Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Making the most of its sunny corner location with outside tables, the Last Kitchen serves locally sourced produce sprinkled with European flavour: creamy…
Must-see restaurants in South Island
Fiordland & Southland
A rewarding stop for a quick looseleaf tea or espresso, or perhaps for contemporary daytime food like green-lipped mussel fritters or the house Benedict…
Dunedin
Popular with students, Governor's does a nice line in early morning pancakes and other light meals. If you’re feeling a little off the pace after the…
Queenstown & Wanaka
Breakfast here comes with a real French flavour – croissants, pains au chocolat, baguettes – with 17 different crêpes and galettes served throughout the…
Buller Region
Westport's most popular cafe has a cabinet full of sandwiches and pastries, and a counter groaning under the weight of cakes and cookies. An all-day menu…
Banks Peninsula
This is a suitably salty seaside location for tucking into blue cod, scallops, oysters and other deep-fried goodies. You can eat in or take your prize…
Central Otago
Take a break from the Rail Trail at this friendly spot festooned with old radios. Cafe treats include all-day breakfasts, toasted sandwiches, pies and ice…
Banks Peninsula
This award-winning cheese factory has a small store attached where you can taste its cheesy goodness and pick up supplies for seaside picnics. Large…
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Stretch your legs on the drive between Haast and the glacier towns by grabbing a smoked salmon bagel, sashimi or chowder. Still not enough salmon? Gaze…
Queenstown
A pair of food trucks squeezed into a lane between buildings – order your hoki, monkfish or blue cod from one, and eat inside the other. Ever fancied a…
Queenstown & Wanaka
With courtyard tables adjoining a grassy square, Stables is a good spot for an alfresco lunch. Later at night, step inside the 1860s stone-and-wood…
Buller Region
Refuel after tackling the Cape Foulwind Walkway at this convivial rural pub. Options include lamb shanks, fish and chips, sizeable steaks doused with…
Dunedin & Otago
Surprisingly upmarket for a restaurant attached to an SH1 motel, Northstar is a common choice for Oamaruvians with something to celebrate. Expect robust…
Queenstown
Framed by exposed-stone walls, the Captain is both a sailor and a landlubber, with a menu of fish and farm favourites – steak, Mt Cook alpine salmon, lamb…
Te Anau
Efficient little pizza and pasta joint with South Island craft beers on tap and local wine served by the glass. Pick from vodka and bacon penne and a host…
Christchurch & Canterbury
This cheery restaurant on the main drag presents Asian cuisine from Beijing to Bangalore, although the emphasis is more on the Indian. All dishes are…
St Arnaud Alpine Village Store
Nelson Region
The settlement’s only general store sells groceries, petrol, beer and possum-wool socks. It has tramping food, sandwiches and pies, with fish and chips…
The West Coast
Antlers and a fishing and shooting wall of fame establish the hunting-lodge vibe of Haast's best boozer. Mainly meaty main courses (venison nachos,…
Wanaka
A spin-off from Wanaka's evergreen Francesca's Italian Kitchen, this food truck sits in a rental-car yard among a trio of other food trucks – burritos,…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Don your big-eatin' pants for brunch, lunch or dinner at the Wobbly Kea, which offers a short menu of simple but tasty home-cooked meals, such as meaty…
Queenstown
Its popularity is its only detraction, but fight your way in and you'll find 24 superb ice-cream flavours, a host of chocolate and the truly Patagonian…
Central Otago
Attached to the Four Square supermarket, this sunny cafe is a good lunch option, with a tempting array of sandwiches, sausage rolls and cakes, like spiced…
Dunedin
This sleek little cafe is a good spot for coffee and cake or fresh salads. If you’re still waking up, kickstart the day with imaginative brunch options…
Central Otago
On a sunny day the shady outside tables at this friendly cafe make a perfect pit-stop for passing cyclists. Stop by for good coffee, simple but tasty…
Nelson Region
Between the waterside location, sunny patio and inspired East–West menu you've got an A-grade all-day cafe. Local fish and other produce feature heavily,…
Central Otago
Set in a beautiful stone building that was once Jolly’s Grain Store, this cafe serves up tasty muffins and big, inexpensive meals. Grab an outside table…
Blenheim
Opposite the railway station, this sherbet-yellow, candy-striped cafe serves up good espresso and some of the most calorific pastries you'll ever eat. Try…
Christchurch
Asian fusion is the name of the game at Bamboozle, where talented chefs conjure up innovative spins on traditional dishes. Their stylish new premises is…
Dunedin
Serving up fish and chips since 1932, this local stalwart has its winning formula down pat, complete with vinyl tablecloths, hand-cut chips and curls of…
Queenstown
Head up the semi-hidden set of stairs for pad Thai and hor-mok seafood curry worth writing home about. Takeaways and delivery (free between 6pm and 7pm)…
Central Otago
Clyde’s 1899 post office houses a popular restaurant famous for its garden tables and hearty food. There are loads of nooks and crannies conducive to…
Marlborough Region
The historic house at the centre of the resort has a pub-like quality and serves the likes of sandwiches, burgers, schnitzels and shellfish (oysters,…
Kaikoura
This combo fish shop and fast-food joint serves fish and chips, fish burgers and half crays grilled to order. Scoff them on the outdoor tables or at the…
Christchurch & Canterbury
Eclectically furnished in mismatched retro furniture – much of it for sale – this side-street cafe is a nice spot for a relaxed coffee and a cheeky slice…
Buller Region
Savoury pies and slices are the go-to choices at this pink-and-pistachio bakery cafe. We're fond of the pork belly and apple pie, topped with a piece of…
Nelson
Community-owned and operated, feel-good business stocking produce, organic tipples and natural body care. Food to go, plus good coffee and cafe fare on…
Fiordland & Southland
If you're a fan of freshly smoked salmon, pop up to the smokehouse to see if anyone's in. This sweet, hot-smoked fish is a tasty treat for a picnic or…
Central Otago
Grab a table inside or out and tuck into cakes, slices, waffles and delicious burgers. The robust takeaway sandwiches are perfect for lunch on two wheels.
Christchurch & Canterbury
If you want to stock up on supplies, this is your best chance, with odds-on for egg sandwiches, hot chips, decent coffee, basic groceries and petrol.
Central Otago
Opposite the railway station, Quench lives up to its name with cooked breakfasts, pies and burgers, as well as ice-cold Speight’s on tap.
