Feast on local gourmet fare and wine trails in New Zealand

New Zealand is a great destination for food lovers. Talented Kiwi chefs, innovative cuisine, top wines, and fusion cooking has put the country on the must-visit list of the discerning tourist.
Largely driven by local ingredients and seasonal variations, New Zealand’s cuisine is influenced by the Maori culture, American cuisine, Southeast Asian and East Asian culinary traditions.

Wine in New Zealand is largely produced in the Northland, Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, and Central Otago. Pinot Noir is rapidly gaining popularity for its own distinctive style, purer fruit and higher alcohol content.

Must-try culinary & wine experiences

- The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is a 380 km journey of pure indulgence, relaxation and discovery, ideal for any wine lover. Best completed in five days or more, the trail traverses New Zealandfs lower North Island and upper South Island, taking in the world famous wine regions of Hawkefs Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough.

- Wake up early one weekend morning and mingle with the locals at a farmers’ market where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, tourists also take home treats like jam, honey, pickles and handmade bread. From handmade chocolates to farmhouse cheese, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

- Heard about Bluff Oysters? Head to Southland to bite into the biggest and juiciest oysters.

- You should experience traditional Maori food in Central North Island. There are two touring routes meandering through the Central North Island, both ending in Hawkefs Bay.

- Spend a day in the award-winning Woolaston Estate in Nelson. A beautiful place to visit and is also home to a significant collection of stunning sculptures and artwork. The gallery at Woolaston hosts exhibitions by national and international artists and is open throughout the year.

- Visit Havelock, a coastal village in the Marlborough, also known as ‘the Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World’ for succulent mussels to be savoured in salads and mains.

- A real treat on Kapiti coast is the Ruth Pretty Cooking School, which runs most weekends from March to December. Ruth’s a living legend in New Zealand food circles, and she often invites local food personalities to assist with her classes. While in Kapiti, you can also pick up some gourmet cheese.

- For a city experience, visit Wellington as it is buzzing with cafés, delicatessens and restaurants -the waft of roasting coffee beans tells you quickly that this city likes to get everything exactly right.

- The South Island’s West Coast cooks up one of New Zealand’s most celebrated culinary delicacies the whitebait pattie - fished up from the river, tossed in egg and served with a local Monteith’s beer.

- Treat yourself to sensual taste sensations by sampling fine chocolates with weird but wonderful fillings, or a super decadent hot chocolate, at a boutique chocolaterie in Greytown or Wellington.


Soiree evenings: Tourists enjoy the beautiful Waiheke Island in Auckland over some oysters, mussels and wines

Vegetarian and Indian restaurants in NZ

- Hislops Cafe serves fresh wholefoods of a consistently high quality with a number of vegetarian options. The most popular dishes in this Kaikoura’s restaurant are Smoked Portbolleo Mushroom Bruschetta, Veg Lasanga and Fettuccine Alfredo.

- Sola in Grahamstown has been dishing out vegetarian cuisine to tourists for a decade.

- Fancy some burgers? Head to The World Bar in Queenstown. Tourists relish their homemade Barbeque and Hot Sauce.

- For delicious Indian cuisine head to Raviz, Palace of India, Masala Indian and Bolliwood in Auckland

- While in Rotorua, tourists can visit Tandoori Palace, Indian Star, Lovely India and Dawaat Indian to get a taste of India.

- Indian Summer, Arjee Bhajee ,Tandoori Palace and Little India are some of the famous Indian restaurants in Christchurch.