Third Place Café Rotorua
Award-winning cafe with stunning lake views, exceptional coffee, and famous custard slices. Family-friendly with a kids' play area.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Third Place Café Rotorua
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Award-winning cafe with stunning lake views, exceptional coffee, and famous custard slices. Family-friendly with a kids' play area.
"Enjoy breathtaking lake views, exceptional coffee, and award-winning custard slices at Third Place Cafe."
Visit Early for Views
Go early morning for stunning views over St. Faith's Church, Ohinemutu, and Lake Rotorua.
Try Cabinet Goodies
Consider custard slices, pastries, or other baked treats from the cabinet.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cafe
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+64 7 349 4852
Address
35 Lake Road, Ohinemutu, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
Website
thirdplacecafe.nz/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Stunning Lake Views
Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Rotorua and St. Faith's Church from inside or the patio.
Award-Winning Custard Slices
Famed for their delicious custard slices, often hailed as Rotorua's best.
Exceptional Coffee
Experience highly praised coffee, with cappuccinos and strong cappuccinos noted.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit Early for Views
Go early morning for stunning views over St. Faith's Church, Ohinemutu, and Lake Rotorua.
Try Cabinet Goodies
Consider custard slices, pastries, or other baked treats from the cabinet.
Patio Dining Option
If inside is noisy, enjoy your meal on the quaint and shaded patio.
Popular Menu Items
Opt for waffles, the 'BIG ONE' English breakfast, or seafood chowder.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit Early for Views
Go early morning for stunning views over St. Faith's Church, Ohinemutu, and Lake Rotorua.
Try Cabinet Goodies
Consider custard slices, pastries, or other baked treats from the cabinet.
Patio Dining Option
If inside is noisy, enjoy your meal on the quaint and shaded patio.
Popular Menu Items
Opt for waffles, the 'BIG ONE' English breakfast, or seafood chowder.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Third Place Cafe is highly praised for its stunning lake views and exceptional coffee, with many diners enjoying their breakfasts and baked goods, especially the custard slices. While some find the food enjoyable with good portion sizes and friendly service, a few reviewers mention serving sizes being on the smaller side and occasional issues with drink temperature or specific menu items like the chai latte or thickshakes. The cafe's interior can be noisy for some, but the outdoor patio offers a more tranquil experience.
"Conveniently located to our hotel, we stoped into the Third Place Cafe. I like that name by the way. Cute spot overlooking the water with some smoke action from the volcanic activity in the area. Counter service spot so it’s quick. I had the Potato Parmesan Hash and it was heavy on the Parmesan which I loved. I usually eat boring eggs for breakfast but I’m branching out."
Sara Govero
"The Moroccan chicken salad was exceptional. We bought two to go after trying it in house. We would have preferred our coffee a bit hotter especially on a rainy day though."
Kethmi hewapatha
"This cafe overlooks Lake Rotorua, it’s slightly off the beaten path of City Center, but the views sure look like you are on a rooftop because of the hill behind the restaurant.
The coffee was exceptional, I got a cappuccino. I had the waffles one day and the “BIG ONE” which is a traditional english breakfast. The bakery selection was awesome.
In addition to the nice windows there was a quaint shaded patio on the side of the building where I took a work call."
Rudy Arnold (TheRedFern)
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The cafe is famous for its award-winning custard slices, and popular dishes include the 'BIG ONE' English breakfast, waffles, Moroccan chicken salad, and seafood chowder. They also offer unique items like Potato Parmesan Hash. [^M1, ^M10, ^R2]
Yes, Third Place Cafe has a quaint shaded patio where you can enjoy your meal while taking in the views. [^data]
Yes, the cafe has a children's play area, making it a family-friendly spot where parents can relax while the kids play. [^data, ^M5, ^M8]
The coffee here is highly rated, with specific mentions of excellent cappuccinos and strong cappuccinos. [^data, ^R3]
Yes, the cafe is entirely paperless and cashless, with all orders, receipts, and payments handled digitally.
The cafe operates on a counter-service basis, so reservations are typically not required. However, it can get busy, especially for prime views. [^data, ^R4]
Mentioned in
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The Best Coffee Shops And Cafes In Rotorua, New Zealand
Third Place Cafe’s features tick all the right boxes: a children’s play area that makes the spot family friendly, expansive views of Lake Rotorua that enhance the cafe’s ambiance and substantial meal offerings that please all palates. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, try some of the baked goodies; the cafe’s custard slices are meant to be some of the best in town.
