Looking for the best seafood restaurants in Taupo? Seafood in Taupo runs from giant freshwater prawns on the banks of the Waikato River to oysters, ika mata and green-lipped mussels on share plates in the town centre, plus Thai crab and whole snapper dishes and fresh fish and chips at Rainbow Point. Whether you want a family lunch, a booked dinner or a takeaway by the lake, Huka Prawn Park and Plateau Bar + Eatery are good places to start.
1Huka Prawn Park Restaurant
Huka Prawn Park Restaurant sits on the banks of the Waikato River at Wairakei Tourist Park, just north of Taupo, as part of a prawn-themed family park. Its menu is built around giant freshwater prawns, served steamed whole by the half or full kilo, in curry, in a bisque or lightly crumbed, with fish of the day and squid for anyone wanting something else from the sea. It suits families and groups who want a relaxed riverside lunch.
Services
- Steamed whole prawns by the half kilo or kilo, optionally tossed in garlic butter
- Prawn curry, prawn bisque, prawn paté and crumbed prawn cutlets
- Riverside Platter with prawn paté, salt and pepper squid, fish bites and prawn skewers
- Herb and beer battered fish of the day
- Takeaway prawn packs with garlic butter and cooking tips
Highlights
- Riverside setting overlooking the Waikato River, with alfresco dining and an indoor open fire
- Seats more than 200 across the restaurant and alfresco area
- Naturally steamed prawns from its Natures Kitchen, cooked over hot rocks
- Kids menu with a free keep cup, plus indoor and outdoor play space
Location & Contact
Name: Huka Prawn Park Restaurant
Address: Huka Falls Road, Wairakei Tourist Park, Taupo
Phone: 07 374 8474
Website: hukaprawnpark.co.nz/restaurant
2Plateau Bar + Eatery
Plateau Bar + Eatery is a locally owned bar and restaurant on Tūwharetoa Street in central Taupō, established in 2004. Its all-day menu draws on the Pacific Ring of Fire, from Aotearoa to Japan and Peru, and a large share of it is seafood: natural and tempura oysters, ika mata, torched miso salmon, sesame tuna loin and green-lipped mussels. It suits diners after share plates with craft beer and boutique wine.
Services
- Fresh oysters, natural or tempura, by the half dozen
- Ika mata with market fish, coconut, lime and tobiko roe
- Torched miso salmon and sesame tuna loin
- NZ green-lipped mussels in coconut and lime broth
- Szechuan pepper calamari and spiced prawn tacos
Highlights
- Established in 2004 and locally owned and operated
- Carries a Good Food Guide Destination badge (2025)
- Many seafood dishes marked gluten free and dairy free
- Online table bookings, with a separate form for groups of seven or more
- Daily happy hour from 3pm to 5pm on tap beer, house wine and cocktails
Location & Contact
Name: Plateau Bar + Eatery
Address: 64 Tuwharetoa St, Taupō 3330
Phone: 07 377 2425
Website: plateautaupo.co.nz
3Thai Mira Restaurant
Thai Mira Restaurant, which also presents itself as Thai Mira and Thai Seafood Restaurant, serves Thai cuisine on Tūwharetoa Street in the Taupō town centre, using fresh local ingredients alongside imported goods. Its menu has a dedicated seafood section, including whole emperor lobster, steamed crabs, fresh oysters and fish fillets barbecued in banana leaf. It suits diners who want seafood with Thai flavours, from a quick lunch to a sit-down dinner.
Services
- Whole emperor lobster in red curry or crispy garlic, at daily price
- Steamed crabs, fresh oysters and oyster omelette
- Deep-fried whole snapper with sweet chilli, green curry or spicy herb salad
- BBQ fish fillets in banana leaf and spicy basil squid
- Tom yum soup and curries with prawns or soft shell crab
Highlights
- Dedicated Thai seafood menu alongside the full Thai range
- Table bookings through its website
- Delivery available
- Gluten-free menu available on request
Location & Contact
Name: Thai Mira Restaurant
Address: 34 Tūwharetoa Street, Taupō 3330
Phone: 07 376 7023
Website: themirarestaurant.co.nz
4The Fish Box
The Fish Box is a fish and chip takeaway at Rainbow Point, on the southern side of Taupo, cooking everything fresh on the premises. The seafood counter covers fresh snapper, tarakihi, gurnard and trevally alongside oysters, scallops, mussels and fritters, so it suits anyone wanting fresh fish to take down to the lake rather than a sit-down meal.
