Hamilton
The authentic flavours of Malaysian street food are served in this high-ceilinged space just off Victoria St. Partner Asian-inspired cocktails or craft…
Must-see restaurants in New Zealand
Hamilton
Mr Pickles is a standout in the Riverbank Lane development. Either sit at the bar near the open kitchen or outside with river views and enjoy shared…
Parnell & Newmarket
Pasture is unlike any other dining experience in the city. You'll need to book a few months ahead – the compact space has just two seatings per night and…
The West Coast
To say this hip place is serious about sandwiches is an understatement. Everything's made to order and served on chunky slices of freshly baked bread,…
Fiordland & Southland
Part tapas and cocktail bar, part chic fusion eatery, Louie's is a great place to while away an evening snuggled into a sofa or a fireside nook. The…
Wellington
A Cuba St institution for caffeine-craving rebels, Fidel's cranks out eggs any which way, pizzas, panini and fab salads, along with the city's best…
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
At the start of the Lake Matheson Track, this cafe does everything right: sharp architecture that maximises mountain views, strong coffee, craft beers and…
Coromandel Peninsula
On the outskirts of Waihi Beach, the Surf Shack is definitely worth a detour for its plate-filling salads and quite possibly the best burgers in New…
Wellington
This warmly lit, atmospheric wine bar serves some of Wellington's best food. Euro influences pervade the menu, featuring the likes of charcuterie plates,…
Coromandel Peninsula
Sleek Scandi style makes the Port Road Project a standout in sleepy Whangamatā. Join the locals on the sunny, shared tables and partner the all-day menu…
Dunedin & Otago
The most sophisticated kitchen in Ōamaru serves superb seasonal food in a heritage dining room painted black and filled with plants. Try dishes like 55…
Coromandel Peninsula
The Bistro at the Falls Retreat is located in a wooden cottage under a shaded canopy of trees. Gourmet pizzas and rustic meat dishes emerge from the wood…
Akarua Wines & Kitchen by Artisan
Queenstown & Wanaka
This joint venture between Akarua Winery and Queenstown caterers Artisan features a restaurant inside a cottage originally built as offices for a flour…
Rotorua
Overlooking the village green, this bright and breezy restaurant sources herbs and edible flowers from its own yard. Doors peel back to merge the indoor…
Christchurch
With so much to love, where to start? Perhaps with a cherry and pomegranate smoothie, a chocolate-fish milkshake or maybe just an exceptional espresso,…
Whanganui
In hot pursuit of the North Island's best burgers? Community-minded Citadel, 10 minutes' drive from downtown Whanganui, is a contender. Alongside the…
Bay of Plenty
Cobbled together out of shipping containers, but with a very flash louvred roof, this mainly open-air cafe is Ōhope's best. The coffee is first rate and…
Blenheim
A versatile and sociable spot in central Blenheim, Scotch offers local wines, craft beer on tap and delicious sharing plates in a range of sizes. The…
Kingsland & Mt Eden
The French Cafe has been rated one of Auckland’s top restaurants for more than 30 years. Now helmed by one of Auckland's finest chefs, Sid Sahrawat, there…
Havelock
How would you like your greenshell mussels? Steamed with white wine and garlic? Grilled in garlic butter? Beer-battered? Crumbed? In a chowder, fritter or…
Bay of Islands
Named after an escaped Australian convict who was NZ's first white female settler, this hip restaurant-bar occupies a cheeky perch on the main pier. Bits…
Dunedin & Otago
A riverstone fireplace and polished concrete floors set the scene for a menu that's modern without being overworked. Award-winning chef Bevan Smith…
Central Otago
Cromwell's heritage precinct is best enjoyed from the veranda of Armando's Kitchen, with an espresso or gourmet ice cream in hand. The homemade pasta,…
Bay of Islands
Serving Kiwi classics (lamb, beef, seafood), the Gables occupies an 1847 building (formerly a colonial brothel) on the waterfront built using whale…
Queenstown
With a menu inspired by 'the things we've loved around our travels', this cafe brings to the table a cosmopolitan assortment of dishes: bacon butties,…
Bay of Islands
Kerikeri's best located and most upmarket restaurant occupies an old homestead right on the basin (book ahead for a table on the veranda). Mains run the…
Taupo
Under the same ownership since opening in 1993, this fabulous spot is one-half cafe and one-half shop selling designer kitchenware, ceramics and souvenirs…
Franz Josef Glacier
Sip drinks in the sunshine or within the cosy, chalet-style bar of the Rainforest Retreat, which usually buzzes with a sociable crowd of travellers. Bar…
Nelson
Slurp oysters from the shell, or revitalise with sashimi and ceviche, then sate your cravings with street-food dishes such as kung pao Sichuan fried…
Dunedin
Bracken's seasonal tasting menus offer a succession of pretty little plates bursting with flavour. While the dishes are intricate, nothing's overly…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Beyond the rough wooden exterior is a corrugated-iron-lined speakeasy where staff dressed as flappers deliver cooked breakfasts, gourmet burgers and…
Bay of Islands
At this upmarket winery restaurant, the rural setting is complemented by hearty but sophisticated country fare, such as lamb shanks, wild game pie, confit…
Banks Peninsula
Rona's menu is divided neatly into 'On Toast' and 'In a Bowl'. The Turkish poached eggs on ciabatta with chilli and yoghurt is a hearty favourite, while…
Tauranga
Our favourite Tauranga cafe pairs an appealing front deck with hip baristas who really know their way around the coffee machine. A huge array of counter…
Bay of Islands
As decadent breakfasts go, Rusty Tractor's doughnuts with crème fraiche and berries take some beating. There are healthier options, too, and the coffee's…
Bay of Islands & Northland
At this beautiful riverside villa turned restaurant, grab a table on the wraparound veranda overlooking yachts bobbing in the neighbouring marina. The…
Queenstown
You can't eat closer to the water than at this excellent lakefront eatery where local is law: Cardrona lamb, Fiordland wild venison, Geraldine pork, South…
The Far North
Northland's best Thai restaurant serves zingy dishes with intriguing names such as Angry Pig, Kiwi Chick and Mangonui Showtime, and there's also a good…
Tauranga
Zingy pan-Asian, shared-plate flavours take centre stage at Tauranga's top restaurant. The dark booths are ocean deep, and menu highlights include ginger…
Bay of Plenty
The savoury muffins, scones and cakes bulging across the counter may distract you from the menu at this ever-popular cafe. Seating is limited inside, but…
