Markets & Food Events

Buckle up—here’s our hit list of New Zealand spots where the journey and the destination both steal the show.

With thatched-roof farmhouses and world-renowned udon on her must-do in Japan hit-list, we asked Nozomi Inoue for the ultimate run-down on her favourite hotspots.

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.

If there's one food trend that's defined 2025 thus far, it's Dubai or knafeh chocolate. What started as a candy bar bringing together pistachio cream, tahini, and kataifi (a type of shredded pastry) inside a crackable, paint-splattered chocolate shell, created by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai—has inspired an infinte number of copcats across the globe, and just as many sweet treats (think cookies, pastries, even cocktails). 

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

We live for new openings (especially the kind that involves food) and know you do, too. Fortunately, Auckland is the city that just keeps on giving when it comes to new restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries—we really are a lucky bunch.

Matariki a.k.a. Māori New Year is just around the corner (Friday 20 June to be exact). A time of reflection and new beginnings, Aotearoa is busting out all the stops with a treasure trove of ways to celebrate.

Tell anyone you’re heading to Napier and the wider Hawke’s Bay region for some R&R and they’ll be insanely jealous. Kiwis from all over the country know just how good the Bay is. With its world-class wineries, gorgeous Art Deco architecture, and delicious dining options, there’s never a bad time to visit Hawke’s Bay. So, whether you’re a local looking to switch it up with a new dining spot or you're a visitor to this fine region, we’ve done the legwork and know our way around all the best establishments in the Bay. Here are the best restaurants Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North in Hawke's Bay have to offer. 

Easter is fast approaching and for the sweet tooths amongst us (me!), this is pleasing news indeed. After all, what other holiday is celebrated by stuffing your face with as much chocolate as humanly possible?

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.

Though long viewed as a luxury destination—cue over indulgence and splashing of cash—Waiheke is literally awash in great options to have you out and about and enjoying the land in many different ways, all without breaking the bank.

Grab your tickets to this free family-friendly event filled with fireworks, local dance and drum performances, lion dancing and beautiful lanterns lighting up the grounds. With over 60 food stalls and lines out the door each year—we’ve rounded up our top food picks while enjoying the sights and lights.

Eat a rainbow this Auckland Pride with eight must-try chromatic dishes from local hospo legends. 

Christmas is the season for twinkling lights, merry tunes and prettily wrapped presents under the tree. Oh, and more unapologetically festive treats than you could ever hope to work your way through before Santa comes calling. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of must-try Christmas treats (some naughty, some nice) for you to enjoy this holiday season.

If you’re like us and love a juicy berry punnet or two, then read on to find the best pick-your-own strawberry fields in Tāmaki (and beyond). 

The centrepiece of Auckland’s food events is officially back on the radar: Restaurant Month is here. We’ve never been so grateful to for having 31 whole days.

We love wining and dining in Ponsonby at the best of times—but throw in some one-off creations, tasting menus, and special prices, and we really don’t need our arm further twisted. So grab your planner and round up your foodie friends, here are all the best events you need to devour this year at Eat Drink Love Ponsonby 2024:

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

We want to help you live the dream in WA, so we asked the passionate locals who call it home to share all their must-visit experiences across this stunning state. Dive into our guides to the best places to play, eat and stay, steeped with local knowledge and all the tools you need to plan the trip of a lifetime.

There’s nothing better than strolling through a buzzing market with a coffee in-hand and a basket jam-packed with fresh produce and quirky finds. Total bliss, right?

If we could only eat one dish for the rest of our lives, there's a good chance it'd be fried chicken.

The hot competition where chefs up and down the country cook up their tastiest take on the classic toastie, The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover, has crowned this year's winner.

Together with Lipton Ice Tea, we're serving up seven of the best outdoor events, festivals and things to do in New Zealand over March and April. 

After having opened in the midst of various lockdowns, multi-award-winning distillery Broken Heart Spirits has launched Queenstown’s first-ever boutique gin garden.

Whether you’re a die-hard pickle fan, on the fence or just pickle-curious this week will hit in all the right places.

