Dunedin
Settle into a booth at this attractive brick-lined eatery, and order claypot rice or noodle dishes from the extensive menu. Japanese dishes include…
Must-see restaurants in New Zealand
Queenstown
One of the Mall's more characterful and colourful restaurants, Caribe is a small nook dishing out quality tacos, quesadillas and burritos stuffed fuller…
Bay of Plenty
Blending South American and Tex-Mex influences, this dark-timbered monument to meat has windows that peel back, and steak that comes straight from the…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Polished concrete floors and a living wall set a quietly stylish scene for a daytime cafe and a night-time bistro. Evening meals are sophisticated and…
Central Otago
Bounteous botanical displays dispel any lingering austerity in this stone courthouse building, dating from 1878. The counter groans under the weight of an…
Auckland
One of Auckland’s best restaurants, this informal eatery serves up lighter-than-air goats'-cheese soufflés, inventive mains and oh-my-God chocolate…
Wanaka
Looking over the lake from an upstairs perch, the Landing is a stylish place where both menus and views change with the seasons. Expect local meats and…
Dunedin
The unpromising locale and kooky decor (including collections of toys and beer tankards) gives little indication of the seriously good food on offer at…
Auckland Region
Cool beats, excellent coffee and top-notch soft-shell-crab tacos are all dispensed from this cool surf shack a short walk from the beach and Lion Rock…
Queenstown & Wanaka
In a strip of old miners' cottages, this cute cafe serves up inventive creations – the likes of black rice ginger porridge, vegan Bombay bowls and dukkah…
Queenstown & Wanaka
From the amigas at La Rumbla comes Slow Cuts, dishing up fast food in slow motion. There are rotisserie chickens, burgers, ribs, smashed fries, a…
Christchurch
Thoughtful, seasonal vegetarian dishes are the focus at this petite restaurant on the edge of the Papanui Rd dining strip. The set five-course tasting…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Asian fusion dishes pack a flavour punch here, but are delicately assembled and delivered by friendly staff. Dishes are light and prices high, so don't…
Wanaka
One of Otago's best restaurants, Kika's menu is underpinned by modern Italian cuisine, served tapas-style in a casual dining space and enlivened by some…
Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter
This smart and sassy eatery does sophisticated spins on meatballs – try the crayfish ones – and other robust but elegant Italian dishes. Cosy up in the…
Bay of Islands
There's no better spot in Russell to while away a few hours, glass in hand, than the Duke's sunny deck. Thankfully the upmarket bistro food matches the…
The Wairarapa
Odd name aside, there's much to love about this upmarket but relaxed little restaurant. Expect modern, produce-led country dishes such as pulled lamb with…
Bay of Islands
With one foot in Europe, the other in Japan and its head in the lush vegetation of Wharepuke Subtropical Gardens, this is Kerikeri's most unusual and…
Bay of Islands
A concise seasonal menu of main dishes showcasing regional NZ produce and local seafood underpinned by subtle Asian influences and one of Northland's best…
The Far North
Morning queues of locals attest to the Gecko having the best coffee in town (it roasts its own), and the food's pretty good, too. Kick off another day on…
Central Otago
Housed in a gold-rush-era general store, this stylish complex incorporates a bar, cafe-deli and restaurant showcasing the best local produce with dishes…
Dunedin & Otago
Artisan sourdough bread and simply enormous pies, croissants and pastries – all baked using German, Dutch and Kiwi traditions. Try a Kiwi favourite: the…
Banks Peninsula
Not only does this darling little corner shop sell fresh bread, organic local produce and groceries, it also does the best espresso in the village.
Parnell & Newmarket
A handy stop when visiting the nearby Auckland Domain and Auckland Museum, Billy is one of several Auckland cafes opened by hip young owners, pointing at…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Formerly a temporary pop-up eatery, the success of Gypsy Caravan has seen it graduate to being a permanent fixture along busy Ponsonby Rd. Seek out the…
Kingsland & Mt Eden
A coproduction between two of Auckland's most respected Japanese chefs, Zool Zool is a stylish and modern take on a traditional izakaya (Japanese pub)…
Parnell & Newmarket
Relax and re-energise at this wholefood cafe a short walk from the best shopping precinct in Auckland. Organic teas and coffees are a speciality – try a…
Waiheke Island
Framed by fruit trees, this 1920s-era wooden cottage makes for a perfect stop away from Waiheke's busier tourist spots. A superior range of teas and…
City Centre & Britomart
Begin with a brunch of matcha latte and yuzu muesli, or escape to the palm-fringed courtyard for Asian-inspired street food, including spicy pulled-pork…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Regional Chinese flavours combine with a funky retro Pacific ambience at this so-hip-it-hurts eatery. The waitstaff are sassy, the rum cocktails are…
Rotorua
Tutanekai St is closed off on Thursday nights as Rotorua lays out a world of food. Buskers, coffee vans and clothing and jewellery makers are dotted among…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Tasty sandwiches and healthy burgers, seasonal salads and rotisserie chickens to take away. Select your baste of choice – Jamaican jerk or truffle butter,…
Central Otago
As well as making the region's most prestigious pinot noir, Mt Difficulty is a lovely spot for a leisurely lunch looking down over the valley. There are…
The Great Coast Road
Almost inevitably, pancakes are the pride of the cafe opposite the Pancake Rocks trail, heaped with bacon, berries, cream and other tasty toppings. Even…
The West Coast
Cashew-crumbed chicken and duck-leg confit feature on a Europe-tinged menu at Kumara's landmark hotel. There's also a quarter-pound of whitebait (in…
Fiordland & Southland
This friendly cafe, surrounded by food gardens, bees and a chook run, stands out for its homemade cookies, pies and truffles, and smoothies thick enough…
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
At the time of writing, Allan Nation is 64 years old. He's been getting up at 2am to bake since he was 17. Allan learned from his late father, who also…
Waiheke Island
Secure a table shaded by umbrellas in the Shed's rustic courtyard. It serves shared plates imbued with global influences and delivered by the restaurant's…
Parnell & Newmarket
Some of Auckland's best counter food – including stonking cream doughnuts – partners with innovative cafe culture at this always-busy eatery near good…
Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter
Giraffe combines a stylish but casual harbourside dining room with an intensely local and seasonal menu. The restaurant was named by owner Simon Gault's…
