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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Experience This North To South Thailand Pop-Up For One Week Only

Image credit: Saan x Lek | Supplied

Perch in Tāmaki Makaurau may have sadly closed their doors last week, but there’s a special week-long pop-up happening in the space from tomorrow, Tuesday 24th February. Executive Chef Wichian ‘Lek’ Trirattanavatin returns from Bangkok for one week only to bring back crowd-fave flavours from Saan (which used to be part of the food scene along Ponsonby Road). The chef behind Saan’s most-loved Thai dishes is bringing a North-to-South Thailand menu, alongside Saan faves like the award-winning soft shell crab of 2019. Since Saan, Lek has been Chef de Cuisine at Pra Nakhon at Capella Bangkok, and now the Group Executive Chef for Jim Thompson Company. Signature Saan cocktails are also making a comeback—Tom Yum Martini, anyone? Book for a three course lunch for $65, five course dinner for $95, or email to check if there are additional seats available on sold-out sessions. 

Head To This Modern Korean-Fusion Restaurant In Ōtautahi For Kimchi And Wine Night

Image credit: Brewda | Vicki Young

From tteokbokki gnocchi with fried cheesy goodness, bulgogi-inspired skirt beef with roast onion purée, and a refreshing oi kimchi (cucumber kimchi) of the day—those are the flavours I vividly recall from my recent visit to Brewda, Ōtautahi’s modern Korean-inspired restaurant, earlier this month. Those in the neighbourhood this week—make sure you head to their Kimchi and Wine night with Marlborough’s Dog Point Vineyard this Wednesday 25th February, with the winemakers coming to Brewda for one night only, and bringing some special vintages. Expect a specially curated tasting menu featuring kimchi over five courses and pairing from Dog Point Wine for $140 per person. Book your seat here. 

Prepare For Pistachio Overload With This Viral Pistachio Spread And Iconic Doughnut Collab 

Image credit: Pistachio Papi x Krispy Kreme | Supplied

What began as a limited menu drop has now made its permanent fixture on Krispy Kreme’s menu. Krispy Kreme has reintroduced their Pistachio Overload range as of today—with a creamy pistachio mousse, dipped in silky Pistachio Papi spread, and now topped with candied pistachio. They’re currently running a deal (until Thursday 26th February) with free OG glazed dozen along with Pistachio Overload dozen (which are priced at $37.90 per dozen). Jump online for all the deets. 

Get Free Ice Cream At The Barbie Dream Days Ice Cream Parlour This Weekend 

Image credit: Barbie x Duck Island | Supplied

Barbie is coming to Aotearoa, taking over 57 Tyler Street, Britomart in Tāmaki Makaurau from Friday 27th February to Sunday 1st March with a three-day Dream Days Ice Cream Parlour. Created by Mattel Inc. in collaboration with Duck Island, this free public event will be serving free scoops of a limited-edition flavour made just for the parlour pop-up called Barbie Dream Days Delight—pastel pink ice cream with vanilla birthday cake pieces complete with Barbie sprinkles, edible glitter, and a jammy strawberry swirl. There will be up to 600 free scoops each day, as well as surprise scoops revealing Barbie prizes and additional Barbie prizes to be won. The pop-up parlour will run from 10am-3pm daily, with a Barbiecore™ takeover—think Barbie pink wonderland inspired by a traditional ice cream parlour, along with an interactive Dream Wall for photo ops too. 

Get Set For A Wine Festival In The Sculpture Gardens At Matakana

Image credit: Into The Vines x Rothko | Supplied

Head To Matakana this Saturday 28th February for Into The Vines—an event held at Sculptureum in Matakana for the first time ever. Expect local Matakana food trucks parked up in a dedicated Food and Drink Village in Sculptureum. From freshly shucked-to-order Mahurangi Oysters, bubbling and blistered woodfired pizzas from Italian in the Village, Cream Ice Cream’s chocolate-covered strawberries, vegan cheeses from Savour (big fans of the chipotle and cashew number), Bon Appétit Creperie, carne asada and tacos from woodfired Mexican grill experts El Habanero Asada, to finger food from Rothko’s food truck. Rothko are also offering a bespoke VIP service for VIP ticket providers too, complete with local wine matches over incredible small bites like their chilli crab and corn chawanmushi, beef tartare pie tie, and pork hock croquettes (we’re drooling already). 10 of Matakana’s finest wineries will all be there, along with a pop-up bubbles bar too. Dance to local DJ sets, Cam and Sam’s duelling pianos and live band Sola Rosa with WALLACE in the stunning Sculptureum gardens. Families are welcome and kids tickets are available too—jump online for all the event and transport info here. 

Live Your High Tea Era With This Elegant Offering Back For 2026

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.

This Popular Banana Caramel Chocolate Is Back After Selling Out Last Year 

Image credit: Whittaker’s | Supplied

Whittaker’s is excited to bring back its limited-edition Banana Caramel 250g block, which sold-out in record time when first released mid-last year. With a rich and velvety smooth banana-infused caramel filling encased in Whittaker’s 33% cocoa five-roll refined Creamy Milk chocolate—get this limited-edition chocolate before it sells out again. Enjoy as is, or my personal fave—adding Banana Caramel pieces into banana bread mix for a next-level banana bake.

