Last year me and my wife Kirstin embarked on an adventure of a lifetime. New Zealand had long been top of both of our lists of places to visit and we’d finally been able to plan the trip we’d always wanted: 3 weeks across the 2 islands, exploring one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. Here’s some of the incredible food and drink we had in our time there…
Seafood in Kaikoura
For most of 2017, the coastal town of Kaikoura was completely cut off from the north of New Zealand’s South Island. An earthquake in 2016 had destroyed Highway 1 leaving the town cut off from its main access to the North Island and incoming tourists. Fast forward a year, and with the road once again open, Lonely Planet named eating crayfish in the town as the number 6 food experience in the world! How could we not do it after that recommendation?…
We opted to skip the more well known Nin’s Bin (currently surrounded by the Highway 1 building site) and went further south to Kaikoura Seafood BBQ. The small shack at the side of the beach was heaving so we ordered some of the local crayfish and scallops and grabbed ourselves a plastic table. The seafood was absolutely perfect, just fresh and simply cooked on a hotplate served with rice and salad.
Fergburger
Before we went on our trip, the one place that kept being recommended to me was Queenstown’s Fergburger. It was clear I wasn’t the only one who’d heard good things as the queue was down the street.
While the burger was delicious, I think I’ve been spoiled by the incredible burgers that London has to offer. I chose a classic cheeseburger and walked along to the lake to enjoy it. The meat was well-done but succulent and even the lettuce, tomatoes and onions were good, but I thought the bun was much bigger and more filling than it needed to be.
New Zealand gins
Meeting Broken Heart gin distiller Joerg, tasting his creations and hearing all about them was a real highlight. Check out my previous blog for more from our chat.
While we were travelling around the country, we also got to try other delicious New Zealand gins from the likes of Source, Dancing Sands, Scapegrace, Lighthouse and Reid + Reid.
Indian in Napier
We were in the art deco town of Napier on the North Island shortly after Diwali and the local Hindu community had put on a free event in the bandstand. It was great to see everyone out enjoying the music and dancing.
One of the highest rated restaurants in the town was Rasoi, an Indian restaurant along the seafront, so we decided to check it out. We started with tandori scallops and kaffir lime chicken tikka, and followed with a lamb curry, daal, and roti. It was divine. One of the best Indian meals we’ve ever had.
Gluten free bagels and pizzas
As you may know from previous blogs, my wife is gluten intolerant, and finding tasty gluten free baked goods isn’t always the easiest. We completely fell in love with Best Ugly Bagels (Wellington and Auckland) and their manuka wood fired pizza ovens used for their amazing Montreal-style bagels.
Another great gluten free find was Hell Pizza (branches all over New Zealand) for quick and tasty pizzas with amazing toppings. It’s been great to hear how seriously they take things like cross contamination to reassure any coeliacs eating with them.
Eating a traditional hangi
While in Rotorua on the North Island, we went on a Maori experience at Tamaki Village and had a hangi, the traditional way of slow cooking food underground. Roast lamb, potatoes, vegetables, the works, all deliciously succulent. What a tasty way to learn about local history.
Hokey Pokey
Hokey Pokey ice cream is a bit of a New Zealand institution. Vanilla ice cream with honeycomb toffee: what a combination! We just had to try it when we visited Rollickin Gelato in Christchurch.
Pedro’s House of Lamb
One of the most popular places to eat in Christchurch isn’t a fancy restaurant or cafe, but a shipping container outside an off license. Pedro’s House of Lamb only sells 1 thing: slow cooked lamb shoulder with potatoes. On our way back from picking up a tray we received envious looks from passers by who knew what we had instore. It was so tender and felt like it fell off the bone just by looking at it. My mouth is watering just thinking about it again.
Kiwi pies
New Zealand is famous for its pies and we’d been recommended to try some of the very best from Fairlie Bakehouse. Their homemade pies are deliciously flakey and buttery, and inside mine was lovely local salmon, and bacon.
Other amazing restaurants and bars that we visited and deserve a shout out include:
- Bespoke Kitchen, Queenstown (incredible brunches right at the foot of the cable car)
- Ombra, Wellington (delicious Venetian-inspired small plates)
- Caffeine Laboratory, Christchurch (perfect souvlaki lunch and pick-me-up after the 24-hour flight)
- OGB Bar, Christchurch (friendly staff, delicious negronis and a wide selection of local gins)
- Kepler, Te Anau (a South American take on New Zealand cuisine)
- Squids, Whitianga (tasty fresh seafood at reasonable prices)
- Odette’s Eatery, Auckland (beautiful refined plates)
- Black Dog bar, Wellington (great little bar over their brewery on the famous Cuba Street)
