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).
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Bear Gelato Are Collaborating With Dominion Road Friends On Four Unique New Gelato Flavours
Image credit: Bear Gelato | Supplied
As Aucklanders, we don’t always know how lucky we are to have Dominion Road. Stretching from the city fringe all the way out to Mount Roskill, it’s dotted with incredible eateries all the way down. One of those is Bear Gelato, easily one of the city’s best gelato shops (and this is a town where competition is high). This winter, in an effort to highlight the kitchen talent in the area, they’re pairing up with four of their neighbours at the city end of the street on special edition gelato flavours inspired by the signature dishes at those restaurants. The idea, they say, is to “discover somewhere new for dinner, then wander down the road for dessert.”
Announced today, those four collaborators will be Forest, Ralphs, Famous Eddies and Oohfa. From 7 July until 30 August, each fortnight there will be a new collab, kicking off with Forest (who are no strangers to unique ice cream) and a pairing of frozen treats—goats cheese gelato and pickled rock melon sorbet with a drizzle of fresh dill oil. It’s a good sign of what to expect from these collaborations—that is, the unexpected. We can't wait.
Head To This Aotearoa Craft Chocolate Pop-Up For World Chocolate Day
Image credit: A Bar Apart | Supplied
Chocolate lovers will have the chance to meet the people behind the Aotearoa craft chocolate scene this World Chocolate Day, with 15 makers from across the country coming together for a week-long pop-up at Auckland's Britomart Spacefor Pavilion, from Tuesday 7th to Sunday 12th July.
This pop-up celebrates the launch of A Bar Apart, founded by Luke Owen Smith, a new shared emblem for Aotearoa bean-to-bar chocolate makers that will help chocolate lovers understand where their chocolate comes from and how it’s made. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet makers, enjoy complimentary tastings and learn more about the journey from cacao bean to finished bar with special masterclasses too.
The pop-up will bring together 15 makers from Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Tauranga, Raglan, the Coromandel and Wairarapa, offering a rare opportunity to explore the Aotearoa’s diverse and growing craft chocolate scene in one place. Head to their socials for all the details.
San Ray Is Celebrating Their Second Birthday With A One Night Fiesta
Image credit: San Ray | Supplied
San Ray is celebrating year two on Ponsonby Road, with a one night menu special inspired by their recent Mexican adventures (side note: they also run epic food tours to Mexico) on Tuesday 7th July. Think tortilla soup and their standout chicken barbacoa, flavour-packed tamarillo mole negro and housemade tajín, and buckwheat churros with tequila chocolate sauce to finish. Tickets are $75 per person, join the fiesta here.
Level-Up Your Fried Chicken With Caviar For One Day Only
Image credit: Brewd Hawt Chicken Co. | Supplied
Technically speaking, International Fried Chicken Day is officially today (Monday 6th July), but if you’re feeling like something a bit fancy later in the week—Aari and the team at Brewd Hawt Chicken have got you. They’re offering $10 caviar bumps to their fried chicken for one day only this Wednesday 8th July at their Vikki Lane store. We’re talking caviar chicken tenders, caviar slider trio, fried chicken tacos with caviar—add caviar to any order. There’s champagne, cold beer and cocktails too, so rally the crew for a fancy fried chicken feast with caviar and bubbly (without breaking the bank).
Mānawatia a Matariki—Check Out These Matariki Kai Events
Image credit: Pici | Instagram
This Friday 10th July is officially the Matariki public holiday in Aotearoa this year, marking the Māori New Year—with celebrations across Aotearoa. We’ve rounded up our guide of where to eat this long weekend and what’s on in Tāmaki Makaurau too.
Hāngī Master Rewi Spraggon will be bringing a hāngī-inspired menu to Te Kaahu Pullman Auckland Airport with Exec Chef Nancye Pirini and the team from today, Monday 6th July until Monday 13th July. We’re talking fry bread, whitebait fritters, and the Hāngī Master hāngī short-rib with watercress chimichurri, plus burnt sugar steamed pud with cashew nut brittle and anglaise to finish, on their $85 per person set menu. Book here.
Head to Karangahape Road ahead of the Matariki holiday, on Thursday 9th July, for Pici’s free boil up at St Kevin’s Arcade entrance from 4pm. They’ll also be hosting their annual Matariki Hākari from 5pm (the latter, ticketed at $80 per person). Their hākari features creamed pāua spagatini, and tītī tortellini to name a few things that caught our eye on the five course sharing set menu), feast your way through the city before checking out the gigs along Karangahape Road.
On the official Matariki holiday, check out Onemata’s special Matariki five course menu—featuring a kaimoana feast with creamed pāua with fry bread, clam chowder and market fish with mussels to name a standout few on the menu. Tickets are $98 per person, book your seat here.
