Stratosfare Rotorua

Stratosfare Rotorua

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+64 7-347 0027+ Add website
Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
Sat
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS
Food
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.7 of 5 bubbles
About
Where to look first, outwards, upwards or at the live chef displays... Set high on the side of Mount Ngongotaha, Stratosfare is the newest hot spot on Rotorua's burgeoning foodie scene. Luxurious Italian marble, granite, schist stonework and timber set the scene for a memorable experience where David Trubridge light frames your dinner setting for an evening that is sure to delight all your senses. Skilled chefs at their stations craft your cuisine, while cocktail connoisseurs mix and shake at the bar - and the sights don't stop - there's also an incredible 180 degree panorama of Lake Rotorua and the city to soak in amongst the atmosphere. Did we mention the menu? A range of cuisine is presented to tantalize your taste buds, from the tidal mussel tank, ensuring the freshest mussels you can find, to the flame rotisserie, aged prime cuts, Art of the Grill, seasonal salads and the freshly cooked-to-order crepes, we are sure you will leave wanting to come back again and again. Featuring a stunning array of freshly prepared buffet and cooked-to-order dishes highlighting locally sourced seafood, meat and produce, Stratosfare will take you on a gastronomic journey. Our commitment to quality begins long before our produce arrives at our pinnacle site. We work in partnership with local NZ farmers and growers who share our commitment to food excellence, from the pasture to the plate. Our award-winning Wagyu Angus cross fillet steak is just one example. Our prime beef comes from 16,000 hectares of coastal farms near Gisborne. The people of Mangatu Farms have been working their ancestral lands for more than 200 years. They can tell us exactly where the beef has come from, how it was reared and what it was fed. It's the little details like these that set our dining experience apart. We think you will be able to taste the difference too. Last dinner booking 8.30Pm.
PRICE RANGE
$30.00 – $80.00
CUISINES
Italian, Seafood, International, European, Grill, Contemporary, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Buffet, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,029 reviews
Excellent
1,510
Very good
348
Average
99
Poor
41
Terrible
31

Maree C
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 family
We went to celebrate a significant family Birthday, purchasing the premium dining experience which meant seating by the window, and a complimentary wine. Views were beautiful, and selection of food great!! The place was packed and yet we found our waiter Nino very attentive. His charm and helpfulness were the best, and he later appeared with a dessert plate with Happy Birthday wishes on it including candles and signed card from the staff. We all thoroughly enjoyed our night there and highly recommend the restaurant and staff. The lady doing the crepes was lovely to chat to, as was Nino.
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ashley T
Wellington5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 couples
What an incredible experience! My partner and I were deeply moved by the exceptional hospitality and care shown by the restaurant staff —almost to the point of tears. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely welcomed. Our server, Rachel, was absolutely outstanding! She went above and beyond to ensure we felt seen, heard, and well cared for throughout the evening. We were so impressed by the experience that we ended up staying longer than usual — we’re typically "eat-and-dash" diners, but not this time. The food was diverse, with an extensive variety to choose from. The quality was exceptional, especially for a buffet, where standards can sometimes be hit or miss. The dessert selection was massive and absolutely delightful. The view was breathtaking, making the premium package well worth it. Rachel made sure our unlimited sparkling water was always topped up and, in a particularly thoughtful gesture, surprised us with a special plate of desserts with “Happy Birthday” written on it when she noticed we’d moved on to dessert. To top it all off, I received a birthday card signed by all the staff working that evening—a touch that truly moved us. It’s this kind of care and attention to detail that will bring us back. My partner, who has worked in hospitality, couldn’t stop applauding the exceptional service provided by everyone, from the moment we walked in to when we left. We absolutely loved this experience and wish the restaurant continued success. Thank you for making it such a memorable celebration!
Written 26 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skyline Rotorua
Hi Ashley Te Whare, Thank you so much for such a heartfelt and personalised review. We truly appreciate your kind words and when Rachel heard of this, she was delighted she could make such a special day so memorable. Thank you for taking the time to write the review. We would love to see you back! Warm Regards, Daniel Fisher
Written 12 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Biggles1234
Auckland Central115 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 couples
Amazing Service and Buffet, seated at the window overlooking the awesome lake. There was a great variety of food, extremely well presented and prepared, our Waiters Adrien attentive and spoilt us. The staff all signed a card celebrating our 56th wedding anniversary and nothing was too much trouble. We have enjoyed the Buffet several times over a number of years and would recommend for both special occasions and an excellent meal.
