Canada Loucks leads the kitchen at Andiamo, the enduring Herne Bay favourite that has long set the tone for relaxed, neighbourhood dining in Auckland. As Head Chef, Loucks oversees a busy kitchen where consistency, creativity and pace must align service after service. The role calls for calm leadership and a deep understanding of her craft, guiding a team while ensuring the restaurant continues to serve the delicious dishes that locals return for time and again.
Loucks’ path into the kitchen began with curiosity rather than a fixed plan. Growing up surrounded by family members who loved to cook, food was a constant presence, with gatherings often turning into lively recipe exchanges. As a teenager, that curiosity quickly became an obsession, devouring cookbooks borrowed from the school library and experimenting constantly at home. Growing up largely plant-based also shaped her early approach to cooking, with experimentation she crafted her technique by building depth and flavour through herbs, spices.
In 2016, Loucks enrolled at the New Zealand School of Food and Wine, studying professional cookery alongside hospitality, wine and spirits. From there, six formative years at the iconic Euro under chef Gareth Stewart helped shape a collaborative approach to the kitchen. Today at Andiamo, Loucks combines those influences with flavours drawn from travels through Asia, while remaining passionate about mentoring younger chefs and creating a positive, supportive kitchen environment.
After Hours — Canada Loucks
Head Chef, Andiamo
“When I do get the chance to eat out, I tend to gravitate towards places that deliver great flavour without too much fuss. Belly Worshipis somewhere I’ve returned to countless times. It’s quick, incredibly tasty and always satisfying.
Sushi is something I crave regularly, and Auckland has some excellent spots. Gurume Sushi,& Sushi,Jankenand Sora Sushi are all go-tos, particularly Sora with its great sake selection.
For drinks, Caretaker is always impressive. I love the creativity behind the cocktails and the attention to detail in every drink.
One restaurant that consistently impresses me is Cocoro. After more than two decades, it’s still operating at an incredibly high level, with precision and consistency that never disappoints. There are so many places that I love, Goat, Rhu, Ragtag, Advieh and Spiga are all places I enjoy and return to for their atmosphere and excellent food.”
Designed by Simon de Burbure Architects, DO House is a quiet meditation on warmth, restraint, and the power of organic form. Set against a backdrop of textured plaster ceilings, limewashed walls, and full-height glazing that draws the surrounding greenery indoors, the interior unfolds in layers of warm beige and natural tone. At its heart, in the pool zone designed for slowing down, sits one of design’s most enduring icons: the Ligne Roset Togo.
The pool zone is conceived as a space to decompress, a soft retreat from the more formal rhythms of the home. Here, a Togo sectional in soft grey-taupe linen takes centre stage, arranged in an L-configuration that hugs the corner of the room. Designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973, the Togo’s quilted, floor-hugging silhouette is the perfect counterpoint to the architecture’s clean lines. Its rumpled, pillowed form softens the precision of the bespoke joinery and integrated bar beyond, transforming what could have been an austere palette into something enveloping. It is furniture that invites you to sink in, linger, and let the day slow down around you.
A circular wool rug beneath the sectional anchors the arrangement, its organic shape echoing the curves of the seating and pulling the composition into intimate focus. The pairing is deliberate, sculpture meeting sculpture, with the architecture stepping back to let the furniture breathe.
The same design language continues into the dining space, where a rounded pedestal table sits framed by floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the garden. Leather sling chairs with gently curved frames flank the table, their cognac tones bringing warmth against the cooler concrete and plaster surfaces. A striped runner grounds the arrangement without disrupting the room’s quiet palette.
Every silhouette has been softened. Every material chosen for its tactility, from the slub of the Togo’s linen to the patina of leather and the hand-thrown ceramic vessel resting on the table.
What Simon de Burbure Architects has achieved at DO House is a masterclass in how minimalism, when grounded in organic form and genuine comfort, can feel deeply inviting rather than austere. In the pool zone, the Togo doesn’t simply furnish the space. It sets its emotional temperature, becoming the piece that turns a beautifully composed retreat into a place to truly unwind.
There is a particular kind of nerve it takes to photograph eighty-four looks yourself and call the result a near-lookbook. Not a campaign in the operatic sense the fashion industry has conditioned us to expect, with its cinematic conceits and celebrity casting and auteur-signposting at every turn. Just eighty-four images. Eighty-four individuals. A collective, Gucci calls them, and the word does more work than it first appears to.
Generation Gucci, which arrived out of Milan this week, is Demna’s opening statement as the House’s artistic director, and it reads less like a manifesto than a mission brief. The designer, whose tenure at Balenciaga reshaped luxury’s relationship to irony and spectacle, has arrived in Florence with what can only be described as a deliberate exhalation. There is no shock here. No provocation for its own sake. Instead, there is an almost obsessive attention to what a Gucci garment has always been asked to do, which is to carry the weight of a century of Italian craftsmanship without appearing to carry anything at all.
The collection draws from across the House’s decades, but the editing is where Demna’s intelligence becomes visible. Two-piece suits with slim-fit trousers feel lifted out of a specific Gucci memory and dropped into the present without translation. Head-to-toe leather and suede appear in the womenswear as an argument for tactility. Textured coats are introduced with what the House calls lightness, and the word, repeated across the collection notes, begins to function as a thesis. Lightness as the discipline of leaving things out. Lightness as a rebuke to the heaviness luxury has accumulated in recent seasons.
The party wardrobe, with its underwear-inspired pieces layered beneath silk blousons and its minimal gowns in fluid jersey and chiffon, nods to the Gucci that once defined the cultural imagination of going out. But it does so without the maximalism that has become the House’s shorthand. Valigeria-inspired ballerinas, now offered in men’s sizes, and streamlined loafers built with the unstructured lightness of dancing shoes, suggest a wardrobe designed for movement rather than for posture.
Then there are the accessories, which is where any serious Gucci conversation eventually lands. The Jackie 1961 returns in new proportions. The Dionysus sharpens into something more angular, more architectural. The Lunetta Phone+ arrives as a piece of genuine contemporary design. And the Paparazzo, the collection’s clearest thesis object, gathers the Web stripe and the Horsebit hardware into a single bag that the House describes, with a small, wry confidence, as defining Gucciness itself.
That neologism is worth pausing on. Gucciness is not Gucci. It is the distillation, the thing a Gucci object possesses that lets it belong equally to a morning coffee and an evening out. It is the kind of word a designer uses when he is trying to name something he intends to keep.
In a season where so much luxury still confuses volume for relevance, there is something almost radical about a campaign that simply shows you eighty-four looks and trusts you to understand.
The best part of a long weekend is eating your way through it. Somewhere between the coastal town with the pie shop you’ve been meaning to try and the winery restaurant you keep hearing about, a road trip becomes a reason in itself. New Zealand’s regional dining scene has quietly hit its stride. The openings worth travelling for are no longer confined to the main centres — they’re tucked into restored homesteads, lining provincial main streets, and perched on vineyard slopes from the Bay of Islands to the bottom of the South. Below, our 2026 edit: the places worth the drive, the ferry, or the full weekend away. A word to the wise — check opening hours before you go. Holiday trading is a moving target.
Housed in an 1847 heritage building on Russell’s waterfront, The Gables pairs fresh pasta and approachable Italian fare with a wine list that roams confidently between Northland and Italy. Old-world bones, osteria warmth — the kind of long lunch that makes you reconsider the drive home.
Wood-fired pizza, cold beer, picnic tables under the trees. Hone’s is the uncomplicated answer to a Russell afternoon, and no amount of fine dining nearby has dulled its appeal.
Perched on sunlit slopes overlooking the Bay of Islands, Omata Estate marries boutique wines with unforgettable dining. The Omata Kitchen serves gourmet platters and wood-fired pizzas crafted with locally sourced ingredients, perfectly paired with the vineyard’s finest drops.
With unparalleled waterfront vistas, an assortment of delicious sharing plates, and an impressive cocktail menu featuring the all-important expertly-made Negroni, this charming addition to the far North has become a regular stop on any discerning road-tripping itinerary.
