North Island
Covering a lot of bases (cafe, bar, restaurant, takeaway joint), black-painted Pram Beach is a newcomer to the Paraparaumu waterfront, facing off with the…
Must-see restaurants in North Island
Hamilton
Simple, sophisticated Palate has a well-deserved reputation for lifting the culinary bar across regional NZ. The innovative menu features hearty…
Coromandel Peninsula
In a historic cottage 2km from central Tairua, the TBC combines a rustic Kiwiana vibe with a focus on sustainable produce and ingredients from the…
Auckland
Easily reached by bus from midtown Auckland, this brick-lined laneway off Takapuna's main shopping street features cool eateries serving up everything…
Waiheke Island
Poderi Crisci has quickly gained a sterling reputation for its food, particularly its legendary four-hour lunches on Sundays ($70 per person). Italian…
Whanganui
Inside a gorgeous old Whanganui red-brick building, Big Orange is a babbling espresso bar serving gourmet burgers, big breakfasts, muffins, cakes and…
New Plymouth
Inside what was once the Salvation Army Citadel, this on-trend restaurant is filled with neon charm and taxidermy...but you can sidestep the hanging pigs'…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Located upstairs in the Onerahi Yacht Club, around 10km from central Whangārei, TopSail serves superlative French-style bistro classics and lots of fresh…
Taupo
Forgive the corny phrases on the wall ('espresso yourself', 'stay grounded', etc.), Body Fuel delivers something for everyone. From raw breakfast salads…
Bay of Islands
Named after a local fishing legend, and with possibly the biggest deck in all of Northland, Zane Grey's has you covered all day, from traditional…
Hamilton
Located amid Lovegrove Lane's funky tangle, which includes a florist and a yoga studio, GG's serves up the best coffee across the river in Hamilton East…
Whanganui
Considering it's located within the i-SITE, Mud Ducks is a pretty spiffy cafe, with an outdoor deck and interesting timber beams. Brunch could be a…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Excellent coffee, counter food, cosmopolitan brunches and lunches, and a kitchen store all feature at this sunny spot. Try the hearty farmers' breakfast…
Auckland
Specialising in the sort of Mughlai cuisine you'd find on the streets of Hyderabad, Paradise serves a delicious array of curry and biryani dishes from…
Wellington
'European soul food' is their slogan, but it's the best of British that dominates here, including Red Leicester scones, Welsh rarebit, kedgeree, fish…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
In a heritage former post office, the stylish and elegant yet informal and approachable Alpino cucina e vino is one of the best restaurants in the Waikato…
Lake Taupo Region
Step back in time at Cadillac, which is decorated with vintage chairs, posters and an impressive toy collection from the 1950s and ’60s. Classic board…
Taupo
Championing NZ artisan producers and importing specialities from abroad, this grocery on the town fringe is a fruitful stop for those looking to stock up…
Kingsland & Mt Eden
The leafy terrace of the Garden Shed is a convenient and relaxing spot after exploring the view-friendly summit of Mt Eden nearby. Tasty comfort food…
Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter
Good Luck Coconut's blending of Pacific and Asian design and flavours really suits the overall vibe of the city, especially when combined with briny…
Rotorua
This superfriendly cafe is away from the hubbub, with awesome lake views. All-day breakfasts are headlined by a 'mumble jumble' of roast kumara (sweet…
City Centre & Britomart
Ebisu specialises in izakaya, a style of drinking and eating that eschews Japanese formality, yet doesn't involve food being flung around the room or…
City Centre & Britomart
Named after the Hebrew word for mother, Ima's menu features an array of Israeli, Palestinian, Yemeni and Lebanese comfort food, along with meat pies and…
Hawke's Bay
A surprisingly good little cafe on the riverside road in Wairoa. Expect great omelettes and chilli-beef nachos, pots of local honey for sale, local beers…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Free-range this and organic that punctuate the menu at this cool slice of culinary style that looks like it’s dropped in from Auckland or Melbourne…
Parnell & Newmarket
There's definitely no shortage of places to buy sushi around Auckland, but &Sushi definitely stands out from the competition with innovative and artfully…
Coromandel Peninsula
The Beach Hotel's interesting menu includes spiced beans and chorizo with poached eggs for brunch and a terrific fish burger with hand-cut chips for…
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
Wind back the years with a dainty selection of sandwiches, scones and other sweet treats with high tea in the Chateau's elegant lounge. Ask for a spot by…
Napier
This stylish new bar and eatery below Criterion Art Deco Backpackers does easy-going bar food (burgers, pastas, beef short ribs and a mean crispy pork…
Coromandel Peninsula
With courtyard seating for summer brunches and a burnished-copper bar for later in the night, Manaia is the most cosmopolitan spot on the Tairua strip…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
One of the excellent cafes and restaurants in revitalised St Kevin's Arcade, Bestie is a perfect refuelling stop after trawling the arty and vintage shops…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Everything on the menu is prepared raw and uncooked, but is still tasty and healthy. Tuck into dishes studded with acai berries, chia seeds and organic…
Bay of Plenty
It may not look promising from the outside but this colourful little Indian restaurant serves curries that rival even the lime and orange walls for zing…
Gisborne
The long-winded sign above the door reads, 'The World's Farthest East Mexican Restaurant' – surely 'Most Easterly' would have had a better ring to it?…
Rotorua
Chiselled into the corner of a supermarket across the highway from Skyline Rotorua, Tea & Happiness has just three tables but 100% devotion to plant-based…
Rotorua
The love child of Venezuelan-born owner Sarah, this Latin American cantina, adorned with sombreros, guitars and salt-and-pepper shakers made from Corona…
City Centre & Britomart
With tables spilling into the fairy-light and flower-strewn space at the centre of Britomart, this chic cafe is as fresh and effervescent as the sparkling…
Bay of Islands
Located beside a pond studded with ducks, backed by bush and overlooking the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the Whare Waka (Boathouse) is a top spot for good…
Wellington
Wellington has a bunch of great Malaysian diners, but Little Penang, in a resolutely scrappy area near the bottom of Cuba St, steals the show with its…
Hastings & Around
This all-day cafe enlivened by blue butchers' tiles segues to a hip bistro from Thursday to Saturday night. Try the Thai-influenced breakfast curry bowl…
