Food & Wine

New Zealand's 'Pacific Rim' cuisine style takes its inspiration from regions and countries such as Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam. This unique blend of influences has created a mouth-watering range of flavours and food available from cafes and restaurants nationwide.

For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style, look out for lamb, pork and venison; salmon, crayfish, Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels and scallops; kumara (sweet potato); kiwifruit and tamarillo; and pavlova, our national dessert, made from meringue and lashings of fresh whipped cream topped with fresh fruit or berries.

While the main centres support a few elegant, silver-service restaurants, the trend is towards more relaxed cafe-bar dining. There is a wide variety of international food available including Japanese, Indian, Halal, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai. While you are here, take the opportunity to discover more about New Zealand wines .

Our white wines, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have achieved an international reputation for excellence - and the reds are catching-up fast!

Tipping

In New Zealand we don't expect tips for normal service - this includes service at restaurants and bars, however visitors are welcome to tip excellent service if they wish.