Jolly Good Fellows is a casual British pub style restaurant and bar at 80 Lake Terrace, an icon of Taupō hospitality known locally as 'Jollys'. It offers good value, wholesome pub fare in a relaxed setting with both indoor and outdoor dining, backed by what it describes as the largest range of beers in Taupō and lake and mountain views from its outdoor deck.
The kitchen serves British pub classics made the traditional way, with signature dishes including beer battered fish & chips, crispy chicken tacos, a beef & Guinness pastie and a halloumi cheese salad. The bar pours 19 tap beers spanning local, New Zealand craft and imported brands, alongside an extensive selection of bottled beer, spirits, wines and ports.
Situated on Taupō's lakefront, Jolly Good Fellows welcomes well-behaved dogs in its spacious outdoor dining areas, with fresh water bowls available. The venue also runs a regular calendar of live sport, live music and quiz nights, making it a spot for both a relaxed family meal and a big game atmosphere.
On the shores of Lake Taupō at 80 Lake Terrace, Jolly Good Fellows has built a reputation as an icon of Taupō hospitality. Known to regulars simply as 'Jollys', it's a casual British pub style restaurant and bar offering good value, wholesome pub fare in a relaxed setting with both indoor and outdoor dining.
What sets Jollys apart is its setting. The venue claims the best lake and mountain views from any bar in Taupō, thanks to a huge outdoor deck overlooking the water. To match the view, the bar pours 19 tap beer varieties spanning local, New Zealand craft and imported brands, backed by an extensive selection of bottled beer, spirits, wine and port — enough to justify the claim of the largest beer range in Taupō.
The food menu leans firmly into traditional British pub fare, made the traditional way. Signature dishes include beer battered fish & chips, crispy chicken tacos, a beef & Guinness pastie, and a halloumi cheese salad — described respectively as classic comfort done right, and rich, hearty dishes full of flavour. Diners have also singled out the seafood chowder and a generously sized lasagne as standouts, while the bar snacks menu includes a bacon butty served between garlic bread slices, praised by regulars as a next-level indulgence.
Jolly Good Fellows makes a point of welcoming well-behaved dogs into its spacious outdoor dining areas, with fresh water bowls available and plenty of space for pets to settle in beside the table. Situated right on Taupō's lakefront, the outdoor space works equally well for a lakeside walk stop-in, a catch-up with friends, or a full family outing — for both people and pups.
Beyond food and drink, Jollys runs a packed calendar of entertainment. Live rugby and other big games are shown regularly, Tuesdays bring a weekly quiz night, weekends feature live music, and Sunday Sessions offer a more relaxed way to wind down the week. It's this mix of food, sport and music that keeps the venue busy across different times of day and different crowds.
Jolly Good Fellows is open seven days a week — Monday to Friday from 12 noon until late, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am until late — with the only closure being Christmas Day. Gift cards are available for those wanting to share the experience, and tables can be booked directly through the website.
Whether it's settling in on the deck with a cold pint and a view of the lake, bringing the family (and the dog) for a relaxed meal, or catching the big game with a crowd, Jolly Good Fellows continues to live up to its billing as one of Taupō's most iconic waterfront destinations.