The food scene in New Zealand is vibrant - from flat whites to fares for vegetarians (more options available if you are open to hidden eggs and are an eggetarian) and is relatively easier on the pocket for us Indians. While you’d find food to be really expensive in most Western countries, New Zealand is at par with any metropolitan city in India.
But before we get into the specific places that you must eat at, have you had a Flat White coffee at a Starbucks? I love my Flat Whites, and it was first made here in Oceania, while there is some argument between the Aussies and the Kiwis as to who is the original inventor of the creamy flat white, there is no doubt about the fact that the Antipodeans brew their coffee best. If you are a coffee lover then definitely grab Flat Whites at even the tiniest of coffee shops around New Zealand and you will not be disappointed.
We have covered our trip to New Zealand in 5 Chapters from the lens of travelling from India, experiences to include in your itinerary, adventure activities to include in your travel plan, availability of vegetarian food in New Zealand and exploring the indigenous Maori culture with takeaways for our own wellbeing.
You are reading Chapter 4.
Table of Contents
(Vegetarian food in NZ - Here is a ready list of vegetarian friendly places to eat at in New Zealand if you want to skip the menu recommendations.)
Where to eat and drink at in Auckland
If you’re into Lebanese food then the Mezze Bar in Auckland Central will be a true delight and they also do some really good Sangria and a dainty Tiramisu. The Sky Cafe is unmissable for a flat white and a snack during your time atop the Sky Tower and another brunch spot in Auckland Central is Odette’s which does a good European brunch. However, be ready to queue up and spend some time outside in the shade waiting for your name to be called out here.
The best restaurant in Waitomo
I cannot recommend the Huhu Cafe enough, the vegetarian food here was so flavourful and you should sit on their terrace to enjoy your meal in the delightful evening weather in the summers. I was also tempted to check out the Huhu Chalet and spend the night there as it looked so cozy.
The best vegetarian burger at The Shire’s Rest, Hobbiton
Before taking a tour of the world of Bilgo Baggins, stop by the Shire’s Rest to have the best vegetarian burger in all NZ. They also have some great dessert options and we loved our chocolate and mint cake before venturing into Middle Earth and the Middle Ages.
The best places to eat in Rotorua for vegetarians
The Indian owned and run Mamma Rossa Pizzeria here is a must visit place for all pizza lovers out there. While Pavlova is a traditional Kiwi dessert and we wanted to try it at the much hyped Atticus Finch, we were not quite impressed. Pavlova is actually inspired by the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, however, it is a meringue based dessert and is cloyingly sweet. If you enjoy the texture of meringue, then you can go for it. Mexican cuisine these days comes to the rescue of vegetarians and vegans travelling abroad and you definitely want to go to El Mexicano for their empanadas and burrito bowls. You should also try Jaritos which is a flavoured Mexican soda available in a bunch of flavours.
Vegetarian friendly restaurants in Queenstown, NZ
If you are in Queenstown, one of the cuisines (quite literally) of the city is Fergburger. They have two vegetarian burger options and their fries are a must try. It is a quick service restaurant with a long queue outside its premises but it is a fast moving one and generally well managed. The desserts and gelato at the adjoining Fergbaker also looked really tempting, however, we were not able to try them. A good dinner option in Queenstown is the Winnies Pizzeria who also serve some local New Zealand wine. You could end your dinner with some ice cream at Patagonia Chocolates. Lastly, one of the best food truck experiences with an inspiring story to tell is to grab a Taco for lunch at Taco Medic.
Vegetarian friendly pit stops in Cardrona and Wanaka from Queenstown to Glacier Country
You have to take a pitstop at the Cardrona Hotel to dine in one of their greenhouses outdoors especially if you’re here in the summers. Their flat white and potato wedges make for a great coffee break! After a few days in New Zealand, if you’re missing home and craving some Indian food then you could take a pitstop at Bombay Wanaka and opt for an outdoor covered seating with a view of Lake Wanaka. You could also grab a gelato from the nearby Black Peak Gelato on a sultry day.
The best vegetarian friendly restaurant in Franz Josef
There are limited restaurant options in Franz Josef and we found the Monsoon Restaurant to be a good one with a vegetarian burger and some pasta options to sustain us for two meals during our time there.
Top places to get a drink and food in Christchurch
The highlight of our time in Christchurch was a breakfast at the C1 Espresso which serves select items on its menu through its unique capsule network in the cafe. We also ordered a hot chocolate with our faces printed on it almost like latte art. If you’re over bread by the time you reach Christchurch you can opt for a Japanese meal at the Amaterrace Teppanyaki, although we must warn you that they use the same grill for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and this is right in front of your eyes, so may not be every vegetarian’s cup of tea! Some of the best Italian food we had in Christchurch was at Francesca Italian and we definitely judge an Italian restaurant by the taste of its Tiramisu.
The best avocado on toast in New Zealand is in Kaikoura!
If you do visit the coastal town of Kaikoura for a Whale & Dolphin watching trip, be prepared to have the best avocado on toast of your life at Sime’s Kitchen. Although I was expecting avocados on a lot of cafe menus, avocados are readily available to buy at farmer’s markets but not available at breakfast buffets in New Zealand. Probably the Kiwis rather earn some foreign exchange by exporting them out.
Also, we couldn't try the famous Hokey Pokey ice cream which is a mix of vanilla, toffee crumbs and nut brittles but it comes highly recommended in most New Zealand food guides for travellers. We also had our fair share of the Kiwi fruit as part of our breakfast buffets. The fruit is named after their national bird Kiwi which honestly is a very rare sight in all of NZ.
Things to remember while eating out in New Zealand
Plan for early dinners and if possible pre-book your dinner spot by lunchtime as the Kiwis are very hesitant for last minute bookings and walk-ins. Most restaurants shut down between 9 and 10 PM.
Place your drinks, starter and main course order together. Unlike India which is a labour surplus country, most restaurants in New Zealand are short staffed and the attendants would not appreciate being called again and again. You could just place your dessert order towards the end. But I must say, I do miss the level of service we are spoiled with in India while travelling abroad.
New Zealand is not very big on tipping culture. Sometimes I feel like you get better service in the US as the attendant uses this as a motivation to be more hospitable. However, a 5-10% of your bill is appreciated if you are really happy with the service.
Last Word: A piece of New Zealand that you can bring home with you
Another Kiwi specialty is the Whittakers chocolate. Much like what Lindt is to Switzerland, Godiva is to Belgium and Ghirardeli is to California, Whittaker is to New Zealand. If you’re here around their summertime do look out for holiday special flavours, like we really enjoyed the Gingerbread flavor. Also, these are great to take back home for friends and family.
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