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New Zealand has long been on our “food radar. ” Its emphasis on fresh and local foods, world-class wines, markets, and food festivals make it one of our dream destinations.
Chefs and restaurants are built on a passion for food, a deep connection to the terroir, sustainability, and respect.
While we’ve yet to visit the “land of the long white cloud,” we’ve got local insights from Kiwi food lovers.
Here are the top ten New Zealand food experiences to savor Kiwi cuisine.
1. Get Your Culinary Bearings on A Food Tour In Auckland Or Wellington
Whenever we travel to a new destination, we find it incredibly helpful to take a food tour to get a sense of the local specialties.
If your travels take you to Wellington, the country’s capital city, get to know its exceptional restaurant and food scene.
This 5-hour Bespoke Food & Wine Tour, led by a chef and guide, takes you to explore boutique wineries and restaurants showcasing the best local ingredients. It includes cheese, chocolate, and olive oil tastings in addition to food and wines.
Auckland, the country’s largest city, is a melting pot of flavors. Spend an afternoon exploring the culinary delights on a food and walking tour.
This Flavours of our City Food Walk takes you to local producers of wine, cheese, ice cream, beer, and others while you learn the city’s history.
2. Explores New Zealand Wines on a Winery Tour
New Zealand has more than 700 wineries, with Sauvignon Blanc being the most widely planted variety.
The wines found all across the country are produced in a sustainable manner. On your culinary explorations, the local wines will undoubtedly play a starring role.
Central Otago, one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing wine regions, is easily accessible from Queenstown.
This region is known for its impressive views, world-class Pinot Noir, and good Sauvignon wines.
To go deeper into the wine region, we recommend taking a Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown.
This 5.5-hour tour takes you to four vineyards for lunch and wine tastings. You’ll taste a variety of wines and enjoy tours of the vineyards.
Transportation is provided, and spectacular views along the way are a bonus.
3. Eat Fish & Chips at Mangonui Fish Shop
Fish and chips is one of those New Zealand food specialties you can’t miss. They are the most popular takeaway food. At every corner, you’ll find a fish and chips store serving the greasy goodness Kiwis love.
One of the most popular and local favorites is Mangonui Fish Shop. Known for its stunning location, you’ll find fresh fish and chips that are salty and crunchy and melting soft inside.
The fish is caught locally in Mangonui Wharf by local fishermen. The store is located only 100 meters from the Mangonui Wharf, which means you’ll be eating the sweetest and most delicious line-caught fish you’ve ever tasted.
A favorite destination on Fridays, savor this New Zealand tradition as you take in the ocean air and spectacular views.
Address: 137 Waterfront Drive, Mangonui 0420, New Zealand
Hours: Open daily; 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
RELATED: 20 Best Culinary Destinations In The World for Scrumptious Adventures
4. Explore New Zealand and Pacific Flavors at Sidart in Auckland
When in Auckland, take a culinary journey you’ll forever remember at Sidart Restaurant.
Be prepared to savor innovative cooking using the best seasonal producers from local Auckland growers.
There are two tasting menus that each showcase exceptional techniques and the best seasonal produce New Zealand has to offer.
There is also a full à la carte menu available and a wide selection of exceptional New Zealand wines to choose from.
If you want to get a closer look at the kitchen and watch the chefs creating the dishes, choose the “Chef’s Table Experience.”
Plan for an amazing culinary journey of taste and flavors at Sidart restaurant in Auckland.
Address: 283 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, 1011, New Zealand
Hours: Open Tues-Thur, 6:00 pm; Fri – Sat, 5:30 pm, Lunch, Sat, 12:00 pm. Closed Sun- Mon.
5. Delight in The Art of Ice Cream at Giapo, Auckland
Ice cream is one of our favorite desserts. From savoring helados in Argentina to making gelato in Italy, we’re always up to discover the best ice cream.
Giapo is said to make the best ice cream in Auckland and possibly in the world.
More than just a “vanilla” experience, Giapo invites you to look at ice cream in a different way.
Pushing the narrative on traditional ice cream, Giapo takes you on a fully sensorial experience.
Imagine fantastical designs like a giant colossal squid. Innovative flavors like truffle ice cream or unique combinations made from New Zealand Tamarillo and Fiji Apples.
Who said ice cream has to come in a cup or a cone? Giapo challenges that narrative with wearable cones for your fingers or lips.
On any given day, you’ll find many other concoctions with rich, deep flavors of ice cream made fresh daily.
If you are looking for a unique experience and the most incredible ice cream in the world, Giapo should absolutely be on your list of things to do in Auckland.
Address: 12 Gore St, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Hours: Open Tues- Sun, 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm; Closed Monday
Pro Tip: Ice cream lovers can take a Master Class or a “behind the scenes tour” that blends sweet and savory flavors stirred up in amazing creativity.
