These Are 26 of New Zealand’s Most Memorable Food Experiences

While it sometimes defies description, New Zealand cuisine at its best is a celebration of the surrounding land and waters. It’s also about expressing culture through both Māori kai and the many international influences that have shaped New Zealand’s vibrant culinary identity. Community is just as important: the growers, producers and chefs behind what’s on the plate, and the people who gather around the table to enjoy it.

Dining in New Zealand is more than delicious food – it offers the chance to slow down and connect with a holistic experience that extends beyond the kitchen. If you’re visiting soon, we’ve highlighted some of the regions and food experiences worth building a trip around – the ones you’ll still think about long after the last bite.

Auckland, North Island

Located towards the top of New Zealand’s North Island, the country’s biggest city is a diverse culinary destination that makes it a worthy trip all on its own. Make sure you book ahead of time at Samoan fine diner Tala in Parnell. It became the first Samoan restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin star after the inaugural Michelin Guide New Zealand was published in 2026. At Henry Onesemo’s intimate restaurant, his Chef’s Journey tasting menu will lead you through unforgettable dishes that each tell a tale of his homeland.

For a central city lunch that feels equally international, head to Gilt Brasserie, located inside the 100-year-old Chancery Chambers building. Order the minute steak with fries and entrecote sauce and the Le Tribute Olive Lemonade (trust us) and be treated to some of the best service in town. Karangahape Road restaurant Gemmayze Street is the place to go for feasting on incredible Lebanese dishes; you’ll want to smuggle jars of the signature silky smooth hummus home with you.

To taste the wild side of New Zealand’s ingredients, journey down Dominion Road to family-owned Cazador, where the focus on locally wild-caught, sustainable meat and produce makes for some of the most heartfelt dining you can find.

For annual events to add to your calendar, Winetopia is New Zealand’s largest wine tasting event that celebrates the country’s 700-plus wineries, while Pasifika Festival is a jam-packed celebration of Pacific culture, arts and community at Western Springs Park – including all the delicious food that entails, like ‘otai, hāngī and ‘ota ‘ika.

Waiheke Island is also a mecca for food and wine fans, with more than 30 wineries dotted about the picturesque island, only a 40-minute ferry from downtown. Book a personalised tour with Terra and Tide and receive a private sampling of Waiheke’s many delights, from award-winning olive oil and artisanal products to a vineyard lunch and more.

Taupō, North Island

Known for Huka Falls, the breathtaking Wairakei Terraces and New Zealand’s largest lake, Taupō’s food scene is a worthy complement to its natural scenery.

Contemporary restaurant Embra is a local favourite, combining French and British cooking techniques with locally-sourced ingredients and the warm hospitality of owners Phill and Nora Blackburne. Dining here is a genuinely intimate experience – with less than 30 seats – and the kitchen is led by born-and-bred local Phill. He draws inspiration from his time spent working at a wilderness retreat in Poronui, as well as the spirit of the Kaimanawa mountains.

At Brantry Eatery, you can take a piece of New Zealand arts and crafts with you after dining, thanks to the gallery located above the restaurant. You’ll find another memorable melding of art and food at L’Arte, a cafe and gallery set in a sprawling garden filled with colourful mosaics. Enjoy comforting favourites from the all-day breakfast and lunch menu, and digest with a walk among the tiled outdoor artworks.

Taupō’s adventure tourism is world-famous, and this includes food-based experiences. Book a Heli-Kai with Escape Aviation and take a breathtaking helicopter flight to the Kaimanawa Range, where you’ll participate in an outdoor food experience that includes searing your food on hot rocks, cooking over open fire and other traditional Te Ao Māori techniques.

The annual Treats of Taupō festival also puts the spotlight on the region’s food and drink purveyors with seven days of both free and ticketed events – a must if it’s on when you visit.

