My husband and I live locally and decided to try this restaurant for the first time. He ordered chicken liver pate followed by scotch fillet and I ordered chicken livers followed by pork loin. The pate was bland but passable. The chicken livers were drowned in a brown gravy (meant to be a red wine jus), two of the three livers were overcooked and rubbery- the bacon in the sauce was the cheap processed/pressed variety. The sinew was still on the livers. Scotch fillet was ordered medium rare and came very rare. Meant to be in a mixed berry jus but was also drowned in brown gravy like chicken livers. Pork was meant to be orange and fennel glazed- orange was un-tasteable and again, more brown gravy everywhere. Food was pretty bland overall. Staff were nice and welcomed feedback but couldn’t explain the universal sauce everywhere- gave us a 10% discount which was not requested but the gesture appreciated. Not sure if we will return given the wide variety of places to eat in Taupo.

Been to Taupo alot for holidays, and always default to the Thai places, and main restaurants on the main drag. Never had any Wow moments, and look back at the bank statements and think, what a rip off!

However, a friend suggested Pimentos, and at first just from what they were trying to explain, and the bad experiences I had before, I didn’t want to go. (I thought just going to KFC or Maccas would be a safer bet)

How surprised and amazed I was, to eat every morsel of food from my entree to my main, to my desert and be totally satisfied. The flavours are out of this world! My lamb shank was falling of the bone and melted in my mouth! I wanted more!

Lovely staff, always happy to help.

Have been back again on my last visit to Taupo.

Great stuff.

If only the decor and outside was more appealing, as they deserve the foot traffic, but some may not go in on the look alone. However I hope word of mouth can keep this place where it deserves to be in Taupo or try some online advertising?

I’ve eaten at Pimentos just over 10 times in the past 2 years and have always enjoyed their food and ambiance. I’ve had their meat / fish as well as vegetarian dishes and starters (no deserts). In all I admire their combination of flavors and attention to detail in presentation.
As recommendations I would suggest some soft furnishings (drapes etc) along the walls as it gets quite noisy when busy. It would also be good to ask if the custoer is in a hurry or not – at times passing through Taupo I really just wanted a short stop but a tasty meal.
Commendable is the cold water, quality wine glasses (and wines)and service. I give this restaurant 8 – 9 out of 10

Went there for a special dinner with a friend, we were really looking forward to it.

I am a vegetarian that cannot eat mushrooms (after finding out that all 3 vege options had mushrooms in them, and explaining to the waitress that I couldn’t eat them, I ordered some pumpkin risotto that normally sits under chicken.

Firstly our garlic bread was burnt – how hard is it to not burn, or at least not serve burnt garlic bread.

Secondly my risotto showed up and it had mushrooms in it. Which I pointed out to the waitress who was very apologetic.

The dessert menu was limited and after the first two courses, we were not willing to try it.

We received no discount off the meal.

I will not be going back.

One positive note, my friend enjoyed her pork meal, but she did say it was a little dry.