Mavericks Gastro Pub

pub — Wharewaka · Taupo

About Mavericks Gastro Pub

Mavericks Gastropub is set at The Landing on Lake Terrace in Wharewaka, Taupo, styled around a vintage aviation theme complete with a replica WWII US Navy spotter plane suspended above the room. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food ranges from slow-cooked lamb shoulder and Korean fried chicken to loaded poke bowls, seafood chowder and decadent desserts.

The kitchen runs across small plates, burgers, pizza, pasta, salads, a dedicated Butchers Block steak selection, and pub classics like fish and chips, BBQ pork ribs and a Korma curry. Kids are well catered for too, with an all-in-one kids' meal including fruit, cheese and crackers, corn chips with guacamole, a main, a drink and optional dessert.

The bar covers cocktails, mocktails, a wide wine list spanning New Zealand and Australian regions, bubbles, tap beer and RTDs. Mavericks also hosts conferences, events and functions in its upstairs function room, and offers gift vouchers for birthdays, corporate meetings and private celebrations.

Mavericks Gastropub: Aviation-Themed Dining at The Landing, Taupo

At The Landing on Lake Terrace in Wharewaka, Taupo, Mavericks Gastropub brings vintage aviation charm together with bold, modern flavour. The venue is decked out in a character-filled old-world aviation theme, complete with a replica WWII US Navy spotter plane suspended above the room, setting a warm, never-uptight atmosphere for food that's anything but ordinary.

A Menu with Something for Everyone

The kitchen's range runs from small plates like Korean wings and truffle parmesan fries through to burgers, pizzas, pasta and salads. Pub classics cover a slow-cooked lamb shank, sticky BBQ pork ribs, a Korma curry, and a seafood chowder loaded with market fish and shellfish, while The Butchers Block offers sirloin, scotch fillet and eye fillet steaks, each served with a choice of two sides and a sauce - with the option to add a surf and turf topping of garlic butter prawns and scallops.

Kids Are Co-Pilots Here

Families are well looked after too - Mavericks' all-in-one kids' meals include fruit, cheese and crackers, corn chips with guacamole, a choice of main, a drink, and an optional dessert or classic spider, making it a full adventure on a plate for younger diners.

A Serious Drinks List

Behind the bar, Mavericks pours an extensive cocktail list from an Aperol Spritz to a Pornstar Martini, alongside mocktails, a wine list spanning Marlborough, Central Otago, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Australia, plus bubbles, tap beer and RTDs. Espresso Martini and Gin Sour Martini are both available on tap.

Functions and Events

Beyond regular dining, Mavericks hosts conferences, private functions and celebrations in its upstairs function room, offering tailored packages for birthdays, corporate meetings and group events, along with gift vouchers.

Visiting Mavericks

Mavericks Gastropub is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from late morning until 10pm, and Sunday from late morning until 9pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. It's located at 650 Lake Terrace, Wharewaka, Taupō, and reservations can be made online. Staff ask guests to flag any allergies or dietary requirements before ordering.

Signature items

  • Maverick Angus Burger
  • 200g Eye Fillet
  • Lamb Shank
  • BBQ Pork Ribs
  • Seafood Chowder
  • Korean Wings

Menu

Pasta

  • Creamy Pesto Fettuccine — Fettuccine tossed in basil pesto cream (vegetarian)
  • Alfredo Chicken Pasta — Creamy Alfredo pasta with chicken, mushrooms, truffle oil and parmesan

Pizza

  • Margherita Pizza — Mozzarella, parmesan, pesto and Napoli sauce
  • Meat Lovers Pizza — Seasoned beef mince, smoked sausage, smoky bacon flakes, mozzarella, BBQ drizzle

Salads

  • Halloumi Avocado Salad — Grilled halloumi, mixed lettuce slaw, edamame beans, cherry tomatoes, avocado purée, pineapple dressing
  • Caesar Salad — Caesar dressing, croutons, parmesan, bacon flakes, smoky aioli, poached egg, grilled chicken