Nestled in the heart of Paihia, Terra pairs sweeping ocean views with an innovative à la carte menu. Showcasing local ingredients, sustainable practices, and global culinary flair, this modern eatery delivers unforgettable dining. While there, don’t miss the creative beverage offerings and vegetarian-friendly dishes that highlight the vibrant Far North.
A relative newcomer, Local Talent Taverna beckons visitors with its unpretentious charm and a menu brimming with Mediterranean flavours. In this unassuming space, Matt Hawkes (of Wellington’s cult-favourite Mason) captures the essence of Northland’s local produce, with a distinctly European flair.
Left: The Farmer Daughter. Right: Local Talent Taverna
Nestled by the Omaha Estuary, this local eatery blends coastal charm with seasonal, locally sourced fare. Owner Kate Rose’s vision transformed a former takeaway spot into a 120-seat haven featuring sunlit decks, native Pohutukawa, and an open kitchen. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, with dinner service Thursday to Saturday, this is an essential stop if you find yourself in the area.
Sampling the tasty lineup of brews at McLeod’s Pizza Barn is crucial to any traveller, and so is getting stuck into its pizza. There’s a laundry list of tasty options to try, from classics like the Margherita with basil pesto, tomato and a double helping of mozzarella to more creative flourishes.
The Best Of
Bay of Plenty & Coromandel
Left: Elizabeth Café & Larder, Tauranga. Right: Picnicka, Tauranga
This Shaw Road destination is so much more than just a perfect coffee refuelling stop, set to the sounds of the rolling surf. While the fish and chips are truly excellent, the Coconut Chicken pizza with kasundi and cashew & coriander pesto is unbeatable and best devoured with feet firmly planted in the sand. Add it to your bucket list.
Embracing the tradition of gathering and eating around a communal fire, Camina harnesses the ancient cooking style to craft delicious fare perfect for sharing. With a menu that celebrates local produce, an incredibly friendly group of staff and an impressive drinks list that heroes locally-brewed beer, New Zealand wines and gin cocktails, this is one spot you don’t want to skip.
This eatery in Kuaotunu, Whitianga, is the ultimate laid-back destination adored by holiday-goers from all parts of the Coromandel. Admire the million-dollar view as you enjoy craft beers and devour smoky wood-fired pizzas. Destinations like this are a reminder that some humble restaurants are legacy for good reason.
Breadhead, the bakery born out of Love Rosie Bakery, expanded from a small shop into a charming cafe, offering a space for customers to savour their heavenly bread and pastries. With Brent Beamish’s self-taught baking skills at the forefront, Breadhead is enticing with its array of treats, including miso tahini sourdough, fluffy pastries and doughy-soft sandwiches, all crafted with a commitment to quality ingredients and attention to detail.
Tucked into the heart of Mount Maunganui, this retro-style diner serves up American comfort food with flair — think Philly cheesesteaks, breakfast burritos, and curly fries. Warm, welcoming and full of nostalgic charm, it’s a go-to for locals craving bold flavours, easygoing vibes, and a spot of comfort food by the beach.
A relative newcomer to the Mount, this enticing spot specialises in chewy, hand-rolled bagels, sweet pies, and great coffee. With a hidden, leafy garden out back, lovely staff, and some of the best coffee in the area — not to mention delectable food, which runs the gamut from stacked bagel sandwiches brimming with local produce, to the infamous sweet pies with flavours like Burnt Caramel and Malteser Mousse on rotation, this is one spot you won’t want to skip.
Location:Waiheke Island A winery restaurant that takes both halves of the equation seriously. The food is precise; the estate-grown wines are the reason to linger.
The Heke is a must-visit destination in Onetangi — home to a wood-fired restaurant as well as the award-winning Waiheke Whisky and Waiheke Brewing Co. Owned by two Waiheke families, who have created a welcoming feel, you can park up at one of the many outdoor tables, watch the kids bounce around on its jumbo bouncing pillow and have a thoroughly lovely afternoon.
Nowadays, Onetangi is a world-class culinary destination with a line-up of sophisticated eateries with sweeping views of its beautiful beach. But before all this, there was Charlie Farley’s, a laid back restaurant and bar that locals and visitors alike kept coming back to. After a refurbishment, and the new moniker of Charlie’s, this Tropicana-inspired eatery sets the scene for an array of crowd-pleasing dishes. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner — and complemented by suitable cocktails all day long — Charlie’s is holding its own among the newcomers.
On the ridge above Cowes Bay, Waiheke Distilling Co. has unrivalled views of the ‘other side’ of the Island, looking out to Pakatoa Island and the Coromandel beyond. The artisan gin producer led by Liz Scott and Glen Cadwallader champions the local botanicals that grow in abundance in the area, while also allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Not only the birthplace of brand new gins, but home to a stunning garden bar as well, they deserve to pour themselves a drink — for a job well done.
On the far Eastern side of the Island, Man O’ War is a complete slice of paradise. It’s where you will find 75 of Waiheke’s 100 vineyards. At the start of it all, the winery’s exquisite beachfront Tasting Room spills out onto a lawn where long lunches can be indulged in, before a stroll along the tranquil Man O’ War Bay. With covered and outdoor park bench seating, and plenty of room for little ones and pets, you can get that picnic feeling all year round.
The most romantic spot on the Island, in our opinion, Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant is a charming estate to while away the hours on Waiheke. The Restaurant offers a sensory culinary experience while its modern bistro, the Archive, serves island-inspired dishes in a relaxed setting. With an outdoor bar and charming private dining rooms also available to book, Mudbrick sparkles as much as its view of the Hauraki Gulf.
A little bit off the beaten beach track, Casita Miro is found in the frondescence of the Miro Vineyard. Set back from Onetangi Bay with views to the township and sea, Casita Miro is a Spanish-inspired tapas restaurant that appears more like a greenhouse than a dining room. With a colourful tiled ascent and courtyard, charming gardens and twinkling fairy lights at night, it lends itself to truly unique and memorable occasions.
Nestled in a valley of olive trees, Stonyridge Vineyard & Cafe offers an enchanting experience. The ongoing dream of owner Stephen White, it’s situated on an ideal north-facing site to both harvest vino and welcome visitors. Enjoy Stonyridge’s platters and seasonal plates with a glass of the estate produced Waiheke Bordeaux wines under the shade of its vines, which grow overhead — and all around.
On the aforementioned Onetangi promenade, 372 takes casual dining up a notch while keeping a breezy island vibe. Run by Luke and Helen Carter, who, in fact, originally set up their neighbouring stalwart (Charlie’s) — 372 feels like a luxury resort offering with an expansive front deck overlooking the beach, and a sheltered patio with a showcase bar towards the back. The menu subscribes to summery by-the-beach food with an elevated edge.
Set right on Onetangi Beach, Ki Māha is elevated beachside dining at its most assured. The menu pairs sustainably harvested seafood and ethically farmed meats with locally sourced seasonal produce, framed by some of the best sea views on the island. The name draws on the Māori kīwaha noho māha, haere māha, evoking contentment in a special place; the cooking, drinks list and setting all live up to it.
At the end of a country lane in the Awaawaroa Valley, Poderi Crisci is an Italian family-owned vineyard and restaurant. As such, it’s a stunning destination vineyard, which appreciates the art of al fresco food and wine, and fine gardens. The main restaurant is inspired by the finest traditional cuisine of the chefs’ homeland, prepared with local produce and modern touches. Next door, La Locanda is a breath of fresh air, for those who prefer a more casual outing — still with freshly shucked Te Matuku bay oysters accompanied by a glass of Poderi Crisci Arneis.
Te Motu Vineyard is a hidden jewel in the island’s already impressive wine stable, but has fast become one of the most popular Waiheke restaurants. The estate is nestled in the stunning Onetangi Valley, and epitomises every element of the ultimate Waiheke experience. Famed for their award-winning reds (of which we recommend sampling the entire cellar), The Shed’s restaurant offerings are created to complement the varietals, with a modern-rustic approach that harnesses the best of local produce in an un-intimidating way. An essential on every Waiheke itinerary, we think.
They say good things take time, and this is exemplified at daytime eatery Akitō, named after the word for doing things slowly in te reo. Owners Shantala Tengblad and Simon McNeish’s approach their cooking and food practises with patience, love and attention, especially with their plant-focussed pickling, preserving and fermentation. With inventive twists on typical brunch and lunch fare, this holistic eatery on Ocean View Road, Oneroa, is certainly one of the best Waiheke restaurants.
