Tantalus Estate

Vineyard · Waiheke Island ·

Tantalus Estate

Vineyard · Waiheke Island ·

Estate vineyard & winery with dining, brewery, tours & tastings

Information

70/72 Onetangi Road, Onetangi, Waiheke Island 1971, New Zealand Get directions

$$$

@foodandwine

6,596 Postcards · 1,705 Cities

New Zealand Food Is Making Its Way Onto the Map

"A Waiheke Island estate noted for producing dishes paired with estate and regional reds; one memorable course highlighted a loin that was served with a structured Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet blend, underscoring the property’s focus on wine-and-food harmony." - Ashley Day

https://www.foodandwine.com/new-zealand-food-8736597

Tantalus Estate

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Auckland, New Zealand

"Tantalus Estate on Waiheke Island is a popular winery, offering wine tasting experiences with beautiful vistas."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-things-to-do-in-auckland-new-zealand

Tantalus Estate

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

What to Eat and Drink in New Zealand - AFAR

"A Waiheke Island winery that pairs desserts with its wines, rounding out a multi-stop vineyard tasting experience with thoughtfully matched sweet courses." - AFAR

https://www.afar.com/magazine/enjoy-fresh-inspired-eating-in-new-zealand

Tantalus Estate

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Waiheke Island's glowingreputationas an arty and bohemian refuge away from New Zealand 's biggest and most cosmopolitan city is being further bolsteredby excellent vineyard restaurants. Accessed by a sweeping, tree-lined entrance reminiscent of Tuscany or the south of France, Tantalus Estate is one of Waiheke's most impressive wineries. Make a reservation for lunch in its sunny pavilion dining room—booking ahead is especially recommended on summer weekends—and partner the vineyard's own wines with local oysters, and innovative dishes including pork belly with chili caramel, refreshing melon, and Vietnamese mint. Downstairs, the Brewing Lounge serves craft beer made on-site by the Alibi Brewing Company."

The Best Restaurants in New Zealand

Photo courtesy of Tantalus Estate

Tantalus Estate

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Perfect Week on New Zealand's North Island

Photo courtesy of Tantalus Estate

Tantalus Estate

Melanie J.

Google

Tantalus on Waiheke Island is an absolutely incredible destination and easily one of the highlights of our day trip from Auckland in March. The property is stunning, with rolling vineyards and breathtaking views that make it a perfect place to spend the day. We were lucky to have a beautiful day, which made walking around the vineyard and exploring even more enjoyable. We started by sampling three of their wines, each thoughtfully crafted and showcasing the character of the region. The tasting experience was relaxed and informative, giving us a great sense of the winery’s style and philosophy. Afterward, we made our way to the restaurant, which offers truly incredible views. It is the perfect spot to sit, savor the food, and soak in the scenery. Tantalus makes it easy to spend a whole day there. In addition to the wine tasting, they also offer beer tasting, which adds another layer to the experience for visitors who want to explore more of what the property has to offer. Everything is well organized, the staff are friendly, and the atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between casual and elegant. Overall, Tantalus is a must-visit on Waiheke Island. Whether you are stopping in for a tasting, enjoying a meal, or planning to spend the entire day exploring, it delivers on every level. We left with lasting memories and a full appreciation for the beauty and quality of this amazing vineyard.

Monica B.

Google

We randomly chose this place for some afternoon cheese and wine, and it turned out to be such a beautiful experience. First of all, the interiors are stunning, paired with a wonderful view, truly a lovely spot to dine and unwind. They offer a great selection of wines, and I enjoyed the cheese board. I also tried the beer tasting, which was surprisingly good. Loved the overall ambiance, and the staff were incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming, and great conversationalists. Definitely a place worth coming back to.

Salina S.

Google

We had a fantastic experience at Tantalus. We stopped by for a small meal and some wine and were treated to a gorgeous view, excellent food, and wonderful sips. They had a beef tartare as the special and it was one of the best tartares I’ve had. We also had the kingfish crudo which was also great. We shared the reserve tasting menu. The 2022 Chardonnay and 2018 Ecluse red blend were our favorites. All around lovely service, as well. This is well worth a stop.

Chic Retreats N.

