New Zealand is globally renowned for its fine dining and we have some fantastic and innovative cuisine, wine and food experiences across many of our restaurants. We even have four New Zealand restaurants that have made the cut in the world’s top eateries, the world’s 1,000 most exceptional restaurants. Here are some of our best:
The French Café, Auckland
The French Café is the winner of Best Fine Dining, Best Chef and Best Service in the 2015 Metro Top 50 Restaurants awards. It has been described as an oasis of calm on the busy Symonds Street, where confident and unobtrusive service meets modern yet unpretentious French cuisine, unleashing the delicate potential of New Zealand produce. Whether you settle on the A la carte or brave the six course tasting meal, you won’t leave unsatisfied.
Baduzzi, Auckland
Italian cuisine with a high quality twist. Baduzzi offers a touch of New York sass, thanks to US-born owner Michael Dearth. The meatballs, the pasta, the antipasti, the accompanied wine – all start the night off with an Italian hiss and roar. Minced wagyu with onion gravy and salsa verde, and vitello tonnato delight the tastbuds. While the internal décor is a quirky mix of Italianate tiling, copper-fronted bar and olive-green banquettes that create a vibrant atmosphere around the food and wine.
Whitebait, Wellington
The chefs at Whitebait champion fresh, seasonal seafood, produce and ingredients, all sourced from the local Wellington region. Their seafood is organic and treated with the reverence it deserves. Alongside their pure and delicious seafood is a range of locally sourced lamb, game and vegetarian dishes, as well as weird and wonderful sauces, pastas, sausages and the famous “Wellington Sourdough” bread. Located at Clyde Quay Wharf, Whitebait overlooks the Wellington waterfront, Te Papa and the city skyline.
Hopgood’s, Nelson
Owner Kevin Hopgood has inspired simple, fresh and unpretentious food with subtle touches that excite: like the soft-centred deep fried egg on a scarlet carpet of beef Carpaccio with truffle scented fries. The beer and wine matches the food. This alcohol and the stylish tables and shabby-chic decor adds to a bustling urban eatery atmosphere. Mains range from $33.50 – $37.50, and Monday is BYO night!