Hare & Copper Eatery

About Hare & Copper Eatery

Hare & Copper Eatery is a share-plates restaurant in Turangi built around robust flavours, beautifully fresh produce, and an atmosphere the venue says can't be found anywhere else. The menu leans into bold, global influences and premium New Zealand game and seafood, from South Island Tahr koftas and Miso Wallaby tail to fresh oysters and a daily-changing pan-fried fish of the day.

Dishes are clearly marked for dietary needs — gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian — across a menu of share plates, sweets, and a playful kids menu for anyone 12 and under. The kitchen also runs seasonal specials and events, such as a Winter Wild Degustation featuring flavours gathered from New Zealand's outdoors, and has taken part in local food events like Treats of Taupō, pairing dishes with regional wine.

Hare & Copper also hosts private functions and dinners, catering for parties, birthday celebrations, private functions and awards ceremonies, and gift cards are available for anyone wanting to share the experience.

Hare & Copper Eatery: Premium Game and Seafood Share Plates in Turangi

Hare & Copper Eatery brings a distinctive, globally-influenced share plates menu to Turangi, built around robust flavours, fresh produce, and an atmosphere the restaurant says can't be found anywhere else. Bring friends and family, and the promise is a delicious feast rather than a single plate to yourself.

Premium game meets bold, global flavour

What sets Hare & Copper apart is its willingness to put unusual New Zealand game front and centre. South Island Tahr Koftas arrive with spiced bamboo shoots and tzatziki, while Miso Wallaby Tail is served with potato puree, pickled cauliflower and smoked garlic mayonnaise — dishes that sit comfortably alongside more familiar share plates like truffle fries, jalapeño poppers, and grilled beetroot with feta and watercress.

Seafood and daily specials

Seafood plays just as big a role, with fresh oysters served in a kimchi dressing, braised octopus in a la diabla sauce with tostadas, and a pan-fried fish of the day finished with a gochujang glaze and seaweed rice crisp, priced daily depending on the catch. The kitchen regularly introduces new dishes and specials, drawing on ingredients like premium game, local seafood, and produce foraged from the surrounding region.

Sweets built for sharing

Dessert leans into the same inventive approach, with churros made to order and served with dulce de leche, a coconut panna cotta with mango salsa and matcha dust, and a baked meringue with rose water cream and lychee sorbet. Local handmade artisan volcanic chocolate rounds out the list for something simpler.

A menu for everyone

For the youngest diners, Hare & Copper runs a playfully named kids menu for those 12 and under — "I Don't Know" (chicken burger and fries), "I Don't Care" (fish and chips), "Are We There Yet" (fries with tomato sauce) and "I'm Full" (ice cream with chocolate sauce). Throughout the main menu, dishes are clearly marked gluten free, dairy free, vegan or vegetarian, making it easy to navigate dietary needs.

Events, functions and degustations

Beyond the regular menu, Hare & Copper hosts private functions and dinners — parties, birthday celebrations, awards ceremonies and more — and has run seasonal degustation events such as a Winter Wild Degustation, showcasing flavours gathered from New Zealand's outdoors. The restaurant has also taken part in food events like Treats of Taupō, pairing a locals-supporting-locals degustation with regional wine.

Visiting Hare & Copper

Hare & Copper Eatery is located at Unit 2, 134 Grace Road, Turangi. It's open Wednesday to Friday from 5pm until late, and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm and again from 5pm until late — though holiday hours may vary, so it's worth checking ahead. The restaurant can be reached by phone or email for bookings, functions or general enquiries.

