For years, Australians have crossed the Tasman for the dramatic landscapes, world-class wine regions and that unmistakable Kiwi sense of adventure. But, there’s a new reason to pack your bags and book a flight across the ditch – New Zealand has officially entered the global culinary spotlight.
With the launch of the inaugural Michelin Guide New Zealand, Aotearoa has become the first destination in Oceania to join the prestigious guide, putting its extraordinary food culture firmly on the world stage.
And the best part for Australian travellers is that a Michelin-starred dining experience is closer than ever. With direct flights from Australia’s east coast taking just a few hours, your next gourmet getaway could involve breakfast overlooking snow-capped mountains, a vineyard lunch surrounded by rolling hills, and dinner at a restaurant recognised among the world’s best.
A new culinary chapter begins
The inaugural Michelin Guide New Zealand recognises 110 exceptional restaurants across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, including 15 Michelin-starred venues, 35 Bib Gourmand restaurants and 60 Michelin Selected establishments.
The guide’s arrival recognises what New Zealand chefs have showcased for years: a distinctive culinary identity shaped by exceptional produce, creative innovation and a deep respect for the natural environment.
Leading the charge is Essence, which was awarded New Zealand’s only Two Michelin Stars. Located on a hillside overlooking Lake Whakatipu in Queenstown, the restaurant showcases the best of the country’s seasonal ingredients through refined, thoughtful cuisine.
Executive Chef Paul Froggatt describes the recognition as a dream achievement – one that belongs not only to the kitchen team but also the growers, suppliers and producers who help tell New Zealand’s food story.
Elsewhere, 14 restaurants received One Michelin Star, including Auckland’s Mudbrick Restaurant and Paris Butter; Wellington’s Logan Brown and Ortega Fish Shack; and Queenstown favourites including Rata.
One of the most exciting inclusions is Tala, which became the first Samoan restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin Star – a milestone that celebrates the diversity and cultural richness of New Zealand’s dining scene. While, another face to watch is is Chef Robert Fairs – awarded a Michelin Guide Young Chef Award for Londo his Bib Gourmand restaurant in Christchurch.
Where nature meets the table
What makes New Zealand’s food scene so special is that the dining experience often begins long before you sit down.
Here, the journey from paddock, ocean and vineyard to plate is part of the story.
The Maori principles of tiakitanga (guardianship and care for the environment) and manaakitanga (hospitality and generosity) are deeply woven into the country’s culinary identity. Many restaurants celebrate local producers, native ingredients and sustainable practices, creating experiences that feel connected to the place around them.
At Ahi. in Auckland, chef Ben Bayly champions a close connection between cuisine, land and community, with produce sourced from local growers and a kitchen garden supporting the restaurant’s seasonal menus.
Meanwhile, in Queenstown, and Sherwood draws inspiration from its surroundings, sourcing ingredients from its own garden and the local landscape.
For travellers, this means a meal becomes more than a reservation – it becomes a memory attached to a place.
Your next New Zealand itinerary just found its flavour
While Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown are now officially on the Michelin map, the country’s food story stretches far beyond the cities.
Wine lovers can explore vineyard restaurants among the vines, seafood enthusiasts can follow the coastline for some of the freshest catches in the world, and adventure seekers can pair mountain hikes, geothermal experiences and scenic road trips with unforgettable meals along the way.
From sipping wine overlooking the Hauraki Gulf to enjoying a tasting menu beneath Queenstown’s mountains, New Zealand offers something increasingly rare: a destination where the scenery and the cuisine are equally unforgettable.
The Michelin Guide may have just arrived, but the message is clear – New Zealand has always been worth the journey. Now, it’s simply giving travellers one more reason to stay for dinner.
