Tacoteca opens in City Works Depot, Auckland
From the team behind Snickel Lane wine and mezcal bar La Fuente, Tacoteca is a new addition to the City Works Depot precinct offering hand-pressed tortilla tacos with traditional Mexican fillings. Order blue- and yellow-corn tacos filled with slow-braised lamb barbacoa, beef suadero (a smooth, tender cut of meat) and vegan smoky cabbage – all with various crunchy toppings for texture. There’s also a section of antojitos (small plates) that includes chips and salsa, guacamole, and chilaquiles – a dish of deconstructed fried tortillas served in a bowl with toppings like chorizo, egg and pork al pastor. Naturally, there’s a range of Margaritas, including classic, tamarind and zero-alcohol versions, as well as horchata, wine and craft beer. Tacoteca started life as a lunchtime pop-up within La Fuente, and its new, standalone iteration is already proving popular. tacoteca.co.nz City Works Depot, 1/90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD.

Tempero opens on Karangahape Road, Auckland
Chef Fabio Bernardini has impressive credentials, including a year as executive sous-chef at Mexico City’s Pujol (currently number nine on the World’s Best 50 list) and head chef at Michael Meredith’s Mr Morris in Auckland. Now, the Brazilian native has struck out on his own with the opening of his first New Zealand venue, Latin restaurant Tempero. He and his partner, Tiffany Low, have opened in the former Peach Pit space at 352 K’ Road. After a thorough makeover, which saw them remove Peach Pit’s booths and banquettes, open up the rear kitchen and lay white tiles behind the bar, it now feels much more crisp and spacious. Bernardini says the concept is inspired by Latin “bistronomy” – combining “the casual and approachable ambience of a bistro with high-quality gastronomy”. You’ll find Mexican, Brazilian, Peruvian and other Latin influences in dishes that aren’t typically served in New Zealand restaurants, including acarajé – a crispy-shelled black-eyed pea and onion cake that’s a common street food in Brazil – and tamale, a Mesoamerican dish of filled dough that Bernardini serves in a corn husk with blue corn and potato. Unless you’re familiar with this style of food, you’re almost guaranteed to try something you haven’t before at Tempero – and we recommend the milk lemonade on the side, whether or not you’re doing Dry July. temperoakl.com 352 Karangahape Road, Auckland.

Burger Wellington returns to the capital in August
After debuting in May, Visa Wellington on a Plate’s burger bonanza is back for two weeks from August 11 with around 200 venues across Pōneke creating fresh takes on the classic fast food. Many of them are delightfully unconventional, such as a pork belly and prawn patty with Worser Bay jellyfish (hand-harvested by divers) and pickled vegetables in a milk bun from Mount Victoria bakery Myrtle; a patty and trimmings served between two waffles from Leuven Belgian Beer Cafe; and Graze Wine Bar’s crumbed and fried Strait-speared butterfish fillet in three house-made milk and flour buns. Craft beer festival Beervana, by the same organisers, will also take place during Burger Wellington, on August 18 and 19, which is ideal timing – name a better combination. There are plenty of other events happening around that period, such as a beer and oyster dinner by Shining Peak Brewing and GPO. visawoap.com August 11–27, 2023.

Wellington restaurant Margot is turning one and having a party to celebrate
Since taking over the old Mason site in Newtown last year, Margot has swiftly become one of the capital’s favourite spots . Owners Juno Miers and Tom Adam are celebrating their first birthday on Wilson Street with a party on August 10. Book ahead for a special Mexican-inspired menu featuring hand-pressed tortillas, Margaritas and more – or there will be space for walk-ins at the bar Next Door. Book here. August 10 at 3 Wilson Street, Newtown, Wellington.

Almighty launches new pear-flavoured sparkling water
This week, Kiwi drinks company Almighty released its newest sparkling water, infused with refreshing pear. Almighty Pear puts the distinctive taste of sweet, firm Williams pears in a bright green can that bears the B Corp logo, after the company was certified last year. Almighty’s last major launch was Almighty Active caffeinated water (read our thoughts on it here), and the new Pear flavour joins a line-up of six flavoured waters including Passionfruit, Peach & Ginger and Blood Orange. Available now from drinkalmighty.com and in supermarkets from next week.

A pasta deli is coming to Westmere, Auckland
Look out for Stracci, a new pasta delicatessen opening soon at 170 Garnet Road. It’s from Melissa Meo, who originally co-owned Fabric Cafe in Hobsonville, and will sell fresh pastas by the gram to cook at home – along with sauces, ragus, brodo, and other Italian treats and pantry staples. stracci.co.nz @stracci_pasta

Find food, fashion and homewares at Bloc’s upcoming night market in Auckland
The annual night market is back at Mount Eden fashion and design precinct Bloc on Thursday July 27. Head along to Normanby Road for a bunch of great food from local pop-ups including Roti Bros, The Caker and Passa Passa, and both new and established independent NZ brands like Pharlain, Rachel Mills, Harris Tapper and Mina. There’ll be one-off samples and past-season items, plus up to 50 per cent off throughout Bloc for one night only. @bloc_collective 5pm–9pm, Thursday July 27.