Where To Eat & Drink In New Zealand

All I want for Christmas is to spend the day slaving over a hot oven and washing dishes, said nobody ever. Most of us would prefer a delicious meal cooked and cleaned up afterwards by someone else. Which brings us to one of the festive season's greatest blessings—restaurants that kindly open their doors on the 25th of December, especially for our wining and dining pleasure.

Finding a restaurant to eat at in Auckland on Christmas Day isn't always easy (the phrase 'needle in a haystack' springs to mind). Well never fear, 'cos we've done the hard yards for you and found out who's open to play host this year so you can sit back, relax and make merry while someone else does all the work.

We love a good market, especially one with the word 'Christmas' attached! So hop in the car, crank up the Mariah (your secret's safe with us) and head along to one of these incredible Christmas markets coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this holiday season.

Heineken have taken over Slate Hut for the summer, pouring the country's most remote at the aptly named Heineken Hut until March 2027. 

Beginning as bench buddies in matching chef’s whites, Laura Metcalf and Kelsie Culpan are the best mates behind one of Auckland’s most beloved bakeries.

Hopsitality veterans Laura Greenfield and Raechal Ferguson know a thing or two about a great meal. Now, they're bringing their talents to Capitol for a two month pop-up. 

Ho, ho, holy snowball. December is nearly here and it's time to get our Christmas party on. Is it just us, or did this year really sneak up on us?

The new Italian restaurant from the couple behind Baduzzi and The Grove looks to northern Italy for inspiration. 

Tapped cocktails are set to be the new pint this summer, with your next ice cold pick-me-up just a mere pour away.

The new 'supper house' aims to serve the community however it needs it, with an English and French-leaning menu, great drinks and a friendly vibe. 

Wellington restaurant Supra quickly grew out of its tiny former home. Now it has a new space on Tory Street and a brand new bar to boot. 

Expect bangin’ beats, a little mystery, a few tricks and a whole lot of treats with nights fuelled by Kraken Black Spiced Rum. 

There are hotel restaurants, and then there are restaurants that just happen to be inside hotels.

This Wellington cafe is so much more than just a spot to refuel; it's a community hub, a place that encourages you to truly become a local. 

The team have turned the former Bonita space into a new sandwich shop serving everything from chicken caesar salad to fish and chips inside sliced bread. 

Far from the Tex Mex-style Mexican food that has become prolific outside of Mexico, Apapacho is bringing the soul and depth of flavour of this vibrant cuisine to Wellington. 

Set to evoke the spirit of the elegant eateries in department stores in cities like London, Paris and New York, Lottie's has a distinct international feel 

We’ve brought together three of Aotearoa’s most recognisable creative voices to get a little closer to the people behind the art.

New Zealand’s biggest city is made for a long weekend, here's how to do it right.   

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

Londo's Bob Fairs will be partnering with Pici's Jono Thevenard to cook a six course meal as part of Auckland Feast festivel in November. 

It has been a big year for New Zealand's food scene and things show no sign of slowing down. Auckland Feast powered by Mastercard will launch in November, turning the city into one big food festival. 

Jack Cashmore will bring his two-hatted restaurant from the central North Island to Auckland's Kauri Bay for two nights as part of the Auckland Feast festival. 

Just three months after closing its doors, Rosalia's is set to reopen with its former head chef at the helm. 

Opening up Sydney's West for Kiwis looking to get away, Air New Zealand will be kicking off non-stop flights on 26 October 2026 to Western Sydney International Airport.

Sport is basically a religion here in Aotearoa, and meeting your mates to share a drink and yell sports-themed profanities is a rite of passage. And when you can’t make it to a game, there’s no better way to experience nail-biting sport than with a drink in your hand and plenty of people to create the vibe. 

Auckland bartender PJ Renaud has won the 2026 Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series.

Your curated itinerary through Ōtepoti Dunedin's best events, tables, stays and streets.

The arrival of the Te Ara Tupua has made getting from Wellington to Lower Hutt much, much easier. Here, Nick Iles outlines all the delicious reasons to make the journey to the Hutt. 

Bex Jujnovich gives us the honest version of what weeknights look like in her house. 

With winter’s indoor-socialising era officially upon us, hosting at home no longer needs to look like a Pinterest board brought violently to life. And we’re here to show you that the best hosts aren’t necessarily the ones making everything from scratch.

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.

Father’s Day is just around the corner (6 September if you’re wondering) and while not all of us have a father we almost certainly all have someone who’s unabashedly cracked dad jokes with reckless abandon.

New Zealand's leading local restaurant guide has just launched its 2026 awards—here's all the winners, from the lauded three hats to restaurant of the year. 

We’ve rounded up ten of the most romantic restaurants in Auckland so you can take the guesswork out of where to go for the most romantic date night. 

New Zealand takes its pies seriously, and the results of the 2026 New Zealand Bakels Supreme Pie Awards are officially in.

Celebrating all things funghi, the inaugural Auckland Mushroom Festival is bringing informative talks, great food and lots of fun to Karangahape Road this month.

For the month of August, Visa Wellington on a Plate turns the capital city into a gastornomical adventure. From pop-ups from acclaimed internatonal chefs like pitmaster Rodney Scott, to Auckland's Pici popping up in Poneke for two nights, outlandish themed dinners and intimate meals with growers and makers, WOAP once again brings all things wonderful to Welly. 

