The Ōkato & Slippery Bill’s

At first glance, it might not seem like there’s a lot going on in the small rural town of Ōkato in the Taranaki region. However, an iconic 148-year-old building along the Surf Highway will have you pulling over in an instant. Named after the small township, The Ōkato is a drive-worthy hotel and restaurant with stunning mountain views and a warm sense of community and homeliness. 

Dating back to 1876, The Ōkato has been in the loving care of owner Alisha McIntosh since the end of 2022. Alisha spent four months sprucing up the space, applying a fresh lick of paint throughout the entire interior and exterior, installing new lighting, and fully renovating the six guest rooms. While everything has had a good polish, the aesthetic still honours the building’s rich history with plenty of old-school charm to transport you to another time. 

There are two restaurant experiences available onsite: The Ōkato restaurant and Slippery Bill’s. The main hotel restaurant offers elevated bistro dining for lunch and weekend dinners, spearheaded by Czech chef Julia Chochola who brings a whole lot of experience from her time in kitchens across Europe. The menu here is concise and focused on seasonality, showcasing local produce in interesting ways. You’ll also find a selection of counter food, including signature sweet treats, cheese scones and Slippery Bill’s pies in winter. 

The most recent addition to the site, Slippery Bill’s has quickly become one of Taranaki’s best-kept secrets. Hidden behind a little green door in an old beer store room, the surf highway roadhouse and taqueria provides a more casual offering for takeaway or dine-in, with a fun and flavourful Mexican and Texan influence. We’ve been told beer taps, a cidery, and a secret beer/margarita garden are currently in the works, so watch this space.

Whether you’re after a post-surf feed or passing through on a North Island road trip, The Ōkato is a special retreat for everyone – and as a fully dog-friendly hotel and restaurant, that goes for your four-legged pal too (Chester, the 85kg Leonberger resident, will keep them in good company). Make sure you check out The Ōkato’s full events calendar for live music nights, art shows, guest chef collabs, monthly degustation dinners, and more.