With three new flavours to choose from, the Magnum crew have taken your favourite classic flavours and worked them, flipped them and reversed them to create supercharged remixes you need to try.

Chef's Josh Barlow and Brody Jenkins' menu deserves the top spot on your NZ eats list. 

In the time of Visa Wellington On a Plate, nothing is too outlandish. From immersive themed dinners to sensory experiments to adults-only menus, there are heaps of options out there that'll have your mind blown and your tastebuds cheering. We've got the scoop on the hottest events coming up this year and if our intel is anything to go by, you'll want to get in quick.

The ‘Buffalo Buick,’ is nothing short of seriously drool-worthy. It plays on the brand’s love for their classic ’64 Buick Rivera car, told through the story of a bunch of tasty toppings.  

While the endless summer sun might be losing its heat, why not welcome in autumn while keeping the fiesta vibes strong with bottomless jugs of sangria?

If you consider yourself an Auckland foodie, you've heard of Farro. This gourmet grocer is our go-to for luxury eats and elusive ingredients, and has been satisfying locals' appetites since 2006. 

It's the new year, and thank heavens for that because summer's looking like it’s going to be legendary.

Here in Christchurch, delicious ice cream is not hard to come by in our fine city. Luckily for you, we’ve done our research and put together a list of the Garden City’s best ice cream joints so you can taste your way around the finest in town. 

Calling all foodies, our lockdown prayers have officially been answered—BurgerFuel is dropping a mouth-watering fried chicken burger and it's the exact news we needed to hear today. 

Auckland’s Smoke & Spice Festival will be bigger and better than ever with plenty of barbecues, booze, live music, demos and events on the agenda but this time spread over two days.

These days, the best kind of food comes straight from the streets. Whether it’s a cart, caravan or truck—these tiny, portable kitchens seem to be pumping out some of the best food in town.

Queenstown has a new pop-up on its culinary menu and we’re crossing our fingers (and toes) that this cosy restaurant will extend its stay well past the winter season. Hear that QT? That’s a hint!

We Kiwis absolutely love our coffee. In fact, NZ is one of the top coffee consumers globally. But how many of us actually know how to brew our own coffee, or master the art of the barista?

The snow gods heard your cry for alp. Take your mittens out of hibernation and pop on your snuggliest coat because Auckland is getting a whole lotta snow!

Realising this gap between food waste and food insecurity, Nick Loosley founded Everybody Eats - a locally-based, not-for-profit with a mission to reduce food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand. With Everybody Eats scaling across NZ, we caught up with Nick to find out more about their origins, their mission, and hear about their new Goodie Box initiative. 

Ah, winter. That delightful season when jammies and slippers become a fashion statement, social outings become rarer than a blood supermoon, and Netflix and chill takes on a whole new meaning. To help combat the winter blues and lure you out of hibernation, St John’s Bar and Restaurant are bringing back their ultra 'Gram-worthy pop-up igloos for a limited time.

Prep your bodies for a weekend of pure indulgence—The Chocolate And Coffee Show is back in Auckland to celebrate its seventh birthday, and frankly it couldn't come at a better time.

Leisha Rae makes up the sweet 1/2 of Bowl & Arrow with her bestie and partner in crime, Hannah Bryan. After meeting at a cafe Leisha was working at and bonding over the best bread for french toast, they realised they had the same career passions. We spoke to Leisha to find out what has happened since history started writing itself.

The Hawke’s Bay Food and Wine Classic (F.A.W.C for those in the know) is back for another year offering people a taste of the region’s delectable eats.  

Aucklanders… it’s time to unleash your inner wine connoisseur because The Waiheke Wine and Food Festival is back for 2021.

Has it really been seven long years since Lewis Road Creamery first revealed their now-iconic collab with Whittaker’s and dropped their next-level chocolate milk on the unsuspecting masses?

Gone are the days when not being able to eat gluten meant you were doomed to living a doughnut-less existence. Two years ago Charlie Mia brought us gluten-free vegan doughnut joy and now she’s sharing her secrets in a workshop you won't want to miss. 