Written 6 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angela S
Auckland3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 couples
Firstly the gondolas weren’t working so we had to catch a van up to the restaurant. We got kind of a cursory apology, but it would have been nice to maybe get a complimentary drink or just some acknowledgment that we weren’t getting 100% of what we’d paid for. The service staff were ok, in a “I’m straight out of hospitality school and have no idea of how to relate to other humans” kind of way. Table was sticky. The food consisted of chewy steak, overcooked vegetables, tasteless seafood. The desserts were actually quite edible, although I suspect they’d been brought in. The gondolas were working for the downward journey, but at the bottom to add insult to injury we got hustled to buy a photo!!! Piss off!!! No no no….if you want great food, head to Eat Street in Rotorua city and you’ll find a far superior quality of food on offer for less money.
Written 23 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helsey07
Rotorua9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 couples
Outstanding service right from the 1st phone call, such a welcoming, friendly & efficient staff member took our reservation. Both Carys who showed us to our table, & Adrian who took our drink orders & cleared our table, asked if we were celebrating a special occasion. When they found out it was our wedding anniversary they both went above and beyond, even getting staff members to sign a card for us & presenting this to us with a special dessert platter. Made us feel so special & helped create such a memorable evening. The food was outstanding & so may options. Will definitely be back & definitely recommend. Thanks again to Carys & Adrian, you're an asset to the restaurant 😀
Written 16 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skyline Rotorua
Hi Helsey07, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a beautiful comment about the service you were given from Carys and Adrien. They were both elated to hear they made such an impression, and we do hope to see you back soon. Warm Regards, Daniel Fisher
Written 12 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julie P
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 family
I had an amazing dining experience at Stratosfare Restaurant in Rotorua! The cable car ride to and from the restaurant was such a fun and unique touch, offering breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscape. The buffet dinner was delicious with a wide variety of fresh, tasty options to choose from. What really stood out was our waiter, Samuel, who was friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome throughout the evening. The entire experience was memorable, and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Rotorua. You won’t be disappointed!
Written 4 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Schalk
Auckland246 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 couples
This was our wedding anniversary lunch, so we wanted to have it at a special place. And I'm not aware of any place more special in Rotorua than Stratosfare. I'd booked online before we arrived, so we could skip the queues of people waiting to buy gondola ride tickets. I'd specifically booked a window seat, which included two complementary drinks. Upon arrival, we were taken to our reserved table where, shortly after, our server introduced himself to us and asked what complementary drinks we would prefer. Then we got about helping ourselves to the offerings at display at the massive buffet. If you go there and can't find something you want to eat, you must have very strange preferences. When we were almost done, our server brought a nice surprise--a complementary piece of chocolate cake and a card in which all staff had each hand-written a "happy anniversary" message for us! Wow, how wonderful! Thank you, Stratosfare staff, you made our meal unforgettable!
Written 26 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sunshine39912434154
1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 family
We’re Rotorua locals and have been to Stratosfare several times over the past few years for special occasions. The views are always stunning and the food is quite good. The one piece that is sometimes lacking is the service, but on our latest visit we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a lovely host, Carys. She was warm, welcoming and engaging upon our arrival, and her service got even better as she showed us to our table. She was the first person at Stratosfare I can ever recall asking us whether we had been there before and offering to explain the process of the evening. Carys then proceeded to go the extra mile by happily chatting with our children, even cleverly encouraging them to be sure to eat some veggies so they could have dessert! We then proceeded to overindulge (of course!) on a wonderful meal - highly recommend the slow-cooked beef… juicy, tender, excellent - and were lucky enough to see Carys again as we finished up our evening. She was still smiling, polite and friendly, and we let her know how much of a positive impact she had made on our experience. Thank you so much, Carys! You’re a star!
Written 27 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dragonbaby
Orange128 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 couples
Wonderful dinner. Adrien was our server and took us to our premium table (with a view and included premium drink). He was a wonderful waiter (very attentive and friendly). The restaurant is buffer style with a bountiful selection. First was a soup station with 2 choices. Then multiple options for appetizers (hummus, halloumi, dolmatas, salamis, and more). A nice create your own salad station. Then international choices from gimbap, vegetarian curry, kimchi and salmon sashimi and more. Lots of vegetables. And great meats- short ribs, beef roast, lamb, pork, grilled fish, prawns, and more. The dessert selection was also plentiful with 8 choices of ice cream, pavlova, cheesecake, carrot cake, mud cake and more. My favorite was the NZ boysenberry ice cream. Adrien found out it was our anniversary and presents us with a card signed by all the staff and a special dessert plate. And our evening was capped off by a rainbow outside our table. A perfect ending to a perfect meal.
