Where is L'Arté Café and Gallery located?

At 255 Mapara Road, Acacia Bay, Taupo NZ 3385.

What are the opening hours?

Open Wednesday to Sunday. Cafe hours are 8am-3pm on weekdays and 8am-4pm on weekends, with kitchen service until 2:30pm. The gallery is open until 4pm.

Yes, it's a fully licensed café serving New Zealand wines and beers.

Does the menu cater for dietary requirements?

Yes, most items are available gluten free, with vegetarian and dairy-free options marked - chat to staff about any allergies.

What else is there to see at L'Arté?

An art-filled garden and gallery with mosaics by ceramic artist Judi Brennan, plus a working pottery studio.

L'Arté Cafe & Gallery, Cafe closes at 3pm weekdays, Gallery open till 4pm

cafe — Acacia Bay · Taupo

About L'Arté Cafe & Gallery, Cafe closes at 3pm weekdays, Gallery open till 4pm

L'Arté Café and Gallery sits at 255 Mapara Road in Acacia Bay, Taupo, set in an established, art-filled garden complete with an outside mosaic living room. It was voted Lonely Planet's No.1 cafe pick for the Central North Island and named one of the top 10 places to visit in New Zealand.

The café and gallery share a magical, mosaic-filled garden created by ceramic artist Judi Brennan, whose hand-built, innovative and colourful works are made in the attached working pottery studio. The kitchen team prepares everything fresh on site using New Zealand's finest produce, with an all-day breakfast and lunch menu that blends old and new, from homemade wholemeal bread to gluten-free options, and most items available gluten free.

L'Arté is a fully licensed café serving Allpress coffee - including its own smooth "L'Artés" latte - alongside a wonderful selection of New Zealand wines and beers. It's walk-ins only, and furry friends are welcome on a leash on the side deck, provided they stay calm and well mannered.

L'Arté Café and Gallery: A Mosaic-Filled Taupo Icon in Acacia Bay

At 255 Mapara Road in Acacia Bay, Taupo, L'Arté Café and Gallery is set inside an established garden filled with art and mosaics, complete with an outside mosaic living room. The café has been voted Lonely Planet's No.1 cafe pick for the Central North Island and named one of the top 10 places to visit in New Zealand - a distinction that draws visitors well beyond Taupo itself.

A Garden of Art and Food

The garden and gallery are the creation of ceramic artist Judi Brennan, whose hand-built works - innovative, quirky, colourful and fun - are made in the working pottery studio attached to the gallery. Wandering the pathways between the mosaics and sculptures is as much a part of the L'Arté experience as the meal itself, with the space continuing to grow and change with every new project.

Fresh, All-Day Food

In the kitchen, everything is prepared fresh on site using New Zealand's finest produce. The all-day breakfast and lunch menu blends old and new, from homemade wholemeal bread to gluten-free recipes, with most items available gluten free. Standouts include the hearty Big Fella Feast, a house L'Arté Bene with potato hash and hollandaise, and The Grand L'Arté Burger loaded with bacon, fried egg and onion jam. Lunch brings in a beef salad with sesame slaw and crushed peanuts, fried chicken tacos, and a Mexican-style mexi bowl.

Coffee, Wine and a Relaxed Atmosphere

L'Arté is a fully licensed café, pouring Allpress coffee - including its own smooth "L'Artés" latte - alongside a wonderful selection of New Zealand wines and beers. An antipasto platter with a glass of fine New Zealand wine is recommended as a gastronomic pairing. The café describes itself as an escape from the hustle and bustle of pavement dining, with a relaxed atmosphere that keeps guests coming back.

Visiting L'Arté

L'Arté Café and Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, with cafe hours from 8am to 3pm on weekdays and 8am to 4pm on weekends, kitchen service until 2:30pm, and slices and coffee available until close. The gallery is open until 4pm. It's walk-ins only, no reservations. Dogs are welcome on a leash on the side deck, provided they remain calm and well mannered.

