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Lava Glass Café
Review
About
The Lava Glass Café offers aromatic fair trade coffee and a selection of delicious, fresh, homemade meals, cabinet food, cakes & slices. Everything is made of wholesome local, seasonal produce. There are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available. The café is located only 10 min from Taupo town center on the way to Rotorua. It is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Adjoining to the café you'll find a glass art gallery, glassblowing studio, and glass sculpture garden.
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, European, Healthy, Soups, New Zealand
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available
Does this restaurant specialise in New Zealand style food?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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4.4
33 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
0
aidsnang
Morrinsville243 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
We usually stop here for a pitstop when heading south, and again on the way home. We know the food is reliable and good place to stretch the legs, and avoid going into Taupo. This trip we sampled the eggs on toast which was great value, and we always pick up a slice of the chocolate brownie which cant be beaten. Always lots of tasty looking cabinet food plus other menu.
Written 29 April 2022
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.
Acineto
Auckland Central24224 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
We planned to go to the Lava glass to do the garden walk but decided to come by for lunch first. They are located at the back of the gallery and the outdoor area led to the entrance to the garden.
The menu was being put up when we were there but they did have physical menus to look through. They also had cabinet food and a range of drinks. I ended up getting the keto roll which was essentially bacon and cheese wrapped in an omelette. I quite liked it and it came with a side salad.
I did enjoy looking around the place with all the interesting glass items around.
Written 1 February 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.
DL2Some
Detroit Lakes895 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
We pulled in on a whim and were pleased with the offerings of the cafe. Meat pies, salads and wonderful coffees and teas are featured. We also found a great selection of tasty desserts! An added benefit is the glass garden, albeit at a price of 10 NZ$.
Written 1 April 2020
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.
christinerK6857LL
Many thanks for your feedback. I'm pleased you had a good experience. Next time you’re here, try the Haloumi on Toast. It’s one of our new offerings.
Written 12 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Escape26975906555
Wellington1 contribution
Jul 2020 • none
Very disappointed in the cabinet food. So overpriced compared to Wellington. My niece asked for a berry slice but was fished up a side piece with half a teaspoon of filling in. My coffee was cold. Toilets desperately needed a clean. If you are charging that much to eat there you should give a complimentary tour of garden. I would have complained at the time but did not want to ruin the ‘treat’ for the others. Not good for encouraging NZ population to support local attractions
Written 16 July 2020
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.
christinerK6857LL
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We’re sorry your experience didn’t match your expectations. We’ll strive to do better.
Written 12 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katieclem46
Hamilton665 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
No hassle parking here and it is a pleasant rural venue. You enter through the glass gallery with its large selection of locally made quality art glass. This would be a great coffee/lunch stop for travellers heading through to Napier as it’s a short distance north of the Taupō bypass on SH5. The food was good and the coffee likewise.
Written 26 January 2020
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.
christinerK6857LL
Hi Katie, Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a nice review. We look forward to seeing you again, soon.
Written 12 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kary
Wallsend3 contributions
Oct 2024 • family
Cheese platter was so delicious and great value too. My daughter and I were very happy with our lunch. We sat outside in a little garden watching the sparrows fly around. Beautiful glass art to explore and find too.
Written 3 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.
Explore50690640332
4 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
This cafe is simply the best. It is always a must to stop on our way to Cambridge for brunch. Pumpkin frittata is just awesome.i drool at the thoughtof it great prices.awesome location yummy slices. Kay
Written 7 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.
GeneralShamu
New York City1274 contributions
Dec 2024 • family
Was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of food at this cafe. It took a little longer than expected to have the food ready, though it's because it's all freshly made. Definitely worth a visit if coming to see the Lava Glass store/tour/garden.
Written 4 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.
juglansjames
Bath90 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
Excellent stop for lunch or coffee in and out of Taupo
We had coffee twice and lunch once on our journeys back and forth on the SH between Rotorua and Taupo
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.
Letitia
Chicago1 contribution
Oct 2024 • business
My son and I were visiting NZ a couple of months ago and stopped here for lunch and met up with a NZ tourism representative…all three of us ordered the bacon mushroom open face sandwich…it was so delicious and ever since I have returned home I have wanted another one … my son contacted the. He’d and he was more that happy to share the recipe.
What a friendly stop with beautiful art in Routura NZ
Written 29 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.
Lucinda J
Wellington1137 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
Good service and nice food, we had a panini and salad which was delicious. Nice clean toilets and the added bonus of the beautiful art glass
Written 4 January 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.
acdenmark
Hong Kong725 contributions
Jul 2023 • friends
We had the platter with was great value for money -3 Big pieces of cheese , excellent pesto and salamies -yum . Been few times and consistently awesome food plus my doggies are allowed :)
Written 26 July 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.
Martin
Timaru2 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
Service was friendly. But slow. 50min wait on food. Nice once it arrived. Better communication on the delay would have been appreciated.
Written 1 January 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.
Amanda898
Christchurch62 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
A good variety of well priced tasty food to suit all dietary requirements.
Allow enough time to enjoy the delights of the gallery, glass sculpture garden and glass blowing demonstration too.
Written 25 September 2022
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.
DudleyandFreda
Napier151 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
I stopped on my way from Napier to Rotorua for lunch and was pleasantly surprised with the selection of gluten free items to pick from. The cafe is very clean, the staff were very friendly and the meal I had was fresh and tasty.
Written 12 September 2022
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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