There’s certainly no shortage of mouth-watering restaurants outside of Auckland, and this poses a delicious problem: where do you eat when you’re surrounded by choices? To help narrow down the options, we’ve partnered with Now Book It to highlight places worthy of a cross-country trip—from generous servings of tender lamb shoulder in Christchurch to buttery cauliflower ravioli in Tauranga.
Palate
Hamilton Central, Hamilton
The minds behind Palate clearly had the same thought as a lot of us: onion rings deserve more attention. You can find the flavoursome battered bites paired with crispy potatoes and a rich bearnaise sauce when you order the steakhouse haku kingfish, just one of the dishes included in the tantalising à la carte menu. Savour the kingfish in the beating heart of Hamilton and reminisce about the journey you took to get there.
Embra
Taupo
The spices that give eggnog its signature taste are a combination sorely underrepresented south of the hemisphere, so Embra should be a guaranteed stop on your trip. Featuring a persimmon pithivier with eggnog ice cream that might be the first of its kind, the sweet pie-like dessert is just one of many sweet and savoury creative concoctions that make this Taupo-based eatery one of a kind. Its unassuming veneer just adds to the uniqueness of it all.
Fife Lane
Tauranga
Visiting a steakhouse on a road trip is a tradition as old as time. When you find yourself in the coastal city of Tauranga, Fife Lane will be the place to refuel and relax as you indulge in Greenstone Creek scotch fillet served with kumara purée and pinot jus. For a vegetarian option, the roasted eggplant seasoned to perfection and topped with tzatziki will be a feed to write home about. Don't skip dessert, we recommend the citrus cheesecake. The team at Fife Lane have been perfecting their menu since 2019, so what you’re eating will be five years of fine-tuning in the making.
Fratelli
Te Aro, Wellington
Welcome to Fratelli, where the sheer amount of gnocchi and cheese will lull you into a euphoric food coma. Tucked away on Blair Street, this familial food joint prides itself on serving up 100% homemade pasta and pizza, topped with the freshest of produce Wellington can provide. To fully transport yourself to Italy, opt for the set three-course meal with the likes of tagliatelle con polpette, traditional bruschetta and wood-fired diavola pizza for those partial to a bit of spice.
Koji
Mount Victoria, Wellington
You’re in good hands with chef and owner Johnon MacDonald, who has meticulously crafted the entire dining experience at Koji. The team takes classic Asian flavours and gived them a playful twist, all done using the finest local kai. Expect to encounter Korean BBQ beef toast with duck fat bechamel and Szechuan pickle, tom yum butter crayfish, yellow beef curry doughnut with kewpie mayo glaze and—because they're being extra kind to us—a second doughnut for dessert (this time around, a red date number laced with coconut miso butterscotch and yuzu). These are some pretty impressive credentials, even before you throw their generous plant-based options and thrifty nine-dish chef's menu into the mix.
Noble Rot
Te Aro, Wellington
While Noble Rot may specialise in wine and even deliver a personally curated case to your door if you please, its selection of canapés and mains deserve a trip to the venue all on its own. The majestic interior of Noble Rot sees a rotation of patrons fiending for tiger prawn cakes topped with basil, chilli and an otherworldly saffron mayonnaise, or a smoked salmon blini with a comfortably tart lemon crème fraîche and a sprinkle of chives. If you carefully time the trip to Noble Rot, you can make a day of it and visit the nearby Te Papa Tongarewa Museum before your booking.
5th Street
Sydenham, Christchurch
Load your friends in the car for the ultimate roadie, and keep the pedal to the floor until you reach 5th Street, a shared plate paradise that can briefly be mistaken for a greenhouse with its enviable collection of indoor plants. Once you’re seated, it’s time to discuss the menu. Ideal for groups of friends who love to pick at each other’s meals (or the solo food tourist with an insatiable appetite), choose between a variety of small, medium and large dishes to share family-style. Think marinated Sicilian olives swimming in a brine of Chardonnay, fennel and chilli, triple-cooked potatoes dripping in roasted garlic verde and aioli, and a grilled ribeye steak topped with punchy horseradish, charred onion and black garlic for some depth.
Londo
Merivale, Christchurch
Less than a 10-minute drive from 5th Street lies Londo, a lovely little wine bar that epitomises a friendly, warm hug. Whether you’re there for a light snack and a glass of vino, or you want something a touch more substantial, there are options galore as you enter the local hot spot. Asparagus spears draped in salty lardo and a drizzle of elderflower vinaigrette are the perfect accompaniment to a glass of vintage Champagne, or share a bottle of red over a creamy serving of saffron pappardelle. That’s an evening well spent.
Everyone needs to eat, so why not make it special every once in a while? Head to Now Book It and make a swift reservation at your future favourite restaurant.
Editor's note: this article was produced in partnership with Now Book It. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image credit: 5th Street, Embra and Fife Lane