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).
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This Legendary Pōneke Chef Is Reviving His Signature Dishes In Tāmaki Makaurau
Image credit: SO/ Auckland | Supplied
Chef Rex Morgan and SO/ Auckland are bringing iconic Wellington restaurant CITRON back to life in a three day pop-up this Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th September, at SO/‘s Harbour Society in Tāmaki Makaurau. Expect revivals of CITRON classics like the maple smoked duck—the very first menu item from CITRON’s opening day, alongside Māori-inspired flavours like Chef Rex’s horopito and mint lamb rack and other menu items like sweet pea panna cotta, grilled Denver venison with marinated dates, Caesar soup shots and smoked kahawai croquettes to give a sneak peek at what guests can expect (from à la carte or trust the chef style menu with wine match). Grab your seat at this exclusive takeover here.
Celebrate Mid-Autumn Moon Festival At This Street Festival
Image credit: Auckland Moon Festival | Instagram
The 2025 Auckland Moon Festival is back from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September, and bigger than ever. With Dominion Road closing for the event (as well as five surrounding streets), and Balmoral area will be a dedicated food precinct with over 100 local Dominion Road businesses and over 120 stalls confirmed—get ready for the biggest Mid-Autumn festival experience yet. Don't forget to celebrate the essence of the festival with a traditional (or not-so-traditional) mooncake with the family while watching the moonlit skies (we're eyeing up a red bean number).
Level Up Your Pasta Game To Nonna Level With This Masterclass
Image credit: Bar Albert / voco Auckland | Supplied
Channel your inner nonna with Executive Chef Daniel this Sunday 28th September—with an intimate 3 hour masterclass held at Level 38, Bar Albert, voco Auckland. Guests will be treated to champagne on arrival with a glass of wine during class (non-alcoholic options also available) and nibble on a gourmet antipasto platter, while learning the art of ricotta gnocchi, ravioli and fettuccine. Guests also leave with their very own pasta machine to take home, and a $35 Mozzarella & Co. voucher so you can recreate all the recipes for friends and family. Tickets are $250.00 per person and the masterclass is limited to only 7 guests—book your spot, stat.
This Street Food Market In The Carpark Is Back For Spring
Image credit: Balmoral Street Food Market | Supplied
In case you didn’t notice, Spring is in the air and the nights are lighter which means Balmoral Street Food is back at the Junk & Disorderly Carpark this Friday 26th September. We’ve got word that you can get your hands on fried chicken, Tunisian street eats (like Sidi Bou’s crispy deep fried brika), delicious dosas, a very essential consommé-dipped taco from Tacos El Carnal, then finish your feast with a pistachio cream puff from Toro Cream Puff (or any other flavour, we love them all). If you see Mumma Bears, make sure you get the lamb kofta in their homemade pide as well—and help yourself to the whole pickled chilli from the jar (you can thank us later). Jump into their socials for the full line-up coming this week.
The Biggest Festival Celebrating All Things Chocolate And Coffee Is Here
Image credit: Baron Hasselhoff’s | Instagram
Caffeine and cacao nerds, assemble. Get ready for a weekend with quite possibly the best combo ever at Tāmaki’s Viaduct Events Centre. With more chocolate and coffee beans than you can shake your coffee cup at, prepare your tastebuds for a weekend of masterclasses—from perfecting the art of espresso to nibbling on couverture chocolate bon bons. Chat to over 50 passionate coffee and chocolate makers, bakers and shakers and taste your way around the festival. If you spot Baron Hasselhoff’s from Pōneke, make sure you grab yourself a pack of Pirate Marys, a.k.a. their premium hand-dipped, chocolate-coated rosemary caramels with sea salt. Grab your tickets online.
Head To This Cosy Cafe For A One-Day Only Pop-Up This Sunday
Image credit: Vicki Young | Supplied originals
Make Parable House your Sunday brunch session this weekend, with Kier Reyes Ibañez (Long Table Pop-Up) and Kenji Yoshitsuka (Advieh) teaming up for a special one-day pop-up event this Sunday 28th September. We’re here for all the leek and fennel raviolo (sitting in Beurre Blanc and spring onion oil), egg longanisa rolls and something sweet from Chef Kenji (you had me at raspberry rhubarb frangipane tart with whipped mascarpone). Head on over for a coffee and kai—you can check out the full line-up there with pay on consumption (and yes, we can confirm it is absolutely delicious).
