Christchurch
Spicing up Victoria St's burgeoning dining scene, this cheap and cheeky Mexican joint dishes up inauthentic but tasty tacos, fried chicken and hand-hacked…
Must-see restaurants in South Island
Greymouth
Out the back of the public bar of the Recreation Hotel, this bistro is Greymouth's best dining option – which isn't saying much. The menu offers what you…
Christchurch
It's third time lucky for this Christchurch institution, which reopened in this industrial-style warehouse on the CBD outskirts in 2013, after its…
Christchurch & Canterbury
A favourite with locals, this well-run cafe serves up classic brunch faves and good coffee in the mornings, while come evening you'll find tasty curries,…
Glenorchy
The front garden of the local pub isn't a bad spot for a beer or a filling meal. It also has basic rooms (from $130/95 with/without bathroom) in a…
Wanaka
The combination of authentic curry, crispy garlic naan and cold beer is a great way to recharge after a day's snowboarding or tramping. Beyond the spot-on…
Nelson Region
Partner business to the Kaiteri Lodge, the Beached Whale is a sociable affair serving wood-fired pizza, burgers, fish dinners and the like. Drink and dine…
Otago Peninsula
Salmon, venison and steak are joined by fresh fish and blackboard specials at this casual eatery. Cafe fare, such as soup and toasted sandwiches, is…
The West Coast
Net yourself some excellent fish and chips (try the turbot, blue cod or fried oysters), then scoff them down the road at Sunset Point for an extra…
Christchurch
Himalayas' minimalist dining room showcases lots of North Indian and Punjabi favourites, including vegetarian options like creamy dal makhani (lentils…
Wanaka
Fancy burgers (spiced pulled pork, high-country salmon, porterhouse steak) are the mainstay of this white-tiled takeaway bar, but it also does fish and…
Te Anau
Posher than the average chippie, this commendable fast-food joint serves great fish and chips, homemade venison and vegie burgers, as well as deep-fried…
Kaikoura
This cafe in the Encounter Kaikōura complex is more than just somewhere to wait for your tour. The cabinet houses respectable sandwiches, pastries and…
Timaru
Neapolitans will have a minor freak out, but the bready, nontraditional pizzas served in this converted church hall have plenty of fans. The menu is…
Nelson Region
As the name suggests: no-nonsense curry in a no-frills setting. The food, however, is consistently good and relatively cheap. Expect the usual suspects…
Dunedin & Otago
This popular little cafe near the Victorian quarter roasts its own coffee in-house – it's a good spot to stock up on freshly ground beans for your own…
Kaikoura
You can usually buy fresh cooked or uncooked crays from Cay's Crays, a surf-side caravan around 20km north of town. Upwards of $50 should get you a decent…
Pohara
A popular locals' hang-out, this well-run spot sports a large garden suited to sundowners and thirst-quenchers on sunny days. There's an open fire inside…
Christchurch
This deli-cafe is popular for its takeaway bocadillos (toasted wraps filled with a huge selection of Middle Eastern– and African-inspired fillings, sauces…
Banks Peninsula
Named after a well-travelled American buccaneer, Bully Hayes is a bustling restaurant serving hearty if basic meals all day long, from breakfast to dinner…
Dunedin & Otago
Known to locals as the steampunk cafe, this rusty iron-clad eatery on the waterfront serves crowd-pleasers such as fish and chips, corn fritters, and…
Buller Region
Within this 1876-built pub lie simple pleasures and warm hospitality: a game of pool, a pint of ale, and a choice of roast dinners, nachos and beer…
Kaikoura
Under new ownership, this upmarket place continues to deliver French-style fare using top-quality local produce including crayfish, paua, beef, lamb and…
Franz Josef Glacier
Portions are huge at the Landing Bar, from whopping whitebait patties to unfinishable nachos and bulky burgers. It gets busy but service meets demand…
The West Coast
The pub and dining room beneath Blackball's mischievously named hotel turns out Cornish pasties, bangers and mash, and light meals for lunch, and a…
Dunedin
Well positioned for the post-beer crowd, Velvet Burger has gourmet offerings that are an excellent alcohol sop, especially the mammoth Goneburger (beef,…
Dunedin
Cute and cosy, with a huge array of small dishes on which to graze, Yuki is a lovely spot for supper or a relaxed, drawn-out Japanese meal. Make a night…
Banks Peninsula
Decked out in francophile dark timbers and burgundy, this is an atmospheric spot to linger over a refined meal. French cuisine such as snails and…
The West Coast
Pull over at the Pukeko Store for cheese scones, good coffee, muffins and pies. Friendly service, cupboard essentials on sale, and a tempting cabinet of…
Nelson Region
These folks get an A for effort by providing honest food to an unpredictable flow of passing trade. What it lacks in imagination (steak, pizza and even a…
Dunedin
The decor looks high-end Asian, but the prices are more moderate than you'd expect. Try the combination spring rolls and a bottle of Vietnamese beer to…
The West Coast
Produce is expensive in remote Haast but this small supermarket stocks sufficient provisions for self-caterers. Also inside is the Grumpy Cow Cafe, which…
Otago Peninsula
Refreshing thirsty travellers since 1874, the Portobello pub is still a popular pit stop. Grab a table in the sun and tuck into the chef's special seafood…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Classic breakfast dishes (until 2.30pm), a cabinet full of cakes, pies and sandwiches, good espresso and free wi-fi are all reasons to visit this petite…
Dunedin
Make the trek to Roslyn for an inventive menu and outstanding harbour views in this glass-encased hilltop pavilion; ask for a window seat when you book. A…
Wanaka
If you do believe that Wanaka is a scale-model version of Queenstown, you'll probably like the idea that Queenstown's newest fish and chippery has an even…
Glenorchy
Mrs Woolly's has a small gourmet-grocery section that could fuel a few days of hiking – the likes of fresh fruit and vegetables, rice, pasta, chocolate,…
Queenstown & Wanaka
Equal parts bakery and cafe, this little eatery serves a wide selection of gourmet savoury pies, including exotic flavours such as venison and chicken…
Dunedin & Otago
Cosy pub in a heritage building with sports on the telly and Speights on the taps. There's a nice open fire, and friendly staff will adapt the meat-heavy…
Fiordland & Southland
Admire century-old egg beaters and 262 teapots within this private collection of household antiques, then tuck into a home-baked pie, quiche or apple…
