New Plymouth
Another White Hart Precinct gem, this cafe is a front for a gourmet catering company. The cabinet flaunts doughnuts, pies and Reuben sandwiches, while hot…
Must-see restaurants in New Zealand
Marlborough Region
A spot perennially popular for its quayside location, dependable food and Havana coffee. The likes of salami sandwiches and sweets are in the cabinet,…
City Centre & Britomart
Concealed in a lightwell at the rear of a building, this hip place, liberally coated in street art, is a definite contender for the inner-city's best cafe…
Coromandel Peninsula
Easily reached on the short harbour crossing linking Whitianga to Ferry Landing, Cooked is a colourful homage to Mexican street food. There's an authentic…
Wellington
Shepherd your dining companions up the pink-and-purple steps into Shepherd for on-trend fusion cuisine – just three entrées, three mains and three…
Bay of Islands
When locals are after a substantial, old-fashioned, good-value meal (think burgers, fish and chips, fried seafood platters and a roast of the day), they…
New Plymouth
There's a slightly offbeat humour to proceedings at this stylish option on the main street, the pick of New Plymouth's many Indian eateries. Curries are…
Coromandel Peninsula
Stylish and spacious, this cafe definitely channels the cosmopolitan vibe of a certain Australian city. Shared tables promote a convivial ambience, and…
Banks Peninsula
A decent bet for refined food, this place serves a classic bistro-style menu featuring local seafood, South Island wines and New Zealand craft beers. The…
Taupo
Two brothers from Auckland set up this popular burger joint in an old fish and chipper, and it seems they've got the formula just right (selling out isn't…
Napier
Welcome to Hapī, where virtuous vegan flavours are also damn tasty, and earnest staff make meaningful eye contact. Breakfast bowls packed with açai, chia…
Takaka
Aside from being Takaka's best bar, this hip joint also turns out its most interesting food. Wild game meat finds its way into venison burgers, goat…
Christchurch & Canterbury
The glacial waters of this floating fish farm, 3km from Twizel, produce mighty delicious fish, available to buy as fresh whole fillets and smoked portions…
New Plymouth
Freddy’s is a buzzing gastro-bar with quirky interior design (rusty medieval chandeliers, peacock-feather wallpaper and religious-icon paintings), serving…
Taupo
An ambient place for a handle or two of the Monteith’s range, popular Plateau delivers in the food department, too. Its menu of modern pub classics…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Ōtorohanga's most cosmopolitan cafe is a goodie, with big shared tables, lots of natural light and a versatile menu stretching from breakfast classics and…
Christchurch
Rangoon Ruby is the latest iteration of longtime Christchurch fave Bodhi Tree, which has been wowing locals with the nuanced flavours of Burmese cuisine…
Napier
One of Ahuriri's top options, Milk & Honey combines ocean and boardwalk views with versatile day-to-night menus. Hawke's Bay beers and wines do their…
Queenstown
It's a Tardis-like journey leaving the mall and finding Winnie's – part pizza joint and part bar, looking a little like a '50s diner with a drinking habit…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
Pizza by the slice and interesting gelato – our favourite is the cinnamon and rice – reinforce the authentic Italian credentials of the Food Department…
Nelson Region
With oddball art on the walls and a barista that looks like he's been beamed in from Woodstock, this is the ultimate Golden Bay hippy cafe. The name…
Whanganui
In a split-business arrangement with adjacent Big Orange, Ceramic takes over for the dinner shift, serving upmarket food (including venison carpaccio and…
Wellington
One of Wellington's pioneering coffee-roasting cafes (since 1990), L'affare's mod-industrial lines and backstreet vibes feel as fresh as ever. Aside from…
Tauranga
'Eat, drink, enjoy' at Elizabeth, a hip cafe-bar on the ground floor of a four-storey city-centre office block. Many of the customers drift down from…
Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter
Viaduct Harbour views and a subtle maritime design vibe make Saint Alice one of Auckland's best places to soak up the harbour-city ambience. Equal parts…
Tauranga
Side by side with Me & You, Grindz is one half of a well-caffeinated oasis on otherwise scrappy First Ave. It's a roomy, split-level affair – slick and…
Dunedin
This boisterous pizza-and-pasta joint resides in the elegant Edwardian dining room of the Savoy, with its moulded ceilings, stained-glass crests and green…
Central Otago
A local favourite with a creative menu of Mexican-inspired fare from rattlesnake wings to tacos with sweet potato, beetroot and mint puree. Don't miss the…
Auckland Region
Big-city standards mesh seamlessly with sand-between-toes informality at this attractive ecofriendly cafe. Cooked breakfasts and crispy pizzas provide…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Substantial servings of good-quality, albeit conservative, cuisine are on offer in this pretty wooden cottage. The upmarket ambience befits the prices,…
Waiheke Island
Impressive uber-modern architecture, interesting sculpture and beautiful views set the scene for this acclaimed restaurant. The food is sublime, but if…
Wellington
At the one-time Wholesale Boot Company, flavours from Thailand, China and Japan punctuate a menu filled with the best of NZ produce, including freshly…
The Wairarapa
A neat, red iron-clad house on the main street, Saluté plates up fab tapas – saucy, succulent, crisp, charred and fried, with lashings of olive oil and…
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
Open year-round, this restaurant and bar serves up Italian and Kiwi-influenced dishes: think wild venison on potato-and-herb rosti to slow-cooked lamb…
Coromandel Peninsula
In Waihi Beach township, this buzzy combo of cafe and bar serves hearty breakfasts and substantial mains. Kick off your day with its legendary eggs…
Bay of Plenty
Despite its office-like appearance beneath an apartment block, ritzy waterside Roquette serves up refreshing Mediterranean-influenced fare with lots of…
Queenstown
From the skulls on the walls to the leather banquettes, Coalfire is all about animals – Cardrona lamb rack, wild venison and the 'Pit Master Platter' for…
Bay of Islands & Northland
The flavour combinations may seem almost as odd as a Scots-named pizzeria, but the crispy-based pizzas are delicious. Try the Gumdigger, with smoked…
City Centre & Britomart
Organic and vegan ingredients shine at this bustling cafe near Albert Park. Bentwood chairs add a Gallic ambience, and the menu veers towards European and…
Taupo
This modern Thai street-food cafe is a local favourite. It's the kind of menu where you won't know what to order because you want to try a little of…