Josh and Helen Emett were regulars at The Oyster Inn since it opened in 2012, and made their presence official in 2020 when they became the new ‘innkeepers’, taking the restaurant and hotel on an exciting new trajectory. Situated above the shops on Ocean View Road, it has charming views of Oneroa Beach and of spectacular sunsets on a good day. The coastal-inspired bistro menu features fresh seafood dishes and seasonal crowd-pleasers. The namesake oysters come from Waiheke’s own Te Matuku, harvested fresh daily.
When thinking of where to wow visitors to Waiheke Island, Cable Bay is often first in mind. Both its award-winning dining room and the more casual wine bar have served many intimate dinners and laughter-filled lunches for over a decade, all to the stunning backdrop of its sweeping views back to Auckland city. With an ever-revolving display of produce, Cable Bay’s focus on seasonal goods means that we’re met with different, garden-fresh fare on every visit. The short meander back to the ferry through native bush afterwards completes the full experience.
Sip, savor, and unwind at Soho’s chic new Cellar Door on Waiheke Island. Nestled in lush vineyards on Onetangi Road, this industrial, New York-inspired oasis offers award-winning wines, Soho street food bites, and a picturesque spot to while away an afternoon to nature’s stunning soundtrack. A perfect blend of Waiheke charm and Rock’n’Roll flair, this newly-opened spot is a paradise for wine lovers.
Built on the nostalgia associated with ice cream and balmy kiwi summers, Island Gelato Co. has long been the go-to spot for a taste of island paradise. Owners Ana Schwarz and Geoff Tippett opened their gelateria originally as a pop-up in Oneroa many years ago, and — multiple new openings on the mainland and a new location on the Island (up Ocean View Road) later — it still has us lining up for more.
Whether you’re out for a casual dinner, ordering takeaways to be enjoyed on the beach, or slurping a few Bloody Marys the ‘morning after’, The Courtyard is the place to go. Set off the main stretch in Oneroa, the carefree Waiheke restaurant has a bach-like feel to it, with a mix of indoor and outdoor dining and enviable water views. Stop by no matter the time of day and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, with refined food.
The perfect spot en route to the West Coast beach, it’s easy to see why The Shack is a favourite among locals. Open for breakfast and lunch, the rustic menu is filled with favourites like waffles, chilli scramble and a tasty cheeseburger. There are also vegan and gluten-free options aplenty, ensuring no diner is left behind.
Whether you seek the perfect pick-me-up with their invigorating coffee and seriously good cakes or crave a truly gratifying lunch, this joint has you covered. With a laser focus on bold, robust flavours, Cream Eatery takes pride in crafting dishes that showcase the true essence of ingredients, allowing their natural allure to shine through every bite.
Hamilton natives Anh and Pat Chaimontree do an outstanding job plying the people of Hamilton with their delicious Vietnamese eats. Trained in the addictive cuisine since watching her grandmother cook as a child, Anh has carefully honed her craft to creatively deliver flavoursome, family-style fare, from street food dishes through to fresh noodles and salads.
Quite likely the best thing to happen to the ‘Tron since the Botanical Gardens, Lisa and Brent Quarrie’s cafe by day and gastropub by night — complete with glittering hand-blown Monmouth glass pendants overhead — is a highlight within Hamilton’s burgeoning artisanal food scene.
A rarity in these parts, Embra’s unflinching offering is easily on par with some of the best in major cities, and it’s small boutique and back-street nature makes it all the more endearing. Boasting a celebration of modern Kiwi cuisine, French and British cooking techniques and locally grown produce, the set menu is a constantly evolving work of culinary art.
Less of a destination and more of an essential for those passing through, Cafe Baku’s plentiful cabinet offerings never fail to impress. From housemade salads to fresh, stuffed sandwiches (and the hallowed Allpress coffee), it is as reliable as it is enjoyable.
Zephyr is the epitome of Gisborne’s surf culture. The plant-based cafe is the brainchild of four friends who wanted to use delicious food to better the world. Perfect for a post-swim smoothie bowl, or the beloved Brekky Burritos, this Wainui Beach outpost feels straight out of Byron Bay.
This eatery quickly reached stalwart status in Taranaki for exhibiting nothing short of brilliance. Loved by locals as much as it is us out-of-towners, the bistro offers a new take on shared dining that always promises deliciousness.
At this widely-acclaimed Hawke’s Bay stalwart, Michelin-quality food is served in a relaxed atmosphere, with focus placed on freshness, flavour and dishes that promise to surprise and delight diners. Offering a set, five-course menu that changes daily (depending on the ingredients available), this restaurant is the kind of elevated dining experience that puts a unique twist on classic fine dining.
Drop into this fun, lively wine bar and wine shop for a glass of whatever takes your fancy, whether it be a bottle of something from overseas or a lauded local — the extensive wine offering here is highly-curated and ever-evolving. Alongside its wine list, Matisse offers tasting sessions, a seasonal menu of delectable sharing plates and tapas and an array of cocktails, craft beers and ciders.
After enduring extensive damage from a fire, Black Barn Vineyards’ bistro has emerged from the ashes, presenting a renewed ambience and an evolved menu. Chef Regnar Christensen crafts a culinary journey that features culinary delights that are as stunning to behold as they are to devour.
Y’a Bon is a modern artisanal bakery in Hastings, celebrating Hawke’s Bay living through a French lens. Founded by Moïse Cerson, a Paris-trained patissier, the bakery emphasises simplicity, quality, and community. Patrons can watch bakers at work through expansive glass windows adjoining Cupple café, which serves Firsthand Coffee.
Fresh, foraged flavours are what you will find at Napier’s contemporary restaurant, Bistronomy. The menu changes along with the season and the dishes only feature the best of the best ingredients, ensuring that everything that comes out of its kitchens is top quality.
St Martha in Havelock North is a vibrant all-day eatery offering garden-to-plate breakfasts, brunches, and lunches, complemented by premium Hawthorne coffee, house cocktails, and fresh smoothies, served in a stunning, design-led setting.
Set amid lush gardens with views of Te Mata Peak, Off The Track offers a relaxed, family-friendly dining experience. The menu features fresh, local ingredients, including herbs from their own garden, and caters to various dietary preferences with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. With outdoor seating and a children’s play area, it’s an ideal spot for casual meals and gatherings.
Run by none other than Mr Vinci himself, this Napier hotspot is serving up pizza pie just as it should be; big, thin-crusted and extremely tasty. Lord knows we love a good slice of the aptly named Banger.
If you’re looking for something different from the usual winery-based dining in Hawkes Bay, Central Fire Station Bistro in Napier is serving up a crowd-pleasing menu. In one of the art deco buildings that make the city so quaint, and like all good eateries, there’s a strong focus on local, seasonal produce, a fitting choice as the region is abundant with its offerings.
At this simple neighbourhood restaurant, expect to enjoy utterly delicious food and wine in a cosy, laid-back atmosphere. On the menu, classic dishes collide with modern flavours, with a variety of dishes to suit any persuasion (including a dedicated kids section). Alongside your dinner, enjoy a glass of wine from Mary’s award-winning line-up or a cocktail or two if you’re that way inclined.
It is fitting that ‘Sazio’ means ‘full’ or ‘satisfied’ in Italian because that is exactly how you’ll feel after dinner at this delicious Hastings restaurant. With menus that hero delicious pasta and authentic, Italian dishes, Sazio’s food shines in its simplicity, with a focus on good quality ingredients and exceptional flavours. Expect it to be busy — for good reason.
Helmed by a chef who cut his teeth working in Michelin-starred restaurants overseas, Malo serves modern restaurant food with a sophisticated twist, harnessing the potential of seasonal local produce to offer a fresh take on European-inspired cuisine.
The Best Of
Wellington
Left: Highwater Eatery, Wellington Right: The Runholder, Martinborough
Taranaki Street’s August Eatery has all the makings of a classic. The menu feels a little Honey Bones-esque while still offering its own slant on staples like Istanbul Eggs and pappardelle pasta for breakfast.
