Must-see restaurants in New Zealand

  • Federal Delicatessen

    City Centre & Britomart

    Celebrity chef Al Brown's take on a New York Jewish deli serves simple stuff like bagels and sandwiches, matzo-ball soup and lots of delicious comfort…

  • Someday

    Taranaki & Whanganui

    In a town short on decent places to eat, you can almost hear Someday sigh at its surroundings. Around 20 can fit on the mid-century chairs and at the…

  • Two Chefs Bistro

    Dunedin

    French bistro dishes flirt with Asian and North African flavours on the plate, while high ceilings and dark wood conjure up a romantic ambience. Serves…

  • Terra Mia

    Queenstown & Wanaka

    Opened in 2016, Terra Mia pairs traditional Italian cooking (and good espresso) with wines from Gibbston Valley in a large open space that feels like a…

  • VKnow

    Queenstown

    The name might sound like a silly something you'd come up with during a drunken night on the said vino, but this restaurant will reward the short trek out…

  • Fishbone

    Queenstown

    Queenstown’s more than a few miles inland, but that doesn’t prevent Fishbone from sourcing the best seafood from South Island fishing fleets. Try the…

  • Scotia

    Dunedin

    Occupying a cosy heritage townhouse, Scotia toasts all things Scottish with a wall full of single-malt whisky and hearty gourmet fare like sous vide duck…

  • Thomas Green

    Fiordland & Southland

    Set in a restored 1906 building, modish Thomas Green is a cut above the average gastropub. It's named after the 'father of Gore', a jack-of-all-trades…

  • Street Food Kitchen

    Timaru

    Asian and Mediterranean flavours underpin the concise menu of shared plates at Street Food Kitchen. Highlights include the steamed bao buns with crispy…

  • Malabar Beyond India

    Taupo

    Our pick of Indian restaurants in Taupo, Malabar has a broad menu but is especially good at vegetarian dishes, such as dal makhani made with black lentils…

  • Banh Mi Caphe

    Hamilton

    Fresh spring rolls, Vietnamese banh mi (sandwiches) and steaming bowls of pho (noodle soup) feature at this hip spot channelling the backstreets of Hanoi…

  • Ajisen

    Parnell & Newmarket

    One of the three international ramen franchises to open in Newmarket in late 2019, this is our hands-down favourite. Service is always speedy and friendly…

  • Bazaar Interactive Marketplace

    Queenstown

    From one of the loftiest perches along the lakeshore, this new restaurant features a series of 'stations' where chefs turn out the likes of Asian noodles,…

  • Stoked

    Coromandel Peninsula

    With a charcoal oven as its kitchen hub, Stoked turns out dishes like manuka-smoked salmon, tandoori chicken thigh and good wood-fired pizza. Views of the…

  • Yellow House Cafe

    Whanganui

    Detour away from the fray for funky tunes, buttermilk pancakes, local art and courtyard tables beneath a chunky-trunk cherry blossom tree. Fail to resist…

  • Dizengoff

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    This stylish shoebox crams in a disparate crowd of corporate and fashion types, Ponsonby denizens and travellers. There's a Jewish influence to the food,…

  • Dimitris

    Christchurch

    Amid a cluster of food trucks in the Container Mall, Dimitris rules the roost with souvlaki full of tasty chicken, lamb or falafel, wrapped up with heaps…

  • Perc

    Dunedin

    Hanging plants, flower-filled vases and large art-deco windows give this central cafe a creative, artsy vibe. The well-executed brunch options, fresh…

  • Charlie Brown

    Wanaka

    Both the retro green 1975 caravan and its owners hail from France, so you can be sure that the sweet crêpes and savoury galettes whisked up within are…

  • Morri Street Cafe

    Nelson

    Shared tables, colourful local art and a side-street terrace all combine to make Morri Street a top place for a leisurely breakfast or lunch. You may have…

  • Sandfly Cafe

    Te Anau

    As popular with locals as travellers, Sandfly serves the town's best espresso alongside breakfasts, light meals of pasta or club sandwiches, and an…

  • Rocks

    Fiordland & Southland

    Tucked away in a shopping arcade, this reliable bistro with chirpy service plates up popcorn squid, slow-roasted pork with fennel, and a smattering of…

  • Deliciosa

    Hastings & Around

    Great things come in small packages at this rosy little tapas bar. The kitchen delivers sassy, locally sourced edibles such as pork belly with pomegranate…

  • Grille by Eichardt's

    Queenstown

    At this Grille – the newest arrival on the dining scene from Eichardt's Private Hotel – steak unsurprisingly gets star billing, but you can also order…

  • Le Café de Paris

    Rotorua

    The greeting is très français but this little cafe walks a fine line between a traditional crêperie and the kind of cafe that Kiwi retirees gravitate to…

  • Hislops Wholefoods Cafe

    Kaikoura

    Organic ingredients shine at this long-established Kaikōura eatery. Come for breakfast on the shaded deck and enjoy blueberry hotcakes with blueberries, a…

  • Kappa

    Queenstown

    See if you can grab a spot on the tiny balcony so you can watch the passing parade on the mall as you down a sake or Japanese vodka and graze your way…

  • Pacific Coast Macadamias

    East Cape

    Heaven is a tub of homemade macadamia-and-honey ice cream from this blue nut hut, accompanied by views along one of the most spectacular parts of the…

  • Kind Grocer

    Dunedin

    Fully vegan and fully delicious, you can dig into the likes of loaded jackfruit with nasturtium and delectable cakes such as raw salted caramel snickers…

  • Saggio di Vino

    Christchurch

    An elegant Italo-French restaurant that's up there with Christchurch's best. Expect delicious, modern takes on classics like duck a l'orange or fillet of…

  • Seriously Good Chocolate Company

    Fiordland & Southland

    The fantastic smell hits you as soon as you walk in the door: house-made chocolates. This is a great place to pick up tasty Kiwi gifts, like chocolate…

  • Fish Face

    Bay of Plenty

    A funky fish cartoon sets the scene for this fresh, fun and informal 'seafood and wine bar'. The menu splashes its way through mostly Asian cuisines –…

  • Lime Caffeteria

    Rotorua

    Occupying a quiet corner near the lake, this zesty cafe offers nostalgic breakfasts with a modern twist, such as mince on toasted ciabatta with a poached…

  • Hazel Hayes

    Hamilton

    This mash-up of country kitchen decor showcases inventive cafe fare. Free-range and organic options punctuate the short, focused menu, and both the…

  • Cadera

    Bay of Plenty

    There’s a classic beach vibe on the open back deck of Cadera (despite the intervening car park). It's everything you’d expect of a good Mexican restaurant…

  • Hula

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Dine at easy-going Hula to fast track to a beachy state of mind. Try the corned beef hash with poached eggs for brekkie, or the fish tacos or coconut…

  • The Med

    Tauranga

    Wonder Woman watches approvingly over the scrum of regulars enjoying terrific coffee and scrumptious all-day breakfasts. Order from the blackboard or from…

  • Rust

    Lake Taupo Region

    This burger bar, so new it hasn’t had time to gather rust, is furnished with high stools and one soft cowhide couch. It serves unusual burgers, such as…

  • Coriander Leaf

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Spice up your life at this brightly painted North Indian restaurant complete with bhangra-beats soundtrack. There are plenty of tasty lamb, chicken and…

  • Ambrosia

    Whanganui

    The counter at Ambrosia is full of fab pies and quiches (not to mention cinnamon scrolls!) or you can order something from the kitchen – perhaps a vegan …