Dinner for 2 to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and we could not have chosen a better place to eat, since tapas is one of his favourite types of food. The staff were friendly, the food choices we made were excellent (particularly the pork belly, a special for the evening), and we enjoyed having a visit to the table by the charming chef, to check that everything was to our liking. We will be back, but next time with a group of perhaps 6, as each plate is big enough for a good taste for that number, and then we can try a wider selection of foods! The wine we chose was not expensive and the whole evening was very reasonably priced.

Scenic Cellars has been. Landmark in Taupo for years, they have recently moved and added an innovative restaurant “The Vine Eatery” to their service. We ate at the Vine twice in a recent stay in Taupo and it is now our favourite Taupo restaurant. The Vine is not a traditional restaurant as it serves Tapas rather than set courses. We found that ordering dishes one at a time as the previous one was served was the best way to do it as if you order them all at the start they can build up on the table.

The food is excellent and very moorish. For wine you choose a bottle from their shelves and pay the shelf price plus corkage. We found we got a superior wine at a very reasonable price that way, although they do not stock “cheap” wines.

The cost for three plates (which we found to be plenty) and a bottle of decent wine was around $90, a very reasonable price for a great dining experience. We appreciate that their style of restaurant may not suit everyone but if you are prepared to try a different style of restaurant try it!

While staying in Taupo over christmas we were lucky enough to dine at The Vine Eatery. Small plates are a great way to dine especially over a good glass of wine. The Vine Eatery have a very varied menu which seems to change often and the wine list is great with the added treat of being able to grab something off the shelves from their wine shop. We found the staff very friendly each of our 3 visits and have recommended this to many friends – all who have not been disappointed.

Agree with the first poster.Food flavors good but not heated properly.Had to ask for cutlery as were given none.Service less than acceptable.Prices for shared plates are not cheap for what you get.Would not return

Firstly, there is no view of the lake from this cafe.

We called in there during January 2012. The female behind the bar was offhand when we asked where we could sit.
We ordered the paella, it being their Friday night special.
What we got was a smallish bowl of stodgy rice with a hint of paprika, some rubbery squid and some chicken. Across the top the cook had draped a rather large prawn complete with its guts. There were no bowls of water at hand had we wanted to eat this creature with our hands.
Lunch there last year was just as strange.