Aucklanders, forget being sad that summer is over because there's still a get a chance to catch some heat. 

Ah April, what a great month… Autumn is upon us, the nights are drawing in and our friends over at Xuxu Dumpling Bar have just impossibly sweetened the deal by bringing back their epic all-you-can-eat dumplings. 

Auckland, we've just discovered an epic new dining experience you need to know about, and it happens to involve one of our favourite restaurants—the incredibly delicious Gochu.

Covid may have put the brakes on Food Truck Fridays one too many times recently, but worry not because Britomart's fave weekly food event is returning with a bang, including a different foodie theme every week for the month of April.

SkyCity has recently launched Fortune on Fed, a craft beer pop-up bar serving divine craft brews. Treat yourself to cheeses, cold cuts and burgers – the perfect accomplices to an excellent beer sesh.

Cross St. Music Festival is back, baby. After the March lockdown rained on its parade, a new date has been released, and it’s only a couple of weeks away! 

Auckland’s vibrant cultures are being celebrated this month with Auckland Council’s inaugral World of Cultures festival, successor to the Auckland International Cultural Festival.

Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Then say ciao to De’Longhi, who could be swinging by your workplace with a very special coffee-laced treat in tow for you and all of your colleagues (are you listening, team Urban List?).

They’re offering free behind-the-scenes talks in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Invercargill to share the laughs, mess ups and learnings that got Fix & Fogg to where it is today, with drinks, nibbles, nut butter and a Q&A with Roman, CEO and Founder, to round up the evening. 

Make tracks for this pop-up bar that's hit Morningside where you can sip pink drinks beneath pink disco balls and hanging greenery in a purpose-built Pink Bar - a garden oasis that’s sure to look awe worthy on your insta stories... and who doesn’t love a bit of pink on their gram?

Waterbourne is a three-week extravaganza and will be New Zealand’s biggest beach festival and comes as part of Auckland Unlimited’s epic Summernova programme. 

Ain’t no party like a street party—get ready for Parnell’s very own street party filled with groovy tunes, good vibes, and great food. As part of the Summernova line up, Parnell’s Faraday street festival will be pumping on 26 February.

There are few things we love more than a healthy dose of retail therapy, but when a day of shopping is paired with live tunes, epic eats and entertainment, well, that’s a recipe for the ultimate day out. 

Waiheke Distilling Co are opening their doors this weekend on New Zealand Gin day to its one-of-a-kind gin bar. Enjoy the picturesque views of the Rotorua and Pakatoa islands along with refreshing gin cocktails and a basket filled with local produce and delicacies.

Farm Dinners will be plating a delicious five-course menu using Kelmarna’s organic seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs.

Margo’s, Queenstown’s hottest new Mexican Restaurant and Bar has launched a new bottomless brunch just in time for Summer, and we’re not lying when we say we’re bloody pumped for this one. 

Cult chicken joint, Winner Winner is opening a brand-new nest on the Shore. Bought to us by the same team behind BurgerFuel, this eggciting new eatery will be located on Anzac Road in Takapuna and joins three successfully-hatched stores in Wellington, Hamilton and Pukekohe.

As Urban Listers, we know you'll be familiar with the name Peter Gordon. You'll also be familiar with the fact that the Whanganui-born chef has spent the last 30+ years carving out a very successful career in London, whilst juggling a handful of restaurants here (The Sugar Club amongst them).

The Auckland street food is changing every year with new faces and dishes to tempt your taste buds. Whether you’re craving tacos, Indian, hot wings or just dessert, we’ve scoured the food truck scene in conjunction with the legends at The Food Truck Collective to bring you 10 of the  most delicious food trucks you need to hunt down this spring.

We are currently in Level 4 lockdown in New Zealand and that means, no restaurants, no going out for coffee and no takeaways. But this doesn't mean an end to healthy hearty food and now is the perfect time to learn to cook great food with local ingredients. 

Summer day trips are a rite-of-passage for most Aucklanders, however they don't always have to involve hours of driving (and inevitably getting stuck in traffic as you realise the rest of the city had the same idea).

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