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.

Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Aotearoa again—get us in your inbox here.

Coffee And Design Lovers Assemble—ACME Is Hosting A Pop-Up Shop For NZ Design Week

Image credit: ACME | Supplied 

For the first time, all of ACME’s offerings (cutlery, dinnerware, mugs and cups) will be in the same space in Aotearoa—with their exclusive pop-up shop during NZ Design Week. Running from Tuesday 3rd to Sunday 8th March, with daily coffee tastings from 1pm (featuring beans from across Europe, Canada, and Australia). With special limited edition treats planned with in-store purchases, and the full cup line-up to check out in the flesh at SpaceFor on 52 Tyler Street in Tāmaki Makaurau—jump on their socials for all the opening times. 

Celebrate Harvest, Croatian-Style In Tāmaki Makaurau This Weekend

Image credit: Soljans | Supplied

This weekend marks Soljans Estate Winery’s 21st Berba, a Croatian harvest festival run for over two decades by the Soljans team. Sharing a part of their Croatian roots, New Zealand hospitality and the celebration of wine harvest—along with bare-footed grape stomping, winery tours, Croatian-inspired food, special tastings, live music and kids’ activity zone. Head to their event page for all the info on this Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th March. 

Head To The North Canterbury Countryside For This Wine And Food Festival

Image credit: NCWFF | Supplied 

The North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival kicks off this Sunday 8th March, celebrating the best of local wine, food and entertainment amongst the hay bales and oak trees at Glenmark Domain. With 70 stallholders this year showcasing North Canterbury wine, artisan makers and brews (both of the beer and coffee variety), and an exciting, flavour-packed eateries line-up showcasing the region’s vibrant food scene. We’re eyeing up Filipino-inspired street eats from NAMETS, open-fire cooking from legends Food by Fire, foraged and wild eats from Waild, pastries from Butter, an elevated tasting experience from Inati, plus we're excited for what Ōtautahi cidery, winery and restaurant Lillies is bringing to their festival debut (and that’s just a handful spotted from the epic food line-up). With a range of bus or train options, plus lots of family-friendly activities (pony rides and petting zoo), this is a day out in Waipara you don’t want to miss. Get all the deets here. 

Save Meals From Going To Waste With Too Good To Go—Now in Ōtautahi 

Image credit: Too Good To Go | Supplied 

After launching in Aotearoa starting with Tāmaki Makaurau late last year, Too Good To Go has now launched in Ōtautahi. Download the free-to-use app to purchase a ‘Surprise Bag’ filled with food that would otherwise have gone to waste, at a reduced price from bakeries, cafes, restaurants and grocers. More than 40 local faves, including Ilex Cafe, Fluffy Bake Shop and Underground Coffee Roasters are already on board in Ōtautahi, aiming to reduce the $3 billion worth of food wasted in Aotearoa each year. Download the app here. 

Get Your Hands On This Limited Edition Canterbury Sunflower Oil Collab

Image credit: Ashley & Co. x The Good Oil | Supplied (Photography by Katie Begbie)

Ashley & Co. and The Good Oil have released a limited-edition extra virgin sunflower oil in a beautifully designed olive-coloured squeeze bottle which smells and tastes of grassy sunflower fields. Grown across the Southridge plains and cold-pressed just down the road in Rolleston, it’s a great addition to any kitchen bench and a versatile oil for salads or even in baking. The oil is available via Ashley & Co. and select stockists. Check out their recipe inspiration thanks to Fatimas (from their latest cookbook)—we’re eyeing up a warm slice of nutty, citrus almond cake, made with this limited edition sunflower oil.  

Burger Nation 2026 Announces Its Biggest Year Yet

Image credit: Burger Nation NZ | Supplied

Burger enthusiasts unite—this year’s Burger Nation organised by Cook & Nelson in association with McClure’s Pickles (which runs from 25th February to 25th March) has 307 venues taking part from across Aotearoa. From fried pickles, beef marrow confit onions, to flame-kissed patties and gherkin queso—there’s even a whole short rib, birria-style, between buns with dipping sauce from Gina’s Truck (Moore Food Company) at Giant Brewing Co. (pictured). The voting power (and supreme winner) will be in the power of diners hands (and appetites) so get stuck in for some serious burger eating and judging. Get all the judging info and burger line-up here.