Solera Is Running A Month-Long Spanish Dinner Series
Image credit: Solera | Supplied
This July, Solera is running A Taste of Spain—a month-long celebration of Spanish food, wine and culture at the Bay of Plenty's only two-hatted restaurant, from today 6th July, to 2nd August. The month-long pop-up will feature a dedicated Spanish-inspired Chef's Menu on Friday nights (with the optional add on of a dedicated Spanish Wine Experience), and a series of Pintxo afternoons on Saturdays that share bites influenced by the country's regional flavours and traditions. Expect bold flavours like Solera house-made Morcilla sausages, Iberico ham, Spanish omelette and salted cod croquettes, with pintxo and tapas aplenty. Head to the Bay of Plenty this month, and transport yourself to this summery culinary snapshot of Spain this winter. Book here.
Head To Waiheke Island This Weekend To Meet Boutique Wine Makers
Image credit: Waiheke Distilling Co. | Vicki Young
Waiheke Distilling Co. are hosting a special Meet The Makers event this Saturday 11th July, from 1-3pm featuring four of the island’s boutique producers that you may not know about. Enjoy complimentary tastings and chats with the people behind the labels Kauaroa Bay (family-run vineyard from Waiheke’s western coastline), Māwhitipana Ridge Estate above Palm Beach (revived from an almost-forgotten vineyard we hear), Woodside Hill (a small family-owned vineyard surrounded by protected native bush) and Tūāpae (the vision of Vanessa and Luke, shaped by Vanessa’s connection to the whenua and moana through Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki). Make a weekend of it with our Waiheke guide here, as well as other Waiheke wineries (distilleries and breweries) to also check out along the way.
Bowler Has Opened Their Third Site In Takapuna
Image credit: Bowler | Instagram
Everybody's favourite lunchtime staple has officially opened their third site in Takapuna. Following on from the success of the Wynyard Quarter and Victoria Street locations, Bowler has taken a trip across the bridge to Hurstmere Road, bringing their cult-favourite salads to the shore. Grab a number two with beef brisket and a broth to go and head down to the beach to make the most of this incredible winter weather. You can order through their website now.
MICHELIN New Zealand Has Announced Their First Restaurant Selection, MICHELIN Stars, And Special Awards
Image credit: MICHELIN | Supplied
It’s been a long time coming—since their announcement last year, the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Ceremony New Zealand 2026 took place last Tuesday 30th June at the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Aotearoa is MICHELIN’s first-ever destination in Oceania (as well as the furthest the Guide has ever travelled to), highlighting Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown for the initial selection.
The ceremony saw industry leaders, media, chefs, restauranteurs, local and global partners flying to Tāmaki Makaurau for the event, as well as internationally acclaimed chefs from the MICHELIN Guide community attending (including Chef Nobu Lee of NOBUO joining the evening), and an incredible celebration of Aotearoa kai after the ceremony too. The ceremony revealed their first Aotearoa restaurant selection, MICHELIN stars (one and two stars were awarded, pictured above), Bib Gourmand, Selected distinctions and special individual awards (Mindful Voices, MICHELIN Guide Young Chef, Service and Sommelier Awards) celebrating Aotearoa talent and leadership in hospitality. Read all about the ceremony and awards here.
Check Out These Dry July Mocktails To Support Kiwis With Cancer
Image credit: Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic | Supplied
In it’s fifth year, Lyre's Non-Alcoholic has partnered with the Dry July Foundation, bringing back ‘Cocktails for a Cause’ menus across Aotearoa to raise funds for Kiwis affected by cancer. Order a Lyre's non-alcoholic cocktail at any participating venue throughout July, and $1 goes directly to the Dry July Foundation. This year, Dry July is supporting Cancer Support NZ(home of Look Good Feel Better), Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation (PINC & STEEL) and Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ.
For those in Tāmaki Makaurau, Gilt, Juno Ponsonby, Nightcar, Onslow and Soul Bar & Bistro will be participating this month, as well as the Intercontinental (as well as Intercontinental Pōneke), and Sugo in Tauranga.
Fire Up The Sandwich Press—The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover Is Back
Image credit: Burgernaut/Ubernaut Morningside | Supplied
The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover, created by Cook & Nelson and McClure’s Pickles, is New Zealand’s biggest celebration of comfort food, with 2026 marking its 9th year. Starting on Wednesday 24 June (til 5 August), participating cafés, restaurants, bars, food trucks and pop-ups around the country will put their best toastie forward in a nationwide celebration of the humble toasted sandwich. There will be over 150 sandwich presses and grills firing up across the country—check out the full toastie line-up here.
