The Feed | The New Zealand Food News You Need To Know

It's that time of the week again. Get ready to feast your eyes on all the hottest food news from around Aotearoa. We’ve got the inside scoop on all the latest and greatest openings, collabs, events, products and more so you can spend less time researching and more time munching (because priorities, people).

For the first time in 125 years, the MICHELIN Guide is coming to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026. If it’s worth a special journey for Michelin, it’s worth one for you too. Start planning your trip and discover flavours that tell our story... now.

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The Capital City’s Annual Christmas Advent Calendar Has Landed

Image credit: Ombra | Vicki Young

From 1-24 December, Te Whanganui-a-Tara will be celebrating all things local with festive deals, discounts, treats and activities over on their annual advent calendar. Illustrated by local artist Josie Selkirk, check out this year’s playful calendar and unlock your daily deal (spoiler alert: day one has got a sweet deal from Ombra, and if you know about their iconic baccalà, don't skip on this one). 

Sip On Free Cake Matcha This Week Across Aotearoa

Image credit: Nomu Matcha | Supplied

Nomu Matcha (created by mother-daughter duo Tessa and Karen from Waikato/Bay of Plenty) are celebrating their first birthday with a limited-edition cake matcha across Aotearoa. The first 20 matcha fans to each location will score themselves a free limited-edition cake matcha drink—and the ones that follow can get their drink for $5. They’ll be headed to Beau in Tāmaki Makaurau on Tuesday 2nd December, Glou Glou in Pōneke on Thursday 4th December and Gigi’s in Ōtautahi on Saturday 6th December. There will be spot prizes and a chance to win a trip to Japan during their birthday month too. 

Get Pro Xmas Ham Tips From An Award-Winning Butcher

Image credit: Stone Oven x A Lady Butcher | Instagram

Learn the art of the perfect Christmas ham (from butchering, brining, to smoking and carving) with a demo from award-winning butcher Hannah Miller-Childs a.k.a. A Lady Butcher this Thursday 4th December. Tickets are $45 per person (+ booking fee) and include a cold pint of Behemoth beer and smoked ham toastie by Stone Oven. Grab your tickets here. 

Then Level-Up Christmas with Your Own Xmas Ham Creation Too

Image credit: A Lady Butcher | Supplied

Take your Christmas ham to the next level and make your own this year with this hands-on class from award-winning butcher Hannah Miller-Childs this Saturday 6th December. Break down a free-range pork leg with the class, then create your own custom brine recipe before leaving your ham with the team for curing and smoking (ready for pick up by Christmas). Learn how to nail to perfect glaze before making your own—all while enjoying a Behemoth Brewing beverage and A Lady Butcher charcuterie platter too. Book your spot, stat. 

Go To This Beach-Side Street Food Market This Weekend

Image credit: Takapuna Beach | Vicki Young

What better way to celebrate the official first week of summer than Central Flea and Balmoral Street Food Market’s Takapuna market pop-up this Saturday 6th December. With this special one-off market running from 9am to 9pm, check out the curated line-up of vintage goods (til 2pm) and then grab a bite at their street food offerings from 3pm-9pm by Takapuna Beach. Check out their socials for all the deets.

Karangahape Road's Festive Celebration Of Food, Art And Markets Is Here

Image credit: Pici | Vicki Young 

Karangahape Road is celebrating the final FAM (Food Art Market) for the year, with a festive twist. Snack your way along the strip, with Lebanese Grocer’s special Christmas window meals, Pici’s iconic cheese wheel, No.7’s festive lunch, and check out the nostalgic Christmas roadtrip installation in Beresford Square by Priya Sami (spot the pav in the car). Boogie with local live music sets and check out the local shops, then quench your thirst with made-to-order Saints Juice. Don’t forget to pop around the corner and check out Studio One Toi Tū who are also hosting their Christmas Makers’ Market this Saturday 6th December, 10am-2pm.

Head To Ōtautahi For The South Island Wine & Food Festival 

Image credit: Simon Levy, INATI | Photography by Jerome Warburton @jeromewarburton

Hagley Park will be filled with the best of South Island’s food and wine scene this Saturday 6th December, with the return of the South Island Wine & Food Festival. Sip on signature South Island drops along with tasty local bites. With an epic food line-up from Ōtautahi’s Jaeju to a scoop of Paleta Gelateria, plus festival restaurant menus featuring Akaroa’s Ma Maison prawn and paua dumplings, Gatherings’ Marlborough oysters six ways, and the learn the secrets of INATI’s whitebait sammie (at Chef Simon’s demo at the cooking theatre). Check out the rest of the cooking theatre demos, wine seminars from local winemakers, and live jams line-up on the website.

