• Taupō’s Best Kept Secret: Brews and Burgers!

December 22, 2021

Speeding through the Aratiatia and Nga Awa Purua Rapids is guaranteed to work up an appetite! Satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst with a delicious feed at one of our favourite Taupō bars and eateries. Wind down after your thrilling adventure and share some laughs with friends over a burger and beer, for the perfect post-jetboat fix.

Pub n Grub

Boasting the largest outdoor dining on the lakefront in Taupō’s CBD – Pub n Grub’s panoramic views, relaxed atmosphere and all-day upbeat music means it’s the perfect place to wind down after a fast-paced jet experience. Open 9 am till late (from 8:30 am on weekends), they offer a full and robust pub menu with all the favourites for breakfast, lunch and dinner – so you’re sure to find something for everyone. Whether it’s burgers, juicy steaks, or platters to share with mates – washed down with a cold tap brew – Pub n Grub is sure to hit the spot!
4 Roberts Street, Taupō

Beer and chips and a burger at a local pub

Credit: Pub n Grub. Brews with views!

Pauly’s Diner

Run by two brothers, Pauly’s Diner is a small but mighty burger shop with a perfectly curated menu that will make choosing what to eat really hard. Try one of their classic gourmet burgers or the ever-changing burger special if you are feeling adventurous, whilst sharing a basket of southern-style fried chicken and sipping on a cold shake.
3 Paora Hapi Street, Taupō 

Fried chicken burger from Paulys Diner

Credit: Pauly’s Diner – Southern Fried Chicken Burger with candied Jalapeños, grilled pineapple and more.

Dixie Browns

Enjoy mountain views across the lake as you feast on a hearty meal at Dixie Browns. With great food, impeccable service and a lively atmosphere, it’s an ideal spot to reminisce over the day’s memories. Open from 6am-10pm, their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are full of much-loved favourites as well as lighter options.
38 Roberts St, Taupō 

Finns Gastro Pub & Beer Garden

Recently remodelled with a fresh new look, Finns is a favourite amongst locals for its relaxed atmosphere and top-notch service. The pub-style menu features all the classics as well as speciality pizzas. Dine inside or soak up the sunshine in the outdoor beer garden with a cold brew in hand.  Local Lakeman Beers are on tap as well as a large selection of craft beers, lagers, and ciders, the perfect cool down after turning up the heat at Rapids Jet.
10 Tuwharetoa St, Taupō 

Deck with chairs and tv outside Finn's Taupo

Credit: Finns Taupo – The alfresco beer garden with big-screen entertainment.

Crafty Trout Brewery

Grab a table right above the brewery and enjoy local beers and refreshing ciders from the Crafty Trout Brewery! Sip your way through their beer menu with a tasting rack of either 4 or 9 different beers, perfect to share with your mates. Their ciders or cocktails are an awesome alternative if you’re not a beer fan, and their alpine-crafted cold-smoked ginger beer is a great non-alcoholic option. Enjoy a bite to eat too with an extensive bar snack menu, or fill up with a loaded schnitzel or burger of the day.
Address: 133 Tongariro Street, Taupō 

Selection of four beers lined up at the Crafty Trout Brewery

Credit: Crafty Trout Brewery – Beer Tasting Rack with 4 Crafty TROUT brews.

The Deck

The sun’s out, so unwind and soak up the panoramic views of Lake Taupō on The Deck Bar and Eatery’s balcony. Try the locally brewed Lakeman beer, indulge on tasty burgers and continue the fun with free board games and pool tables. The Deck is the perfect spot for a relaxed afternoon as your adrenaline high slowly starts to wear off.
Address: 5 Tongariro Street, Taupō

Burgers at The Deck in Taupo

Credit: The Deck – Delicious burgers with amazing views over Lake Taupō.

No matter where you decide to fuel up after a fast-paced Rapids Jet experience, Taupō’s fantastic restaurants and breweries will bring everyone together over delicious local cuisine. Share some favourite moments and special highlights of your ride with your mates over a meal and cold brew, and start planning your next adventure!