The Top Cheap Eats in Rotorua
Alternatively, dive into the huge breakfasts at the Abracadabra Cafe & Bar (1263 Amohia Street) most for under NZ$20. They pride themselves on serving free-range chicken and eggs, organic coffee and raw juices. Or for something to indulge in for lunch/brunch try, Atticus Finch (1106 Tutanekai Street – Eat Street), with its metropolitan bistro vibe, makes it a great place to hang out and choose from some delicious surf, turf and veggie dishes for around NZ$20.
Best Cafés in Rotorua - New Zealand
Don’t be deceived by the name, Third Place Café is one of the best cafés in Rotorua and “where you choose to relax, connect and enjoy.” Sample a delicious slice or pastry from the cabinet at this award-winning café with sprawling lake views. Or, choose from the all-day breakfast menu, such as roasted kumara hash or pancakes. If you’re visiting later in the day, order up some fresh fish, a lamb platter, or a burger.
Scenic Coffee Spots in Rotorua
The Third Place café has floor to ceiling windows overlooking St Faith’s Church, Ohinemutu and Lake Rotorua. Head there for your early morning coffee fix and you won’t be disappointed by the views. With steam floating up from the living Maori village below and the morning sunlight reflecting off the lake you are sure to order a second long black, just so you can savour the moment.
11 Cafes with the Best Views On the North Island
With expansive views of Lake Rotorua and Saint Faith Church and even a children’s play area, Third Place Cafe is an ideal Cafe to relax for an hour or so. The Cafe itself is bright & spacious and serves up everything from salads to burgers to fish and chips. There is also a wide selection of fresh cabinet goods if you’re after something lighter.
Family-friendly dining in Rotorua | Rotorua NZ
Our first-place vote here goes to Third Place’s Roasted Kumara Mumble Jumble for breakfast, available until 2.30pm, and anything sweet from the cabinet. The all-day breakfast menu is popular and the lunch menu extensive. If you’re celebrating or enjoy a wee tipple with your meal, the wine list offers a good variety to choose from.
Seafood Rotorua Restaurants and Takeaway Menus
Te Ngae Fish Supply in Rotorua has no menu available, but can choose from many other options such as The Kraken or Lust from Hell Pizza. Detour Bar and Lounge offers many options including Hot Bread Platter and Garlic Ciabatta. Robert Harris Cafe includes a wide range like Soup of the Day or Gourmet Toasted Sandwiches.
Rotorua, Family Restaurants » Kidz Go New Zealand
Third Place Cafe is a spacious bright café with a selection of seating options from couches, booths and tables making it an excellent place to catch up with friends and family. They also have a child friendly kids area so you can enjoy the beautiful view and fantastic food in peace while the little ones play.
Rotorua Region fish and chips restaurants
Third Place Cafe, a popular cafe in Rotorua, is known for its tasty fish and chips. Koutu Fish Shop, a local favorite, serves fresh and flavorful fish and chips. Devon Sea Foods, with a 4.9/5 rating on Facebook, is highly praised for its fresh, light, and tasty fish and chips.
A Taste of the Best Cafés and Restaurants in Rotorua
Third Place Café caters to families with their kid’s play area, offers views of nearby Lake Rotorua and serves up plate after plate of banging fare. But by far our favourite reason to pop into Third Place is to get one of their custard slices, famed to be Rotorua’s best.
Rotorua where to eat, dine and enjoy great views
A local favourite overlooking St Faith’s Church, Ohinemutu and Lake Rotorua. The extensive range of counter food is the makings of a great picnic. Savour the coffee, order brunch and enjoy the vista of Lake Rotorua, misting steam stretched out before you.
15 Best Cafes in Rotorua: Picked by a Local
Situated close to the water along Lake Road, Third Place is a prime stop if you’re looking for the best cafes in Rotorua. The name may sound funny, but the idea behind it is cute as can be: “the first place is your home. The second place is your work.
Cafes in Rotorua - Great Deals on coffee, tea, meals, milkshakes, and more
How about trying the 2017 Bidvest Outstanding Cage Awards winner?. It’s up to you to take indoor or outdoor seating and enjoy the great lake view. Despite being an expert in delivering great atmosphere, they’re also serving best lunch menus.
Top 31 Gluten-Free Cafes to Delight in Rotorua
I have specific diet restrictions and they kindly made me a toastie on gluten free bread. Most of my group got coffee and the big sausage roll.
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