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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Five Aotearoa Restaurants Received An AMEX Grant To Further Their Mahi

Image credit: AMEX | Supplied

Five restaurants in Aotearoa were awarded AMEX grants of $25k (NZD) this year for making a positive impact to their community, and to help further their long-term business growth. The Lebanese Grocer is one of five small restaurants in Tāmaki Makaurau to receive the grant, along with Annabelles, Brewd Hawt Chicken Co, Pici and The Lumsden Freehouse. Lebanese Grocer’s chef-owner Elie Assaf is using the grant to build a commercial kitchen and develop a new line of house-made grocery products based on his family recipes, helping to diversify their revenue. We can’t wait to see what’s in store, and for the rest of the recipients. Congrats Aotearoa hospo! 

Head To This Rooftop Bar For Plum Margs And All The Snacks This Summer 

Image credit: Queens Rooftop & Wineshop | Supplied

Get ready for summer sessions at Queens Rooftop—their new summer menu just dropped. From kina and sweet-spicy vinegar dressed oysters (have you seen their impressive seafood bar?!), heirloom tomato salad (with a giant block of feta to top), crunchy chilli crisp cucumber, to hand-rolled saffron fettucine to name a few of the tasty new dishes on their just-released summer menu. Plus there's a crayfish fettucine in the works and appearing on the menu very soon. Don’t leave without a cherry baked alaska with caramelised white chocolate ice cream, and a plum marg—it’s the feastin’ season afterall. 

Jam To Live Jazz and Japanese BBQ In The City 

Image credit: Perch Britomart | Facebook

This Thursday 11th December is the last of Perch’s three week Jazz + BBQ series. With Tāmaki Makaurau jazz Circle Trio (and Dustin Lindale on the decks) on the last gig, park up with an Aperol Spritz and snack on Head Chef Ryuta Yokoi’s pop-up BBQ menu, featuring some of his fave dishes from home. Free entry, with walk-in’s (first in, first served) only. 

Don’t Miss Takapuna Surf Club’s December Crayfish Special

Image credit: Takapuna Surf Club | Supplied

In case you missed it—Takapuna Surf Club has a December Crayfish lunch special for all of this month. Take your festive gathering to the next level with a whole crayfish for $90 or half for $60, served Mondays and Tuesdays from 12-3pm. Pair with their new summer menu offerings (including a refreshed cocktail list featuring a summery strawberry and basil spritz). Bookings recommended so you don’t miss out.

Make Your Way To This Garden Oasis For A Christmas Brunch Buffet

Image credit: Eden Garden | Supplied

Eden Gardens are hosting their Christmas brunch this Saturday 13th December, with all the Christmas classics—buffet-style. From fresh pancakes to pastries, artisan breads and cheese, to eggs your way with all the roasted potato, crispy potato and Christmas ham trimmings. Tickets are $40 and include entrance to their beautiful five and a half acre garden filled with native bush, birds and butterflies (you can walk off your feast via a hilly Hillary Heights to stunning views of Tāmaki Makaurau). Book your spot online. 

Check Out Christmas Dessert Night At This Festive Pop-Up 

Image credit: In Rhi’s Pantry | Supplied

From Christmas brunch to Christmas dessert—head to Mint Cakery for Rhiannon Baldock (from In Rhi’s Pantry) and Mint Cakery Michelle Morfett's third annual Christmas dessert collab this Sunday 14th December at Mint Cakery. From 5pm-9pm (or until sold out), get your treats sorted for the festive season with their range of packaged sweets—then stay for all scorched almond lamingtons, gingerbread trifle, limoncello tiramisu and classic pavs (to name a few in the festive Christmas dessert line-up).

Stay Hydrated With This New Five Electrolyte Drink For The Silly Season

Image credit: Bodyarmor Lyte | Supplied 

For those who spotted the holographic walk-in chiller pop-up in Tāmaki Makaurau last month, Bodyarmor Lyte has entered the hydration drinks chat. Right in time for the silly season, this drink is designed to support hydration during busy, high-energy moments from long days through to late nights. With the busy summer season in full swing, make sure you stay ultra-hydrated via Bodyarmor Lyte (with strawberry, watermelon or grape natural flavours). Available at all major retailers across the country.

This Beachside Restaurant Has Opened For Summer 

Image credit: Aryeh | Supplied (Photography by Babiche Martens)

Aryeh has opened for their third summer season, with summer hours and menus for 2026 now live. They’ve also got their special sundeck menu for that perfect post-beach nibble and drink at sunset. If you haven’t had their crisp, melt-in-mouth, tallow-fried, beer-battered FNC or their 'Story of New Zealand Cuisine' tasting menu—then head to Piha, stat.

Cloudy Bay Has Released Their 2025 Flagship Sauvignon Blanc 

Image credit: Chef Ben Bayly with Cloudy Bay | Supplied

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Cloudy Bay has been an Aotearoa signature for over 40 years. Winemaker Nikolai St. George describes the latest vintage as full of peach, elderflower, makrut lime and freshly squeezed lemon aromas, reminiscent of a cool and salty sea breeze. To celebrate this summer sip, Chef Ben Bayly has recommended pairing it with fresh kaimoana—from fish straight from the grill to fresh scallops—it’s the wine of New Zealand summer. Even better, make your way to Saku at Cloudy Bay in Marlborough and try it straight from the cellar door followed with a kaimoana feast (they recommend it with the ebi tempura). You can thank me later. 

Check Out This New Neighbourhood Pub And Dining Spot In A Heritage Fire Station

Image credit: Grey Lynn Firehouse | Supplied

Grey Lynn Firehouse is the newest neighbourhood local from hospitality duo Luke Jones and Dave Lincoln, founders of Honest, Normal Taps and Roundhouse Drinks Dept. Located in the old fire station, this heritage-listed building has all the classic charms of the go-to pub (tap beers, chicken parma and Sunday Roasts, anyone?) as well as a refined dining room upstairs (led by Chef Kererū Wilson) and a rooftop deck—the perfect setting with a Roundhouse cocktail in hand.

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). 

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. 

Head To This Magical Chocolate Window

Image credit: Whittaker's | Vicki Young

The Whittaker's Christmas Window is officially open (from 6-22 December) on 188 Ponsonby Road in Tāmaki Makaurau. With a peek behind the scenes at a whimsical Chocolate Pod factory created by Whittaker's and a creative collective of talented people (Think Packaging, AO Studios, Watermark Creative, Bootleg Design and Bastion Shine), step into a moment of Christmas wonder with the paper creation of Whittaker's Chocolate Pods coming to life. Pop by on your walk through to the Franklin Christmas lights, and pick up a few treats of your own while you're there.

A Cute New Bar Called Kisi 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. 

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

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Main Image Credit: Queens Rooftop & Wineshop | Supplied