Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
From Hāngī to Pavlova and sushi street food, New Zealand offers numerous dishes to satisfy even the most demanding palates. Whether you’re a traveller exploring the best food in New Zealand or a local food enthusiast, the country’s food scene offers a unique blend. This is of traditional Māori flavors and globally inspired dishes. The country’s varied landscapes are richly supplied with fresh produce, seafood and famous lamb, putting it in a foodie’s dream world. Each dish tells a story of New Zealand’s rich history and its deep appreciation for high-quality ingredients.
10 Places For Best Food In New Zealand
Have a rich culinary experience at these 10 places for the best food in New Zealand while exploring its vibrant food culture:
1. Fergburger
Photo: Natan Machado Fotografia Gastronômica / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Fergburger, in Queenstown, is renowned for huge gourmet burgers, regarded as the best food in New Zealand. The restaurant is nearly always filled with locals and tourists waiting for a meal. The burgers are made from the best quality, locally sourced ingredients, including freshly baked buns, prime New Zealand beef, and house-made sauces. The menu includes a variety of choices, from the traditional Ferg with cheese to the exclusive Little Lamby, made with tender lamb. For those who are vegetarian, there is the Holier Than Thou, a falafel burger option.
Location: 42 Shotover Street, Queenstown
Major Cuisine: Burgers
Timings: 8 AM – 5 AM
2. Depot Eatery
Photo: John Photography / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Depot Eatery is seafood heaven for those who love it, with a wide menu of wood-fired & fresh seafood. Sitting next to Sky Tower, it has a relaxed yet trendy vibe, perfect for laid-back dining and enjoying the best food in New Zealand. The standout dish is the fresh oysters served raw with tasty sauces. Other must-try dishes are tuatua clams, grilled snapper, and bone marrow on toast. The food served in the restaurant is prepared with local ingredients, and each plate comes overflowing with flavour. You can also complement your meal with a glass of New Zealand wine for complete enjoyment.
Location: 86 Federal Street, Auckland
Major Cuisine: Seafood, New Zealand Cuisine
Timings: 7 AM – 10 PM
3. Amisfield
Photo: Nicole Michalou / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Located in the breathtaking wine country of Central Otago, Amisfield is the perfect retreat for those with a love of fine dining. The restaurant offers a seasonal degustation menu called ‘Trust the Chef,’ with the option to pair it with Amisfield’s award-winning wines. The location is also magnificent, with spectacular views of the vineyard. This is a fabulous backdrop for a romantic dinner or a luxury culinary encounter. The service is fantastic with the staff explaining every dish and wine pairing. As it is a popular dining destination, book a reservation well in advance, particularly during peak travel periods.
Location: 10 Lake Hayes Road, Queenstown
Major Cuisine: Fine Dining, New Zealand Cuisine
Timings: 12 PM – 9 PM
4. Giapo
Photo: Calebe Miranda / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Giapo takes ice cream to an artistic level, offering unique flavors and sculpted presentations. It takes it experimental with new unique flavours and uncommon presentation, sometimes turning their cones into amazing sculptures. Their menu varies, but signature flavours include Hokey Pokey (honeycomb caramel) and decadent, chocolate-covered. To add to the experience, try their deep-fried ice cream or one of their unique, artistic ice cream cones. The shop is in the heart of Auckland’s downtown, ensuring a brilliant visit after sightseeing. Considered a bit more expensive than an ordinary ice cream shop, due to its artistic outlook and premium ingredients.
Location: 12 Gore Street, Auckland
Major Cuisine: Desserts, Ice Cream
Timings: 1 PM – 10 PM
5. Charley Noble
Photo: Jed ji / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Charley Noble is a popular Wellington restaurant offering high-quality steaks, fresh seafood, wood-fired dishes, and an extensive wine list. The restaurant is famous for its premium meats, such as Wagyu beef, lamb ribs, and pork ribs, which are all grilled over a wood-fired grill to get that smoky flavour. For seafood enthusiasts, there are freshly shucked oysters and grilled prawns serving the best food in New Zealand. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet laid-back, making it an excellent spot for casual dining or a special occasion. Their wine list also comprises some of New Zealand’s top wines.
