New Zealand’s Top Restaurants
Discover Aotearoa’s Finest Dining Experiences
New Zealand’s dining scene has entered an exciting new era, with the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide recognising the country’s finest restaurants across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. From MICHELIN-starred restaurants and celebrated vineyard dining to refined city eateries and exceptional regional food experiences, Aotearoa offers a world-class culinary journey shaped by fresh local produce, premium seafood, award-winning wines and creative chefs. At New Zealand Luxury Travel Agents, we can include New Zealand’s top restaurants as part of a fully tailored luxury itinerary, creating unforgettable dining moments throughout your journey.
This page is designed as a curated reference guide to New Zealand’s leading MICHELIN-recognised restaurants and luxury dining experiences, helping travellers understand which restaurants may be worth including in a tailored itinerary.
North Island
The North Island of New Zealand offers an exceptional variety of dining experiences, from refined city restaurants in Auckland and Wellington to vineyard dining, coastal seafood, luxury lodge cuisine, and regional food experiences shaped by fresh local produce. Whether enjoying a harbourfront meal, a chef-led tasting menu, or a relaxed long lunch among the vines, the North Island is home to some of Aotearoa’s most memorable culinary moments.
Ahi - Auckland
Dining style: Refined modern New Zealand cuisine with a relaxed fine-dining feel.
Ahi is one of Auckland’s most celebrated restaurants, known for showcasing the best of New Zealand’s land, sea and seasons. Located in the heart of the city, Ahi brings together premium local produce, creative cooking and a strong connection to Aotearoa’s growers, farmers and fishermen. With its refined yet welcoming style, the restaurant offers a memorable dining experience that reflects modern New Zealand cuisine at its best.
One MICHELIN Star
Tala - Auckland
Dining style: Refined modern Pacific cuisine inspired by Samoan flavours, storytelling and seasonal New Zealand produce.
Tala is an acclaimed Auckland restaurant offering a refined Pacific dining experience with a strong connection to Samoan culture, storytelling and flavour. Its menu celebrates seasonal New Zealand produce through a modern lens, combining elegant presentation with bold, meaningful influences from the Pacific. Intimate, creative and deeply personal, Tala offers guests a dining experience that feels both contemporary and culturally rich.
One MICHELIN Star
Paris Butter - Auckland
Dining style: Modern French-inspired fine dining using seasonal New Zealand produce.
Paris Butter is an elegant Auckland restaurant known for its refined dining style, creative seasonal menus and warm, polished service. Blending classic French technique with premium New Zealand produce, the restaurant offers a sophisticated yet welcoming experience in the heart of Herne Bay. With beautifully presented dishes, thoughtful wine pairings and an intimate atmosphere, Paris Butter is ideal for travellers seeking a memorable fine-dining evening in Auckland.
One MICHELIN Star
Mudbrick - Waiheke Island
Dining style: Refined vineyard dining with modern New Zealand cuisine and Waiheke Island wines.
Mudbrick is one of Waiheke Island’s most iconic dining destinations, set among vineyards and gardens with sweeping views back across the Hauraki Gulf toward Auckland. Known for its elegant vineyard setting, seasonal menus and premium local ingredients, Mudbrick offers a relaxed yet refined dining experience that pairs beautifully with Waiheke’s celebrated wines. It is a memorable choice for travellers wanting exceptional food, wine and scenery in one of New Zealand’s most picturesque island locations.
One MICHELIN Star
The Estate at Tantalus - Waiheke Island
Dining style: Elegant vineyard dining with refined modern New Zealand cuisine and estate-grown wines.
The Estate at Tantalus is a refined Waiheke Island dining destination, set within the beautiful Tantalus Estate vineyard. Surrounded by vines, gardens and elegant architecture, the restaurant offers a sophisticated food and wine experience that celebrates seasonal ingredients, thoughtful presentation and the estate’s own wines. With its polished service, relaxed luxury and picturesque island setting, The Estate is ideal for travellers looking to enjoy one of Waiheke’s most memorable long-lunch or fine-dining experiences.
One MICHELIN Star
Ortega Fish Shack - Wellington
Dining style: Refined seafood bistro with a relaxed Wellington feel.
Ortega Fish Shack is a celebrated Wellington restaurant known for its fresh seafood, relaxed charm and lively bistro atmosphere. With a menu inspired by the ocean and a strong focus on quality New Zealand produce, Ortega offers a dining experience that is refined, character-filled and welcoming. Its warm service, excellent wine list and reputation for beautifully prepared seafood make it a standout choice for travellers looking to enjoy one of Wellington’s most memorable restaurants.
One MICHELIN Star
Logan Brown - Wellington
Dining style: Modern New Zealand fine dining with heritage elegance and seasonal local produce.
Logan Brown is one of Wellington’s most iconic restaurants, set within a beautifully restored former bank building on Cuba Street. Known for its elegant atmosphere, refined service and strong focus on seasonal New Zealand ingredients, Logan Brown offers a memorable dining experience that blends heritage charm with modern cuisine. Its thoughtful menus, excellent wine selection and long-standing reputation make it a standout choice for travellers wanting a classic Wellington fine-dining experience.