Wairarapa, North Island

A drive from Wellington over the Remutaka Range, the towns that make up the Wairarapa region harbour plenty of culinary gems. With a climate and terroir similar to Burgundy, Martinborough is known as the home of pinot noir in New Zealand. It boasts 20 vineyards, many of which are within walking or cycling distance from the charming town square – ideal for a day or two exercising your pinot palate.

If blossoms are more up your botanical alley, book a Beekeeper Experience at Greytown Honey, where you’ll get an introduction to the fifth-generation family business, an up-close experience with the bees (safely suited up, of course) and a honey tasting. Some hyper-local mānuka honey would be the perfect memento to take home in your suitcase.

Journey to the edge of the Wairarapa’s wild coastline where you’ll find Wharekauhau, a luxury lodge set on a sprawling country estate. You can (and should) book to stay there if funds allow, but the estate also welcomes day guests – and the Trust the Chef lunch promises to capture the region’s flavours and culture in a superb four-course seasonal menu. The farm-to-table dishes uses many ingredients grown on the land surrounding the lodge – with a chief forager who harvests produce every two days. You can even helicopter there from Wellington and land on Wharekauhau’s front lawn. Now that’s a memorable entrance.

East Coast, South Island

You’ve heard of Queenstown, but the South Island’s coastline has a rugged beauty that’ll reward you for venturing beyond the usual tourist trail.

Starting in Blenheim in the South Island’s north, a meal at acclaimed fine diner Arbour will introduce you to the region’s world-class wines and produce through a four-course or seven-course tasting menu. Dining here is a sole-chef experience, with a husband and wife duo at the helm. Bradley Hornby is in the kitchen taking care of the menu and his wife Michelle tends to the garden which provides the produce. If it’s warm enough, an outdoor table in the vineyard surroundings is sublime. Also in Blenheim, winery Cloudy Bay epitomises Marlborough luxury with its idyllic cellar door and restaurant.

Heading down the East Coast, stop off at Kaikōura Seafood BBQ or a seaside lunch. The charming shack serves the freshest kaimoana (seafood) such as juicy crayfish, paua fritters, mussels and more local delicacies. For a delightfully-scented activity in the area, you can visit Lavendyl Lavender Farm. Wander among the gardens and have a scoop of the farm’s signature lavender ice-cream: more interesting than vanilla, any day.

Head further south to Waipara, another renowned New Zealand wine hub. For lunch at family-owned, organic and biodynamic winery Black Estate, book an outside table if the weather allows and overlook the vines and surrounding land. Alpine Luxury Tours also offers a Waipara wine tour with tastings, letting you sample the best drops of the region along with a leisurely lunch for the full-day option.

Christchurch, South Island

In the South Island’s largest city, you’ll find a food scene that’s only becoming more renowned and well-rounded. Enjoy excellent small plates and equally thoughtful drinks at wine bar Londo, with its compact dining room where you can perch on stools to watch the chefs at work. Another chef’s table experience to book is Inati, an acclaimed fine-dining restaurant where the food is both excellent and artful. Clearly, we’re fans of close interaction with talented chefs, because we’d also suggest you book tickets (rather than seats) to experimental dining concept Mapu Test Kitchen in nearby Lyttelton. There’s no printed menu, and chef Giulio Sturla says it’s “not a restaurant”, but this makes the six-seater destination all the more memorable. As he cooks right in front of you, Sturla shares stories about where the food comes from and the people who helped to put it on your plate.

And for those who like to pair their earthly delights with something more celestial, Akaroa Stargazing offers Astronomy Bites. The day-to-night stargazing experience is complemented by gourmet grazing platters that’ll help you taste the region: think local meats, bread, cheeses and beyond.

Explore more of what New Zealand has to offer in our dedicated guide to the country's best experiences – from awe-inspiring landscapes and thrilling adventures to destinations that encourage stillness. It’s the destination for travellers who seek more than just a holiday, but a trip filled with memorable and fulfilling experiences.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand. Whether you’re seeking moments of awe, adventure or quiet connection, New Zealand offers countless ways to experience the country on your own terms. Start planning the journey that feels right for you – find your 100%.