7 Must-Play Side Quests You Might Miss in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into Hyrule since launch, and even in 2026 I still find little surprises that make me stop and rethink my route. Tears of the Kingdom is so massive that genuinely great side quests can hide behind snowstorms, overheard conversations, or wells you walked past a dozen times. If you’re doing a fresh playthrough or just cleaning up your map, should you bother with these smaller detours? Absolutely. Some of them offer unique gear, reusable rewards, or just a better way to make rupees.

1. The Hebra Snowshelf Cave Rescue

Did you know there’s a snowy cave quest that can start in two different ways? I missed it on my first run because the Hebra Tundra is, frankly, a whiteout that discourages aimless wandering. East of the East Biron Snowshelf Cave, you can find Russ looking for Selmie. Talk to him, and the quest begins. Alternatively, just enter the cave, break some rocks in the middle, and find Selmie yourself.

Either way, the payoff is lovely. After speaking with Selmie, visit her cabin atop Hebra East Summit and you’ll receive a Strong Zonaite Shield. Even better? You unlock shield surfing races down the mountainside. Is it the biggest reward in the game? No, but as a cave exploration enthusiast, I loved that this quest gave me an excuse to poke around somewhere I’d otherwise ignore.

2. The Hidden Treasure of Lizard Lakes

This one rewards you for being nosy. While in Goron City, listen to the conversation between Yunobo and Bludo. They mention a hidden treasure at the heart of the Lizard Lakes. If you open your map and look at the two lizard-shaped lakes, head toward the southernmost lizard’s nearest cliff face.

Behind some breakable rocks is a chest with the Vah Rudania Divine Helm. This Breath of the Wild throwback gives you flame guard for volcanic heat, which is incredibly practical for exploring the Eldin region. Take it to a Great Fairy fountain and it can even upgrade Yunobo’s spirit. I genuinely regret not finding this earlier on my first playthrough—it would have saved me from countless heat-resistance meals.

3. The Amber Dealer

Would you accept a terrible deal from two suspicious glowing-eyed Gorons? I didn’t at first. When you enter Goron City, two miners offer to buy all your ore for just three rupees. Most players refuse, but I’m here to tell you that accepting is actually the move.

Instead of losing your ore, you trigger the Amber Dealer side quest. Ramella, a real ore dealer in Goron City, stops the scam and offers to buy ten pieces of amber from you for a high price. After you complete the quest, she remains a reliable source for selling ores at better-than-average rates. With how stingy the game can be with rupees, this is one of the smartest economic investments you can make.

4. Legacy of the Rito

This one is missable because it has a real prerequisite. You need to complete the Hebra/Rito portion of the Regional Phenomena main quest. After finishing Tulin of Rito Village, speak to Teba. If you bring him three diamonds, a Swallow Bow, and five bundles of wood, he’ll craft the Great Eagle Bow.

Why is that a big deal? The Great Eagle Bow fires three arrows per shot, making it one of the most powerful bows in the game. And the best part? It’s reusable. Return with the same ingredients, and Teba will craft it again. I’ve used this bow more times than I can count during boss rematches. It’s definitely worth the quick trip back to Rito Village.

5. Where Are the Wells?

Have you ever looked at a well and thought, “Should I bother?” In Hyrule, the answer is yes. There are 58 wells across the map, and they vary wildly in size and contents. Hidden in a well at Lookout Landing Compound is Fera, an NPC who tracks every well location.

For each well you discover, Fera will pay you ten rupees. That might sound small, but when you’re already exploring Hyrule anyway, it adds up fast. It also gives you a useful checklist for finding some of the most cleverly disguised sub-dungeons in the game. I love this quest because it rewards exactly the kind of curious, dig-everywhere behavior this game encourages.

6. The Ultimate Dish

We’ve all ruined a recipe, right? Dubious Food and Rock-Hard Food are annoying byproducts of experimental cooking. But north of Kakariko Village, on Rikoka Hills, there’s a well with smoke billowing out of it. Inside, you’ll find Moza, who can fix any ruined meal for a small fee.

The first fix costs five rupees and completes the quest. After that, Moza charges ten rupees per meal. Is it worth it? If you deliberately fail concoctions and bring them to Moza, you can turn cheap failures into genuinely useful meals. I’ve used this trick to stock up on healing items before big fights. It’s a fun little loophole that makes cooking feel far less punishing.

7. The Mother Goddess Statue

This is actually the fourth quest in a series, and it offers one of the finest rewards in the game. Across Hyrule, there are three Goddess Statues representing Power, Courage, and Wisdom. Each has its own side quest, and you can complete them in any order. Once all three are done, the Mother Goddess Statue quest unlocks.

Travel to the Forgotten Temple in Tangar Canyon, where the previously fallen statue now stands tall. Pray at the base, and the Mother Goddess grants you the White Sword of the Sky. It’s a single-handed blade with a unique sneak strike, and yes, it’s basically the Skyward Sword of Zelda fame. For longtime fans like me, this reward hits hard. It’s not just a weapon—it’s a callback to one of the series’ most beloved stories.

So, are these side quests worth your time? In my opinion, absolutely. They add texture to Hyrule and often give you rewards that make the main adventure easier. Whether you’re chasing a Great Eagle Bow, a divine helm, or just a steady source of rupees, these seven are worth seeking out.