Must-see restaurants in New Zealand

  • Verde

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Down the lane beside the old post office and set in beautiful gardens, this excellent cafe is one of Geraldine's best eateries. Drop in for coffee and…

  • Kohan

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Despite its basic decor, this is one of Tekapo's best dining options, both for its distracting lake views and its authentic Japanese food, including fresh…

  • Staveley Store & Cafe

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Call into this cute little country store for the best coffee for miles around, as well as tasty lunch rolls, delectable cakes, gourmet ice cream and…

  • Under the Red Verandah

    Christchurch

    This lucky suburban backstreet boasts a lovely sunny cafe, beloved by locals and travellers alike. Take a seat under the namesake veranda and tuck into…

  • Civil & Naval

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Steadfast staff at this compact, bijou bar serve a quality selection of cocktails, fine wines and craft beers, while the kitchen keeps patrons civil with…

  • Ironique

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Come for a coffee and a restorative breakfast of eggs Benedict after tackling the Hauraki Rail Trail, or pork belly or pumpkin and ricotta ravioli for…

  • Freemans

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Freemans consistently pleases with fresh pasta, top-notch pizzas, local wines and craft beers from Christchurch's Three Boys Brewery. Grab a spot on the…

  • Swallow

    Hauraki Gulf Islands

    Hands down the best burgers on the island, with massive overflowing options including pork belly or beef, blue cheese and caramelised onions. Also wraps,…

  • Waiomu Beach Cafe

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Just north of Te Puru, stop at the colourful Waiomu Beach Cafe for hearty breakfasts, gourmet pizza, freshly squeezed juices and healthy salads. Locally…

  • Blue Ginger

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Southeast Asian flavours infuse the menu at this relaxed spot with shared tables. Highlights include Indonesian-style beef rendang, pad thai noodles and a…

  • Wharf Coffee House & Bar

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Perched beside the water, this rustic wood-lined pavilion is a great spot for fish and chips. Order from the nearby kitchen and partner with a beer or a…

  • Coromandel Oyster Company

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Briny-fresh mussels, scallops, oysters and cooked fish and chips and flounder. Coming from Thames, you’ll find it around 5km before you reach Coromandel…

  • Landing Cafe

    Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty

    Grab a deck table and ponder the power of Mt Tarawera from across the water at this cafe-cum-bar-cum-bistro, serving everything from seafood chowder to…

  • Raglan Fish

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Super-fresh fish and chips and funky decor at this locals’ favourite right on Raglan’s wharf about 1km north of town. Fresh oysters, mussels and seafood…

  • Madam Woo

    Queenstown

    Wooing customers with a playful take on Chinese and Malay street food, from hawker rolls through to softshell crab, fried noodles, and roti doughnuts or…

  • Postmaster Bakery

    Fiordland & Southland

    Inside the charming 1911-built post office, find great pies, frittatas and the best custard squares for miles. The soups change daily, full breakfasts (…

  • Wai Kitchen

    Waiheke Island

    Why? Well firstly there's the lively menu that abounds with Mediterranean and Asian flavours. Then there's the charming service and the breezy ambience of…

  • Buster Greens

    Dunedin

    Bright and bustling cafe with top-notch brunches, healthy raw sweet treats and colourful salads. Great vegan selection. There's more seating downstairs…

  • Tipi & Bob’s

    Hauraki Gulf Islands

    Serving simple but satisfying meals in large portions, this popular haunt has an inviting deck overlooking the harbour. The steak and seafood combos are…

  • Blah, Blah, Blah…

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    The number-one eatery and best bar in central Dargaville has a garden area, hip music, bistro-style food, and beer, wine and cocktails. The global menu…

  • Buy the Gram

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Artisan muesli, tasty homestyle baking and good coffee all combine at this surprising spot along Taumarunui's main street. Stock up for healthy breakfasts…

  • Boatshed Cafe

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    You can eat overlooking the water in Hokianga's best cafe, which occupies a historic boat shed near the car ferry. It's a cute place with excellent food…

  • Tauranga Farmers' Market

    Tauranga

    Kick-start your Saturday morning with a brioche and an organic coffee, then explore this popular weekly market that usually features local dogs enjoying…

  • Colenso

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Better than your average highway stop, Colenso has excellent fair-trade coffee, scones, cakes and light snacks, as well as a shop selling homewares and…

  • Coghill House

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Get an early start on the sunny terrace of this side-street cafe, where good counter food is partnered with huge pancake stacks and plump tortilla wraps…

  • Ritual

    Wanaka

    A classic 21st-century Kiwi cafe, Ritual is smart but not too trendy, and filled to the gills with delicious food. The counter positively groans under the…

  • Red Star

    Wanaka

    The burger menu is exhaustive and inventive – beef, chicken, venison, fish and vegie burgers on crunchy toasted buns. Grab a seat on the terrace and sip…

  • Yohei

    Wanaka

    Tucked away in a shopping arcade, this relaxed eatery does interesting local spins on sushi (feta and sun-dried tomato, anyone?), Japanese curries,…

  • Bohemian Bakery

    Christchurch

    The kitchen at this petite bakery is entirely open, so you can see the bakers at work crafting delicious yeasty treats all day long. Grab one of the famed…

  • The Taj

    Queenstown

    For a tiny place (only seven tables) this upmarket Indian restaurant sure has a long menu. Try the maacher jhol, a delicious Bengali-style fish curry…

  • Lyttelton Farmers Market

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    Every Saturday morning food stalls take the place of cars on Lyttelton's main street. Stock up alongside locals on fresh bread, baked goods, flowers,…

  • Carey's Bay Hotel

    Dunedin & Otago

    Just around the corner from Port Chalmers you'll find this cosy historic pub, popular with locals for its hearty meals and unbeatable location – on sunny…

  • Vic's Cafe

    Christchurch

    Pop in for a hearty breakfast at the big shared tables or linger over lunch on the front terrace. Otherwise grab baked goodies and still-warm artisanal…

  • Industry

    Taupo & the Ruapehu Region

    New to town is this grill and bar with hubcap-studded walls. Steak headlines the menu among other meaty mains, with a vegan bake for any non-carnivore who…

  • Little Vintage Espresso

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    This petite whitewashed cottage just off SH1 has the best coffee in town, with food to match. All-day breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches and delectable…

  • Dragonfired

    Waiheke Island

    Specialising in 'artisan wood-fired food', this caravan by the beach serves the three Ps: pizza, polenta plates and pocket bread. It's one of Waiheke's…

  • Relishescafé

    Wanaka

    A cafe by day with good breakfast and lunch options, this place transforms into a sophisticated restaurant with a fine wine list at night. Central Otago…

  • Waipu Cafe Deli

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Enticing salads, sandwiches, cooked breakfasts, pasta dishes, muffins and organic fair-trade coffee are served at this pink weatherboard cafe on the main…

  • Farmers Market

    Christchurch & Canterbury

    A good one-stop shop for stocking the larder or prepping for a picnic. Local produce, much of it organic, includes honey, berries, pickles, smoked meats…

  • Morrell’s Cafe

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    This cafe and craft shop occupies a former cheese factory. It's the last good eatery before Dargaville so drop in for coffee, an eggy breakfast or a…

    • placement: fullWidth
    • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
    • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
    • targeting:
      {
        "position": "superzone"
      }