This Northern Thai Restaurant From Pōneke Is Running Their First Tāmaki Makaurau Pop-Up
Image credit: Khao Soi x SO/ Auckland | Supplied
Change up your lunchtime routine with Khao Soi’s lunchtime pop-up at SO/ Auckland’s corner cafe Javalab. Having expanded to their new venture Khao Soi in Pōneke last January (after three years at the popular Yor Yak Thai Eatery in Pōneke), Alicha and Mon have also brought Khao Soi to Tāmaki Makaurau too with their second site in Remuera earlier this year.
Named after Alicha’s Northern Thai roots, Khao Soi is a unique curry soup from Northern Thai, which happens to be their signature item based on their family-secret recipe—which will also be on offer at the Javalab pop-up (which kicked off last Thursday). Choose from the signature Khao Soi coconut curry noodle soup or their saucy, pan-tossed noodles, with your choice of protein (we recommend the crispy chicken) for $25 each, along with with their signature drinks like the fragrant Khao Soi Signature Thai Tea ($12 each). Better yet, the pop-up is offering a lunch special, with any Khao Soi Bowl and any drink for $32.
The pop-up will run on weekdays from 11.30am-2pm, or until sold out. Walk-in’s only—get there early for your Khao Soi noodle soup fix.
Aotearoa’s Biggest Food Festival Is Back—Get Ready For International Guest Chefs And Local Collabs, Burgers And More
Image credit: Visa Wellington On A Plate 2026 | Supplied (Rodney Scott from Charleston | Photography by Angie Mosier)
The programme is officially live for Visa Wellington On A Plate 2026, and we’re drooling over all the burgers (yes, all 240+ of them), events (with Tāmaki Makaurau faves hitting the capital plus international guests George Motz headlining burger culture and Pitmaster Rodney Scott with his iconic whole-hog barbecue), and craft beer heaven a.k.a. Beervana at Hnry Stadium. With the festival kicking off in just less than two months time, keep up to date with all the key dates here. In the meantime, drool with us as we choose our picks from the festival here.
Update: The Visa Presale has already been and gone, and general release tickets to the public have now opened as of Monday 29th June.
We’re Excited For Cassia’s Restaurant Residency in Grey Lynn Ahead Of Their City Opening
Image credit: Cassia x Ozone Grey Lynn | Supplied (Photography by Sahil Patel)
Award-winning modern Indian restaurant Cassia has entered an exciting new chapter, with restaurateurs Sid Sahrawat and Chand Sahrawat announcing a new Grey Lynn residency at Ozone Grey Lynn, ahead of the re-opening of Cassia’s new forever home on Albert Street (in Auckland’s CBD). From Wednesday 17th June to 15th August, diners will be able to experience a special Cassia and Ozone residency menu while their flagship restaurant is being completed. It’s a full-circle moment for Ozone Head Chef Karol Troncoso, who previously worked at Cassia and is now back in the kitchen alongside Sid, Cassia Head Chef Ketan Joshi and the team.
Along with a special tandoor, new menu highlights feature Delhi style butter chicken, alongside fan faves such as pani puri and their famous Mughlai lamb chops (pictured above, as the cover image). Plus, they had me at Moreton Bay toast and ghee lamb sausage rolls too. Save room for dessert: there’s lychee and yoghurt sorbet, and a decadent chocolate kulfi featuring cumin caramel and Ozone’s coffee ganache—this residency is definitely not one to miss.
The residency runs on Wednesdays to Sundays, from 5pm to late (and we hear there’s an Ozone lunch special on the menu with Cassia chicken kebab during the day too, plus great coffee). Walk-in’s welcome, but book to make sure you definitely have your seat here.
Truffle Season Is Here—Tāmaki Makaurau Has All The Truffle-Infused Dishes From Breakfast To Dinner
Image credit: Bar Albert’s Truffle Cocktail | Supplied
While the winter weather is coming in brisk and cold, let truffle season be the answer to go out and treat yourself to something decadent. From fresh NZ truffle on hollandaise over poached eggs with culatello at Duo to start the day (only available for a limited time on their specials board), truffle-laden pizza for lunch at Mozzarella & Co., and then for dinner—freshly-shaved truffle added on to any dish at Bossi. Finish back at Duo with their truffle-infused and truffle-topped tiramisu—back on for another season.
Round off the night with a truffle-infused vodka cocktail overlooking the city at Bar Albert. Plus, Bar Albert has an exclusive single-serve whole-baked truffle camembert from Over the Moon Dairy that’s just arrived on the menu (think oozing cheese and truffle, with pretzel sticks). Get a taste of ‘black gold’ from the South Island while you can these next few months (a.k.a. Black Périgord truffles—incredibly fragrant, and one of my faves).
Hungry for more? Check out the hottest new openings you need to know about here.
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Main Image Credit: Hāngī Master x Te Kaahu Pullman Auckland Airport | Supplied