Lone Star

Lone Star

Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
+64 7-378 2353+ Add website
Hours
Sun
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mon
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tue
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wed
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thu
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat
12:00 pm - 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
3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles

RATINGS
Food
3.8 of 5 bubbles
Service
3.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
3.5 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
3.8 of 5 bubbles
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
American, Steakhouse, Southwestern, Bar, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
features
Is this a Steakhouse?
CUISINES
American, Steakhouse, Southwestern, Bar, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service
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3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles506 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
170
Average
70
Poor
55
Terrible
46

Jess B
1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • couples
Really nice night at Lonestar! The waiter was lovely, really professional, and made us feel so comfortable. It was really busy but we were very impressed with the wait time, especially with drinks which came out really quick. We also really appreciated being seated in the bar as the main area was very busy and loud with lots of kids running about, and as it was just the two of us it was nice to be somewhere quieter. Only criticism would be that the meat in the beef nachos was a little dry, but we generally loved our experience :)
Written 6 October 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.

Cee
Hawke's Bay Region17 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • family
A good meal - I had the beef nachos (entree but enough for me , infact I couldn’t eat it all) My sister enjoyed her fish n chips which because of gf wasn’t in breadcrumbs or batter but healthily pan fried. Service could have been friendlier at the front desk but lovely Louise who was our waitress was friendly and welcoming. I think they can work on their front of house service but food was good. I reckon free nibbles (chips or something) would make a nice touch.
Written 15 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.
Leah Hepi
Thanks for taking the time to give us feedback. Unfortunately free nibbles wouldn’t be something we would look at doing. Regards Team Taupo.
Written 16 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AddysNZ
Cambridge96 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • family
Driving back from Wellington to Cambridge, dinner time, hungry mum and dad and kids. Decided on LoneStar, had been to other ones but not Taupo. Lovely location, staff friendly and helpful, was early so quiet - did take a wee while for meals to come out, but very accommodating in putting the kids desserts in take out boxes so we could get in the road. Hubby and I had chicken salad - Delish! Filling and plenty of chicken. Would come back when passing through again.
Written 1 March 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.

Mark T
8 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 • family
The lone star Taupo has been a bit of an institution our family for many years as a standard place to visit with kids on holidays. Sadly, we won’t be coming back. The overall experience here really has plummeted over the last few years. Our last visit was during a holiday period but where one third of the tables were empty - yet the wait time for our meal was almost an hour. While the burgers are still great - the portions are no where near what they used to be (and what made Lone Star famous) - and it’s not cheap. A burger is $24 which sounds reasonable - but fries are extra on top, as is coleslaw or a small salad. That’s $44 for a burger with a small salad on the side and fries!! And it takes an age to arrive. The steak looked great - but it was an OK cut at best - again $45, which is way over priced for what you get. Rib portions are a fraction of what they used to be and greasy. To top it off, when sharing this with the manager on leaving the reaction was one of indifference - could not seem to care less. Fortunately, the nostalgia of past experiences with family in the Loney, are now outweighed by the reality that this is a very average restaurant.
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.
Leah Hepi
Hi Mark, Thank you for your feedback. That’s quite a detailed message, but much of it relates to factors beyond the control of the manager or restaurant. We pride ourselves on serving great food of excellent quality, and unfortunately, that comes at a cost. The manager wasn’t uninterested but likely unsure how to respond to questions about things outside her control. Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Written 26 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

El Flaco
Bristol9 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • friends
I visited this place when it was full. We decided to buy some drinks at the bar. We asked for a piña colada that was not at all prepared according to the minimum standards. When we raised the issue to the bartender, she reacted in a very aggressive manner, throwing everything around and smashing the door fridge while preparing the second cocktail. This time the cocktail was okay however this changed our mood. I did not feel welcomed in my first visit in Taupo in this restaurant. I will never return.
Written 27 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.
Leah Hepi
Apologies for the service you received. I’m not sure if our minimum standards aligned with your expectations, but I truly appreciate your feedback and will look into this further.
Written 26 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Happiness44276132595
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • family
We stop in Taupo for a night or two in Jan on our way north each year. We typically have dinner here given we have 4 kids who are starving! Our experience in Jan this year was unfortunately poor. It was an hour and a half before any food arrived and were ignored by wait staff throughout. We would have appreciated a heads up at the time of being seated of a wait like this as it’s far far too long. We politely mentioned this when paying but got the strong sense that our feedback wasn’t valued and wouldn’t be going any further. Doubt we’ll be back unfortunately.
Written 30 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.