Aotearoa’s Largest Gin Producer Has Released G&T In A Can 

Image credit: Scapegrace | Supplied

Scapegrace Distilling Co. has unveiled its Scapegrace Gin & Tonic with Hawke’s Bay Lemon, a premium New Zealand distilled G&T in a can. Along with their existing Gin & Soda offering, this has been developed in response to consumer demand for locally-made, high-quality G&T. Scapegrace Gin & Tonic with Hawke’s Bay Lemon (5% ABV) is available nationwide in 10-packs (330ml cans). R18, drink responsibly.

Mount Maunganui’s Fife Lane Has Been Named One Of The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants

Image Credit: Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar | Instagram

Mount Maunganui’s own Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar has officially landed at No. 94 on the 2025 World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list and we're pretty pumped about it.

Led by meat master Dylan Burrows, the Maunganui Road steakhouse is known for premium New Zealand breeds and cuts, including Lake Ohau Wagyu from Canterbury and Greenstone Creek beef from Taranaki. The team mainly dry-ages in-house before finishing each cut over a charcoal grill, letting smoke and flame star.

Beyond the steak (though that’s very much the main event), Fife Lane delivers polished service and a sharp wine list (perfect for pairing with a steak, of course) that secures its spot as one of the world's best steak restaurants. - Isabel Croker

Live Your High Tea Era With This Elegant Offering In March

Image credit: Aotearoa High Tea in The Libraries | Vicki Young

Aotearoa High Tea in the Libraries is back for 2026 with a menu that draws on classics with a modern Aotearoa format. Executive Chef Andrew Lautenbach’s latest menu features contemporary classics like poached chicken and Waldorf salad reimagined into a club sandwich (featuring walnut paste and sliced grapes), smoked kahawai in a chive-dipped savoury cannoli, tender lamb shoulder and pickled onion in a crisp scone-like bun, and a melt-in-your-mouth cheese roll to name a few of the savoury picks in the line-up. With an incredibly light crisp exterior and comforting centre with aged gouda, cumin and béchamel—I swear it’ll convert any cheese roll purist. Save room for sweet, because the malt ice cream sandwich is a stand-out. It tastes like spiced Christmas cookies, and will have you wishing you could have a constant supply of oat cookies with mānuka honey ice cream year-round (and you can, because word is that you can get this ice cream sandwich down at kingi, too—you can thank me later). Having just reopened for the first one of the year last Sunday, they only hold two sittings each month—book now so you don’t miss out for March (their next event is on Sunday 29th March). Tickets start from $95 per person, including a very elegant glass of No1 Family Estate Assemblé to start, and selection of Zealong tea.

Check Out This Multi-Cultural Afternoon Tea in Tāmaki Makaurau

Image credit: Bellini Bar in Hilton Auckland | Supplied

Pastry Chef Hiranya and her team have curated a multi-cultural sweet and savoury selection that travels from Sri Lanka, India and Hong Kong, for Bellini Bar’s latest afternoon tea offering, ‘The Shared Table.’ From Hong Kong-style coconut tarts, Indian Chikki (sweet nut brittle)-inspired brownie with vanilla cream, to Sri Lankan spiced oyster fritters with lemongrass aioli and sesame dust, to name a few of the nostalgic flavours from each chef on the menu. Available every Friday to Sunday, from $70 on Fridays, and $75 on weekends per person. Do add bubbles for an additional $15 per person. Book here.  

Get Ready For Modern Indian Dining With This Chef’s Debut Restaurant

Image credit: Aarth | Supplied

Aarth is the debut solo restaurant from chef Vicky Shah (Cassia, Sidart, Ki Māha) reimagining modern Indian dining in Tāmaki Makaurau. Translating to “deeper meaning,” Aarth is about exploring the history, emotion and symbolism in Indian cuisine.