Burgers

  • Maverick Angus Burger — Angus beef patty, house burger sauce, tomato, gherkins, smoked cheddar, lettuce, fries
  • Chicken Trailblazer Burger — Crispy chicken, house sauce, tomato, gherkins, smoked cheddar, lettuce, fries
  • Veggie Garden Grill Burger — Pumpkin and quinoa patty, lettuce, house sauce, tomato, gherkins, smoked cheddar, fries (vegetarian)

Desserts

  • Warm Apple Tart — Spiced apple tart served warm with vanilla ice cream
  • New York Cheesecake — Creamy cheesecake with berry compote and raspberry crumble
  • Chocolate Brownie — Warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream and Oreo crumble (gluten friendly)
  • Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream with choice of chocolate or strawberry sauce, whipped cream
  • Mango Sorbet Sundae — Refreshing mango sorbet with berry compote (dairy friendly)
  • Sticky Date Pudding — Warm sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce

Cocktails

  • Aperol Spritz — Aperol, prosecco and soda
  • Bloody Mary — Vodka, tomato, tabasco, Worcestershire, lemon juice
  • Cuba Libre — Scotch whisky, coke, limes
  • Clover Club — Gin, pineapple, lemon, raspberry
  • Dry Martini — Gin, dry vermouth
  • French Pear Martini — Pear vodka, St Germain, champagne
  • Frozen Margarita — Tequila, Cointreau, lime, passionfruit or strawberry
  • Godfather — Scotch whisky, Disaronno
  • Long Island Iced Tea — Vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, rum, sweet and sour, coke
  • Mai Tai — Triple sec, scotch whisky, amaretto, orange, Coruba top
  • Margarita — Tequila, Cointreau, lime, salted or sugar rim
  • Mojito — Bacardi, mint, lime, soda, passionfruit or strawberry
  • Moscow Mule — Vodka, limes, ginger beer
  • Old Fashioned — Wild Turkey, bitters, sugar
  • Painkiller — Coruba, pineapple, orange, cream of coconut, sweet and sour
  • Pornstar Martini — Vanilla vodka, Passoa, passionfruit pulp, pineapple juice, lime
  • Strawberry Daiquiri — Frozen white rum, strawberry, lime
  • Espresso Martini — On tap
  • Gin Sour Martini — On tap

Mocktails

  • Virgin Pina Colada — Pineapple juice, cream of coconut
  • Virgin Mojito — Mint, limes, soda, passionfruit or strawberry
  • Watermelon Lemonade — Watermelon syrup, lemonade
  • Arnold Palmer — Peach iced tea, lemonade or soda

Wine List

  • Astrolabe Durvillea Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) — By glass or bottle
  • Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) — By glass or bottle
  • Roaring Meg Sauvignon Blanc (Central Otago) — By glass or bottle
  • Matawhero Chardonnay (Gisborne) — By glass or bottle
  • Roaring Meg Chardonnay (Central Otago) — By glass or bottle
  • Roaring Meg Pinot Gris (Central Otago) — By glass or bottle
  • Spy Valley Pinot Gris (Marlborough) — By glass or bottle
  • Roaring Meg Rosé (Central Otago) — By glass or bottle
  • Wooing Tree Blondie Rosé (Central Otago) — By glass or bottle
  • Wooing Tree Beetle Juice Pinot Noir (Central Otago) — By glass or bottle
  • Astrolabe Durvillea Pinot Noir (Marlborough) — By glass or bottle
  • Clearview Merlot (Hawke's Bay) — By glass or bottle
  • Alpha Domus Syrah (Hawke's Bay) — By glass or bottle
  • Barossa Valley GSM (Australia) — By glass or bottle
  • Church Road Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot (Hawke's Bay) — By glass or bottle
  • Henkell Trocken Dry (Germany) — Sparkling, bottle
  • Henkell Trocken Rose (Germany) — Sparkling, bottle
  • Makers Anonymous Prosecco (Australia) — Sparkling

Kid'S Menu

  • Chicken Tenders — Crispy crumbed tenders with fries
  • Fish Bites — Golden fish bites with fries
  • Mac & Cheese — Creamy cheesy macaroni
  • Mini Cheeseburger — Kids cheeseburger with fries
  • Kids Sausage & Mash — Grilled sausage with creamy mash and gravy