Taking up residence on Aro Valley’s main drag, this intimate 30-seater restaurant feels more akin to a delicious dinner party with friends. The set menu evolves every day, focussing on (as they all do) fresh, seasonal produce that pays homage to the surrounds. With two sittings every night, while the menu is never guaranteed, the execution is always delightful.
Found tucked away in lower Cuba Street, the open kitchen’s crown jewel is the charcoal oven imported from Spain, which informs everything Mediterranean inspired on the menu. Complete with local craft brews and an excellent wine list, it’s an intimate destination we recommend for lunch and dinner.
GPO transcends the boundaries of hotel dining by offering an enchanting retreat for indulging in modern European cuisine. With a menu that showcases ‘fruits of the sea’ alongside beautiful hand-crafted pastas and more, this culinary gem beckons any traveller seeking something new.
Kisa is Wellington’s answer to fresh, Middle Eastern fare. With a prime corner position on the infamous Cuba Street, the menu is casual yet chic, beginning with an impressive dips menu that extends all the way to indulgent dishes designed to share.
Taking up residence where former cult-favourite Mason once stood, Margot’s menu describes itself as a seasonal work in progress. It is part wine bar, part dining destination, that offers an ever-changing raft of sumptuous small plates to share.
Nestled on the edge of the famed Martinborough Terrace amid Wairarapa sits The Runholder, an expansive new hospitality beacon by Foley Wines that celebrates the best of the region’s spoils. With its restaurant, tasting room, cellar door, distillery, private dining room and subterranean barrel hall, The Runholder sits pretty on a run of land at Te Kairanga vineyard — a plot originally held by Martinborough’s pioneering namesake, John Martin. Here, you’ll find exquisite local food and drink, striking views, and endless ways to while away a day in paradise.
Built by the Dixon family, who felled their own trees, The Mussel Inn is an off-beat institution in Onekaka that brews its own beer, serves wholesome fare and features live music.
With a menu of imaginative seasonal dishes designed for sharing, accompanied by a thoughtfully curated wine selection, including rare and natural wines. Arden invites you to indulge in a gastronomic experience that celebrates the richness of local produce and intimate dining.
Fine European cuisine hasn’t always been synonymous with Nelson, but Le Plonc’s inspired offering is worth discovering. (In fact, it has quickly made it as one of the best restaurants in New Zealand.) Using local wildlife photographer Craig Potton’s works as the starting point (whose gallery is co-incidentally next door), the degustation menu is complemented with divine French wines, culminating in a truly memorable meal.
Serving up a raft of utterly delicious fare that harnesses the mouth-watering potential of charcoal-fire cooking, Harvest is a must-visit for anyone stopping in Blenheim. For the team at Harvest, ‘authenticity’ is the name of the game, where ever-changing seasonal menus tap into the best local produce, and the culinary maestros in the kitchen whip up most of their dishes in a Mibrasa Charcoal oven (the kind used in a number of Michelin Star restaurants around the world). Here, diners will not only discover exceptionally tasty food but they will be treated to world-class hospitality in a breathtaking, Marlborough setting.
Appearing to levitate above the water on Nelson’s winding waterfront, Boat Shed’s seasonally inspired menu celebrates elevated New Zealand produce every day. Here, make the most of the nearby port’s bounty with freshly caught seafood, and an outlook that truly feels like summer, no matter the weather.
Hopgoods & Co is a Nelson institution, with the bistro taking up residence in the heart of the city, serving seasonally based bistro-style food with the best of the region’s artisan produce. Intimate and chic, it’s always delicious.
Far from the winery destinations, Arbour is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s finest regional restaurants. It is perhaps the grandest showcase of Marlborough’s bountiful offering and delivers a four-course tasting menu and a seven-course dining experience.
Found on the coastline between the Marlborough Sounds and the expanse of Christchurch is Kekerengu’s The Store. Some 60km north of Kaikoura, the rugged coastline makes for a beautiful holiday drive, and The Store is the perfect pitstop. It’s been a mainstay for almost three decades, serving much of the same locally sourced fresh fish. The breathtaking views of the beaches beyond are just a welcome addition you can expect to find around these parts.
Inati’s captivating fare, meticulously prepared and sourced from the finest local ingredients, adds a new element to Christchurch’s dining scene. From the intriguing Boeuf-nuts to the evocative Donkey Carrot, Chef Simon Levy’s culinary artistry unfolds amidst a thoughtfully designed space, promising a seriously unforgettable meal.
Earl will transport you with its European bistro-style classics and warm, welcoming atmosphere. The all-day eatery and wine bar is not only one of New Zealand’s best restaurants but is a must-visit for fans of unpretentious food with an emphasis on flavour and premium ingredients.
At the southern destination’s Gatherings, organics take precedence. Boasting the official title of the country’s first natural wine bar, the drinks offering is just a wonderful complement to the food, which by our judgement, is second to none. Featuring modern, innovative fare, that loosely nods to Mediterranean cuisine, it is essential dining for any Christchurch vacation.
This excellent spot offers a unique taste of the South Island that needs to be on your radar. Bessie specialises in dry-aged cuts, so vegans need not apply, and trust us, they’re not exaggerating when they claim to be ‘Canterbury’s best’. With a complimentary wine menu that promises to keep you perfectly libated, Bessie is a Christchurch favourite.
This popular brunch spot, with it’s killer coffee and mid-century modern / Scandi aesthetic, never misses. Located in a light, airy, architecturally-designed industrial space on Manchester Street, here, you’ll find a European-influenced menu, Lyttelton Coffee Company coffee, a cabinet brimming with grab-and-go goods, and an eclectic crowd — with a place for everyone.
This modern Euro-Asian eatery is best-known for it’s creative Korean, Chinese, and Southeast Asian fare, served in a dimly-lit, moody space in the heart of Christchurch city. With striking views out to the Avon, beautifully conceived interiors, and an inventive menu sure to satisfy, this inner-city go-to should be at the top of your dining agenda when visiting the Garden City.
A town traditionally considered a pit-stop, Barkers’ new eatery is the perfect spot to while away some time in South Canterbury. Half shopfront for the now-impressive New Zealand food brand, the eatery is what has us coming back. Serving Allpress Coffee (a rare commodity around these parts), the menu showcases Barkers’ brilliance with delicious local slants on eggs benedict, French toast, and burgers for later in the day. We’d also suggest the Tasting Platter, where local cheeses and produce have been expertly paired with some of Barkers’ emblematic condiments.
Anyone undertaking the harrowing journey south to the snow will be familiar with Fairlie Bakehouse — or, more specifically, the pies. With 4000+ Google reviews and counting, it’s fair to say that these pies are unrivalled and are an essential contribution to a car of happy travellers.
Set on a piece of historic land in Arrowtown, Ayrburn is the spectacular new dining precinct that is shaking up New Zealand’s culinary scene. Here, you’ll find original farm buildings now housing a series of exceptional hospitality venues that will offer visitors a vast array of experiences. From delicious, family-friendly eateries to intimate bars, fine dining restaurants, picnic spots, a gelateria and more, you’ll find something for every taste and proclivity.
Loved for its passionate commitment to being both organic and 100% sustainable, the Sherwood kitchen is very much focused on a homegrown ethos. With a philosophy of things “not having to travel far” to make it onto your plate, the team at Sherwood have an extremely deft way of working locally grown produce into unspeakably delicious dishes.
Odd Saint complements its owners’ previous impressive destinations but also sits as a unique establishment — a bistro-style eatery that puts a deliciously creative spin on an otherwise traditional menu, offering what the owners call ‘global soul food’.
Perhaps the region’s most familiar destination, there is good reasons the crowds habitually frequent Amisfield’s restaurant and cellar door. Helmed by Executive Chef Vaughan Mabee, the flavour profiles on this menu are so authentically regional, you can see how the entire team are doing all that they can to honour both the specialness of the environment and the species that live there.
Formerly (and fondly) known as Akarua, Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen recently stepped into its second culinary chapter. Renowned for its magical outdoor courtyard and its cottage garden festooned with flowers, Mora is the ideal spot to dine with a group without compromising on fanciful fare.
