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…
Must-see restaurants in North Island
2 Mile Bay Sailing Centre Cafe & Bar
Taupo
There’s nowhere more lakefront than this Two Mile Bay cafe-cum-pizzeria-cum-bar that's as chilled as the lake (and the Bob Marley tunes). The main dining…
Taupo & the Ruapehu Region
Perched at the top of the Sky Waka gondola is this gathering of three eateries – NZ's highest restaurants – including the food-truck-style Four Peaks…
Gisborne
One of Gisborne's best restaurants, the Marina offers casual bistro-style lunches and formal fine-dining dinners, all with a Gallic accent. The building…
North Island
This is heaven for vegans, the gluten-free inclined, health conscious and environmentally aware. In winter, raw sweets and salads are complemented by a…
Lake Taupo Region
With lake and mountain views, Oreti restaurant could get away with average food. But the kitchen doesn't compromise, serving fun filo pastry–wrapped…
Gisborne
Serving pizzas out of a converted shipping container north of the river, Neighbourhood Pizzeria draws loyal locals for the East Coast's best pizzas…
Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula
The decor is a tad stark at this spacious upstairs eatery, but a friendly local welcome and plenty of Waikato sunshine easily counter any misgivings about…
Lake Taupo Region
Destination dining with a view across Lake Taupō and a menu that stays faithful to its favourites: generous pastas, salads, chowder, pan-fried snapper…
Palmerston North
There's a definition of the noun 'farmer' on the wall at this restaurant and bar: 'someone who is outstanding in their field'. And while they may not take…
North Island
Snare a seat in the large conservatory or garden bar at this uptempo, family-friendly cafe-bar – a sunny spot for an afternoon wine or ale, with live…
Hastings & Around
Bright pink with candy stripes, chandeliers and mismatched furniture, cheeky Pipi thumbs its nose at small-town conventionality. The food focus is on…
Coromandel Peninsula
Ohinemuri Estate Winery has Latvian-influenced architecture and serves excellent lunches: shared platters, seafood, soups and vegetarian dishes all…
Taupo
You know you're onto a good thing when the cabinet items – ham, cheese and asparagus vol-au-vents, keto rolls, corn fritters piled high, bacon scrolls –…
Wellington
This consistent culinary star – alongside the Embassy Theatre and perfect for a pre- or post-movie dinner – serves simple, seasonal fare using premium…
The Wairarapa
The ecofriendly sentiments in Avatar weren't an aberration for director James Cameron: the Wairarapa local is a committed vegan, and this health-food…
Napier
Operated as a Kiwi diner serving steak and seafood for many decades, the National Cafe was reopened in 2017 by descendants of the original Greek owners. A…
Gisborne
Alongside the Gisborne Wine Centre, this bistro combines culinary smarts and international flavours with an interesting harbourside locale. Good-value…
Napier
Recently judged NZ'S top restaurant by Cuisine magazine, Pacifica showcases chef Jeremy Rameka's affinity with kai moana (seafood) and traditional meats…
New Plymouth
Beside the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre, this all-day diner is homey despite its contemporary interior. Perhaps it's seeing handmade pasta…
East Cape
This well-run pub with cracker ocean views is a cornerstone of the community, keeping everyone fed and watered (good burgers), and offering visitors a…
Hastings & Around
Occupying a high-ceilinged heritage building – formerly the HB Electric Power Board – our favourite Hastings cafe serves up sophisticated breakfasts and…
Kingsland & Mt Eden
An easy 300m stroll from Morningside train station, this former curtain factory is now a versatile eating and drinking destination. Highlights include…
Taupo
Bistro is in danger of underselling itself with its ‘simple but nice’ strapline, given its ability to turn local and seasonal produce into creations such…
Rotorua
This gourmet 'hamburgeria' slaps together a dozen burgers with global flavours, such as the Saigon Smile (pork crackling, pickled carrot, Vietnamese slaw)…
Lake Taupo Region
One of the best cafes in Tūrangi is a tiny room behind a tackle shop with gear aplenty. On native rimu-wood tables, you can tuck into the likes of a…
New Plymouth
Push your way through the little red door on King St, around the corner from Frederic's gastro-bar, and head upstairs for some hand-picked, dry-aged cuts…
Kingsland & Mt Eden
A spin-off from central Auckland's excellent Brothers Beer craft-beer bar, Juke Joint BBQ serves up Southern US–style barbecue in a hip renovated…
Gisborne
The creaky old grandeur of the Poverty Bay Club for gentlemen (1874) is reason enough to visit; appealing counter food, all-day brunch, pizzas, blackboard…
Bay of Islands
With hilltop views over the turquoise waters of the Bay of Islands, this winery restaurant overlooking manicured lawns is worth the drive. A limited mains…
Auckland
Mission Bay has long been a mediocre dining destination, but this recent opening in the heritage Melanesian Mission building is definitely worth the…
Auckland
Part of the Whoa! Studios complex in Henderson, the Grounds has pulled off the trick of being equally attractive to children and their parents. Handmade…
Coromandel Peninsula
Repurposed timber and corrugated iron feature at this rustic but chic vineyard en route from Hahei to Ferry Landing. Seafood, cheese and charcuterie…
Hastings & Around
This authentic American barbecue joint a couple of kilometres north of Hastings conjures up a Mex-Tex rancho vibe with Spanish hacienda architecture,…
New Plymouth
Worth visiting for a fancier dinner, Table at Nice Hotel consists of a lush dining space with opulent furniture, a New York–style bar (open 3pm until late…
Auckland
Housed in a high-ceilinged, heritage former post office, Kokako is one of Auckland's best vegetarian and vegan cafes. Cold brew and organic nitro coffee…
Napier
Bistronomy is proof that NZ's regional restaurants can create high-end cuisine just as well as the spiffy eateries in Auckland, Wellington and…
Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty
Okere Falls, 20km northeast of Rotorua, is a rafting town, so it's not just the fridge full of craft beers that's chilled out here. The food at this store…
Taranaki & Whanganui
Plenty of timber, foliage and conical straw light fittings lend a tropical feel to this Asian fusion restaurant. Owned by the same people behind Hour…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
A tasty work-in-progress – new eateries are also scheduled to open – the K'Road Food Workshop combines an interesting mix of good-value gourmet flavours…
