Eat and Drink

  1. Visitors
  2. Eat and Drink
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.

Waikato Berry Festival

From visiting berry farms picking your own, meeting local growers at farmers’ markets to enjoying berry fruit ice creams or tasting seasonal dishes and cocktails in eateries and bars, there are many ways for locals and our manuhiri/visitors alike to enjoy the Waikato’s berry bounty.
Waikato Berry Festival

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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Restaurants & Dining Options in the Waikato

The Waikato region has an abundance of top quality dining options - from award-winning restaurants and wine & tapas bars to gourmet eateries and cafes.
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A group of people sits at a lively Banh Mi Caphe restaurant and bar in Hamilton City, enjoying food and drinks. The bar is decorated with plants and ambient lighting, while bartenders prepare beverages in the background.

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.
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Restaurants & Dining Options
The Waikato region has an abundance of top quality dining options - from award-winning restaurants and wine & tapas bars to gourmet eateries and cafes.
The Best of Waikato: A Guide to the Local Food Scene
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.
The Stories Behind Waikato’s Food
The food scene in the Waikato attracts the best, not only the best culinary creatives, but also people who enjoy the best food and beverages.
Pick Your Own Fruit
Fruit never tastes better than when it is freshly picked – warmed by the sun and oh so sweetly juicy.