Forget the tourist hubs and ski slopes—these are the secret spots worth planning your trip around. 

Two of Auckland's most-loved restaurants are coming together for two days of exceptional food and even better vibes. Expect duck fat tortillas, big flavours and a great meal. 

Matariki is here and it's time to feast. 

Whether you’re after a traditional Vietnamese ham, or a crispy crackling lid—let this be your guide on where to find the best banh mi in the city.

This one-off event is one to be experienced rather than documented. It’s been created around a simple idea: if every moment is unrepeatable, perhaps we should treat it that way. 

It's been hotly anticipated for months and, as of tonight, New Zealand's first Michelin Guide has officially dropped. Here are all the restaurants to win stars and Bib Gourmands. 

We've got some of the most savvy parent influencers to spill their secrets about where they (and their kids) love to dine, so your next dinner out with the family goes straight to core memory—for only the right reasons.

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.

Whether you’re a matcha convert or you’re curious about the vibrant green tea that's taken the world by storm, Tāmaki Makaurau has you sussed. Let's find your perfect match-a. 

Forks at the ready, Taupō isn’t just about hitting the slopes or whiling away hours on the lake.

The central tenets of winter are, inarguably, mulled wine, bubbling raclette and settling in for the night at a hidden bar. But there’s another vital ingredient to a winter’s night out on the town and it manifests in the form of a roaring fireplace. 

From high teas with stunning waterfront views, to bespoke high tea pop-ups around town—this culinary city has a high tea setting and menu for every kind of occasion. 

Matariki approaches, this year landing on Friday 10 July. Here are some of the best ways to celebrate, in Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond. 

Whether it’s just a day trip, or a weekend away—Waiheke Island has over 30 wineries and vineyards (with many open to the public with a cellar door or tasting room, and some with restaurants too), as well as three breweries, gin and whisky distilleries. Here are our picks for the best wineries, vineyards, and distilleries on Waiheke Island.

The mercury might be plunging in Tāmaki Makaurau, but there’s one spot in the city that’s only getting hotter this winter. 

​What’s a Sunday without a roast? We’re talking juicy, succulent pieces of meat drowned in gravy, paired with crispy, seasoned veges and—if you’re lucky—a fluffy Yorkshire pud on the side. 

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. 

As far as baked treats go, cookies are king, and we don't discriminate.

We love Japanese food an awful lot here at the Urban List. And who’s to blame us? From sushi to sashimi to sake, Japanese cuisine delivers deliciousness on all levels.

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.

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

There’s plenty to uncover (pun intended), whether you’re planning your next meal, soaking in the arts and culture or looking for a breathtaking outdoor adventure when visiting Moananui ā Toi—the coastal Bay of Plenty.

If you’ve got 48 hours and a curiosity for art, music, film and performance, this is your sign to make a beeline for Wellington. 

There’s a moment in Wellington when the day starts to soften and the city shifts gears. For our editor, this is Wellington at its best.

Make markets your favourite weekend morning ritual and kick on with mates for the night markets too. Here is our (extensive!) list of the very best Auckland markets.

Swap your waterproof jacket for a robe and hiking boots for slippers, here’s how to spend a stress-free 72 hours in Aotearoa’s geothermal heart.

From vintage teacups to bottomless bubbles—here are our picks for the best high tea offerings across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Make it a memorable weekend (with Mother’s Day this year on Sunday 10th May) and gift her the love language of food, with a feast out in Tāmaki Makaurau.

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.

Ahhh Karangahape Road. One of the most vibrant, creative, and bangin’ precincts in all of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Whether you're after breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or a little somethin' somethin' this ANZAC Day public holiday, there's loads to choose from. 

Whatever your tipple of choice—we’ve got you. Here are the best bars in Wellington.

From doughnuts to gelato, or make it a complete weekend affair with an Easter High Tea—these are our picks for the Best Easter Treats for 2026 

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

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

Takapuna is one of my favourite suburbs in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Not only is it home to one of the most popular beaches on the North Shore, it also boasts a long list of amazing places to eat and drink and that's a combo that makes this food writer very happy indeed.

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. 

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

Whether you’re a traditional spiced fruit purist, team chocolate, or partial to a custard cross, bakers are slinging all sorts and we’re here to give you our picks for the Easter season.

 Ōtautahi is shaking up the drinks scene, one cocktail at a time.

From small batch spirits and sweet treats to world-class coffee and fine dining that'll mesmerise eyes and taste buds alike, consider this your guide to 48 hours of seriously good kai.

Your go-to guide for maximising a trip to the Sunshine Coast

Dive into Urban List's top picks for the best Italian restaurants in Auckland.

We've rounded up the best of the best bars, with oldies, newbies and everything in between. No matter the specifics, all of these places have one thing in common: they're a damn fine spot to sink a drink.

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.

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.

Along with the balmy days, summer brings its fair share of unique situations. The same goes for summertime snacking.

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.

Let’s face it: the Gregorian calendar’s New Year's is overrated.

Ava Wardecki caught up with culinary creative and all-round ray of sunshine, Amelia Ferrier, to chat about what it really takes to live that full-time recipe creator life.

Your status as host with the most is about to be renewed this summer.

Hello lovers, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so if you haven’t made plans yet, you'd better hustle.