Services
- Fresh fish fillets including snapper, tarakihi, gurnard and trevally
- Clevedon oysters, roe-on scallops and mussels
- Real paua fritters, mussel fritters and seafood fritters
- Seafood basket and family fish and chip packs
- Online ordering for pickup
Highlights
- Everything cooked fresh on the premises
- Paua fritters made with 100 percent paua
- House-made salt and pepper calamari and coleslaw
- Open seven days a week
Location & Contact
Name: The Fish Box
Address: 3 Rainbow Drive, Rainbow Point, Taupo 3330
Phone: 07 376 5757
Website: thefishbox.co.nz
Seafood Restaurants in Taupo at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Huka Prawn Park Restaurant | Riverside setting overlooking the Waikato River |
| Plateau Bar + Eatery | Established in 2004 and locally owned and operated |
| Thai Mira Restaurant | Dedicated Thai seafood menu alongside the full Thai range |
| The Fish Box | Everything cooked fresh on the premises |
How to Choose the Right Seafood Restaurant in Taupo
- Decide on the occasion: a riverside family lunch, a booked dinner of share plates and a fish and chip takeaway are very different experiences, so pick the style before the menu.
- Check what seafood is on the menu: some kitchens focus on one thing, such as freshwater prawns, while others offer oysters, mussels, crab and whole fish across a wider menu.
- Look at opening hours: some restaurants serve lunch only or close on set days, so check before planning a dinner.
- Book ahead where it matters: popular restaurants recommend bookings, and some go walk-in only during the summer peak, so check the policy for larger groups.
- Ask about dietary needs: many seafood dishes can be made gluten free or dairy free, and a good restaurant will tell you what is in each dish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taupo Seafood Restaurants
Where can I eat seafood in Taupo?
Seafood in Taupo is spread across the town centre, the lakefront suburbs and the Wairakei Tourist Park area north of town. Tūwharetoa Street in the centre has restaurants with oysters, mussels and Thai seafood dishes, Rainbow Point on the southern side has fresh fish and chips, and Wairakei offers riverside prawn dining.
What kind of seafood do Taupo restaurants serve?
Expect fresh oysters, green-lipped mussels, calamari, prawns, ika mata and market fish, along with fish and chip favourites such as snapper, tarakihi and gurnard. Freshwater prawns are a Taupo speciality, and Thai restaurants add dishes such as steamed crab, soft shell crab and whole fried snapper.
Is fish caught in Lake Taupo served in restaurants?
Generally no. Trout from Lake Taupo is a sports fish in New Zealand and cannot be bought or sold, so it does not appear on restaurant menus. The seafood on local menus comes from the sea or from aquaculture.
Do I need to book a seafood restaurant in Taupo?
For dinner, especially on weekends and during summer holidays, booking is a good idea and several restaurants take reservations online. Some riverside and family venues work on a walk-in basis during the busiest months, and larger groups usually need to arrange a booking in advance.
Are Taupo seafood restaurants suitable for families?
Yes. Several seafood restaurants in Taupo offer kids menus, and some have play areas or outdoor space where children can move around. A fish and chip takeaway eaten by the lake is also a popular family option.
Can I get gluten-free or allergy-friendly seafood in Taupo?
Many seafood dishes are naturally gluten free, and restaurants often mark gluten-free and dairy-free options on their menus or keep a separate gluten-free menu. Shellfish is a common allergen, so always tell staff about any allergy when ordering. New Zealand Food Safety has guidance on food allergies and how businesses must label allergens.
Is it safe to gather my own shellfish instead?
Restaurant seafood comes through commercial supply chains that are tested and regulated. If you plan to gather shellfish yourself on a trip to the coast, check the Ministry for Primary Industries shellfish safety page for current biotoxin warnings before you collect.
How We Chose the Best Seafood Restaurants in Taupo
Every business in this guide was found by searching for seafood restaurants in Taupo, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Taupo, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.