Food and Drink

25 Of The Best Restaurants In Wellington In 2025

There’s a reason why Wellington is Aotearoa’s coolest capital. Among the most (and best) flat whites per corner, beach-side brunch spots and breathtaking walks along the windy hills, Te-Whanganui-a-Tara truly has some of the best restaurants in Aotearoa.

Someone digs into a feed at Table Of Munchies, one of the best restaurants in Christchurch.

Food & Drink

50 Of The Best Restaurants In Christchurch To Eat Your Way Around In 2025

Wondering where to eat in Christchurch? The Garden City has so many choice restaurants popping up all over the place that it can be hard to keep track, so let me make life a whole lot easier with this stunning list.

Wide shot showing the outdoor dining area of Panhead Brewery at Brewtown. There is artwork on the outer wall of the brewery and many people sitting on outdoor tables drinking and chatting during the daytime.

City Guides

Brewtown Upper Hutt: 2025 Guide to Craft Beer & More

Planning a trip to Wellington? Here’s everything you need to know about Brewtown: breweries, food, events, and opening hours.

A basket of bread, a slab of cheese, a negroni and a single lit candle on a table.

Restaurants

11 Of Auckland’s Best Private Dining Rooms

Private dining is the ultimate fantasy—home-style dining (if your home’s hella plush) surrounded by all your favourite people, where tastebud tantalising dishes materialise in front of you, care of a top-tier chef. If I’m dreaming don’t wake me up.

Stacked biscoff pancakes from The Breakfast Club

Cafes

The Best Breakfasts In Auckland And Where To Find Them

Fear not, breakfast-lover—you’re about to have the ultimate list of the best breakfasts in Auckland right at your fingertips.

The dining room in Glenorchy, one of the best restaurants in Glenorchy.

Food & Drink

The Best Restaurants In Queenstown

We’ve done the research and know the must-visit restaurants in QT, so read on for the best restaurants in Queenstown.

Somebody covets a stacked sandwich from Gloria's.

Best Of

Where To Go In Auckland CBD For A Quick, Nutritious, Cheap Lunch On A Weekday

The economy may be in dire straits but your bank account need not be—cheap eats are not a thing of the past. In fact, you can tuck into a lunch that’s quick and healthy for less than twenty bucks, even if you work in Auckland CBD.

A group of people sit around a high tea table setting in a garden.

Food & Drink

The Best High Tea In Auckland

Whether it’s Mother’s Day, a special occasion, or you just wanna spoil someone (but also yourself!), high tea is always the answer. Lucky for us, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has no shortage of spots serving up a swanky high tea with alllll the treats, including tea, cake, and if you're lucky, a cheeky glass of bubbles.

A dusky pink plate of brussel sprouts from Beau, a Māori-owned Auckland restaurant you should know about.

Best Of

21 Delicious Māori-Owned Eateries You Should Know About

We’ve rounded up our top picks of Māori-owned kai pakihi (food businesses) across the motu where you can show your support.

Food & Drink

Auckland’s Best Chinese Restaurants Right Now

There's only one thing better than a dumpling and that's a plate of them, along with a generous portion of chilli crisp for dipping.

Two dogs aka Camilla and Apollo sit happily at a cafe, the dog in the background looks particularly happy.

Cafes

The Best Dog-Friendly Cafes In Auckland For The Ultimate Pooch Date

They say that dogs are like their owners—who’s to say your pooch isn’t also partial to a low-fat puppaccino and a catchup with the crew?

Food & Drink

22 Of The Best Cheap Eats In Christchurch

If there’s anything better than great food, it’s great food that’s cheap.

Rest Of The Best

A view over the lake and snow-capped mountains at QT Queenstown, one of the best hotels around.

Local Escapes

15 Of The Best Hotels In Queenstown Whatever Your Budget

Whether you’re heading to Queenstown for a ski getaway or to dance the night away with your pals, we’ve done the research and found the very best hotels.

Someone squeeze some sauce onto a stacked tray of hummus.

Restaurants

The Best Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

At Urban List, we've spent a lot of time thinking about what makes the difference between a good restaurant and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's very best.

Food & Drink

The Very Best Christchurch Cafes To Try This Year

Turns out The Garden City isn’t just about botanicals—it’s also one helluva brunching scene.

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Quiz Nights To Test Your Mettle

Grab a pie and a pint, put your thinking cap on, and get ready to show off your obscure knowledge. Who knows? You might even come out on top.