Get ready for flavours and combinations like whitebait bhaji with lime leaf chaat masala, heirloom tomato salad influenced by the flavours of street food pav bhaji, crayfish tikka masala, lamb “and too many chutneys,” plus a nostalgic nod to mango lassi (but not what you’d expect, ft. mango custard and pineapple) and a refined, next-level Black Forest for dessert—to name just a few exciting things on the evening menu (they also have a dedicated vegetarian menu coming soon). We can’t wait to experience Chef Vicky’s fluid, modern and creative interpretation of modern Indian flavour. Open at 1/333 Parnell Road, nights from Wednesday to Sunday, 5.30pm to late (and daytime offerings soon). 

This Tāmaki Makaurau Bar And Local Distillery Have Created A Bespoke Gin

Image credit: Waiheke Distilling Co. x Bar Albert | Supplied 

If you’re partial to a London Dry gin over breathtaking views, read on. Bar Albert (located at the top floor of Voco, the highest hotel rooftop destination in Tāmaki Makaurau) has partnered with boutique, family-owned distillery Waiheke Distilling Co., to create an exclusive London Dry style gin—Bar Albert Gin. Eight botanicals have been carefully selected to go with the range of Bar Albert Gin cocktails created together, which you can only enjoy exclusively at Bar Albert from this month.

The signature cocktail created from the collab—The Tāmaki, features Bar Albert Gin along with the warmth of Mānuka honey mead, orange liqueur, plus Syrah syrup and grape juice to give layers of flavour and that vibrant dark red jewel colour. Topped with foam and garnished with fragrant rosemary and edible flowers—it’s a showstopper to sip on while soaking in the incredible golden hour views of the city. With Valentines (and Galentines) coming up, this cocktail is also part of the offerings—complete with bubbles and a charcuterie board too. 

Pro-tip: Gin lovers can also get the whole experience with their Sip, Stay & Sail package—and jump on the ferry and Eastern explorer bus to check out the distillery first-hand for a guided tasting and long lunch. Located in the Eastern part of Waiheke, the distillery looks out to stunning views of islands and endless blue water. With a cocktail spritz in hand (along with the best calamari and pizza fritta you’ll ever have), this is the perfect summer day out, before making your way back to the city to the sleek rooftop bar. 

This Restaurant Is Turning Into A Dessert And Cocktail Bar 

Image credit: Forest Scoops | Supplied

Forest has launched Forest Scoops, a pop-up dessert and cocktail bar. With clever cocktail flavours, their full drinks list and Chef Plabita’s clever combinations of sweet creations this is the go-to spot for post-dinner treats (and a nightcap). From purple kūmara ice cream with marmite caramel and rosemary sherbet, to a tall sundae glass of their plum and shiso sorbet that with jalapeño jelly and pops of amaretto-rolled melon balls, somehow took me to the childhood lolly bag aisle. There's also a few savoury snacks on the menu like their fries with seaweed dust and chilli goop, so you can have more dessert afterwards, of course. Don't forget to sip on an inventive cocktail creation like their hibiscus negroni, passionfruit and green tomato fizz with parsley oil, or pickled cabbage margarita. Open from 5pm, from Thursday to Saturday—and for a limited time only. 

Win A Pack Of Our Sweet, Sharp, And Creamy Conversation Cards

Image credit: Urban List NZ | Supplied

For when the cheeseboard is out, and the chat needs a little extra bite, together with Mainland, we’ve created an exclusive deck of 50 conversation starters—guaranteed to spark the deep-and-meaningfuls and the outrageous confessions. With only 500 packs up for grabs (plus a tasty $2K for one lucky winner), once they’re gone, they’re gone—so get in quick. Grab your pack here. 

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

Urban List The Feed has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.

Main Image Credit: Aarth | Supplied