McDonald's Taupo

Fast food restaurant · Taupo

McDonald's Taupo

Fast food restaurant · Taupo

4

CNR ROBERTS & RUAPEHU STREETS, 48 Roberts Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand

Photos

McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by dacubsrule (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's Taupo by dacubsrule (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's Taupo by Aero Icarus
McDonald's Taupo by XPinger (Chris Sutton)
McDonald's Taupo by dacubsrule (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's Taupo by dacubsrule (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's Taupo by bgabel
McDonald's Taupo by Aero Icarus
McDonald's Taupo by Aero Icarus
McDonald's Taupo by XPinger (Chris Sutton)
McDonald's Taupo by mlinksva/mike linksvayer
McDonald's Taupo by bgabel
McDonald's Taupo by aERO ICARUS
McDonald's Taupo by XPinger (Chris Sutton)
McDonald's Taupo by dacubsrule (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's Taupo by dacubsrule (Atlas Obscura User)
McDonald's Taupo by bgabel
McDonald's Taupo by mlinksva/mike linksvayer
McDonald's Taupo by mlinksva/mike linksvayer
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null
McDonald's Taupo by null

Highlights

Nestled just a stone's throw from Lake Taupō, this quirky McDonald's features a vintage DC-3 airplane, offering a uniquely fun dining experience that's a must-try.  

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CNR ROBERTS & RUAPEHU STREETS, 48 Roberts Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand Get directions

mcdonalds.co.nz

NZ$10–20

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CNR ROBERTS & RUAPEHU STREETS, 48 Roberts Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand Get directions

+64 7 378 8679
mcdonalds.co.nz
Mcdztpo

NZ$10–20

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Last updated

Jun 30, 2025

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@atlasobscura

"Much like the country’s capital, Wellington, has embraced the “world’s coolest little capital” title bestowed upon it by Lonely Planet in 2013, many other New Zealand attractions now proudly declare themselves “the world’s coolest.” That’s at least the claim the city of Taupo makes about its local McDonald’s. Its rationale? The 20-seater airplane, decorated in the company’s signature red, right outside its main building. The Douglas DC-3’s history begins with its construction in 1943. After serving as a passenger plane, then a top dressing plane (crop duster, for the American audience), it was decommissioned in 1984 and became a promotional feature in the parking lot of Taupo’s Aeroplane Car Company, a car dealership. When the dealership’s location was purchased in 1990 to be turned into a franchise of McDonald’s (known locally as “Maccas”), the airplane was included. Nowadays, the plane’s interior features additional seating for diners, as well as the original cockpit, protected yet visible behind a clear screen. If you look around, you can find a timeline of the airplane’s life as well as a list of its pilots." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

8 Restaurants Hiding in Refurbished Planes and Trains
View Postcard for McDonald's Taupo
@atlasobscura

"Much like the country’s capital, Wellington, has embraced the “world’s coolest little capital” title bestowed upon it by Lonely Planet in 2013, many other New Zealand attractions now proudly declare themselves “the world’s coolest.” That’s at least the claim the city of Taupo makes about its local McDonald’s. Its rationale? The 20-seater airplane, decorated in the company’s signature red, right outside its main building. The Douglas DC-3’s history begins with its construction in 1943. After serving as a passenger plane, then a top dressing plane (crop duster, for the American audience), it was decommissioned in 1984 and became a promotional feature in the parking lot of Taupo’s Aeroplane Car Company, a car dealership. When the dealership’s location was purchased in 1990 to be turned into a franchise of McDonald’s (known locally as “Maccas”), the airplane was included. Nowadays, the plane’s interior features additional seating for diners, as well as the original cockpit, protected yet visible behind a clear screen. If you look around, you can find a timeline of the airplane’s life as well as a list of its pilots." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

Gastro Obscura's Top 20 Places to Eat and Drink
View Postcard for McDonald's Taupo
@atlasobscura