Skateremz
Dannevirke1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • none
Unfortunately the fish and chips had overcooked fish that was dry but also extremely oily. So was uneatable and only had the salad. The pork was also over cooked and dry. Was my husbands birthday dinner and left quite unhappy. At the time the waitress checked everything was ok - it was as we had only started eating the salad so hadn’t realised yet. Wasn’t checked on again after this.
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 29 December 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.
leah
So sorry about your visit. It is disappointing especially when it was for a birthday celebration.
Written 3 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Brenda B
Warrington74 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • couples
Just happened to find this great place as we were walking along the lake side. It had the best menu by far. Walking in the staff were super friendly, helpful and accommodating. The venue has a really cool interior with fabulous posters & pictures on every wall from sports stars to movie stars to musicians. The music on in the background was fantastic a bit of a country vibe but just perfect for the venue. It was spotlessly clean the tables well set out inside & out. We had sticky bbq chicken bites to share for starter they were plentiful and tasty. Mains were salmon with cauliflower puree, potato mash and veggies which was amazing, the food was piping hot, the salmon skin was crispy and the mash was smooth as silk. DH had prawns with garlic butter, salad & rice this too was fabulous, tons of prawns perfectly cooked. We shared a dessert which was difficult to choose as there were so many fabulous sounding dessrts to choose from. NZ ice-cream with fruit puree, wafer & shortbread, again gorgeous. Can't recommend this place highly enough. We had a great time, great food & great service
Written 21 February 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.
leah
Hi Brenda Thank you for taking the time to give us this amazing review. I obviously agree with you 100% :)
Written 3 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Coffee Cup
8 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • family
Majority of the young waitstaff preferred to congregate in the door way of the kitchen instead of showing hospitality towards their guests. It is certainly evident which staff enjoy their job in which they are hired to do. Not much genuine warmth displayed. Chicken was succulent and the steak flavoursome. Glad to see the family who arrived before us had received their meal within 4 minutes of us leaving. Perhaps we got our meal sooner due to both times requiring service I needed to hail a staff member requesting said service.
Written 10 October 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.
leah
Hi Coffeecup I don’t think as an employer anyone would be happy to see staff standing around. It is a bother to me as it was to you. Observation of timing of meals can be deceiving. Last night for example we had a table that sat for 25 mins before placing their order as they weren’t ready. Glad you enjoyed the food though. Regards the team at Lone Star Taupo
Written 11 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sarahdee3330
Taupo29 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • family
We waited 45 minutes before anyone came to take our order - and we had to go to the front desk to get someone to serve us. The food was good when we got it but there just wasn’t enough staff to care or even take our order. Won’t be back… ever.
Written 18 March 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.
leah
There unfortunately is no service in the outside dining space. If you sat down on an outside table without coming into the front counter we would not have realised you were there. Sorry for the confusion.
Written 29 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sarah T
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • none
I genuinly don't know where to begin with this. Family break to Taupo with three generations, and had been looking forward to a meal at Lone Star. The waitress was so rude it bordered on comical. My 5 and 8yo boys are always polite in restaurants, and know to say please and thank you, yet both times the waitress brought out their drink and main she pulled it back at the last moment and told them they needed to say "the magic word" before she placed it down. She was treating them like naughty kids from the off, with zero reason. As adults, we were so shocked we just sat there looking at each other. Since when are you expected to say thank you before your meal has even reached the table? I saw her doing it to other tables with kids on the night, so I don't know whether she thinks she's having fun with them or what, but it just created a really weird atmosphere. Half of the calamari rings were too tough to be chewed through, and we had to leave half a burger because the bread was disintegrating with the amount of grease. Save yourself the hassle, go to Dixie Brown's a few doors down.
Written 21 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.
Navigate28205183945
Hi I am so sorry that your dining experience was not up to our usual friendly experience. I have passed this onto the team to get to the bottom of this. I will also pass the information onto our chef regarding the calamari. Once again sorry for your dining experience that you had with us. Hope we do get to see you back again soon.
Written 21 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mark H
Blenheim7 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • couples
The level of service is way below what I would expect and in comparsion with other Lone Stars. Firstly after 10 minutes no wait staff had been near us yet had time to chat behind bar. Went to bar and ordered ourselves. 45 minutes later and the table next to us who arrived 10 minutes after us had their food that I asked why where etc. He went and checked and 5 to 7 minutes later arrived with our order. No explanation and when pressed as to why the answer was we had a large table and the kitchen got confused with orders! It's a restaurant it's what happens. At least say something firstly at the door like we are really busy service is a little behind giving us the option of coming in or not. Not good enough plenty of other places around them. Plate cold streak was medium not medium rare very average and bill at $83.00 and that was discounted. You want Kiwi tourist then step up and deliver on service. Wednesday 11 August 7pm
Written 12 August 2021
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.

Maps691843
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • friends
We were searching for a breakfast spot to kickstart our day's activities, and the Lone Star menu caught our attention for its diverse catering to our group's dietary needs. It turned out to be the ideal place, with warm and friendly staff, a vibrant atmosphere, and delightful breakfast dishes—all at a fantastic price. We're looking forward to returning for another breakfast. Big thanks to Lone Star!
Written 30 December 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.
Leah Hepi
I'm glad to hear you had a positive experience at Lone Star! It sounds like a great choice for your breakfast, and it's wonderful that they accommodated your group's dietary needs. Looking forward to hearing about your future visits!
Written 9 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jess Smith
Auckland2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • family
We were never asked for drinks when we arrived yet we were bombarded within minutes of being seated to order our food twice. Sadly did not have a great experience. Of our group 2 members had to send their food back as it came out extremely undercooked. On top of this the staff gave the cake my family prepared to another table. Absolutely embarrassing and just not good enough. Witnessing a group of strangers blow out candles on a cake we prepared for our parents. Really disappointing. Please do better
Written 5 June 2021
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.
Navigate28205183945
Hi and thank you for your feedback. I was made aware of the incident and I believe the issue with the cake was put right on the night and we jumped onto it pretty quick. I would like to have the opportunity to talk too you in person regarding this. If you could ring the restaurant and ask for Leah I would appreciate the call. Thanks and once again sorry for you experience on the night.
Written 10 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Grant Mclellan
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • none
I had booked earlier in the day, not having been to a LS for a number of years. When we arrived we were slam dunked by the waitress requiring our orders. The wrong wine arrived first, chicken nibbles like 2 mins later, we asked for a break between the nibbles and our main course but no way, drinks entree and mains all within 12 minutes, ...it was not a relaxing evening, won't be going back and won't recommend
Written 26 March 2021
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.
Navigate28205183945
Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry that we did not make your visit with us relaxing.. I am not sure why the communication did not get to the kitchen to slow down the meal. I will look into this. It would be great to see you back again. Regards Leah and the team at Lone Star Taupo.
Written 28 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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LONE STAR, Taupo - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

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