New ZealandFood and Drink

New Zealand offers a delectable culinary experience that reflects its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. New Zealand’s cuisine emphasizes farm-to-table freshness and is known for its high-quality seafood, lamb, and dairy products, Māori food traditions, such as hāngī (earth-cooked meals), and a strong café culture with a focus on artisan coffee and baked goods. New Zealand is also famous for its world-class wines and growing craft beer scene, ensuring delicious dining experiences.

What is New Zealand’s traditional cuisine?

New Zealand’s cuisine is defined by its natural, fresh, and diverse dishes and ingredients, drawing inspiration from its Māori, British, and Pacific Islander history.

Hāngī is a traditional Māori method of cooking involving slow-cooking meat and vegetables in an earth oven, creating a smoky, flavourful feast. Seafood is another staple in every New Zealand vacation, thanks to its extensive shoreline and pristine waters teeming with green-lipped mussels, Bluff oysters, succulent crayfish, and more.

Wash it all down with some Kawakawa tea, a traditional Māori drink made from native Kawakawa leaves. You could also indulge in the world-famous New Zealand flat white, a coffee beverage that perfectly balances espresso and velvety steamed milk.

What is the dining etiquette in New Zealand?

It’s polite to wait for everyone to be served before eating on your New Zealand trip; meals are mostly family-style. Table manners are typically Continental, where you hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating, and you should lay your cutlery parallel on your plate to signal when you’re done eating.

Māori dining etiquette varies slightly, as you typically should not eat until the food has been blessed or acknowledged by an elder of the home. Getting to know your host by sitting amongst them during your meal is common, and younger people will serve the elders who usually prepare the meal. 

What is the drinking etiquette in New Zealand?

Consuming alcohol is a common part of New Zealand society (and New Zealand vacations!)  and is widely available at bottle stores, grocery stores, and restaurants and bars. The legal drinking age in New Zealand is 18 years old and most Kiwis love to socialize over a drink at bars, restaurants, parties, and barbecues, and non-alcoholic options are often available.

New Zealand is renowned globally for its wine from Auckland, Northland, Gisborne, Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay in the North Island and from Marlborough, Nelson, Central Otago, Waitaki Valley, and North Canterbury in the South Island. Sauvignon Blanc is the country’s most commonly planted grape, and several vineyard and wine-tasting tours are available throughout the country.

Does New Zealand cater to dietary restrictions?

New Zealand is very accommodating to dietary restrictions, especially in major cities and popular tourist destinations. You'll find a rich variety of dietary options in major cities from vegetarian and vegan to halal and kosher, and even lactose and dairy-free, and gluten-free. Most restaurants and grocery stores cater to these dietary restrictions. Options may be more limited in more rural areas of the country but still available with proper planning.

What do meals typically cost in New Zealand?

A typical meal in New Zealand will cost around USD $12 to $24 at most restaurants, while higher-end dining can range from USD $60 to $100 per person. Tipping is optional in New Zealand but is appreciated for exceptional service.