Nestled at the feet of the Whakarewarewa Forest inside Scion’s striking timber research building, Eastwood is proof that Rotorua’s best-designed dining room hides in the trees. The award-winning architecture sets the tone, with soaring exposed beams and a light, plant-filled space that spills onto a sunny patio, where dogs and mountain bikers are equally welcome. A Mediterranean-style pizza oven anchors the open kitchen, turning out generously topped wood-fired pizzas alongside a made-from-scratch brunch menu, a loaded cabinet and seriously good coffee. Come Friday nights, the tempo lifts with pizzas and frozen margaritas as the sun drops through the redwoods. Relaxed, welcoming and quietly stylish, it is the essential stop before or after a forest wander.