The 6 Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Waitomo, New Zealand
Waitomo’s cafes have everything visitors could ask for on a day jam-packed with activities. Besides serving up some great coffee, these places offer a range of fantastic meals – from tasty treats and snacks to a mouth-watering selection of mains that are sure to keep your appetite and energy levels high. To help you select the right place for your food and caffeine fix, here’s a hand-picked selection of the area’s finest establishments.
HUHU Cafe
Cafe, Restaurant, Bar, Contemporary, European, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Vegan
The award-winning Huhu Cafe has been serving up an impressive selection of healthy, freshly made meals since opening its doors in 2007. This eatery doubles up as restaurant and bar, making it an ideal stopover for any time of the day. Coffee-loving patrons will have their fix of great fair trade brews made with beans sourced from New Zealand’s iconic Atomic Coffee roasters. If you’ve built up an appetite after spending the morning exploring the Waitomo Caves, you’ll have your pick of a variety of wholesome contemporary flavours to try, from tasty potato skins to delectable desserts and an assortment of hearty meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.
Waitomo General Store
Cafe, Grocery Store, Contemporary, European
The General Store is a place where you can stock up on some basic grocery supplies before heading into its cafe for all your brunching needs. A large deck area with plenty of seating makes this the ideal place for a cuppa with friends on a clear summer’s day. Food options appeal to all the coffee-shop classics, from much-loved staples like eggs Benedict to sandwiches and snacks that are sure to please all palates and cravings.
Cafe at Waitomo Adventures
Cafe, Contemporary, European
A tasty fixture of Waitomo Adventures that provides visiting thrill-seekers with plenty of nourishment after their caving expedition. Walk inside the cafe to be welcomed by an array of tasty cabinet classics like pies, cakes, muffins, slices, salads and sandwiches. Breads and biscuits are also on sale if you want to grab some on-the-go baked goodies to take away with your coffee.
The Long Black Cafe
Cafe, Contemporary, American, Vegetarian, Vegan
The Long Black Cafe enjoys a tranquil rural setting despite being right at the heart of all the action. This cafe is found right by The Legendary White Water Rafting Co., one of the key adventure tour operators in Waitomo. If you’ve just spent some time rafting down the iconic caverns, you’ll be able to replenish yourself with an awesome assortment of gourmet burgers – there are options for famished vegetarian and vegans as well as the meat lovers among us. Your caffeine fix is very much covered and the cafe also specialises in cool drinks like thick shakes, iced coffees and milkshakes.
Toi Toi Coffee
Coffee Shop, Cafe, Contemporary, European
This roadside cafe is the ultimate pit stop for those wanting to explore Waitomo’s walking trails – the Marokopa Falls track, for instance, is only within a couple of minutes’ driving distance. Besides serving up some great brews and tasty cafe treats,b Toi Toi Coffee enjoys fantastic views of the bluff and river adjacent to it, making it a pleasant place to recoup and unwind after a day of hiking.
Morepork Pizzeria and Cafe
Pizzeria, Cafe, Italian, European
This pizzeria-cafe hybrid is run by Kiwi Paka – a budget-friendly hostel that’s practically a veteran in Waitomo’s accommodation industry. As its name suggests, pizza is the must-try for lunch and dinnertime visitors; if you’re coming in the morning you’ll have a great selection of breakfast and brunch staples to fill you up while you get your caffeine fix.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.