Dining out in New Zealand

New Zealand’s culinary culture

New Zealand's heritage is largely British, with a leaning more towards a good hearty breakfast, large quantities of meat and delicious home baking. Many families still enjoy this style of cooking, but trends show that a Kiwi family is more likely to enjoy a barbecue.

Kiwis are known for barbecuing in all weathers, and for rural folk who may experience frequent power outages a barbeque is a great substitute for an oven.

Influences from Asia, the Mediterranean and the Pacific have crept into the food culture in New Zealand. There are also many sushi restaurants and takeaway outlets nationwide.

Menus throughout the country will predominantly focus on regional products, such as oysters, mussels, lamb, wines and cheeses. A large proportion of wineries have restaurants offering delicious food to match their equally delicious wines.

Vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free

Although New Zealand is still largely a nation of meat eaters, today nearly all restaurants offer vegetarian, gluten-free and some dairy-free options. It is reasonably easy to find a gluten-free meal or snack in New Zealand, with some areas catering incredibly well for this market. The choice will be varied, interesting and tasty.

What’s what?

  • Fine dining: A chance to get dressed up, but by Kiwi standards, this won't be over-the-top. Main meals are priced from around $22 - $50 per head.
  • Cafes & bistros: Very popular and in abundance. Dress code can be anything from jeans to smart casual. Main meals are priced from around $18 - $35 per head.
  • Ethnic restaurants: A good selection is available everywhere. Prices vary depending on the dishes ordered, though many ethnic restaurants are noticeably less expensive than their European counterparts.
  • Takeaways: Fish and chips are a staple takeaway meal in New Zealand. Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indian are popular choices and readily available.

New Zealand dining guides

City dining guides

Kiwi specialties

  • Hokey Pokey: honeycomb toffee (delicious as an ice cream flavour)
  • Manuka honey: a distinctly-flavoured honey from the flowers of the manuka (the New Zealand tea tree, known for its medicinal properties)
  • Kumara: Sweet potato
  • Milo: A popular malted-milk energy drink, especially popular with children
  • Pavlova: The 'national pudding'. A sweet meringue, filled with fruit and cream – a much-debated argument exists between New Zealand and Australia as to who invented it!
  • Feijoa: An oval-shaped fruit with green skin and aromatic, cream-coloured flesh. You can eat feijoas raw, cooked or squeezed into a juice.
  • Tamarillo: An oval-shaped fruit with gold or crimson skin and dark seeds. Enjoy them in a sauce or as a delicious chutney.
  • Green-Lipped Mussels: Native New Zealand mussels with green-lipped shells
  • Bluffs: Oysters, crayfish, rock lobster
  • Paua: A meaty, black-fleshed abalone, usually eaten as steaks or in fritters.