Laugh, scream, and feel alive as we blast through the mighty Waikato River. Get ready for non-stop fun! 💦💥 #RapidsJet #JetBoatingNZ #TaupoThrills #NaturePlayground #AdrenalineRush #ExploreTaupo #RiverAdventure #AotearoaAdventures #PureNewZealand #NZMustDo #ExploreNZ #KiwiAdventures #TravelNZ
“The 1st rapids are exhilarating, the 3rd set were monstrous, what an adrenalin rush. 5 stars out of 5 🌟🤩⭐️🌠🖖” Thanks for this incredible Google Review, Jay! #RapidsJet #JetBoatingNZ #TaupoThrills #NaturePlayground #AdrenalineRush #ExploreTaupo #RiverAdventure #AotearoaAdventures #PureNewZealand #NZMustDo #ExploreNZ #KiwiAdventures #TravelNZ #googlereview
Nau mai haere mai i te ngā wai rere o te awa. We welcome you to come experience the rushing waters of the river. Happy Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori! (Māori Language Week). How will you celebrate? #RapidsJet #JetBoatingNZ #TaupoThrills #NaturePlayground #AdrenalineRush #ExploreTaupo #RiverAdventure #AotearoaAdventures #PureNewZealand #NZMustDo #ExploreNZ #KiwiAdventures #TravelNZ #maorilanguageweek #tewikiotereomaori
Rapids Jet: Defying gravity since ’93 🚤 📷: @Steve Penny #RapidsJet #JetBoatingNZ #TaupoThrills #NaturePlayground #AdrenalineRush #ExploreTaupo #RiverAdventure #AotearoaAdventures #PureNewZealand #NZMustDo #ExploreNZ #KiwiAdventures #TravelNZ
Explore the breathtaking beauty of the Huka Falls area on two wheels. Crisp air, stunning scenery, and plenty of photo ops await – there’s a ride for everyone, no matter your skill level or cycle experience 🚴‍♀‍ Journey along the 14km-return Huka Falls to Aratiatia Dam Trail and you’ll be rewarded with river views, lush native bush and hidden geothermal wonders. Time to strap on your helmet and start pedalling! #rapidsjet #taupo #nzmustdo #jetboat #holiday #getaway
Life is like a river – it's full of twists, turns, and unexpected rapids. Embrace the unknown and ride the waves to exciting new horizons! 🌊 #rapidsjet #nzmustdo #nature #travelgram #taupo #northisland
Caption this! 💦 #jetboat #taupo #nzmustdo #funtimes #adrenalinerush #thrills #purenewzealand
From the heart-racing to the awe-inspiring – our combo with @tepaturotorua is sure to ignite all your senses 🤩 Prepare to be amazed by the power of the Waikato River’s rapids, and captivated by traditional Māori performance and cuisine. Their current Tū Te Ihi winter celebration pays tribute to the time of year when the Matariki cluster of stars sit high and bright in our winter skies, as we reflect on the legacy of our ancestors and acknowledge the year that has been. Book via the link in our bio! ✨ #RapidsJet #Taupo #TePaTu #Rotorua #MaoriCulture #nzmustdo
Looking for a thrill that will leave you breathless? Look no further! Our jetboats are fueled by adrenaline and designed for speed 🚤😍 www.rapidsjet.com
Travelling around Aotearoa to catch all the football action? ⚽🏆 Just two hours from Waikato Stadium, and right by Taupo and Rotorua, our fast-paced jetboat ride is the perfect way to keep up the thrills between games! #nzmustdo #travelgram #mustdonewzealand #rapidsjet #jetboat
The gates of Taupō's Aratiatia Dam are released several times per day, turning a calm and peaceful trickle into the roaring, thunderous Aratiatia Rapids! View this spectacular sight from a series of lookouts, then come play in the rapids with us aboard our bright-yellow jetboats 🚤🌊 #AratiatiaDam #rapidsjet #nzmustdo #ifyouseeknz #spectacle #instatravel
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