Pub Classics

  • Lamb Shank — Buttered mash, carrot, seasonal greens, herb jus
  • Jamaican Chicken Half — Chargrilled chicken marinated in Jamaican spices, fries and salad
  • BBQ Pork Ribs — Slow-cooked, glazed in sticky Asian BBQ sauce, fries and salad
  • Fish & Chips — Catch of the day in crispy beer batter, fries, salad, tartare sauce
  • Bangers & Mash — Grilled house sausages over creamy mash with onion gravy and green peas (gluten friendly)
  • Salmon Fillet — Pan-seared salmon, two crispy kumara rosties, seasonal greens, hollandaise, lemon wedge
  • Beef Nachos — Corn tortilla chips loaded with spiced beef, salsa, sour cream, guacamole (gluten friendly)
  • Chicken Katsu Bowl — Crumbed chicken breast over steamed rice with pickled slaw, beans, edamame, katsu sauce
  • Korma Curry — Creamy coconut korma with seasonal vegetables and chicken, jasmine rice, papadam (gluten friendly)
  • Seafood Chowder — Creamy seafood chowder with market fish, shellfish and herbs

Small Plates

  • Garlic Loaf — Freshly baked crispy garlic loaf, add cheese
  • Crispy Calamari — Lightly seasoned squid, flash-fried, lemon wedge, house tartare
  • Guacamole & Tortilla Chips — Served with crunchy gluten-free tortilla chips (gluten friendly)
  • Korean Wings — Crispy chicken wings tossed in hot gochujang glaze with cool ranch dipping sauce
  • Onion Rings — Golden onion rings served with smoky garlic aioli
  • Shrimp Cocktail — Chilled prawns on iceberg lettuce with seafood sauce and lemon
  • Crispy Cauliflower Bites — Topped with shaved parmesan, served with maple BBQ sauce
  • Fries — Crispy house seasoned fries with house garlic aioli
  • Truffle Parmesan Fries — Fries tossed in truffle oil with shaved parmesan and herbs
  • Pork Belly Bites — Tender pork belly bites glazed in maple BBQ sauce with crunchy slaw (gluten friendly)
  • Jalapeño Poppers — Crispy jalapeño bites served with spicy sriracha mayo
  • Sample Platter — Fiery wings, squid, guacamole, corn chips, onion rings, aioli, crispy cauliflower, jalapeño poppers, fish bites

The Butchers Block

  • 250g Sirloin — Choose two sides and a sauce
  • 250g Scotch Fillet — Choose two sides and a sauce
  • 200g Eye Fillet — Choose two sides and a sauce
  • Surf & Turf Add-On — Three garlic butter prawns and two scallops served over your steak

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mavericks Gastropub located?
At 650 Lake Terrace, Wharewaka, Taupō, at The Landing.
What are the opening hours?
Wednesday and Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday and Saturday from late morning until 10pm, Sunday from late morning until 9pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Can I book a table?
Yes, reservations can be made directly through the Mavericks website.
Is there a kids menu?
Yes, an all-in-one kids' meal includes fruit, cheese and crackers, corn chips with guacamole, a main, a drink and optional dessert.
Does the menu cater for dietary requirements?
Yes, many dishes are marked gluten friendly, dairy friendly, vegan option or vegetarian option - let staff know of any allergies before ordering.
Can Mavericks host functions or conferences?
Yes, the upstairs function room hosts conferences, corporate meetings, birthdays and private functions with tailored packages.
Does Mavericks sell gift vouchers?
Yes, gift vouchers are available through the website.

Tips

  • {"body":"Choose from sirloin, scotch fillet or eye fillet, each with two sides and a sauce, plus an optional surf and turf topping.","title":"Try The Butchers Block"}
  • {"body":"Reservations can be made online through the Mavericks website.","title":"Book ahead for weekends"}
  • {"body":"The upstairs function room offers tailored packages for conferences, birthdays and private events.","title":"Ask about function packages"}
  • {"body":"The all-in-one kids' meal is designed as a full adventure on a plate for younger diners.","title":"Bring the kids"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"All-in-one kids' meals include a starter, main, drink and optional dessert","dietary":"Menu marked gluten friendly, dairy friendly, vegan option or vegetarian option; inform waitstaff of allergies before ordering"}