Food and Drink

Restaurants

11 Of Auckland’s Best Private Dining Rooms

Private dining is the ultimate fantasy—home-style dining (if your home’s hella plush) surrounded by all your favourite people, where tastebud tantalising dishes materialise in front of you, care of a top-tier chef. If I’m dreaming don’t wake me up.

Cafes

The Best Breakfasts In Auckland And Where To Find Them

Fear not, breakfast-lover—you’re about to have the ultimate list of the best breakfasts in Auckland right at your fingertips.

Food & Drink

The Best Restaurants In Christchurch To Eat Your Way Around In 2025

Wondering where to eat in Christchurch? The Garden City has so many choice restaurants popping up all over the place that it can be hard to keep track, so let us make life a whole lot easier with this invaluable list.

Food & Drink

The Best Restaurants In Queenstown

We’ve done the research and know the must-visit restaurants in QT, so read on for the best restaurants in Queenstown.

Restaurants

The Best Restaurants In Wellington

There’s a reason why Wellington is Aotearoa’s coolest capital. Among the most (and best) flat whites per corner, beach-side brunch spots and breathtaking walks along the windy hills, Te-Whanganui-a-Tara truly has some of the best restaurants in Aotearoa.

Best Of

Where To Go In Auckland CBD For A Quick, Nutritious, Cheap Lunch On A Weekday

The economy may be in dire straits but your bank account need not be—cheap eats are not a thing of the past. In fact, you can tuck into a lunch that’s quick and healthy for less than twenty bucks, even if you work in Auckland CBD.

Food & Drink

The Best High Tea In Auckland

Whether it’s Mother’s Day, a special occasion, or you just wanna spoil someone (but also yourself!), high tea is always the answer. Lucky for us, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has no shortage of spots serving up a swanky high tea with alllll the treats, including tea, cake, and if you're lucky, a cheeky glass of bubbles.

Best Of

21 Delicious Māori-Owned Eateries You Should Know About

We’ve rounded up our top picks of Māori-owned kai pakihi (food businesses) across the motu where you can show your support.

Food & Drink

Auckland’s Best Chinese Restaurants Right Now

There's only one thing better than a dumpling and that's a plate of them, along with a generous portion of chilli crisp for dipping. 

Cafes

The Best Dog-Friendly Cafes In Auckland For The Ultimate Pooch Date

They say that dogs are like their owners—who’s to say your pooch isn’t also partial to a low-fat puppaccino and a catchup with the crew? 

Christchurch

Where To Find The Best Cheap Eats In Christchurch

If there’s anything better than great food, it’s great food that’s cheap. On those nights when the fridge is empty and the very thought of a trip to the supermarket plunges you into melancholy, we've got you covered. There’s no need to spend a small fortune when you can smash a hearty meal in Christchurch/Ōtautahi for the loose change in your pocket (if that’s even a thing anymore). Here are Urban List's picks of the best cheap eats in Christchurch for 2024.

Rest Of The Best

Australia

31 Of The Best Restaurants In Adelaide Worth Checking Out (July 2025 Edition)

Adelaide—and all of South Australia alike—have skyrocketed their way to some of the country's hottest culinary merits thanks to their stunner local produce, homegrown talent and some gutsy big openings.

Food & Drink

The 6 Best High Teas In Christchurch

'High tea' is one of my all-time favourite phrases in the English language. Bringing together teeny tiny treats with copious cups of tea (or if you're really lucky, some bubbles) in a fancier-than-usual setting, this is the epitome of good living. And Cantabrians clearly know a thing or two about the subject, as these—the six best spots for high tea in Christchurch—show. 

Food & Drink

Where To Sip On The Best Hot Chocolates In Auckland This Winter

Nothing cheers me up more on a cold Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland day (any day, to be fair) than wrapping my mitts around a mug of hot chocolate. Whether it’s a classic number done right, or a more adventurous drop laced with peanut butter or peppermint, served in an edible cup or even topped with bright pink fairy floss, sippin’ on a hot choccy is always a good time.

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Quiz Nights To Test Your Mettle

Grab a pie and a pint, put your thinking cap on, and get ready to show off your obscure knowledge. Who knows? You might even come out on top. 

Things To Do

50 Of The Best Things To Do In Wellington

The Urban List guide to the absolute best things to do in Wellington. 

Food & Drink

The Best Restaurants In Invercargill And Bluff For A Real Taste Of The South

It’s handy to have a healthy appetite when you try out Invercargill’s restaurants, as down south the portions are generous and don’t skimp on flavour.

Food & Drink

Parnell’s Best Restaurants, Bars And Cafes And Where To Find Them

For a night out feeling fancy, a sweet pick-me-up or a tasty bite to get you through your day, Parnell won’t disappoint. Arguably the most stroll-worthy suburb in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, it's packed with restaurants, cafes and bars that know a thing or two about really good kai.

Restaurants

The Best Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

At Urban List, we've spent a lot of time thinking about what makes the difference between a good restaurant and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's very best. 

