te Anau if you fancy a typical New Zealand dish. Their Fiordland Wild Venison is incredibly tasty, but the local beef and lamb are as good. They even won the prestigious NZ Beef & Lamb Hallmark of Excellence Awards several times. Oh, and their desserts are amazing too!

Set in a historic homestead the ambiance is very cosy and charming, which is sometimes hard to find in new buildings where other restaurants are located. Securing your table is highly recommended because Redcliff is one of the most popular Te Anau restaurants. Happy hour is from 5 pm to 7 pm, and if you love live entertainment then make sure to check the Redcliff Gig Guide for upcoming live music evenings.

Location: 12 Mokonui Street

Price range: 40 NZD for a main

Specialty: Fiordland Wild Venison and Wild Hare

Opening times: Daily 11 am – 12 am

Thai Anau

In every town in New Zealand you can find a Thai restaurant, so luckily in Te Anau it’s not different! Thai Anau is the only Thai restaurant in Te Anau and is a great place for a quick meal or takeaway. Perfect if you’re tired after a full day exploring Milford Sound and don’t fancy eating out anymore. While the interior of the restaurant isn’t the most appealing, the food is tasty and comes in huge portions!

Location: 120 Town Centre

Price range: 20 NZD for a currie

Specialty: Everything Thai, we loved the curries

Opening times: 11.30 am – 9 pm, Mondays closed

Olive Tree Cafe

For well-priced good food and a welcoming atmosphere, Olive Tree Cafe is a fantastic choice. Offering delicious breakfasts, soups, sandwiches, burgers and some local favorites, Olive Tree has a great variety of food and drinks. They even have some Asian food options as well such as the classic sweet sour and Laksa. 

Location: 52 Town Centre 

Price range: Starting at 15 NZD for breakfast and 20 – 28 NZD for a main

Specialty: The wide choice of options 

Opening times: 8  am – 8  pm, Monday & Tuesday closed

MacKinnon Room 

With fantastic views of Lake Te Anau and great food, MacKinnon Room is the place to go for a meal with a view. Their interesting, varied menu is a combination of European and New Zealand dishes. If you can time to get to MacKinnon Room before sunset, you will be in for a treat, overlooking the lake from your table with sunset views. It’s also a lovely place to enjoy a cheeseboard with a glass of wine or cocktail in the afternoon after a walk along the lakeshore. 

Location: Inside Distinction Hotel, Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9600

Price range: Around40 NZD for a meat dish

Specialty: Mt Cooks Salmon and New Zealand Tenderloin

Opening times: Lunch & Dinner 11 am – 10 pm, Breakfast 6.30 am – 10 am Monday – Friday, 7.00 am – 10.30 am Saturday – Sunday

Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso 

Craving pizza in Te Anau? Look no further than Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso. With a wide range of pizzas including the classics but also plant-based options and interesting variations such as the Chicken Cranberry, Venison Pizza and Smoked Salmon, there’s plenty of choice for everyone’s taste. Prices range from 23 NZD to 35 NZD for a pizza and there are also gluten-free bases available and dairy-free cheese. 

Location: 1 Milford Crescent

Price range: Prices start at 23 NZD for a pizza until 35 NZD for the meaty pizzas 

Specialty: Wood-fired pizza

Opening times: Monday – Sunday 4 pm till late

Ditto 

One of the best restaurants in Te Anau for Asian food is Ditto! Serving delicious bao buns, Vietnamese-loaded fries, dumplings and sushi boxes, Ditto is a great place for lunch or light dinner. Previously they only had a food truck, but since it is a permanent restaurant Ditto became a favourite in Te Anau. Another great thing is that they have gluten-free and dairy-free options as well!

Location: 92 Town Centre 

Price range: Starting at 12 NZD for a bao bun

Specialty: The bao buns! 

Opening times: Monday – Saturday from 11:30 am to 8 pm and until 4 pm on Sundays

The Fat Duck  

The Fat Duck is a Gastropub with an extensive menu available for lunch and dinner all year round. Bringing the best of modern New Zealand flavors including Wild Venison, Pork Belly, Lamb and many more. There are a few options for vegetarians as well such as the Vegan Pumpkin Gnocchi, Vegan Burger and Pulled Jackfruit Wontons. For a light bite, their bar snack menu are a great choice as well as the smaller plates such as the Risotto balls and dumplings.

Because The Fat Duck is one of the most popular restaurants in Te Anau, they are usually packed. Making a reservation is highly recommended, especially in the busy summer months.  Also, live music draws a crowd to the bar area at some evenings of the week, so make sure to check their schedule beforehand.