With a menu inspired by the intricate cooking techniques of Northern Italy and showcasing premium, Central Otago produce, Aosta is the South Island venture from renowned chef Ben Bayly and is one of the best restaurants in New Zealand. Putting a Kiwi spin on fine Italian food, this incredible restaurant has become a fast favourite among locals and visitors alike.
An extension of the Rodd & Gunn clothing empire, The Lodge Bar is the place to sample the best food and wine our country has to offer. Located on the lakefront side of their retail store, the picturesque setting is made all the better by the seasonal menu, designed by famed Kiwi chef Matt Lambert, formerly of New York City’s Michelin-starred Musket Room.
Authentic Tex-Mex, frozen margaritas and legendary service collide at Miss Rita’s Cantina, the latest eatery to open its door in Queenstown’s newest hospitality precinct below the Skyline Gondola. Sure to deliver a seriously good time for the whole family, the all-day eatery is bright, airy, and all about kicking back and relaxing over great food and delicious drinks. Sublime.
This vibrant modern-Mexican eatery is nestled down the end of The Precinct laneway, tucked off the main street, and offers the perfect escape. Take to one of the sun-drenched outdoor tables and order a round of margaritas and a selection of snacks, or tuck into one of the intimate booths inside for tacos, a tasty ribeye from the grill, and a namesake Paloma. No mater what you’re in for, dining at Paloma feels like a celebration, any day of the week.
Kamino Coffee Shop & Eatery in Wānaka offers a stylish, sunlit space serving artisan coffee from Dunedin’s Common Ground, inventive milkshakes, and a menu of fresh bowls, sandwiches, and pastries. Relax in the courtyard or rooftop terrace for a vibrant, all-day dining experience.
A local go-to, and for good reason, Big Fig serves up an array of salads and tasty hot dishes from an ever-rotating cabinet, served by the plate, alongside a considered menu of made-to-order dishes. Select your favourites, grab a coffee, and settle into one of the cosy couches or perch outside and soak up the striking lake views. It’s slow food, served fast.
Always bustling with locals and visitors alike, Scroggin is one of Wānaka’s best cafés. Inspired by New Zealand’s backcountry huts, it offers a warm, inviting space to enjoy seasonal dishes and house-baked pastries. Owner Lucy Conway’s passion for quality and community shines through every detail.
On Clyde’s charming main street, Olivers is a sun-drenched café by day and an atmospheric restaurant at nightfall. As well as the calibre of wines you’d expect from Central Otago, the on-site Victoria Store Brewery pulls craft beers.
This iconic southern restaurant has been a pioneer of woodfired cuisine, noted as routinely serving up some of the country’s most delicious meats — the kind that you would only find around these parts. It’s not every day you’ll find us in Dunedin, so when you do, No7 Balmac becomes essential dining.
A trip to Dunedin wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Moiety, a sophisticated restaurant located in the historic warehouse precinct. With its five-course offering flawlessly showcasing local produce at its finest, each plate is like a work of art.
Here, the team from No.7 Balmac presents an impeccable Italian restaurant at Saint Clair Beach, Esplanade, which serves up a slice of the good life. With interiors by Cheshire Architects, it’s cosy even when the waves are crashing.
Nestled in Dunedin’s quaint, beachy suburb of St Clair, The Junction is a laid-back drop-in specialising in perfect coffee, tasty sandwiches, nourishing salads, hot pies, and a cabinet packed full of wholesome, homemade treats — from carrot cake to cookies, scones to slices. A perfect place to call in solo, with the kids, for a quick coffee with a friend, or to stock up for a beach picnic.
One of Dunedin’s most famous institutions, Plato is the place to go if you’re looking for fresh seafood cooked to perfection. A treasure trove of quirky decor with a consistently lively vibe, here, you’ll find an extensive menu and considered drinks list featuring in-house Birch Street Brewery beers.
Big Lizard, the new venture from once beloved institution Side On’s founders, brings inventive sandwiches, pastries, and specialty coffee to the vibrant Vogel Street. Expect bold flavours, creative combinations, and a laid-back, always welcoming atmosphere.
A trip to Dunedin isn’t complete without a meal at this serene farm-to-table café nestled in native bush on the Otago Peninsula. Open Friday to Sunday, it offers a seasonal menu of 5–6 dishes, complemented by fresh pastries and award-winning preserves. With a cosy 25-seat capacity, bookings are recommended. It’s a perfect retreat just 25 minutes from Dunedin’s city centre.
Adjø is a cosy Dunedin café and wine bar offering Nordic-inspired fare — think hearty porridge, smørrebrød, and house-made schnapps — served with warmth, creativity, and a touch of Scandinavian charm.
Think of this as Southland’s answer to Orphans Kitchen. It’s eclectic and, dare we say it, slightly hipster, with a thorough yet sincerely delicious coffee menu, and an all-day eats menu that ranges from bagels and Turkish eggs to pork belly bao buns.
At the tip of the South sits Oyster Cover Restaurant & Bar, where the focus is on both food and expansive views. Even if oysters aren’t your thing, plenty of local delicacies like a fresh seafood chowder, and at times, an iconic Southland Roll can be found.
If you’re lucky enough to have a canine companion, you’ll be pleased to know that Auckland’s food scene has never been more welcoming to the four-legged set. Whether you’re after a post-beach coffee, an afternoon drink in a beer garden, or a proper sit-down brunch with your dog curled beneath the table, the city has an option for every kind of outing. Here are our favourite spots to take your best friend.
A popular Herne Bay stalwart among the two-legged set, Dear Jervois has ‘Dog Parking’ aplenty if you dine outside, with water bowls always on hand. In the meantime, the all-day menu more than holds its own — the eggs benedict and creamy mushrooms are as good a reason to linger as any.
This Saint Marys Bay favourite welcomes dogs in its sun-drenched outdoor courtyard, where the crowd is convivial and the pub fare is several notches above what the name might suggest. Open daily from noon, it’s the kind of place a lazy Saturday afternoon disappears into entirely.
The industrial warehouse space on Westmoreland Street welcomes dogs both inside and out, making it a godsend on grey mornings when the alternative is tying your dog to a lamp post in the rain. The coffee is roasted on-site behind a glass wall, the menu is genuinely interesting, and the sunny outdoor courtyard fills quickly on weekends.
Herne Bay’s neighbourhood institution since 1988, Andiamo relaunched in late 2025 as Andiamo Bar & Dining Room — same beloved bones, expanded bar, more places to perch. Roll up on a warm afternoon, claim a spot at one of the outdoor tables on Jervois Road, and settle in for aperitivo and a Caprese Martini while your dog observes the foot traffic with quiet authority.
Few places in Auckland take dog-friendliness as seriously as this one. Dogs are welcome inside and out every day, but the third Saturday of every month is when things get properly organised — Dog and Grog brings the canine community together in the closed-off beer garden, off-leash and in full chaos, while you manage a craft beer and some very good gourmet tapas. A genuine institution.
Tucked into the Lot 3 laneway precinct off Ponsonby Road, this micro-brewery and beer garden is one of the neighbourhood’s better-kept secrets and a firm favourite among the dog-owning set. Dogs are welcome every day, and every Wednesday from 4pm the venue runs a dedicated dog happy hour — homemade treats on arrival, a cold drink for you, and a closed courtyard that tends to fill with a very enthusiastic cross-section of Auckland’s canine population.
Since expanding into its new garden setting, Parade has become one of Ponsonby’s most pleasant outdoor spots — and with a generous green area for your dog to settle while you work through a pretzel bun burger and loaded fries, it earns its place on this list comfortably. The house-made buns are the real draw; your dog will understand why you’re not sharing.
One of Auckland’s most significant new openings of the past year, Bravo arrives from the team behind Ayrburn in Queenstown with a vast overwater space, a menu heavy on local seafood and rotisserie chicken, and a harbour view that makes two hours disappear without warning. Dogs are welcome in the expansive outdoor area, and the Westhaven promenade walk on either side gives you somewhere to take them before or after. The Bravo Go counter also does takeaway coffee and cabinet food for those who’d rather keep moving.
