New Zealand north island?

Anyone have any recs for north island? Be it dining or anything? Spending maybe a couple of weeks there.

Any info appreciated!

I dont have any specific restaurant recommendations other than to say that in the last 20 years the NZ culinary scene has improved in leaps and bounds. It used to be dominated by imported foods, but they have now discovered the value of local foods. The locally grown veggies and farm raised meats are just wonderful. There is a lot of lamb and venison on menus in contrast to where I live in the US. What is really impressive is the seafood, charcuterie and cheeses…oh my goodness they are wonderful. Farm raised mussels and fresh oysters from Bluff are just amazing. I ate my weight in oysters and mussels when I was there a few years ago. My wife just returned from a trip there with our niece and enjoyed a lot of Thai and Viet food as well. Just know that the kiwi chefs are really embracing their abundance and farm to table cuisine. I think you’re in for a tasty trip.

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Local site, Urban List, has a fab section on Auckland dining:

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Thanks for the pointers @wabi and @klyeoh

I’ll have a look and start posting to this thread about my adventures!

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In Auckland, my favorite meal was at Hello Beasty on the Viaduct Harbour. It is an Asian Fusion small plates.

Not food related …
In Wellington, I recommend the night tour at Zealandia. You need to book in advance.
https://www.visitzealandia.com/zealandiabynight
I ate most my meals in Wellington at the various casual restaurants along Cuba Street. I can’t remember any specifics (no bad meals but nothing particularly memorable). I got coffee every morning at Customs

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I missed my opportunity to dine there, but when I thought I was going to New Zealand last year, I was planning to go to a banquet in Hobbiton. Yep, a cask ale at the Green Dragon and a banquet in a cozy Hobbit home. And I failed in my mission…
It is expensive and the food may not even be all that great, but I wish I could eat in a Hobbit home.

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I forgot about Hobbitton. I thought it was well worth a visit and I have never seen “The Lord of the Rings” films or read the books. I had lunch there in the Green Dragon Inn. It was fine, but the food was not particularly memorable to me. It was a buffet.

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I was there about 2 years ago – with mixed results! My objective was ‘finer’ dining, so not sure if I was at the same price point.

AUCKLAND

Pasture (now closed) – but served me a fish called ‘Trevally’ that was superb – try it if you find it!

Sidart - very good, but somewhat ‘corporate’ – a ‘special occasion’ type of place.

Cassia - bustling Indian restaurant, with BYOB at zero corkage

WHAKATANE

Roquette Competent but not groundbreaking

GISBORNE

Crawford Road Kitchen, Cross between a wine bar and restaurant. Solid & Reliable.

NAPIER

Pacifica Renowned, but didn’t deliver. Coasting on laurels. HOWEVER, place was for sale when I visited. Possible that new owners may have revived this.

WELLINGTON

Logan Brown Just didn’t wow for me. Cavernous space, well-appointed, but food too middle-of-road. Wine list was above average

Spring Kitchen (in Doubletree Hotel) - Asian Fusion - Unbelievably good food, hot, excellent spicing; Wine list was ‘inaccurate’ but they gave us a higher priced wine at the same price as the one we attempted to order. On reflection, this was my favourite meal on the North Island!

I hope they still have the same chef (Asian, female).

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Thank you will bookmark some of these places

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