Restaurants in New Zealand

“I enjoy fine dining, but cannot say I am a "foodie" with a fully calibrated palate. That said, I was taken back by how masterful each dish was - aesthetically pleasing, full of flavor, and unique. This was an experience, one of the best meals I've had in all of my travels. I did not have a reservation, dined solo, and had a seat at the bar with no wait. Despite the bar setting, the atmosphere felt private and the service was exemplary. I highly recommend the Crudo. I followed the servers suggestion here, and was thankful I did so.”

“I had a wonderful experience at Akdeniz. The food was delicious, especially the kebabs, so tender and tasty! The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was really nice and relaxing. I’ll definitely come back again!”

“Good authentic Spanish food. We enjoyed the rich flavours in the Squid dish - main sized. Really good - recommended! The paella was rich and delicious, full of seafood and great flavours. Large serve. Good garlic and cheese bread pizza. Leafy salad with olives and feta good too! Cheap drink 3pm - 6pm 8$ wines and beers Enjoyed the Seaview from a table near the front of the restaurant. Only downside was the tables are very close - so the conversation of you and your neighbours are not private…”

“Incredible food and such wonderful service from the time we entered the restaurant until the time we left. I would highly recommend a cocktail from Emma who makes the perfect traditional Pina Colada - it was truly outstanding. Thank you to all the staff for making our experience amazing! We will definitely be back soon.”

“My daughter and I had a wonderful lunch, little miss 5.5 was not only all smiles but very well looked after including sneaky chocolate delivery from the lovely Emilie who expertly serviced our needs. Attentive, friendly and anticipating our every need, this girl needs a bar tab from the owners or at the very least a juicy slab of meat loaded with truffle butter!! A true pleasure of an experience with delightful food, service and even better views!”

“Great vegan indian meal in Wellington! The service was amazing and the lunch deal is just great value for money. I followed the advice of the waiter and ordered Kadai Soya and it was just amazing. The vegan roti could be improved but still tasty. There are some construction works outside but didn't really bother during the meal. Highly recommend it!”

“Went to enjoy the pre-show dinner menu and was absolutely blown away. Fantastic price point $69. A chance to enjoy exceptional food in gorgeous surroundings with excellent staff. Will definitely make a point of going again next visit to Wellington.”

“A peaceful and elegant oasis in the middle of Christchurch. Staffed by sophisticated gentlemen and beautiful women dressed in traditional sarees and the gift shop is like a Christmas tree. Tried their burger, masala chai, chef special and delicious chocolate cake. One of the best meals we’ve had.”

“My wife and I went for dinner on our anniversary and I have to say, Mr. fussy here was very impressed. I had the Village Style Kleftiko and my wife had the Canterbury Lamb Platter, wow, I mean far out. The Kleftiko was absolutely stunning, so full of flavour and fall apart melt in your mouth chunks of lamb, we of course sampled each others and my wife's was stunning as well, she concurred. Of course we had to have dessert and this is what sets Costas apart from every other dinning experience I've ever had. You've just had a beautiful main and in our case an entre not to mention a couple of wines and you're beginning to feel a bit full but you'd like a dessert, something sweet to finish things off. Enter Costas mini desserts, what a brilliant idea, you don't have to pay the full price of a dessert and its just enough so you're not left with that I ate too much feeling. I had the Baklava Ice Cream and my wife had the Chocolate Mousse, both excellent. All in all, a fantastic experience, beautiful food, great atmosphere and good service. Highly recommend Costas, can't wait to go back.”

Formaggio’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria delivers a pizza‑first line‑up that’s straight to the point. Gluten‑free needs are handled with care. Music and pace keep a casual tone. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy.

“Went to dine in last April 9th. The food at chim thai is exceptional! Very tasty and well prepared and you can chose among many menu options. I love the service at the place and manager Jess is so friendly, accomodating with the guests and always takes care to offer the best quality! I highly recommend this place. Always a great spot to get great food, amaaAzing food.”

“Incredible place to have dinner! Nice view, attentive staff and superb food. Highly recommended”

“Salt Mango Tree is well worth a visit if you want honest, flavourful Kerala food in Hamilton. Whether it’s for a family dinner and friends , trying something new, or just some soul-food cravings, it ticks almost every box. Highly recommended.”

Own Masala is a long‑running Tauranga Indian restaurant offering dine‑in, takeaway, delivery and catering. The kitchen prepares chicken, lamb, seafood and vegetarian dishes with gluten‑free and vegan...

On the plate at Gengy's Restaurant Tauranga, the idea is burger‑led and well judged. Cakes and scoops finish things neatly. Eggs land on point and toast keeps its crunch. Combinations read bold but stay balanced.

