Tucked away on a quiet Taupō backstreet, Embra is a fine-dining revelation that few would expect to find in this lakeside town. The intimate, 30-seat restaurant — run by chef-owner Phill Blackburne and his team — presents a degustation menu that could rival the best of any big city. Embra’s culinary style celebrates modern New Zealand cuisine elevated by classic French and British techniques. The multi-course menu evolves constantly, riffing on whatever local produce is at its peak that week. Each plate is artfully composed and bursts with inventive flavour, yet the experience remains personal and unpretentious. Sophisticated and surprising, Embra is a hidden gem that firmly puts Taupō on the gastronomic map.