RELATED: 9 Top Italian Culinary Tours for Amazing Food and Wine
6. Taste The Best Coffee at Refinery in Paeroa
This hidden gem is an easy hour and a half from Auckland. It is located in the heart of Paeroa, minutes away from fabulous antique shops, amazing cycling and walking trails, and the beach nearby.
What truly makes The Refinery Cafe stand out is the coffee and food that is prepared with love. Serving fresh, simple breakfast and lunch dishes, along with Mt Atkinson coffee, you’ll be in for a real treat.
Everything is made with local produce, and all pastries and baked goods are made from scratch. No premixes and no substitutes.
It’s no surprise The Refinery has been named a finalist for the best New Zealand coffee multiple times.
If you’re planning on staying and hiking the popular Hauraki Rail Trail or hanging out at the beach, check out their cozy 50’s inspired stylish accommodations offered on-site.
Enjoy a true Kiwi gem and one of New Zealand’s best cafes.
Address: 5 Willoughby St, Paeroa 3600, New Zealand
Hours: Wed-Fri; 8:30 am to 3:00 pm; Closed Sat-Sun
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancelations, car rental protection, or tour cancelations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.
7. Savor Modern Cuisine & Local Wines at Bistronomy in Napier
When a restaurant describes itself as “one part local, one part global, and one part special sauce,” you take notice.
Infusing local seasonal produce with creative ideas is the delightful experience you can expect at Bistronomy.
Located in the heart of Napier’s dining district, Bistronomy combines modern techniques with unique local produce to create exceptional lunches and dinners.
Expect to see familiar ingredients in interesting combinations, to create food worth talking about and coming back for more.
Nestled within Bistronomy is Vinotech, a boutique wine bar with a vast selection of New Zealand wines.
You can try local wines from more than 40 nearby wineries and pair menu items with the wines.
The experience is modern fine dining worthy of a pilgrimage to Napier. Food lovers will delight in this five-star cuisine, which is on par with Michelin-starred restaurants.
Address: 40 Hastings Street, Napier 4110, New Zealand.
Hours: Thur-Mon, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Closed Tue-Wed
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8. Relish Award-Winning New Zealand Food at Pacifica Restaurant in Napier
Set in a weathered blue bungalow in the heart of Napier on Marine Parade is Pacifica Restaurant.
Chef Jeremy Rameka takes a Kiwi approach providing Michelin-quality food with freshness, passion, and flavor in a relaxed Pacific-style atmosphere.
Jeremy’s cuisine is described as “a work in progress….based on emotion and bravery rather than convention. ”
The menu changes daily depending on what ingredients are available and how the chef is feeling. The idea is to have guests try new tastes and textures and different flavor combinations.
There is a degustation menu featuring New Zealand’s fresh seafood and premium meat dishes.
The menu changes daily. If you are lucky, you may get a chance to Jeremy’s favorite ingredients such as mussels, clams, kina (New Zealand sea urchin), sweetbreads, and muttonbird.
In the midst of the dynamic and evolving dishes is true Kiwi hospitality. You’ll not find a stuffy environment, but instead, you’ll be welcomed by friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Pacifica has consistently been recognized as a top restaurant for promoting genuine New Zealand cuisine, which draws strongly on fresh and local ingredients.
Address: 209 Marine Parade, Napier Central 4110, New Zealand
Hours: Wed-Sat, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Closed Sun-Tues
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9. Relax at the Sustainable Forage Cafe in Auckland
With a focus on sustainability directed, this eco-friendly café offers exclusively free-range meat and animal products.
Only fresh food is served on a seasonal menu. Situated in the business area of Dominion Road, Auckland, Forage Cafe has a cozy atmosphere and a nature-inspired design.
While seated surrounded by overhanging tree branches, bird motifs, and succulent plants, you can enjoy tasty coffee and a variety of little bites.
Find a wide array of offerings like freshly baked pastries, sandwiches, pies, soups, and more.
As a sustainable café, Forage takes pride in composting all the green waste and recycling the products.
To enjoy fresh and organic products in a casual and comfortable atmosphere, head to Forage Cafe in Auckland.
Address: 90 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:00 am – 2:30 pm; Closed Sat-Sun
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: From Auckland, explore world-class food and wines on a Waiheke Island tour. This 5.5-hour Waiheke Island gourmet food and wine tour takes you on ferry from Auckland to enjoy the succulent tastes of the island. Known as a foodie paradise, you’ll enjoy wine tastings at three vineyards and sample artisanal cheese, olive oil, and oysters. You’ll have lunch at one of the wineries and some free time to enjoy the pristine beaches. Find out more.
