News and Views

Posted by ResBook Support on May 22, 2024

Eating out: Best New Zealand Restaurants 

Who do New Zealanders' turn to for dining inspiration? The annual Metro restaurant guide of course. From newcomers to trusty favourites, the Metro judges - made up of food writers, critics and hospitality experts - chomp their way through the country's best restaurants to determine which contenders cut the mustard for the crown of 'best restaurants Auckland' and beyond. Including the best lamb restaurants New Zealand-wide.

Over the last twenty years, New Zealand chefs have developed a style of cooking often described as Pacific Rim. Many have sharpened their skills in Michelin-starred restaurants internationally. Their recipes blend the best New Zealand ingredients - our juicy lamb, beef, seafood and venison with pan-Asian and European-influenced flavours. This, combined with an emerging farm (or fish) to the fork ethos, creates a fascinating lineage for contemporary New Zealand food. All with a dollop of innovative local growers, farmers and intrepid fishing folk serving up the main ingredients.

So is there such a thing as a truly ‘New Zealandesque’ restaurant ?  We’re pleased to shout “yes!” 

Here's our round up of the best Auckland restaurants which regularly make the cut in the city's 'top 50 best restaurants Auckland'. Plus a selection of top restaurants nationwide.  

Bon appeitit!

Flavours of Aotearoa NZ 

  • Ahi - Commercial Bay
  • Culprit - Wyndham  St 
  • Mr Morris - Galway St, Britomart
  • Depot - Sky City
  • Metita - SkyCity
  • Tala - Parnell
  • Kingi - Britomart
  • Gilt - O'Connell St

French - European/Fine Dining

  • The Grove - Saint Patrick's Square, Wyndham St
  • Anise, Symonds St
  • SidArt - Ponsonby Rd
  • Origine - Commercial Bay

Pan Asian Fusion

  • Hello Beasty - Viaduct Habour
  • Cafe Hanoi -  Britomart - Vietnamese
  • Kazuya -  Symonds Street, Eden Terrace - European with Japanese Influence.
  • Gochu - Commerical Bay  - South Korean inspired

Italian/Spanish - Mediterranean

  • Alma - Tyler St, Britomart 
  • Amano - Tyler St, Britomart
  • Apero - Karangahape Rd
  • Advieh - Hotel Intercontinental
  • Ortolana - Britomart

The range of cuisines mirrors Auckland' s make-up as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Around 200 different nationalities call this cosmopolitan hot spot home. 

Rest of North Island

  • Palate - Hamilton
  • Embra - Taupo
  • Craggy Range - Hawkes Bay
  • Koji - Wellington
  • Graze - Wellington
  • Capitol - Wellington

South Island

  • Amisfield - Queenstown
  • Rata - Queenstown
  • Blue Kanu - Queenstown
  • Kika - Wanaka
  • 5th Street - Christchurch
  • Inati - Christchurch

Walk with us to discover our 'best places to eat Auckland' list which we update every season.  The best cafes, rooftop bars and central city delis. Or book a private walking tour and join us for lunch!  Discover also the major Auckland attractions you don't want to miss on our top-rated Auckland walking tours.

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