If you have read my Day 2 & 3 post on the Hobbiton movie set tour and Waitomo glowworm caves. You would know we headed back to our bed & breakfast Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge. We fancied some Thai food and drove out to town to find it closed amongst the other restaurants. Another problem, in New Zealand I found most eateries and bars simply shut early. 

Huhu Café

As it was getting late and we didn’t want to waste our time we headed to Huhu café across the road. Although it has café in the name, it is more of an upmarket restaurant. Huhu café gets very busy in the evenings, and I would advise booking a table ahead of time. We were very lucky to turn up at the door and get a walk-in spot for a table of 4. The sun started to set and the sky started to turn to a field of purple/pink haze.  

Interior 

Huhu Café is a 1-floor restaurant with outdoor terrace for seating outside that be perfect for the summer. The café has a slick modern feel, dark rustic chairs complimenting the lighter wooden floors.  

Huhu Café Food

The menu is divided up to different various menus, lunch, evening, kids and set price. I personally thought one main be too much so got two entrees. First up the cream cheese and chives croquettes coated up in crusted golden breadcrumbs. It is served in a sea of tomato chilli jam, it hits the right spot sweet and savoury, gooey melting cheese.  

Buttermilk chicken came in a deep white dish, the strips were skinny and there’s plenty to share or to have for yourself. When chicken is brined in buttermilk it preserves the tenderness of the meat, the chicken strips are coated up in a delicate southern spice mix and you get honey mustard to dip the chicken into.   

Both entrees were more than enough to make up for one main. Huhu café does modern New Zealand cooking very well using the freshest produce and seasonal ingredients. A must for anyone visiting the Waitomo area and need somewhere that opens late in the night.  

Information    

For more information, visit the Huhu cafe. 

Mon – Sun:  

11:00 am – 9:00 pm  

 10 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo, 3943, New Zealand