Signature items

• Miso Wallaby Tail
• South Island Tahr Koftas
• Braised Octopus
• Pan Fried Fish of the Day
• Popcorn Chicken
• Churros

Menu

Sweets

• Local Handmade Artisan Volcanic Chocolate — A locally made artisan chocolate.
• Chef's Choice of Ice Cream — Selected by the chef (GF).
• Vanilla Ice Cream — With miso caramel (GF).
• Churros — Made to order, served with dulce de leche.
• Apple & Cinnamon Empanada — With candied pecans and salted-caramel whiskey sauce.
• Chocolate, Banana & Coconut Truffles — Served with chocolate soil.
• Baked Meringue — Rose water cream and lychee sorbet (GF).
• Affogato — With Amaretto or Frangelico (GF).
• Coconut Panna Cotta — Mango salsa and matcha dust (VV).

Share Plates

• House Marinated Warmed Olives — Fried oregano (GF, VV).
• Garlic & Herb Bread — With an option to add cheese (Veg).
• Truffle Fries — Chives, parmesan cheese and truffle mayo (GF, Veg).
• Jalapeño Poppers — Pickled onion and cilantro mayo (Veg).
• Grilled Beetroot, Feta & Watercress — With lemon and mint dressing (GF, Veg).
• Tempura Seasonal Veggie — Tossed in horopito salt.
• Prawn and Ginger Dumplings — Served in a Sichuan chilli oil broth (DF).
• Steamed Bao Buns — Fried tofu, pickled cucumber, shiitake and chilli sauce (VV).
• Crispy Skinned Kahawai — In Malaysian curry laksa sauce with roti (DF).
• Fresh Oysters — Served with a kimchi dressing.
• Pan Fried Fish of the Day — Gochujang glaze, nori and shiitake butter, finished with seaweed rice crisp and furikake.
• Braised Octopus — Served in a la diabla sauce with tostadas.
• Juniper & Horopito — With wild rice, pickled daikon, seaweed rice crisp and furikake.
• Popcorn Chicken — Kaffir lime leaf, coriander, candied peanuts, chilli jam and kimchi mayo.
• Pork Pibil Tacos — Tomatillo salsa, pickled red onion and feta (DF, GF).
• South Island Tahr Koftas — Served with spiced bamboo shoots and tzatziki (GF).
• Miso Wallaby Tail — Served with potato puree, pickled cauliflower, seaweed and smoked garlic mayonnaise (DF).

Kids (12 And Under)

• "I Don't Know" Chicken Burger & Fries — A chicken burger served with fries.
• "I Don't Care" Fish and Chips — Classic fish and chips.
• "Are We There Yet" Fries — Fries with tomato sauce.
• "I'm Full" Ice Cream — Ice cream with chocolate sauce.

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Hare & Copper Eatery serve?

A share plates menu featuring premium New Zealand game like wallaby and tahr, fresh seafood, and bold global flavours.

What are Hare & Copper's opening hours?

Wednesday to Friday from 5pm until late, and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 3pm and 5pm until late; holiday hours may vary.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, a playfully named menu for 12 and under, including a chicken burger and fries, fish and chips, and ice cream.

Does Hare & Copper host private functions?

Yes, for parties, birthday celebrations, private functions and awards ceremonies.

Are there vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or dairy free options?

Yes, dishes are marked GF, DF, VV or Veg throughout the menu.

Does the menu change?

Yes, the kitchen regularly introduces new dishes, seasonal specials and events like the Winter Wild Degustation.

Are gift cards available?

Yes, gift cards can be purchased.

Tips

• {"body":"Opening hours can vary during holiday periods — check the website before visiting.","title":"Check holiday hours"}
• {"body":"It's priced daily depending on the catch.","title":"Ask about the fish of the day"}
• {"body":"Private functions, birthdays and awards ceremonies can be accommodated with advance booking.","title":"Book ahead for functions"}
• {"body":"Events like the Winter Wild Degustation showcase seasonal, foraged flavours.","title":"Watch for seasonal degustation events"}

Good to know

• {"family":"A kids menu is available for guests 12 and under.","dietary":"Dishes are marked GF (gluten free), DF (dairy free), VV (vegan) or Veg (vegetarian) throughout the menu."}