Food & Drink

The 6 Best High Teas In Christchurch

'High tea' is one of my all-time favourite phrases in the English language. Bringing together teeny tiny treats with copious cups of tea (or if you're really lucky, some bubbles) in a fancier-than-usual setting, this is the epitome of good living. And Cantabrians clearly know a thing or two about the subject, as these—the six best spots for high tea in Christchurch—show.

A cute pink mug of hot cacao decorated with chocolate sprinkles in the shape of a heart.

Food & Drink

Where To Sip On The Best Hot Chocolates In Auckland This Winter

Nothing cheers me up more on a cold Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland day (any day, to be fair) than wrapping my mitts around a mug of hot chocolate. Whether it’s a classic number done right, or a more adventurous drop laced with peanut butter or peppermint, served in an edible cup or even topped with bright pink fairy floss, sippin’ on a hot choccy is always a good time.

A range of delicious dishes from Meld, one of the best restaurants around Invercargill.

Food & Drink

The Best Restaurants In Invercargill And Bluff For A Real Taste Of The South

It’s handy to have a healthy appetite when you try out Invercargill’s restaurants, as down south the portions are generous and don’t skimp on flavour.

Cutting into a dish from War Pacific Fusion, one of the best eateries in Parnell.

Food & Drink

Parnell’s Best Restaurants, Bars And Cafes And Where To Find Them

For a night out feeling fancy, a sweet pick-me-up or a tasty bite to get you through your day, Parnell won’t disappoint. Arguably the most stroll-worthy suburb in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, it's packed with restaurants, cafes and bars that know a thing or two about really good kai.

Manis Bakery's cream cheese and Biscoff-stuffed croissant.

Food & Drink

The Best Cafes In Ponsonby Right Now

From chic patisseries and pretty pink ice cream parlours to boujee burger joints, Ponsonby's got it all.

A number of delicious-looking Korean dishes which you can feast on for cheap.

Restaurants

The Best Cheap Eats In Auckland

Whether payday is a distant memory or you simply don’t want to spend your life savings on a meal, don’t go running for those two-minute noodles just yet. There are plenty of cheap eats in Auckland that are minimal on coin but maximum on deliciousness.

Restaurants

The Best Korean Restaurants In Auckland

Korean food has officially taken over Auckland—and we're not mad about it. Whether you're in it for fiery Korean fried chicken, bubbling bowls of stew, or sizzling hot BBQ, this is your go-to guide to the best Korean restaurants in Auckland.

Lemon meringue, berry crumble and tiramisu baby tarts

Food & Drink

The Best Gluten-Free Eateries In Auckland Right Now

We’ve looked high and low and we’ve scouted the best places to eat if you’re gluten free—because there’s no need to miss out.

Food & Drink

The Best Bottomless Brunch Spots In Auckland Right Now

Ahhh brunch, the perfect blend of breakfast and lunch we just can’t get enough of, which is lucky because the brunch game is strong in Tāmaki Makaurau.

A delectable plate of pasta pomodoro and a glass of red.

Food & Drink

19 Of The Best Happy Hours In Auckland To Kick Your Night Off For Less

Bargain bevvies, a bar snack or two and some quality yarns make for the ultimate after-work wind-down.

Someone makes latte art at Benedicts Cafe, one of the best spots for coffee in Auckland.

Food & Drink

The Best Coffee Shops In Auckland To Get Caffeinated At

Whether you’re in the mood for a slow sit-down and sip, or a takeaway coffee to accompany you on your daily errands, from Auckland CBD and Ponsonby/Herne Bay/Grey Lynn/Karangahape Road/Eden Terrace to Newmarket/Mount Eden/Kingsland/Morningside and The North Shore, Urban List has downed a dangerous dosage of caffeine to create the ultimate list of Auckland’s best coffee shops that you’re going to want to bookmark ASAP.

Food

Everywhere To Eat & Drink On The North Shore

The North Shore is as much for eating out and drinking, as it is for hitting the beach. If you don't believe us, check out the more than 55 spots we've carefully curated by suburb below, ranging from old-fashioned pubs, bakeries and burger joints to chic wine bars, cafes, and bistros.

Food & Drink

The Best Burger Joints In Auckland And Where To Find Them

There’s really nothing better than smashing back a good burger. It’s salty, it’s satisfying, and it’s what hungry dreams are made of. However, we all know there are many components that go into making a decent burger. Once you weigh up the bun, the patty, the sauce, and the toppings, it can become a very spirited debate. Which begs the question, who IS slinging the best burgers in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland?

