Hawke's Bay
A photogenic red-roofed cafe near Cape Kidnappers, good for a feed or a coffee before or after visiting the nearby gannet colony.
Must-see restaurants in North Island
Bay of Islands
After 20 years, Fishbone is no longer the coolest kid in town but they're still a reliable coffee and brunch spot. Grab a shady table out the front for a…
Bay of Islands
Stock up on local fruit, vegetables, pickles, preserves, honey, fish, smallgoods (small meat products), eggs, cheese, bread, wine and oil, straight from…
Coromandel Peninsula
Serving audacious burgers with names like Soul Blues Brother and Vegan Vibe, this hip corner joint is also licensed so you can have an ice-cold beer with…
The Far North
A friendly local pub with good honest tucker served from the attached cafe. Inside there are a few impressive wall-mounted game fish that definitely didn…
Coromandel Peninsula
Order everything from L&P-battered onion rings and fish and chips through to L&P-braised pork belly. Leave room for dessert of L&P ice cream. Of course.
Bay of Islands
Thai fabrics adorn the tables and Thai favourites fill the menu of this casual, bar-like place. You won't miss it, a tuk-tuk on the front deck gives the…
East Cape
This mod place down by the water caters to the conference and wedding sets, but the restaurant is open to all-comers. There's a cafe here too, for…
Mount Mainstreet Farmers Market
Bay of Plenty
Roll up to the local farmers market for a Sunday-morning fix-me-up: fresh fruit and vegies, coffee, pastries, honey, cheese, juices… Arts and crafts are…
Bay of Plenty
This self-serve all-you-can-eat Chinese place is a local favourite for a bargain bain-marie blowout. Despite the cavernous interior it's often full to the…
Auckland Region
Call in for pies and other baked goods, groceries and ice creams. The attached Lion Rock Surf Shop (www.lionrocksurfshop.com) rents surfboards and body…
Auckland
This Devonport cafe is set a little back from the main tourist strip, and serves a tasty mix of cafe classics and Southeast Asian dishes to locals in the…
The Wairarapa
'Ten CC' delivers beaut baking, scrumptious pies, simple sandwiches, gelato and cookies (of course). Take away or sit down with a decent cup of coffee or…
Bay of Islands & Northland
Set up on the side terrace of the Kohukohu Hotel, this little pavement cafe serves decent coffee and simple food including bagels, pies and cooked…
Wellington
Down on the corner, the curvaceous Lido just keeps packing them in with its funky retro architecture, live music on Saturday nights and excellent cafe…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
This stylish and buzzing restaurant and bar offers excellent Southeast Asian flavours, mainly from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Try the Madurese goat curry.
Hauraki Gulf Islands
If you haven’t packed a picnic, this idyllically situated eatery serves tasty lunches, Devonshire teas with freshly baked scones, and hearty dinners.
Wellington
This cheery noodle house cranks out tasty vegie and vegan Malaysian and Chinese dishes (including kick-ass dumplings) in easy-clean, overlit surrounds.
Coromandel Peninsula
Although the bright lighting may not induce romance, the tangy Thai dishes will provide a warm glow at this long-established and popular local eatery.
Auckland
Part of a culinary makeover of a former department store, the Commons is a spacious and sophisticated combination of elegant restaurant and buzzy bar.
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Hugely popular, this humble-looking and humbly priced eatery has the best dahi puri (chickpea, potato and yoghurt on a pappadam) in town.
Kingsland & Mt Eden
Owned by a friendly Jordanian family, Petra serves up light, healthy kebabs. The dips and salads are also worth the short train ride to Kingsland.
Hawke's Bay
There are plenty of sweet slices, pizza wedges and buns with luminous cream icing here, but what you really want is the steak-and-mushroom pie.
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
This shop-cum-service station stocks groceries and tramping food. Fill your backpack here before doing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Bay of Islands & Northland
This longstanding cafe has outdoor tables overlooking the forest of yacht masts, and indoor seating that segues into a gallery.
The Far North
Longstanding Bidz sells fresh fish, and the best fish, chips and burgers in town. There's also a small grocery store attached.
Auckland
The highlight is the 'lump rice', a prosaically named but very tasty array of curries cooked with spicy rice in a banana leaf.
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
Self-caterers should head for New World, your best bet for stocking up before heading to National Park Village or Whakapapa.
Coromandel Peninsula
A good source of planet-friendly vegetables, nuts, bread, eggs and meat. Good for vegan travellers.
Auckland Region
This popular licensed cafe serves cooked breakfasts and lunches, along with tempting counter food.
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
There’s no supermarket at Waitomo Caves, so stock up en route to the caves in Otorohanga.
Parnell & Newmarket
A branch of a small local chain serving good-value, authentic Vietnamese food.
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
An excellent homegrown gourmet burger chain, with branches all over the city.
City Centre & Britomart
Vegetarian heaven with an enticing salad bar and economical daily meal deals.