Judith Tabron — the founder of Soul Bar & Bistro — returned to Auckland dining with this all-day marina restaurant at Westhaven, and it’s been one of the better waterfront additions the city has seen in some time. The covered outdoor courtyard welcomes dogs, the menu moves between South American and Japanese influences via New Zealand’s coastal produce — tuna sashimi taquitos, whitebait fritters in Chardonnay butter — and the harbour views from the terrace are exactly what a long Sunday lunch should look like. One reviewer noted their dog drank from a vodka bowl. We’re choosing to take that as a measure of the hospitality.
The cabinet at Winona Forever is one of the better reasons to make the trip to Parnell — jammed with pastries, slices and beautifully presented cabinet food that disappears fast on weekends. Outdoor seating welcomes dogs, and with Auckland Domain a short walk up the road, it pairs naturally with a long morning stroll before or after.
Sprawling ivy, overflowing flower baskets, garden tools on the walls — The Garden Shed commits to its theme with genuine conviction. The covered courtyard is perfect for rain-averse dogs and their owners alike, and the menu is the kind of honest, seasonal bistro food that justifies the trip from wherever you’re coming from. The epic burger is exactly as described.
Crave is a social enterprise that returns all of its profits to the Morningside neighbourhood, which gives it a pleasant undercurrent of purpose that most cafes lack. The converted warehouse space is genuinely impressive, the food menu changes regularly and leans on seasonal ingredients, and dogs are welcome on the outdoor deck. After your coffee, Western Springs is a short walk away.
Cornwall Park is one of Auckland’s busiest on-lead dog parks at the weekend, which makes the café inside its gates an essential rather than an optional stop. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, there’s green space directly opposite, and the café is open every day of the year except Christmas. The logic of this visit essentially writes itself.
The only entry on this list that earns you a ferry trip, and worth it. Vondel champions local producers with a seasonal menu that caters thoughtfully to most dietary preferences, welcomes leashed dogs both inside and on the sidewalk patio, and has a resident dog named Curtis who sets the tone. Cap the outing with a walk up Takarunga Mount Victoria for one of the better harbour views in the city.
Few post-walk rituals are as satisfying as settling onto the outdoor deck here after a run along the sand, your dog shaking off and surveying the scene with great self-satisfaction. Three dog troughs of varying heights are fixed to the outside walls, the gelato is award-winning, and the harbour views do the rest of the work.
Formerly The Stoned Cow, this beachfront Browns Bay cafe rebranded entirely around its dog-friendly identity — and then went all in on it. A dedicated dog menu, artificial grass mats so your dog has a comfortable surface underfoot, and spacious outdoor seating looking out toward the water. Combine it with a run on Browns Bay Beach and you have a near-perfect Sunday sorted.
There are evenings that promise a good meal, and then there are evenings that demand you clear the diary entirely. The Trivet x Cloudy Bay Winemakers Dinner, happening Thursday, 7th May falls firmly into the latter category. A single-night collaboration between one of Auckland’s most compelling kitchens and the Marlborough winery that arguably started the conversation about New Zealand wine on the global stage.
At the pass is Chef Wallace Mua, whose cooking at Trivet has quietly established the JW Marriott restaurant as one of the city’s most interesting dining rooms. His style, which he calls “elaborately simple,” makes more sense on the plate than on paper: Polynesian roots, French precision, a deep respect for New Zealand produce, and a refusal to over-complicate what doesn’t need complicating.
Chef Wallace Mua,
The menu for the evening reads like a love letter to Aotearoa’s coastline and seasons, matched course-for-course with wines selected and presented by Cloudy Bay’s Winemaking Director Nikolai St George. St George, who grew up on a rural North Island farm before studying viticulture, has spent his career guided by a philosophy that mirrors Trivet’s own: honour the source material, keep it honest, and let quality do the talking.
The evening opens at the raw bar with freshly shucked Te Matuku oysters, sashimi, and Coromandel mussels, the kind of briny, unadorned start that snaps the palate to attention, alongside Cloudy Bay’s NV Pelorus, the méthode traditionnelle was recently shortlisted for New Zealand Sparkling Wine of the Year. From there, things get more playful. A spanakopita cannoli with cucumber, cinnamon, JW garden mint, and Southerly honey rethinks a classic through a distinctly Kiwi lens, paired with Cloudy Bay’s 2025 Sauvignon Blanc.
The second entrée is where Mua’s Polynesian instincts and technical confidence collide: house- made spaghetti with local kina, garlic, chilli, and coriander. A dish that takes the briny richness of New Zealand’s most polarising delicacy and gives it the pasta treatment it frankly deserves. Cloudy Bay’s 2023 Chardonnay, with its Southern Valleys weight and precision, is the pairing here.
For the main course, confit duck breast arrives with orange, rosti, beetroot, and cacao, matched with the 2023 Te Wahi Pinot Noir from Cloudy Bay’s Central Otago vineyards in Bannockburn and Northburn. A wine built on the kind of rocky, glacial soils that produce structure and intensity in equal measure. Dessert closes the evening with a Ghana dark chocolate mousse, tamarillo, chocolate soil, and cherry, alongside Cloudy Bay’s 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir. It’s the kind of finish designed to make you linger at the table longer than you planned. Between courses, St George will guide the room through the stories behind each wine. Not in the stiff, lecture-hall sense, but in the way that only someone who has spent their life walking vineyards and tasting dirt can. The evening promises warmth, creativity, and the rare pleasure of two people at the top of their craft working in genuine concert.
Tickets are $175 per person, including wine pairing, and seating is limited. If your Thursday, 7th May, is free, this is what you do with it. Book here.
Sunday, 10th May, is the one day of the year when a “thanks for everything” text simply won’t cut it. Fortunately, Auckland’s best restaurants have risen to the occasion with set menus, special offerings, and the kind of considered hospitality that will make you look like the favourite child. Here’s where to book.
The Herne Bay Italian is pulling out all the stops with a three-course set menu for lunch, running from 11am to 3pm. Think entree, main, and dessert, with a glass of G.H.Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé on arrival to set the tone before anyone has even unfolded a napkin. At $99 per person, it’s the kind of afternoon that earns you serious goodwill. A kids menu is available for the little ones, and for those who prefer an evening celebration, the full à la carte menu returns from 5pm.
Offering: 11am–3pm (set menu) | From 5pm (à la carte) | $99pp Book here.
Azabu’s Mission Bay outpost is serving a special all-day set menu for $95 per person, featuring a sharing-style selection of Azabu favourites. It’s the kind of meal designed for reaching across the table, and for convincing your mum that you do, in fact, have excellent taste. A kids menu is available for guests aged 12 and under. Note that all seatings are limited to two hours.
Offering: All day | $95pp sharing set menu | Kids menu available (12 and under) | 2-hour seatings Book here.
Trivet is going big for Mother’s Day with a Kai-Moana-Pasifika buffet lunch that draws on the flavours of Aotearoa and the Pacific. The spread includes a fresh raw seafood bar, umu-style meats, and comforting staples like pauasami, roasted lamb leg, and kumara, the kind of food that feels like home whether you grew up with it or you’re discovering it for the first time. Mum gets a complimentary cocktail on arrival, which is a strong start to any Sunday. Gather the whanau and settle in.
Offering: 12.30pm–1.30pm | $95pp | Complimentary cocktail for Mum on arrival Book here.
Right on the water, First Mates, Last Laugh is the kind of setting that does most of the Mother’s Day work for you. No set menu here, just a few well-chosen specials alongside the regular favourites: a burrata salad to start, a glass of Palliser rosé for the guest of honour, and a rich chocolate cake to finish things off properly. Add the waterfront views and a long, unhurried lunch in the sun, and you’ve got a Sunday your mum will be talking about for weeks.
Offering: Specials alongside the regular menu Book here.
Aarth is opening during the day for the very first time on Mother’s Day, offering limited seats and first access to a new daytime format. The Parnell restaurant shifts into a more relaxed register from 11am to 3pm, with a three-course menu at $79 per person that includes bubbles on arrival (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), pumpkin sev puri, Aarth’s take on butter chicken, a choice of market fish, paneer, or lamb — the lamb is the one to order — and a mango dessert to close. For those wanting more, an upgrade to Aarth’s full tasting experience is available. There’s a personal story here too: the daytime launch is a nod from chef Vicky Shah to cooking alongside his mum on Sundays, which makes this a particularly fitting Mother’s Day booking. Saturday 9th May also sees a daytime à la carte opening from 11am to 3pm, and a Mother’s Day set menu is available for Sunday dinner.
