EAT Restaurant
A Matamata institution on Broadway for all-day dining — from a relaxed brunch or lunch to a proper sit-down dinner. A reliable first stop when you're back in town hungry after the Shire.
Eat & drink
Matamata Restaurants: Where to Eat
A local's guide to the best restaurants in Matamata — where to go for lunch or dinner, from Broadway's Italian, Thai, Indian and Turkish tables to a classic pub feed after a Hobbiton tour. Kept up to date by people who actually live here.
Last updated: June 2026 · by the Matamata Guide team (local, Matamata-based)
Matamata punches above its weight for food, and much of it sits along Broadway, the main street, so you can park once and walk between options. Here's where the locals send visitors — and where to head when you're back in town hungry after the Shire.
Quick picks: Best for dinner — EAT, The Redoubt · Pub feed — Horse & Jockey, Merchant of Matamata, Te Poi Country Tavern · After Hobbiton — The Redoubt, Horse & Jockey · Indian — Indian Tadka, Indian Fusion · Quick eats & takeaway — DKs Burger Bar, Broadway Burger Bar, Fez Kebab.
Where to eat in Matamata
The Redoubt Bar & Eatery
Popular local bar and eatery — a solid dinner choice, good for celebrations, families, or a post-tour feed.
Sofra Restaurant
Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, well rated for friendly service and generous portions.
Merchant of Matamata
A fresh, modern pub in the heart of town with locally brewed craft beers and ciders.
Horse & Jockey Inn
A classic Kiwi pub and hotel in Matamata — hearty pub meals, cold beer on tap and a relaxed spot for a feed after the Shire.
Indian Tadka
Highly rated Indian kitchen just off Broadway — curries and classics to dine in or take away.
Indian Fusion Restaurant & Takeaway
Authentic Indian, Malaysian and Indo-Chinese — dine in or order online.
Thai Royal Restaurant
Matamata's Thai option on Broadway — a wide menu of curries, stir-fries and the usual favourites, dine in or takeaway.
Fez Kebab
Generous kebabs with fresh salads, plus pizza and Turkish sweets. Halal, and good for gluten-free — a reliable quick lunch on Broadway.
DKs Burger Bar
A local favourite for burgers and fish & chips — fresh, generous and quick. A go-to takeaway on Broadway.
Broadway Burger Bar
An old-school chip shop with great service and always-fresh fish — a classic Matamata takeaway stop.
Double D's Takeaway
Straightforward Broadway takeaway for a quick, well-priced feed.
Food Trip
Asian-style dishes on Broadway — a handy spot for a casual lunch or takeaway.
Matamata Club
Friendly clubrooms bistro just off the main street — honest, well-priced meals; visitors welcome.
Te Poi Country Tavern
A proper country pub a few minutes out at Te Poi — hearty meals and a cold one, handy on the way to or from Hobbiton.
Need something fast? There's also a KFC (cnr Firth & Peria Road) and Pizza Hut (51 Broadway) in town for the usual takeaway chains.
Matamata restaurants — common questions
What are the best restaurants in Matamata?
For a sit-down dinner, locals point visitors to EAT on Broadway (modern NZ, all-day), The Redoubt Bar & Eatery (gastropub) and Sofra (Turkish & Mediterranean). Most are within a short walk of each other on Broadway.
Where can you eat after a Hobbiton tour?
Matamata is about 15 minutes from the Hobbiton Movie Set, so it's the natural place to eat after a tour. Good post-Hobbiton options are The Redoubt and the Horse & Jockey Inn for a hearty pub feed, or the Te Poi Country Tavern if you're heading back out through Te Poi.
Does Matamata have Indian, Thai or Turkish food?
Yes. For Indian, try Indian Tadka or Indian Fusion. Thai Royal covers Thai, and for Turkish and Mediterranean you have Sofra and Fez Kebab (halal).
Where's good for lunch in Matamata?
EAT does an all-day menu that's popular for lunch. For something quicker, DKs Burger Bar, Broadway Burger Bar and Fez Kebab are all good lunch stops. For coffee and cafe fare, see our Matamata cafes guide.
Where can I get takeaways in Matamata?
Popular Matamata takeaways include DKs Burger Bar and Broadway Burger Bar for fish & chips and burgers, Double D's, Fez Kebab for kebabs and pizza, and Indian Fusion for Indian and Malaysian.
Looking for something lighter?
See our guide to Matamata cafes & coffee, or plan the rest of your visit: things to do · getting to Hobbiton · where to stay.