Add This Vibrant Daschund-Inspired Bubbly To Your Next Sip List
Image credit: Swift Wines NZ | Supplied
I first discovered Swift Wines on my visit to The Chef’s Table at Blue Duck Station earlier this year, where Sommelier Clover poured us a glass of the Marceline bubbly—it was the first drink that set the scene, and made quite the impression on what would be a very memorable degustation dinner that night. Named after their very excitable sausage dog Marceline, I’ve been trying to find it in Tāmaki Makaurau since my Ruapehu adventures. After spotting it at truth/dare months later, I found out Lauren and Henry from Swift were also working on another bubbly number—a sparkling Albariño called Pipi (named after their other sausage dog). I’ve had a sip and can confirm it’s zesty and ready for Spring—launching this October 1st. Sign up to their mailing list to be in the know on where you can get your glass of sunshine.
Bitter & Twisted: A Month-Long Negroni Festival At Rooftop At QT
Image Credit: Bitter & Twisted | QT
If your love language is Campari, you’ll want to clear your September calendar. Rooftop at QT is hosting 'Bitter and Twisted'—a whole month dedicated to the world’s most iconic red-hued cocktail.
Running from 3–30 September (with World Negroni Week front and centre, from 22–28 September), expect a menu of bold new takes that turn the classic on its head—plus a 'Trio Tasting Flight' if you can’t pick just one.
The drama peaks with the 'Twist of Fate' negroni ($28): a tableside tarot card reading that lets destiny decide your drink. And if Fridays are more your vibe, Rooftop at QT will slip into something vermilion from 8–10pm with 'Friday Soiree'—think red lights, $16 Negronis and complimentary fries for the first half-hour. Whether you’re a purist or a thrill-seeker, this is your sign to revel in the red.
Roll’d Brings Fresh Vietnamese Street Eats To Aotearoa (And Free Food To Sylvia Park)
Image Credit: Roll’d | Website
Phở fans, your cravings just got a serious upgrade. Roll’d—the cult-fave Vietnamese street food chain with over 125 stores in Australia—has finally landed in Aotearoa, opening its very first spot at Sylvia Park on Friday 19 September.
To celebrate, they’re serving up a 'Free Food Day' you’ll want to mark in your calendar: grab a free Bun Bowl between 11am–2pm, then come back for a free Phở from 5–8pm. On Saturday 20 September, the full Roll'd menu launches with everything from phở to bánh mì to their famous fresh rolls.
Founded in Melbourne back in 2012, Roll’d has built its name on authentic family recipes made fresh to order—think steaming bowls of phở, crunchy bánh mì, zingy gỏi and those famous fresh rolls. The Sylvia Park store seats 40 for dine-in, with more Auckland spots (including Westfield St Lukes and the airport) set to open soon. We'll keep you updated here first, as always.
Negroni Week Is Back—Here’s Where To Sip, Feast And Celebrate In Style This September
Image credit: Urban List NZ | Supplied
Negroni lovers rejoice, because your favourite crimson-hued cocktail is about to own the spotlight with the long-awaited return of NZ’s Negroni Week. Taking place 22–28 September, the experts at Campari are rallying your favourite bars and restaurants to join them for a week-long celebration of the world’s most stylish sip.
Whether it is Soul Bar going full rouge with a “Soul Goes Red” takeover, or Bar Albert dialling up the drama with a Negroni Lounge and bespoke window installation, expect everything from bold reinventions to playful one-night-only events. Beyond the bar, prepare to indulge in tastings, epic collabs between the likes of Deadshot and Dee’s Place, bartender masterclasses and plenty of behind-the-scenes recipes and stories popping up online. If that isn’t the perfect excuse to raise a glass (or three), we don’t know what is.
Get Your Reo Māori Edition Of Crunchy Peanut Butter For Breakfast
Image credit: Pics Peanut Butter | Supplied
This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (15–22 September), Pic’s Peanut Butter is bringing back te reo to the breakfast table with the return of Pic’s Pata Pīnati Kakukaku—the reo Māori edition of its classic Crunchy Peanut Butter. First launched in 2018, this year’s run is the biggest yet and available at supermarkets nationwide for September (RRP $7.50, 380g). It’s more than just peanut butter on toast—the jar is designed to spark kōrero in the kitchen and help make te reo a natural part of daily life.
To celebrate, foodie and author Naomi Toilalo from WhānauKai has created two delicious recipes, with a Wītipīki (Weetbix) remix, ft. Keke Papatahi Wītipīki me te Pata Pīnati (Weetbix & Peanut Butter Slice) and Te Keke Kakukaku (Crunch Slice). Reka!