Ring In Lunar New Year With This Six-Course Chinese-Inspired Culinary Feast

Image credit: Lee Kum Kee x Onemata at Park Hyatt Auckland | Supplied

For the month of February, Onemata at Park Hyatt Auckland in partnership with Lee Kum Kee will be serving a six-course Chinese-inspired culinary celebration each evening. With a tasting menu curated by Executive Chef Brent Martin, expect all the aromatic Cantonese flavours from Lee Kum Kee’s sauce range, alongside all the colours and textures found across Chinese cuisines. From hoisin-dipped mantou (bao), braised paua with chilli crème on fry bread, a vibrant yee sang (prosperity salad) toss, to that Lee Kum Kee black pepper sauce on braised beef with wok-fried beans (a personal LKK condiment fave). Experience the menu for $128 per person from 2nd to 28th February by booking online here. 

Usher In The Year Of The Horse With Hennessy’s Huami Takeover

Image credit: Hennessy x Huami | Supplied 

From Tuesday 17th February, Hennessy is taking over Huami at Skycity Auckland for 17 days with a special Year of The Horse set menu, paired with bespoke Hennessy cocktails. Get ready for the Huami signature wood-fired roasted duck, along with deep-fried soft shell crab, Sichuan-style beef tenderloin, sweet and sour prawns, and seafood XO fried rice. Don’t forget to ring in prosperity with a light citrus dessert to finish. Set menus start from an auspicious $88 for two courses, or $129 for three-course private dining experience. Book here. 

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. 

Head To This Lunar New Year High Tea With Waterfront Views

Image credit: The Living Room at Park Hyatt | Supplied

Chinese-inspired savoury and sweet treats await at Park Hyatt’s The Living Room for Lunar New Year this year. Along with a complimentary mocktail on arrival and lucky red envelopes, the menu features brioche with chestnut and Sichuan Pepper to start, followed by steamers of various dumplings and duck pancakes. Move onto sweets like black sesame roulade with passionfruit and caramel, choux with compressed honeydrew, lychee confit and berries—just to name a few of the treats expected in their four course menu. Tickets are $80 per person and the high tea runs from 12th February to 3rd March (on Thursdays to Sundays, 12pm-3.30pm). 

Summer’s Here With A Standout Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 

Image credit: Hunter’s Wines | Supplied 

Universally loved for its signature crisp acidity and expressive fruit profile, Sauvignon Blanc is the ultimate wine for Aotearoa summer. The Hunter’s Estate Range that put Marlborough on the world wine map has just released their 2025 vintage—with that refreshing signature Marlborough passionfruit and citrus profile, it’s the go-to wine for hot summer days like this. Goes deliciously with creamy burrata, sweet nectarines, prosciutto and a touch of flaky sea salt (Insider intel: You can try this exact pairing on Bon Pinard’s latest menu, paired with this glass of sunshine).

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. 

Get Ready For Margarita Month And A Chance To Win A Trip To Mexico

Image credit: Rosie’s Red Hot Cantina Takapuna | Supplied

February is officially Margarita month and Rosie’s Red Hot Cantina is putting on a month-long fiesta across Tāmaki Makaurau, Mount Maunganui and Te Whanganui-a-Tara venues. From mango and chamoy, a crème de cassis ‘Berry Nice’ marg, to watermelon and lime with spicy tabasco—there’s a marg for every occasion (and all from $12). Jump online to check out the full marg line-up across Star Group venues, special events running during this month, plus the chance to win a trip to Mexico.

Cook Locally-Made Pasta With Aotearoa Grains This Year

Image credit: Monty & Sons | Supplied

Make it your (Lunar) New Year’s resolution to shop and support more locally this year. Monty & Sons are making pasta from 100% New Zealand-grown regenerative durum wheat from the Wairarapa. Using bronze-cut and slow-dried pasta making techniques, where their dough is pressed through bronze dies to get that rough surface for the sauce to stick to better, and then air-dried for 12-24 hours—this not only protects the grain’s nutrients making it nutritious, but gives flavour to the dough. Their packaging is plastic-free too—with the only plastic being the pallet-wrap made with recycled ocean waste. They’re supporting regenerative farming practices, reducing waste and building a better local food system. Their dried 500g pasta packs launched recently, both online and at select retailers (Farro, Moore Wilsons, Commonsense Organics and GoodFor) and through subscription services (like Wonky Box). 

Join This Local Foody Tour For A Walking Food Adventure

Image credit: The Big Foody at San Ray | Supplied (Photography by Babiche Martens)

A tour over a year in the making has landed on Ponsonby Road in Tāmaki Makaurau. 'Walk. Talk. Eat. Repeat. Ponsonby Road Food Tour' is operated by Elle Armon Jones (a.k.a. The Big Foody, who organises food tours in Tāmaki Makaurau, Pōneke and Ōtepoti), expect tastings along the best of Ponsonby’s food scene—from artisan ice cream tastings, Italian flavours, Asian-inspired bites, to the Ponsonby classics, stories from those behind the dishes, plus a bespoke bean-to-bar craft chocolate tasting at Miann. Tours are priced at $225 per person. Head to the website for all the deets and to find the next tour to book yourself into. 

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. 

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Main Image Credit: Saan x Lek | Supplied