A woman pouts while holding two rose-tinted cocktail glasses in front of her face.

Food & Drink

The Best Artisanal Gins In NZ So You Can Level Up Your G&T Game

20 New Zealand-made gins that will turn your typical G&T on its head.

Restaurants

The 15 Best Restaurants To Dine At On The North Shore

The North Shore isn't just about sun, sand, and surf, it's also about beautiful food and drink. As a matter of fact, we reckon some of the city's best restaurants reside on this side of the bridge. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of our most-loved spots on the North Shore for a feed.

A massive feast at Social Kitchen, one of the best restaurants in New Plymouth.

Food & Drink

12 Of The Best Restaurants In New Plymouth And Where To Find Them

Between scaling Mt Taranaki and hitting the mountain bike tracks around Lake Mangamahoe, surfing up a storm or soaking up the art, you’ll likely work up quite the appetite in New Plymouth. And, luckily, there’s a bunch of local eateries on hand to refuel at.

Bustling Eat Streat which houses some of the best restaurants and cafes in Rotorua.

Food & Drink

14 Of The Best Restaurants And Cafes In Rotorua

Rotorua is a foodie haven, from boujee fine dining to delectable cheap eats spotlighting local and international cuisines.

Restaurants

15 Of The Best Restaurants In Hamilton To Eat Your Way Around

Whatever the occasion or vibe, Kirikiriroa Hamilton’s buzzing restaurant scene has it all. Whether you’re after a sophisticated date destination, a culinary journey around the world, or simply on the hunt for some hearty comfort food, Urban List has you covered with a list of the best restaurants in Hamilton.

Someone is handed their meal at Catalyst, Dunedin.

Restaurants

33 Of The Best Restaurants In Dunedin

A bijou city it may be, but Ōtepoti Dunedin knows how to punch above its weight when it comes to culinary genius per capita.

Food & Drink

Newmarket’s Best Restaurants And Cafes You Need To Try, Stat

From Peruvian tacos and schnitzels the size of your face, to perfect coffee and cocktails in bongs (for reals!), this suburb certainly has plenty to eat out on.

Someone holds a colourful ice cream from Duck Island Ice Cream, one of the best ice cream shops in Auckland.

Food & Drink

The Best Ice Cream And Gelato Shops In Auckland

I scream, you scream... well, you know how it goes. Whether it's fresh and fruity or rich and chocolatey, in a cone, on a stick or in a cup, we just can't get enough of the cold stuff. So without further ado, here's our pick of the coolest (yes, we did just do that) ice cream and gelato shops in Auckland.

A view across the deck at HI-SO, one of the best rooftop bars in Auckland.

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Rooftop Bars To Watch Day Turn To Night

We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again: rooftop bars are the shiz. What’s not to love about sitting sky-high, sipping on a beverage and taking in an epic view? Auckland’s best rooftop bars are dotted across the city and come in all shapes in sizes.

Someone tucks into a delicious dish at Khu Khu, one of the best vegan restaurants in Auckland.

Food & Drink

The Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants And Cafes In Auckland

Forget everything you thought you knew about vegan and vegetarian food. Far from its can-o’-chickpea origins, vegan fare is now unapologetically delicious.

Restaurants

The Best Indian Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

From creamy kormas and crispy pakora to dry fire-breathing curries and fluffy biryani, here are the best Indian restaurants in Auckland.

Someone walks along the pier in Queenstown.

Local Escapes

16 Of The Best Things To Do In Queenstown

Summer, winter, autumn or spring, Queenstown is a beauty to behold.

Someone creates the hand-pulled noodles at Jinweide in Auckland

Food & Drink

7 Of The Best Hand-Pulled Noodles In Auckland

Whether you slurp them in soups or chew with chilli oil, we’ve rounded up the best hand-pulled noodle spots in Auckland so you can decide which way is best for yourself.

Food & Drink

The Best Ponsonby Restaurants You Should Have Eaten At

When it comes to Ponsonby restaurants, it's a literal smorgasbord—the hardest part about eating out here is narrowing down where to go. Whether you're after bistro classics, a spot of Asian street food or an old-fashioned burger and fries, this inner-city neighbourhood punches well above its weight.

A view over rolling Martinborough hills.

Food & Drink