Location: 124 Town Center

Price range: 20 NZD for a smaller plate and around 40 NZD for a big plate

Specialty: Very allround food, but the Akaroa Salmon and Lumina Lamb we had were very good

Opening times: 5 pm- 10 pm from Wednesday until Sunday. Monday & Tuesday closed. 

The Sandfly Cafe

Your go-to place for a coffee with delicious cake, a big breakfast or lunch, or a quick takeaway of cabinet food. With a lovely, spacious outdoor seating area and always people enjoying a cup of coffee, Sandfly Cafe is the beating heart of Te Anau. Their all-day menu features amazing breakfast and lunch options, and there is plenty of choice for vegetarians too! From rolled oats to breakfast salads, burgers and porridge, there are plenty of options. For a quick bite, the cabinet food is great for takeaway, perfect if you continue your road trip to Milford Sound and need a quick refill. 

Location: 9 The Lane

Price range: Between 15 – 20 NZD for a dish and 

Specialty: Coffee & treats

Opening times: Daily from 7 am – 4:30 pm

Radha’s Indian Restaurant 

For delicious authentic Indian cuisine, Radha’s Indian Restaurant in Te Anau is the place to go. Each dish had a distinctive rich flavor and all options were absolutely delicious. While the interior of the restaurant isn’t the most fancy the food is amazing, and prices are fair with around 20 NZD for a currie. Great takeaway restaurant in Te Anau as well. 

Location: 118 Town Centre

Price range: 20 NZD for a currie

Specialty: Indian

Opening times: 11:30  am – 2:30  pm, 4:30 –9:30  pm, Tuesday closed

Must do tours in Fiordland National Park

Exploring the untouched wilderness of Fiordland National Park is a must-do in New Zealand. Known for the glacier-carved fiords of Doubtful and Milford Sound and home to beautiful alpine lakes, ancient rainforests and huge waterfalls, there are plenty of hikes and a huge variety of other activities to do. Three of New Zealand’s Great Walks are found in Fiordland, known as Kepler, Milford Track and Routeburn Track. But if you’re not prepared for multi-day hikes, then there are also plenty of day walks options and other fun activities to do. Here are some tours we highly recommend to do in Fiordland National Park.

Check here the best Milford Sound tours on GetYourGuide

Check here the best Milford Sound tours on Viator

Wander through the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves

See the magical natural phenomenon of glowworms in the caves of Te Anau. An informative guide takes you on this underground adventure starting with a cruise across Lake Te Anau. Once arrived at the caves you can marvel at the shimmering illumination of thousands of glowworms as you glide through the quiet darkness of this magical underground world.

→ Book here your Te Anau Glow Worm Caves tour

Cruise to the hidden Doubtful Sound

The lesser-known and quieter version of Milford Sound is Doubtful Sound. During this full-day tour you will journey across the clear waters of Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Sound. Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife while taking in the scenery. You might see fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and crested and little blue penguins if you’re lucky. Your naturalist guide will tell you everything and point out interesting sights.  

→ Book here your cruise to the hidden Doubtful Sound

Scenic cruise on Lake Te Anau

Marvel at the majestic views of Fiordland wilderness on this luxury sunset cruise. Including champagne and canapés, this tour on the impeccably preserved 1930s sailing yacht is a unique experience. You can watch the sunset over the Southern Alps and customize your cruise on this small-group cruise. 

→ Book here your scenic cruise on Lake Te Anau

Milford Sound Hiking Tour with Cruise from Te Anau

Book this full-day Milford Sound hiking tour including a cruise to explore the best of Fiordland National Park. Travel along Milford Road from Te Anau and enjoy panoramic views over the beautiful countryside. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise through the fjord and out to the Tasman Sea, and gaze over soaring clifftops and plummeting waterfalls. Afterward, enjoy short guided walks and explore Fiordland’s spectacular natural scenery with a local nature guide.

→ Book here your Milford Sound Hiking Tour with Cruise from Te Anau

Jet boat journey through Fiordland National Park

Step into a powerful Fiordland Jet boat and cruise down the mighty Waiau River on this roughly two-hour adventure into the heart of Fiordland National Park. You will pass some famous landmarks and Lord of the Rings filming locations along the way. Departure is from Lake Te Anau with morning, afternoon and evening trips. 

→ Book here your jet boat journey through Fiordland National Park

Scenic flight over Milford Sound

Depart from Milford Airport and track west along Milford Sound, climb alongside Lady Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak for some great views of the fiords and its towering peaks before returning to our Milford base during this 20-minute flight.