10. Splurge At The Grove Restaurant Ranked Among The World’s Best
Ranked as one of the top restaurants in New Zealand and in the world, a trip to the Grove restaurant is an experience.
The menu at the Grove is a degustation menu featuring seasonal New Zealand food.
It’s accompanied by a wine list that celebrates the diversity of New Zealand wines.
At this intimate and stylish restaurant, you can try local specialties like exquisite Ruakākā Kingfish Caviar, Paua, or Te Matuku oysters.
Although the ingredients change regularly, you can try dishes like salted venison, barbecue duck leg, or 55-day aged beef bone marrow.
The Grove is one of the best restaurants in New Zealand for a Michelin-star dining experience.
Address: St Patricks Square, Wyndham Street, Auckland
Hours: Wed-Sat, 5:45 pm – 11:30 pm; Closed Sat-Tue
In Summary
The natural beauty and geography in New Zealand give the local food a distinct advantage.
Talented local chefs, inspired by the natural bounty, are developing innovative cuisine that is putting New Zealand on the global food map.
Combine that with the award-winning New Zealand wines, and you’ve got the perfect food destination.
If your travels take you to New Zealand, be sure to savor these unique New Zealand restaurants and food experiences.
Whet our appetites with your favorite local spots until the day we can bring you our personal experiences from Authentic Food Quest.
Which one of these best restaurants in New Zealand would you like to try? Please let us know in the comments below.
Savor The Adventure!
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Rosemary is the editor-in-chief and strategist at Authentic Food Quest.
Traveling slow since 2015 with her partner, Claire, she has explored the cuisine in 45 countries and more than 240+ culinary cities.
Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post.
As a food and travel writer, Rosemary has co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
Rosemary is an avid runner when she’s not eating and exploring new destinations. She has run ten marathons and counting.
Before Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary held senior-level strategy positions in advertising.
Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
Awesome post.. thanks for sharing
Thank you 🙂
I have read your blog and it is quite informative regarding the traveling experience. Last month I went to Christchurch
there I had a party in the Cuban restaurant and they offered a collection of 60 different rums and a distinguished selection of cocktails, wines, and beer and delicious food and their quick service and pleasant surroundings were remarkable. I will bookmark your site for future.keep up the great work. Thanks
Thank you James, and so glad you had a wonderful time in Christchurch. That’s fantastic to hear about the Cuban restaurant. It sounds like it is worth adding to the list. Appreciate your feedback 🙂 Cheers.
Sign me up for Pasture in Auckland. I love places that do more than just serve one part of an animal. It is a great idea to use all of the animal, not just the choice parts. It is so wasteful not to use all of the animals.
We also love the idea of using every single part of the animal. Pasture is certainly quite creative in their approach. Thanks for stopping by.
Indian, seafood, ice cream, good coffee, game meat … seems like NZ has it all! I’m just curious if it’s easy to be a vegetarian…seems like a lot of the specialties are very meat- or seafood-dominated.
You are right Carrie, so many local options for meat lovers and non-meat lovers alike. Truly a great country to explore for the food.
I love this list, but I am most interested with Pasture in Auckland. I love traditional cooking, but I am dying to see how other cuisines use up a whole animal for different dishes, just like in Philippines. To be honest, I know very little about Kiwi cuisine, and I am very excited because I think we are visiting NZ next year, so I am saving your list! Thank you for this post!
Perfect timing!! So glad this article is coming just in time as you prepare for your NZ trip next year. Do let us know what you think of Pasture!! Thanks, Kirstie.
Are New Zealand fish & chips like English fish & chips? That is one of my favourite meals so I’d have to try the Kiwi version to see how they compare. It’s not usually line-caught but it is very tasty!
Locals tells us the fish & chips in New England are as good as the fish & chips in England. The difference might be in the type of fish that is available locally. Guess, you’ll have to go and let us know what you think 🙂 Cheers, Claire.
The Refinery Cafe stands out for me. I LOVE that everything is made from love and by scratch. Plus those quiche look amazing!
The special touch from the Refinery Cafe is indeed noteworthy. However, the other chefs and cooks at the other restaurants put as much love and care in their dishes as well. The Refinery for coffee and the fresh quiche is definitively a winning combination.
All of these dishes are so tempting. The ice cream is the winner. The descriptions especially had me drooling. And the variety amazes me.
You really can’t go wrong with ice cream. By itself the ice cream is a perfect treat. Or a delicious end to any one of the meals. Thanks for stopping by Indrani.
I think New Zealand had one of the top food scenes in the world, and your journey through many of the culinary delights absolutely proves it! Most people put NZ on their bucket list for its sights, I want to go there to eat!