Food & Drink

The Best Cafes In Ponsonby Right Now

From chic patisseries and pretty pink ice cream parlours to boujee burger joints, Ponsonby's got it all.

Restaurants

The Best Cheap Eats In Auckland

Whether payday is a distant memory or you simply don’t want to spend your life savings on a meal, don’t go running for those two-minute noodles just yet. There are plenty of cheap eats in Auckland that are minimal on coin but maximum on deliciousness.

Restaurants

The Best Korean Restaurants In Auckland

Korean food has officially taken over Auckland—and we're not mad about it. Whether you're in it for fiery Korean fried chicken, bubbling bowls of stew, or sizzling hot BBQ, this is your go-to guide to the best Korean restaurants in Auckland.

Food & Drink

The Best Gluten-Free Eateries In Auckland Right Now

We’ve looked high and low and we’ve scouted the best places to eat if you’re gluten free—because there’s no need to miss out.

Food & Drink

The Best Bottomless Brunch Spots In Auckland Right Now

Ahhh brunch, the perfect blend of breakfast and lunch we just can’t get enough of, which is lucky because the brunch game is strong in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Food & Drink

19 Of The Best Happy Hours In Auckland To Kick Your Night Off For Less

Bargain bevvies, a bar snack or two and some quality yarns make for the ultimate after-work wind-down.

Food & Drink

The Best Coffee Shops In Auckland To Get Caffeinated At

Whether you’re in the mood for a slow sit-down and sip, or a takeaway coffee to accompany you on your daily errands, from Auckland CBD and Ponsonby/Herne Bay/Grey Lynn/Karangahape Road/Eden Terrace to Newmarket/Mount Eden/Kingsland/Morningside and The North Shore, Urban List has downed a dangerous dosage of caffeine to create the ultimate list of Auckland’s best coffee shops that you’re going to want to bookmark ASAP.

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Where To Find The Best Breakfasts In Wellington

Wellington’s breakfast game is strong, just like their coffee.

Food & Drink

The Best Cafes In Christchurch To Tick Off

Turns out The Garden City isn’t just about botanicals—it’s also one helluva foodie scene.

Food

Everywhere To Eat & Drink On The North Shore

The North Shore is as much for eating out and drinking, as it is for hitting the beach. If you don't believe us, check out the more than 55 spots we've carefully curated by suburb below, ranging from old-fashioned pubs, bakeries and burger joints to chic wine bars, cafes, and bistros.

Food & Drink

The Best Burger Joints In Auckland And Where To Find Them

There’s really nothing better than smashing back a good burger. It’s salty, it’s satisfying, and it’s what hungry dreams are made of. However, we all know there are many components that go into making a decent burger. Once you weigh up the bun, the patty, the sauce, and the toppings, it can become a very spirited debate. Which begs the question, who IS slinging the best burgers in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland?

Food & Drink

The Best Artisanal Gins In NZ So You Can Level Up Your G&T Game

20 New Zealand-made gins that will turn your typical G&T on its head.

Restaurants

The 15 Best Restaurants To Dine At On The North Shore

The North Shore isn't just about sun, sand, and surf, it's also about beautiful food and drink. As a matter of fact, we reckon some of the city's best restaurants reside on this side of the bridge. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of our most-loved spots on the North Shore for a feed.

Food & Drink

12 Of The Best Restaurants In New Plymouth And Where To Find Them

Between scaling Mt Taranaki and hitting the mountain bike tracks around Lake Mangamahoe, surfing up a storm or soaking up the art, you’ll likely work up quite the appetite in New Plymouth. And, luckily, there’s a bunch of local eateries on hand to refuel at. 

Food & Drink

14 Of The Best Restaurants And Cafes In Rotorua

Rotorua is a foodie haven, from boujee fine dining to delectable cheap eats spotlighting local and international cuisines.  

Restaurants

15 Of The Best Restaurants In Hamilton To Eat Your Way Around

Whatever the occasion or vibe, Kirikiriroa Hamilton’s buzzing restaurant scene has it all. Whether you’re after a sophisticated date destination, a culinary journey around the world, or simply on the hunt for some hearty comfort food, Urban List has you covered with a list of the best restaurants in Hamilton.

Restaurants

33 Of The Best Restaurants In Dunedin

A bijou city it may be, but Ōtepoti Dunedin knows how to punch above its weight when it comes to culinary genius per capita.

Food & Drink

Newmarket’s Best Restaurants And Cafes You Need To Try, Stat

From Peruvian tacos and schnitzels the size of your face, to perfect coffee and cocktails in bongs (for reals!), this suburb certainly has plenty to eat out on.  

Food & Drink

The Best Ice Cream And Gelato Shops In Auckland

I scream, you scream... well, you know how it goes. Whether it's fresh and fruity or rich and chocolatey, in a cone, on a stick or in a cup, we just can't get enough of the cold stuff. So without further ado, here's our pick of the coolest (yes, we did just do that) ice cream and gelato shops in Auckland.

Food & Drink

29 Of The Best Cafes In Wellington For Coffee That Slaps

Wellington prides itself on its cafe culture and we’ll be the first to say it’s justified.