"Much like the country’s capital, Wellington, has embraced the “world’s coolest little capital” title bestowed upon it by Lonely Planet in 2013, many other New Zealand attractions now proudly declare themselves “the world’s coolest.” That’s at least the claim the city of Taupo makes about its local McDonald’s. Its rationale? The 20-seater airplane, decorated in the company’s signature red, right outside its main building. The Douglas DC-3’s history begins with its construction in 1943. After serving as a passenger plane, then a top dressing plane (crop duster, for the American audience), it was decommissioned in 1984 and became a promotional feature in the parking lot of Taupo’s Aeroplane Car Company, a car dealership. When the dealership’s location was purchased in 1990 to be turned into a franchise of McDonald’s (known locally as “Maccas”), the airplane was included. Nowadays, the plane’s interior features additional seating for diners, as well as the original cockpit, protected yet visible behind a clear screen. If you look around, you can find a timeline of the airplane’s life as well as a list of its pilots." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

25 Places Where Planes Are Right at Home on the Ground
View Postcard for McDonald's Taupo
@atlasobscura

"Eat your Big Mac in a DC-3."

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/airplane-mcdonalds-taupo
Gastro Obscura's Top 20 Places to Eat and Drink
View Postcard for McDonald's Taupo

John Huân Vũ

Google
👍 Like my review! It's not everyday that you can go to a McDonald's and see a refitted plane making this place iconic. I didn't want to go to McDonald's on my vacation but I had a reason to this time and it was worth the memories. It was really cool that people can go and see the plane and learn its history. The staff and atmosphere was amazing. The Kiwiburger (limited edition) was a treat. I highly recommend to friends and family!

Omkar Upadhye

Google
What an incredible idea to have a McDonald’s in an airplane-shaped setting! This unique dining experience in Taupō is absolutely brilliant and one-of-a-kind. From the moment you see the vintage DC-3 airplane standing proudly as part of the restaurant, it’s impossible not to feel amazed by the creativity and design. The attention to detail is impeccable, from the sleek exterior to the interior seating area inside the plane itself, giving you a sense of dining mid-flight! Located just a 2-minute walk from the stunning Lake Taupō, this McDonald’s is perfectly situated for visitors to enjoy a quick meal with a view. The outdoor seating area complements the quirky setup, making it an excellent spot to relax after exploring the lake. I was impressed by how seamlessly the airplane integrates into the overall restaurant design, adding an element of fun and surprise to the dining experience. The staff were friendly, and the service was efficient despite the steady flow of curious customers wanting to experience this iconic spot. The food quality was up to McDonald’s standards, but the real star here is the ambiance and uniqueness of the location. It’s not just a place to eat; it’s an experience to remember. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or just stopping by to admire the setup, this airplane-shaped McDonald’s is a must-see in Taupō. Brilliant concept, great execution, and an unforgettable experience!

Maggie Chen

Google
Premium location, right in front of the Taupo lake with great view. What makes this McDonald special is the Airplane on site. The playground is nice. There’s also great outdoor seating. It’s been ranked the world’s coolest McDonald 🤩.

cricky1995

Google
Never thought I would leave a review about McDonald's but this one is definitely the coolest one there is! Very clean, staff was very friendly located right downtown. And the best part, you can eat in a real DC-3 airplane! So cool!!!!

Felix Lukas Kübler

Google
"Such a cool McDonald's! I had to stop here just for the experience of sitting inside the vintage airplane while eating my burger. It’s definitely one of the most unique McDonald's I’ve ever visited. If you're in Taupo, don’t miss it – it’s worth a visit just for the fun factor!

Sivan Travelholic

Google
World's Coolest McDonald's! ✈️ The plane was built in 1943 in California, but it didn't start flying until 1961 in Australia as a passenger airliner. It was later utilised by the New Zealand Post Office and a few more jobs before being retired in 1984 after 56,282 hours of flight time. Must visit while in Taupo or crossing the city!

D Young (Mceebee)

Google
World Famous for having a plane for dining. Great place for the kids as the outdoor area is really big for seating inc the plane. Busy lunch time for sure during summer. Located in the main river side with many street parking by for up to 60 minutes.

Daniel McGregor

Google
Reasonably clean. Slow coffee, but was good. Wifi available. Really cool feature with plane outside, was locked during my visit