We are so 100% with you Andi. Yes, the natural landscapes and beauty of NZ is incredible, but the food is the real reason to travel there:) We should organize a meeting point at one of these restaurants at some point 🙂 Cheers.
I went to NZ more than a decade ago and thought that fresh produce was served all over the country. Your description of the new-age restaurants is making my mouth water. Happy to see innovative Indian cuisine up there.
It might be time to make another visit, Shweta, back to NZ. The one thing that has remained constant is the use of fresh and locally grown produce. Glad you enjoyed the article:)
Wow, what a list. I’ve bookmarked this because I’m hoping to head to NZ next January for a few weeks, and I love to find fun places to eat on my travels. Love the diversity of this list too, from foraging and open-hearth cooking, to more refined and upscale bistro. And frankly, the fish and chips sounds pretty nice too!
Love it. So glad you stumbled onto this list ahead of your travels. You will have a great time. So let us know which of these restaurants you end up trying. Safe travels.
We’re thinking of visiting New Zealand shortly, we knew the wine was good but the food looks excellent as well. As a fan of Indian food, the contemporary Indian food at SIDART sounds good as well as the fish and chips and views from Mangonui fish shop.
Awesome and perfect timing. You will have a delightful and delicious time. Do let us know what you think of the re-invented SIDART experience. Cheers.
Your descriptions have made me so hungry! It’s good to hear that no many restaurants in NZ are serving dishes prepared with farm-fresh and seasonal ingredients. And that ice-cream…it looks weird but I bet it tastes delicious!
So glad you enjoyed the article. The idea is to whet your appetite enough to warrant a trip to NZ. Hope you have a chance to visit soon. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m sooooo hungry now! I’m from Australia and when I get back from Europe, NZ is on my list of places to visit! I can’t get over the designs of the ice cream. Insane! It all looks delicious!
Totally agree with you the ice cream designs are out of this world. Not only are they fantastical, but the ice cream quality is the best. When you visit, do let us know your favorite spots from this list. Thanks, Nerissa.
Oh my! This food!! Where was this list when I made my first trip down!! I am def going to visit the places on the South Island when I make my trip down there next!
Great timing, Amy. Glad this article will come in handy for your next visit to NZ. Do let us know about your experience. Cheers.
Wow, This looks and sounds so yummy and I am sure it tastes delicious as well. Would love have authentic experience like that.
So glad you enjoyed the article. Thanks
Wow! My mouth is watering reading this, love the sound of the fish, the meat restaurant, the fish and chip place, oh my goodness! I HAVE to get to NZ one day just to try these places!
Awesome Angharad, mission accomplished…) Glad we’ve you tempted enough to want to go to NZ just for the food. We’re right there with you. Cheers.
I love food-based experiences when traveling – you can learn so much about an area’s culture theough food. Plus some just provide amazing meals.
You are so right, Jasmine. Food connects in more ways than simply satisfying our appetites. Cheers.
I am truly blown away by this post. I guess I have to add New Zealand to my gastronomic bucket list. The thing is a lot has been said about the adventurous and natural side of New Zealand. I do not see a lot of articles focusing on the food. I think that is why I enjoyed the post os much. Question, does that squid ice cream has a special flavor or it is the shape that makes it special?
You are right Ruth, New Zealand is more commonly known for the adventure/natural side. We hope to inspire people to discover the local foods while experiencing the beautiful landscapes. As far as the flavors, you can choose your own. The creativity of Giapo ice cream is what truly sets them apart.
You are so right, food tells you so much about a community. I love how food unites us regardless of our age or nationality. It’s truly a universal language. I must admit that while reading this, I couldn’t help but to wonder how in the world you tackle eating that giant squid ice cream! LOL!
You are right, that giant squid ice cream looks as interesting and we would love to bite into it as well. Food connects us to a local culture and it is one delicious way to experience New Zealand. Thanks, Michelle.
What a great list (I love lists)! If I had to choose only three I think I would go for Sidart (cause Indian food makes me happy and reminds me of home even though my parents are pakistani, but tomato tomato, also I dig when traditional dishes is being experimented with), Giapo (cause I will always choose ice cream) and The Rifinery (cause I’m a breakfast girl who now and then needs her coffee). Luckily, if I ever come to New Zealand I don’t have to choose just three ?
Awesome, Namra, so glad you enjoyed the amazing restaurants on this list. You really can’t go wrong with either of them. We’d be happy to meet at any of the ones you mentioned above. And yes, there are no limits to the delicious bites in the country.
Um wow these all look so good!! I’ve been trying to get to New Zealand with my best friend from literally preschool for years! We’ll have to hit up some of these places for sure!
With this list in hand, you better get to New Zealand now. So much awaits!!! When you do go, let us know your favorite place from the list. Cheers.