Offering: 11am–3pm (daytime set menu) | $79pp Book here.
Somm is offering a three-course set menu across both lunch and dinner at $80 per person, a price point that leaves plenty of room to add a glass of G.H.Mumm Marlborough Brut Cuvée at a special $13 per glass. The à la carte menu runs alongside the set offering, though pizzas won’t be available on the day, so plan your orders accordingly. A kids menu is on hand for younger guests.
This is the one to watch. Named after chef Michael Meredith’s mother, Metita is bringing back a very special Toana’i, a Pacific Sunday feast steeped in family, memory, and the flavours of home. The menu draws inspiration from her profound influence on Michael’s upbringing and honours her legacy through each dish. The offering includes bubbles or a non-alcoholic drink on arrival, followed by a three-course sharing menu. At $110 per person with a minimum of two guests, this is Mother’s Day dining with genuine meaning behind it.
Offering: 12pm–5pm (last booking 4pm) | $110pp, minimum 2 guests | Includes bubbles on arrival Book here.
If your mum is the type who appreciates a properly cooked steak and a glass of something celebratory, JSH Auckland has you covered for lunch service this Mother’s Day. G.H.Mumm Grand Cordon Rouge will be poured at a special price of $20 per glass, which is as good an excuse as any to raise a toast to the woman who raised you.
Offering: Lunch service | G.H.Mumm Grand Cordon Rouge $20/glass Book here.
Soul is open all day, from 11am through to 10pm, with its full à la carte menu available for both lunch and dinner. The standout offer here is a champagne upgrade: order a bottle of G.H.Mumm Grand Cordon and it will be upgraded to a G.H.Mumm Cordon Rosé, which is the kind of gesture that pairs well with the warm, impeccable Soul service the Viaduct institution is known for. A kids menu is available at $25.
Offering: 11am–10pm | Full à la carte | Kids menu $25 Book here.
Kome is teaming up with its sibling Yume for a Mother’s Day sharing set menu at $69 per person, with a minimum of two guests. The spread covers a lot of ground: edamame and kimchi to start, salmon and beef fireball nigiri, a generous sashimi and oyster platter, a choice of Tokyo chicken wings or eggplant tempura, and katsu chicken or chicken teriyaki to follow. It’s the kind of Japanese sharing menu where everyone reaches across the table and nobody orders wrong.
Offering: Sharing set menu | $69pp | Minimum 2 guests Book here.
Advieh is offering two ways to celebrate, and both are worth your attention. The first is a Mother’s Day High Tea from 2pm to 4pm, a refined spread of delicate savouries, seasonal sweets, and signature Advieh touches paired with a glass of Ruinart Champagne. At $89 per person, it’s a limited-time debut designed specifically for the occasion.
For those after something more substantial, a specially curated three-course banquet menu is available for both lunch and dinner at $119 per person, with a glass of Monmousseau Crémant Rosé on arrival. The menu moves through yellow split pea hummus, John Dory on the bone, and a spiced artichoke cake, the kind of dishes that feel generous and considered without trying too hard. Book one or book both, your mum won’t complain either way.
Offering: High Tea: 2pm–4pm | $89pp (includes Ruinart Champagne) | Banquet: Lunch & dinner | $119pp (includes Crémant Rosé on arrival) Book here:
If Mother’s Day with young children sounds like it requires military-grade logistics, Bravo at Cracker Bay is the venue that makes it easy. The waterfront setting does most of the heavy lifting, with a fenced play area and an arcade room keeping the kids occupied while the adults settle into a long, unhurried meal by the water. The everyday menu is available all day, from breakfast through to a relaxed lunch or dinner, with a dedicated kids menu to keep everyone happy. No special set menu here, just a genuinely family-friendly spot where your mum can actually sit down, enjoy her food, and feel celebrated without anyone having a meltdown.
Offering: Breakfast, lunch & dinner | Everyday menu | Kids menu available Book here.
The Ponsonby original is running the same $95 per person all-day sharing set menu as its Mission Bay sibling, with the same two-hour seating window and kids menu for guests 12 and under. When booking, specify the number of children in the booking notes.
Offering: All day | $95pp sharing set menu | Kids menu available (12 and under) | 2-hour seatings Book here.
Ebisu is going all in with an unlimited sushi, sashimi, and Japanese-inspired buffet from 11am to 4pm. At $85 per person (half price for kids), the offering spans market-fresh sushi and sashimi, a noodle station with soba and poached prawn cocktail, a rotating selection of hot dishes including Big Glory Bay salmon, market fish with yuzu miso, and teriyaki roasted beef, plus desserts like honey coconut custard and chocolate brownie. Last sitting is at 2pm, so book accordingly.
Offering: 11am–4pm | $85pp (half price for kids) | Last sitting 2pm Book here.
The Lodge is keeping things simple and doing them well: a special set menu for lunch only on Mother’s Day, at $95 per person. The brief is relaxed, the focus is on the most important person at the table, and the rest is taken care of. Sometimes the best plan is the one that doesn’t overcomplicate things.
Gilt is open for lunch this Mother’s Day, serving its all-day menu of favourites, think King Crab Pappardelle, Sicilian Crudo, and Chocolate Torte, alongside a few specials created for the occasion, including a Tortellini en brodo with mortadella and Parmesan. Secure your place in the good books while you’re at it.
Offering: Lunch | All-day menu plus Mother’s Day specials Book here.
Huami is offering two ways to celebrate. For lunch, a bottomless yum cha from 11.30am to 2pm, where the whole family gathers around the lazy susan for an afternoon of endless dim sum and dumplings, from prawn dumplings with wild bamboo shoot to the signature Tabasco prawn toast and Shanghai xiao long bao. Each guest starts with a soup on arrival, plus a crispy duck salad and fruit platter for the table. Bookings are required, with a 1.5-hour dining window.
For dinner, a four-course set menu at $99 per person moves through dim sum, Buddha jump wall soup, crispy duck salad, charcoal-grilled beef ribs with Manuka honey, and a citrus dessert of lemon confit, mascarpone cheesecake, and mint sorbet. À la carte is also available.
Offering: Lunch: 11.30am–2pm (bottomless yum cha, bookings required, 1.5 hours) | Dinner: 5.30pm–9.30pm ($99pp set menu or à la carte) Book here.
Non Solo Pizza’s Italian Long Lunch is back for Mother’s Day, and at $55 per person it’s one of the most approachable ways to treat your mum to a proper Italian spread in Parnell. For those who’d rather order their own way, the full à la carte menu is also available for both lunch and dinner. Either way, it’s the kind of afternoon where the table gets loud, the wine keeps flowing, and everyone leaves a little happier than they arrived.
Offering: Italian Long Lunch $55pp | À la carte also available for lunch & dinner Book here.
MASU is welcoming families for Mother’s Day with its full à la carte menu of Japanese favourites, from maki rolls and crispy tempura to fresh sashimi and beyond. If your mum’s idea of a perfect Sunday involves exceptional Japanese food in a striking dining room, this is the booking to make.
Origine’s Mother’s Day set menu is built for sharing and priced at $69 per person, which, for what you’re getting, is quietly one of the strongest value propositions on this list. The menu opens with a duck liver parfait with Hawke’s Bay apricots, manuka honey, and hazelnut alongside a lamb and cheese pie with Mahoe Farm mature gouda and truffle oil. The main is a slow-cooked Greenstone Creek beef cheek bourguignon with potato puree, homemade mustard, and buttered leeks, the kind of dish that earns a long silence at the table. To finish, Origine’s chocolate mousse is served tableside with EVOO and pistachios. French comfort food with New Zealand provenance, shared across a table with the people who matter.
If you really want to earn favourite-child status, skip the city altogether and take your mum to Waiheke for the day. Oyster Inn is open for a long lunch or a relaxed dinner, with the full à la carte menu running alongside a few Mother’s Day specials, the standout being Skull Island Tiger Prawns with nam jim sauce. The kind of dish she absolutely will not want to share with the rest of the table, and honestly, who could blame her.
