Rotorua Entertainment

Rotorua has a remarkable number of restaurants, bars and clubs that offer good food, wine and entertainment from all over the world. While wining and dining, dont forget to try some traditional dishes and take in a cultural performance by the Maoris.

Eating out

Restaurants, pubs and cafs offer top quality food, fine wines and entertainment that includes jazz, traditional Maori music, rap, pop, blues and many other genres. It is fairly easy to find French, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Indonesian and Turkish cuisine as well as food from many other places at restaurants in Rotorua. Many restaurants can be found lining the lake end of Tutanekai Street, Arawa Street and Fleton Street.

For a truly unique experience, you may want to have a meal at the Aorangi Peak restaurant on Mountain Road, which is situated about 2,000 feet above sea level. The restaurant is about 15 minutes drive from the city, but you can also choose to take a helicopter if you want to arrive in style.

Local cuisine

Kiwi specialities include dishes made with lamb, venison, Nelson scallops, whitebait, Bluff oysters, South Island salmon and kumara (New Zealand sweet potato). One of the more popular meals in Rotorua is the crispy fish and chips, which are loaded with vinegar and wrapped in oil proof paper or newspaper. Kiwifruit, tamarillo and Pavlova are great dessert choices. Do try some hangi, which is a traditional Maori dish, during your visit to Rotorua.

Theatre and music

Many hotels host cultural dinner shows for visitors, allowing them an opportunity to experience the many sides of Maoridom. The evening begins with a combination of traditional Kiwi food as well as Maori traditional dishes and is followed by the cultural show that includes story telling, dancing and singing and often a re-enactment of old traditions. The Heritage Rotorua Hotel Pohutu Cultural Theatre hosts some excellent shows.

Rotorua also has many good theatres which host international and local performances throughout the year. Performances include comedy, drama and musicals as well as ballet, jazz and contemporary dance shows.

Shopping

Rotorua has several shopping establishments including malls, boutique shops, markets and specialised shops. The main shopping areas are Tutanekai, Hinemoa and the city centre. There are lots of souvenir and gift shops scattered around Rotorua, and an abundance of craft shops.