The kitchen at Mamma Rosa Restaurant & Pizzeria takes a pizza‑first path and lets the food speak. Value feels fair for the quality. Serve sizes show solid value. There’s always a considered veg choice.

Pap House Restaurant & Bar Papamoa favours a coffee‑and‑cabinet mix with clear, clean flavours. Coffee pours are consistent and well textured. A family‑friendly feel comes through naturally. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy.

Trojan Turkish Cafe & Restaurant runs with a simple, bistro-style menu and a relaxed feel. Packaging keeps things crisp on arrival. A sensible spend for the quality. Good value shows in the serve sizes.

“Two years ago, Spiga was the place where we had our first date. Now, as a married couple, we returned for lunch, and it was just as wonderful as we remembered. The cozy atmosphere, delicious food, and exceptional service made it a truly special experience. Fungi Pizza was absolutely incredible—hands down the best fungi pizza in Auckland! The crust was perfectly crispy, and the mushrooms were so fresh and flavorful. We were so impressed that we asked the staff where they sourced their mushrooms. They were incredibly friendly and took the time to explain everything in detail, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We can’t wait to come back and create more beautiful memories here.”

“Delicious food, generous portion and a very very kind and sincere owner who serves with care, ensuring patrons are comfortable and relaxed in the restaurant. Had dinner there in June 2025 and for 1 hr, I watch the numerous customers who dined in or took out. Service is prompt and considerate. No wonder there were so many customers. Owner even recommended tourist spots and tips for good photos. Service left a lasting impression, hence I had to leave a positive note though was so busy after my last visit as a tourist to Pukekohe. Highly recommended!”

“Came for lunch, good parking spot right outside. Our server was very polite and friendly. We ordered filetto, risotto e fungi, and tagliatelle bolognase. Nice big portions and absolutely tasty! Eye fillet was cooked as requested. For dessert we had cheesecake and profitroles which were nice. Very nice and clean restaurant and toilets, nice moody ambiance. Definitely will return.”

“We absolutely love the pizzas, the base is so crispy and not doughy. The flavours are beautiful. The Quattro is my favourite. Hands down the best pizza in Auckland. The smoked chicken pasta is also really tasty and authentic. Nice work team!”

“They have seating available for couples to large groups and it is best to book a table. More of a Thai fusion restaurant, but the flavours are really tasty and presented well. The deep fried whole barramundi and BBQ beef short rib are highly recommended. They also have kids menu and a good selection of cocktails.”

“@theaucklandbuzz We went to East recently and absolutely loved it. The flavors were amazing—fresh, bold, and creative. Service was top-notch too, super friendly and attentive. Definitely worth a visit! My rating 4.9/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What we had? Starters: -Mushroom & truffle dumplings -Gochujang cauliflower -Ginger caramelised bang bang shiitake mushrooms Mains: -Malaysian nyonya vegetable curey -Char kway teow noodles, shiitake mushroom, egg, garlic chives Cocktails: -Golden Glow -Red Rum It's a must try place and you will never forgets.”

“Every time I go to Auckland, I make sure to visit Windross House. I’m always greeted with a smile and the service is fantastic. The staff are always friendly and accommodating. My favourites dishes are the classic mango chicken and garlic Prawns for entree. It’s a must visit when in Auckland!!”

“My husband and I have been visiting this restaurant for years now, highly recommended. The owner is very friendly, food is delicious and restaurant is always nice and cosy. I have even taken other family members for dinner which they loved.”

“Been on a bit of a Korean craze these days for some reason. This is another gem. Why don't we have more good Korean restaurants in central :( Everything here is delicious. Please try it all. You won't regret it.”

“Highly recommended. Any new Indian restaurant I go to, I always ask for a hot butter chicken. This is how I benchmark. Sangram came in with one of the best butter chickens I have had in a long time! I always order a Peshwari Naan as well. Even though the Peshwari Naan was not on the menu, they made one for me! Impressed. The butter chicken and the naan were the highlight. What they can improve on….the mixed platter. It was a mixed review. The chicken tikka very tasty, samosa was ok and lamb was good. The onion bhaji was rock hard. Overall a $13 dish not a $26 dish. Come to Sangram for the butter chicken and a peshwari naan! You won’t be disappointed!”

“Excellent food and an excellent night. Kate creates a great atmosphere and she and her staff did a fine job handling our various food preferences. We didn't want to leave!”

“Do yourself a favour and just go here! Lovely atmosphere: music, lighting and great service. Very yummy food and fantastic wine selection...try the Loveblock Gewurztraminer. Support restaurants that are actually good and not just whatever is trendy!”