Offering: Lunch & dinner | Full à la carte plus specials Book here.
If your mum deserves more than the city can offer on a Sunday, Cable Bay makes a compelling case for the ferry. Head Chef Tim Lumsden has designed a five-course seasonal menu available throughout the day, moving from delicate canapés through vibrant seasonal dishes, line-caught seafood, and premium cuts to a shared dessert course. Mum gets a complimentary glass of Nautilus Estate Marlborough Cuvée Brut on arrival, Antipodes water lands on the table, and the ocean views and living sculpture gardens do the rest. At $95 per person, five courses with this setting and this level of cooking is quietly one of the best-value Mother’s Day offerings on the list. A children’s menu is available at $35. Seating is limited, so book ahead.
Offering: All day | Five-course set menu | $95pp | Kids menu $35 Book here.
For something a little different, Bar Albert is hosting a one-off Mother’s Day High Tea in collaboration with New Zealand skincare icon Antipodes. Perched high above the city with sweeping harbour views and skyline backdrops, the afternoon includes beautifully crafted sweet and savoury high tea bites paired with a signature honey cocktail inspired by Antipodes’ Manuka Honey range, while live music and a roaming bar cart (with additional beverages available for purchase) set the mood. The parting gift alone is worth the visit: each guest takes home a curated Antipodes gift bag featuring full-size Manuka Honey & Orange Blossom Shampoo and Conditioner, plus a mini Manuka Honey Face Mask. At $149 per person, it’s an afternoon that covers all the bases, food, drinks, live music, a view, and something lovely to take home. Tickets are limited.
Offering: Sunday 10th May | Seatings at 2pm & 3pm | $149pp | Tickets limited Book here.
Onslow is keeping things elegantly simple: join for a long lunch or dinner on Sunday 10th May and let the kitchen take care of everything while you focus on what actually matters, spending time together. Whether you’re celebrating your mum, a grandmother, or someone who has always shown up, this is a meal worth sitting down for.
Offering: Lunch & dinner | Sunday 10th May Book here.
Bar Magda is leaning into the long, unhurried afternoon with a three-course sharing menu designed for that sweet spot between late lunch and early dinner. Bubbles on arrival set the pace, and at $75 per person with a minimum party of three, this is the kind of relaxed, communal meal that suits a table of generations. For those who’d rather keep the evening going, the regular à la carte menu is also available from 5.30pm.
Offering: Sunday 10th May | 2pm–7pm (sharing menu) | From 5.30pm (à la carte) | $75pp | Minimum 3 guests | Welcome bubbles included Book here.
Esther is doing high tea its own way this Mother’s Day, which is to say, less doily, more Parisian dessert trolley. The afternoon begins with a glass of G.H.Mumm Champagne on arrival, followed by a spread of sweet and savoury bites that lean Mediterranean in spirit, with unexpected flavour pairings alongside the nostalgic notes you’d expect. The dessert trolley is the centrepiece, piled high and delivered with a touch of theatre that will have your mum reaching for seconds before she’s finished her first. Tea and coffee are included, but the real move is upgrading to bottomless Prosecco for $20 or bottomless G.H.Mumm Champagne for $45, because one welcome glass is lovely, but a free-flowing afternoon is how you properly say thank you.
Offering: Sunday 10th May | 12pm–2pm | $89pp | Upgrade to bottomless Prosecco +$20 or bottomless Champagne +$45 Book here.
Stanmore Bay still keeps the easy rhythm of a classic New Zealand seaside settlement. Creosote-stained baches sit alongside newer interventions, and the streetscape feels agreeably removed from the city, a few bends of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula away from Auckland’s gravitational pull.
It is the kind of place you arrive at slowly, which is precisely the point of the house Jessop Architects has quietly evolved here. The project, known simply as Stanmore, began as a young couple’s first home together, bought not long after university. The brief, when it came, was not to erase what they had fallen for, but to let it grow up.
Jessop’s response is a study in restraint. Rather than overwrite the original cottage, additions thread through the site with deference to the mature pōhutukawa, their canopy left to shape both the approach and the outlook. Arrival is deliberately unhurried: you cross the lawn, pass beneath the trees, and only once you are inside does the water reveal itself.
A sheltered courtyard on the inland side is the project’s quiet masterstroke. Where many coastal houses commit entirely to the sea, Stanmore gives itself two considered aspects: the water on one side, a protected, north-facing garden room on the other. It is an unshowy way of doubling the house’s usable life through shoulder-season afternoons and early evenings.
Inside, the palette does its work without raising its voice. Sandy stone tones run through the interiors, grounded and durable rather than decorative, paired with warm timbers and the kind of deft joinery that rewards a second look. Cabinetry is fitted with Powersurge’sEntrada Round Bar Handle and Beam Handle, discreet, well-weighted, the sort of detail you register with your hand before your eye.
Above the island, Powersurge’sLateral Pendant draws a single clean horizontal line through the main living space, a quiet echo of the sea beyond the windows. It is specification rather than feature, which feels right for a house that never tries to perform.
What Jessop has built here is, in the end, a family home that still reads as a first home loved into its second chapter. The pōhutukawa remain, the bach-era rhythm of the bay is intact, and the interiors feel patinated rather than polished. It is a renovation that understands the difference between evolving a house and replacing it.
The space that once housed Ghost Donkey in Commercial Bay has been reborn. Dos Donkeys, a modern Mexican restaurant and bar built on the philosophy that food and drinks are better shared, has opened with a menu that makes a strong case for heading downtown.
The name nods to its two founders: one led with energy, the other with effort. They discovered that vibrancy and discipline make for a better table when they sit side by side. It’s a venue built on connection, where dinner turns into late night, and grit meets good times.
The frozen margaritas are already proving to be their calling card. At $10 during happy hour (4 pm to 6 pm daily, alongside $10 wines and $8 Coronas), they’re sharp, icy and dangerously easy to justify. The food matches the energy, with birria tacos delivering the kind of slow-cooked depth that earns the wait. Then there’s the corn ribs, loaded with colour and crunch, and Enchiladas Borrachas with slow-cooked al pastor, mozzarella, salsa borracha, pickled onion and sour cream, which make a persuasive argument for ordering more.
Corn Ribs
Birria Tacos
Dos Donkeys’ room is warm, low-lit, with neon accents, making it the kind of spot built for lingering. Whether you’re after a post-work margarita or an evening fuelled by tacos and tequila, Dos Donkeys is the downtown Mexican you didn’t know you were waiting for.
What mum actually wants for Mother’s Day (beyond the breakfast-in-bed attempt that leaves the kitchen looking like a crime scene) is a moment of genuine, uninterrupted stillness. SkyCity has built exactly that into one very generous package, and we’re giving it away to a lucky mother this May.
Grand Deluxe Room at The Grand by SkyCity
East Day Spa
The prize begins with a night in a Grand Deluxe Room at The Grand by SkyCity, parking included, because the last thing mum needs is to circle a building three times before her evening of calm begins. From there, East Day Spa’s two-hour Moment of Stillness treatment takes over. A full body Shanti massage designed around slow, rhythmic movement eases tension from places she didn’t know she was holding it, followed by the East Day Spa x Augustinus Bader Methode Facial, a pairing of advanced skincare, sculpting massage, LED therapy, and formulas that leave the skin looking genuinely restored rather than just temporarily dewy.
Left: Metita. Right: Cassia
Masu
Then there’s dinner (for two). A $250 dining credit at one of the award-winning restaurants located within The Grand by SkyCity, with the option to choose from Michael Meredith’s Metita, Sid Sahrawat’s Cassia, or long-time favourite MASU by Nic Watt. No kids’ menu negotiations, no compromises, just a properly good meal with good company in a room that matches the occasion. The following morning, breakfast for two, because even the most deserving solo escape benefits from someone to share the coffee with.
The total prize is worth over $1,000 and must be redeemed in full, Monday to Thursday. Which, frankly, only makes it better. A midweek night in a hotel with nowhere to be the next morning is the kind of luxury that money can’t quite replicate.
This Mother’s Day, treat mum to truly unforgettable experience combining rest, relaxation, and a necessary spot of indulgence. This giveaway is now closed.
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