Google

We visited Tantalus on a rainy Waiheke day as a group of six. The sweeping views & vineyard grounds everyone talks about were hidden behind grey skies and sheets of rain. The good news was they didn’t need good weather to deliver something special. We started downstairs at the craft beer bar where Alibi Brewing Co. creates their beers on site. The team here were excellent, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about what they’re pouring. It’s a relaxed space that sets the right tone before heading up to the restaurant. The lighting design in the main dining area is genuinely beautiful. Warm, considered, making a rainy afternoon feel like an occasion worth dressing up for. The Waiheke oysters were unanimously declared the best any of us had tasted. Fresh, briny, clean. Don’t skip them. The sharing nibbles were excellent. Properly sourced & warmed olives and bread with that crust-to-crumb ratio that shows someone in the kitchen actually cares about the details. Across our table, steak, lamb, and fish were all cooked with real precision. Each dish was executed well, seasoned thoughtfully, allowed to be what it was meant to be. Service in the restaurant was good and accommodating. Our waitress helped us shift a few dishes from the fixed menu to à la carte, which we appreciated. Feedback across our group suggested there’s room for growth in menu and wine list knowledge, but she was attentive and willing to make our experience work for us. We’re all learning, and the genuine effort was there. Solid 4 out of 5. The wine list offers plenty of depth if you know what you’re looking for or want to explore. We did not get the views, couldn’t explore the grounds, missed all the sunny Waiheke moments people come for. We still left very satisfied. When you can deliver that quality of experience regardless of weather, you’ve built something solid. The location is a bonus. The food and atmosphere stand on their own. Worth the ferry trip, rain or shine. Recommended for a special occasion.

The Mino W

Google

Had such a great afternoon here today. It was a spontaneous decision but I am sure will be a highlight of our trip. We received an immediate and genuine warm welcome on arrival and had our choice of tables. Service was that lovely balance of timing where we were not rushed, but also a comfortable pace. I love that they have some great IPAs on the menu, and broad mix of wines by the glass. My partner ordered a very interesting cherry old fashioned which he was quite impressed by. The lamb rump was outstanding...almost like butter. We were keen to do a tasting downstairs and this just topped off our afternoon. Again we got offered "our pick" of tables available, which I always appreciate vs one being selected, and had a fantastic tasting experience with Tim. Extremely knowledgeable but also relaxed and approachable we felt the whole experience was memorable. The atmosphere downstairs is very ambient, and the menu has many appealing options...from light snacks to casual meals. We are only here a few days but I am pretty sure we are coming back for a longer lunch...without the car. Thank you everyone who looked after us today and made it a very special memory - we will be recommending to all our friends! See you soon!

Celine S.

Google

Good food but overall service was too slow for me to give this place more than three stars. There are places that can balance time management and food quality. We came at 11.45am and by the time we were served our mains it was 2pm. Everything could be better timed. More customers started coming at 1pm and that’s when the service levels dropped. Servers were polite and knowledgeable but it just couldn’t make up the service. We were interested also in the wine tasting experience but took it somewhere else instead. If you did have to come here, I suggest the pork cheek and the beef. Both cooked tenderly and goes well with the recommended wine on the menu.

Michael L.

Google

Have come back twice now, such a memorable winery. The wines are great with the tasting being very interesting and accomodating. The restaurant consistently serves some of the best food I’ve had not only in Waiheke, but in NZ and around the world! Lots of strong wine options and the grounds are stunning to walk around. We’ll be back for a third time for sure!

Lee M.

Google

Just fantastic! Much more down to earth hosting than many other Waiheke vineyards, which makes it much more relaxing. Food is masterchef level - there were about 15 elements on my dessert, and each one was soooo delicious! The sauces in particular are all to-die-for. Interesting you can arrive by helicopter! Our kids are grown up now, but we noted a good playground was onsite which is useful! They also have a dedicated wedding area. We will def go back again! And thanks to our waitress Zoe for great service :-)

Dahokolomoki Z.

Yelp

The setting is beautiful - al fresco dining on a vineyard. Service was efficient, but not overly friendly, as it was packed. Food was good. Nothing to fault, typical European style with a bit of modern twist and sophistication. Why only the 4 stars? Well, the pricing is up there, and the portions were small. So much so that you definitely need at least a starter and a main, even if you're just moderately hungry. For a fine dining establishment, they even charge for bread...! And I think it was like NZD10 for two slices of sourdough.... So you are already paying a premium, so the quality expected has to be flawless. Hence the 4 stars.

Powder W.