Signature items

Big Fella Feast
L'Arté Bene
The Grand L'Arté Burger
L'Arté Beef Salad
Mexi Bowl

L'Arté Beef Salad — Marinated beef strips over lime and coriander sesame slaw, topped with fried vermicelli and crushed peanuts (gluten friendly, dairy free)
Fried Chicken Tacos — Soft tacos loaded with lime and coriander sesame slaw, fried chicken and pickled onion (dairy free)
Bowl Fries — Fries with tomato sauce or aioli (gluten friendly)
L'Arté Corn Fritters — House corn fritters served with greens, salsa and sour cream; classic, bacon or smoked salmon
The Grand L'Arté Burger — Beef patty, cheese, crispy bacon, fried egg, iceberg, pickles, onion jam and aioli in a toasted brioche bun (gluten friendly option)

All Day Breakfast

Big Fella Feast — Bacon, sausages, bubble & squeak, creamy mushrooms and eggs any style on homemade wholemeal toast with tomato relish (gluten friendly option)
L'Arté Beans — Homemade smoky beans in a chipotle style sauce topped with halloumi, served on sourdough (vegetarian, gluten friendly option, dairy free option)
Avo Smash — Smashed pea and mint avo, beetroot hummus and whipped feta on wholemeal toast, topped with crunchy seed mix (vegetarian, gluten friendly option, dairy free option)
Mexi Bowl — Corn chips topped with homemade Mexican style mince, salsa, sour cream and smashed avo; classic or smoky chipotle beans (vegetarian) version (gluten friendly)
Creamy Mushrooms — Creamy garlic mushrooms with crispy bacon, parmesan and fresh herbs on wholemeal toast
L'Arté Bene — Two poached eggs on potato hash with spinach and hollandaise; classic (vegetarian), bacon or smoked salmon (gluten friendly)
Chilli Scram — Soft scrambled eggs on toasted sourdough with whipped feta, topped with crispy chilli oil (vegetarian, gluten friendly option)
French Toast — Toasted French style baguette with maple; classic maple (vegetarian), compote & mascarpone (vegetarian), or bacon & banana (gluten friendly option)
Eggs on Toast — Eggs any style on sourdough or wholemeal toast with homemade tomato relish (vegetarian, gluten friendly option)

Iced Drinks & Sodas

Iced Coffee & Chocolate — Over ice cream: chocolate, coffee, mocha, chai; over ice: L'arté, americano, sparkling americano, matcha, chocolate, mocha, chai
Summer Sodas — Strawberry, lemon honey ginger, mango

Frequently asked questions

Where is L'Arté Café and Gallery located?: At 255 Mapara Road, Acacia Bay, Taupo NZ 3385.
What are the opening hours?: Open Wednesday to Sunday. Cafe hours are 8am-3pm on weekdays and 8am-4pm on weekends, with kitchen service until 2:30pm. The gallery is open until 4pm.
Can I make a reservation?: No, L'Arté is walk-ins only.
Is L'Arté licensed?: Yes, it's a fully licensed café serving New Zealand wines and beers.
Can I bring my dog?: Yes, dogs are welcome on a leash on the side deck, provided they remain calm and well mannered.
Does the menu cater for dietary requirements?: Yes, most items are available gluten free, with vegetarian and dairy-free options marked - chat to staff about any allergies.
What else is there to see at L'Arté?: An art-filled garden and gallery with mosaics by ceramic artist Judi Brennan, plus a working pottery studio.

Tips

{"body":"The mosaic-filled garden and pottery studio are worth exploring before or after your meal.","title":"Wander the gallery garden"}
{"body":"Well-mannered dogs are welcome on the side deck.","title":"Bring the dog on a leash"}
{"body":"L'Arté is walk-ins only, so there's no need to reserve ahead.","title":"Arrive without a booking"}
{"body":"A recommended combination from the fully licensed café.","title":"Pair the antipasto with a NZ wine"}

Good to know

{"family":"Kids menu available","dietary":"Most items available gluten free; vegetarian and dairy-free options marked - chat with staff about allergies"}