Written 4 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Graham C
17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 couples
The service, food quality, cleanliness in general can’t be faulted. The staff are always ready to help with anything or clearly away plates you are done with. The food quality is unbelievable with one of the best range of food options I have seen in a restaurant. To top it all off, the view while having your meal is unreal. Buying a gondola/meal combo makes this experience well worth the money required.
Written 28 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DayTrip10202086858
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 none
Outings with two tired kids (and two tired parents) can be tricky, let alone expecting them to sit still long enough to enjoy a nice meal together as a family..but while on holiday, it's unavoidable. We decided to book the earliest dinner spot possible (5pm) at Stratosphere, Rotorua, for the gondola ride and all you can eat buffet. The staff greeted us warmly and prepared a highchair for our littlest (10months old). We were taken to our seats and had the buffet explained to us, along with the offer of nuggets and fries to be made up specially for our three year old. Well, not only did we get to enjoy the amazing selection of food, but what really made the night so amazing was the service!! All of the serving staff could not have been friendlier and more tolerant of our two little ones, always making the effort to check in and say hello/smile/chat to the children on their way past. Our waitress for the evening, Lily, was especially amazing and an absolute superstar in the eyes of our three year old!! . Her interactions weren't rushed or hurried on her way past, she really took the time to stop and get down to his level and make him feel included by chatting to him, asking him questions, getting him colouring etc. What an amazingly kind and patient waitress! We also had another waiter, who wasn't assigned to our table, stop past often to check in and chat to the children; his name was Litesh. Seriously flawless customer service from these wonderful people, who made us feel like taking the children out for a meal wasn't a burden after all! Thank you so much for a wonderful dining experience.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Virginia B
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 couples
The hostess,Carys, was amazing and sat us near the best view. She was very kind and professional. Our server, Nina, was fantastic, gave us great recommendations on the wine and was very prompt with our requests and clearing our plates. And had a great sense of humor. The food for the most part was great, including the selections of food , seafoods, chowder, cheeses and desserts. The meats- lamb, beef, ribs were almost tasteless and tough.
Written 21 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Francy03
Wanneroo37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 couples
My husband and I recently dined at the Stratosphere to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary. The wait staff were absolutely amazing! They catered to our every request and were very attentive during on sitting. The food here is wonderful and with such a wide variety to choose from, we had to really pace ourselves. My husband enjoyed all the desserts while I loved the pumpkin ravioli and of course the views are stunning. At the end of our sitting our waiter brought over a wonderful piece of cake and a signed card by all the staff wishing us both a happy anniversary. That for us, made our experience a 10/10. It was such a wonderful surprise and we were so thankful. We will be sure to return in the future.
Written 5 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skyline Rotorua
Thank you for spending such a special occasion with us. Our chefs enjoyed hearing about the pumpkin ravioli and the front of house team were very pleased to hear about your experience and we hope to see you for another anniversary in the future. Kind Regards, Daniel Fisher
Written 12 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Escape17574341014
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 family
Great selection of food, I am coeliac and felt very safe eating here, no issues. There was a wide range of GF options and the chefs were right there to help and were very knowledgeable. Terry went above and beyond to make our experience 10/10. Brought our kids colouring in, quietly offered a off the menu nuggets and chips free of charge if we were at all worried the kids wouldn’t eat the buffet (but there was enough yummy stuff they were happy with anyway) and was more than happy to answer our questions about Rotorua, and even told us a traditional Māori tale about Mokoia Island. Would love to go back for the food, but would just go back for the service Terry provided.
Written 21 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Connector28564900633
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 family
After being told at the Luge ticket office that there were no reservations available we decided to chance it and approach the staff at Stratosfare directly. We are so glad we did! Not only did they manage to squeeze us in, but everything about the experience was awesome. Every single staff member we encountered had a fantastic attitude and clearly wanted us to enjoy our time there. The food served up by our Austrian chef was incredible and our table was served by Ana impeccably - despite our small children being a little unruly she was great to us at all times.
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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STRATOSFARE ROTORUA - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

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