Yelp

I can only speak to the setting and the wines as we only came and stayed for tastings and as it was the first of the day, we didn't want to miss out. After now having been to 4, this was our second favorite after Te Motu. Tantalus is completely different from Te Motu but no less appealing. They have the most beautiful setting and have worked hard to make it elegant and comfortable. It is spectacular. To us? The prettiest and most thoughtfully arranged and designed of all that we visited. It is simply stunning inside and out. The wine is also delicious and by far the best value for money, out of all the vineyards, when it comes to the tastings. This is a special vineyard indeed. The staff are first rate and this estate is definitely on to a winning combination.

Cary R.

Yelp

I loved this winery. So many to choose from but do make a stop here. We started with a tasting red and white and was explained in great detail. There's a restaurant as well the food looked amazing but with so many wineries to visit Jay O. and I didn't stay long. Downstairs they have their brewery which also serves food. We sat inside as all outdoor seating was taken but inside was cool and had a great atmosphere. We had a flight of all their beers and ordered their truffle Parmesan fries which came recommended by our tour guide. Man sooooooo good!!!!! I wish we could've tried more of their food options but had to head over to other wineries. We went to about 5 that day in Waiheke and this one was my favorite!

Ashley P.

Yelp

This is a beautiful winery! We visited Waiheke on our honeymoon and stayed overnight, and our Airbnb host recommended this vineyard as well as Mudbrick, so we visited both. Tantalus was the better of the two by far. The atmosphere is amazing; the grounds are landscaped beautifully and the decor inside is cozy but also incredibly modern. I would hire their interior designer for my home if I could! We had a great lunch sharing both the duck and lamb rump. The food tasted delicious but light, and we had very attentive and friendly service. Moving on to the wine tasting, our server was really friendly and knowledgeable. We both tasted the reserve reds and took home a bottle of Evoque 2014, and my hubby got himself a polo shirt as well. The only downside is everything was quite pricey, and we saw the Evoque for sale at several stores in town for $10NZ less, but oh well! When in Rome, right? Plus, we really enjoyed everything about this place.

Vicente G.

Yelp

Not only are their wines wonderful, but their on-site restaurant also serves delicious food! Coming from the Bay Area, I have some relatively elevated winery standards, and Tantalus certainly delivered. Such attentive service all around too!

Andrea S.

Yelp

I visited this BEAUTIFUL winery in January with friends. The decor of this building is stunning! The outside seating is gorgeous! It helped that the weather was perfect too !! We tried some samplings & decided on what we liked best. I loved the Rose !! We then ordered full glasses of our favorites and appetizers , the Tantalus olive oil & bread and the garlic truffle & herb fries which were so good! The dinner menu looked good but we didn't stay because we were already going somewhere else , but I would definitely return for dinner & for the wine !!

Mark S.

Yelp

Some of the best wines on the island. A step above most of the wineries wrt wine. The views aren't as great but it makes up for it in the taste of the wines.

Ombre L.

Yelp

The food is absolutely amazing and definitely exceeds my expectation, way better than the top restaurants in Aukland. Very creative design of each dish with flavors perfectly orchestrating together. My favorite is the sweet yeast South African bread, which is freshly baked from the oven and matches very well with lover mousse!

Bryson H.

Yelp

Best experience my friends and I had. A really good combination of beers and wine. Debra treated us great! Her knowledge of the wines and beers were great. Glad we tried this place out.

bill l.

Yelp

We had lunch at this winery - I highly recommend it! The food and service were amazing. We did a wine tasting and also recommend their wines. The hostess was very engaging and well informed. Beautiful views from thIs winery.

karabina c.

Yelp

I never complain about restaurants, but I look to yelp for suggestions and I need to warn my yelp community. This place came highly recommended, and I can see why. The food is creative, unusual, well-prepared. The setting is lovely- you are right next to vineyards, the decorations are classy. I was so looking forward to a five star experience. Then we ended up with a server who was not a good fit for us (I could tell that other servers were not the kind who impatiently and tersely answer questions). And then there was the helicopter noise as the beautiful people who flew in for lunch interrupted our potentially five star meal, drowning out our conversation for minutes. And then came the next helicopter fifteen minutes later, after we had recovered from the rude disruption of the first one. This was our most disturbing meal on Waiheke Island. We had much more enjoyable meals elsewhere. If you like pretentious places and enjoy watching and/or being the beautiful people, then maybe this is the place for you. I wrote a complaint to the restaurant but never heard back from them. I am giving three stars because the food is excellent and most of the waitstaff was kind and friendly. I can imagine going here on a non-helicopter meal when the server we got has a day off. We went in March and I waited to post this in hopes that I might cool off. But nope. Still our worst dining experience in New Zealand, all because of the snotty waiter and the helicopters.