Make Your Way To This Sunday Spritz Party

Image credit: Bon Pinard | Vicki Young

Continue on the summer vibes at Bon Pinard’s last Sunday Session of the year. Blanc Distribution are bringing all the summer spritz with a tasty menu from Chef-owner Jordan Macdonald. Choose your spritz with picks like limoncello, pistachio, peach and aperitivo to name a few (plus non-alcoholic options too). Rock on up this Sunday 7th December, from 1-8pm. 

Krispy Kreme Just Dropped Their Festive Doughnut Collection

Image credit: Krispy Kreme | Supplied

Upgrade the O.G. Glaze, because Krispy Kreme is dropping their Merry and Bright festive collection this Wednesday 26th November, right up until Christmas Day (at selected stores across Tāmaki Makaurau and delivery to select postcodes too). The festive line-up includes choc Kreme-filled Santa Belly doughnuts (with a sugar belt top), Christmas Cookie Crumb filled with spiced custard and topped with sprinkles, plus cute choc wafer and pretzel garnished Christmas tree and reindeer doughnuts. 

A Cute New Bar Called Kisi Just Opened In Ōtautahi

Image credit: Gatherings. | Instagram (@gatheringschch)

Gatherings in Ōtautahi have just opened up a small 14 seat space around the back of Gatherings in time for summer. Named after the Georgian grape varietal, Kisi, has been a long time coming. Complete with an outdoor area, it’s the perfect space for a post-Gatherings dinner tipple or glass of amber wine in the sun.

DineAid Kicks off Their 13th Annual Christmas Campaign

Image credit: DineAid | Supplied (Photography of Hello Beasty owners by Vanessa Wu)

This month until the end of December will see 61 restaurants across Aotearoa take part in DineAid’s annual Christmas campaign, raising money for the city missions in the lead-up to Christmas. The campaign raised over $70K last year, with the top 10 restaurant fundraisers from Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Whanganui-a-Tara (with Hello Beasty raising the most, with over $5550 last year). Diners have the option to donate $3 to their bill or add $1-3 to a popular dish or cocktail, with all funds raised going to the City Mission closest to their city or region. Jump online to check out the list of participating restaurants this year here and book with them to support the cause. 

Bellbird Eatery Has A New Chef-Owner And Is Entering A New Culinary Era 

Image credit: Chetan Pangam/Bellbird Eatery | Supplied 

Chef Chetan Pangam (previously Executive Chef at One80 for over 14 years, a huge hospo advocate in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and two-time champ for Visa WOAP Burger Welly in 2023/24) has just announced his new venture as chef-owner of Bellbird Eatery, at Dowse Art Museum’s on-site eatery in Lower Hutt. While Chef Chetan tells me that there aren’t many changes with the menu just yet—emphasising slow and steady vibes (and locals will be pleased to know crowd faves like the cheese scone will remain), we’re buzzing he’s got his own space and can’t wait to see the eatery grow with his culinary direction. Keep up to date with their upcoming dinner service kicking off later this month on their socials here. 

We’re Saying Yes To Game-Changing Gluten-Free Baking With A Scoop Of Ice Cream

Image credit: Giapo | Vicki Young

Team Giapo have stepped out of the freezer and into the oven with their latest addition to their treats menu—Giapo Baking. With freshly-baked, fluffy gluten-free baking (think cinnamon rolls, hokey pokey cookies, and my fave—chocolate-dipped donuts with crunchy cacao nibs and the softest interior) made daily from the talented crew at Giapo. I’ve been a long-time fan of their cookies (without even realising they’re all gluten-free) and can confirm their latest baking offerings are just as incredible. It’s a game-changer for your gluten-free friends and fam, and a must-visit—especially when the GF mates are in town. Jump on the Giapo app or pop in-store to check out what’s coming out of the oven and on offer each day. Ice-cream scoop addition to baking encouraged. 

Hungry for more? Check out the hottest new openings you need to know about here. 

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Main Image Credit: Nomu Matcha | Supplied