Grey Lynn Has Just Scored A Lush New Deli, Bakery and Wine Bar
Image credit: Mother | Instagram
We’ve got the word that Mother, a modern neighbourhood deli and bakery by day—and soon to be wine bar by night—is officially opening in Grey Lynn, Tāmaki Makaurau on Tuesday 9th September. With some well-known hospitality names from Honey Bones, Hotel Ponsonby, Lillian behind this swoon-worthy spot, we know it's going to be good. Think open kitchen, fresh pastries (they quietly opened the doors for a soft opening the week prior) and a beautiful lush fitout—with all the delicious chocolate tones and textures. Make this your next cosy spot for coffee and pastries all day (and soon-to-be-supper and wine haunt at night).
Pinkies Up, This Cafe Known For Their Cinnamon Buns Has Launched Next Level High Tea
Image credit: Farm House Cafe | Supplied (Red Photography)
If you’ve mished it to the stunning grounds of Hill House Cafe (or their sister spot Farmhouse Cafe), for a bite of their famous cinnamon-spiced buns, a.k.a. the controversial and delicious sin-in-a-bun (love it), then you’ll know the hype. If you’ve been lucky enough to go to Farmhouse Cafe for their high tea weekends on the beautiful grounds, you’ll also be excited to know that Hill House are now launching High Tea weekends, starting this Saturday 13th September. Note that isn’t just any ordinary three-tiered situation—they’re bringing a trio of scones, sweet and savoury courses, and a house-made gelato or sorbet for a palette cleanser. Along with barista made coffee and bottomless cups of tea, their signature high tea starts at $79.90 per person (plus you can also upgrade to bottomless matcha, Prosecco or champagne if you’re feeling fancy). Get ready for the ultimate weekend treat and make a booking, stat.
Raise Your Glass To Aotearoa’s Award-Winning Brews
Image credit: Remuera New World | Instagram
The 11th 2025 New World Beer & Cider Awards winners were just announced last week and we’re here for all the Kiwi brewing talent. From weird and wonderful scoville-steeped Spicy Pickle Beer from Garage Project, to crisp classics like Lakeman Brewing’s Primate Pilsner (three years running on the list)—an expert panel tasted over 650 entries over three days to make their hard decision of just 25 top picks. Tāmaki Makaurau husband and wife team, Hamish Ward and Caroline Muller-Ward from Isthmus Brewing Company took out this year’s Supreme Champion with their hop-loaded 3D IPA. Think West Coast IPA flavour waves of pine resin, citrus and malty caramel—a definite all-round crowd pleaser from the judging panel. Grab yours from your local or head to Browns Bay Brewing who are now pouring it by the pint.
This Cocktail Bar And Lounge Is Slinging One-Off Brisket Sandos For The Month
Image credit: Little Culprit | Instagram
Get ready for Little Culprit’s “Limp Brizkit,” a.k.a. their Nu-Metal inspired brisket sandwich pop-up this month. The chefs at Culprit will be flexing their sandwich-making skills every Thursday and we’re not talking just any sandwich. From a Kiwi tribute to Montréal smoked meat, cheesy pull-aparts, to Chef Berty’s pastrami made from scratch—plus Glenfiddich cocktails thanks to guest bartender Ryan from Panacea. Word on the street is that Chef-owner Kyle Street has started the sando train with his low and slow brisket brodeo (ft. Skippy onion rings and truffled Brie). Make your way to Little Culprit stat—we’ll be rollin’ there with stretchy pants.
Hungry for more? Check out the hottest new openings you need to know about here.
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Main Image Credit: Swift Wines NZ | Supplied
Hungry? Wash Down Mid-Week Dinner Catchups With These 0% Palomas
Tread carefully with pre-dinner treats. Our tip? Skip the snacks, sip a booze-free bevvy instead.
In partnership with
Ingredients:
60ml grapefruit juice
30ml fresh squeezed lime juice
15ml maple syrup
½ teaspoon non-alcoholic tequila
Pinch of sea salt
100ml Schweppes Classic Soda Water
Salt or Tajin for rim
Method:
Make the rim by pouring a small amount of salt or Tajin on a shallow plate. Run a lime or grapefruit wedge along the outside of the glass and dip the moistened rim into the salt or Tajin and press gently.
Pour the grapefruit juice and lime juice into your shaker. Add the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and a pinch of sea salt, along with 3-4 cubes of ice. Replace the lid and shake for about 15-20 seconds until the shaker is cold and the ingredients are well combined.
Strain over fresh ice into a tumbler and top with Schweppes Classic Soda Water. Garnish and serve.
Keep sipping through the week here.