Katie D.

Yelp

If you are going to Waiheke you have to go to this place! So relaxing and the service is amazing. Not to mention the gourmet wine and food. It has been my favorite meal of my trip so far and I don't think anything will easily beat it

Sarah S.

Yelp

Wow! My family and I visited the island recently, and stumbled upon Tantalus Estate by chance. We initially entered downstairs, where we were kindly greeted by a bartender that directed us upstairs to the dining room. He offered to start a tab for us, and was extremely helpful. We then went upstairs and ordered some incredible wine and beer flights while we checked in, and waited for our table. There was a bit of a mix-up, when one party arriving before us was forgotten, but the hostess explained the error to us, and was extremely professional when asking us to please wait a few more minutes. The food was incredible, and we were given an appetizer on the house. The service was also remarkable, and each person was friendly, and knowledgable. I would HIGHLY recommend Tantalus to anyone looking to visit Waiheke.

Sarah J.

Yelp

Stopped to eat at the Tantalus estate while on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. The location consisted the most breathtaking views of rolling hills and lush green wineries. The location and scenery itself made the meal. As for the food itself, it took a rather long time for the meal to come but my family didn't mind because the weather was amazing and we were surrounded by beauty at our sunny outdoor table. The meals we ordered were gnocchi, duck, venison, and pork shoulder. After waiting for about an hour the manager came over and said that they were actually out of the gnocchi, my sister ordered the salmon instead. When our meals finally came two of the portions were quite small. I tried everyone's dish and they were all incredibly delicious. My sister was disappointed because she didn't realize the salmon was cured not cooked. Although she did not complain about her meal the waiter noticed she was a bit unhappy and took the salmon off the bill. However, my duck dish was the best meal I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Even though we waited a very long time for our meals - and not everyone was full due to the tiny portions of the entrees- I think it's safe to say that for me personally, this is the best meal I have ever had. A note: If you're young, do not forget to bring your passport - not a drivers license- as a form of identification because they are extremely strict about drinking. My sister is 22 and although she had her valid license, it was not acceptable and she wasn't able to drink.

@foodandwine

6,596 Postcards · 1,705 Cities

New Zealand Food Is Making Its Way Onto the Map

https://www.foodandwine.com/new-zealand-food-8736597

Tantalus Estate

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Auckland, New Zealand

"Tantalus Estate on Waiheke Island is a popular winery, offering wine tasting experiences with beautiful vistas."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-things-to-do-in-auckland-new-zealand

Tantalus Estate

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

What to Eat and Drink in New Zealand - AFAR

"A Waiheke Island winery that pairs desserts with its wines, rounding out a multi-stop vineyard tasting experience with thoughtfully matched sweet courses." - AFAR

https://www.afar.com/magazine/enjoy-fresh-inspired-eating-in-new-zealand

Tantalus Estate

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Best Restaurants in New Zealand

Photo courtesy of Tantalus Estate

Tantalus Estate

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

The Perfect Week on New Zealand's North Island

Photo courtesy of Tantalus Estate

Tantalus Estate

Melanie J.

Google

Monica B.

Google

Salina S.

Google

Chic Retreats N.

Google

The Mino W

Google

Celine S.

Google

Michael L.

Google

Lee M.

Google

Dahokolomoki Z.

Yelp

Powder W.

Yelp

Cary R.

Yelp

Ashley P.

Yelp

Vicente G.

Yelp

Andrea S.

Yelp

Mark S.

Yelp

Some of the best wines on the island. A step above most of the wineries wrt wine. The views aren't as great but it makes up for it in the taste of the wines.

Ombre L.

Yelp

Bryson H.

Yelp

Best experience my friends and I had. A really good combination of beers and wine. Debra treated us great! Her knowledge of the wines and beers were great. Glad we tried this place out.

bill l.

Yelp

karabina c.

Yelp

Katie D.

Yelp

Sarah S.

Yelp

Sarah J.

Yelp

Tantalus Estate

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New Zealand Food Is Making Its Way Onto the Map

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Auckland, New Zealand

What to Eat and Drink in New Zealand - AFAR

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New Zealand Food Is Making Its Way Onto the Map

Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Auckland, New Zealand

What to Eat and Drink in New Zealand - AFAR