→ Book here your scenic flight over Milford Sound

Where to stay in Te Anau

Radfords on the Lake Te Anau

Radfords on the Lake is located across the road from Lake Te Anau with stunning lake and mountain views. The fully self-contained suites offer everything you need during your stay. From cooking utensils to a desk and comfortable bed, Radfords on the Lake in Te Anau is your home away from home. With lovely staff, daily cleaning and its convenient location in the town centre, we couldn’t recommend Radfords on the Lake enough. We have stayed here ourselves and fully enjoyed it!

→ Book here your stay at Radfords on the Lake

Distinction Te Anau Hotels & Villas

Distinction Te Anau Hotels & Villas overlooks the spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges. The accommodation offers elegant rooms with a fridge and tea and coffee facilities. Surrounded by colourful gardens, a day spa, sauna and a heated swimming pool, Distinction Te Anau Hotel is a great place to unwind after a day of exploring.

→ Book here your stay at Distinction Te Anau Hotels & Villas

Tasman Holiday Parks Te Anau

Located adjacent to Lake Te Anau, Tasman Holiday Parks is centrally located within 5 minutes’ walk of restaurants and shops. Accommodation options include chalets, studios and self-contained apartments. All offer a refrigerator and tea/coffee-making facilities. Some chalets and apartments feature a fully equipped kitchen. There is a large communal kitchen, outdoor dining settings and a lounge area available to all guests. Other facilities include a self-service laundry room, a hot tub and BBQ facilities.

→ Book here your stay at Tasman Holiday Parks

How to get around in New Zealand 

To experience New Zealand to the fullest and at your own pace, renting a car, campervan or motorhome is the best way to get around. Which one of these options you choose depends on your preference and budget. If you love camping, being outdoors all day and you don’t mind a smaller living space, then renting a camper van is the way to go. It also gives you the freedom to sleep at some of the most beautiful camping spots, but for some of them you’ll have to make a reservation and plan your trip accordingly. The same goes for a motorhome which is bigger than a campervan and fits about 4-6 people. Here’s what you need to know about renting a car, camper van or motorhome in New Zealand. 

Car rental in New Zealand

Renting a car in New Zealand is the easiest and cheapest rental vehicle available. It will get you to all the best destinations with ease and gives you the freedom to stop for a break wherever you want. However, you should keep in mind that some roads in New Zealand are still gravel or that you have to cross shallow rivers to some destinations in National Parks. Therefore we personally recommend a mini SUV or SUV model to have enough clearance for this kind of roads.

We rented for 6 weeks a Mitsubishi ASX model and were super happy with this car! The best place to book your rental car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare different car models, prices, companies and terms and conditions. Make sure to secure the booking of your rental car as soon as possible to have the lowest price possible. Prices go up the closer you get to the pickup date.

Campervan rental in New Zealand

Traveling around in a campervan is one of the most popular ways for a road trip in New Zealand. With a bed, small kitchen and seating area you will have all the (basic) needs on four wheels. Make sure to check if your campervan has a shower or not because this might influence where you want to camp. A campervan allows you to camp at plenty of beautiful places, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. It will give you a true feeling of freedom and fully connects you with nature.

We recommend to book your campervan with Travellers Autobarn as they have a wide range of Station wagons, 2-berth campervans & 3-5 berth campervans to hire for all budgets. All Travellers Autobarn campervan hires in New Zealand come with free unlimited kilometers, a 10% discount to premium campgrounds, 24/7 roadside assistance & long-term rental discounts. Check the availability and prices today to secure your campervan for a New Zealand dream road trip!

More New Zealand travel guides

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the best Te Anau restaurants. Make sure to also check our best things to do in Te Anau travel guide.

There are many amazing other things to do and places to visit on the South Island of New Zealand. So if you’re looking for more inspiration and ideas, then read our other New Zealand travel guides.

Fiordland National Park

23 best things to do in Milford Sound – The Ultimate Guide

9 best Milford Sound Cruises – The Complete Guide

20 best things to do in Te Anau – The Complete Guide

6 best scenic flights in Milford Sound you must consider booking

Lake Marian track – The Complete Guide

Mirror Lakes New Zealand – The Complete Guide

Key Summit track – The Complete Guide

Gertrude Saddle hike – Complete Hiking Guide

Queenstown 

30 best things to do in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide

16 best hikes in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide

10 best wine tours in Queenstown – The Complete Guide

12 best helicopter tours in Queenstown – The Complete Guide

Queenstown Hill walk – The Complete Guide

Ben Lomond track – The Complete Guide

Moke Lake loop track & viewpoint – The Complete Guide

Bobs Cove nature walk – The Complete Guide

Glenorchy

20 best things to do in Glenorchy – The Complete Guide

Glenorchy walkway & lagoon track – The Complete Guide

Earnslaw Burn glacier valley and waterfalls – The Complete Guide

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