Location: 1 Post Office Square, Wellington
Major Cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood
Timings: 12 PM – 10 PM
6. Hangi Master
Photo: Matyas Havel / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Hangi Master offers an authentic Māori cooking experience through its mobile catering service in Auckland. They use the traditional underground stone-heated cooking method. Pork, lamb, chicken, and seasonal vegetables are all cooked in a hangi style on the menu. Rotorua is full of Māori history, making this a must-include on a trip. This is for people who wish to sample the food and attractions of the area. Portions are vast, and the experience is immersive, shared with cultural storytelling and performances. It’s an ideal stop for those interested in food and culture.
Location: Rotorua, New Zealand
Major Cuisine: Māori
Timings: 11 AM – 8 PM
7. The Green Dragon Inn
Photo: Harry Dona / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
A dream for every Lord of the Rings addict, The Green Dragon Inn is the place to be in Hobbiton. Situated within the Hobbiton Movie Set lies this quaint pub, inspired by the warm and inviting inns typical in Middle-earth. The atmosphere, with its wooden refurbished interior, low-light usage of lanterns and giant fireplaces, is an immersion from Tolkien’s world. The Green Dragon Inn offers themed snacks and beverages, including the exclusive ‘Southfarthing’ beer brewed especially for Hobbiton. As entry is only permissible with a Hobbiton Tour ticket, booking ahead is a better option as tickets sell out promptly.
Location: Hobbiton, Matamata
Major Cuisine: British, New Zealand Cuisine
Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
8. Floriditas
Photo: Shameel mukkath / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Floriditas, a popular Cuba St café, reveres the local take of breakfast/brunch. Their menu changes seasonally, so you always get the ability to serve fresh and seasonal dishes. Favourites include ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter, perfectly cooked eggs on house-made sourdough, and avocado smash with dukkah. Their pastries, such as almond croissants and pain au chocolat, are amongst the best in Wellington. The café has a chic, airy atmosphere, making it a lovely place to begin your day. It gets busy, particularly on weekends. Specialists of coffee fans will appreciate their orderliness in serving flat whites.
Location: 161 Cuba Street, Wellington
Major Cuisine: New Zealand Cuisine
Timings: 7 AM – 4 PM
9. Whitebait
Photo: Macedo Fotografo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Whitebait is a premium seafood restaurant passionate about ocean-to-plate dining. Their menu showcases sustainably sourced, fresh seafood, with seasonal dishes being the highlight of the menu. Other popular dishes include grilled crayfish, Marlborough mussels, and line-caught fish that are cooked to perfection. The venue provides stylish waterfront views, which makes it ideal for a more relaxed, sophisticated dining/meal. Service is above par with staff who are very knowledgeable about the wine pairings for each dish. As it is an upper-scale dining area, the prices are steep, but the dining experience is worth it.
Location: 1 Clyde Quay Wharf, Wellington
Major Cuisine: Seafood, Fine Dining
Timings: 12 PM – 9 PM
10. Ortega Fish Shack
Photo: Rachel Claire / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Ortega Fish Shack blends a relaxed atmosphere with gourmet seafood dishes, making it one of Wellington’s top dining spots. The restaurant has a quirky, nautical-themed interior, adding to its charm. Their seafood platters, featuring fresh oysters, scallops, and prawns, are highly recommended. Another must-try is their famous market fish, cooked in a light, flavourful sauce. Ortega also has a strong reputation for excellent service, with friendly staff who ensure a memorable dining experience. The wine selection is impressive, featuring a mix of local and international options. Due to its popularity, reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dinners.
Location: 16 Majoribanks Street, Wellington
Major Cuisine: Seafood, New Zealand Cuisine
Timings: 5 PM – 10 PM
New Zealand is known for blending traditional and contemporary cuisines, making it a foodie paradise. Whether enjoying a Maori hangi as a traditional meal, savouring gourmet seafood, or having fine-dining wine globally, every dinner is a real experience. For smooth travel planning, book with TripXL and discover the best food in New Zealand, unique food touring, food travel, and food adventure.
Cover Photo: Eximiousincorp / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
