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Great memories are created over food. A key feature of the Kiwi road trip, edible attractions are not just places to recharge and keep you from getting hangry (so hungry you’re angry). Plotting the best food stops and discovering local treats that are worth detouring for can make an ordinary road trip epic. Blessed with a diverse food culture and some of the best food in the world, New Zealand has something to appeal to everyone, from fresh seafood to Kiwi burgers and everything in between.
Pukenui – Container Café
How good can New Zealand’s all-time favourite comfort food be? Stop by the small Container Café, the last café before Cape Reinga, and your taste buds will thank you. Gaining nearly 300 Google reviews, Container Café deserves all the hype for making the so-called best pies in the North with an impressive variety of flavours. The most famous is no doubt the much-reviewed pāua pie, which has a reputation for crispy, buttery pastry and the right amount of filling.
Matakana – Honest Chocolat
Source: Honest Chocolat
This award-winning chocolate shop is a must visit in Matakana. Boasting an extensive range of handcrafted, artisan chocolate, Honest Chocolat hits the sweet spot for chocolate lovers. Visitors can also find a myriad of classic sweet treats: fudge, slab bars, real fruit jellies, homemade marshmallows and of course, seriously good hot chocolate. Tip when the hard part is choosing: Try the Macadamia Ginger, or Pistachio and Lemon chocolate. The cherry on top is a see-through wall to the kitchen that you can watch how delicious gourmet treats are made.
Auckland – Giapo
Source: Heart of the City
If you’re in the mood to indulge your sweet tooth and you’re also feeling adventurous, there is no better place to go than Giapo. Proudly embracing the “Normal ice cream is boring” philosophy, Giapo goes above and beyond for unique ice cream experience and haute ice cream trend. Every year, the team creates over 1,200 flavours, offering true foodies daily made fresh gelato creations that look and taste ridiculously good. And the best news is Giapo stays open long into the night until 10PM most of the time.
Rotorua - Te Pā Tū
If you are in Rotorua, a region rich in Māori culture and heritage, a delicious hāngī experience will enrich your knowledge of native foods. For a true taste of New Zealand, the smoky flavour of the traditional Māori hāngī is a must-do.
New Zealand’s indigenous food culture is a distinctive blend of Polynesian vegetables, a great range of live seafood, traditional cooking methods and communal philosophy. Even sweet treats can be made the hāngī way – burnt sugar steamed pudding with a light caramel flavour.
Many cultural centres in Rotorua, like Te Pā Tū and Te Puia, offer a hāngī buffet and include an informative tour and a traditional Māori performance for a full Māori cultural experience.
Wellington – Maranui Cafe
Source: Maranui Cafe
Long before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle paid this iconic cafe a visit in 2018, the eclectic beach front Maranui Cafe was already high on Wellingtonians’ list for a weekend brunch spot – and for good reason. Located on the top floor of a century-old building that also houses the Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club, Maranui offers a sunny outdoor deck area with stunning views to the blue distance of the curving Lyall Bay, which is always full of surfers riding the waves.
Maranui’s menu serves up hearty Kiwi meals, vegan fare, melt-in-the-mouth baking, kiddie kai, and also wine and craft beer. Inside, it charms cafegoers with funky interiors: decorative fish hanging from the walls, vintage oars to separate the zones, quirky-looking coffee machine. Every visit to Maranui brings the perfect holiday vibes.
Kaikoura – Kaikoura Seafood BBQ Kiosk
Kaikoura Seafood BBQ might look like a humble, rustic food truck, but this roadside dining spot is truly a gem on the coast for seafood enthusiasts. It serves a wide variety of seafood dishes, from delicious grilled scallops, fresh pāua to hot BBQ crayfish (which you can pick your own and enjoy it cooked delicately). If you’re on the quest for the perfect classic Kiwi whitebait fritter, it’s also a popular choice.
Christchurch – Tramway Restaurant
Source: Pure New Zealand
Add a quirky twist to your trip and visit Tramway Restaurant. As New Zealand’s only dining tram, it has offered a unique dining experience for over 20 years. It was originally built as a passenger tram in Melbourne in 1927, before being carefully repurposed and restored for restaurant use. Step back in time in a charming vintage train, take in the changing scenery of Christchurch inner city, and enjoy a four-course meal of quality seasonal New Zealand produces. This is yummy food, attentive service and fun sightseeing, all in one!
Queenstown – Fergburger
Source: TasteAltas
A popular Queenstown must-do, Fergburger is a favourite of locals and visitors alike. But what really makes Fergburger special? It must be a combination of mighty big portions, crispy buns and thick, juicy meat, and most of all the vibrant, busy atmosphere with people joining the queue, eagerly getting involved in the hype for a fun experience. It’s open 21 hours per day so there is no excuse for not giving Fergburger a go.
Getting ready to hit the road and explore foodie destinations? Keep in mind that traffic is expected to be busy over the Christmas and New Year period. There are several simple tips that you can do to ensure a safe and fun journey no matter where you go. Wear a seat belt, make sure your vehicle is road-worthy (when was the last time you checked your tyre pressure and oil?), take regular breaks, always drive sober and keep a safe following distance. Remember to be safe and alert while sharing the road, and everyone can enjoy the holidays together.