After a long day on the lake, I found myself hankering for something warm and filling, so I dropped into Dixie Browns in Taupo one night. This place do a little of everything, steaks, pasta, burgers, seafood, but I’d been hearing good things about their lamb shank and thought that would make for a good, hearty New Zealand meal. We sat down at a table inside and were treated to a really decent meal.
The food were nothing fancy, but it was solid pub-style food done well and served in a relaxed environment where it was easy to unwind.
A Great Meal at Dixie Browns
Dixie Browns
When we sat down the restaurant was fairly busy, always a positive sign. First up were some drinks; I had a glass of sparkling water, while my partner opted for one of the local ciders. They both arrived promptly and it’s always pleasant to have a drink to look at menu with.
Honestly, it was a pretty extensive menu. There was lots of options in various styles, which is sometimes a red flag but the reviews were solid enough that I wasn’t too worried. I stuck to my original plan and got the braised lamb shank; my partner ordered a pasta dish.
The dishes comes out and I was pleasantly surpised by the portion sizes. The look of the lamb shank in all its greatness, complete with vegetables and mash on the side was one of those proper comfort food. It had been braised to give it a deep, rich flavour but not so much that it become overwhelming.
It fell away from the bone easy, always a good sign, and the creaminess of the mash paired well with the jus which pulled everything together nicely. I only got a little taste of the pasta but it also look good, cooked well and with a decent sauce.
It wouldn’t be my first choice if I was looking for experimental flavours or fine dining but, to be fair, it’s not really that sort of establishment. It serve some good, hearty food that fills you up and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It is perfect when you’ve been hungry all day and need something familiar and dependable to fill your belly.
The prices was reasonable given what you recieve. The service was friendly (but not overly so). I left feeling pleasantly full, glad I had stopped here instead of getting something quick on the road.
Dixie Browns is a great place if you’re looking for a hearty feed in Taupo. They serves large meals with a good range of drinks. The food is simple enough for everyone to enjoy, from a solo traveller wanting to warm up after a day outside to a group of mates getting together for a relaxed dinner.
Have you visited Dixie Browns before? What’s your go-to restaurant in Taupo for dining out? I’d love to know your suggestions.