One MICHELIN Star
Jano Bistro - Wellington
Dining style: Intimate modern New Zealand fine dining with seasonal tasting menus.
Jano Bistro is an intimate Wellington restaurant known for its creative tasting menus, elegant presentation and warm, personal service. Set within a charming historic cottage, the restaurant offers a refined dining experience that celebrates seasonal New Zealand produce with modern technique and thoughtful detail. Its small scale, relaxed sophistication and focus on flavour make it a memorable choice for travellers looking for one of Wellington’s most distinctive fine-dining experiences.
One MICHELIN Star
South Island
Dining in the South Island offers a truly memorable experience, with restaurants set among some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking landscapes, from alpine towns and vineyard valleys to lakeside settings and vibrant city dining. With acclaimed restaurants in Queenstown, Wānaka and Christchurch, the South Island combines exceptional seasonal produce, premium local wines and dramatic scenery to create some of Aotearoa’s finest culinary experiences.
Essence - Queenstown
Dining style: Elegant fine dining with seasonal New Zealand produce, tasting menus and premium wine pairings.
Essence is one of Queenstown’s most refined dining experiences and holds the distinction of being New Zealand’s only Two MICHELIN Star restaurant. Offering elegant cuisine in a sophisticated alpine setting, Essence has a strong focus on seasonal New Zealand ingredients, creative presentation and carefully matched wines. Its memorable fine-dining journey reflects the flavours and landscapes of the South Island, while its polished service, intimate atmosphere and attention to detail make it an exceptional choice for travellers seeking a truly special culinary experience in Queenstown.
Two MICHELIN Stars
Inati - Christchurch
Dining style: Interactive fine dining with seasonal sharing plates and a chef’s table experience.
Inati is one of Christchurch’s standout fine-dining restaurants, offering an interactive and beautifully considered dining experience in the heart of the city. Centred around the idea of sharing, guests can dine at the chef’s table and enjoy the theatre of the open kitchen, with dishes designed to showcase the finest Canterbury and New Zealand produce. Creative, elegant and welcoming, Inati is ideal for travellers looking for a memorable South Island dining experience with personality, flavour and a strong sense of place.
One MICHELIN Star
Tussock Hill - Christchurch
Dining style: Refined vineyard dining with seasonal Canterbury produce and organic estate wines.
Tussock Hill is a refined Christchurch dining destination set among organic vineyards on the Port Hills, with beautiful views across the city and surrounding landscape. The restaurant celebrates seasonal Canterbury produce, estate-grown wines and a strong connection to the land, offering a relaxed yet elegant experience in a peaceful vineyard setting. With thoughtful menus, warm service and a distinctly local sense of place, Tussock Hill is a memorable choice for travellers seeking exceptional food and wine close to Christchurch.
One MICHELIN Star
Kika - Wānaka
Dining style: Creative modern New Zealand dining with seasonal sharing plates and a relaxed alpine feel.
Kika is a celebrated Wānaka restaurant known for its creative small plates, relaxed atmosphere and strong focus on seasonal New Zealand produce. Located in the heart of this beautiful alpine lake town, Kika offers a dining experience that is refined yet approachable, with dishes designed for sharing and a menu that changes with the seasons. Its combination of thoughtful cooking, warm service and relaxed sophistication makes it a memorable choice for travellers seeking one of Wānaka’s standout dining experiences.
One MICHELIN Star
Amisfield - Queenstown
Dining style: Refined vineyard fine dining with seasonal tasting menus and Central Otago wines.
Amisfield is one of Queenstown’s most acclaimed dining destinations, set among vines with views toward the surrounding mountains. Known for its elegant tasting menu, estate-grown wines and strong focus on seasonal local produce, Amisfield offers a refined food and wine experience that captures the flavours of Central Otago. With its beautiful vineyard setting, polished service and creative approach to regional ingredients, it is a standout choice for travellers seeking a memorable luxury dining experience near Queenstown.
One MICHELIN Star
Sherwood - Queenstown
Dining style: Relaxed modern New Zealand dining with seasonal, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients.
Sherwood is a distinctive Queenstown restaurant known for its relaxed atmosphere, seasonal menus and strong focus on sustainability. Set within a creative alpine retreat, the restaurant celebrates local produce, garden-grown ingredients and thoughtful cooking that reflects the surrounding Central Otago landscape. With its casual yet refined style, warm service and commitment to fresh, honest flavours, Sherwood is a memorable choice for travellers seeking a more relaxed Queenstown dining experience with a strong sense of place.
One MICHELIN Star
Rātā - Queenstown
Dining style: Modern New Zealand dining with seasonal local produce and a relaxed fine-dining feel.
Rātā is a well-known Queenstown restaurant offering refined modern New Zealand dining in a relaxed, stylish setting. Inspired by the natural beauty of the region, the menu celebrates seasonal produce, local flavours and thoughtful cooking with a distinctly Southern feel. With its warm atmosphere, central Queenstown location and polished yet approachable service, Rātā is a memorable choice for travellers wanting an elegant dining experience in the heart of Queenstown.